My final Book Review of 2025

I just finished reading The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth.  I may start another book this year, but even if I finish it, I won't post a review until next year.

Citrusy Ginger Shortbread #SundayFunday

 These tender, shortbread cookies are flavored with lemon and ginger, and studded with candied ginger and orange peel, then baked to a golden brown, drizzled with a citrusy glaze, and sprinkled with golden sugar.  They make an elegant addition to your Christmas Cookie platter.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are putting together a Cookie Platter today.....

The Weekly Menu including Christmas

I must have blinked because here we are at Christmas Week.  We have spent all month preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and it still feels like it snuck up on me.

I am pretty much prepared.  I just need to pick up a couple of last-minute stocking stuffers and groceries.  Before I can get those groceries, I need to decide what I'm serving this week....so here we go.....

Tonight we are taking the Angel Face to the Jurassic Experience and then out to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.  Then she is coming back to spend the night with us.

Christmas Eve is spent at Dan and Rebecca's.  We will sing at Mass on Christmas Morning and then have an open house starting at Noon with Dinner at 3 pm. 

On Friday, the First Day of Christmas, we are going to see the Broadway play Shucked at the Fisher Theater at 2 pm and will enjoy dinner out afterward.

Saturday

Out for Dinner after Jurassic Experience

Sunday Supper

Chicken and Dumplings

Meatless Mexican Monday

Bean Burritos

Tuesday

Teriyaki Chicken

Steamed Rice

Stir Fry Veggies

Christmas Eve

Dinner at Dan and Rebecca's

Christmas Day

see large menu above

Friday

Out for dinner after the Theater

Z is for Ziti

All the flavors you love in lasagna come together in this Baked Ziti Casserole with a lot less fuss and muss.

Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese #SundayFunday

This was my Mom's recipe.  It is the first recipe that I ever made by myself. There was no recipe, but I had helped my Mom enough that I didn't need one.  I was about 9 years old and surprised my Mom by having dinner ready when she got home.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing baked recipes today......

A Week of Celebrations and the Weekly Menu

Today is my Mom's birthday.  She is celebrating up in Heaven with all the other family and friends we have lost before we were ready.

Our mom loved nothing more than a good party.  She was a very social person, and when she wasn't out having fun, she was bringing fun to our household.  

A Favorite Italian Wine? How do I begin to choose? #ItalianFWT

Our challenge this month, given by Camilla of Culinary Cam, was to share our favorite Italian Wine.  Say what?!!  Am I really expected to choose just one Italian wine out of all the wonderful wines they have to offer?

I've decided to share a new Italian wine I enjoyed recently at a wine tasting.  This wine is from the Langhe region of Piedmont, a white wine in a land known for its reds.

Vanilla Sprinkle Donut Cookies and a Book Review

I just finished listening to The Sideways Life of Denny Voss.  It was a Kindle recommendation that included an audible feature with the e-book.

Hotteok #EattheWorld

Hotteok is a Korean flatbread or pancake, stuffed with sweet or savory fillings.  It is a common street food in South Korea, brought over by the Chinese as a savory treat and adapted to the sweet, nutty version that I am sharing today.

Join us as we Eat the World........

Sourdough Zucchini Bread #BreadBakers

Oftentimes, the best recipes come out of desperation.  Like this moist, tangy, delicious zucchini bread made with sourdough discard.

It's time for the Bread Bakers...................

Arugula and Pear Salad #SundayFunday

The spicy bite of Arugula and the sweet crunch of the Pears combine to make this salad a perfect addition to your holiday feasts. 

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Pear Month.....

Happy St. Nicholas Day and the Weekly Menu

Boy, this house sure is quiet.  Dian and his family left yesterday, and the silence is deafening. I'm going to certainly miss all the squeals and laughter those children brought into our house. It was a wonderful visit, and I look forward to the next time.

Almond Cherry Snowballs #ChristmasCookiesWeek

Each Christmas, we make Mom Klik's Almond Cherry Snowballs.  They are part of my husband's fond Christmas food memories and are now our children's fond Christmas Food memories.  This year, I brought my Angel Face into the act, so it can become a fond Christmas Food memory for her too.

This is the final day of Christmas Cookies Week hosted by Jolene of Jolene's Recipe Journal.......

Y is for Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin Tuna is more commonly called Ahi Tuna.  That delicious fish served raw or quickly seared, and the star of sushi and poke bowls in Asian cuisine.   I used it to make this quick, delicious salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Chocolate Cherry Bubbles #ChristmasCookieWeek

These cake-like cookies topped with a chocolate glaze are sure to become a family tradition each holiday season.

Welcome to Christmas Cookies Week hosted by Jolene of Jolene's Recipe Journal.......

Nut Brittle Cookies #ChristmasCookiesWeek

These cookie bars are chock-full of nuts in the batter and on top.  They are sure to please the nut lover on your Christmas list.

Welcome to Christmas Cookies Week hosted by Jolene of Jolene's Recipe Journal.......