Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

A Few of My Favorite Things

December 23, 2010 · Narrative

As I was putting away groceries tonight, I got a little inspiration for tonight’s post.

These are a few of my favorite things. Not “clean eating.”

But it’s a holiday.

And there will be dip.

And dip needs a dipping vehicle.

And carrots alone just won’t do.

I’d love to hear your favorites.

Hint of Lime Tostitos

Tostito Scoops

Pretzel Sticks

People ask me all the time how I can manage to lose weight with all the baking we do.  It’s simple.  Salt is my poison.  Which is exactly why the above types of things only appear in the house on special occasions.

Project 365
December 23, 2010, Photo #318

To Do ListMy list for today during my lunch break and after the gym.  And would you believe I managed to get it all done?  I was aiming to get through the list so I didn’t have to take the kids out tomorrow, but I forgot juice and dog food, so there will be one quick trip. I’m still in desperate search for the Ramona and Beezus DVD (because now that we’ve rented it three times I think it’s safer to just own it!), but have come up empty, and will just get it after Christmas for a just because or Valentine’s Day present.

Christmas Eve Menu

Regular readers know that we celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, and we also have 13 desserts (a French tradition). Cioppino will be taking care of five of the seven fishes, with the last two fish appearing in Spumo di Tonno and Smoked Salmon Spread.  There will also be Spinach Artichoke Dip, Spinach Cheese Squares, fresh fruit, Macaroni and Cheese and Herbed Pull-Apart Rolls.  My sister is taking care of cheese and crackers, and my Mom is handling the desserts.  Ignoring my Mom’s comment about me being a glutton for punishment, there will even be a craft for the kids before dinner tomorrow.  God willing.  Can’t wait to get the festivities underway… what’s cooking for your holiday celebration?

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Christmas Eve menu, Cioppino, Feast of the Seven Fishes, Herbed Pull-Apart Rolls, Ramona and Beezus, Smoked Salmon Spread, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Spinach Cheese Squares, Spumo di Tonno

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    December 24, 2010 at 8:09 am

    That is one crazy long to-do list! I am impressed.

    We’re not doing much for Christmas Eve, although I still have a cheesecake to bake and a 12 mile run to do. For Christmas we are having lasagna (my mom), a standing rib roast (me), a veggie dish (me), many cookies (me) and a red velvet cheesecake (me).

    I’ve always wanted to do a feast of the seven fishes but try telling that to the picky eaters in my life!

    Reply
  2. FireMom says

    December 24, 2010 at 11:28 am

    YES. Amen. Salt is my favorite as well. Which I’m REALLY not supposed to have because of my kidney. Like you, we only have special treats for holidays/birthdays/etc because I will EAT THEM ALL. Sweets? Meh. I’ve had three cookies of the four dozen we baked two weeks ago. LOL

    The Lime Tostitos ARE my favorite. My mouth watered. :) (PS: Did you get my reply email?)

    Reply
  3. Debbie says

    December 24, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    Sweets are my weakness… We’ll be having turkey with all the trimmings and lots and lots of cookies and cakes for dessert!!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  4. Kris #40 says

    December 25, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    Tostitos w/Lime – my favorite – I could eat the whole bag!

    We had easy dinner – spiral ham, ziti, Marie Calendar’s new Vermont Cheddar Mac & Cheese, homemade cole slaw.

    Desserts were pumpkin gooey bars (my favorite) pies and ice cream. Had a homemade tray of goodies consisting of Oreo Truffles, Sugar Cookies, Chocolate pretzels and homemade peppermint bark.

    Reply
  5. Cyndi says

    December 25, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    Your Feast of the Seven Fishes not only sounds interesting, it’s something I’ve never heard of before. Our Christmas Eve tradition is always something German (my husband is half German and I had my daughter there). So we’ve had different wursts, smoked pork chops, or schnitzel through the years. Last night we had schnitzel – since I’d run out of the weisswurst we love so much. Hope you and the kids have had a great day!

    Reply
  6. Casey says

    December 27, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    I dip all the time now with celery, since trying to eat less carbs. It works!

    Reply
  7. Ramona says

    December 28, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    I saw that movie in Walmart and thought about ya’ll……

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.

Pinterest

Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design