Just Because...: Facing the Christmas Eve Dangers...

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Facing the Christmas Eve Dangers...

Let me amend my previous position on holiday shopping - forget the Mall, forget Costco - One can put one's life in jeopardy by going to the supermarket/grocery store on Christmas Eve. Talk about traffic jams, people actin' stupid and drama, drama, drama. Ugh!

Dad decided that turkey is scheduled for dinner tomorrow, so this gal had to visit her new favorite haunt for groceries - Publix - to pick up various ingredients for my holiday menu. My Bampa would do a kick-ass menu every holiday, starting off with shrimp cocktail and, this year, I'm taking over tradition. So far I have on the agenda tomorrow - Roast turkey, creamed pearl onions, sour cream mashed potatoes, cornbread & apple stuffing, apple, orange & cranberry chutney (from Williams-Sonoma - they were out of cranberries at the store today), Parmesan popovers, shrimp cocktail and, to finish - Bec's Pumpkin Cheesecake (delish!). Christmas morning I'll be making cranberry/orange muffins, brown sugar bacon and herbed-baked eggs. Since dinner will be later in the evening, we've got most of the day to relax. Tonight we're putting up the tree so mustard crusted salmon & roasted asparagus are on the menu. Someone put Martha Stewart on alert please.

The cat is excited - she's been very cranky lately with the move approaching, the fact her fur is very very long and she's not comfy. Shaddy is one of the cleanest cats I've ever seen, but she hates her fur long and she's beyond fluffy. Combine that with her version of a cold and watch out for those claws (which I'm already sporting a few battle scars). However, she found her box o' gifts that came in from Petco.com (thanks Ebates) and keeps sniffing at them. Since most contain catnip, she'll be ripping at the wrapping paper. It's hilar every year and Roomie is getting her a balloon which will keep Shaddy entertained for hours. Dad got her a chirping bird ornament which I think was more for his amusement than hers.

Also - while my father is out shopping and braving the mall crowds (since I got all of my shopping done 2 weeks ago and didn't have to go), I decided that catching up on my Food Network shows was in order. Well, since Gingerbread Challenge is on for the 40th time, I switched to Fine Living which I found a familiar face - Michael Chiarello and "Napa Holiday". Well, thanks to him I learned some random knowledge - add Dijon mustard to your cranberry dressing, whiskey is really distilled beer and brandy is distilled wine (explains why the Irish love our whiskey) and my favorite quote: "You know what we call Espresso with a little Brandy - Cafe' Correcto..."

Now, where is the brandy I wonder...

Have a wonderful Christmas eve, everyone!!

Labels: Cash Back, Cooking, Holiday, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 3:41 PM :: 0 comments

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Just Because...

Sunday, December 24, 2006