DO.........................

You have to contribute a side dish, dessert, appetizer to any holiday parties?  At a loss as to what to take that YOU can enjoy?  You might want to consider taking a fruit and cheese platter.  Since there are SO many carb heavy dishes at these gatherings, you might be surprised at how many people are actually relieved to see something light and refreshing.  Trader Joe's has an awesome selection of cheeses and the BIGGEST strawberries I've seen anywhere!!!

Me?  We're going to my aunt's on Christmas and taking stuffing, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese and I'm making a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.  BUT.........I'm also going to hit Trader Joe's at lunchtime today and take strawberries and fresh pineapple.  It seems like after all that stuff, I crave salad, so I'll make sure to get my green fix in, too!

So what about you?  What's your specialty? 

Have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday!!

Tia

I'm actually going to cook Mom , Dad and I a simple dinner around noon time Xmas.
Got some Good and Simple recipes ( at least thats what I am told ) from some friends at work
so I am going to attempt a beef briskit and some garlic potatoes LOL  throw in some
microwavable veggies ( probably corn and broc. ) and I will shock the hell out of
my parents LOL 

Darla!!!!  I KNOW it's a family business, but isn't drinking on the job frowned upon?????

LOL!!!  You KNOW I'm just kidding!!  Don't worry, your dinner will be fine - at least once you've picked your parents up off the floor!!!

Call me if you need any cooking SOS - I'll be around all day!!!

Hugs,

T

LOL I have the home phone #'s of my friends at work who swear I cann't screw
up the beef LOL  - they will both be home all day and told me to call them if I run into
a problem.  Which reminds me I have to get the stuff at the market tonight.

GACK!!  Send me a postcard from the grocery store!!!!!

Actually, what you should do is come to the Gucci Giant in Pikesville - it's generally not too busy during our holidays. 

Brisket can be fairly foolproof - just bake it on a low temp for a LONNNNNNG time. 

Again, call me if you run into any snags.

T

Hey Tia

Do they make canned sweetpotatoes ?

The short answer - Yes!

I am hosting Christmas Eve and the immediate family celebration on the 29th. I am going to my future niece-in-law's family on Christmas Day and a close friend's New Year's Eve Party. One common theme at this time of year at all of these events are my cookies and fudge. It is my tradition and anticipated by others. So I will always continue to do this. For Christmas Eve, I am making most of the main dishes and letting the guests bring the rest. For Christmas Day, I may take something non-sweets, but I have not decided what that is yet. I have not planned the menu for the 29th yet. I will also take something in addition to sweets to New Year's Eve. Besides the sweets, I have a number of things that I make that have become my "specialties". But I am always looking to try new things to add to my repetoire. I have a great shrimp spread appetizer that you serve with crackers. I also have a great meatballs recipe.

Wow, Deb, I need a nap after all that!!!!!  I always contribute some sort of dessert, too - I've made tons of cookies and fudge, and last night, bagged up the last of the chocolate covered pretzels (18 bags), for KB to give away at school, in addition to their regular teacher gifts.  If I never see another chocolate covered pretzel....!!!!  LOL!!!

I'd love to have the shrimp spread recipe if you wouldn't mind sharing!!

Thanks,

T

well......I just made about 40 chocolate raspberry truffles made with Ghirardelli chocolate, 4 loaves of quick bread (banana bread, pumpkin bread, lemon poppy seed and cinnamon coffeecake) and 15 dozen cookies to take with me to WV tomorrow!  That's my contribution LOL