Forty-nine Jewel Boxes

 

I've been getting sticker shock in the meat department these past few weeks. So we've been eating a lot of pasta, rice and beans. But if I can find chicken at a decent price, I might make:

 

Citrus Glazed Chicken

 

A 4-pound chicken, cut in half

1/2 cup orange marmalade (We like Bonne Maman)

2 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoon Worcestershire

1 tablespoon orange juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 shallot, thinly sliced

2 oranges, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

 

Whisk together marmalade, oil, Worcestershire, juices, shallot slices and seasonings. Place chicken halves in bowl and coat completely with marmalade mixture. Cover and chill at least two hours, turning once or twice. Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheet with parchment and cover with orange and lemon slices. Place chicken halves over slices and pour marinade over both. Bake about an hour, basting every 15 minutes. 

Christmas Tree

 

I’ve been collecting Hallmark ornaments for more than forty years. Some depict space ships from Star Wars or Star Trek movies. Several were gifts from friends, family members and piano students. Some say, “Baby’s First Christmas” or “Our New Home.” All of these were in deep storage when we lived in North Yorkshire. During those Christmases, we strung popcorn and cranberries into garlands. We baked salt-dough cookies and dried orange slices to hang on the tree. This year, we almost didn’t put a tree up at all. It didn’t make sense to haul out all the decorations if we were barely going to be here to see them. In the end, we decorated our tree only with gifts and cards we’d received THIS YEAR. I made a few quilted ornaments to help fill it out. This may be the best tree yet. It reminds me of a quote from No Reservations: “It's the recipes you create yourself that are the best.”

Thirty-six Economy Blocks

 

Joe Esquibel was a teenager heading to Europe to fight in World War II. He bought himself a silver bracelet, engraved with his signature. Using a nail, Joe etched the name Lydia on the back: his sweetheart back home in New Mexico. Joe guarded a POW camp in what was then Czechoslovakia. In 1945, he discovered one of his duffel bags had been stolen. He reported the loss, but the bag’s contents – including the bracelet – were gone. Later, Joe received a purple heart. He and Lydia moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where they raised four kids. In October this year, Petr Švihovec explored the Czech woods with his metal detector. He found a bracelet with a signature and a woman’s name. Petr shared a photo on a Facebook page for treasure hunters. Alena Busovska, who was born in Czechoslovakia and now lives in Grand Junction, saw the photo and acted as a go-between to reunite Joe with his bracelet after 75 years.

Three-Inch Brown Pinwheel

 

Mushrooms are seriously weird. Genetically, they’re more closely related to humans than they are to plants. They can grow in complete darkness, but when exposed to light, they produce vitamin D just like we do. Mushrooms begin life as fungal spores. After germinating, they grow into a delicate network of filaments called mycelium. Mature mycelium produces the thing we call a mushroom to spread more spores. So, the part we see – the part we eat – is a temporary reproductive growth. The mycelium, hidden under the forest floor, could be miles wide or centuries old. Scientists suspect mushrooms may have a symbiotic relationship with trees, allowing trees to send information and nutrients to each other. Commercial mushrooms are grown in all 50 states, but for some reason, 63% of white mushrooms come from Pennsylvania. Mushrooms are a low-calorie source of fiber, protein and antioxidants. A diet rich in mushrooms may mitigate the risk of Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. 

Thirty-six Jewel Boxes

 

“In the New Testament, the Savior performed a most interesting miracle. With just a few fish and a few loaves of bread, the Savior fed 5,000. I have read this account many times, but there is a part of that experience that now has great meaning to me. After the Savior fed 5,000, He asked His disciples to gather up the leftovers, which filled twelve baskets. I have wondered why the Savior took the time to do that. It has become clear to me that one lesson we can learn from that occasion was this: He could feed 5,000 and there were leftovers. ‘My grace is sufficient for all men.’ The Savior’s redeeming and healing power can cover any sin, wound, or trial—no matter how large or how difficult—and there are leftovers. His grace is sufficient. With that knowledge, we can move forward with faith, knowing the Savior stands, inviting us to come unto Him.” - Elder Brent H. Nielson

Starburst with Borders

 

I was five when Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer showed up on television. I guess that makes me its target audience. I must admit I’ve never loved this movie. The stop-motion animation and songs are wonderful, but the story makes me uncomfortable. The title character is shamed and bullied, even by family. Rudolph gains acceptance in the end, not because bullying is wrong, but because he proves useful. He “saves” Christmas by helping kids get their toys. A decade or so later, How the Grinch Stole Christmas taught us Christmas isn’t really about toys. But it isn’t quite clear on the “little bit more” that Christmas means. Singing while holding hands? Sharing rare Who roast beast? A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is the clear winner here. It’s light-hearted family fare that addresses holiday depression, commercialism and greed. It states in plain language what Christmas IS about, over a delightful Vince Guaraldi score. I’m wishing you all a happy Charlie Brown Christmas.

Twenty-five Economy Blocks

 

We have Fettucine Alfredo on Christmas Eve, partly because of the 2006 movie The Holiday, and partly because the long, skinny pasta represents straw and hay in the manger. Our favorite Italian restaurant always crowns its pasta meals with spumoni gelato: a swirl of cherry, chocolate and pistachio. Spumoni is a rare find at our grocer. I could always make ice cream in these three flavors, but my grandkids would be unlikely to try them. I wonder if a pie would seem more acceptable to them.

 

Easy Spumoni Pie

 

1 Oreo pie crust

1 pint EACH Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Pistachio Pistachio

1 cup heavy cream

8 ounces chocolate chips

 

Soften cherry ice cream; gently spread about 2/3 of it in pie crust. Freeze at least 20 minutes. Repeat with chocolate and pistachio. Warm chocolate chips in double boiler. Slowly add cream, stirring. Cool slightly. Drizzle over top of pie. Serve very cold.