Chinese New Year, No…Wait…....

(Published on surfKY News on December 29, 2011)

In the past few weeks, my brain has been in “Holiday Overload”, not so much for me, but for everyone else around me. I have been around new mothers talking about their little ones getting ready for Santa Clause and I have been around grandmothers talking about struggling to purchase gifts for all of their children and grandchildren. I have talked with men that were struggling with trying to find that perfect gift and even talked to one man that was going to ask the woman he loves to marry him. I asked him if he was sure she would say yes and he said, “I hope so, I've already bought the ring.”

I remember when I used to put out dozens of Christmas decorations, several Christmas trees and bake until my eyes were crossed. But in recent years, I have stepped into a realm where I am not sure what to do. My child is an adult, well, at least on paper. He is not into the wonder of the lights and decorations like he was when he was little. He does not care about a Christmas tree or how pretty the gifts are arranged under the tree. Matter of fact, he does not care about gifts, he says envelopes are better, as they contain either money or gift cards. He still believes in the magic of Christmas, he knows what will happen if he says he does not. I still believe in the magic. I just do not have the strength or energy to do all the holiday things I used to do. But I have figured out where I am. I am in between children and grandchildren. I am at the point to where I shake my head and wonder if everything will ever come together, if the porch light will ever come on. (You parents of teenagers know what I am talking about.) But at the same time, I am not in a huge hurry to get those grandchildren. But hopefully, by the time they arrive, I will be rested and refreshed, ready to go for the next round.

Until then, I will enjoy watching everyone else going at maximum overdrive and try to avoid this myself. But, because I was caught up with everyone's activities, I lost my train of thought with my plans for this weekly column. I had been thinking about the Christmas holiday and then the New Year's holiday, all the while thinking about the Chinese New Year. So, in my confusion, which does not take much anymore, I was planning to talk about the Chinese New Year when it is actually not until January 23, 2012. So, on that note, I will wish everyone a Happy New Year. Have a great weekend and be safe!

Here are some quick recipes for your busy New Year's weekend.

 
SLOW-ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

●3 pints cherry tomatoes
●1 tab extra-virgin olive oil
●3 cloves minced garlic
●1/2 teaspoon salt
●1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
●1/4 cup sliced fresh basil
●1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
●14 slices baguette, (preferably whole-wheat), toasted

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Toss tomatoes with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until broken down, 45 to 55 minutes. Combine the roasted tomatoes with basil and vinegar. Top baguette slices with the roasted tomato mixture. Garnish with anchovy fillets, Kalamata olives or sliced fresh basil. 


LEMON CAKE COOKIES

●1 18 ounce lemon cake mix
●1 egg, beaten
●1 8 ounce container whipped topping
●1 tablespoon lemon juice Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Gently mix. Drop by teaspoon in powder sugar and roll into ball. Bake for about 10 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool and store in tight covered tin or plastic container.


COCONUT MACAROONS

●5 1/2 cups flaked coconut
●1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
●2 teaspoons vanilla extract
●1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk and extracts; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto aluminum foil-lined and generously greased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Immediately remove from baking sheets. Store loosely covered at room temperature. 


NEXT WEEK—Warming Up For Winter

Remember......Life is short. Eat Dessert first!!