Holiday Meal Extraordinaire

We had every good intention of having Christmas dinner on Christmas day. But a big midday meal of tamales and chile con queso, for the second day in a row, coupled with my wife’s tendency to enjoy her long afternoon naps (and the rarity of my own long afternoon nap) got in the way. So we decided to have a Christmas nibble on THE DAY. But my favorite wife outdid herself on the DAY AFTER! Behold, our Christmas table:

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The Santas were head-over-heels in love with the Christmas plates and the nice condiment tray!

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Santas continued convulsing in joy as they saw ham, sweet potatoes imbued with the goodness of fine Jim Beam whiskey, and the most spectacular green bean casserole ever to grace the face of the earth.

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A closer look at the joy of food among rollicking Santas and exceptional condiments.

It was just the two of us for our post-Christmas Christmas dinner. While it would have been nice to have more family with us on this holiday, being together with the love of my life (and likewise, I’d like to think) made for a wonderful holiday celebration.

Again, Merry Christmas! May this holiday season and the year ahead be full of goodness for you and yours!

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes
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10 Responses to Holiday Meal Extraordinaire

  1. Trish says:

    I suffered the same dilemma over the issue of veal, as well as cabrito, and I love both meats. The question of how they are butchered always make hope it is done in a humane fashion, but do not know this to be true. And the other that nags me, is that the calf, and the kid goat are very young animals….this aspect is troublesome, as I see it, though I do eat both from time to time…

  2. Trish says:

    Agreeing with John, you’re excellent at symbolism, Juan! Did catch the “plate particular plates”, but you’re a good editor, and surprised it slipped by you…edit errors are my gig! lol!

    Ahhaha, Juan! Italian day at your place, and Louis Prima’s “Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody”….perfect choice, so says I! I had put this on one of the CD’s I’d sent you….feel its one of his best songs…from lyrics to rhythm!! 🙂

  3. BTW, Juan, your edit is done!

  4. Juan, I’m going to say Greek Triton! I think it’s interesting that you pick up on the symbolism that others miss..and I include myself…but what you see is actually there! Amazing!

    I’ve said it dozens of times before, but I’ll say it again: you should create a blog! Just the two of us could keep the comments flowing on each other’s “real estate!”

    I have issues with how animals are raised,for veal, but I don’t know enough about it to make any determinations one way or the other; my issues haven’t stopped me from eating it, so either I don’t know enough or I’ve reconciled with the fact that humans have to embrace, or at least tolerate, some cruelty to remain omnivores. I would much prefer practices to be as decent and painless as possible, but until I’ve participated myself, how do I know what reality is?

    I love the video; music is enough to make me raise the curtains on what otherwise could be a dreary day!

  5. Juan says:

    I suppose I’m an old symbolist. You’re correct about that assessment! But I’m a terrible editor. If possible, feel free to fix that double-up on “plate particular plates” in my last post.

    I did not spin my interpretation out of the air — it’s actually what I see. You are wonderful at presentation,and that’s one of the many things I share with you — and with Trish. Was I correct about my interpretation? Greek Triton or Christian Trinity? I shamelessly smiled at that line.

    Today, I’m doing some veal scalopini with pork-meatballs in sauce. It’s for the show-n-tell that I actually miss FB, because the Bone and myself are doing a bang-up job on this Italian dish, and I wouldn’t mind showing it.

    FB has its good points. We can’t deny that. Hell! It’s all good!

    Naturally, I stopped short at the thought of veal, but just before the butchers this morning, I mentioned the dilemma to the owner of the Dry Clothes Cleaners I frequent — and who is a New York Italian. Mind you, I think I may have had veal twice before.

    “You know veal is a cruel meat,” I said. “The calf is kept contained. It’s cruel, and I’m buying it?”

    “Are you kidding,” she said. “Then, whatever’s butchered is cruel.” That comment “turned it” for me. In fact, as a symbolist, that comment said miles!

    Well…..Italian today!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ldhEZAXkI

  6. John Swinburn says:

    Aha! My friend is a poet and master of symbolism…and with an extraordinary eye for detail! Cheers to you, too, my friend!

  7. Juan says:

    What a beautiful image! .. painting or poem:

    The iconic “Clauses” in red and white of
    Rest and play — between present to past symbols.
    Four of them there….but then
    The three pronged forks on napkins of white purity:
    Greek Triton or Christian trinity?

    And I love the gold that encircles those two particular plates;
    the scene suggesting we have joined two people about to dine.
    Okra and olives, cauliflower and pepper,
    With sweet potato and casserole,
    gathered about the holy ham-steak from Yule Boars like myself 😉
    But where anything or anyone can come, stay or go within this singular meal!
    I love the image!

    And there is little greater or nothing better …
    my dear friend,
    When brought under a glass of the BarleyCorn!

    Cheers!

  8. Thank you, Susanne…yes, we are lucky people. Trish, she is very good at these things; though I’m not fond of formal table settings, I enjoy the extra care she takes for these special meals.

  9. Trish says:

    It hard to do just for two, but Janine did a lovely table setting! Very Christmassy plates, and that meal of ham, potatoes, green bean salad, and whiskey…oh my!…must have been delicious, too! Very nice, all!

  10. Susanne says:

    What a lovely way to celebrate. Two lucky people.

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