Having been brought up in a family that believed Christ WAS Christmas, we had family gathered at Christmastime in our parents home, gifts under the tree and then some, smells of a turkey in the oven….Wow! It always brings a tear or three in remembering wonderful and sometimes, not so wonderful, times in the past.
What is Christmas really? To me, it is giving to others, helping others without looking for a return ‘payment’, sharing your home, selves, food and laughter with others, and going to Church Christmas Eve. This was the gift given to me by my parents. I miss them every day but probably more than ever this time of year. They LOVED Christmas. Every part of it. Thank you, it was the best gift ever for me.
This year, for us, was the biggest bonus we have received ever. We have had, including tomorrow, all our children and grandchildren, except for our grandson, for three different, but wonderful, Christmas celebrations. How did we do it? Well. let’s see……
Don ‘s daughter was coming from Belgium in July for her vacation. We had asked that the kids pay us at least one and, hopefully two visits, this year. So, in July, we had Christmas…turkey, music, decorations for nine family members. Then 10 days ago, another family member came, and again, we celebrated Christmas. This time, the tree was up, lights on and laughter abound AND tomorrow, my daughter will arrive to spend, Yup, the third Christmas this year for us.
The feeling of happiness, joy within and being thankful everyday for this family of ours, I am sometimes overwhelmed with it all. When family is spread around this crazy world of ours, we should make the time and effort to share and celebrate when you can with any of them. So what if you have more than one. Trust me when the temperature is in the 90’s, turkey gets a second guess, but always comes through.
So…here’s the emotion coming through…Merry Christmas to one and all, and if you can, share it with someone who is either alone this year, doesn’t have a home but needs only a good and sincerely given meal and most of all, say a huge thank you to God and to your family. May 2015 be the best yet.
Last entry 2010
- It has been fun, for me, and I hope useful to you. We are entertaining guests tonight and have asked them to stay overnight. Two reasons: Can enjoy the evening with a drink or two and don’t have to worry about what is out there driving in the wee hours (if we can stay awake that long). I am going to show you our menu and how easy it is to prepare.
As this is New Years Eve, we are going to really dress up for the evening. We will also try and spread each course out over the evening so it will, at least, be about 4 hours. Then the evening will begin. For us, this is entertaining at its finest.
- Signature drink – New Years Martini
- Two kinds of Hors d’oeurves (one hot and one cold) not even sure yet just what but…
- Coquilles St. Jacques
- Papaya and shrimp with curry mayonnaise (plate licking delicious)
- Rice
- Asparagus
- Salmon topped with Lobster Newburg
- Ginger Cannolis,
- Champagne for toasting , a different touch, for sure.
- Coffee/wine/liqueur
Yesterday, Don made the Coquille St. Jaques, I made the filling for the cannolis and the dressing for the salad. Set the table, did the laundry, changed the bedding upstairs and put out fresh towels. This morning I will stuff the cannolis and place in the fridge until dinner. The salad is a two minute ‘put-together’ and the rest is as we go. Try it and you will say (for the last time this year) Damn, I can do this!.
Bon Appetit. We will show pictures as the evening progresses. Oh, for your information, the dishes we are using are everyday dishes, We packed up all the good dishes when my daughter was here. I will show you don’t need to have ‘everything’ to put on a dinner and showcase it to the best of what you own.
Shrimp/Vegetable Pad Thai
This looks like a lot of ingredients (it is) but it is so worth it, even a novice can tackle it. Just take the extra five minutes to sit and read this through and slowly put it together. Some of this stuff I hadn’t heard of, so I asked a lady shopping in the aisle who looked like she might know and she showed us what brand to buy as it was the best and not “that” one. Lesson 1 – ASK someone.
- 7 ounces medium rice stick noodles
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp. tamarind concentrate*
- 1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
- 3 tbsp. peanut oil
- 12 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup firm tofu, diced
- 1 cup sliced shitake mushroom caps
- 2 bunches baby bok choy
- 2 large carrots, cut into matchstick-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup matchstick-sized red bell pepper strips
- 2 tbsp. minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup diagonally sliced green onions**
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Bring 4 cups of water to the boil. Place noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow noodles to soak for 5 minutes, drain and rinse with cold running water for 30 seconds. Drain well and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, red pepper, coconut milk , lime juice and the tamarind concentrate. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Heat the seame and peanut oils in a wok or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Just before the oil is smoking, add the shrimp and cook until pink, stirring constantly. Add the tofu, mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, red bell pepper, garlic and reserved noodles and cook until heated through (about 2 minutes).
Pour the sauce mixture into the wok and toss until combined. Cook until the mixture is steaming and most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the peanuts and green onions** and cilantro and cook another 30 seconds.
Note: *Soak 1/8 cup tamarind concentrate in 1/2 cup water. Soak for 10 minutes and strain through a cloth. Save the “mash” for the recipe, using 1/4 tsp. only.
** We doubled this recipe for 16 people and put the green onions only in one bowl and none in the second bowl (mine) and anyone else who doesn’t eat green onions. Always give an option if possible. Buying all this isn’t a waste. You will make this over and over again.
Taste Rating: 9