filed in Holiday Cheer
Finding the Glow
For most of my adult life, the lead up to Christmas made me sad, like I was pressing my nose up against the door of a world in which I didn’t belong. People searching for gifts and tree decorations, going to parties, cramming into airports. It was unfathomable. Being single made it worse. Until I finally realized that the only solution was to participate. And that’s when I decided to make an annual Christmas dinner for my friends. (This will be the 10th year.) Now during these pre-holiday weeks, I, too have a focus. Planning a menu, shopping for food, prepping, cooking, setting the table, and even searching for festive decorations. The way in was to step right through.
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Wendy, this is a BRILLIANT idea! And I’d love to know what’s on your menu.
As I’ve described in years past, this annual Christmas dinner is for my Jewish friends. We go to the movies in the afternoon, and then come to my house for dinner. I usually plan an elegant menu, but this year, I’m doing a more casual deli night. Oxtail beef barley soup, home-brined corned beef sandwiches on rye with assorted mustards, cole slaw, potato salad and NY-style cheesecake for dessert.
FYI, I’m not making the rye bread or the mustards. Had to draw the line somewhere.
I’m glad you decided to participate! Santa, cookies, fir trees, parties, etc are for everyone! I’m chuckling to myself because were you my friend here in the south I’d invite you to Christmas dinner if I knew you to be single and had no plans for the day 🙂
What’s typical on your southern holiday table?
Turkey or ham (though I’m vegetarian now), rice, seasonable vegetables, sweet potatoes. Sometimes oyster dressing. My mom often makes a bouche d’noel (sp?) (yule log cake). For many years now we have made shrimp and grits on Christmas eve.
The menu sounds delicious. I’ve sometimes considered making a bouche de noel for my Christmas dinner, but so far, I’ve been intimidated.
What movie are you planning to see? I’m interested in ‘Darkest Hour’. ‘Lady Bird’ is also good, but I was (during the Jurassic) a California Catholic girl, so it spoke to me in a particular way.
Merry Christmas, and thanks for all you do!
We’re going to see The Post. https://youtu.be/nrXlY6gzTTM I’m hoping we will leave the movie feeling empowered.