It was going to be a great Christmas gift to my friends. Kringle. Homemade kringle. We lived in Racine for the first nine years of our marriage, the home to many a famous kringle. It was expected at every function that you would serve kringle. Bible study. Packer parties. Christmas gatherings. Fourth of July. O.K. Maybe not Fourth of July, but you get the picture.

And it’s gooood. Really, really good.

I’ve made it before. Once. But that’s enough. Right? I don’t remember any trouble other than sticky dough.

Today was a different story. Very different. My dough was wonderful. The almond filling smelled amazing. I proudly put it in to bake.

Disaster.

The almond filling oozed out. THANKFULLY, I had lined the cookie sheet with a silicone pad. But there is little to no filling left inside. I cut into one (made four), and you can taste some almond in there, but there’s not much filling.

It should look like this:

Alas, it does not. Not even close. I’m not going to post a picture because I’m too embarrassed. Besides, I don’t want to get the camera full of goo. It’s everywhere in my kitchen.

I was despondent. To the point of tears. Stressed out. I don’t have time for this. I must get these gifts done.

I snapped at my children. Felt badly. Prayed about it. Had a better attitude. Laughed a little.

Conclusion?

My friends are getting a wonderful almondy-tasting coffee cake kind of thing for Christmas. And some Earl Grey tea. And perhaps this little poem:

Once upon a very recent time
A woman had a brilliant plan –
It was fine, just really fine –
She set to work and got herself a pan.

She got the sugar and the flour
And started to bake, bake, bake,
Worked hour after hour,
A lovely present it would make.

Measured and stirred and mixed
This lovely looking kringle,
The finest that was ever fixed.
She sang a little jingle.

The aroma filled the house.
She ran to take a peek.
Her sight she wanted to douse.
The kringle had sprung a leak!

The good woman was at a loss.
What ever would she do?
Could she cover? Did she toss
This kringle she’d made for you?

This Christian woman would confess
The error of her ways.
You wouldn’t ask for less
Until her penance she pays.

So, herewithin lies the labors of her hands
This humble offering here she brings
With sincerest hope in all the land
That you’ll enjoy your almondy-tasting-coffe-cake-kind-of-thing.

Do you think it will work??