2023-12-24 Christmas Eve With Family
A new tradition is starting; mulled wine with liquor soaked sugar cone and pierogis! Pierogi are filled dumplings, made by wrapping unleavened dough around a filling, and occasionally flavored with a savory or sweet garnish and cooking in boiling water. Pierogi or their varieties are associated with the cuisines of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
A Feuerzangenbowle ("Fire Tongs Punch") recipe is prepared in a bowl, it's somewhat similar to a fondue set, which is over a small flame. The bowl is filled with heated dry red wine spiced with fall and winter baking spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, allspice, citrus which is like making mulled wine.
Mulled wine with flaming sugar cone!!!
Did You Know? - Mulled wine is a warm beverage made by—you guessed it—mulling wine. To "mull," according to Merriam-Webster, means "to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices." Typically, a red variety is steeped with mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, anise, and nutmeg.
Mary was getting worried that everything would not be ready and I reminded her that it was FAMILY so, all will be well. I gave her some advice.
Mary took my advice and is not keeping things bottled up inside!
This evening we are having several family and friends come join us to help listed for Santa Claus on the rooftop!
We went shopping at Albertsons and the Polish Deli (Polka Deli) and filled our baskets full!
Loaded for bear!
We begin having friends over around 5:00 pm. Everyone came at the same time; Bob, Robin, and Nick and Dianne and David! The house smelled great as we had the candles going and the fireplace running on medium. Scout was dressed up and we were ready to go!
Santa says, "Proceed, all is well!!"
Not a single square inch is available!
The tables are set!
He has his reindeer costume on and enjoys it!
Mommy! What are you doing to me.
Mommy! What is Daddy doing to this photo?
I love my sister Robin!
My antlers are not showing
Chop chop!
Dianne brought a delicious salad!
We have a little bit of everything!!
The chef whipped up beef and turkey sausages!
Do NOT get near Bob when he is in a chopping mood!
Time For A Giggle:
When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when you start getting clothes for Christmas.
What do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas? Fleece Navidad!
What do you get when you cross an archer with a gift-wrapper? Ribbon hood.
What goes Ho, Ho, Swoosh, Ho, Ho, Swoosh? Santa Claus caught in a revolving door.
What do you call Santa's helpers? Subordinate Clauses.
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite
What do monkeys sing at Christmas? Jungle Bells, Jungle bells.
Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters? They both drop their needles!
What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas? Thanks, I'll never part with it!
Why is a burning candle like being thirsty? Because a little water ends both of them!
What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree? A pineapple!
What do you give a train driver for Christmas? Platform shoes!
What did the big candle say to the little candle? I'm going out tonight!
If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get? Missletoe!
The aroma whaffed throughout the house!
Mary had an idea; label the pierogi serving dishes! Smart lady!!
When Bob is cooking, best to "Stand Back" an be amazed!
Right on!!
Everyone liked Mary's shoes!
Oh dear, three of them which means time for....
Speak no evil; see no evil; hear no evil!
.... about her shoes!
Friendship and family!
Mary likes her sign.
Easy to make and fun to eat!!
Appetizers anyone!
Bob goes for the cheese!
The pierogis are about ready!
Over the teeth and through the gums; lookout tonsils here it comes!
The food disappeared quickly along with great conversation.
Burn, baby, burn!
No hair grows on these knuckles!
The sugar cone is crackling!
The sugar drops into the pot!
Memories of the year burst out.
The booze lady pours carefully!
It's a science project
Mary has a new way of getting handsome firemen to visit!
Pouring fire on fire. Robin has the fire station on instant dial.
The sugar only has a few minutes remaining.
Love those flames
It will be ready soon.
There goes the ceiling tiles.
Mesmerized!
One more dousing of the sugar cone!
Z
Quick, it is eating a hole in the bottom of the Pyrex bowl.
Filler up!
Slurp! Burp!
The pie was perfect!
Delicious!!
Dianne needs a refill!
It got quiet all of a sudden!
Yes!! Please sing "Far Far Away"
Nick got a battery powered guy singing "Who Let The Elves Out?"
We all sang along with him!
Oh my goodness!
It's a book, we won't see Mary again today!
It's a Doll Book! Paper dolls at her age?
Oh, that explains it!
She would not put the book down!
Enough already!
Did you hear what that Elf said to Papa???
The four of us!
Red is indeed the color of the day!
Bring on the red!!
Big smiles!
One more for good luck!
"Let me see that sore foot! I will bite it and make it better!"
He he he!
Ouch, she is piulling my one hair I have remaining!
One last snort for the road. Grandpa and Grandson sharing a "beverage".
The house is decorated up!
