perhaps a king

A Chair in Snow

by Jane Hirshfield

A chair in snow
should be
like any other object whited
& rounded

and yet a chair in snow is always sad

more than a bed
more than a hat or house
a chair is shaped for just one thing

to hold
a soul its quick and few bendable
hours

perhaps a king

not to hold snow
not to hold flowers

Arceneaux/Menou/Borgeau Belgian waffles

Arceneaux/Menou Belgian Waffles

I'm anticipating Christmas...nothing new there.  This Belgian waffle recipe passed through my mom's family--complete with cinnamon and nutmeg--is one of the tastes of Christmas to me.  These waffles are not the light and fluffy kind you eat with syrup.  They are dense and dry, best with a glass of eggnog. A stand mixer is easiest for the batter; my mom has broken several spoons attempting mixing by hand.  

 My great-great grandmother, Julia Bourgeau Menou Arceneaux, made these waffles.  Their signature shape is irregular, so as not to waste any batter spilling out of the waffle iron.  Now my mom and several of her siblings make them, some with their own special flair.