“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”
From “A Christmas Carol”
We are enjoying hosting dear friends and celebrating throughout the holidays.
May you enjoy a very Merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy New Year!
Photo by Joshua Earle
“Youth is not entirely a time of life; it is a state of mind. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”
— Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)
General of the United States Army
Image by Alex Shute
“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.”
— Glenn Clark (1882 – 1956)
American Author
Forgiveness is the best gift we can give to anyone, ourselves included.
Image by Valentina Conde
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”
— William James (1842 – 1910)
American philosopher & psychologist
“The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.”
— Will Durant (1885 – 1981)
American historian & philosopher
“Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.”
— Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)
American naturalist, philosopher, and writer
“It is better to be faithful than famous.”
— Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919)
26th US President
“Spend enough time around success and failure, and you learn a reverence for possibility.”
— Dale Dauten (1949 – )
American columnist & president of Lumina Corporation
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”
— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
American statesman; 16th President: 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War
“It is no use doing what you like; you have got to like what you do.”
— Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
British statesman, military officer, & United Kingdom Prime Minister
“There is a difference between conceit and confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done.”
— Johnny Unitas (1933 – 2002)
American football quarterback
Photo by Debby Hudson
“The test of tolerance comes when we are in a majority; the test of courage comes when we are in a minority.”
— Ralph Washington Stockman (1889 – 1970)
American pastor; New York City Christ Church
We’ve all been on both sides of many issues throughout our lives. I believe the true test of our worth comes in our ability to love, tolerate, and encourage others through our differences.
Image by Zulmaury Saavedra
“Freedom is not America’s gift to the world; it is Almighty God’s gift to every man and woman in this world.”
— Ronald Reagan (1911 – 2004)
American actor & 40th U.S. President;
also President of Screen Actors Guild twice
& 33rd Governor of CA
For National “Cook for Christmas” Day, I prefer to think of it as PRE-Cook for Christmas. These are the days when I prep all that I can ahead of the holiday celebrations. Thus, at party time, I can enjoy the festivities along with everyone else.
As we plan our Christmas Cocktail Party, I’m lining up a menu with hot & cold options, nibbles (like an extra-nutty version of Chex Mix) and heartier items, as well as sweet and savory choices. Many menu selections that will be served hot, I can make ahead of time and pop into the freezer.
So, I’ve prepared the Incredible Crabbies, an annual family favorite since the 1960s (“Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites: Starters, Sippers & Sweets” p 72).
Today also included my Baked Stuffed Mushrooms. (Same book, p 83) Mushrooms I do pop in the oven at 350°F for about 8 minutes to partially cook the mushrooms before I wrap, label, and place the trays in the freezer.
I also turned my Cheesy Garlic Bread into little tapas bomb, easy for grab-and-go party fare. That’s 4 recipes done and 36 to go!
Cheesy Garlic Bread Bombs
These are fun, Super Simple, and terrifically tasty, either served with soup or an entrée or as tapas.
Hawaiian dinner rolls (sweet or savory)
Melted butter (with salt)
Dry onion soup mix
Mixed Italian herbs (fresh, dried, or lightly dried)
Garlic powder
Blend of shredded Monterey Jack and either Cheddar or Mozzarella cheeses
Chopped fresh or lightly dried basil
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Cut an X in top of each role, taking care not to cut through the bottom or outer edges. Press inner dough to sides and bottom of each roll, forming a “cup.” Liberally brush insides of each cup with melted butter and sprinkle soup mix and Italian herbs inside. Brush the top and sides of each roll with butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Press 2 T shredded Jack cheese combo into each roll, letting some remain mounded on top. Sprinkle with basil and shredded Parmesan. Bake in single layer at 375°F for 10 minutes. Serve warm, as they are or with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.
KISS Tips: Before baking, you can wrap the rolls in foil or plastic wrap on a foil pan and refrigerate or freeze for later use. Bake 15 minutes if they are coming from the refrigerator and up to 20 if still frozen.
KISS Variation: Turn these into Pepperoni Pizza Bombs by lining each roll’s “cup” with 2 slices of pepperoni (on bottom and up sides), followed by shredded Mozzarella cheese & oregano. Brush tops & outsides with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Top with a sprinkle of mixed Italian herbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. Follow the same wrapping and baking instructions.
For National Comfort Food Day, hearty meals like chicken pot pie, warm soups, and meatloaf come to mind.
So, I opened up “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites,” the “Brunch, Lunch & Entrees” edition in the 3-volume set for this recipe from 2004.
Super Simple Marvelous Meatloaf
1 c herb-seasoned stuffing mix (small crumb style, not cubes), mixed with 1 c hot water & 1 T butter
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 lbs ground beef, mixed with 2 lg or x-lg beaten eggs
1 c favorite BBQ sauce or catsup or combo
Blend beef mixture with stuffing, soup mix, and half the sauce. Press into a loaf pan. Spread remaining sauce on top. Bake 1 hr at 350°F. (This is even better if you make it the night before and let it rest, covered, in the fridge.
“My hopes are not always realized, but I always hope.”
— Ovid (Plubius Ovidius Naso) (43 BC – 17 AD)
Roman poet
I salute this classic All-American favorite dessert. For the Christmas holidays, I like to toss in some cranberries or dried cranberries for color and zest… and a few raisins for sweetness. A lattice crust lets the fruity colors shine through. However, today I share my Grandmother Marjorie Rowe Gulumian’s recipe, which she simply dubbed Papa’s Apple Pie, as it was my Grampa Hrant’s favorite from the 1950s… and they always called him Papa. (It’s on page 177 of my 3-volume cookbook “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites: Starters, Sippers, & Sweets.”)
I merely suggest that during the busy holiday season, you can Super Simplify it by using rolled, refrigerated pastry, rather than making your own from scratch. However, if you love baking pies, whipping up pie crust is likely second nature to you. Try serving it warm with French vanilla ice cream on the side, along with some slices of sharp Cheddar cheese. Any way you make it, have a Happy Apple Pie Day!
Papa’s Apple Pie
½ c sugar
1/3 c light brown sugar
2 T flour
½ tsp each: ground nutmeg & ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
3 T butter
6-8 apples, peeled, cored & sliced (McIntosh, Granny Smith, or combination)
Pastry prepared for 2-crust pie
1 T light cream (or milk) & sugar for finishing
Combine sugars, flour, spices, & salt in small bowl. Cut in butter till pieces are the size of large peas. Place apple slices in large bowl; add sugar mixture, tossing to coat apples. Place apple mixture in prepared pastry in pie plate; top with second crust. Flute edges. Cut slits in top for steam to escape. Glaze top of pie with cream; sprinkle lightly with sugar. Cover edges of crust with foil to prevent over browning. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes in lower third of oven. Reduce oven heat to 350°F and let bake 25 more minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes or until lightly browned.
Photo by Kalea Morgan
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
— Alexander Hamilton (1757 – 1804)
American military officer, Founding Father of the US, & 1st US Secretary of the Treasury (1789-1795)
“The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you’re off it.”
— Jackie Gleason(1916 – 1987)
American actor & comedian
Happy Holidays!
“Men fight for freedom, then they begin to accumulate laws to take it away from themselves.”
— Unknown
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
— Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
American writer, publisher, & philosopher
Thank you to my friends… from near and dear to far away and fabulous! I feel totally blessed to have you all in my life. You fill my heart with encouragement, gratitude, and love. Thank you.
Photo by Jill Wellington
“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”
— Joyce Meyer (1943 – )
American author
Temps will reach 71° today, but we had our first frost last night. Thus, this will likely be this season’s final rose blossom.
“From the withered tree, a flower blooms.”
— Zen saying
Image by Shazib Nadeem
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink. He whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.”
— Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
US philosopher, pamphleteer
I love cranberries. fresh, crispy, and crazy sassy! ‘Tis the season to make your favorite cranberry sauce and/or cranberry relish. Another fun twist is Cranberry Applesauce. The color is luscious, and you can tweak the sassiness to suit your personal taste. If you love cooking with cranberries, you will find more than 100 Super Simple recipes, ranging from brunch and appetizers to beverages and desserts, in my “Cranberry Cooking” book in both paperback and digital formats.
This is the pinkness from just 2 handfuls of cranberries
Cathy’s Cranberry Applesauce
Adding cranberries to applesauce imparts an awesomely rosy color, but if you love cranberries, go ahead and use a whole bag for that classic zesty flavor!
2 c cranberry juice
2 handfuls to 1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries, washed & stems removed
12 large MacIntosh apples (or Cortland or combo), cored and sliced
Spices: 1 -2 T ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground cloves (or ginger)
Put cranberry juice, cranberries, and apple slices in large, covered pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes until berries have popped and apples are soft, stirring once or twice. Process through food mill to remove cranberry skins and apple peels. Stir in seasonings. Serve warm or chilled.
KISS Tip: I like the sweetness from the apples, without adding any sugar. However, if you use more than just a handful or two of cranberries, you may wish to add a little sweetener…. Sugar, brown sugar, monk fruit make good options.
Image by John Hain
“America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and democratic people will give us a torch to light the way. And we will survive and become stronger – not only because of a patriotism that stands for love of country, but a patriotism that stands for love of people.”
— Gerald R. Ford (1913 – 2006)
38th US President
For National Gingerbread Cookie Day I salute Mom Burnham… again. For decades she handmade gingerbread boys and girls for the trick-or-treaters at Halloween, but she often made and froze extras so we could enjoy them through the holiday season, too. Her recipe is featured in volume 3 of “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites: Starters, Sippers, and Sweets” (page 142) AND it is also used each year by the pastry chef at St. Mark Village in Florida to make 1,000 of the delicious gems. Mom and her volunteers decorate them ALL for the annual Christmas party for friends and family.
Glenna Burnham’s Gingerbread Boys & Girls
4 c sifted flour
1 tsp each: salt, baking soda, and ground nutmeg
2 tsp each: baking powder, ginger, and cloves
3 tsp cinnamon
1 cup each: Crisco shortening, sugar, and molasses
2 lg or x-lg egg yolks
Sift first 8 ingredients together. In large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar and molasses. Add egg yolks. Mix well. Stir in flour mixture. Roll out dough ¼” thick on lightly floured board. Cut with large Gingerbread Boy or Girl cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate, as desired, with sliced small gumdrops for buttons, raisins for eyes and nose, and slivers of red cherries for mouth before baking. (If decorating with icing, add it after they are baked & cooled.) Bake at 350°F for 8 (to 10 max) minutes. Cool. Yield: about 20 cookies.
Cathy’s note: If using small-sized cutters, be sure to bake for far less time, or you will get dark crispy cookies without the awesome gingery chewiness!
Photo by Alex Shuper
“When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war. War settles nothing.”
— Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969)
34th US President
Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II
Photo by Marek Studzinski
“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.”
— George MacDonald (1824 – 1905)
Scottish author
Photo by Jill Wellington
For National Apple Cider Day I offer my Mulled Wassail recipe. Though initially styled for the holiday season in 1980, when standard coffee percolators were still standard, this hot cider punch is also easy to make in a slow cooker.
Cathy’s Mulled Wassail
2-3 qts fresh or frozen apple cider (NOT apple juice)
1 qt cranberry juice
½ tsp whole allspice
1 T whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
1 orange, cut in wedges, with peel
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Pour cider & cranberry juice in bottom of electric coffee percolator and put all spices and orange slices in the “basket.” Cover and perk. Or steep in a covered slow cooker on low for 2 hours, with spices and orange slices wrapped in cheesecloth. Serve hot with a cinnamon stick in each mug. Makes 2-3 quarts.
KISS Tip: This is a Family Friendly rendition, but you can easily add a favorite brandy. Let the singing begin.
“Silence will save me from being wrong (and foolish), but it will also deprive me of the possibility of being right.”
— Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971)
Russian composer & conductor
Image by John Hain
As people and nations hold grudges and wage wars, but I think it’s important to remember what we need in the long term.
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
— Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist; developed theory of relativity
Image by John Hain
“True empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you.”
— Anand Mahindra (1955 – )
Indian billionaire businessman
Celebrate National Spicy Guacamole Day with your favorite level of spiciness… mild, medium, hot, or crazy-off-the-charts.
A Second Helping , book 2 in my Dockside Dining trio of recipes that are easy to prepare with very little effort or kitchen equipment, is perfect for backyard, tailgate, or dockside cooking.
One recipe that I offer is Gulf Coast Guacamole. It just doesn’t get more Super Simple than this. Of course, I am a great believer in sassing things up, so I offer a bit of that, too. You can cook up Super Simple recipes to your heart’s content with the whole Dockside Dining series, available in paperback and digital formats.
Gulf Coast Guacamole
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted & mashed to the chunkiness or smoothness level you prefer
¼ – ½ c chunky salsa, mild to hot, as you prefer
2 T freshly squeezed lime (or lemon) juice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to suit your taste.
Mix together and serve with tortilla chips and raw vegetables.
KISS Tip: If you are not serving guacamole right away, save one of the avocado pits. Put the pit in the bowl with the guacamole to prevent the typical “browning” from oxidation. Discard the pit before serving. Or, do not mix in the lime juice. Simply drizzle it over the top of your guacamole before covering with plastic wrap, and pressing it down onto the surface before chilling till serving time. Another idea is to very finely chop and add 2 T sweet onion to your guac. I prefer sweet onion to red as it does not need caramelization to prevent it from taking over and predominating the blend of flavors. And if you want extra spice, go ahead and add 1 T (or more) of finely diced jalapeño pepper… or ghost pepper, if you must. I prefer to place various “add-ins” on the side, for guests to choose as they prefer. These can range from extra tomato, salt & pepper, hot peppers, and even diced, cooked shrimp.
“Assumptions are the termites of relationships.”
— Henry Winkler (1945 – )
American actor
Photo by Melissa Askew
“A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be.”
— Unknown
(Photo by Brian Penny)
“For the veterans, thank you for bravely doing what you’re called to do so we can safely do what we’re free to do.”
— Unknown
Freedom is never free.
Chimney Rock, NC photo by Peter Hansen
For National Civic Pride Day, I take this moment to say an enormous THANK YOU to everyone who is out there helping others. We see it en mass here in western North Carolina, where workers and volunteers go above and beyond day after day. This is true of neighbors, local churches, various clubs and organizations, and some amazing small businesses and community-involved larger businesses. Thank you, thank you, thank you… to one and all.
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
— Wayne Dyer (1940-2015)
American author
Hope gets restored in many ways. Here in western NC, while so many people, businesses, and towns continue to struggle through storm destruction recovery, I am also reminded daily of Mother Nature’s blessings.
Our daily temperatures remain in the 60’s and 70’s. But while I expect the chrysanthemums to bloom now, both pink and white azaleas dazzle with their second bloomings.
Foliage started showing Fall colors in late August, and green continue turning bright reds and golds still, as we approach mid-November, delivering the usual multi-month display… despite Helene’s damage.
And I am awed by errant reblooms of flowers such as Iris.
I keep pinching myself. This is home.