Jingle jangle…

Happy Christmas Eve! We celebrated our Christmas Eve last evening with our boys and Aja.

Sammy works today and Noah & Aja go to her mom’s house on Christmas Eve so it worked out for everyone.

I served Christmas Eve in courses this year instead of a buffet. It was so much nicer and easier.

Sam helped with the platings, serving, and clean up. The menu followed the feast of the seven dishes we traditionally do each year.

I’ve never done 7 different dishes but yesterday I served 4 fish which is the normal for me.

I spent a good amount of time coming up with a different menu than I usually make for Christmas Eve.

Menu

Scallop Bisque Soup

Baked Stuffed Clams

Shrimp Scampi Stuffed Shells

Caesar Salad with freshly made crotons

Eggnog Tiramisu

The Baked Stuffed Clams are a crowd favorite and can’t ever be changed because they are that good.

Our dinner was relaxed and the portion sizes were perfect. Everyone always fills up on the clams and doesn’t have time for the entree

Everyone was happy I did it this way and no one was overfilled. They had room to appreciate dessert too!

I put a lot of love into that dinner. Aja told me she could taste the love I thanked her since that meant a lot to me.

Yesterday afternoon, Sam did a photo shoot of the girls in their Christmas Bella and reindeer antlers.

He also took a few shots of us as well.

Today, it’s just Marty, our little Frenchies and I which has been wonderful and relaxing.

We watched A Christmas Carol the musical with Kelsey Grammer, Jason Alexander, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I loved it.

They did such an amazing job with this film and the singing, dancing, and choreography was terrific.

Afterwards, I set the table for Christmas breakfast with my boys and Aja. It’s a tradition we’ve started a few years ago.

We open gifts, Marty makes his famous German pancakes that are like crepes with all kinds of fillings.

Another tradition is my overnight french toast casserole, bacon and Sam requested mini quiche which I already made. ✔️

Having Christmas breakfast as a family frees up Noah and Aja so they can visit her family and enjoy Christmas dinner with them.

Right now, it’s 5:30 pm and I am in the process of braising beef short ribs for Christmas dinner tomorrow.

We are making pizza for dinner tonight. Yum!

Sam and I decided on polenta and spinach soufflé as sides with tiny pecan tarts for dessert.

My family and food are very important to me all the time, but it always feels special around the holidays.

I have a very close relationship with God and this year I feel his love so much more not having so much anger and sadness in my heart.

This is truly the most peaceful holiday season I’ve ever felt. It really is the most wonderful time of the year for me after decades of torture, guilt, manipulation, and anxiety from both of our mothers.

I used to cry every Christmas out of frustration and disappointment. I am blessed to finally be able to feel Christmas in my heart and not just go through the motions anymore.

I am at peace. I am calm. I am loved.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah my friends. 🎄♥️