Christmas Movies with nostalgia and spice

by Gina Meyers

 

I am a Christmas movie junkie. I usually start binge watching sometime after Thanksgiving. This year was no different, though many of these movies can be watched year round. 

This year, I have remained true to my favorite(s), and have added a few more newbies to the list.

Nostalgic Christmas Movies

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

Christmas with the Kranks

The Holiday

It's a Wonderful Life

Bad Mom's Christmas

New one's for me:

The 12 Dates of Christmas

Mistletoe Mix-up

The 4 Christmases

Scrooged

The Christmas Chronicles

Open by Christmas

One's I will be sure to watch still:

Elf

White Christmas

Serendipity 

 

10 Things I’ve Learned Along the Journey of Life By Gina Meyers

 10 Things I’ve Learned Along the Journey of Life

By Gina Meyers

Life is not a dress rehearsal.

God is in control of everything.

Live life to the fullest, everyone’s days are numbered.

Forgive and forgive.

Never forgive and forget. Just forgive.

Forgiveness is giving a gift to yourself, the side benefit may be forgiving an individual who has wronged you or disappointed themselves.

The only person you can control is you!

Stop blaming others for your problems, realize life has problems and refer to the bible or whatever form of spirituality that appeals to you.

Don’t be in it to win it, be in it to live it.

Always have a soft place to fall.

Nobody get to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies.

-Anne Landers

Happy Halloween! Recipes to Satisfy, California Prawn Curry Soup, Mushroom Ravioli, Stir Fry Ala Swan by Gina Meyers

 

The House of Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts

 

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. Lucas enjoys the holiday as well watching silly and scary movies from Young Frankenstein to Stephen King’s IT!) I’ve  preferred a more harvest themed holiday, visiting local pumpkin patches, with plenty of watching Bewitched Halloween episodes and believe it or not, a tradition of watching Wizard of Oz. Pumpkin seeds have been roasted, pumpkins have been carved, early costume shopping has been done. Continuing to bake Halloween treats, creating new staple breakfast meals, dinners, and enjoying the cooler weather. Enjoy! Happy Halloween.

 

California Grape and Prawn Curry  Soup:

 

https://unofficialtwilightcookbook.blogspot.com/2015/09/california-grape-and-prawn-curry-soup.html

 

 

Mushroom Ravioli, Stir Fry Ala Swan

https://unofficialtwilightcookbook.blogspot.com/2017/10/mushroom-ravioli-stir-fry-ala-swan.html

 

 

For your home:

Cinnamon Pine cone

1 pinecone

Cinnamon essential oil

Directions: place essential oil on pine cone and place in an area of your home such as a corner to add the aroma of cinnamon. 

APPLE CIDER CHEESE FONDUE

 APPLE CIDER CHEESE FONDUE 

 Notes: Fondue pot or other pot with a warming feature is necessary for this recipe. Serve on sliced cooked sausage, or  apple slices to dip in fondue. 

Ingredients 

4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 

1 ½ TBSP cornstarch 

1 ¼ cup Apple Cider 

¼ of a teaspoon of lemon juice 

¼ tsp salt 

1/8 tsp cinnamon 

1/8 tsp nutmeg 

 

Directions: In a medium sized saucepan, on medium heat, warm apple cider and lemon juice until simmering. Toss cheese and cornstarch together and, one handful at a time, place into the simmering apple cider mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining spices. Cover and cook over low heat until thickened. Transfer to a fondue pot to keep warm. 

Use Cornstarch 

Corn doesn't contain gluten, so you can substitute cornstarch in sauces and soups that normally call for flour. Remember that cornstarch is more powerful than flour, so use less. Cornstarch breaks down faster than flour, so add it at the end of cooking. Add cornstarch with cold water until smooth and stir into the sauce or soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened. Sauces and soups that are thickened with cornstarch and are chilled and reheated may not have the same consistency as when they are fresh.  

 

QUINOA TABOULI SALAD

 QUINOA TABOULI SALAD 

 

 

 

Ingredients 

2 cups quinoa 

4 cups boiling water 

2 cups flat leaf (Italian) parsley chopped 

6 medium/large tomatoes, chopped  

2 cucumbers peeled and diced 

½ cup olive oil 

1 cup lemon juice 

Salt to taste 

 

 

Directions 

 

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.  In a large bowl, pour boiling water over the quinoa.  Let stand for one hour, until quinoa is softened and almost all the water is absorbed. (Follow quinoa directions on the label to avoid any problems.) 

 

 

 

Drain excess water from softened quinoa.  Add the chopped veggies and mix well.   

 

 

 

Whisk lemon juice and salt into the olive oil and pour over the bulgur mixture.   

 

 

 

Chill at least 2 hours to let flavors develop.  Garnish with sprigs of flat leaf parsley and fresh lemon wedges.  Can also serve with plain yogurt spiked with fresh, mashed garlic and a little salt.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.