christmas in a nutshell

Back to normal life again... so much time, effort and money goes into Christmas and then, poof! it's done. This year the Christmas story and what it means for me personally, as a sinner, was so impressive and it feels like Christmas can go on forever in my heart. It's not nearly as deflating when the holiday is over!

Christmas Eve was the day we spent here at our home with Tech Guy's family. I made cinnamon rolls the night before, stuck them in the fridge and baked them fresh in the morning. Everyone rolled in around 10 a.m. for cinnamon rolls and coffee, then we opened presents. Usually we draw names and each person only has to give a gift to that person, but this year we decided just to buy everyone something. I got a HUGE turkey roaster (given to me the night before so I could use it yet!), a pair of leather driving gloves and a beautiful wind chime for outside. Plus some Starbucks stuff (Score!): my favorite coffee beans and 4 huge beautiful mugs. Tech Guy got his large tool chest and a Chapters gift card, the boys got little old-fashioned sleds and flying saucers and a Magnetix iCoaster, which is perfect for them!

For dinner, I brined and roasted the turkey, made stuffing, potatoes & gravy, grilled asparagus, roasted carrots, Honey Wheat Bushman Bread, and a cranberry pecan salad for starters. Then this cheesecake for dessert, rather than traditional pumpkin pie. It was a lovely meal, pulled off without a hitch and very low stress because I had done quite a bit of the work ahead.

The daddies and Grandpa took the 3 little boys out sledding afterwards with their new snow gear and they loved it! It was such a great day together, I think the best Christmas so far...

And then for supper I used up some leftover turkey, using a recipe from Pampered Chef called Turkey Cranberry Wreath. Very yummy and festive and everyone loved it! Except Tech Guy had to pick out the cranberries. He's like that. =)

Turkey Cranberry Wreath

1/2 c. mayo

2 Tbsp. honey Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. course black pepper

2 cups cooked chopped turkey (or chicken)

1/2 c. thinly sliced celery

3 Tbsp. snipped fresh parsley

1/2 c. dried cranberries (Craisins work great)

4 oz. grated Swiss cheese

1/4 c. chopped walnuts

1 egg separated

Combine all ingredients except the crescent rolls, and the egg.

Separate crescent roll dough into triangles, With wide ends facing toward the center, arrange 8 triangles in a circle on a round baking stone or a pizza baking sheet. Corners of wide ends should touch, it will look like a flower. Take remaining 8 triangles and match wide end to wide ends with points facing the center of the baking stone or baking sheet. Scoop mixture onto the wide ends of the dough, making a circle. Weave dough, outside piece, inside piece, alternating all the way around to make a wreath. Take separated egg, discard or save (for later use) the egg yolk. Beat egg white lightly and brush over wreath. Bake at 350- 375°F depending on your oven for 25-30 minutes.