December 28: Catching My Breath!

What will you do today?  Maybe, all your house guests have departed.  Maybe, you will think about cleaning up the house.  Maybe, you will take a short nap.  Or if you are like me, I'm thinking about all those projects that got started and are languishing--do I hear them calling my name?  "Pick me up--just put in a few stitches" while you are sitting in your comfortable chair! 

Okay, there is that Advent Scarf I began--I did get up to Day 6 (not bad, huh?)  And now the clues keep piling up!  This delightful Chevron and Ripples pattern is designed by Tricia Weatherston.  The idea was to use sock yarn that was self striping.  My yarn was in my stash from Lorna's Laces. 

 

I'm also thinking about the 2014 Mystery from Bonnie Hunter.  This year's quilt is titled Grand Illusion--Once again, I'm way behind--but, I am saving the clues and I have seen the Bonnie Hunter Club gals working diligently on their clues.  From what I've seen of the first three clues--this is going to be a beauty!  Bonnie offers the pattern free of charge--but, only for a short time--so, if you are interested in creating a magical quilt--better save the clues!

My friend, Judy P, did last years' mystery and just take look at this marvel!!  Great balls of fiber--super duper work Judy P!  I can always count on her to finish what she has begun.

Okay, I'm still sitting in my comfy chair and thinking about all those UFOs.

December 27: Left-Overs.......

The Gifts have been unwrapped--the wrappings have been disposed of--the family is tired of playing with their new toys--and they are also tired of eating that warmed up turkey and dressing.  No one wants turkey sandwiches anymore.  What to feed them today?  We can make turkey gumbo, throw in some sausage.  We could make turkey soup or turkey casserole or turkey pot pie or turkey a la king or turkey tacos or enchiladas.   OR we could make:
                                                         Turkey Tetrazzini!!

A favorite in our household--there are many versions of this dish, but here is my recipe

Chop one medium size onion, sauté in 1/4 lb. of butter till soften.  Now, make that white roux--add 1/4 cup flour to mixture and stir to thicken.  To this add 2 C milk or if you want to start that diet early, use chicken broth.  Stir till thicken.  Now, add chopped turkey bits, sprinkle of Tabasco, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese; continue to stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.  If need, add more liquid. 

 In another pot, bring to boil several quarts of water--once boiling, add 1 package of spaghetti--cook till tender, drain and add to above turkey mixture.  I like to add the juice of one lemon--gives it a little tang taste.  Combine well.
Pour mixture into one large greased baking dish-- before placing into 350* oven to bake 35-45 minutes, sprinkle the top with grated cheddar cheese and panko crumbs--your choice of how much.
Bake and serve with green salad and fresh baked bread--oh, yes, the bread comes from the local grocery!
Hopefully, this will clear out all that leftover turkey!

December 26: Day After.............................Boxing Day

What do you do on the Day after Christmas?  Return gifts? Shop the bargains? Go on a diet--no wait, that's not till January 2! 

In some countries here is how they celebrate............

Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other Commonwealth nations, as well as Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December.

In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. Due to the Roman Catholic Church's liturgical calendar, the day is known as St. Stephen's Day to Catholics, and in Italy, Finland, and Alsace and Moselle in France. It is also known as both St. Stephen's Day and the Day of the Wren or Wren's Day in the Republic of Ireland. In many European countries, including notably Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, 26 December is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day

December 25: Christmas!

As we gather around

 

the Christmas Tree

May our hearts be filled with joy as we

celebrate this special day of

Peace, hope, love, family, friends

 

This Nativity set was made by my Granny in 1967--hence, since brown headed kid, Dr. Dawn was born in 1967, it was a gift to her.

 

December 24--And Not a Creature Was Stirring!

This is the Night we light the last candle of the Advent Wreath.

 

The first candle is for Promise

The second candle is for Light

The third candle is for Love

and the last candle is

HOPE

 

 

As Christians we read Luke's story of Jesus birth (Luke 2: 1-20)

 

"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace" (Romans 15:13a)

December 23--Two Nights Before Christmas!

Two Nights before Christmas!  That should be a song..........................................

And all through the house, family is waiting for that special meal.............................

CRAB BISQUE and for the one who doesn't eat crab--we make a huge pot of Chili--Texas Chili!

So grab, your special ingredients and let's cook!

Crab Bisque:  celery, onions, bell pepper (all chopped fine) Sauté in stick of butter till transparent and tender.  Add some chopped garlic to taste, salt and pepper to taste.  Thicken with corn starch or flour to make a white roux.  Stir in can of chicken stock.  In another pot cook chopped potatoes till tender, drain and add to the above mixture. Now, here comes the good stuff--several cups of half and half--not the fat free stuff either, but full rich half and half.  Let this all marry for a few minutes.  Toward the end, add 1 lb. of fresh cracked peeled crabmeat--claw or whatever you can find.  Take that Tabasco bottle and shake, shake!  Almost ready for the bowl and spoon! 

In the oven we have buttered hot French bread, just ready to sop up all the goodness left in the bowl.

This will always be our two nights before Christmas meal!!

Now, if you need a recipe for Texas Chili...........................................let me know!

December 22--Ready for Another Cookie!

Mexican Wedding Cakes

This is one of those go to recipes when you need a quick cookie.

1 C of butter

1/2 C powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

cream together till fluffy

Then add 1/4 tsp salt

2 1/4 C all purpose flour

Mix well

Add

1 C chopped nuts (your choice)

Mix till dough holds together nicely.

Roll into balls, place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets

Bake in 400* oven for about 8-9 minutes

Once removed from the oven, roll the balls into powder sugar

and pop into your mouth!

 

Any number of different items can be added--chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, Hersey kisses in the middle of ball before baking--it's fun to experiment.

There are lots of names for this cookie--what do you call them?