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| Last year we tried an experiment. Since I had worked the past 4 (or so) Decembers, making everyone else's parties festive, I wanted to take December off and just enjoy our friends' parties. But this year, I was ready to go back into action. Truth be told: I love working in December. My friend's company hired me back and I went to work on November 30th. Last night was my last party of the season. But with symptoms that look a little too like strep throat I was not eager to. I had to anyway, none of the on-call people were available, and this Christmas party is the most complicated every year (which is odd since the family Jewish). Anyway, I went. I had four layers under my chef's coat. My tonsils were so swollen that I couldn't talk. My fever spiked at about 8:00PM, before we had even served the first course. And I enjoyed every minute of it. It is so wonderful to be part of this team. Everyone teased me mercilessly and put words in my mouth knowing that I couldn't retaliate. They also saved the easy jobs for me. They played the "things I love most about Katy" game as if I wasn't in the room (the conclusion being "the thing I like most about Katy is... she's so darn quiet"). They gave me breaks (an untold luxury). And somehow we managed two complete menus (apparently teenagers don't eat adult food) out of one garage. I really love these people. | | |
| To celebrate Grandma Betty's 92nd birthday we were treated to these adorable cake pops. Note self: I want these at my 92nd birthday. http://www.marthastewart.com/315587/cupcake-pops-and-bites | | |
| We've exchanged 18 dozen cookies so far this December. The hands-down winner for most memorable cookie is... bacon gingersnaps. Too bad they're disgusting. I was hopeful. | | |
| Since we are halfway through my frozen Advent soup supply, it is the perfect time to list out what we are having this season: -taco soup -harvest grain with mushroom and spinach -borshdt -cream of potato and onion -tomato bisque -turkey minestrone -black bean and sausage -pumpkin black bean -turkey pot pie (for Saturday nights) I am highlighting my childrens' three least favorite foods (because that is the kind of mother I am): beets, lentils, and mushrooms. So far they've done really, really well. | | |
| This year won't win for the most memorable Thanksgiving. That's kind of a relief. But one distinctive was Uncle Doug's turkey soup, which calls for a blog post. It started out looking like classic Uncle. Two carcasses ended up in a small stock pot rapidly boiling out all flavor potential. Then the onions and garlic where prepped and put to soak in a tub with honey and a dash of every Penzey's blend within reach. The brilliance came in the finish though. To one gallon of soup was added a whole bottle of pinot and a half bottle of left-over sparkling cider. Absolute amazingness. | | |
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