A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos) 12-22-06

White House; yahoo ^ | 12-22-06 | onyx

[Pylon]

Thanks for the ping!

[Jewels1091]

only because Christmas Eve falls on Sunday do I get it off, our mall is closed on Christmas Day, therefore I get the first 2 days in a row off in 3 1/2 months!!! Which of course will be no days off, with all the kids coming home, etc. But it will a whole lot more fun than work!

[GretchenM]

Absolutely, snugs. It's not just food that such folks need, they also very much need to feel cared about and truly loved.

[kitkat]

Yup, you did the link the right way, in a paragraph all by itself. Magic, isn't it?

And that was really nice of you to give me the link. Thank you.

[GretchenM]

Yes, re the Christmas menu -- just finalized it last night. I concocted the fruit salad by combining some recipes and adding my own touches. We're eating a free turkey that a friend got from work. The menu has striking similarities to Thanksgiving's, due mainly to the free turkey. The pies are from the store.

APPETIZERS
Deviled Ham Dip (recipe listed below)
Crackers
Deviled Eggs (back by popular demand)
Veggie Tray and Dip
Black and Green Olives and Pickle Tray

ENTRÉE
Sparkling Apple Cider
Wine
Turkey
Stuffing
Gravy
Fruit Salad in Whipped Cream
Sautéed Asparagus Tips in Garlic-Butter Sauce
Potato Rolls
Smashed Sour Cream Potatoes (boiled, smashed but not creamy-whipped potatoes)

DESSERTS
British Christmas Cake
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Marionberry Pie
Ice Cream and Whipped Cream


DEVILED HAM DIP
Yields 3-4 servings

1/4 pound deli ham, chopped
1/4 small white onion, cut in large pieces
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, plus additional if desired
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 4-ounce package cream cheese at room temperature
(I'm omitting this because too much cheese = migraine for me) 1/2 cup extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 T flat-leaf parsley

The Finish:
1/8 cup small pimento olives, sliced into thin rounds
1/2 box Ritz crackers or any other kind you like

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the olives and crackers, and pulse until it forms a paste-like dip.

Remove to a serving dish and top with olives. Serve crackers around for dipping.

FRUIT SALAD
Serves 4 – 6

1 C diced tart apples
3/4 C peeled, diced orange
1/2 C seedless grapes, sliced in half
1 – 2 bananas
1 or 2 kiwi, or small package fresh strawberries, sliced; reserve half
3 T lemon juice
1 T sugar
3/4 C whipped cream

1. Wash and cut fruit, coating apples and bananas with lemon juice to prevent browning
2. Fold all ingredients together except one-half of kiwi or strawberry slices
3. Arrange kiwi or strawberry slices on top of salad
4. Chill and serve

[goodnesswins]

Thanks, onyx.....blurry screen tonight......

[snugs]

Wow that sounds wonderful

[GretchenM]

I'm especially eager to see how the deviled ham dip turns out and to taste that Christmas cake. I couldn't believe my friend insisting on three pies -- this means my son will have a lot of food to take home with him, for sure.

[snugs]

I rarely do a starter for Christmas meal as we have so many sweets and snacks plus cheese and crackers available to eat all the time that if we had a starter I fear the main meal would not be eaten.

I am going up to ASDA on Sunday about 2.00pm when they normally reduce bits and pieces prior to closing at about 4.00pm so I may pick a small starter up there like salmon mouse. I did buy some prawns (shrimps) today so I might do a small prawn cocktail.

The main course will be a roast not decided yet whether it will be the turkey or not, with it roast potatoes and roast parsnips, steamed Brussels and Yorkshire pudding and gravy made with the meat juices.

For dessert it will be Christmas Pudding with fresh cream or brandy/rum sauce.

The Christmas cake will either be cut later that day for supper or saved for Boxing Day or 12th night.

[altura]

I saw that. So sad. Kayak got a connection and a laptop and posted herself a little further on in the thread.

I can't believe how upbeat and good she sounded.

[onyx]

We'll make it 12 days --- in honor of the Twelve Days of Christmas!

[altura]

Not very neat???

I resent that. My wrapping looks just like that.

(I used a lot of gift bags this year)

[Jewels1091]

sounds alittle like my fruit salad...except that I put in mandarin oranges and marchino (sp) cherries and some chopped walnuts, then I put a T spoon or so of mayo folded into the whipped cream. It doesn't last long!

[onyx]

I read Kay's post too. She is optimistic and looking forward to going home for Christmas. I feel so badly for her and sad too. I know you feel the same way.

[onyx]

LOL--- I'll bet you're an expert wrapper --- I do ribbons best, thanks to a 99 cent gadget, but gift bags are my favorite. :)

[onyx]

You're welcome (((goodnesswins))) --- and me too regarding the blurry screen.

[snugs]

[altura]

You've got to be kidding?!

[onyx]

If only we lived closer, we could forget cooking on Christmas Day and go to GEM's.

[snugs]

I can never work those things. I use a lot of gift bags and bottle bags myself.