Twas’ the week before Christmas …

Dear Friends,

It’s such a delight to hear from Mary (quote above) and doesn’t she just capture this year … new traditions, yes, but also ones we will not forget. For us, there are many traditions we will not be able to enjoy this year and there are loved ones we won’t see. Ed and I are thankful that our children can come home and of course, being with them is our most treasured tradition.

Given that we won’t be attending our annual gatherings with friends, we will be enjoying breakfast, lunch. and dinner together at home … every day! 😳 That’s eight days and about twenty-four meals in case you’re wondering! Maybe this is also true for many of you. While I couldn’t be more thrilled, I realize this requires Ms. EE to plan ahead. As I’ve done with July 4^th and Thanksgiving, I thought a glimpse of my plans might give you a few ideas for your own family gatherings. You will notice a few repeats from previous newsletters. While I always try to add a few new things, I often keep the tried and true that I could practically prepare blindfolded. Whether you are few or many, I hope you’ll be inspired and equipped so that the holidays are merry, bright … and let’s all say it together … effortless! 🙌🏻

We’ve linked each EE recipe to our website. Click the recipe and you’ll find a printer friendly version. I’ve also given you the page number if you have the EE guide. (I hope you do!) You’ll see several recipes that aren’t on the website. Stay tuned … I hope to share many of those in 2021!

Breakfast

I shared most of this in the Thanksgiving newsletter, but feel like it’s worth repeating. I rarely do breakfast. I like to provide what people need and let them fend for themselves. My top go-to is the Egg and Sausage Casserole, page 260. Prep in advance, even cook in advance. It reheats well. You can also prepare in muffin tins for a real grab-and-go. Another quick tip is edthedad’s breakfast cup. Scramble two eggs in a cup. Mix into the eggs whatever you’d like … cooked crumbled bacon or sausage, cheese, pimento cheese (on the blog), salsa … the sky’s the limit. Cook in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir again. Cook an additional 30 — 45 seconds. Done! Just have the ingredients on hand, and everyone can fix their own. Make sure you have toast, avocado, fruit, and maybe Blueberry Muffins, page 269 or Poppyseed Bread, page 262. You’re all set for a DIY breakfast. You’ll notice on the Christmas Day menu, I am preparing the French Toast Casserole. My sister-in-law, Liz shared this recipe. It is divine and decadent!

Lunch …

Again, I’m repeating my Thanksgiving week’s advice. Everyone is pretty much on their own, but I make sure they have everything they need to make a yummy lunch. Reubens and any other sandwich grilled on a griddle and served with Chicken Chili, page 252, Brunswick Stew, page 244, or Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, on the blog. I already have these in my freezer and ready to go. For the Reubens: pastrami or turkey pastrami — YUM!, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing (make your own — it’s easy!), rye bread, or my favorite Dave’s Thin-Sliced Good Seed Bread. Butter the bread and grill on the stovetop or a griddle. Any variation of this will do … roast beef and provolone, ham and swiss, pastrami and swiss, or how about just pimento cheese (on the blog). Honestly, what’s not to love. You will be a hero! Whatever you do, don’t buy low-fat cheeses — they are terrible. And don’t forget the chips!

Cocktails, Dinner, and Desserts

For cocktails, champagne on silver trays is one of my Christmas favorites. We also like to jazz it up a bit with a Kir Royale or French 75. ‘Tis the season for special things!

As for the eggnog, it has been so much fun the last few years to hear from those of you who also make yours from scratch. Our recipe comes from Ed’s mother, Jane and I can’t even describe the fun he and our children have making the nog. Just like when Ed and his brother, Chris made it with Jane, there is a lot of giggling as they add a little more “spirit!”

For dinner, I try to keep each night simple and include things I can prepare in advance. Most every night, dessert is DIY. I must confess, the eggnog is a family after dinner favorite during Christmas. And … we do have it with breakfast on Christmas morning. It’s true!

The one dessert I will prepare is Amaretto Cheesecake for Christmas Eve. Lile the eggnog, it’s a family tradition. I promise, this recipe is super simple and you truly can’t mess it up. You will love it!

I pray that your family will enjoy old traditions and new — that more than anything the Spirit of this season is with you.

Blessings to you and yours for a happy and holy Christmas,

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