Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Smokin Don on December 25, 2014, 02:05:29 PM
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Dec 25 2014
Christmas Eve has been our time to have our Christmas party. Last night we had it with part of our family, our son his wife and the grandson. My oldest daughter and husband were here on Nov 15th for her birthday; then our daughter from Chicago was here for Thanksgiving. When families grow you can’t always all get together at one time. At Christmas time it is nice to have some family to celebrate with.
Recovering from back surgery I was not able to cook a big meal like usual. I did manage to make it out to my smoker and do up some smoked pistachios for a snack. Our daughter in law had to work but said she would do some Crockpot Lasagna. I had some Boursin cheese on hand and with marinara sauce made an easy dip for an appetizer, some Romaine lettuce mix and baby spinach for a salad and some garlic knots to bake. We had plenty of snacks and my wife baked some almond crescents for after dinner.
Like every year my wife has to fix a too large veggie tray with dip; and then after the meal puts about 80% to 90% back in the fridge!
For an extra treat I had a bottle of Amarula from our friend Ahron, (africanmeat), he brought when he visited us the past summer. I had saved it for a special time. Amarula is a sweet cream liqueur from Africa and is made from the fruit of the Amarula Tree. For years we have had white Russians after our Christmas meal. It is 1 oz. of Kahlua and 1 to 2 oz. of vodka over ice in an old fashioned glass topped with half and half cream. My wife does not have the vodka in hers.
Looking up drink recipes for using Amarula I found one that was a white Russian and you just added 1 oz. of Amarula. This makes a delicious drink. Be careful though even though it tastes pretty tame they will catch up to you pretty fast; especially if you are doing the 2 oz. of vodka. I’ll call it a White Elephant Russian; the Amarula has an elephant on the label.
We had a great meal together, served buffet style get your own! We had a drink after dinner and then took turns opening our presents. My wife and I didn’t get each other anything; the past few years we just pick out something and buy our own before Christmas. The grandson is 10 now and wanted mostly money so he didn’t have much to open. With the marvels of the internet he had $20 of his money spent before the night was over!
After two of the White Elephant Russians and some visiting; Ole Grampa was ready for bed at 8:30. When I got up at 11:30 for my usual middle of the night rising the kids were just getting ready to leave.
They still had to go to her parents for Christmas today. My wife’s sister and husband are stopping in this evening and bringing broasted chicken dinners.
Whisper: I think Ole Smokin Don just had his first all vegetarian Christmas meal! The daughter in law’s lasagna was good, tasted delicious!!
Cheers to all and Thanks Ahron for a great Christmas drink!
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243891_zps7720ddf5.jpg)
Snacks
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243874_zps15dbc3f2.jpg)
Make your own salad
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243878_zps5e37316e.jpg)
Ready to eat
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243882_zps65109205.jpg)
My plate
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243883_zps66838763.jpg)
For an after dinner drink
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243875_zpsce2e1654.jpg)
Merry Christmas from us
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a474/deains/Indoor%20cooking/_C243893_zps9218fda2.jpg)
Smokin Don
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Don - it looks like a complete time of joy!
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Nice Family -
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Looks great SD! BUT I am worried you might go over to the dark side. I recommend a steak today with a side of pork chops. Can't be too careful. ;)
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What an amazing day!
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Marry Christmas from Art and Maureen.
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Great looking meal and family, Merry Christmas. ;)
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That looks like an excellent spread Don. Glad to see you having a good Christmas mister :)
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Everything looks delicious Don!
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Don, I want to make the 3 hour drive to have a drink with you. Let's make it happen. You are in charge of cooking though..
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Don, I want to make the 3 hour drive to have a drink with you. Let's make it happen. You are in charge of cooking though..
X2!!!!
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Don glad you are doing better enjoy Christmas with at some of the family.
Next time we travel north I just might ring you up.
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Don - it looks like a complete time of joy!
X2
It is great to have some family around at the holidays ! !
BD
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Looks great SD! BUT I am worried you might go over to the dark side. I recommend a steak today with a side of pork chops. Can't be too careful. ;)
and watch out for the peas ;)
That Tito's vodka is good stuff by the way :P :P
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great pics SD. :)
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Looking great, everyone!! What a wonderful time together. :)
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:) Looks like a great time with family! Happy Holidays
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:) Looks like a great time with family! Happy Holidays
Sure does
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Hi don geld to see you and your family had a great time .