Make Time For It: November 2015

Monday, November 16, 2015

Advent 2015

When I was young my parents began a tradition of Advent meals on the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Each was coordinated with Jeff Smith's "The Frugal Gourmet celebrates Christmas" cookbook, readings, and candles. This tradition was something that I wanted to carry over into my own family but the only thing that seemed to please everyone was the King's Meal (lamb dinner in honor of the magi).

How to celebrate these special occasions with the picky eaters in my family? This year I am breaking the mould. I am going to try branching out from Jeff Smith and add my own ideas to create a celebration that everybody can enjoy. Of course there will still be the same candle lightings and readings as in the past, just a revision on the menu. Here's what I have so far:

Week 1: The Prophet Candle
Challah Bread- an authentic jewish food offered at Passover and Hanukkah
Honey Parfait- a frozen mediterranean treat

Week 2: The Bethlehem Candle
Noodles- representing "hay" for the animals
fish- what the innkeeper might have served his guests

Week 3: The Shepherd Candle
Shepherd's Pie! why did it take me all these years to come up with this?
Candy canes- representing a shepherd's crook

Week 4: The Star Candle
For this week the menu doesn't matter as much as the ambience- we will eat with candles and Christmas lights

The King's Meal
Last year we held this after Christmas was over and it worked well. In fact in commemorates the feast of the Epiphany which is traditionally celebrated 8 days after Christmas. Same food, different timing.

Monday, November 9, 2015

The Graduate

Ace had his training exam and passed beautifully. Thanks to Kyle at Petsmart! We are so proud of our smart lil guy!

Turkey Trot

This year's turkey trot was to benefit mitochondrial disease, which one of the students at Stonehedge has. The kids wore green to show support and we couldn't have asked for better weather! They had a great time!