Planning for Christmas

Kathleen and I have been planning for Christmas.  We talked, briefly, about traveling to New York for Christmas but decided against it.  I've completed most of my Christmas shopping.  I am not a big fan of buying lots of Christmas presents so it's not very difficult for me to do.  I prefer Church and food and good stories and singing to presents, though it is pleasant to see them all under the tree.

The biggest thing accomplished so far is planning the menus.  It looks like a lot but it is spread out over two months, and we hope to have guests over for most of these meals.  And we might be going to my sister's house on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, so we might be making an Astro Weenie Christmas Tree to take over there with us.

Below are the menus we have decided on.  You might notice several appearances of mashed potatoes.  They are Kathleen's daughter's favorite food.  And because both of Kathleen's children were born on Theophany I am going to bake two birthday cakes for them.  Anyway, here are the menus.  I think it will be much fun.


First day of Nativity Fast (November 15)

Cracked crab (November 15 is the first day of crab season in California)
Steamed artichokes

St. Nicholas Day (December 6)

St. Nicholas buns (for breakfast)
St. Nicholas Shells
Green Salad

Bishop’s bread

St. Hermans Day (December 13th)
Salmon steaks
Broccoli orzo

Christmas Dinner (evening of December 25th)
Roasted boar’s head (We will be singing the song) Roasted turkey
Cranberry walnut pie
Spicy orange salad Mashed potatoes GravyGreen beans with walnuts Cranberry sauce

5th Day of Christmas (Dec 29)
Good Old Meat Pie

Peas
Mashed potatoes GravyPineapple Upside Down Cake (pineapple slices standing in for the 5 golden rings)

New Year’s Day/Saint Basil’s Day (January 1)
Prime Rib (I've never made this and am a bit worried.)
Cranberry salad
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Brussel’s sprouts
Vasilopita
Pecan chocolate chip pie

12th Night (January 5) (just before we run out the door to church)
Fruitcake

Chicken liver pate
Baguette
Cheese ball

Theophany (January 6)
Crown Pork Roast
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Fruited Molasses Balls
Birthday cakes (French Vanilla Cake & Carrot)