Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec 3 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

I am really getting worried that it's lost and we won't be able to find it in time.

I am just heartbroken, somewhere over the last few years we seem to have misplaced the heart and soul of Christmas. The season appears to be right, the weather has a nip to it, and the decorations have been up for a very long time, and I am constantly being reminded that it's just around the corner, but somehow I have this terribly feeling that something is wrong.

It is more than just one thing that isn't quite right, there isn't any laughter. I can't recall what it was that used to make me smile and sing at this time of the year, but it for sure isn't there anymore. Can you help me find the warmth, and love that Christmas has always brought into our lives, have you seen any joy in peoples eyes?  Maybe it's just me, oh my, is it just me?

I seem to recall that this season was a time that brought everyone together, families and friends, and even strangers. Wait, I don't remember thinking at this time of the year that there were any strangers, only wonderful people that we hadn't had the opportunity to meet yet. People smiled at each other, held the door, men and boys offered every woman their seat, and everyone said GOD BLESS YOU, when you sneezed.

Heirloom decorations were unpacked, families went out together to choose a tree, and that inexhaustible calliope of mystical music filled the air. The smell of fresh pine was abundant in each and every house, and colored lights blinked as kids giggled and whispering and scribbled notes to Santa.

Old folks and children where the center of attention, and picking just the right gift was a very special achievement, well thought out and mulled over for days. Some presents took all year to make, and some took all year to save for. Only a very few were expensive, but all had a special meaning. Gift wrapping was an art, and unwrapping was deliberate and magical.

The center of the community was your neighborhood church, and talk of God, and baby Jesus was the main topic of Grace before dinner, and bedtime stories. Mangers, Santa's, holiday decorations, and lights were everywhere. Snow was a conversation piece, and when and if, was debated and recalled.

Food, ah yes, holiday food was researched, planned, plotted and prepared for days leading up to the big event. Everyone was involved, and everyone had a job. The location of the Christmas Eve party was usually determined by the age of the grandparents, and where they lived in proximity to the bulk of the family. However that was no sure thing.

Each family was represented in the choice of menu items. Every wonderful cook in each branch of the family offered to prepare their own special version of the chosen food. This made for a memorable feast indeed. The competition was playful and fun, but most importantly, filled with love... lots and lots of love and lovers.

This is the time of the year that we built mountains of warm love, enough to store up for cold dark days ahead. If we lose Christmas, who will tell the children about the baby Jesus, who will love you and remind you how lucky you are to have freedom, and  family, and bring memories to the old folks, and memories that you can recall when you are old. Don't let it happen.

Won't you help me find Christmas, I know it's somewhere.. Do you know where it can be, perhaps it's just hiding deep in the warmth of your heart.. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being you..

THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.. God Bless you all... MERRY CHRISTMAS..

[mware]

For those of us who have lost loved ones in the last year I present to you a poem by John Wm. Mooney Jr.

Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still her the songs

I still see the lights

I still feel your love

on cold wintry nights

I stll share your hopes

and all of your cares

I'll even remind you to please say your prayers.

I just want to tell you

you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders

above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment

to stay in His grace

I came here before you

to help set your place.

You don't have to be

perfect all of the time.

He forgives you the slip

If you continue to climb.

To my family and friends

please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you

In a new special way

I love you all dearly

now don't shed a tear

Cause I'm spending my

Christmas with Jesus this year.

[MinuteGal]

Doggone it, Carlo....a three-hanky post, indeed. I think so many of us are gently haunted by memories of warm Christmases past when it seemed there were not so many political and international traumas and pressures bearing down on us as there are today.

By the way folks, I gave some "Clinton Legacy" freeper cookbooks for presents last Christmas. What a great gift! In fact, the books almost brought the whole family gift-giving orgy to a halt as the books were opened and then thumbed through immediately, and passed around the circle. Chuckles and oohs-and-ahs all around.

I recommend you order some right away for your family members and friends. Who on earth doesn't want a fresh, new cookbook....especially one chock full of great freeper recipes and terrific freeper humor on each page?

Leni

[Brad’s Gramma]

Won't you help me find Christmas, I know it's somewhere..

Yep, I'll help you. Go to your local church, one that's having a play where all of the actors and actresses are children. And the story line is straight out of the Gospel of Luke.

I GUARANTEE you, you'll find Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Carlo, and everyone else!

[GailA]

Evening Carlo. Merry CHRISTmas

[Victoria Delsoul]

Mmmm mmmm! You're making me hungry, and I just had dinner, LOL. Thanks Carlo.

[Senator Pardek]

Eating dinner this late is verboten!

[carlo3b]

Where you been??

On a special Thanksgiving cruise as the guest Chef. It was beautiful and exciting. It was nice, but I must admit, it's good to be home.. Thanks for noticing.. :)

[carlo3b]

You're welcome to join us! We celebrate old-fashioned-like here.

Bless your heart, I and my 5 kids, with their husbands and girlfriends and 5 grandkids will be there with bells on.. whew, what a load that will take off of me, those guys can eat their way through the New Year.. LOLOLOL

[carlo3b]

as a side note/tip: I let my broth cool, then ladel it into heavy duty ziplock bags, and lay them on their side in the freezer. Once that liquid has frozen, the bags are easily stacked to save space!

That tip is worth repeating.. Thanks..

 

LowCarb Turkey and Rosemary with Roasted Florets

Rosemary is always delicious paired with Turkey and Chicken, but use it sparingly because it has a very strong flavor and aroma.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crumble rosemary
• 1/2 packet sugar substitute
• 3 1/2 pounds assorted Turkey parts, about 6 pieces
• 1 cup small cauliflower florets
• 1 cup small broccoli florets
• 1 small red or green pepper, cut in 2 pieces

1. Heat oven to 400º F. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, rosemary, and sugar substitute. Add Turkey and vegetables. Toss until well coated.
2. Arrange Turkey, skin side up in a jelly roll pan. Place vegetables, in a single layer, around Turkey. Roast 40 minutes, until Turkey is cooked through and browned. Halfway through cooking time, flip vegetables over  and finish.

[Victoria Delsoul]

And it was a nice dinner. :-)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[carlo3b]

Carlo, come to my house! It is all Christmasy, and I am singing and playing carols already. The beauty of being an antique dealer is that during this time of year, our customers come in knowing what they want!

Oh my, what a deal, I have already accepted a dinner invitation from Marie, but We could use a late night snack and a place to sleep..
I would love to visit your shop, it sounds magical and just what everyone needs this Christmas.. Bless you sweetheart, and as a collector, I know what wonders antiques hold, and the special way that they can fill a heart with joy.. HUG.. :)

[PFKEY]

Maybe it's just me, oh my, is it just me?

Yep, just you.

[Senator Pardek]

At my age ya get fat eating that late :(

[carlo3b]

here is a carol that my dad used to sing as he bustled around the house at Christmas..

Now it's beginning to feel a lot more like an old fashioned Christmas.. Thanks to you and all of our FReeper FRiends.. Merry Christmas.. hope you and hubby are feeling better too... :)

[PFKEY]

See, those low carb Adkin's type diets are bad for you. Take a laxative and all will be right again...kidding.

[carlo3b]

She said, "What is all that stuff? I have NEVER made pumpkin pie by having to add ALL of those ingredients, why didn't you buy the canned pumpkin pie mix?"

What a wonderful story, and yes... you can teach an old hen a new cluck.. Thanks my dear FRiend for sharing it with us.. Merry Christmas..

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL, I ate a few hours ago, but I know, at your age eating at any time is dangerous.

[PFKEY]

I don't care - screw them.

That's the spirit! Not.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

[carlo3b]

baccalà thats one stinkin a fish....I will never forget that smell..

HA! it never really goes away, but the scent grows on ya after a few years... LOLOL

There are many ingredients in this recipe that are not normally found in typical kitchens. However, I recommend that you consider stocking a few of these specialty additives and items to aid in baking and cooking for Low Carb results. The trick in keeping your eating habits in check is variety and it takes getting used to making new and exciting menu items.. This is a wonderful start but you will have to go shopping!

  LowCarb Red Velveteen Cake

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup high gluten flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup Splenda
• 1/2 cup Diabetisweet
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 large egg whites (at room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soured cream,* or vanilla yogurt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup oil
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons red food color
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon liquid sweetener

Grease and flour (use gluten flour or oat flour) two 8" or 9" round cake pans. Preheat oven to 325°F.

In large mixing bowl, sift together oat flour, gluten flour, almond flour, granulated Splenda, Diabetisweet, baking powder, cocoa, and salt. Set aside.

In another large bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form. Pause and sprinkle cream of tartar over egg whites, then continue beating until stiff peaks form.

 In a small bowl, mix cold water with egg yolks and whisk well. Add oil, vanilla extract, liquid sweetener, and soured cream.
 Then add red food color and stir well. Mix into egg yolk mixture and incorporate fully.

Add egg yolk mixture to flour mixture and beat till smooth.

Add 1/2 of the whipped egg whites to the batter mixture and beat again until well blended (but no more than a minute.)

Then carefully add batter to remainder of whipped egg whites and mix gently using a rubber/plastic spatula, being careful not to break down whites, until batter is fully incorporated.

Pour into cake pans evenly and bake at 325°F for 20-30 minutes turning half-way through. Keep an eye on them and don't over bake. Baking time can vary a bit depending on oven, elevation, etc. Cake is done when lightly golden brown on top and puffed and cracked at edges. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool on cake racks. When fully cool, assemble and frost with your favorite low-carb frosting or use the following:
* Mix cream with vinegar in a small cup to get a mock-sour effect.

White Frosting

• 4 oz. package of cream cheese - at room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
• 1/2 teaspoon white vanilla (to keep frosting pure white)
•   or regular vanilla for a "cream" color
• 1/2 cup Splenda
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream Whip all ingredients together until smooth. Frost cake as usual.

Approx.  carbs entire cake: 110.  Cut into 20 pieces for 5.5 grams per slice or 16 pieces for 6.8 grams per slice.

LowCarb, copyrighted by Morelli Enterprises Inc.