I'm pretty much done all the Xmas shopping (except stuff for the dog's stocking!). I love to shop and find bargains year-round and love December but prefer to spend the month doing fun things with the family instead of pushing my way through crowded stores and malls. Also, we're having (another!) modest holiday this year, since we're in major saving mode for our 2010 summer WDW trip/cruise.
Here's the chicken satay (and we use pretty much the same recipe for beef) recipe for Debbie and anyone else who wants it. We usually grill this outside, but it is fine baked or grilled inside, too. The recipes are very forgiving and really lend themselves to customized changes for your tastes. We're not really the "measuring types" when we cook - usually more of "dumpers and shakers" (!) - so feel free to adapt these measurements as you wish.
Marinade:
1 clove of pressed/chopped garlic or a very healthy shake of garlic powder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon each of cumin and coriander
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Mix ingredients together in a bowl or ziplock bag and add meats. Stir or squash bag around to coat meat and refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.
Basting Sauce (optional, but extra yummy if grilling outside!)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/4 teaspoons each of cumin and coriander
Mix together and cover and refrigerate until needed.
Peanut Sauce
1 cup water
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 clove of pressed/chopped garlic or a very healthy shake of garlic powder
Put these ingredients in a saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens (couple of minutes). Remove from heat.
Stir in:
brown sugar (2 tablespoons, but I usually use a bit more - light or dark, your choice),
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
shake to taste of crushed red pepper
salt to taste (I usually need to add a bit - the amount varies, I think, depending upon the brand of peanut butter and soy sauce - some must have more salt in them than others.)
You can slice your meats and skewer them onto water-soaked bamboo sticks or we just usually slice or cube up the meats without the skewers. Grill/bake/broil whatever...your meats after removing them from the marinade, use the optional basting sauce while cooking the meat, and serve with the warm peanut sauce. Yum!
It's Christmas Countdown Time!!! 
Isn't that always the way! Like going to the market without doing your hair and makeup, and meeting someone you know who looks great... Just one of lifes little jokes... Hope Mr Hot Neighbor doesn't spill about your furbabies!
