Christmas and New Years’s Eve are over and now it is back to the business of 2009.

We usually wait until Three King’s Day (Jan.6) to take down our tree and decorations but I decided to take it down yesterday as today was garbage pick up. We have had our tree since November and I knew if I left it for one more day it would be a naked trunk with a pile of pine needles at the bottom.

Taking down the tree is not as joyous putting it up. Putting all the brightly colored ornaments back in their boxes, only breaking two or three, and making sure our treasured Elvis ornament is carefully back in its place is not a happy chore. Taking down the tinsel, candy canes, strings of lights and our revered snowman which has adored the top of our tree for over 30 years is sobering indeed. Putting away all the candles and assorted other Christmas knick knacks is not our favorite thing to do. Sweeping out all the afore-mentioned pine needles is not fun and, of course, you never get them all. (more…)

Christmas Brunch

I thought I would share my family’s favorite Christmas Brunch recipes with you.

When we first moved to Ajijic, Lake Chapala we were invited to a beautiful home in Upper Chula Vista, Ajijic for a lovely brunch party. The recipe for Stuffed French Toast was given to me (with a great deal of cajoling) after that brunch and we have made it every Christmas since.

We start with Winter Fruit Salad with Citrus Yogurt Sauce which serves 8.

This refreshing fruit salad and creamy sauce both benefit from being made ahead of time. (more…)

Every year about this time magazines, newspapers and television are full of heart warming Xmas stories from around the world.

My favorites are those of lonely children who have house pets like a donkey or wolverine and through the magic of the season discover the true meaning of Christmas. They always end with the gruff but hard working father, who has been a real schmuck to this point, saying “I guess I was wrong about your wolverine Johnny. That reward money for saving the town has made this the best Christmas ever. If your mom was alive to see this she’d be very proud of you.” Hugs all around. (more…)

Every year about this time magazines, newspapers and television are full of heart warming Xmas stories from around the world.

My favorites are those of lonely children who have house pets like a donkey or wolverine and through the magic of the season discover the true meaning of Christmas. They always end with the gruff but hard working father, who has been a real schmuck to this point, saying “I guess I was wrong about your wolverine Johnny. That reward money for saving the town has made this the best Christmas ever. If your mom was alive to see this she’d be very proud of you.” Hugs all around. (more…)