HAPPY NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD.

THIS IS A RE-POST FROM 2009. TONIGHT WE ARE HAVING SOME FRIENDS OVER FOR A PRIME RIB DINNER AND SOME CELEBRATION. CHANCES OF ME STILL BEING AWAKE AT MIDNIGHT? MAYBE WE SHOULD TAKE BETS.

What are your New Years Eve traditions? My BB guy and I used to get together with our good friends who lived behind us. The 3 of them would get all kinds of seafood such as lobsters, crabs, mussels, scallops, prawns and they would start feasting early in the evening cooking up one dish after another.  I don't eat shellfish but would get a fabulous steak to cook for me along with some other appetizers that were shellfish free.
The good thing about being at our homes was that the kids could be here too and there was only a backyard separating us so the walk home was easy.

THE DINNER THAT CHANGED CHRISTMAS

This year Christmas was different. I was not cooking dinner. My sisters and my friends were not cooking dinner….well not for us anyways…

This year my eldest son cooked Christmas dinner. He came up with a menu, just slightly off of the traditional path that our family dinners have always taken.

He prepped things ahead of time and although he took on quite a menu he had it all ready to go on time without a single  problem.

This is something completely new. He is not a regular cook. He does love good food though and he scoured recipes for things that sounded good that were also doable.

He prepared this meal with a minimum of equipment. He borrowed several items from me such as my toaster over, a slow cooker, immersion blender, platter and a tablecloth. I also would have brought a few other things had I know what else he was missing. (good gift ideas for another time)

Here is our menu:

• Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
• Gingerale Glazed Carrots
• Creamed Corn with Red Peppers and Bacon (made from scratch not canned)
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
• Mashed potatoes with Garlic Cream and Parmesan
• Cornbread Stuffing
• Roast Turkey stuffed with Oranges, Lemons, Onions, Rosemary, Sage and Oregano
• Tourtiere (French Canadian Meat Pie..Traditional Christmas dish)
  
  Everything was absolutely delicious. I was so impressed. I think he was a bit surprised as to how much work all of this was going to be but he pulled off this dinner for 7

I felt kinda bad leaving him with a huge mess to clean up but his garburator backed up and we couldn’t do the dishes after dinner.

This may be our new family tradition … or not…depending on how long his memory is of all the work he had to do.

SWEETNESS AND IMAGINATION: CHILDREN’S PORTRAITS

My friend, Bill Oliver, is the creative talent behind these beautiful, tender photographs. Bill adds the whimsy to regular photos showing us the innocence and imagination of children. Just look at the little faeries dancing through the pages of this book.As adults our imaginations tend to wane. We see harsh reality instead of the beauty and magic. We need to capture the joy and beauty of these precious little faces while they still see the wonders in everyday life. Whether indoors or out there are faeries among us. We just don’t noticed them as much when we get older. We need that innocent child’s eye to see them. Bill’s work has been used in books and magazines recently doing the front cover for The Celtic Connection magazine. f you would like one of your children’s or grandchildren’s photos magically enhanced to show the imagination and beauty of the world through a child’s eyes then let me know and I will put you in touch with Bill Oliver.

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS DECOR

SPECIAL TREATS

One of my sons was out shopping today and he came across something he thought would be perfect to share at a get together on Friday night. Of course he will not put them out in the box….with the label…..that would ruin the bacony surprise wouldn’t it.

I don’t think I want to know what the nutritional info is for these. I am sure these would be perfect for Lynn @ http://happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.ca/

WEEKEND FUN FOR THE BB GUY

This is what my BB Guy likes to do on the weekends…well okay he would like it everyday but he does have to go to work sometimes.

A good time was had by all….even those who crashed. I think they think that is half the fun.

A CHRISTMAS VIDEO SHORT AND SWEET

Re-post from Dec. 2010

Much as I don`t like music on my blog I do recommend the sound be on for this video as it greatly adds to the story. Too cute.

RANDOM: Costco Shopping Trip

 A re-post from 2009 but nothing has changed.

Ahhh Costco. Is there anything like a trip to Costco to make your day? First you have to prove you are worthy to shop there by showing your special card with your special portrait photo on it. I bet they give out awards at their Christmas parties to the staff member who took the worst Costco card photo. Then they all laugh at them in a Power Point Presentation.

Next you are stuck at the doorway in a mass of carts and shoppers that can't figure out that if they stop to read the coupon pages in the doorway the rest of us can't get in the store. These are the same people who block the entire book aisles with their carts while they read up on Kathy Lee Gifford or the latest Oprah pick (yes I read Oprah's picks too but I buy the book and read it at home instead of cleaning the house).

The next Costco challenge is trying to get a sample of the good stuff. Not the Cheerios which you have at home anyways but the chocolate truffles, or chocolate anything for that matter. People congregate around with all their carts at the ends of the aisles. You take your life in your hands when you try to get close to the food demonstrator for your piece. "Please sir, may I have another?"

Last but not least is the jockeying for position at the checkouts. I know they want us to buy carts full of stuff but sometimes all you need is the large bottle of Advil, mostly to deal with the headache you developed in the store. No express checkout for them. Line up with the group buying all the eats and drinks for the soccer tournament. They only have 2 trolleys full. Yes but we still go back.

Who am I kidding. I have never gone into the store and come out with just one thing. Remind me to tell you about the time that woman cut in front of me around Thanksgiving when my back was turned and then spouted off about only wanting good karma. Tuned her up good.

VINTAGE SANTA POSTCARD

Part of my huge Santa collection includes old postcards. Some have Christmas messages on the back and I have even found the people involved on old census forms in the past.

HOLIDAY MANTLE

Since I haven't started with my decorating yet this year I am reposting my mantle from a while back to join in with 

Savvy Southern Style: A Homespun Christmas Vignette and Mantles Party. 

If this party doesn't get me in the mood for decorating I don't know what will. 

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(FROM 2010) 

This year I have not put out all my Santas. Not even a third of them. Sigh. No time, no room, no energy. Some did make it on to the mantle though.