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| Ajax |
Boiling a Chicken. Honest.
Our usual Christmas Eve is celebrated by my wife, daughter & I. We usually grill steaks and have some sort of seafood with them.
This morning the Boss & Boss Jr informed me that Chicken & Dumplings would hit the spot much more than any USDA Prime red meat.
So I've got one of Tyson's best in the pot, and a box of Bisquick at the ready. Go figure! |
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| Crank |
quote:
Ajax wrote:
Boiling a Chicken. Honest.
Our usual Christmas Eve is celebrated by my wife, daughter & I. We usually grill steaks and have some sort of seafood with them.
This morning the Boss & Boss Jr informed me that Chicken & Dumplings would hit the spot much more than any USDA Prime red meat.
So I've got one of Tyson's best in the pot, and a box of Bisquick at the ready. Go figure!
I've got a spiral ham in the crockpot and taters are ready to be boiled then mashed.
My philo dough is in the reefer for Banana's Foster and I'm kneading the dough for Mini Raspberry Napoleons while simultaneously whipping cream for the topping.
All the holiday shipping boxes have been broken-down and placed in the alley and I've reeled up all the game controllers and wheels and they are stowed behind the TV so as not to offend company. Oh, yes. I have ALL the popular game systems. (Merry Christmas to ME!)
The cats have taken refuge since the Vacuum Cleaner has been freed from it's mooring and now stands dejectedly in the middle of the now "cordfree" living room. All the misc. computer parts have been cleared from the dining room table in anticipation of it's yearly ritual. I've shut the doors to my office (where do you think all the refuse is going?).
Tonight my wife's family will gush with compliments to her for the bash.
Sigh...:D |
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| Ajax |
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman....
Not really. Sexisms not my bag. But i'd sure like to peel off this apron and strap on a beer. My wife manages a produce market that's owned by her family, and my daughter works for her when she's home. On Christmas Eve, many of their customers stop by with goodies & grog. They'll be home by 5, wearing big grins.
Meanwhile, I'm up to my ears in Windex & Pledge, wielding an 8 Pound Oreck like Errol Flynn's sabre, listening to 'The Nutcracker', answering the phone, and keeping an eye on the damned chicken.
My wifes family arrives tomorrow. I fully expect that about the time I'm cramming stuffing into the bird that I'll be informed that the decision has been made to change the entree' to grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. But that's cool. After all, it's Christmas.:D |
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| fantayzya |
My family's tradition for years now has been to have a 'munchie' Christmas. We all get together at my folks' house on Christmas Eve and everyone brings pot-luck appetizers. There are some recipes we have every year, and others are new.
My usual responsibility has been the spinach dip. This year I'm doing that, some cookies, and I'm frying up some crab rangoon as I type. Generally there are stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, a cheesy/garlic french bread, chicken wings, and whatever else someone has a taste for. Way more than we can ever eat, but we just graze all evening long. It's very relaxed and comfy. We take turns opening gifts, one at a time so everyone can appreciate each gift and the giver gets proper thanks. Well, we start out that way anyway, there are still some younger folks (and my 93 year old gramps too) that get a tad impatient so we don't always succeed at this.
Whatever your traditions, I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday!
Lori |
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| Tink *~*~* |
We do the traditional Italian all you can eat fish festival at my brother's house on Christmas Eve. We wait until midnight and then it's a gifting frenzy.
Christmas Day is at Mother's house. |
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| Ajax |
Fan wrote-
My usual responsibility has been the spinach dip. This year I'm doing that, some cookies, and I'm frying up some crab rangoon as I type. Generally there are stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, a cheesy/garlic french bread, chicken wings, and whatever else someone has a taste for.
That covers all the major food groups, as far as I'm concerned. Stand by, Fan. In about three hours you're going to meet your weird cousin Ajax from the Thumb. I'll just follow my nose! |
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| VanBrujah |
I shall be frying up wings on the back deck with the giant Turkey Cooker...probably in a snowstorm. Ah, Christmas!
Just recieved a request for my famous (sort of) Chile Con Queso, which has been known to melt through steel like the Acid Blood in "Aliens". Haven't decided if I will make it mild, hot, ass-burning, or Chernobyl.
Have a Festive Yule!
VanBrujah |
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| Dab |
Since my 2 older kids in CA couldn't come this way this year, my two younger ones and I are doing our own thing this year.
If it wasn't snowy/icy today (now the sun is shining), we would have gone to the Golden Corral buffet. Love that place!
I am making a ham and because my daughter and I love the pineapple, I make an extra pan of it on the stove, simmer it for a few hours in brown sugar, honey and pineapple juice. My son wants portabello mushrooms so going to make those in awhile. I do have half of my wrapping done finally!
I've already boiled the eggs for deviled eggs tomorrow and sticking a pumpkin pie in the oven soon. (I do not bake well at all so Mrs. Smith's it is)
Tomorrow we open presents, cook, eat and then at 5pm it's the Kings vs the Lakers!!!!!!! Go Kings!!!!! |
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| Ahnalira |
We're starting a new tradition this year (totally of Ser Alan's creation; >) We'll have one wrapped present under the tree - already there - and when it gets unwrapped, a "giver" will run to their hiding place and 'wrap' something with the used paper while they trot it out to the tree and its recepient. I must say that, while I was a tad skeptical of this plan at first, I am most assuredly enjoying NOT wrapping any presents; >)
I've been kneading dough for tomorrow morning's sticky buns all afternoon. I've created my own sugarfree recipe and I'll let you know how they turn out!
Ahnalira |
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| Tink *~*~* |
quote:
Ahnalira wrote:
We're starting a new tradition this year (totally of Ser Alan's creation; >) We'll have one wrapped present under the tree - already there - and when it gets unwrapped, a "giver" will run to their hiding place and 'wrap' something with the used paper while they trot it out to the tree and its recepient. I must say that, while I was a tad skeptical of this plan at first, I am most assuredly enjoying NOT wrapping any presents; >)
Ahnalira, by necessity, wouldn't the first thing wrapped and already under the tree have to also be the biggest? Cause otherwise, you could find your subsequent "wrapping" jobs coming up a bit short! But I like it, it's an eco-friendly idea.
OK, seriously time to change and scoot on over to brother's house for the all you can eat fish festival.
Blessings to all!
Tink *~*~* |
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| Dsorcerer |
From Fantayzya:
Quote:---------------------
My family's tradition for years now has been to have a 'munchie' Christmas. We all get together at my folks' house on Christmas Eve and everyone brings pot-luck appetizers. There are some recipes we have every year, and others are new.
My usual responsibility has been the spinach dip. This year I'm doing that, some cookies, and I'm frying up some crab rangoon as I type. Generally there are stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, a cheesy/garlic french bread, chicken wings, and whatever else someone has a taste for. Way more than we can ever eat, but we just graze all evening long. It's very relaxed and comfy. We take turns opening gifts, one at a time so everyone can appreciate each gift and the giver gets proper thanks. Well, we start out that way anyway, there are still some younger folks (and my 93 year old gramps too) that get a tad impatient so we don't always succeed at this.
Whatever your traditions, I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday!
Lori
Ed writes....
and how wonderful it turned out too! :p
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| Francine |
Tonight we had a buffet while we opened up gifts of cheese and crackers, chips and dips, and assorted cut up fruit.
Then for dinner we had lasagna. It is one of the dishes I make that everyone loves the most.
Tomorrow we will have our Christmas ham.
We also always have snack breads for breakfast on Christmas. That way we can eat while we unwrap. We will have the fruit leftover from tonight, too.
Of course, then there is the Christmas candy! Santa brings all of that! He's on his way, too!! Yippee!
Francine
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| Belle |
quote:
VanBrujah wrote:
Haven't decided if I will make it mild, hot, ass-burning, or Chernobyl.
VanBrujah
Definitely Chernobyl - nuthin says Happy Holidays like gut wrenching painfully delicious food :D
{hugs}
Belle |
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| Lady |
Our tradition every Christmas Eve is a slow roasted Christmas Beast, twice baked potatoes and a green veggie - this year it was asparagus, last year broccoli - we picked up our four rib roast this morning and half of it is gone already along with a bottle of Cabernet - after dinner we have snowballs for dessert and open all our stocking stuffers : ( We'll have the rest of the Christmas Beast this morning for Christmas Breakfast with eggs and Mimosas and our presents - then we'll begin making stuff - we have a munchie Christmas day - Sausage Balls, my famous ham puffs, hay stacks, peanut brittle
New Years Eve Dinner when we are not out at a hotel/party is a snack tray - meats/cheeses/veggies and on New Years Day I'm making Oysters Rockerfellow for my two guys - personally I hate oysters - yuck
Happy Christmas to Everyone! |
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| judy |
Just back from my sister's house. We had an array of appetizers and sandwich stuff, followed by my cookies and my now famous eggnog cake. The party went well, first time my sister hosted it. Her son is 6 and autistic, and has been having some difficulty with dealing with things that are unpredictable to him. It was easier on all of us that he was at home and comfortable.
Saturday night we spent with DH's family. Tomorrow (well today, actually) we'll have a ham dinner and stay at HOME!! The kids are getting Playstation2 for Christmas and want to stay home and play all day. Sounds good to me. |
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| Coastalwader |
We broke away this year from what was our normal tradition of Turkey and dressing. We had a beef tenderloin. Very good!
This will most likely be the last year my kids are "in residence" here at Christmas. Looks like from here on out they will be "visiting" for the holidays. I've been thinking about that a lot.
About 15 yrs ago, I found a 1958 model coke machine in pretty bad shape. It's one of those that has the glass door down the side and holds about 9 different selections. I refinished it and every Christmas I fill it up with bottled soft drinks. This year I had the 8 oz cokes and Dr Peppers and Frostie Root Beers and Grapettes and few other different selections. All the kids (and adults)love it! I don't know what it is, but I get the biggest grin watching them get drinks out of that machine. I guess it's a memory I know they are making. They start talking about it months in advance. It's hard to explain, but I think that machine has some time travel capabilities. ;)
This am, I take the wife to the airport to go see her dad in Chicago. He had a stroke after heart bypass back in June and is still spending his days in various care facilities. This will be a big day for both of them as she hasn't seen him since late summer.
Merry Christmas everybody!
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| Lunarlady |
You're boiling chicken? I've never heard of doing it that way, but more power to ya if you can pull it off.
This morning (after shoveling out the snow we got in Battle Creek), my sis is gonna make us scrambled eggs, bacon and (if we're nice) pancakes. Looks like my brother may not make it here because he lives in Jackson and may not be able to make it up the driveway in his cheap Ford Ranger. (He got stuck in the 3 inches they got last weekend)
I'm somewhat glad I drove down here yesterday because it would have been a bear driving on these roads today. (My family lives out in the country and they always seem to plow my family's road last) However waking up to the sound of my sister's fat white cat gallumping down the hallway was interesting. (I live alone with a quiet black cat)
So that's what I'm up to today in a strange house. I hope the rest of y'all enjoy your feasts! |
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| fantayzya |
Yup, we got Christmas snow too LL. I had #1 son scrape and salt the ice on the driveway yesterday in anticipation of #2 son being all geeked up about the RC Car (a Chevy SSR) that he was getting that's big enough and has seatbelts for his GI Joes. He was pretty bummed when he saw all the work was for nuttin'. Ah well, so goes life.
We're planning a rather quiet day around here just enjoying being together as a family. It'll be the first Christmas Day I can remember that I haven't had to rush around anywhere. We could have gone up to my uncle's farm today for the extended family gathering, but unfortunately, it got cancelled. My aunt's dad was called home yesterday morning. He had a stroke about a week ago, but she was determined to host this party for her husband's family. She's a dear lady and if you could spare a thought/wish for her to find some comfort today, and actually, in future Christmases, I'm sure she/and I would appreciate it. Thanks.
It's looking like a visit to the IMAX to catch Lion King for me and my guys. After I lose the lazies and get dressed that is lol. My Gramps gave me a soft cozy new robe with the words 'Caffiene Junkie' all over it (Perfect!) and I'm not in any hurry to stop enjoying it.
I have to say the gift of the year IMO was from my younger brother. He sponsored a day of broadcasting in our family's name for a local Christian radio station. He got to pick the date and chose my folks' anniversary. It's not till next November, but I thought that was a great gift.
So, since many of you won't be reading here again till your festivities are over, what was/is the highlight of your holiday season? I love hearing about others' traditions/habits/ practices. Please share!
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| Dab |
So, since many of you won't be reading here again till your festivities are over, what was/is the highlight of your holiday season? I love hearing about others' traditions/habits/ practices. Please share!
[/quote]
Normally back in CA:
Christmas Eve is my brother in law's birthday so my sister would throw an appetizer type get together.
Christmas morning everyone would open their own family gifts at their house and then head over to my mom's (now oldest sister since my mom passed away 6 years ago) around 9-10am.
About 10 years ago we all decided it was getting too expensive to buy for everyone so we did the "buy for anyone 18 and younger and our mom" gifts. We open those up and then turkey and all the stuff around 2pm. My sister makes these really good wonton things for her appetizer party. It's spicy hamburger meat with onions, bell peppers and some spices, she rolls them up in a wonton and then deep fries for a minute. She makes dozens at a time and then freezes them, at the party she just pops them in the microwave for a minute and serves with salsa. They are always the first thing gone and my husband takes them to work for his party and they are always the first gone there also.
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