Christmastide 2008 Night #1...

Tonight was the kickoff for my inaugural Christmastide Tradition...and although tonight was a very busy night it was a lot of fun too. Here's the recap....

After work and attending the candlelight ceremony at church, I came home to walk Portia and kickoff the Christmastide Season. While I am no Chef Ramsey or Bourdain, I did my best to make a delicious traditional seafood Christmas Eve meal that included a Krab (yes used the fake stuff) Salad and a Salmon and rice dinner (as pictured)...traditionally I found out that Christmas Eve is known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes...maybe when I have more bellies than mine and Portia's I will cook a seven fish dinner!

Dinner was followed by the first movie of the Christmastide Season A Colbert Christmas. Must say that this ridiculous and humorous Christmas special was a perfect way to enjoy the evening as I prepared my sugar cookie dough and icing for use later in the night. Stephen had guest such as Toby Keith, John Legend, Jon Stewart, and Elvis Costello. Once I had finished preparing the dough for the cookies I popped it into the freezer and started putting together my Christmas Wreath.

Another tradtion that I have learned about these past few weeks is that the Christmas Wreath would be put together on Christmas Eve and then hung that night for the remainder of the Christmastide Season. Over the last couple nights I took the time to prepare a couple things to add to my wreath...

My Attempt at the Heart In Oregon Logo

Classic Oregon State University Mascot, Benny The Beaver

1970's Boston Red Sox Logo

And before A Colbert Christmas was over I had my 2008 Christmastide Wreath completed...I even used holly from the holly tree outside my condo. Here's what the finish product looks like hanging on my front door....

Once the wreath was hung, I took the time to roll out, bake, and decorate the sugar cookies...thank you to my sisters who helped in figuring out the best icing recipes to use!


Then came time for the second movie of tonight's double feature...Fred Claus...I even got Portia to pose for a couple pictures with me during the movie, I decided to post the picture where it looks like she is laughing (actually I think I just caught her in mid-yawn is all)...I must admit though watching this movie it did bring back some memories from last year's holiday season as my father took me to see this movie last year. I definitely miss my family and friends back home in Oregon...and not too mention all the snow they are enjoying for their White Christmas.

I had a lot of fun tonight...it will be nice to have Christmas cookies around the house over the Christmastide Season and as I opted not to do the whole Christmas Tree thing this year it will also be nice to come home to the wreath on the front door. I am honestly looking forward to the rest of this Christmastide venture I have set out on. I think overall it will be a nice tradition to keep up for myself.

So as it is getting late here and I really should head off to bed as I do have to work tomorrow allow me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year...to all my friends and family out there I love and miss each and every one of you very dearly...Portia and I wish and hope to spend some quality holiday time with you all soon....

Oh, and before I go let me send a special thank you and I love you shout out to Ashley and Zack, Sarah and Daren, and Mark...thanks to you all I get to rip into all this tomorrow morning...