It was just the four of us. Ian and Lexi woke up, and immediately wanted to go out into the living room to see if Santa had come. I didn't have the camera ready as I went to bed so late the night before I forgot....I was a little bummed I didn't get it on tape...them seeing the presents for the first time. We then had to wait for another hour of so for Willie to wake up..Despite our constant requests for him to get his butt out of bed so we could open presents lol
Present opening was a lot of fun. Lexi squeeled so many times with delight, it was sweet. She loves her TMX Elmo, and Ian LOVED his Camera. We thought Christmas was going to be ruined for him because he asked Santa for a Power Ranger. I tried and tried to find one of those stuffed power ranger dolls vs. the action figures because those are for kids 3+ due to small pieces and with Lexi constantly putting things in her mouth those wouldn't do. I couldn't find one....but I had a genius idea and got him an Electrical Power Ranger Toothbrush so christmas was saved lol
I told Willie last night that you know Christmas was a success and you bought all the right gifts, when they dont play with the boxes but the toys lol
Then it was time to start cooking. I had a 13 lb bird, and the way I cook my bird is in a baking bag, with a butter and garlic mixture, then a hand full of the following: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme....a little cliche I'm sure but it turns out really really yummy. Stuffing: I usually buy the bag of Cornbread already ready to be cooked, and then add to it. I added 8 oz of Sage flavored Sausage (I think I liked the Maple version at Thanksgiving better though), two diced onions, and some poultry seasoning. Covered with Chicken Broth. I made my fantastic fresh cut green beans. You take a tablespoon of olive oil, dice up half an onion and sautee till soft. Then you add enough chicken broth to cover how many green beans you have, bring to a boil, add your breen beans, a tablespoon or two of butter, cover and let simmer for a bit. This can either then simmer for 30 minutes, or longer. The longer the better, the green beans really pick up the flavor of the onion and the chicken broth and are fantastic. IAN LOVES them...nuff said :)
My mashed potatoes..OMG were so freakin good. I used the Red baking potatoes, boiled them with the skin, as when they are done boiling the skin falls right off for easy removal. I boiled them with three minced cloves of garlic. After draining added 1/2 cup of butter, and whatever amount of milk to make a nice consistancy, but I added about 1 cup of shredded Asiago Cheese...OMG I can't get over how good they were....So good. Asiago...I had always added Parmesean but never again! lol
My Gravy: Well I am not a good gravy maker. This has been my third attempt, and while it was the best, it just isn't quite there yet. I took the pan drippings and added it to a pot, added a 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken (recipe called for a 14.5 oz can but I couldn't find that at the store) 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, brought it to a boil, then added 1 cup of milk, and 1/3 cup flour mixture (heated milk in microwave, then gradually stirred in flour and added it that way)...it was good....but not quite what I need. I think unfortunately it needs more salt..I dont like adding lots of salt to stuff, so I think I'm going to try searching for a different recipe...
Then I made five deviled eggs. I love deviled eggs and am quite the pro at them. I boiiled then, halved them length wise, took seperated the yokes, then mashed the yokes, and added Miracle Whip (NOT MAYO - very important lol I've tasted MAYO eggs and they are not as tasty at all), yellow mustard, and sweet pickle juice. I can't get out exact amounts of the stuff because I never measure. Then I sometimes decorate with paprika, though I think that step is stupid and annoying lol
So that was our feast. I'm looking up how to make turkey pot pies with all the left over turkey we have. I also am going to try and freeze it and then send Willie to work with turkey sandwiches all week lol. It was a great christmas.
However at the end of the day a little something was missing. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until it hit me. The family. It was just us four and while that is definately enough, we usually have a whole busy house after we open our presents in the morning. That wasn't there this year. It left me missing our house, and missing the family get together. I explained this to Willie without trying to sound disappointed because he truly cares about how I feel about this stuff. I left all my friends and family in Colorado and get sad and lonely sometimes, and he knows what brought us out here is his job. If I ever told him "I want to go home now" he wouldn't hesitate at all, and I'm not quite ready to go home yet :), but it was a little sore. Especially after Thanksgiving when we had so much fun with so many friends, and his Family...thats probably another thing. I see his family all the time, as they moved out here too, I just miss mine sometimes. As messed up and twisted as they are lol
Then we started watching "A wonderful life". Boy did Willie bitch about that one lol. I guess he's seen it over and over and over becuase a good family friend of his watched it every single year cause he's a fan of old movies. I told him, we'll I've seen "A Christmas Story" every year, and you've seen "its a wonderful life" and I watched the Christmas story with you without bitching, so now you get to see it one more time lol We didn't get through all of it, and I'll make him sit down with me tonight and finish it lol
It was pretty good. I am a little bit of a fan of older movies. The Grapes of Wrath is one I've seen and really enjoyed. I never sat down for Gone with the Wind, but would like to read the book. I told Willie I"d also like to see The seven year itch, and Some like it hot lol Because while I dont watch a lot of older movies, I am a fan of Marilyn :)
So, that was our christmas. Quiet, fun, and a little lonely, but we were all together, and we are all healthy, and the kids didn't play with the boxes :)
Jackie