Earlier today, I sat in the dining room and ate a simple cheese and avocado sandwich. My mom stood over three dozen cookies in the kitchen, pressing dark chocolate kisses into the partially spread peanut butter dough. Christmas music played in the background, and I ate quietly, watching my mom bake just like I do every week at home.
This holiday season is a special one for my family. For the first time in over eight years, my mom is healthy and strong. She has been battling illness since I was in high school, and in years past...I've had to orchestrate the holiday festivities largely on my own. But after a successful spinal fusion in August, my mother has regained her mobility and strength. She radiates beauty, and her spirit is one of grateful tranquility. She feels blessed to be alive, and we rejoice in her healing.
This is also a special Christmas for my family because of baby Ryan. Susanne and Craig brought baby Ryan home from the hospital last week, and they are adjusting to the demands of their new life. Ryan needs around-the-clock care, and although he is making great progress...the journey is still a long one. Last night, Ryan and I visited Susanne and baby Ryan. We got to hold his hands, cuddle with him on the couch, and tell him, again and again, how much we loved him.
Over the course of this past year, we lost Ryan's father, my mother had massive surgery, we moved across the country, and then baby Ryan nearly drowned in that pool.
What a year...what challenges to overcome.
Yet despite these losses and struggles, I find myself surrounded with love, enveloped in peace, and confident that the road before me will always amaze me with its daily mercies.
I know that many of you have experienced loss over this past year, and my heart goes out to you. I know those feelings of deep, inconsolable pain. If I can offer you anything this holiday season, I want to offer hope. I never thought I would have my mom healthy for Christmas again. I never thought that baby Ryan would be able to smile and laugh when he heard my voice.
Draw near to those that you love, remember those that you lost, and know that there is a higher power at work in this terrifying and beautiful world.
Bundt cakes are under-appreciated. Not only are they delicious, but they are sturdy and easy to transport from one kitchen to another. I love bringing this cake to holiday parties, and I plan on making two this year (one for my family's celebration and one for Ryan's).
I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I get requests for a recipe card each time I serve this...I'm sure that your guests and family members will feel the same.
1 cup raisins (dark or golden)
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each ground cloves and ground allspice
2 cups peeled pear chunks (from about 2 large pears)
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the raisins in a bowl and toss them with 2 tablespoons of the flour until lightly coated (this will prevent them from sinking in the cake).
2. Beat your eggs and sugar in a mixer until fluffy. While the mixer runs on low, slowly pour in the vanilla and the oil. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Blend into the egg mixture. Stir in the pears and the raisins by hand, distributing them evenly in the batter.
3. Spoon into a 10-inch bundt pan and bake for around 45 to 60 minutes, until springy and dry in the center. Let cool COMPLETELY in the pan on a wire rack, then turn it out. Freeze until ready to use or just wrap and store for up to 2 days.
4. To make the glaze, stir the maple syrup and sugar together in a bowl. Glaze the cooled cake by spooning the glaze around the top of the cake and letting it drip down the sides
Always,
Monet
Anecdotes and Apple Cores