Let The Christmas Countdown Begin

MOTUS A.D. ^ | 12-16-18 | MOTUS

[NOBO2012]

We will now begin the official countdown till Christmas. So if you haven’t finished your decorating,

wrapping:

and baking

time to get to it. In case you have to do it twice.

The tree fainted

The dog ate them

So as the world continues to go insane, remember: you needn’t participate. Jump off the wagon for awhile, I promise it will be a soft landing.

And believe me, the lunacy will proceed without you.

So comment on the world at large if you wish or just kick back and make some holiday appetizers. Either way, there’s still going to be only 9 days till Christmas, and time goes by fast.

Here’s an easy to assemble appetizer that Zephyr tells me some of you were interested in, good any time of the year as they’re pretty quick, make ahead and moderately healthy. Enjoy, whatever you decide to spend the day on.

Melon, prosciutto & mozzarella sticks

Ingredients

• Half a cantaloupe, seeds removed, scooped out into balls using a melon baller (alternatively, cut into cubes if you don't have a melon baller)
• 6 slices of prosciutto, torn into bite sized pieces (Costco’s is great for this – I think it’s San Daniele)
• 5 oz. small mozzarella balls (bocconcini), cut in half
• handful of fresh basil
• toothpicks or small kebab sticks (I like the looks of the bamboo picks with the knot on top)
• balsamic vinegar/syrup

Instructions

1. On each toothpick/kebab stick arrange a ball of melon, then a piece of fresh basil, a half of a mozzarella ball, another piece of basil, a piece of prosciutto, another piece of basil and finally another cantaloupe ball.
2. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze before serving if desired.

Cook’s Notes

I skipped the balsamic vinegar and just marinated the bocconcini in olive oil (about half a cup) lemon juice (1-2 tablespoons) crushed red pepper flakes to taste (about 1/8 tsp for wimps) a smidge of dried oregano, kosher salt and pepper. Marinate at least an hour or stick them in the frig where you can leave them for days. You can still add the balsamic if you’d like. Of course you can also sub cherry tomatoes for the melon in which case I would definitely use a balsamic glaze (like Rolands), which makes it very pretty when served on a white plate.

If the basil leaves are yuge, cut them in half, or even fourths. Bocconcini can be left whole if small . I only used 1 melon ball per pick as they seemed more manageable that way.

Posted from: MOTUS A.D.

[TianaHighrider]

Love the elf cupcake. I wonder what the ears are made of.

[Mrs. Don-o]

God bless you all! Abundantly! And with cinnamon!
BTW, the Christmas countdown started on the First Sunday of Advent. The "O Antiphons" start tomorrow!

O Sapientia or O Wisdom (December 17)
O Adonai or O Lord and Ruler (December 18)
O Radix Jesse or O Root of Jesse (December 19)
O Clavis David or O Key of David (December 20)
O Oriens or O Rising Dawn or Morning Star (December 21)
O Rex Gentium or O King of the Nations (December 22)
O Emmanuel (December 23)

And after that: Christmas Eve! Christmas! And then... the Twelve Days of Christmas!

[GailA]

Don’t remind me. Not a thing up in the house. Hubby put the Cross and the Merry Christmas banner up outside.

I’ve been to sick to do more than play on the computer a little and sleep. 3.5 months of Dental work H. along with being allergic to the crap they are now using for the gum material. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) Which google won’t cough up any info on. On top of every other health issue.

[wally_bert]

I’ll be happy when Christmas is over.

Mostly I get driven insane and ran all over creation taking the spouse to whatever Christmas thing that is in the middle of nowhere.

Hallmark Christmas movies on all the time. They are the same few movies with different people.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Christmas is almost here! Some last minute gift buying done here.

Also, listening to modern Christmas Classics like:

“A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith HIll,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_sCCrkUcw

Merry Christmas everyone.

[GailA]

If it’s not on Amazon it doesn’t get bought. I physically can’t do the shopping with out a electric cart, and Medicare says I don’t qualify as I am still somewhat mobile. Just not for long periods. Doing groceries in a electric cart is the extent of my outings besides doctors.

[wally_bert]

The ‘zon is the only way to go.

95% done in a few minutes.

Some stuff is local pickup from mom and pop places.