Christmas 2008

It’s Sunday night following Christmas and, as is my wont, I find myself wondering where on earth the days have gone.

It was so wonderful to have our family all together once again for the holidays this year. Oliver was down from Toronto and I believe we’ve all loved having him here (even his brothers!),  and Andrew was back home again after his year away in Denmark.

It has been an exceptionally understated, low-key Christmas for our family. Except for my spontaneous purchase of a Wii, there was no great extravagance under the tree, but the boys gave each other thoughtful gifts–a tea maker for Oliver from Andrew, cool skateboard socks and a tie for Andrew from Ollie, and a funky retro Adidas bag with “Canada” on it for Jeremy’s outbound year that will begin in July. I can’t believe he won’t be here with us next Christmas!

And did I mention the Wii? Ok, it was way extravagant, but it was the best ever idea, and we all played and played and played, and even my mother bowled with the boys on Christmas Day. Sadly, I haven’t been able to lift my right arm for three days after all that bowling and tennis, but what great fun it was, and I’m convinced it’s really terrific exercise??!! Isn’t it?

Back to work tomorrow (sigh!) with an eye on the coming New Year. I did not achieve what I had hoped for in 2008 and must rise above that. While I have many, many fond memories of the past year, like so much in life, the year, quite frankly, left much to be desired. But, if I’ve learned anything, it is that we must slow down and recognize and be grateful for every gift that comes our way, however small. Everything can be swept away in an instant.

Will CSR Survive a Recession?

For all the debate and criticism, being a good corporate citizen has become an admirable goal for many North American businesses that have been making a determined effort to take responsibility for the impact of their activities on their customers, shareholders, employees, and suppliers, as well as on their communities and the environment. Socially responsible companies acknowledge an obligation that extends beyond mandatory compliance to legislated standards; they are compelled to do more to improve the quality of life for their employees and their families, for the communities they serve, and for the planet.

But will CSR survive the current economic reality of tight credit markets, plunging commodity prices and a volatile loonie? The current economic crisis is creating especially tough challenges for companies trying hard to live up to their CSR policies. There is no doubt that being environmentally responsible, supporting altruistic community programs, and doing what it takes to be an enlightened employer are challenging goals without the belt-tightening measures necessitated by today’s economic reality.

At a time when short-term strategies must sometimes seem more palatable, Boards must stay strong and take a long-term perspective. Now more than ever, being a good corporate citizen must be a core business strategy that is deeply ingrained in the corporate culture of the entire organization.

If there is any doubt, take a look at credit unions. They invented the concept!

Holiday Truffles

So I got up this morning feeling ok only to discover that December has officially descended. That means I’m even further behind on my holiday shopping than I thought I was (never mind baking, decorating and all the rest of the baggage that comes with the season to be merry) so panic is near at hand. The days of me trying to outdo Martha are so yesterday, now I spend more time plotting and scheming how little I can get away with!

Yes, time for major strategizing. Fill the pots on the porch with bunches of greenery and hang a wreath on the door. Check. Create a basket filled with treats to get the parents to Florida. Easy. Youth exchange $$$ for the youngest (Europe is darned expensive these days!); driver’s ed for the middle one, and some Macbook bling and a back-to-U care package for the oldest. Check. Purchase really cool Christmas kitsch for Christmas-crazy colleague (office Secret Santa!) Check. Christmas tree from nice guys who set up a temporary lot by the Dairy Delite and a handful of extra greenery for the fireplace mantel. Living room done.

Baking? FInd that phenomenal recipe for truffles I made last year, buy a couple bottles of really nice wine and invite the girls over for an evening of chocolate making extravagance. Check mate!

Oh, and the truffles?

Ganache Filling:

1 cup whipping cream

1/2 lb bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2 tlsp Starbucks liqueur

Icing sugar

In a small saucepan heat cream just until bubbles form around edge of pan; remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth; stir in liqueur. Transfer to bowl; cover and refrigerate for 1 hours until thickened and cold.

Using a whisk (not electric mixer), beat chocolate mixture just until creamy and lighter in colour. Do not overbeat or mixture will separate.

Using pastry bag fitted with 1/2 inch plain tip (or plastic bag with corner cut out); pipe filling into 1 inch diameter rounds on two waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm

Working with rounds of filling from one baking sheet at a time, lightly roll in icing sugar. Gently roll each round between fingertips to round off tips. Return to waxed paper-lined sheet and freeze for 1 hour or until hard and almost frozen.

COATING:

3/4 lb bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

In top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Sift cocoa powder into pie plate. Using two forks, dip balls from one baking sheet at a time into chocolate, letting excess drip off. (If chocolate thickens, rewarm gently over hot water). Place ball in cocoa.

Using 2 clean forks, roll truffles in cocoa; refrigerate on waxed paper-lined baking sheet until hardened. Place truffles in candy cups and store in airtight container in refrigerator until just before serving. (Truffles can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months) Makes about 50 truffles.

(Thanks to Elizabeth Baird and Anna Hobbs, Canadian Living Christmas Book, 1993)

ENJOY!