Merry Christmas!

We woke this morning to a lovely snowfall and as I write this at about 5:00 pm, it's still snowing.  We're supposed to get 6-12 inches by Monday evening, which I'm afraid will delay the delivery of our Murphy bed.  Oh, well.

I haven't posted very much about cooking this week.  Mostly we've been cycling through some stand-bys like spaghetti and beef stew.  This morning we had my family's traditional Christmas morning breakfast:

Fried oysters
Bacon
Scrambled eggs
Biscuits

Walter's plate at the point I thought about a picture

 After breakfast we took a walk through the town and around our house.



Walter beside our lamppost

Me in front of The Last Straw in downtown BR



The lake at Broyhill Park - frozen over!

My bottle tree - Save your blue bottles!





My new red-winged blackbird sculpture out in the snow!



Martha's simple and beautiful gate decoration

Our friend Martha had to spend last night in the hospital because she was having trouble breathing as a result of a tumor pressing against her wind pipe. She's home now and resting and will start chemo on Monday.  Walter's sister was admitted to the hospital this morning due to severe cramps in her legs and nausea.  We're waiting to hear from them.  Our friend Dan is in Houston for the next four to six weeks undergoing another round of chemo.  Please keep these friends and family in your prayers.

On a cheerier note, my son Cort proposed to his girlfriend Emily last night, the anniversay of their first date, seven - yes, seven - years ago!  She said YES, so we're very excited and so happy.

For our Christmas Dinner, we fixed:

Best Ever Beef Tenderloin (Walter pulled the grill into the garage and managed to keep it hot enough)

Green Bean and Artichoke Casserole (from the Commercial Appeal)

Sweet Potato Souffle

Yeast Rolls

Cheesecake (rolls and cheesecake from Stick Boy Bread)

We took a meal over to Albert and Martha and Martha's sister, Becky, who is here from Wilmington to help Martha.  Feel better soon, Martha!

I hope that your Christmas Day 2010 has been festive and full of family and love. 

Week of December 12 - 18

Sunday the 12th we had split pea soup with friends at their house.  I took appetizers and some bourbon balls.  I went retro on the appetizers and took two different ones from the Heart and Soul cookbook:  Chicken-Pecan Bites and Cheese-Filled Phyllo.  Sorry, I don't have that cookbook with me.  If I get time when we get home, I'll copy and post them.  The chicken bites were good.  I even froze some to bring to BR for our Boxing Day party.  Where are they now?  In Memphis, in my freezer...  The phyllo things were too greasy for me.  But I'm posting the recipe for the Bourbon Balls, which were goooood!

Monday I fixed 9-Bean Soup from the recipe on the back of the soup mix (Barzi's.)  I forgot to soak the beans overnight, so I followed a shortcut method I found on the internet for softening the beans.  It didn't work so good.  Note to self:  look at the menu the night before to make sure no day ahead prep is required. 

Tuesday was pretty simple:  pork tenderloin rubbed with a spicy paprika rub, baked sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli.

Thursday I attended the ArtsMemphis board meeting at the request of my friend Susan Schadt, who is the executive director.  I've been doing some consulting for them on a volunteer basis.  I was surprised and extremely honored when they recognized me as their volunteer of the year.  Really, this is too much.  They were very gracious and I got to meet some of the board members, which I enjoyed.  Thank you, ArtsMemphis staff.  I love working with you!

After I got home, I sauteed some shrimp, shallots, chopped tomato and garlic and made a sauce with marsala, chicken broth, and cornstarch.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Served over linguine.

Friday night we ate at Paulette's then went to see Black Swan.  OMG.  If Natalie Portman doesn't get an Academy Award for this, something is wrong.  Her performance and the movie were both amazing.

Saturday morning we woke up to a "dusting."  My friends in Blowing Rock, and especially my friend Donna in Minnesota, will laugh to see these pictures.  But it was fun - and shortlived - for us Southern folk.

my mailbox

my neighbor's Santa

entrance to my garden

Saturday night was HUGE.  Our friend Barney Rolfes' daughter, Ellie, got married to Rev. Ollie Rencher.  The service was at Grace St. Lukes and was pitch perfect.  They had a full choir from Holy Communion, where Ollie is a priest, and members of the Memphis Chamber Choir.  I felt like I was at St. James, watching a princess get married.  It was wonderful.  The reception was at Bridges.  It was very loud.  But I got a chance to catch up with my "sister from Chicago," Becky B's sister, Taylor, and to meet her husband, Eli.  Fabulous night - congratulations, Ellie and Ollie!

Early Sunday we were on the road to BR for Christmas.  Lots of snow here and more to come - even new snow on Christmas Eve!  I don't do a lot of cooking here, to Walter's dismay, but hey.  Do I ever get a vacation, besides my permanent one? 

Most of you know that Walter plans on being my "number one personal assistant" when he retires.  I suggested to him this week that a good job for him would be to take over the meal planning and cooking duties.  He didn't think that was such a good idea.  We have different definitions for NOPA.

I'm working hard on the Jean Hilton needlepoint project.  I'll post a progress picture when I get the Jessicas finished.