MERRY CHRSTMAS DADDY

Merry Christmas from Heaven.
I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love on cold wintery nights
I still share your hopes and all of your cares
I'll even remind you to say your prayers
I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You still stand head and shoulders above the crowd
Keep trying each moment to stay in His grace
I came by here before you to help set your place
You don't have to be perfect all of the time
he forgives you the slip if you continue to climb
To my family and friends please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
in a new special way.
I love you all dearly now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending my Christmas with Jesus this year

KATHY'S GALVESTON GRINGA MENUDO RECIPE

MENUDO

Ingredients

2 lbs tripe - I buy mine pre cooked at the mercado

6 oz dried ancho chilies

2- large cans hominy (I used 1 can each white and yellow hominy)

2 Tbs vinegar

2 Tbs sugar

6 cloves garlic

2-onions (1 red, 1 yellow)

2 tsp Mexican oregano

2 tsp ground cumin

1 bunch cilantro

1 tsp black pepper

2 bay leaves

2 Tsp sea salt

1 bottle of Corona beer

4 cans beef broth

1 lemon (zest and juice)

Directions

1. dice the par boiled tripe ,put aside.

2. add ancho chilies to pot with just enough water to cover and 6 cloves garlic. Bring to boil. When peppers begin to soften. puree., and put aside

3.In dutch oven add broth,beer, 4tb ancho puree, and all other ingredients.

4. bring to boil

5. simmer 45 minutes

• It’s best if you let it sit overnight for the flavours to mingle, but you can also eat it right away. Serve with tortillas, chopped sweet onions, cilantro and lots of lime.

Clarence's Mulled Wine Recipe from It's a Wonderful Life

Clarence's Mulled Wine Recipe from It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life enjoys the thought of wine bringing love and joy to those who drink it. Clarence, the angel, is also a fan. Apparently the Heavenly Host enjoyed wine! When he's in the "Evil" bar, he asks for a glass of mulled wine that is "heavy on the cinnamon, easy on the cloves."

Clarence's Mulled Wine

2 bottles red wine

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

4 sticks cinnamon

5 whole cloves

1 orange

1 lemon
Zest the fruit, avoiding the white pith. Put this, the sugar, cinnamon and cloves into the water. Bring this to a slow boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Now add the wine. Add in the actual orange and lemon fruit part, sliced up. Warm this on low heat for 40 minutes (do NOT boil). Strain out the wine and serve!
On an ending note, the movie originally ended with "Ode to Joy" instead of "Auld Lang Syne"!

JUMBO HOT SALTY ROASTED NUTS--OH YEAH BABY!

Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Shelled or in-shell raw peanuts
Conventional oven
Cookie sheets
Salt
Other seasonings as desired
1
Freeze shelled peanuts overnight and rub the skins off with your fingers before roasting. It's fine if some of the skins remain on. For peanuts in the shell, leave as is.
2
Spread the peanuts in a shallow layer on a cookie sheet.
3
Roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes for shelled peanuts and 20 to 25 minutes for unshelled peanuts.
4
Let peanuts cool on sheets, then season with salt.

I saw hot roasted nuts at Froberg Farms today and thought my husband would love those. So I bought a bag of peanuts and figured out how to do them at home. My husband said they will be great with a cold beer.

CHRISTMAS ROSETTES RECIPE

TRADITIONAL ROSETTES

2 EGGS

2 TSP SUGAR

1 C MILK

1 CUP FOUR

1/4 TSP SALT

1 TB LEMON EXTRACT

MIX TO A BATTER

STEP 1

HEAT OIL TO 325

STEP 2

DIP COOKIE IRON INTO BATTER.

DO NOT GET BATTER ON TOP OF IRON

STEP 3

IMMERSE IRON IN HOT OIL.

COOKIE WILL RELEASE FROM IRON WHEN ITS DONE

Christmas is Coming

MY SEASHELL CHRISTMAS TREE.

THIS ONE HONORS MY HUSBAND AND HIS

DEDICATION TO THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
MY KITCHEN TEAPOT CHRISTMAS TREE

MY SANTA TREE
FOR MANY YEARS I HAVE COLLECTED
BEAUTIFUL SANTA ORNAMENTS
THESE ARE A SHOWCASE OF SOME OF MY FAVORITES

THIS IS MY ROMANTIC CHRISTMAS TREE

WITH PHOTOS OF MY HUSBAND AND I . LOTS OF CRYSTAL, RHINESTONE AND GLITZY ORNAMENTS.

NORMALLY I AM A CREATURE OF HABIT. I PUT OUT THE CHRISTMAS THINGS DEC.1 AND THEY ALL COME DOWN DEC.26. MY HUSBAND ASKED ME TO PUT THEM UP EARLY SINCE WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN TO SPEND CHRISTMAS TOGETHER.

IN THE TIME WE WILL HAVE TOGETHER WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND MAKE IT A ROMANTIC SPECIAL CHRISTMAS, EVEN IF NOT THE ACTUAL DATE.

HONEYCOMB PLATTER

At the Nutcracker Market there was a booth

The Savannah Bee Company selling all kinds

of honey and honey comb.

They had a very unique platter set up with crackers, cheese, honeycrisp apple wedges and honeycomb. I thought it was very elegeant and unique and I plan to make one at my next party

THE NUTCRACKER MARKET 2010

Nutcracker Market Overview
Houston Ballet is excited to announce the 30th annual Nutcracker Market November 11-14, 2010 at Reliant Center. The Market will be open from 10 a.m - 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Featured at this year’s Market are over 323 national and international merchants carefully selected for their unique offerings — including many new merchants — selling gifts for the entire family — home décor, gourmet food, garden, clothing, sporting gifts, novelties, accessories and more. All proceeds from the Market benefit Houston Ballet Foundation, Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and its scholarship funds.
This year’s Market theme, conceived of by Market chairman S. Shawn Stephens, is “Holiday Under the Big Top”.
Volunteer
The Nutcracker Market is a continued success thanks in part to hundreds of gracious volunteers. You can get involved one of two ways, as an individual or as a Houston Ballet Guild member. To learn more, click here for volunteer information or click here to read about the Houston Ballet Guild.
Admission
Houston-area Randalls stores will sell $11 tickets beginning October 18. Seniors may request $1 off at the Reliant Center ticket window, with a maximum $1 discount. Children under 5 are free, and half-price admission is available daily 3 hours prior to closing. Admission at the door is $12.
Tickets for four special events are also available by calling 713-535-3231. Special events include: Priority Shopping and Four Day Pass, Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, Macy's Fashion Show and Holiday Brunch, and Wells Fargo Preview Party. For $35, a Priority Shopping Pass grants access to the Market all four days, with entry beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday. For more information about these events please click here.
Cart/Stroller Check-In Area
Market-goers will find a check-in near the ticket windows for strollers, carts, rolling bags and wagons, as they’re not permitted inside for the safety of others. Pets are not allowed.
Transportation
Free shuttles run throughout the parking areas, and pedi-cabs will carry shoppers to their cars.
For more information, contact Houston Ballet Foundation at (713) 535 3271 or nutcrackermarket@houstonballet.org.


Amazingly this is all I bought.
The Gaido's Cookbook, a zebra spa wrap for my neck,
a Fleur de lis cake server and 3 jars of jellies,dips and spreads.

WWW.GAIDOS.COM

This was my first time attending the Nutcracker Market. It was a bit pricey $10 for parking $12 to get in. A nice lady in line gave me a $1 off coupon for admission. I went on Thursday afternoon. I figured it wouldn't be as crowded. I got there about 3pm and left at 8pm. The first hour it was almost impossible to really get to see much. It was very crowded.

The majority of the ladies there were dressed to the nines including myself. The fashions were inspiring. Short dresses and cowboy boots were the rage.

There were full bars set up thru out the event. So Mimosa's, Bellini's ,Glasses of wine, even Margarita's abound. I was also impressed by the shoe shine stand that had been converted to giving women foot massages and serving champagne.

There were a few token men there. Generally left standing somewhere guarding the purchases of their wife and daughters.
This event is not for the faint of heart. Its a marathon.
I strongly advise anyone attending not to bring children ,
or anyone with mobility issues . LEIBMANS.COM

LEIBMANS

14529 MEMORIAL DR.

HOUSTON,TX

SPA WRAP

NOTTA SOCK 903-422-5234

NOTTA-SOCK.COM

THIS WAS ALSO BOUGHT FROM LEIBMANS

KATHY'S MERRY CHRISTMAS MULLED WINE RECIPE

Kathy's Merry Christmas Mulled Wine Recipe

1 bottle Zinfandel ( I used a large bottle)
About 2/3 cup sugar
6 cinnamon sticks
2 whole nutmegs, cracked in large pieces with a hammer
1 tablespoon whole star anise
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
8 quarter-size slices fresh ginger
In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-low heat, stir wine, 2/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmegs, star anise, allspice, cloves, ginger, until simmering.

**I put my spices in a tea ball except Cinnamon sticks & Ginger

To blend flavors, hold mulled wine at simmering, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and stir in more sugar, if desired.
Ladle into mugs and serve, turn temp to low heat and keep warm up to 2 hours. Makes 11 cups, about 14 servings, 3/4 cup each.

This can also be made in a crockpot.

****Cook's Note***

you can add a 1/2 C to a 1 C. of brandy or Madeira to the mulled wine at the end as a finisher to zing it up if you want.

We write to taste life twice.

Once in the moment and once in retrospection.

~ Anais Nin

Santa for Shut In's

For many years I was a huge supporter for Toy's for Tots. My family business was the largest designated drop off point for Toys for Tots in Galveston County. During that time I started a program called Santa for Shut In's. I took in donations for small items like slippers, toiletries, puzzle books, lap blankets anything anyone wanted to donate. I made gift totes and my step-dad and I would personally make the deliveries to all that had called to register.
I did this for 12 years until Hurricane Ike wiped out our homes and our business. I have a new home in a different city and I started my own business.Only time can mend my broken heart . In the meanwhile I still try to do good things for people. I made these cute little Christmas-y floral arrangements for my senior clients.

I dress up my little dog in her Santa Suit, I put on my Diva Santa Hat and off we go bringing Christmas cheer to a folks in our little corner of the world.

NIGELLA KITCHEN

NIGELLA IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE TV COOK. I HAVE ALL OF HER COOKBOOKS. NIGELLA BITES, EXPRESS AND FOREVER SUMMER ARE MY FAVORITES. I DIDN'T CARE FOR THE CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK I PURCHASED LAST YEAR WHEN I MET HER. I HOPE THIS NEW BOOK WILL BE AS GOOD AS HER PREVIOUS ONES. THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MYSELF. I ORDERED IT TODAY.

**Update**

My copy arrived in the mail. The photos are beautiful absolute food porn. The recipes are diverse and hearty. I can't wait to start cooking.

Product Description
Comprehensive, informative, and engaging, Nigella Kitchen offers feel-good food for cooks and eaters that is comforting yet always seductive, nostalgic but with a modern twist--whether super-fast exotic recipes for the weekday rush, leisurely slow-cook dishes for weekends and special occasions, or irresistible cakes and cookies in true "domestic goddess" style. Nigella Kitchen answers everyday cooking quandaries--what to feed a group of hungry teenagers, how to rustle up a spur-of-the-moment meal for friends, or how to treat yourself when you're home alone--and since real cooking is so often about leftovers, here one recipe can morph into another . . . from ham hocks in cider to cidery pea soup, from "praised" chicken to Chinatown salad. This isn't just about being thrifty; it's about being creative and seeing how recipes evolve.
With 190 mouth watering and inspiring recipes, including more than 60 express-style recipes (30 minutes or under), Nigella Kitchen offers plenty of choice--from clams with chorizo to Guinness gingerbread, from Asian braised beef shank to chocolate key lime pie, from pasta alla genovese to Venetian carrot cake. In addition, Nigella presents her no-nonsense kitchen kit must-haves (and, crucially, what isn't needed) in the way of equipment and magical standby ingredients. But above all, she reminds the reader how much pleasure there is to be had in real food and in reclaiming the traditional rhythms of the kitchen, as she cooks to the beat of the heart of the home, creating simple, delicious recipes to make life less complicated.
Gorgeously illustrated, this expansive, lively narrative, with its rich feast of food, is destined to be a 21st-century classic.
See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Hyperion (October 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401323952
ISBN-13: 978-1401323950
Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars

THANKSGIVING RECIPES- MAKE AHEAD

THANKSGIVING LASAGNA

SERVES 12

12- NO BOIL LASAGNA NOODLES

2 TB OLIVE OIL

1 MEDIUM ONION CHOPPED

6 CLOVES MINCED GARLIC

2 C. SLICED MUSHROOMS

10 OZ SHREDDED CARROTS

10 OZ BABY SPINACH

10 OZ COOKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

16 OZ BUTTERNUT PASTA SAUCE

2 C. SMALL CURD COTTAGE CHEESE

1 BLOCK CREAM CHEESE

1 EGG BEATEN

2 C. SHREDDED JACK CHEESE

1 LB LOOSE ITALIAN SAUSAGE

LAYER 1

SAUTE ONION AND GARLIC, ADD CARROT, BUTTERNUT SQUASH ( I USED A 10 OZ PACKAGE OF FROZEN BUTTERNUT) THIS WILL BE BOTTOM LAYER. SPREAD WITH PASTA SAUCE

LAYER 2

SAUTE SPINACH , MIX WITH 1/2 BAR CREAM CHEESE, 1 EGG, 2 C. COTTAGE CHEESE AND 1 C SHREDDED CHEESE

LAYER 3

FRY SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOMS TOGETHER, MIX IN 1/2 BAR CREAM CHEESE, SPREAD WITH PASTA SAUCE

COVER WITH FINAL LAYER OF LASAGNA NOODLES, REMAINDER OF PASTA SAUCE AND CHEESE

BAKE 350 FOR 45 MINS

HAWAIIAN BREAD PUDDING

8C CUBED HAWAIIAN BREAD

8 0Z CANDIED PINEAPPLE

1/2 C. SLIVERED ALMONDS

TOSS TOGETHER

4 C MILK

1 C SUGAR

1 TSP EACH SALT, NUTMEG,CINNAMON, GINGER

4 EGGS

WHISK TOGETHER AND POUR OVER BREAD MIX

TOSS , PLACE IN GREASED 9X13 GREASED PAN

BAKE 350 45 MIN

GLAZE WITH PINEAPPLE PRESERVES MIXED WITH RUM

CARROT CAKE--DELUXE BOXED MIX

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 8 OZ BARS CREAM CHEESE

4 C POWDERED SUGAR

10 TB BUTTER

4 TB ALMOND EXTRACT

MIX WELL.

I WILL DECORATE CAKE WITH MARZIPAN PUMPKINS AND CANDIED CORN BEFORE SERVING.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

SANTA'S REINDEER BEAUJO
SANTA'S REINDEER SALLY JO

CHARLEMAGNE THE GRINCH

WHEN THE FAMILY GETS TOGETHER AT THANKSGIVING I WANT TO TAKE A CHRISTMAS PHOTO FOR THE CARDS. MY PLAN IS FOR THE GIRLS TO WEAR THE SANTA HATS AND ANTLERS AND MY HUSBAND AND I TO HAVE SANTA HATS ON. I AM ALWAYS THE ONE BEHIND THE CAMERA, SO HOPEFULLY SOMEONE CAN TAKE THE PICTURE FOR ME.