 As you all know, this is the best time of year!!! For religious and spiritual reasons, but also because we get to spend so much family time together! I love to start Christmas festivities on Thanksgiving Day. While I am preparing the meal (most of which has been completed in the day or two prior), my daughters are decorating the Christmas tree and the entire house! The tree above is our 2022 Farmhouse Flocked tree (my daughter snow-sprayed everything not moving + her little sister and the dog!) The farmhouse is covered in pumpkins, gourds, pine, holly, pine cones, and lights!!! Simply beautiful ~ Of course, I've been Christmas shopping all year because I just love finding a great deal on a gist that my kids will love. Then, I start developing a menu. My kids want lots of the traditional meal, but I get a new item or two onto the table. Here is a helpful list for planning your holiday with family and friends. In addition to the delicious food we will share, we also exchange traditional gifts on Christmas Eve while we enjoy our delicious Mexican recipes of biscochos, champurrado, empanadas, and tamales. Click here for our Christmas Eve recipes! We play games, tell jokes, laugh, and simply love every moment. Then, we exchange gifts of books and pajamas ~ one of my favorite things to do is watch my kids open the books I have chosen for them each year. I do my best to find something they love and something that captures their new interests. I have a pretty good track record so far! On Christmas Day, we wake up early and cannot wait to open gifts! Then, it's time for an: Irish Breakfast: fried eggs, hash browns, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, Irish bangers (sausage links), biscuits and fig marmalade ~ of course, plenty of coffee (maybe a bit too much whiskey in last night's festivities)! I love to make snacks for the family to enjoy while playing this year's games ~ trivia, bingo, and (what I am most looking forward to) Yellowstone Monopoly! During the day, we all participate in the cooking. As you know, my son will prepare the turkey (no, he still has not shared his secret brine recipe!) while my daughters and I prepare the goose and ham. Snacks: One of my favorites is the cream cheese topped with Tabasco jelly. We serve this with Wheat Thins! This year, I am making a Fig, Pecan, & Brie bites. I also ordered Kimberley Biscuits on Amazon because we live in west Texas. I just adore Smoked Salmon & Marie Rose Sauce ~ this year, I am serving this on sea salt & cracked pepper kettle chips. I also sprinkle a few capers, chopped green onion, and fresh rosemary. Delicious! And for a bit of cool & fresh (plus it blends well with the smoked salmon) I make a melon ball dish of cantaloupe and honey dew. Festive & Tasty! Spirits: Jamie & Ginger is a traditional drink here (or maybe just in my house, either way...) I prefer Jameson Black Barrel and Canada Dry ginger ale in a highball glass of ice. For a more festive twist, I add a cinnamon stick and a splash of cranberry juice. Dinner: Roast Goose with Pecan Stuffing & Apricot Chutney, Fried Turkey & Cranberry Sauce (I buy the canned Ocean Spray whole berry then add the juice of 1 orange and a cinnamon stick, bring to a boil, then put in a nice serving dish), Plum & Star Anise Ham, Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Irish Buttered Carrots, & Soda Bread ~ don't forget the Christmas Crackers! Dessert: Irish Christmas Cake with Brandy Butter, Kimberley Biscuits, Mince Pies, Irish Sherry Trifle & Irish Coffee We hope you enjoy these recipes as much and we do, and from our family to yours ~ Merry Christmas~      |
