If you have been visiting me with any regularity, you know that I love to cook. In the past couple of days I have made 5 kinds of cookies ( at least 5 dozen of each kind), cinnamon rolls frozen for Christmas morning and the donut dough is chilling in the fridge as I write. You would think I would be done, but oh no, the Christmas Eve Party (as the kids refer to it) must be prepared. This "party" and its menu has evolved around blended families, food preferences and time constraints.
Assorted Man Type Appetizers
like Chinese Sausage, Lil Smokeys and Artichoke Dip
like Chinese Sausage, Lil Smokeys and Artichoke Dip
Roast Tenderloin of Beef
Lasagna
Roasted Potatoes
Green Beans Lyonnaise
Salad
Garlic Bread
Apple Cake( new this year, replacing Apple Crisp)
Tiramisu (replacing that dreadful chocolate heath bar "trifle")
Assorted Cookies
Coffee
Lasagna
Roasted Potatoes
Green Beans Lyonnaise
Salad
Garlic Bread
Apple Cake( new this year, replacing Apple Crisp)
Tiramisu (replacing that dreadful chocolate heath bar "trifle")
Assorted Cookies
Coffee
Sounds like a lot of work, right? Well, here is a little secret...shh...don't tell...IT IS!!
I am very finicky about the food I cook. It must be cooked ala minute, no cooking stuff ahead and reheating or buying frozen stuff, well Ok , the artichoke dip because the kids like the commercial stuff. So, Monday will find me cooking all day. We eat buffet style because there are 16 of us this year, so no fancy table setting at least!! By the time dinner is served I will be exhausted, but all the happy smiles will make it worthwhile. Then we play Christmas and Sports Trivia...don't ask!!
Next stop...Christmas morning. Coffee with homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade donuts (these have to be hidden so they last until Christmas morning) while we open presents. Then, no rest for the weary ...and I am oh so weary by this point, time to make the Christmas Brunch which is really just a big, big breakfast. You know, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes for the nine of us. Okay, I am tired just thinking about this. As much of the prep work is done that can be done ahead and now I think I will just veg and see if I can find a decent Christmas movie on the tube.
I will probably not post until after the Food Fest, if I survive. And Oh yes, my youngest son is coming home from Seattle for just two days, the two "food days". Coincidence? I think not!!
Merry Christmas to all my new blog friends and your families. I love you all.
I am very finicky about the food I cook. It must be cooked ala minute, no cooking stuff ahead and reheating or buying frozen stuff, well Ok , the artichoke dip because the kids like the commercial stuff. So, Monday will find me cooking all day. We eat buffet style because there are 16 of us this year, so no fancy table setting at least!! By the time dinner is served I will be exhausted, but all the happy smiles will make it worthwhile. Then we play Christmas and Sports Trivia...don't ask!!
Next stop...Christmas morning. Coffee with homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade donuts (these have to be hidden so they last until Christmas morning) while we open presents. Then, no rest for the weary ...and I am oh so weary by this point, time to make the Christmas Brunch which is really just a big, big breakfast. You know, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes for the nine of us. Okay, I am tired just thinking about this. As much of the prep work is done that can be done ahead and now I think I will just veg and see if I can find a decent Christmas movie on the tube.
I will probably not post until after the Food Fest, if I survive. And Oh yes, my youngest son is coming home from Seattle for just two days, the two "food days". Coincidence? I think not!!
Merry Christmas to all my new blog friends and your families. I love you all.
Merry Christmas Janet! Your menu sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeletePenny
Merry Christmas Janet! This sounds like sooooo much work! I guess I do not like to cook because it just sounds exausting to me! Do what you love and ENJOY it!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Janet, It makes me tired just reading your post. I'm just having my 2 boys home this year--so only 4 to cook for. Last year i had 9, which is still a manageable number and they helped. 16 is quite a crowd. good luck. I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful time, but you will no doubt be exhausted.
ReplyDeleteOh we do Swiss fondue for Christmas eve. It's so easy.
Merry Christmas!
Ohhhhh Janet, it all sounds soooo delicious!!! I can only imagine how exchausted you will be but like you said the smiles make is so worth it :o) This year we will be having dinner on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day but it will be a traditional meal. I have been baking cookies the last couple of days but they seem to be disappearing just as quickly as I make them?!?!?! I might have to hide a few so they last!!! LoL....
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas!
~Des
Merry Christmas and happy eating!! thanks to all who blog, and esp. to janet who told me about this world. you all do wonderful things, and i enjoy my time with you.
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't even decided on a menu yet for Christmas day....but just reading about your cooking makes me so tired....have a great day. Dianntha
ReplyDeleteYum! All of that sounds delicious! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday...and enjoy your son's visit, too!~
ReplyDeleteLove, Andrea
Hi Janet, Whew! You sound like me. I have 20 coming for dinner on Christmas Day so I am preparing the foods today and tomorrow. Merry Christmas to you and yours. xo Lynn
ReplyDeleteI just want to wish you a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy visiting your blog!
Thanks for visiting my blog, and for leaving such a nice message.
Hi Janet. Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas! Hope you enjoy some wonderful times with your family and friends this Christmas season. Rhondi
ReplyDeleteThe food sounds great...brings them in from Seattle, eh? Have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Janet, can I come too? Your menu sounds divine!!! Happy cooking my friend, and enjoy the time with your family. And darn that Martha, she makes me mad too sometimes. HA!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rose
Gosh, it all looks so good! Yum! I hope your cooking day went well! Merry Christmas and best wishes for a bountiful New Year!
ReplyDelete~Angela :-)
Gosh, can you believe I'm posting on Christmas Eve? Me either, but I'm waiting for my eldest child to fall asleep so I can put his stocking in his room. He doesn't believe in Santa anymore, but I still want him to have the excitement of opening his eyes and seeing his stocking filled to the brim!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Janet, and you sound as tired as me! Rest when you can...your "food fest" sounds lovely!!
Linda
xoxo
Merry Christmas Janet!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, We can be blogging sisters. How about that? :)
ReplyDeleteJanet, thank you for stopping by my blog during the 2007 Virtual Holiday Home Tour.
ReplyDeleteMay the New Year bring you health, happiness and the love of family.
Blessings,
Sher
What a yummy menu. We had turkey with dressing at my brothers. His kids won't eat ham, lasagna, and they have beef tenderloin at their other Grandmother's house. I help my mother prepare most of the meal which gets transported to my brother's house. (He's divorced and only cooks basic things) He has more room and we stay with him since our dog and my mother's cats are not the best of friends.
ReplyDeleteNan