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I spent a quiet Harvestpoint.

People ask sometimes about the semi-hermit thing. I'm not a very public person. If there are more than eight or ten people around me, it's difficult reading their body language all at once. For most, it's natural. For me, it's not. I'm very intense in small groups, especially when I know and trust the people around me. Large groups can spark severe anxiety. I can deal, but not for more than a few hours at a time. And there's always a cost.

Usually I celebrate with just a handful of people. They don't necessarily know what the day means to me. The exceptions are Summergate and Wintergate. Regular readers know I combine that with my biannual Hair of the Bear. It's still not a large gathering, but it's fun. How many times do you know where the host gets wet and a haircut at the same time?

So I've learned to do small pleasures. Here's one. The original recipe came from Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge and the Fort Wilderness Resort. At the Disney resorts, the bread is served warm with spread or honey. I used it for Harvestpoint.

3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
* 1/8 cup finely ground nuts (NeoWayland's addition)

1. Heat oven to 375 F.

2. Combine flour, cornmeal, nuts, sugar, baking powder, salt. Add beaten eggs along with milk and vegetable oil. Use a whisk to stir mixture, mixing only enough to incorporate the elements. Pour batter into baking pan that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Cut in wedges and serve.

*My favorite nuts to use are pecan or sunflower seeds.