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| Christmas '08 |
| Friday, December 26, 2008 |
That time of the year,
When the Christmas tree gets put up, the ornaments adorn the tree, lights decorate the patio, most festive season of the year.
That time of the year,
Brother gets picked up, guests are invited, house is cleaned upside down.
That time of the year,
I spend all my free time looking at Food Blogs deciding on a menu for Christmas Dinner, keeping in mind the tastes of guests.
That time of the year,
When I try to make food items that are not the norm of the home, like Hyderabadi Bhindi, Matar Paneer, and Mango Halwa. (Recipe Courtesy for most Mahanandi)
That time of the year,
I decide to join the Church Choir, dressed up in a suit, sang to my hearts content at the Midnight Mass, with a slight ache for not being able to be with DH and brother in the congregation.
That time of the year,
When listening to and singing Silent Night brings goose bumps.
That time of the year,
When I miss home, Mom, Dad, the Church Choir, the busy-ness that is associated with Christmas time back home, with Mom making dishes starting a week before, dabbas of sweets getting packed, new dress. The Carols folks that come home, usually when I have Half Yearly Exams, singing songs. The Mid night mass at Church and the confusion associated with it in the Choir related to mikes, and music and sounds.
That time of the year,
When I try to make it as festive and homely for brother, so he doesnt miss home as much. But brother is oblivious to that, comes home, sleeps, plays, talks, eats, lives his life.
That time of the year,
When I get behind DH with a stick to get things one, clean up, arrange, organize, help with cooking
That time of the year,
When tempers rise atleast twice, but have a very short life time as I reason its only once a year and rarely otherwise that I ask DH to do all the stuff I ask him to do.
That time of the year,
When I look at all the stuff that goes into making the dishes, the dishes are very reluctant to go into my mouth. ;--) Did you know Mater paneer is full of ground cashews? And did you know Hyderabadi Bhindi has Bhindi deep fried in Oil? Do you know how much ghee and sugar goes into Mango Halwa?
That time of the year,
When the pakodas disappear at a faster rate than they are made!
That time of the year,
When things always dont work to plan, back up plans need to be made, taking into account the fact that most shops are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
That time of the year,
When I get obsessed with making chocolate cake. I tried four times, yes, you read it right, four times and failed miserably each time, before I got another recipe from another friend and finally it came out as delicious as I thought it should be. And of course knowing the amount of oil and sugar that went into making the cake, I ate only the crumbs of the delicious goodness, and I almost felt guilty for feeding such calorie filled food to my guests and family! The cakes disappeared very fast, which made my heart sing.
That time of the year,
When your heart sings, although your body and legs are tired, seeing guests having fun. Do you remember the episode in Friends, were Monica spends two or three nights cleaning and cooking and then asks everyone to come over and have fun while she dozes off to sleep, tired? Thats how I was last night, having spent 24 hours cooking, spending most of my time awake standing, finally got some time to rest and sit, when folks were at home eating and having fun.
That time of the year,
When it is fun watching guests try their hand at Wii, hitting each other, and getting hurt against the furniture around, in the eagerness to win the game. When Poker is taken out, taught to the newbies, millionaires are made, so are paupers. When Pictionary is taken out after a long time, a game filled with laughter and fun that certainly goes with Pictionary, is played.
That time of the year,
When a tired and happy family goes to bed way past usual bed time, at about 2AM when guest finally leave after a round of gossip in the middle of the night.
**
I guess we have just made our own little tradition for Christmas. This is the third consecutive year that I have called guests and 'entertained' them on Christmas Day. Not many folks are around for during the holidays, but the ones that are in town are definitely called home. House gets cleaned, lot of food gets made, I dont have to cook for the next one or two days, and guests are entertained.
I am not too great a cook, but every year I see myself improving, which is good. ;--) I didnt get a chance to take pictures like last year, before things were gobbled down, as people were trickling in slow and steady. This is all I could manage.
Now its time to get ready for a much needed end of the year vacation!
Happy Holidays friends!
And wishing you all a wonderful and prosperous new year 2009!
PS:
I am on a baking spree. I made Banana Nut Bread today for brother to share with his friends. I asked him to take a picture of it with his hi-fi camera.
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posted by SK @ 10:20 AM  |
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| 6 Comments: |
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ultimate pics!! Oh you sure enjoy your Christmas, don't you?
Lol @ mutter paneer! I remember when I made paneer, the recipe said a tb spoon of cashews grounded. I never noticed and had kept the cashews in a bowl. I ground the whole thing and made the dish. It came out super tasty, you know? I'll make it for you :p
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Dear SK!
What a delightful spread! Wish I could've been there :) . Oh well, Merry Christmas to you and K and enjoy your vacation. You've earned it!
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looks like you had a good christmas.. gastronomically atleast
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Can you send some banana nut bread back home ? please?
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Looks like you have a lot up your sleeves during this time of year. See, I envy you.
Banana cake n all...stud wonly you are. You put me to shame.
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Adi,
hahahha! :--)
Btw, matar paneer, I put almost a cup of cashews!! And no thanks! :--D I dont think I will ever eat matar paneer now.
Alto,
Thanks! Hope you can visit some time :--) Thanks for the menu inputs :--))
Rukmani,
Welcome here, hehee yea!
Chutney,
Lol! Next time I make it I will pack some for you :--D
C-Lady,
Wotta surprise :--)Heheh dont worry you will get there soon, :--D
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ultimate pics!! Oh you sure enjoy your Christmas, don't you?
Lol @ mutter paneer! I remember when I made paneer, the recipe said a tb spoon of cashews grounded. I never noticed and had kept the cashews in a bowl. I ground the whole thing and made the dish. It came out super tasty, you know? I'll make it for you :p