This past week has been so much fun. Last Saturday, we bundled up to shop for our Christmas tree and came home with a beautiful 10' frasier fur. Each year, since our girls were born, I give them one or two ornaments reflecting something special about their year - a vacation place, new activities or hobbies, or a special handmade ornament. One day when they have a place of their own, they'll be able to take all of their ornaments with them for their own tree. I keep a running list for them noting the ornament(s) they received each year. For now, our tree is filled with beautiful handmade and unique ornaments that we look forward to unwrapping each year.
Years ago, I started collecting these twelve days of Christmas ornaments. They are laser cut from wood and beautifully hand-painted. I would treat myself to a couple each year, until I finally owned the entire set.
The weather forecast is calling for 10 - 20 inches of snow beginning late this evening and into tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to having everyone home with no place to go. Lots of time for holiday baking and preparing our traditional Christmas Eve menu including these two favorites, both of which can be made ahead of time and frozen.
- pierogi - My father was born in Poland and Christmas Eve would not be the same without these delicious Polish dumplings filled with mashed potatoes and farmers cheese. The boiled pierogi are served with melted butter and sour cream.
- pirags - Both of my husband's parents were born in Latvia, and after we were married, we added Latvian pirags to our Christmas menu, little crescent shaped sweet bread rolls filled with finely chopped sauteed onions and bacon. So yummy...
We serve these with a hot bowl of soup, either our traditional mushroom soup, or our cream of chestnut with prosciutto and sage. My mother's background is English and French. So in honor of that, we pop open English Christmas crackers filled with a small toy, and paper crown which we wear through dinner. And for dessert - creme brulee!
I hope you enjoy a most happy Christmas celebrating your favorite traditions with family and friends. All the best to you this holiday season - Julie
