#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Christmas Eve Menu

December 23, 2007 · Holidays and More

Finally sat down to organize the Christmas Eve menu and make my grocery list. Yup, haven’t gone yet. Planning to go tonight after dinner when everyone (hopefully!) is heading home from a full day of shopping. The list isn’t too terrible, and I’m feeling pretty darn organized, so hopefully all will go smoothly tomorrow.

For the Feast of the Seven Fishes, I had a hard time nailing down which recipes and fish I wanted to go with, indecisiveness rearing its ugly head every time I committed to something. Nicholas isn’t a big fan of most fish either, so I needed to make sure I had enough for him to eat as well. A tall order! Here goes:

Pre-Dinner Munchies:
Clam Dip (fish #1) with chips
Greek Salad Bites
Crudite platter

Appetizers:
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs (fish #2)
Shrimp Cocktail (fish #3)
Antipasto platter
Italian Relish Tray
Spumo di Tonno with bread/crackers (fish #4)
Chopped BLT Salad (I think, jury is still out)

Main Course:
Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce (Nicholas‘ favorite!)
Scallop Casserole (fish #5)

Sides:
Eggplant and Bucatini Timbale (fish #6)
Lobster with Herb Mayo (fish #7)
Bread Basket

Dessert:
Cupcakes from Billy’s Bakery
Buche de Noel
assorted mini pastries

Regular readers know that for New Years’ Eve, we do a massive Seafood Feast, so whatever didn’t make tomorrow night’s menu might make an appearance then, as well as a few of the awesome suggestions from this post. Indecisiveness to rear its ugly head again…

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Posted In: Holidays and More

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 24, 2007 at 2:28 am

    I didn’t comment on the previous entry, but what about cioppino? It’s a nice light dish that could be served along side a pasta of some sort. Plus, it uses multiple fish (mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and one type of firm white fish like halibut). It’s delicious, warming, and fresh. Giada DiLaurentiis has a great recipe for it!!

    Reply
  2. Patsyk says

    December 25, 2007 at 1:33 am

    You menu looks amazing! Wish I could join you as I have always been interested in the feast of the 7 fishes. Not real common where I grew up (Mid-west) or at least I never knew anyone who did it.

    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Reply
  3. Cynthia says

    December 25, 2007 at 8:52 pm

    Happy holidays to you and the family Cate!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    December 26, 2007 at 6:04 pm

    merry x mas

    Did not have my computer yesterday.

    the neighbor husband

    Reply
  5. Chris says

    December 26, 2007 at 9:11 pm

    That’s some menu! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

    Reply
  6. Elisabeth says

    December 28, 2007 at 10:47 pm

    Cate, I copied and saved your Scallop Casserole a couple weeks ago from the CLBB – it looks fantastic! Can’t wait to try it. :) What a wonderful holiday menu you planned!

    Reply
  7. Laurie Constantino says

    January 2, 2008 at 5:26 am

    We’ve been doing Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve for many years — I really enjoy it. Your menu is lovely (too bad about the lobster salad, it sounded really good). I posted all my recipes if you’re interested (they’re in separate posts so I can find them later). Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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