Comments on: Christmas Choices

By: Barbara Baio

Barbara Baio — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:05:18 +0000

How do I get the recipe for the almond cut out cookies? can’t seem to find it…

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:15:54 +0000

Jillian, which Wallace Stevens poem?
I love poinsettias in the wild too – have only seen them in LA but they must be gorgeous in Mexico.
Anne, peppermint bark has just been added to my TJ’s list. Thanks for the reminder…

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:22:14 +0000

Coffee cake, peppermint bark, and roast beef:) Thanks for the festive post!

By: jillian

jillian — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:42:54 +0000

In Mexico poinsettias are Noche Buenas, which I look forward to and love as one of the few signs of the season here in humid Yucatan. The empty jar reminds me of one of my favorite Wallace Stevens poems, which has nothing to do with Christmas, but there you go.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:28:54 +0000

Great line from Tru, I well remember seeing that play with you – and your memory of the quip is way better than whatever is online.
Note to self, when in Rome do not do as the Romans do, vis a vis Easter Bread.

By: penrise

penrise — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:42:12 +0000

I truly cannot walk by (or see a photo of) poinsettias (pronounced on this end sans “i”), without thinking of a Truman Capote line, delivered by Robert Morse in the play Tru that we saw in Baltimore almost 20 years ago, “Poinsettias, the Robert Goulet of the plant world.”

(a quick search seems to show that the line is that he’s the poinsettia of botany, but that’s not my memory)

By: tommyboy

tommyboy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:26:52 +0000

If I can bring the Italians down a notch and muddle holidays, they have this god-awful treat at Easter called “Easter Bread” which is a break-your-teeth sugar encrusted crouton the size of a small pumpkin. Like circus peanuts, every treat has a fan somewhere. That said, you won’t find fruit cake in this house.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:41:36 +0000

Nikki, it’s so funny you compare latkes to hash browns – Hugh tried them for the first time last night at a Hanukkah party and said the exact same thing. He thought they were great, even without the sour cream (which I think is mandatory). Movies on Christmas is something Christians occasionally sneak out to do as well. I remember my friend Sally asking me to a movie on the afternoon of 12/25 when we were in something like 4th grade. I was amazed and delighted when my parents said “yes.” It seemed thrilling to go see The Love Bug on that particular day, daring and somehow forbidden.

By: NikkiBenner

NikkiBenner — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:30:49 +0000

Emily – I’m with you too – my family took active part in “Jewish Christmas” – movies during the day, and Chinese food for dinner. And despite the fact that latkes are basically hash browns, we only ever make them at Hanukkah… We eagerly await December for my mom’s delicious latkes – I’m not an onion fan, and she basically purees the potatoes and onions so you can’t feel the difference in textures.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:29:05 +0000

My mother used to describe a batty person as being “nuttier than a fruitcake.” Point taken, Ed. Thank you…
Your timing on the magnolia/poinsettia question was perfect. You are too modest.
I have not heard of dressing being anything other than what is drizzled upon a salad. Although we are Christians, this isn’t part of our universal tradition. Must be a Tennessee thing.
Emily, are you also doing your Christmas Day tradition of going skiing?