An Invitation to Dinner...

Tonight I whipped up some chicken that was cooked in a white wine, rosemary, and butter sauce.  I topped it with a couple of dried orange essence infused cranberries.  It was very tender, juicy and flavorful.  On the side I fixed a baby carrot risotto cooked down in beef stock.  Everything turned out pretty good.

Tomorrow is Christmas!  Happy Christmas everyone!  I don't really celebrate anymore.  At least not in the traditional sense.  As I've grown older, I've learned to appreciate tradition and ritual more, but find that it doesn't always fuse well with the practicality of my day to day living.  I think these things act as a catalyst for magical thinking.  You know, getting in the mood for the holidays and all.  It's my hope though that every day be a holiday and filled with magical thinking– that we treat each other with kindness and compassion, feast gloriously, give gifts, sing praises, and love unconditionally.  Not just one day, or twelve days, but everyday.

So, instead of abundant gift giving and all the pomp of Christmas, I'll settle on the core essentials: kindness, reflection, and glorious feasting!

With that said, I extend an invitation to you.  Come!  Sit with me.  Sit with me around the table and enjoy a meal and companionship.  We will talk and laugh; we will eat and drink; we will enjoy the people around us and those who are not.  We will celebrate life and living.  (And maybe, if you're lucky, we'll craft.)

Now, I'm not just making this gesture in words only.  If you're in the New York area and find that you haven't any plans or have plans earlier in the day, then you are welcome at my table.  Dinner starts around 5PM.  Don't worry if you think you don't know me well enough – I promise not to bite and I've been told that I'm a good cook.  Believe it or not, I can be kind of entertaining!  For an evening, I will shed my semi-reclusive ways and will open my home to you.  Don't spend the holiday alone.  I've spent a couple on my own and have discovered that it is definitely not conducive to feasting and merry-making!   EMAIL ME for directions and to let me know you'll be by.   This may sound a little crazy, but hey, we live in a crazy world.  So, don't be afraid.

And for those of you who can't make it in person, you'll be here with me in my heart.  Sounds pretty lame and cheesy, but the friendships I've made and will make are very important to me.  They are a life-blood that keep me going.  I appreciate you.  I thank you, friend.  

Okay... I've got to get back to the slow-cooked beef.  It has to cook all night to be just right.  Hope to see you tomorrow to enjoy some (or a vegetarian substitution of your choice.)