Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Cafe...

'Tis the day before Christmas... the groceries are bought... it's time to cook up the dishes... that we like a lot!
Since we had our turkey dinner last week...it's all about appetizers and sweets tonight...and brunch on Christmas morning.

This evening we will be attending the church service...and then enjoying a quiet evening with the family...and sipping 'hot apple spice'...and nibbling until the sandman arrives. Our family tradition includes meat buns on Christmas Eve...along with cheese and pickles...and dips and wings...and all those sweets that we only eat at Christmas!

Speaking of which...I just broke into my favorite treat from Purdy's Chocolates...their almond English toffee! Purdy's is a fixture on the Canadian west coast...they are mostly about chocolate, but you can't beat their English toffee.

We order Purdy's chocolates every year as gifts for business associates...and I'm always sure to add the box of toffee...for me. Then I try to keep it sealed until Christmas...and I almost made it! So as not to break from long-standing tradition (Heidi would be most disappointed if this were not on the menu)...

...I am making up a few pans of Christmas morning wifesaver. Trish posted the recipe on our MGCC on-line cookbook some time ago...so you can check it out there if you are interested. The beauty of this dish is that it is made the day before...and on Christmas morning, you just pop it in the oven...and enjoy a delicious brunch!

The Christmas music is playing...and I'm so glad to have a 'new' Boney M Christmas cd to listen to. It was our favorite sing-along Christmas album 'back in the day'...with the all-time best rendition of "Mary's Boychild". One year it disappeared to the barn...and never came back. I thought I'd order a new one from Amazon, but they are now a collector item ($88 for a used cd). But thanks to good friends...who know how to multiply their supply...I now have my own copy!

So, I'm off to do my cooking and cleaning....the coffee pot is full, and I might even have time for a cup or two throughout the day.

I send special greetings from my house to yours...

May you find the peace that can only come from Jesus in the midst of your Christmas celebrations!

12 comments:

  1. You have a wonderful day and Christmas eve planned! I know that you'll enjoy it and that everyone will feel at home and welcome in the bosom of your family. That English toffee looks fantastic!

    God bless your Christmas!

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  2. Judy, it is wonderful to see your preparations in progress. I will be making appy's for two and Christmas wife saver for the morning too. . .our kids will roll in sometime in the early afternoon and then they'll be munching till the Turkey is on the table. I put the stuff out but keep telling them to leave room. . .odd I know.
    Have a wonderful Christmas with your kids and your grands. .

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  3. Sounds like all is ready and warm at your place.
    What a beautiful fresh blanket of snow. It's just as pretty as your snow weaving in and out of your blog.
    Have a wonderful day with your family.

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  4. Merry Christmas, Judy. It sounds as though you'll have a relaxed and cozy Christmas Eve.
    I also have a weakness for that English toffee, and a shop right here on Government Street!

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  5. Judy,
    Enjoy your holiday with the family. Sounds like it will be relaxing. Our big gathering is at mom & dad's on the 27. Merry Christmas!

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  6. As the snow keeps falling, I'm hoping and praying that one special flight won't get cancelled! Our grandbabies are supposed to come in tomorrow evening! We will have a quiet evening with "just the two of us" tonite. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.

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  7. Looks lovely! Have a wonderful evening! We attend church tonight, too, and come home to feast and open gifts.

    That "wife-saver" recipe is a good one! Our church makes it for the Easter sunrise breakfast each year, and I've fixed it many times here at home, as well. Its always a hit!

    Happy Christmas Eve!

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  8. Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful Christmas Judy. Looks like you will be having a white one and your home looks so lovely and festive...

    Blessing tomorrow, enjoy the most important people in your life with Christ as the center!

    Merry Christmas---

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  9. Judy, I wish you and your family holidays filled with joy and God's blessings.

    (My breakfast casserole is in the refrigerator ready to pop in the oven tomorrow morning.)

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  10. Merry Christmas greetings to you and your loved ones Judy. You post is lovely and I enjoyed reading about your family traditions. blessings for a great 2009.

    Christmas cheers...Jeanne

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  11. Ah yes,we play that same music every year. It would be like Christmas without the turkey if it were not played several times over. Such memories are so fun. Kathy

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  12. We always make Watergate Salad on Thanksgiving and Christmas and it would be complete without it. It is a great salad with pistachio pudding and marshmallows.
    We also have a tradition on Thanksgiving of putting a kernel of corn on each plate and as a basket is passed around everyone puts their kernel in with something they are thankful for. It puts it all in perspective.

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