Christmas '15

This week was Christmas. Big Man once again failed to find a way to keep it from coming, and Fraidy Mutt is glad it's over. All in all it was a good time, we entertained the family (the ones that count anyway) and even had a visit from our cousin's Bill and Francis and their son/wife. We gifted them some boiled custard before sending them home with a trunk full of canned goodies. We went through all three gallons of the boiled custard this week, so we will have to make more for new years.
A house full of family, three tables full of food and a living room full of presents. We are truly blessed.
We start off with Christmas shenanigans, Brother Kevin and the kids piled on poor Jake for a photo op. It was after everyone ate too, so you know it was comfortable.

Jake was very excited to be awake early...

We had to add a picture of Pops, doing his best Minnie Pearl impression....

Before all the presents came out, we had to do work in the kitchen. It's not like we need a holiday to eat well, but when we have an excuse, we "tear out the bone".
Before we got started, we got to use a stocking stuffer. We opened these early, so we could be super hero's in the kitchen.

And super we were. Starting off, we got around to making the red velvet cheesecake from last week. There were just a few calories in this, but man it was worth it. We are sooooo going to keep making these.

From scratch cheesecake. None of that no bake box stuff for us

Red velvet, split in two

Just good eatin

Then we made the holiday tradition of fruit cake. No alcohol in these, and some we made with no walnuts, some we made with no nuts. We try to bake to our audience.

And we had a request for buttermilk pies. Orders were made and filled. They seem to be taking on a life of their own.

Cupcake made her famous cheese balls, sausage balls, deviled eggs and sweet potato casserole.

And Big Man made our manly tradition of fried oysters

Last but not least, we smoked our country ham. We don't know why everyone doesn't smoke their own meat.

Overnight soaking

Notice the thermometer RB?

So moist

After we carved it and served it, we took the ham bone and boiled it on the outside burner for several hours, boiling the meat off. We actually did "tear out the bone"

Future bean meat right there

We put out the buffet and released the masses upon it.

The least excited about the holiday was Fraidy Mutt. She was banished to the outside deck while company was inside the house. She and Big Man talked it over, and she is now willing to wear a deer antler on her head, and pull the Who presents up Mount Krumpet next year if it will keep her inside.

We ended the week with leftovers. Lots and lots of leftovers.
K&K