The What's For Dinner Thread - October'11 (recipe index in OP)

[PrincessInOz]

Lindsay - Happy Christmas to you. I'm sitting here in tears reading your Christmas lights story and taking stock of my thoughts. Your sharing has been the kick up the ..well...you know where....that I needed.

This Christmas, I've been wishing for 'someone' to come over and take charge to get things done. And right now....It's 24 minutes to midnight over here and nearly Christmas. I've been up since 4.30 am this morning to buy food and cook for Christmas Eve dinner with my mother's. And I get to do it all over again for Christmas lunch at my place.

I've been running around the house, tidying up....setting the table.....getting the Santa presents out.....and doing some basic food prep for tomorrow. For me, it would be nice to have a helping hand and DH has crashed and is asleep on the bed. The last straw was that just before I came in here to jump on the Dis, the flouro light in the kitchen has decided that today is the day to stop working. No warning giving. It just flickered and then went off. I had a ton of food prep that I wanted to do.

Reading your viewpoint about the 'helping hand' has just made me stop thinking unmentionable thoughts about what I'd like to do to DH in his sleep.

Thanks for sharing. Because of your post, I've decided it is time to stop; take a moment and enjoy the fact that it is Christmas Eve here. I'm going to turn on the lights of my tree and just sit and enjoy. Might even make me a cup of tea and eat the cookies for Santa.

Merry Christmas to you.

 

[Glynis]

First of all: MERRY CHRISTMAS PIO!!! I hope you got the chance to enjoy your lights. I told my kids all about you and how the time is different where you are, and they were so excited to think that somewhere it's already Christmas!

Lindsay - Thank you for sharing your story! I hope that all goes well for you tonight, and that THAT WOMAN stays out of the way.

Alison - I hope your stay continues to be good, and that you enjoy all you can!

Jen - Someday I'm going to get a tortilla press. I love homemade tortillas!!! Better yet, maybe someday I can talk Alan into a "little" drive to your place to meet y'all!

Kathy - Thanks for checking in. I hope you, Johnny and Kyle have the merriest of Christmases!!!

Ladies - I'm here to tell you that Christmas miracles are real! Up until 8:00 last night, Alan's mom was firm in her opinion that she and her hubby could make the drive to our house, and negotiate our stairs. Well, after another heart to heart talk with Alan, she agreed that it would be better for everyone if we drove up there! I'm one happy lady!!! We are going to leave for their house at about 11:30 this morning, and I'll cook dinner up there. Our turkey is already smoked, so it's really just sides that I need to make. No biggie! While I'm doing that, the kids will decorate a gingerbread house with Grandma and Grandpa. We'll eat dinner, the kids will play, we'll watch a couple of movies, and then we'll come home. I'm hoping to be home by no later than 8:00 tonight. Then I can get the kids to bed, play Santa (I do it all by myself, too Princess), and fall into bed before midnight. Cross your fingers that it all plays out that way!

In the meantime, Alan and I are taking the kids for our Christmas Eve tradition of breakfast at IHOP! Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

Welp, I went out shopping today. With all the men. I did find a few things but really just found more things for me and the dogs Still have some more to buy... maybe tomorrow The traffic was the problem, not really the people in the stores. I didn't go near the mall - just hit stand alone stores.

We had a party to go to again tonight but I'm really not feeling well. Yesterday it was my allergies - itchy, burning, sneezing. Today, congestion, stuffed up nose, etc. Quite miserable. So, DH went to the party on his own and I stayed home with my box of kleenex. He's eating there, I stopped at Sonic.

Our friend had another seizure this morning but the surgeons are still hopeful that it's being caused by the swelling from the surgery and not his condition. Poor guy. They removed part of his brain that controls the left side of his body and remarkably, he's been able to move his arm and hand! There was a fear he'd never move them again so the small blessings are big ones right now.

First, feel better, Aimee. And I hope you get your shopping done today.

Sending more good, healing thoughts for your friend.

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

Since I nixed the antipasti platter for today, I picked up a Digourno pizza for Scott and I to eat before everyone got here. Easy, quick, no clean-up, and most importantly, comfort food! I'm going to need it. It will be to early in the day to take a shot of whiskey, and I can't sing at church tonight with alcohol on my breath, lol. (Sorry if that was too cheesy, but Scott got a kick out of it)

I found the answer to today at Publix last night. I went to the bakery and looked around. They had an assortment of things I am going to make a platter of fudge and cookies and such. Easy peasy, right? I am planning on making it pretty so I will take a picture. Anyway, I made the rum cake yesterday and I have some heavy cream I will whip for it before they get here. I also have vanilla bean ice cream and peppermint stick ice cream. (hee hee, I bought the peppermint as a surprise for Scott. It's his favorite)

I will fix the coffee pot later in the morning. As far as tea for Kevin? Heh, I will fill the kettle with water, point him to the cabinet of teas, and have milk in a creamer in the fridge. I am NOT going all out for him this time like I did at Thanksgiving. This is a very long story, but let's put it this way: Lindsay will not be a chump anymore.

On a funny note, we decided last year to just get ornaments for each other for Christmas to make life easier. I got everyone's in WDW. Scott and I joked that we should get Kevin a little something extra:

How mean are we? LOL!

I will let you know how things go. I'm sure there will be stories to tell.

*Ok, the Christmas lights story I promised to tell later. Bear with me, it's a long one.

Last year, our church choir sang at Christmas Eve services. As we were about to go inside, the choir director came out to run to his car and told me that we were going to wear robes. Well, crap, I thought. I hate wearing robes because I feel like I look odd.

I told Scott to go in the choir room to give me a hand with mine because they are hung up a hair out of my reach. But to go in the second choir door to avoid THAT WOMAN. Said woman is your typical old biddy church lady who is mean, grouchy, runs the show, and thinks the church can't function without her. If she saw me putting on my robe, she would RUN over to me and insist on helping. Scott knows this, so he agreed to lend a hand.

So we go in, he gets my robe and is helping me get it on. Here comes that woman, a hundred miles an hour, and literally ribs the robe from my husband's hands, snap, "I'VE got it," and literally starts to dress me.

Ok, ladies, I am quite ok with my disability and I acknowledge my limitations in life, but one thing I cannot tolerate is being treated like a child. It's humiliating and it absolutely kills me. So my husband is standing there with his mouth open not knowing what to do and I'm just wanting to punch Biddy in the nose. So when she gets me dressed to her satisfaction, we rehearse a few minutes, me flushed and trying not to cry, and go out on stage.

During our "Silent Night" we were going to go down each row of the choir and light candles. I get on stage and guess what? My candle is gone. So I'm thinking this will look lovely. A huge choir and Lindsay all by herself on the front row with no candle, looking like a dork.

So we sing, pastor preaches, and I don't hear a word. We then partake of the Lord's Supper. I don't remember a word the pastor says because I'm upset, I don't even remember partaking of the elements, though Scott says the choir did. All I want to do is get the heck out of there.

So after the service we go back to the choir room to hang up our robes and get our stuff. One of the altos in the group, who is around my mom's age, sees me getting my robe on the hanger and says, "Hey Lindsay, would you like for me to hang that for you?" I wanted to scream, "Yes! That, right there, that's all I wanted!" THAT is how you help a person!!!

So Scott knows something is wrong with me, even sitting in the audience. We get in the car to leave and I just crumple in a heap, crying. I'm sick of everyone insisting they help, I'm sick of being in the way, I'm sick of being all alone on the front row, I'm sick of being forgotten (no candle), I'm just sick! He says, "What can I do, honey?" I told him I didn't want to go home, let's just drive around and look at Christmas lights. So we do.

On our way home, we are at a major intersection in our city and I look up and see the Church of God International Headquarters and proceed to bust out laughing. Scott thinks I have gone completely nuts. I then proceeded to tell him a story from my childhood. One Christmas, the offices had a HUGE "Peace on Earth" sign on top of the biggest building. Well, lights were burned out and the entire holiday it read, "Pea on Earth." As a child of 10-ish, you can imagine the fun we had with that, lol. Fart humor at it's finest!!!! It made me feel so much better.

If you made it through that, thank you

I would almost pay money to see you buy the thermodynamics book for Kevin.

I made it through the Christmas story. We must have the same humor, because "Pea on Earth" would have been enough to set all of us on to a good set of the snorts and giggles.

Lindsay - Happy Christmas to you. I'm sitting here in tears reading your Christmas lights story and taking stock of my thoughts. Your sharing has been the kick up the ..well...you know where....that I needed.

This Christmas, I've been wishing for 'someone' to come over and take charge to get things done. And right now....It's 24 minutes to midnight over here and nearly Christmas. I've been up since 4.30 am this morning to buy food and cook for Christmas Eve dinner with my mother's. And I get to do it all over again for Christmas lunch at my place.

I've been running around the house, tidying up....setting the table.....getting the Santa presents out.....and doing some basic food prep for tomorrow. For me, it would be nice to have a helping hand and DH has crashed and is asleep on the bed. The last straw was that just before I came in here to jump on the Dis, the flouro light in the kitchen has decided that today is the day to stop working. No warning giving. It just flickered and then went off. I had a ton of food prep that I wanted to do.

Reading your viewpoint about the 'helping hand' has just made me stop thinking unmentionable thoughts about what I'd like to do to DH in his sleep.

Thanks for sharing. Because of your post, I've decided it is time to stop; take a moment and enjoy the fact that it is Christmas Eve here. I'm going to turn on the lights of my tree and just sit and enjoy. Might even make me a cup of tea and eat the cookies for Santa.

Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas PIO.

Ladies - I'm here to tell you that Christmas miracles are real! Up until 8:00 last night, Alan's mom was firm in her opinion that she and her hubby could make the drive to our house, and negotiate our stairs. Well, after another heart to heart talk with Alan, she agreed that it would be better for everyone if we drove up there! I'm one happy lady!!! We are going to leave for their house at about 11:30 this morning, and I'll cook dinner up there. Our turkey is already smoked, so it's really just sides that I need to make. No biggie! While I'm doing that, the kids will decorate a gingerbread house with Grandma and Grandpa. We'll eat dinner, the kids will play, we'll watch a couple of movies, and then we'll come home. I'm hoping to be home by no later than 8:00 tonight. Then I can get the kids to bed, play Santa (I do it all by myself, too Princess), and fall into bed before midnight. Cross your fingers that it all plays out that way!

In the meantime, Alan and I are taking the kids for our Christmas Eve tradition of breakfast at IHOP! Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

Y'all have fun today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry Christmas Eve to all of you.

Today will be more Christmas cooking. I'm going to try to do some cookies with Big C and J. And then it's off to bed we go to wait for Santa's arrival.

Tonight's dinner will be leftover carnitas and maybe some of those apps we're in the midst of for tomorrow.

Thinking of all of you, your families, and your loved ones. I hope all of you get everything you want underneath your tree.

 

[dgbg100106]

Merry Christmas everyone, many blessings. Miss you all and hope you are having a time of your life. Enjoy every minute.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another Christmas over!


Folks - I know some of you are visiting my Hong Kong PTR; but not all. So for those of you that go to that thread, apologies for the duplication...but given that this is about dinner; and what I had for dinner (and lunch), it seemed appropriate to post here and share as well.






OT - Christmas Food Porn

A Christmas Eve Feast!

This is what we had for dinner on Christmas Eve....sing along if you feel the urge....

On the first dish of Christmas, my mother made for us,
A Pork and Pineapple Assam curry.

On the second dish of Christmas, my mother also made for us,
A picked vegetable Achar.

On the third dish of Christmas, my father made for us,
Chicken Rendang!

Sambal Prawns… (I made this)

Fried spicy chicken…

Chickpea curry (another one of mine)

And a vegetarian mushroom broccoli.

For the eighth dish of Christmas, my brother made for us
Warm Thai Beef salad.

My plate!

For the ninth dish of Christmas, we ventured into sweets.
A lemon tart with berries.

For the tenth dish of Christmas, we OD’ed on fats!
Vodka laden trifle.

Two more dishes of Christmas….to have with coffee.
One of which was Madelines….

And my alcoholic soaked Rum Balls!

(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Followed by another Christmas Day Feast….


Not content with stuffing ourselves on Christmas Eve, we had my parents over for Christmas Day lunch.
My menu consisted of Roast Turkey Breast Roll. My chicken shop at the Vic Market debones it and sells them in a roll – stuff or unstuffy. I decided to go with the unstuffed version this year.

It might look a little pink in the picture…but it was beautiful. Tender and moist. I did make gravy…but I didn’t take a picture of it (nor of my plate!)

Salmon with a dill stuffing. DH is vegetarian; so the turkey is wasted on him. I found this recipe years ago and it seems to fit the festive season. The stuffing includes breadcrumbs, onion, dill, pine nuts and parsley.

My sides included roasted bell peppers, marinated in oil and white wine vinegar;

Stuffing for the meat lovers. The stuffing is made from breadcrumbs, pine nuts, apple, onions, apricots, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper.

Potatoes, roasted with rosemary and garlic. They were cooked, just…and could have done with 10 more minutes in the oven.

A large salad. The lettuce leaves are all from my garden, the tomatoes come from my MiL’s garden. We dressed it with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Dessert? Absolutely.


The traditional plum pudding.

I served it with custard.

Another trifle.

..and berries.

I would have pulled out the Rum Balls; but everyone was stuffed to the gills by this stage.
WFD tonight? No dinner for me.


Merry Christmas everyone!






ps. These pictures and the recipes for the Salmon and the Sambal Prawns will feature in here in the next week or so.

 

[LBKB]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY DIS FRIENDS. To you all.

 

[dgbg100106]

PIO everything looks wonderful...

Everyone. Merry Christmas.

 

[Goofyluver]

Merry Christmas everyone, many blessings. Miss you all and hope you are having a time of your life. Enjoy every minute.

We are. Hope you are too.

Merry Christmas everyone!






ps. These pictures and the recipes for the Salmon and the Sambal Prawns will feature in here in the next week or so.

Merry Christmas PIO. Your pictures were like another present to unwrap!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY DIS FRIENDS. To you all.

Merry Christmas y'all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm drunk from present opening and happiness. We can all talk about our wonderful loot later if you want, but for now, UncleR and I wanted to stop in here and say: Merry Christmas to a wonderful group of friends. You ladies fill our hearts and bellies with happiness. May you all be enjoying your families and loved ones.

And don't forget to spike the 'nog.

 

[franandaj]

Lindsay - I completely understand, I am constantly walking a fine line with Fra and her disability, it's tough to see her struggle with tasks, but yet I don't want to strip her of her independence. Stupid biddy Church lady. I hope you have a marvelous Christmas!

Glynis - glad the Christmas pixie dust came through for you! I hope your Christmas day is magical!

Jen - enjoy your noshing and your family today!

PIO - glad it was a nice day!

Janice - I hope you get caught up!

Brandi - I hope you're enjoying your trip!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We're chillin this morning, and haven't decided what to do for breakfast. Dinner is Todd English's P.U.B.

 

[Goofyluver]

We are full of food and happiness. Here's some recipes and pictures from the past few days of cooking:

First, with no picture...

Crazy Feta

2 bricks of feta cheese, 8 ounces each
3 whole jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
1 bulb garlic
the juice of half a lemon
the zest of half a lemon
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop the top off the garlic bulb and drizzle it with a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap it in foil and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until garlic is golden in color. At the same time, brush the jalapenos with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Either grill or roast them – I stuck them in the oven with garlic and just watched until they were charred. Remove both from oven and let cool. Once jalapenos are cooled, remove skins, cut in half and discard the seeds. Chop into small pieces. Don’t touch your eyes!

In a large bowl, crumble the feta bricks. [Crumbling the bricks yourself works best, but if you can only find crumbled feta that is fine.] Add chopped jalapenos, the zest of half a lemon, and the juice of half a lemon. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb directly into the feta. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and mash with a fork. You want the feta to be a bit “wet” – I can best describe it as a cross between a spread and a dip. There is no right or wrong – make it however you’d like. Taste the feta and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips, warm pita or naan, or spread it on sandwiches.


***Very yummy! Very refreshing. We had ours on bagel chips. And it's perfectly lovely!




Next up is:

Praline Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 375.

Microwave butter on HIGH for 40-45 seconds or until butter is melted. Add sugars, eggs, flour and vanilla. Mix well. Add pecans; mix well. Using small scoop, drop dough 2-inches apart onto cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes - until edges are slightly brown. Cool 2 minutes and remove to cooling rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

***I made these yesterday with J and Big C. We left these for Santa, but even that was hard to do because they are hard to part with. I will say that this is probably one of the best cookies I've ever tasted!!! And that's saying something, because nuts aren't my favorite thing and neither are cookies. So yummy! Also, the recipe calls for you to sprinkle the cookies with powdered sugar. They don't need it!!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

Next up is this morning's breakfast:

Streusel Muffins (from fellow DISer Sorsha!)

Sift together:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

To that, cut in 1/4 cup shortening OR butter, softened to room temperature, until mixture is crumbly.

Mix together 1 egg and 1/2 cup milk, and stir that into the flour mixture. Try not to over-stir.

Now, combine with a fork:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans, but you could use walnuts as well)
1 Tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp melted butter

Prepare muffin pans by lining cups with paper liners or spraying tins with non-stick spray.

Using two silverware-type tea spoons (sounds odd, but it works), scoop up a spoonful of batter on one spoon, and then use the other spoon to push the batter into the muffin cup. Sprinkle a bit of the strusel topping on top of the batter using the fork you mixed it with, then add another spoonful of batter on top of that. Once you have finished filling all your muffin cups, THEN go back and top all of the muffins with more strusel by dividing what's left evenly onto each muffin.

Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Makes about a dozen muffins, depending on size.

NOTES: My husband likes these more strusel-y, so I often double the amount of topping I make.
Also, if I am cooking for a crowd, I double the batter recipe, but then I quadruple the topping.
I have also added berries to the batter mix, usually blueberries or huckleberries. Its quite tasty but makes the batter a little "looser" so they take a wee bit longer to cook.

If your muffin tins are larger, it may take a bit longer to cook them.

***Jen's Notes: I copied and pasted this from Sorsha's post from the Christmas breakfast thread. I did exactly as she said and doubled the streusel topping. These were amazing!!! I got 10 muffins out of the recipe.

 

[Goofyluver]

More apps:

Holiday Bacon Appetizer (as recommended by Glynis)

Ingredients

■1 package Club Crackers
■1 pound Thin Sliced Bacon (or More Depending On Number Of Crackers)
■Grated Parmesan Cheese


Preparation Instructions:

Lay crackers (as many as you want) face up on a cookie sheet.

Scoop about 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese onto each cracker. Cut your package of bacon in half (or cut pieces individually) and carefully, so the cheese doesn’t fall off, wrap each cheese covered cracker in one half piece of bacon, completely covering the cracker. It should fit snugly around the cracker.

Place the bacon wrapped crackers onto a baking sheet that has a rack on it.

Place in a 250-degree oven for about 2 hours.

***Glynis...I'd hug you tight enough to pop your eyes outta your head if I could. These were UncleR's favorite appetizer that we tried today!!!




Mississippi Sin

16oz sour cream
8oz cream cheese, softened
2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup chopped ham
1 green onion, chopped
1/4 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt
pepper
French bread loaf


In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, except French bread; stirring until well blended.

Cut a thin slice from top of bread loaf; set slice aside. Using a gentle sawing motion, cut vertically to, but not through, bottom of the loaf, 1/2 inch from the edge, to cut out center of bread. Lift out center of loaf. Fill hollowed bread loaf with the dip. Wrap loaf with foil.

Bake dip at 350° degrees for 1 hour. Serve with reserved bread cubes, crackers, or potato chips.

***I decided not to warm this in a bread bowl. Instead, I baked it in a small baking dish and served it with large chunks of french bread and crackers. This was my favorite. I've decided I could just eat it with a spoon and a nice bottle of wine...and I'd feel all fancy like.

 

[Goofyluver]

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull-Apart Break/AKA: Crack Bread

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread
8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.


***I couldn't find a round loaf of sourdough bread at our local grocery (dang small town), so I halved a large french bread and cut the bread apart exactly as directed in the recipe. It was yummy!!!



In addition to everything listed above, we had cucumber sandwiches, redneck sushi, deviled eggs, and jalapeno and cream cheese stuffed chicken bites wrapped in bacon. We will be eating leftovers for days to come!!! But, it was soooo good.

I hope all of your tummies are filled with lovely things to eat as well!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Morning, all! I hope everyone is having a great holiday

Our Christmas yesterday was wonderful. We had breakfast with my family and opened gifts with them. We ran home and I made another rum cake and took a quick nap and went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner. My cousins, who I am very close to, were there. The 4 of us just sat around and yakked and laughed our heads off. It was a great day.

Christmas Eve with the in-laws was another story. Oy. The kids were everywhere, into everything, and it was a bit nuts. I was so scattered that I didn't get any pictures of anything. My food went very well, though, so that was good. I don't know. Things are just different with them and I have to deal with it.

Scott is off today so I am making us Mustard Roasted Fish, rice of some kind, and peas. Most importantly, we are staying in our pajamas.

Alison- I totally understand, hon. My big thing is just when people don't simply ask if I need a hand instead of just taking over what I am doing, you know?

Well, I'm off to go take a quick shower and put on some "lounging" jammies Everyone have a great day!

 

[HERSEY]

I feel like I had too much to drink this morning. I wonder if all the cookies, carmel corn, cheesecake, gingerbread is catching up to me.

I made the most amazing gingerbread. As soon as I wake up more I will find and post the recipe. It just tastes like a spice cake but very addictive.

We had a very nice Christmas with friends.

I hope everyones Christmas was wonderful and all the children had their dreams come true.

Mr A made me a picture that made me cry. I love homemade gifts

 

[dgbg100106]

Lindsay - I completely understand, I am constantly walking a fine line with Fra and her disability, it's tough to see her struggle with tasks, but yet I don't want to strip her of her independence. Stupid biddy Church lady. I hope you have a marvelous Christmas!

Glynis - glad the Christmas pixie dust came through for you! I hope your Christmas day is magical!

Jen - enjoy your noshing and your family today!

PIO - glad it was a nice day!

Janice - I hope you get caught up!

Brandi - I hope you're enjoying your trip!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We're chillin this morning, and haven't decided what to do for breakfast. Dinner is Todd English's P.U.B.

We are having a very relaxed and fun time. Hope you are enjoying your trip also.

 

[Goofyluver]

Morning, all! I hope everyone is having a great holiday

Our Christmas yesterday was wonderful. We had breakfast with my family and opened gifts with them. We ran home and I made another rum cake and took a quick nap and went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner. My cousins, who I am very close to, were there. The 4 of us just sat around and yakked and laughed our heads off. It was a great day.

Christmas Eve with the in-laws was another story. Oy. The kids were everywhere, into everything, and it was a bit nuts. I was so scattered that I didn't get any pictures of anything. My food went very well, though, so that was good. I don't know. Things are just different with them and I have to deal with it.

Scott is off today so I am making us Mustard Roasted Fish, rice of some kind, and peas. Most importantly, we are staying in our pajamas.

Alison- I totally understand, hon. My big thing is just when people don't simply ask if I need a hand instead of just taking over what I am doing, you know?

Well, I'm off to go take a quick shower and put on some "lounging" jammies Everyone have a great day!

We are having pajama day too. Let's all lounge together, shall we?

I feel like I had too much to drink this morning. I wonder if all the cookies, carmel corn, cheesecake, gingerbread is catching up to me.

I made the most amazing gingerbread. As soon as I wake up more I will find and post the recipe. It just tastes like a spice cake but very addictive.

We had a very nice Christmas with friends.

I hope everyones Christmas was wonderful and all the children had their dreams come true.

Mr A made me a picture that made me cry. I love homemade gifts

Love homemade gifts too.

Glad your holiday was wonderful.

We are having a very relaxed and fun time. Hope you are enjoying your trip also.

When do you go home?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning!

Today is "put crap together" day in the house. Big C and J got a Playstation Move, and we need to put it together so they can dance. And J got some things that need to be assembled so we'll do that as well.

Other than that, it's a rest day to keep us sane after the holiday.

Tonight's dinner is leftovers from our appetizer feast yesterday.

I hope all of you are enjoying your time and your new goodies!

 

[dgbg100106]

I feel like I had too much to drink this morning. I wonder if all the cookies, carmel corn, cheesecake, gingerbread is catching up to me.

I made the most amazing gingerbread. As soon as I wake up more I will find and post the recipe. It just tastes like a spice cake but very addictive.

We had a very nice Christmas with friends.

I hope everyones Christmas was wonderful and all the children had their dreams come true.

Mr A made me a picture that made me cry. I love homemade gifts

Sounds delish.

 

[dgbg100106]

We are having pajama day too. Let's all lounge together, shall we?



Love homemade gifts too.

Glad your holiday was wonderful.



When do you go home?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning!

Today is "put crap together" day in the house. Big C and J got a Playstation Move, and we need to put it together so they can dance. And J got some things that need to be assembled so we'll do that as well.

Other than that, it's a rest day to keep us sane after the holiday.

Tonight's dinner is leftovers from our appetizer feast yesterday.

I hope all of you are enjoying your time and your new goodies!

We are going to Mexico today... For shopping but tomorrow we are going back tomorrow to build a house.... Yes you read that right. We are going to build house tomorrow..... We are flying tomorrow back to Maryland.