After all the hustle and bustle of the pre holiday season, the holiday season and the post holiday season, I’m ready for some mellow time. I will say, packing up the Holiday Decorations was so much easier this year. We limited ourselves to just three themes.
The first display was actually in preparation for Christmas. We have three Advent Wreaths. There is the big wreath in the dining room, one on the coffee table in the living room and the third on a small table near the breakfast nook. The living room wreath (minus the “Christmas” touches) is up year round. I replace the Advent Candles of Purple and Rose with white candles. These are used during prayer to help focus on the Mysteries of the Rosary. (A subject for another day entirely). The second, and most obvious theme was that Christmas signifies the Nativity of our Lord. Both on the front lawn and in our dining room we display our Nativities. The indoor Nativity, all hand-carved from the Holy Land, is one we leave in place year-round.
The last bit of Holiday Décor was to pick a theme from among my every growing collection of Secular Decorations – Santas, Snowmen, Nutcrackers and Christmas Characters. This year we went with Santa. The pictures are but a few of the 153 Santas in my obsesive collection.
Boxes are now packed away in the garage until next year. It’s time to focus on quality time as a family. Oh sure, we have quality time during the holidays. But we also have commitments. We shop for the Christmas Food Drive, adopting two needy families. We get everything from the Christmas Ham to the cookies for Santa. Then there’s shopping from the Angel Tree, with gifts for those who might not otherwise have a Christmas. There are obligations to the Church, to extended family – the list goes on and on. While I do love all the Christmas Craft Fairs we manage to squeeze in, it’s nice to just be for a change.
This amazingly simple and oh so delicious pasta supper is perfect for those nights when we just sit quietly, enjoy a meal, sip some wine and realize how truly blessed we are.
Saucy Mezzi Rigatoni with Meatballs
16 oz Mezzi Rigatoni Pasta
1/4 Red Onion
1 (15 oz) jar Garlic Alfredo Sauce
1 (24 oz) jar Garlic Pasta Sauce
16 oz frozen Italian Meatballs
1 tablespoon Roasted Minced Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Italian Cheese Blend, optional
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 15 minutes.
Chop red onion. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onions in a little olive oil. Add Alfredo Sauce, tomato sauce and minced garlic to the pan. Bring just to a boil Add meatballs, stir to blend and coat well. Let simmer for 20 minutes, until meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbling nicely. Season with red pepper flakes.
Drain pasta, add to the meatballs and sauce, toss to combine. Transfer to a high-sided serving platter. Pass the Italian Cheese to finish as desired tableside.
Serve this simply supper with an equally simply salad, some warm bread and perhaps a bottle of wine.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good He has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
Alleluia
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