Guess What Day It Is!

Yeah, I know – it’s Christmas Day. It’s also National Kiss The Cook Day. So Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls pucker up! It’s time to pay for all those delicious meals that have been made with love.

Continue reading “Guess What Day It Is!”

A Simple Christmas Eve Supper

The wait is over. The house is decorated. The stockings hung, and all those presents wrapped. Perhaps you and your family are planning a quiet evening at home. Perhaps a seven-course-seven-fish meal is just a bit over the top. I get that, really I do. Yet Christmas Eve should be special. With that in mind, might I entice you with a simple scallop supper?

Continue reading “A Simple Christmas Eve Supper”

Festive Puff Pastry Stuffed Flounder

My original plan for this Pastry Flounder was to suggest it as a possible Christmas Eve dinner, perhaps as one of the multitude of dishes served for the Feast of Seven Fishes. But then I saw that today is the beginning of Hanukkah.  I am not Jewish, so I don’t know how Kosher this recipe is, but it sure is festive.

Continue reading “Festive Puff Pastry Stuffed Flounder”

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The time has come to light the fourth candle in the Advent Wreath. As far as the wreath is concerned, the wait is over. The next candle to be lit will be on Christmas Morning. This is the final Sunday of Advent, dedicated to God’s unconditional love.

Continue reading “Fourth Sunday of Advent”

Ugly Sweater Cake for Ugly Sweater Day

Today in National Ugly Sweater Day. Getting my guys to wear their ugly sweaters isn’t easy, especially Kiddo. Getting them to help me with an ugly sweater cake is a snap. Naturally, I had to keep my eye on them to make sure the decorations made it to the cake rather than becoming a snack.

Continue reading “Ugly Sweater Cake for Ugly Sweater Day”

Feast of the Seven Fishes with a Modern Spin

The Feast of Seven Fishes is very much an Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration. It is the grand meal of abundant seafood on a day of abstinence from meat. The tradition comes from Southern Italy, where it is known simply as La Vigilla, The Vigil.

Continue reading “Feast of the Seven Fishes with a Modern Spin”

Christmas Appetizers at the Farm

Let’s begin with a small disclaimer. My featured image is not a photograph of our beloved Family Farm. Dad’s pick-em-up is in much better shape, and the barn is a beautiful shade of red with a fairly new roof. I know because painting and re-roofing were family projects not that long ago. I just liked the country feel of the photo, so I thought it would be nice to share.

Continue reading “Christmas Appetizers at the Farm”

Third Sunday of Advent

Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent. The third Candle is pink, a symbol of joy. It is also called the Shepherd’s Candle, for when the angels announced that the savior was born, the shepherds were filled with great joy. The faithful believers wait in joyful anticipation of the coming of the Lord.

Continue reading “Third Sunday of Advent”

Ribbon Pasta with Shrimp and Lemon Garlic

Did you know that today is National String Popcorn Day? Yep, it is. I’ve always wanted to string popcorn and make cranberry garland for my tree. When my children were little, the best Christmas we ever had was filled with paper decorations and a cardboard box painted to look like a fireplace. How else was Santa going to get into our tiny apartment?

Continue reading “Ribbon Pasta with Shrimp and Lemon Garlic”

Saint Lucia’s Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights and Saint Lucia’s Feast Day marks the beginning of the Christmas Season in some countries, especially Sweden, Norway and the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland. The day honors Saint Lucia (Saint Lucy); one of the earliest Christian Martyrs.

Continue reading “Saint Lucia’s Festival of Lights”

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico and is one of the most popular religious devotions. Her image has played an important role as a National Symbol of Mexico. If we were in Mexico, December 3rd would have marked the start of the novenas to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Continue reading “Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe”

An Old Fashion Christmas

When I was quite younger, I dreamed of an Old Fashion Victorian Christmas. The very idea of Plum Pudding and Roasted Goose got my heart to skip a beat. I always thought I was born out of step with my true self and that I was better suited in the past.

Continue reading “An Old Fashion Christmas”

The Second Sunday of Advent

We have reached the Second Sunday of Advent. Today we reflect on a message of peace. To bring about peace in the world, we must first have peace within ourselves. Life will always hold its struggles, dark times and difficult moments. To trust in God is to let go of the pain, the sorrow, the jealousy and anger. For only then will we be at peace.

Continue reading “The Second Sunday of Advent”

Microwave Oven Day and Holiday Candy

Today is National Microwave Oven Day. I’m not sure what that means. According to the National Day Calendar, today we are to honor the appliance that changed the way we use our kitchens. Hum, I don’t know about you but mine is on a shelf in the laundry room. Its main purpose is to warm left overs and make popcorn.

Continue reading “Microwave Oven Day and Holiday Candy”

Friday’s Feast of Saint Nicholas

December isn’t just about the traditional Christmas Holidays with big family meals and lots of presents. As a Catholic, we also celebrate one of my favorite Feast Days in early December, the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Most people today forget that jolly old Saint Nick is more than just a childhood story. Once upon a time, not long after the birth of the Christian faith, a man named Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra. He is the stuff of legends.

Continue reading “Friday’s Feast of Saint Nicholas”