Publish Date: Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Location: Key West, Florida
Coordinates: 24° 34.480′ N 81° 47.209′ W
Tiny, firm, red, ripe cranberries play chase and bounce joyfully about the salon and galley of Three@Sea. Who better to round them up than a Texas-born girl donned in her Christmas tree headband. Yes, for the second year in a row I have become the “cranberry wrangler” aboard our sturdy vessel. Christmas baking is an integral part of our holiday traditions, from pecan crescent cookies and cranberry carmel bars, to sugar cookies and gingerbread houses. For my last 50 years, Christmas morning has always begun with my grandmother’s cranberry nut-bread and hot chocolate. So, yesterday while underway we let the baking begin. Ayla and I have adapted our baking skills quite well to our little galley. Working together we chop, measure, stir, and bake with a gracefulness enjoyed by local ballet companies performing The Nutcracker. 🙂 Until it comes to those little cranberries…
I enjoy cooking. In the years leading up to buying Three@Sea I would spend hours while cooking evaluating and analyzing what kitchen tools I would bring aboard, and which would remain on shore. In the end I chose to leave my Cuisinart food-processor behind. It was the last thing I put in storage, having wrestled with the decision right up to the moment we left. For the most part, it has worked out fine since I enjoy chopping fruits and vegetables by hand (I love the color and textures mother nature has created). Biscuits, pie crusts, and salad dressings are easily assembled by hand, and pureeing of items is handled by the blender. However, those beautiful, pesky orbs of holiday flavor do pose a challenge, particularly when trying to chop them while underway. They have no intention of waiting patiently upon the cutting board to be chopped; Instead they prefer to roll and play like Frosty the Snowman. One unexpected wave, or a nasty wake sends them frolicking about the salon. While totally cracking-up and feeling like I was in a “B” holiday movie, I did finally manage to round them all up. I eventually learned I can only chop a 1/4 cup at time, and even then they enjoy popping off the knife for one last spin. However, I do believe my cranberry wrangling duties for this year are at end. The cranberry nut-bread is made and awaiting Christmas morning, while the cranberry bars are currently being enjoyed by all.
For me, traditions are those events or activities that link us to our families, friends, or communities. I love knowing that for the past hundred years my Grandmother, Mother, Aunts, and Uncles enjoyed this same cranberry nut-bread recipe on Christmas morning that we will enjoy together in a few days. I love thinking about them chopping and baking together in preparation for Christmas morning, whether in Virginia a 100 years ago, or in Texas just yesterday. It makes my heart smile to know these traditions can carry on whether on land or at sea. Even though we might feel far away, it is often simple traditions like these that keep us connected to our families. Cranberry wrangling may not be a long term part of the tradition, but for now it is part of ours. Wishing you a holiday season filled with love, joy, and your own special traditions.
I am sure y’all are aware that it is snowing in Boulder/Longmont right now. Miss Charlie is baking lots of cookies as I type and I am helping with the “Quality Assurance” task.
BTW, enjoy that Cranberry Nut Bread. That brings back lots of yummy memories to us.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from Longmont Colorado.
Kathryn, I loved the cranberry story and can relate but ours was with a tin of croutons which became airborne aboard anhd the lid flew off aboard Mystic (a sailboat)underway. We have opted for the small Black and Decker electric chopper aboard and it works great and takes up little room.
Marry Christmas to you all. Shirley
Hey Tex,
Little galley? Little galley? If you want to see a little galley, spend time on GottaLife. But then, I don’t think Sheryl knows how to turn the oven on. At least they’ve got enough space to mix drinks.
Feliz Navidad and propero ano nuevo.
Oven, what oven – we didn’t have an oven. Our Christmas tradition includes Caroling at boats that have ovens who love to share their holiday joy with others. Fortunately Geneva and Erin can carry a tune. You missed the second best caroling session ever last night. We had about 15 kids and 10 adults and hit about 20 houses. Of course the best was last year in Georgetown harbor with you guys.
Merry Christmas to all – We miss everyone.
It is great you can pass on such a tradition to your daughter.
Merry Christmas to the 3 of you!
We loved your blogs and especially the video!! John, Liz and I.
It doesn’t quite make up for not being together, though!
Looking forward to seeing you in L.A. (That’s redneck for lower Ala.)
Let’s talk, today or tomorrow. We’re leaving Sun, via Cincy & Indy.
Much love,
Mom & John
Merry Christmas and to all a good night. It’s Christmas Eve and this greeting is sent too you 3 from a frigid Bobcaygeon, Ontario. That cranberry nut bread sounds delicious. Would you care to share the receipe? Have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to your blogs in the new year. Thanks again for sharing your adventures.
Loved your Christmas video and cranberry blog .Just to let you know ice is now forming where Three @ Sea docked at Little Lake in Peterborough in the summer. BRRRR COLD
Merry Chistmas and a good holiday season to you folks.. I can relate to cooking at sea and having your items roll, bounce ad sometimes fly accross the room. Ill bet they tasted yummy for sure, made with love and determination!
We now have the song from the video stuck in our heads..as we walk the beach and streets in mexico, clever writing.
Enjoy Key west and the island holiday way of life.
Gary & Tom
A little late, but…..
Merry Christmas and a very prosperous and happy new Year.
We hope to see you this year in the Chesapeake, my girls are so jealous that they did not get to savour Ayla’s cookies !!!! All the best to you Three at sea.
The whole crew of “Ekhaya”
Hi Jo!
I am happy to share the recipe. It is a quick bread versus a yeast bread. We always serve it sliced and toasted with butter. 🙂 🙂
Grandma’s Cranberry Nut Bread
(makes 1 loaf)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 orange, both juice and grated rind
2 tablespoons butter, melted (or shortening)
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups cranberries, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan.
Combine dry ingredients. Combine orange juice, orange rind, melted butter and egg together. This should equal 1 cup of liquid. If not, add enough water or extra orange juice to make it 1 cup. Add to dry ingredients and blend until just moistened (don’t over mix). Fold in cranberries and nuts. Spoon in to pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until top springs back to touch or toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. Serve it sliced and toasted with butter.
Enjoy!!!!
FYI: This bread freezes beautifully.
Wishing you a new year filled with wisdom, love and joy!
Kathryn