All the Christmas Goodies

For the Christmas holidays this year, we make traditional iced Christmas cookies to share, but we also attempt a Red Velvet Cake and various kinds of fudge. The endless supply of sweets is just part of the season around here. If you stop by, you won't leave without a plate of something sweet to take with you.

Since we're all too busy watching our favorite movies like Polar Express, Elf, Deck the Halls, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, some version of A Christmas Carol, and of course, White Christmas, we have to think about food to eat on the days before the Christmas Feast.

This year, we make a pan of Beef and Bean Enchiladas and another huge casserole dish of Chicken Divan. You can pre-make both and then heat up servings whenever you want. Making these ahead of time means the cook can relax and watch movies, with a cookie in one hand and a warm beverage in the other, instead of working in the kitchen.

There's still Gingerbread Houses to build tomorrow and apple pies to make. I'm not involved in either of these feats; my daughters are old enough to enact their own traditions.

I'll be watching White Christmas in my pajamas.

Then, we'll join our community at our Christmas Eve service.

I'm just so thankful.