Dinner party on the 23rd

This has been a wild couple of months.  Sitting out in the sun for several days straight at the end of November and beginning of December is something I don't recall doing in life.  But, the other shoe has fallen and it is to be cold...no other word for it, so it is time to Christmas party.  The Florida family is coming, some by plane, some by car (with a dog). Nancy, my niece and her husband Danny are coming for an overnight and bringing Buckeyes! So we are having an all day and a candlelight dinner on the 23rd.  Candlelight because it gets dark about 5:00, but we won't be dining until after 7:00.  At first I thought of keeping this sensible, but you know how that goes. Guests will arrive in the afternoon and we will have hors  d' oeuvres and soups and cards and drinks, and what ever else appears.  Part of the Cincinnati family will be here too.  I should think there will be around the same number as we had for Thanksgiving, 18 or so. The house will be full and the bedrooms will be occupied.

Nate leaves tomorrow for his sojourn which begins in California. We won't see him again until its time to go to work in the spring.  Nate the traveling man will spend a month or so in Hawaii and go from there to  places new to him.  That's the life of a bachelor who pays his own way in life and enjoys what it brings.

Have you actually made Buckeyes?  I am getting a bunch for December 23rd from Nancy.  We used to make hundreds of them with her sister, Linda, along with cookies galore.  We would start the day after Thanksgiving (or the week end after Thanksgiving) and we would bake every week end until a week or so before Christmas.  We fed all of our families and friends Christmas cookies.  I thought there was paraffin (wax) in those Buckeyes, but every recipe on the Internet has just a few simple ingredients and no paraffin, so I am glad that step is gone (if it ever existed.)  I could be wrong.

Another wrong is Trader Joe's big cans of popcorn.  It is not very good, there isn't much of it, just a lot of cardboard in a big can for $10. Skip that one.

Shishito peppers

Another trip to Trader Joe's with a load of products that I have never tried.  I was making a stir fry and spotted the bag of shishito peppers from my trip to Joe's and I cut two up and threw them in the wok.  Those two little peppers made all the difference in the world to that dish of stir- fry.
They provide just the perfect kick with a lingering on the tongue that makes one want just a wee bit more on the plate.

I have gone through Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer, checking everything I wanted to buy to try during the week of the 20th. Diners are going to be pleased with this bag of tricks I can tell you that.

This is not food, but I bought two of their warm vanilla body butter.(s)  I can't wait to use this after my evening shower.  I have heard rave reviews.  I have to keep this body going and the skin needs attention.

I bought two amaryllis bulbs in wax.  I probably should have bought these sooner, but I was intriqued when I saw them nestled in wax with no water required. Just place them in the sun, no water, no soil, turn them ever once in awhile to equal out sun time and they are supposed to create a beautiful bloom.  You can cut the bloom and it is supposed to flower again.  Don't take off the wax.  It is strange and intriguing.

Products fly out of that store.  They are already out of puff pastry and truffle butter, but I did get truffle honey mustard to try.  I think it would be good on roasted potatoes. It will be good on any number of dishes.

An Evening Christmas dinner on the 23rd

I have had a lovely idea.  We are having a Christmas candlelight dinner on the 23rd with family from Florida and Cincinnati.  Mike and Beth will be in New Orleans and Nate, the traveler, will be visiting  wonderful places and making lovely memories.

It will be a regular meal unlike Thanksgiving.  It will be bountiful but not painful.  I am thinking a Falter's ham and a lovely Carfagna's beef tenderloin roast.  A potato dish, two salads, 2 vegetables and an English desert, a trifle.

I think the family will come for cards, drinks, and starters in the afternoon, but Johnna and JD will not arrive until dinner which will be around 7:00. Their plane comes in around then, so dinner may be held for them if possible. If not we will keep plates warm for when they do arrive.

I must get busy with the menu.  I'll let you know how things pan out...with pictures.

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Shopping at Trader Joe's and Carfagna's

This is the time of year Trader Joe's goes all out with requests for products they have had before and run out of, and new products for the holiday season. The rainbow of honey is new to me and I always try several new things each time I am in that store.  The kinds of honey are: clover, sunflower, orange blossom, eucalyptus, macadamia, mimosa.

The salts, which I find equally intriguing are: Kalahari Desert salt, Hawaiian Black Lava Salt, Hawaiian Red Salt, Inca Sun Salt, Blue Persian Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, South African Oak Smoked Salt.  They are beautifully pacakged in tubes, which display well and would be welcomed by a person who likes to cook.  (The honey too.)

                                                                                     





I want to mention Carfagna's has a beef sale going on.  I got some really nice roasts for Christmas Eve.  We are eating in this year,  David, Johnna and JD are coming in from Florida.

pea dip (we have to find another name for this)

I am sitting in the sun, barefoot on November 28th
in Ohio, if you can believe that! 2017

You know how guacamole turns a specious color pretty quickly even with lemon juice and it gets so mushy if not served and eaten pretty fast...but we do it anyway because the initial dip is so luscious? This Thanksgiving I found a pea dip recipe that solves the problem, staying green until it is gone (which is quickly) and I asked Pam to get it ready for the starter section of Thanksgiving.  This too has avocados in it which she chopped and put in at the last moment.  The pea dip (we must find another name for this) flew off the counter and was gobbled down,again before I got to taste it. This is a recipe that you taste and add, taste and add, but it works.  It is not really a recipe but a short list of ingredients that work well together and produce a bright splash of color to the starter offerings.

green pea dip

3 cups frozen peas
2 avocados (chopped and put in at the last moment)
 1/2 of a Jalapeno pepper seeded and finely cut
1 clove garlic finely cut
chopped parsley
shallots or green onions
lemon juice
1/2 cup parmesan
salt and pepper to taste
Blender all together except avocados which go in right before serving.

This is a Martha Stewart picture.  She adds chopped mint to her green pea dip. We did not, but I bet it is a good addition.  See, you can tinker till your hearts content with this one and make it your own.

Another pot of soup that disappeared before everyone got a taste was seafood chowder, tonight with salmon and shrimp...

Dried beef, muffaletta, and cream cheese ball

Another winner on the Thanksgiving table was a cream cheese ball with Stehlin's dried beef and Carfagna's muffaletta Italian olive topping, green onions still from the garden, salt, pepper, a dash of sriracha, chopped parsley, chopped dried beef inside AND rolled over the entire ball. It was so good I had to make another today for the OSU Michigan game.  Joe and Glenda are staying for a few days after Thanksgiving.

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Home Town Cookin

Yesterday, amid all of the activity I spotted the Columbus Dispatch section that seemed unusual.  A few years ago they reduced the length of the pages to a manageable size but here was a section of eight pages that was 23 inches long and totally filled with contestant's recipes. I did not have time to read this but knew that I would enjoy it later once I got over having made 18 different dishes for 17 Thanksgiving guests.  You might assume, and rightly so, there were leftovers. 

According to the paper, in September, more than 1100 amateur cooks entered their Thanksgiving recipes in the first Home Town Cook's contest, in four categories: soups, vegetable dishes, cakes and cobblers, non-turkey entrees.  Those were whittled down to 12 finalists-three in each category and on Oct. 27 faculty from Columbus State Community College's culinary program in Ohio prepared and judged the recipes on taste, and visual appeal.  If you don't get the Dispatch go to hometowncookn.com. The section is great and one you will want to peruse once you can stand the sight of food again.

Here at Many Branches we had a glorious Thanksgiving celebration with a lot to be thankful for in every aspect of our lives.

This Thanksgiving the special dish was sweet potatoes with Modjeskas.  Modjeskas are marshmallows wrapped in caramel and made only in Kentucky  Joe and Kathy found them for me and sent them as a welcome gift.  I topped a sweet potato casserole with several of them buried on top and by the time I went through the line, the entire dish was empty, so I have yet to try the concoction. But the raves were sincere, so track down these delights.  Amazon has them but the shipping costs as much as the candies, so I ruled that out.  If I find a place that is reasonable, I'll let you know.  These came from Bauer's in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

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Make aheads

cranberry toasties, dish #13 completed so far

While my body is unkinking I am reviewing the list of what I have made ahead of the big day...well several big days ahead. The schedule is set and tomorrow things start happening: Monica comes to clean, thank you thank you, the next day Pam and George come to over night and to help me and to set up security cameras on the property...thank you, thank you, Oh yes, and the dogs go to the groomer and will be gone for the day (very nice touch, Doris.) Brooks comes home for the festivities for a few days so the beds are starting to fill up. The lights are up, the wreaths are in the windows, and the kitchen tree is up and loaded with food related decorations. Wednesday I go to pick up a load of magazines for my sister-in-law and to get my hair done. (Glenda and Joe are staying over for few days, until Sunday actually.)  This time next week it will all be over but the shouting. The tables are set for 18. Well, you know the preparations list; you have done it many times as have I.  It's family, it will get done.

So far I have, for our two turkey day meals, Ham and bean soup deluxe. beef and vegetable soup, homemade croutons for the dressing and soups, small pasta and beef dish, deluxe mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, zesty sausage soup, sweet potatoes with a special touch, stuffing, potato soup base for seafood soup. That's ten things so far and this day is just starting.

I am now un-kinked and ready for battle.  Wish me luck as I do you.

Dish number 12 finished.

Cooking zone

I am in the cooking zone.  Andy and I went to Sam's early this morning and I am the proud owner of a 7 1/2 pound prime rib roast.  The family will be happy to see that sitting along with the turkey come Thursday.  Company is coming all week and some staying over from Thanksgiving until Sunday morning.  I hope my legs hold up. lol  This house is made for company and I am happy to host as long as I can.  I have six dishes ready so far: ham and bean soup, beef vegetable soup, a pasta dish of shells and beef, homemade croutons, pepperoni mac & cheese and cranberry sauce.  For dinner tonight we have green beans cooked long and slow with potatoes and corn--a one pot wonder.

Tomorrow is our first girl baby, who is also our first great grand child's, first birthday. I am not a part of the preparations but I can only imagine her wedding if this much time and effort goes into a first birthday party. Bless her heart, she is a beauty.

I am reading Lee Child's newest book.  I do like his writing, but I don't know why.  He just leads me down a path.  I cannot imagine an entire book's story line based on seeing a class ring in a pawn shop but Reacher can and off he goes discovering mayhem across the country and creating some himself.  I read in cycles; six weeks reading everything I can get a hold of and then I can't finish a book to save me for the next few weeks. I am back on track and have a back up on my Kindle at the moment.

Wednesday the big holiday cookie section which comes out once a year in the Columbus Dispatch appeared on my stoop.  It is really packed this year and seems bigger than ever.  I guess everything is going well without an editor, so maybe the Dispatch will save money by working it this way.  When I have a chance I will go over it well and see if there is a special one or two recipes that you might enjoy baking. If you want to look at all of them, just google The Columbus Dispatch and when you are connected type in holiday cookies 2017.  It is worth seeing and reading.

I am finished cooking for the day but thoughts of the next few days plays in my mind.  I have done this so often, it should be easy.  Thankfully I have Beth and then Pam and George come on Wednesday to help out.  I bought George a BIG bottle of good gin.  He is putting up outdoor security cameras for us AND he is the turkey carver.  He also gets them ready for me to put the rub on and the cavities filled...on two turkeys. Yippee!

Our backyard three years ago on this date.

      

What? Thanksgiving already??

I was a slug last evening when Beth came into my woman sanctuary and said we don't have two weeks until Thanksgiving it is a week from Thursday?  Tomorrow is Thursday.  Yiiikes.  Andy and I both had eye exam business early this morning, so he skipped class and after spending three hours in the doctor's office, we went shopping for turkeys.  We found two lovely birds. (I always make two so that company has leftover turkey for the next few days to take home.).  I think we are 17 this year which is quite small compared to some that we have hosted, so I think it will be easy.  We also bought two chuck roasts so that we have beef stew for one meal and beef for vegetable/beef soup for another.  We nearly always have two meals and this holiday is no different. Friday we shop at Sam's for the cheese board variety, the prime rib roast, and everything else we forget at Kroger's today.  So, I have started cooking and it feels good to be cooking big again.

We nearly had to take two dogs to the vet during all of this hub-bub but they came out of it after a few disasters.  Honestly, it is like having a house full of toddlers.

Beth is putting up the porch lights to welcome the season just now.  It takes 8-10 strands to create the beautiful cloche hat effect on the arched porch windows. New strands have to be bought each year because when they go on they stay on until January 2nd.  So that about does them in for good.  Then it is the wreaths in every front window (8) with big red bows.  I am putting up all the trees this year because David, Johnna, and JD are coming from Florida for the season, so I want it to be special.  At 80 one never knows how many more times this can be done. lol I am playing the old card for all it's worth this month to make sure it is a great Christmas.  Andy and I are very healthy, so we are blessed, but a young healthy person has no guarantee that life will go on as well. So, we must all make every day count. But, hey, who doesn't know that?

I want to try several new dishes this Thanksgiving.  The recipes are coming at me right and left.  I ordered The English Kitchen cookbook which is a tome of over 500 recipes, pictures, and original illustrations.  I am glad it is doing well for this woman because she posts every day and needs for this book to work for her financially.  I said I would not buy another cookbook, but...

Doris Lechler

November 12, 2014 · 

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80th birthday bash in New Orleans

                                       

On the plane home from the most wonderful week-end imaginable, I thought of my 80 years of birthdays.  I have to say that two presented themselves as the most memorable.  When I was seven years old and in school my mother who never came to school for anything because parents didn't do that back then, appeared at my classroom door with a shopping basket of popcorn on one arm and a platter of cupcakes in the other hand.  The class erupted, as seven year olds will do, and the party started.  What a glorious day that was and what a treat for me because work was so important to my parents and they were good at it. (They both worked at the McCoy Pottery which is a famous collecting name in antiques.)  Mary Tapman and I had been in the restroom earlier in the day and she whispered that I was to have a party and I had NO idea what she was talking about.  It was like someone saying there really is no Santa and then there he is with a load of popcorn and cake!

The second most memorable birthday lasted a shade longer, four days to be exact. Everyone was at the Claiborne Mansion when Beth and I arrived.  They had been given their instructions on how to behave by my friend and Mansion owner, Cloe.  They were not to go near Doris' lemon tree until she arrived.  They were not to do anything that she would not approve of and so they teased me the entire four days for being 'teacher's pet', so to speak.  I did not care, after all, Cloe and I are BFFs.  Beth and I had the piano suite on the main floor because Cloe did not want me mounting the stairs and it was glorious.  We left our bags in the suite and headed to the pool and lemon tree area and learned, quickly, the party had already started.  We were so loud that the cats scrambled and the birds stopped singing and Cloe began to grimace. But we soon won her over and she plied us with stories for the entire trip and most of us enjoyed them. In fact, by the end we were all crying because we had to leave her and the Mansion and each others company. 

After an afternoon of revelry, we got dressed for dinner and the promise of dancing and bowling at Rock and Bowl. 

90° West, The Hottest Modern Country Band in the South!

was playing there.  They have opened for many, many famous acts and I have to say they were fabulous.  By the end of the night I was throwing them kisses and asking if I was too old to be a Roadie... the sisters had to drag me away. I can't help it, I love rock and roll .

Saturday morning we had a Bloody Mary merry breakfast at the Broken Egg.  There were ten of us for breakfast, the others could not move after the Rock and Bowl experience.  Off and on there were fourteen or fifteen at various events.  At 2:00 we had reservations for high tea at Windsor Court.  The set up was special and the harp player behind my chair played happy birthday for me.  Lovely and elegant--we had a variety of events as you can tell.  One might think that to be enough eating for the day, but NOOOOOOOOOOO.  We had reservations for dinner at the loudest restaurant in the world; seriously, I have excellent hearing and only the excellent food kept me in my seat.  I have never been in a place where people and music were so loud and disturbing. The food was glorious and the company of fourteen loved ones made up for the ambiance and decor...but talking was impossible, eating? sure. Andy placed a notice under one of the pictures (he was home with the dogs and Mike and Nate) asking when we were going to stop eating and drinking and I answered, "no time soon, Andy."

Sunday morning I slept in and then had coffee in the courtyard and a visit with Cloe.  That wonderful woman has had a life, believe you me.  The Cincy ladies left because they had been in New Orleans for a few days ahead of the parties.  Beth and I hung out in the sun, Johnna and Angela went to gamble and explore and about 4:00 we headed to Beth's mothers for a lovely dinner where many of the New Orleans family gathered.  What a wonderful, wonderful evening we had there.

Monday Beth and I slept in and woke up to coffee and cake outside our door.  I have teased the other party people about that to no end. (They never got that treatment.)  No doubt about it, I am Cloe's favorite and don't you forget it, girls!

I will try to get the pictures on, but you know how that usually goes if you have read this blog.  Many pictures are on my Facebook, however, if you are interested.

Have a wonderful week.

Doris