Right after I stop banging my head against the wall because of the tremendous workload I’m juggling, I’ll get my Christmas plans underway.  Every Christmas Eve I have eighteen people for a sit down dinner.  I pick a different theme each based around a foreign country.  So December goes something like this;

Dec. 1 - Phone everyone to remind them we’re doing it again. We’ve been holding Christmas Eve together for twenty plus years, but they still appreciate a little call.
Dec. 2 – Drag out every cookbook I own, we’re talking hundreds here. Narrow the choice down to two countries.
Dec. 3 – Write the shopping list of every single item needed for a five course meal. Make my final decision on the theme country.
Dec. 4 – Check the cabinets and fridge for any of the above items. If I have them, they’re crossed off the list.
Dec. 10/11 – Buy everything possible and order the meat. This also includes buying cards and stamps.
Dec. 12 -  Go gift shopping for my family and friends gifts.
Dec. 13 -  Address cards and mail them.
Dec. 14 -  Drag out all the decorations and do the tree.
Dec. 15/16 - Wrap everyone’s gifts.
Dec. 18 – Check the liquor cabinet and wine rack then hit the stores to top off.
Dec. 19 -  Drink a quart of vodka and forge ahead.
Dec. 20/21 – Write out the place cards and set the table.
Dec. 22 – Run frantically to the store for all the fresh veggies and anything else I forgot.
Dec. 23 – Pick up the meat from the butcher. Cook anything that can be made a day ahead of time.
Dec. 24 – Cook the remainder of the meal, relax as much as possible, and be cheerful when they all arrive at 7:00 pm.

Have you noticed there’s no “clean house before company comes” on this list? I don’t do it. No, I’m not the slob of the century. I straighten everything and wash the spots that really are bad. After the company leaves I do the major cleaning because the house really needs it then.

Travel. The first trip I took was to Florida with an aunt when I was twelve. We rode the train and sat up all night. It was pure magic. Since then I’ve been to more then 75% of the countries in the world and I’m not about to yank a casket lid over my head until I visit the rest of them.

a cook!I love to plan menus right down to the best wine for the entree, grocery shop, and be creative with my herbs. It’s nothing for me to spend three hours in the food prep of an evening meal for Studs and me. Unfortunately, anyone can see we love to eat as well.