Pre-Christmas 2022

Nate’s visit 

My secret lasagna recipe!

Before

After

Our grandson Nate came for an early Christmas  visit on Friday.  He goes to school at NCU and works too.  He doesn’t get a lot of free time but managed a short visit with us.  Our son and his family joined us.

It was such a good evening of good food and the best conversation.

I was sorry that the evening had to end but he’s coming back for a short breakfast visit on Sunday.

He did request anise pizzelles and loves banana cream pie so I made a banana cream trifle.  A few small cannoli and my usual Biscotti.  I made a few snowball cookies too!

Our main menu was a small charcuterie board.  Usually I go crazy with something new in that area but this year kept it simple.  

A large Italian seasoned salad(my secret dressing).

Small Charcuterie board 

Fresh baked bread 

Poppy giving his o words of wisdom! Lol

Nate and Zoe two of our five grandchildren. 

Zoe

Nate

Our son Mark and I.

A few bottles of wine to start.  Not all

Are shown lol

Of course a small cookie platter I made.

My lasagna made with fresh hot and sweet sausage.

Love my Spode dishes. I have the set.

In a blink of an eye it was over although I will say a wonderful relaxing evening to add to our memories.

Christmas Dinner from my kitchen to yours!

I was thinking of changing the Christmas Day menu but it seems this year will be a repeat of last years.  I asked the kids and they said"Mom make it easy on yourself" so I am.

I make my chicken soup early in the week and clean up the pot so the broth, chicken and carrots are cut and are nicely placed in containers in my refrigerator.  I bought the homemade cappelletti's this year.  I usually make them but this year I'm letting someone else have that job!

 I will get soup and antipasto together a few hours before the children and grandchildren hit our house.

Everyone will be hungry and excited so we'll nibble a bit and eat and nibble but there won't be presents opened until we have our dinner. 

First Course:  The Soup

Second Course:  The Antipasto
I love making the antipasto so that is easy for me.

Last but least the lasagna.  The sauce will be prepared this weekend and on Wednesday I will put it all together and refrigerate it until early Christmas morning when I'll take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before I place it in the oven. 

Desserts we'll have to see but requests from the grandchildren are Italian Anise cookies.  That's all they want so I'll  make a double batch of them on Sunday.

  

 I've done the spiced pecans and pretzel turtles and they are in tins in my garage.  Knowing me I'll surely make a few other delights, that is unless I get the urge to buy an ice cream cake  roll. (the one that is a rolled chocolate cake (jelly roll type)filled with vanilla ice cream).  I just love them and no one seems to sell them anymore.  

The grandchildren are excited every year because first they are with their cousins who they love and we even set up a table so they can eat and chat without the parents.  We all sit and have dessert together and then we play a game involving both families and modest gifts.  We give them hints and the family that comes closest to guessing correctly wins the prize.  It's always fun with laughs galore!

Make some memories.  One of my greatest enjoyments is seeing them (all 5) coloring something holiday on a tablecloth I bought years ago and laughing at how terrible they think they colored then.

  So much Love to share. 


Merry Christmas to you and yours,
                                                                                                                                        

A Very Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year From my Family to yours,

 M.j. Al,  Son Mark, Daughter Susan and their families

12/19/14

The White House ornaments

HERE ARE A FEW A THE “WHITE HOUSE” ORNAMENTS MY HUBBY RECEIVED AS A GIFT FROM HIS FORMER  BOSS.

So very thought of him.

HE HAS SINCE PASSED BUT WE BOTH WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AS A GOOD AND GENEROUS MAN.

MERRY Christmas,

M.j.

Thanksgiving 2022

Today was hubby and my Thanksgiving dinner!

I had bought a 5# Turkey breast and decided today (Saturday) was our Thanksgiving feast.  

Since we are back to (2) on Thanksgiving we chose to eat at a local restaurant Thanksgiving day which was delicious and hit a movie.  It was a nice day!  

We both miss family but we’ve had many years enjoying the children and grandchildren and now with jobs and moves it’s either get on airplane and fly or enjoy FaceTime with them.  It’s all good! 

Homemade everything but dessert.  I bought an caramel apple cheesecake!

I made my moms recipe for fresh cranberry sauce and sage stuffing which is my all time favorite Thanksgiving side.  I coujd make it a meal! Seriously!!!

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your holidays are safe and healthy!

AL TOO

Thanksgiving for two “The Day after”2021

Thanksgiving we spent with our son and family so today I decided was our Thanksgiving feast.

It takes a lot of preparation for a large family which I did for many years so this preparation was for a smaller group as in the two of us but it still was a lot of pots and pans to clean up after.

Thankfully I have a good guy to help!

My “Good Guy”!