With Thanksgiving just passed and Christmas fast approaching, it got me thinking about things that we do for the holidays. The traditions we follow every year and don’t feel complete unless we do. These traditions can be anything from decorating the tree over Thanksgiving weekend, going out into the craziness that is Black Friday, making cut-out sugar cookies, or anything else your family may do. But, have you ever thought of doing something different? Are you an adventurer or a traditionalist?
A few years ago I would have said I was a traditionalist, but now I think I lean more toward being an adventurer, well at least when it comes to my baking. In the beginning I would only bake simple cakes and cookies, nothing too fancy. Now, I look for any excuse to bake something different. I hate making something everyone else makes. I WANT to be different.
One of my first real adventure was a pineapple upside down cake. I know you might be thinking that isn’t too adventurous and I would agree normally. But this time I made them individual servings.
What do you think?
It was much easier than I thought it would be. There was only one downside to the whole process. I used a regular size muffin tin and a full pineapple slice does not fit right. I ended up cutting the slices to fit. Next time I will use a jumbo muffin tin. Here is a link to the recipe if you would like to try it yourself…Pineapple Upside Down Cakes.
Over time I have tried things like a Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Bar and a Pig-Picking Cake. I hope to be able to try just about any recipe that I come across. My biggest problem is finding people to try them all. Any takers?
So, are you an Adventurer or a Traditionalist?
About Colleen
Wow…if you asked me 12 years ago, I definitely would have said Adventurer. Now that I’m married, and have kids, I would absolutely have to say Traditionalist. We’re just beginning to establish our own traditions, and it really is nice after around 10 years without them! We had some major family changes happen all within a few years of each other (six weddings, and the loss of a few family members), and its taken some trial and error, but we’re finally finding our groove again.
Cheryl recently posted..Keeping Traditions Alive
I’m a traditionalist with a bit of adventure thrown in. I like to have my pineapple upside down cake and eat it too, so to speak:) My big dilemma is that I’d like to decorate differently and not put things in the same place year after year, but our home is small and it gets tricky to relocate all those santas!
Side bar – I thought the idea of ‘turducken’ was a little weird, but “pig-picking cake” makes me want to hurl!
Traditionalist. Some because of my own doing, and some because it’s imposed upon me. I already recommended a new breakfast brunch idea for Christmas morning and my son said, “I like what you always make.” Hmmm…would that be the same thing I force you to eat instead of cookies every year?
Cheryl – I am with you about still trying to figure out some of our own traditions, but I am always looking for new things.
Peggy – Actually the cake is a yellow cake with oranges, pineapple, and coconut. It is really good. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pig-picking-cake-ii/detail.aspx
Kriss – But, at least you thought to try something new.
Traditionalist. All the way. I used to try new things, but found that I enjoyed the old much more.
When family is far away it’s nice to know you’re doing things the same way – it helps with the homesickness.
Can I say both? I find joy and comfort in traditions – and I have a strong traditionalist streak. But i love adventure- and trying new things. I was just saying to my mom how it might be fun one year to go to a fancy restaurant on Thanksgiving instead of the sit down at-home dinner. Strange, yes. Non-traditional? Yes. But fun and exciting. I like being a mix of both!
steph anderson recently posted..Reader Recipe Round-Up: Thanksgiving
I think I am both as well… I like trying new things but am afraid to deviate from the recipe, even the littlest bit.
As for traditions, I enjoy creating our own but still try to bring elements of the old ones into the new ones.
So what do you think, Dr. Colleen? Am I both? Neither?
Lauren recently posted..10 Things You Don’t Know About Me…
I think I’m both, too. When my husband and I first got together six years ago, we tried to blend each of our family traditions together. We’re still trying to work that mess out! But since this is our first Christmas with our daughter, we want to start finding our own traditions that don’t depend on anything we’ve done before.
April Cross recently posted..Semi-good News!
I’m definitely both, too. I love traditions but have no problem mixing it up.
Teri recently posted..NaBloPoMoNoMo
Jenny – I do agree I like the old things too that remind me of home. I just have just put my own twist on them.
Steph – You and I are on the same wave-length.
Lauren – I would say both, but leaning to the adventurer side. That will be $150 for the diagnosis.
April – That was me and husband too, we have blended a few things, but also created a few of our own.
Teri- Keep mixing things up!
It’s so funny you say that. This recent Thanksgiving my mom finally accepted the fact that she just hates making Turkey. Plus, we all admitted to her that none of us actually LIKED the taste of turkey. So this year we had parmasean chicken and homemade mac & cheese….SO MUCH BETTER.
So breaking tradition is always awesome. I love it!
Nicole recently posted..Writer Wednesday Blog Hop
That looks absolutely scrumptious. I wish you could fed-ex it to Atlanta.
Nicole – So, we know who will not be having turkey for Thanksgiving anymore.
Amberr – Maybe not be able to send the cakes, but can do cookies.