Merry Christmas 12/24/06

 

May your holiday be blessed with friends and family, love and joy. May the food be delicious and the comraderie lively. Travel safely and imbibe in moderation. It's rainy here, and supposedly will finally be cold enough for a fire. I stayed up to watch the Vatican Mass and still have a few packages to wrap, but my big boys were up very late so I suspect I have most of Christmas morning with which to do it. Sausage rolls are already made for breakfast, which will happen at lunch time, and we'll have a nice fritata with them. Either Sister Bel or I will be in the kitchen most of the day preparing our contributions to the family dinner out at Aunt Kathy's house Christmas evening. We'll be making the green beans, which I'll sautee with onion, garlic, bacon and pine nuts, and potatoes au gratin, toll house cookies (mine) and something Bel created for my birthday, Brownie Cake with coffee mascarpone cream cheese icing (it was amazing). I'll take my Baked Brie en croute stuffed with honey and chopped pecans (recipe and pictures). Sister Kathy is stuffing two whole beef tenderloins with mushrooms and herbs and bleu cheese, and her dear husband will cook them in the Big Green Egg. Mama, who yesterday announced her intention to begin reading my blog, will bring a ham and will not hear much of what is being said (but swears she's not deaf). She reads perfectly well, though, so I'd better talk fast. The Husband... will be welcomed and oblivious. We will drink champagne (some will be mixed with orange or pomegranate juice) and put the fun in dysfunctional.  Speaking of which, take a few moments when you can to run over Humid City and read Loki's wonderful New Orleans flavored, Blog Before Christmas. It wins my nomination for simply the best holiday post. Be well, be warm, be safe and be full, my blog friends. You're in my thoughts and in my heart. Peace, out, ya'll. Merry Christmas.