Gentle Friends we had one quiet little Christmas we went to the candle light Mass at Most Holy Redeemer, it was a lovely service, with lots of music, decorations and candle light!! On Christmas morning - we slept in a bit and got up late - I baked up some sausage Pin-Wheels I had made the day before. Even with all the changes to my Christmas this year I was determined to keep some of my family traditions going, sausage Pin-Wheels is one of them and - I also made a Birthday Cake... baby Jesus gets one every year and I wasn't about to not have one this year. The type of cake changes from year to year, we had many a "Robert E Lee " cake growing up.... this is a coconut cake with 7 minute frosting filled with lemon curd.
This year I decided to make one of my favorites.... Pat's Rum Cake....
I have made this many times... the only glitch being was my empty liquor cabinet - as I had no Rum for the cake. I picked up this bottle at Trader Joe's - that's a clear bottle it's in.... very nice and dark rum!! It was a hit as always.
After our little breakfast, and a quick dog walk... and a visit to Chauncey and Nikita (the two sweet kitties we a watching for some Friends while they are are in the UK - we settled into opening up some presents!! One of my favorite things Rico gave me was the Bluray of the first two season of Downton Abbey. One of my favorite shows and I can't wait for them to start up again on January 6th!! We also received a very special gift from Shirlee and John. I waited until Christmas morning to open it up, although I was told I could open it early, and to my surprise were two lovely BBD Stocking ornaments!!
They look super on the the tree!!! Thank you so much Shirlee!!!! Perfectly stitched and finished!
____________
- I really wasn't in the mood to make a big elaborate Christmas dinner... instead I made reservations!! We had a fun and entertaining dinner at Benihana's over in Japan Town. It was lots of fun - and they were just packed and turning away people both at the door and over the phone!!
_____________
I am still plugging away on ATS - and even though I said I was going to show an update snap, I am gonna hold off until Friday for that.
_____________
That's about it for today sports fans - I hope everyone had a super Christmas!! Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!
Take care,
edgar
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, Edgar. That cake looks yummy and those stockings are adorable! Hugs...
ReplyDeleteEdgar, your Christmas cake looks yummy. Good idea on your dinner out. I bet the food was good.
ReplyDeleteI have not watched Downton Abbey, but it's on my list...
Glad you had a good Christmas.
Edgar, Glad to hear that you and Rico had a wonderful Christmas with the who-hounds. What a great gift to get the Downton Abbey DVD's. I can't wait for Season 3 to start in January.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Ohhh Edgar the Rum cake looks scrumptious. We too went out for Christmas dinner as it was just DH and myself. It was very enjoyable and NO DRAMA which it always a plus. I too am looking forward to the new Downton Abbey. My eldest DD and her girlfriend has already seen the new season but she hasn't given me a clue but did say everyone will be stunned.....hmmmm...not sure if that's good or bad. But I do like my Sunday Downton Abbey evening.
ReplyDeletehugs to you and Rico.
I know Christmas would feel so different this year Edgar. We went out too and it's so relaxing not having to do all the prep for dinner.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your Christmas was lovely in spite of the changes. Can't wait for Downton Abbey either!
ReplyDeleteHi Edgar,
ReplyDeleteThat service sounds lovely. We were hoping to make it to church but mt daughter started our Christmas Eve off by throwing up all over the living room. And my husband and I got sick Christmas morning. Yuck! At least we had a white Christmas here in TX. And it hasn't melted yet either.
Can't wait to see more of ATS!
I'm so glad that you were able to celebrate Christmas this year in just the way that felt right to you. We too, "toned down" Christmas a bit this year and I have to say, it's been nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to have Rico have a chat with my hubby...Downton Abbey? Yes sir, that's a perfect gift!!!!!! :)
Gentle hugs...
Sounds like your low key Christmas was just what you needed. My family has our Christmas gathering on Christmas Eve, but for 2 years now we have gone to a local Chinese buffet for Christmas dinner (as a weird sort of tribute to A Christmas Story). I think Benihana was a great choice!
ReplyDeleteYour cake looks very good, I cannot eat rum cake, but glad you enjoyed it. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHolidays can be so difficult at times like this, but, Edgar I hope your wonderful memories were of some comfort. Sounds like you and Rico had a nice Christmas, and Rum Cake...always yummy! My mother-in-law makes Baby Jesus a birthday cake too. This year she is giving up some of the food responsibilities to others. We'll celebrate tomorrow and she asked that I make an apple cake recipe that has been in my family for years for the Baby Jesus...I'm honored!
ReplyDeleteEdgar, I was thinking about you a few times this week; both because I went and dug up your Pat's Rum Cake recipe to make for the Natives, who were getting restive and talking about wanting more rum cake! They are not the remembering or sentimental type, so it really made an impression! I hadn't made it for a couple of years (The last version was with Jack Daniels for someone's birthday...a special request...), and it was just as popular as ever! Only 1 fat 3" wedge was left by the end of our Dec. 23rd Christmas Dinner (lol, we actually had a Festivus dinner!) I used Captain Morgan (as it was in the pantry), but that TJ's rum looks really good!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the cake for Baby Jesus as I made it, and hoping you were having a comforting and warm holiday with those dear to you.
I like your idea of Benihana! And I need to look up those Sausage Pinwheels! Usually, I find sausage gross somehow, but Marc LOVES it and somehow that sounds delicious right now! I think we need a belated Christmas Breakfast! :D
Merry Belated Christmas,
Berit
Edgar, I was thinking about you a few times this week; both because I went and dug up your Pat's Rum Cake recipe to make for the Natives, who were getting restive and talking about wanting more rum cake! They are not the remembering or sentimental type, so it really made an impression! I hadn't made it for a couple of years (The last version was with Jack Daniels for someone's birthday...a special request...), and it was just as popular as ever! Only 1 fat 3" wedge was left by the end of our Dec. 23rd Christmas Dinner (lol, we actually had a Festivus dinner!) I used Captain Morgan (as it was in the pantry), but that TJ's rum looks really good!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the cake for Baby Jesus as I made it, and hoping you were having a comforting and warm holiday with those dear to you.
I like your idea of Benihana! And I need to look up those Sausage Pinwheels! Usually, I find sausage gross somehow, but Marc LOVES it and somehow that sounds delicious right now! I think we need a belated Christmas Breakfast! :D
Merry Belated Christmas,
Berit
Edgar, you seem to have had a lovely Christmas, despite your recent loss...could it be your Trust in our Most Holy Redeemer? I think so!
ReplyDeleteAnd how sweet to bake Him a real birthday cake...your Love is definitely known to Him.
And --oh that Shirlee!-- those stockings are beautiful!
glad you had a lovely Christmas even with everything that's gone off ... lovely ornaments off Shirlee too ...
ReplyDeleteand your cake looks yummy and what a lovely tradition to make on for baby Jesus as well ... take care my friend and may you have a very merry stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxxx
I'm glad you two were able to make the day special in spite of everything. Your dinner sounds like fun and the cake looks yummy! Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteEdgar, I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. I'm a sampler stitcher of well over 30 years and am drawn to people that love my addiction they way I do. The reason for this comment is in no way stitching related it is chihauhau related!! I love your four spoiled babies! I so understand how these little bundles of fur can grab your heart. My husband and I have four like you all do and they are way beyond ruined, they are the most wonderful little babies in the world. Our four, Benny, Mickey, Lucy and Patty all sleep on one side of our sleep number bed and their number is 75, we can't have them cold so the electric blanket is set on 4. My husband has a bad back injury that's why they have their our side of the bed. Mickey tends to be cold natured so he roots under the cover to get behind my knees. I know you know how it is! Give the babies some sugar!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you both, it sounds like your Christmastime was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Edgar! My DH is a big lover of all things rum. This year I found him a light rum with pineapple flavor that I (er, I mean Santa!) left in his stocking. :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Edgar and Rico !!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Edgar, Rico and all of your furry friends.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas sounds relaxing and your Rum cake looks delicious!
Love the ornaments Shirlee sent, beautiful.
Wishing you good health, much happiness, and hours of relaxing stitching in the coming year. :-}
Aww Edgar, I'm so glad you found just the right way for you to celebrate Christmas this year. We simplified our Christmas this year too. Just too many over-whelming things to deal with this past year.
ReplyDeleteI must have Rico speak with my hubby (lol). - Downton Abbey! That's a WONDERFUL gift!
May you find much peace, comfort, joy and blissful stitching in the New Year!
Edgar, looks like you and Rico and the hounds did have a nice Christmas, just what you needed a bit of tradition, but quiet and peaceful. Wish you all a Wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect Christmas Edgar! Your Rum cake looks amazing, as always. Love the stockings you received as a little gift too. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteDownton Abbey is an awesome show. I keep hoping Netflix will add all of the seasons on instant play.
Thank you so much for the sweet Christmas card. I was so touched by your thoughtfulness. You are a true stitching friend, and I really appreciate you.
Here's to a wonderful stitching year. I can't wait to see what you accomplish.
Many Hugz!