We enjoyed the salad - recipe to follow - and since it was "Christmas Eve" everyone got to open one present - and I let them open the Dot-to-dot books I had ordered for all of us. They thot they were cool.
While the sides were cooking in the oven, I read the Christmas story from the Bible while the boys unwrapped the pieces of our Nativity set (minus Jesus - he hadn't got borned-eded yet!) Then it was time to top the green beans with the french-fried onions, and the yams with the marshmallows - and guess what!? no marshmallows! So Gabe and Jon ran to the store.
I took this time to tidy up a few loose ends for Christmas morning. Ben was on the internet. The boys returned, we topped the sides, the marshmallows overflowed, and dinner was served:
Green Bean Casserole
Yams with Brown Sugar and Marshmallows
Black Olives
King's Hawaiian Rolls with Butter
It was wonderful and we all ate our fill. The ham was not salty and had a hint of the apple juice we had steamed it in. The marshmallows were gooey, and who doesn't love black olives?
After cleaing off the table, the boys took a little drive while I prepared for "Christmas morning." I put tinsel on our Christmas tree which has always represented the magic of Christmas, placed Baby Jesus in the stable scene, put the stockings under the tree and texted the boys that they could return.
We should have been in our jammies to make the scene complete, but we weren't... ah well. We ooo-d and ahhhh-d over the Baby, the boys enjoyed their candy-filled stockings, and Ben played Santa, digging under the tree for presents for each of us to open. Everyone got really cool stuff: Gabe got car seat covers, rainbow suspenders, an argyle sweater vest and a magic wallet. Ben got a hunter green chamois shirt, a magic wallet and a fuzzy Crater Lake blankie. Jon got a penguin mug with hot chocolate, car seat covers, an ice scraper, and a fuzzy blankie from his Grandma. I got socks, gloves, two winter hats, a scarf, a fuzzy steering wheel cover, an ice scraper, candy, and the best... a Nutcraker on a rocking horse!! for my collection :)
It was a long evening, but so enjoyable. I hope everyone I know and love has an equally wonderful "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Morning."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS !!
Our new tradition:
Christmas Salad
Salad Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup tarragon white wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon poppy seed (if you have them)
Combine all dressing ingredients in jar and shake, or a bowl and whisk. Refrigerate.
Almonds
1 tablespoon Land O Lakes® Butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds
3 tablespoons sugar
Melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat until sizzling; add almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and nuts are golden brown (4 to 5 minutes). Remove from heat; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Quickly spread onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet; cool completely.
Salad
2 (10-ounce) packages European salad blend or your favorite salad blend
1 medium (1 cup) yellow bell pepper, cut into small bite-size pieces
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 small can mandarin oranges, drained well
4 ounces (1/2 cup) crumbled feta cheese
Just before serving, toss together all salad ingredients and dressing in 5 to 6-quart bowl. Portion into bowls and top with caramelized almonds. Serve immediately.
Way yum! Hope you enjoy! :)
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