Red Snapper

A FOAF posted this Christmas Activity Checklist on facebook. I don’t usually pay attention to other people’s do-to lists (especially people I don’t know), but this one looked like fun. I may even borrow a few items from this list to add to my own:

Decorate the Christmas tree.

Look at Christmas lights.

Do some Christmas baking.

Have a night IN, watching a Christmas movie.

Sing carols by candlelight.

Make gingerbread houses.

Write Christmas cards.

Listen to Christmas music.

Make some Christmas stockings. (I'll save this one for next year.)

Go out Christmas shopping.

Have a picnic in view of Christmas lights. (She’s probably not from Utah.)

Make a snowman out of sand at the beach. (She’s definitely not from Utah.)

Get a photo with Santa.

Make a front door wreath.

Put some Christmas lights on house.

Read a Christmas book with the grandkids.

Write a letter to Santa.

Make some eggnog.

Have a BBQ with the neighbors.

Squash Blossom Block

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. I’ve never really loved the winter, and when I think of the icy, dark days between here and the spring, I feel a small wave of panic clutch at my throat. I can usually drive that feeling away with a little comfort food.

Butternut Squash Soup

1 large butternut squash

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste

Peel the squash and cut into cubes. Sauté onion in butter until tender. Add broth and mix well. Bring mixture to a simmer. Add squash. Simmer until the squash is tender. Process the squash mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to saucepan and blend in cream. Heat to serving temperature but do not boil. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Ladle into soup bowls. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Give Thanks

 “Some today think Thanksgiving Day should not be connected to God, but only to country and history. In contrast, George Washington's October 3, 1789, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation specifically references gratitude to God. With all the busyness and business going on during this time of year, it is easy to focus on the feasting and not so much on prayer and praise. Gratitude is one of the most important human virtues and ingratitude is one of the most common human deficiencies. Gratitude does not develop without effort. Much can be learned from the Mormon handcart pioneers who hauled their belongings across hot plains and through the snows of high mountain passes and then expressed their gratitude in peaceful worship in the Salt Lake Valley. How can we pay our debt of gratitude for the heritage of faith and courage handed down to us by pioneers and pilgrims? Gratitude, like muscle, must be exercised to be strengthened.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Old Mill

Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish

3 cups (12 ounces) fresh cranberries

1 seedless orange (do not peel)

1 cup sugar

Rise cranberries; remove any stems and blemished berries. Cut orange into 1” pieces with peel still attached. Place sugar in a medium bowl. Place half the orange pieces and half the cranberries in food processor and pulse until evenly chopped. Stir chopped mixture into sugar. Repeat with remaining berries and orange pieces. If you don’t have a food processor, mince fruit with a sharp knife before adding to sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours to blend flavors. Use within one week. For an added kick, stir in 1 tablespoon chopped crystalized ginger before refrigerating.

Mosaic

“Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars I.  Until I started looking for them, dairy-free recipes seemed so hard to find. Now they’re just popping up all over the place.

Sweet Mash with Rosemary

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

3/4 cup thinly sliced shallots (2 or 3 shallots)

3 teaspoons brown sugar

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Warm 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over low heat. Add shallots and cook 5 minutes, stirring. Sprinkle with sugar and sweat about 20 minutes. Set aside. In another skillet, place sweet potatoes and enough water to cover. Simmer about 8 minutes or until tender. Move potatoes to large bowl and beat with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in rosemary, salt and pepper. Top with shallots and drizzle with remaining olive oil. Makes about 6 servings.

Variable Star

Brace yourself; the holidays are upon us. Tomorrow is Shopping Reminder Day, as if we need to be reminded that Christmas is less than three weeks away. Wednesday is the beginning of Hanukah, and Thursday is Thanksgiving. The next day is Black Friday, the official beginning of the holiday shopping insanity. Last year Walmart decided to get a jump on the competition by beginning Black Friday at 8:00 Thursday night. I’d boycott Walmart to show my disgust and contempt, except that I’m ALREADY boycotting them to show my disgust and contempt for everything else they do. I’m seriously considering observing Buy Nothing Friday instead. No, I didn’t make it up (it’s been around at least two decades) but I wish I had. How do you celebrate Buy Nothing Friday? I might take a long walk, sit by the fire, make a pot of soup, or decorate the house. Anything but go shopping.