I said to the gaggle of women in my car who were all talking at
once,
”
I’m not turning down that one-way street. I’m turning down the
next one.
”
I said to the gaggle of women in my car who were all talking at once, “I’m not turning down that one-way street. I’m turning down the next one.”
The light turned green and I turned down “the next one,” only to see three lanes of traffic coming toward me. I made a quick U-turn in the two-ton SUV and headed the other way. Who would have thought both streets would have been one-way? What was I thinking volunteering to drive four other A-type personalities with map skills to San Francisco? And who would think that any holiday outing or party would turn out just as you plan?
It never does. And so I thought I’d give you a pep talk before Christmas and New Years, to prepare you for the inevitable unplanned guest, the toppled Christmas tree or the flat tire on the way to Grandma’s. Ready?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. This includes spills on white carpets, presents that never show up, and burned turkeys or roasts. These are small things.
So are no restaurant reservations, being late, and forgetting to give your friend her keys so she can get into her apartment. These things happened on our way to “The Nutcracker.” But so did these things: spending solitary time with great art, walking around Union Square to see the windows and lights, smelling perfume with my sister in Neiman Marcus and watching silver men perform on their boxes.
Someone unexpected will probably show up. Someone may have an argument. Someone may cry for no good reason. Remember that emotions run high this time of year and that rooms have more people in them than usual. Don’t worry; give time and space and keep the central fire going and everyone will come around.
The man in front of me at the ballet leaned forward and I couldn’t see around his head to center stage. But then I saw things I’d never noticed before, though I’ve seen the “Nutcracker” many times. I noticed the bit players, the swirling costumes, the beautiful sets and the talented second-string performers who never take center stage, but shine near the wings. It was wonderful.
And I hope your holiday will be that way, too. I hope you can sit and breathe and just watch whatever is happening around you. I hope you’ll laugh at spilled milk and rip off some wrapping paper and keep a fire going. I hope you’ll live in the spirit of Christmas and remember what’s central to it. And I hope you’ll be driving in the right direction down a one-way street to a happy new year.
• What to eat the next day: There will be leftovers, sure. And you may want to eat them. And then again, you might not. If you feel like a low-maintenance day, try the following soup, served with cornbread and a salad, if you’re really feeling ambitious. This is so easy and quick, it won’t really feel like work.
Melissa’s Mom’s Quick Soup
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
30 oz. stewed tomatoes
2 cans beef broth
1 can mixed vegetables
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 cup dry noodles
Brown meat and onion and add rest of ingredients, except noodles. Cook 10 minutes. Add noodles and cook another 10 minutes or until noodles are done. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• New Year’s treat: Because I won’t be writing before New Year’s Day, I have to give this recipe for Jaime Saroyan. He tasted it at another reader’s house last New Year’s and wants to make it for his guests this year. Because it’s from John Madden, you know it’s a great football treat.
Tabasco Sesame Noodles
1 lb. spaghetti
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 T. cider vinegar
1 T. Tabasco
1 tsp. salt
2 large green onions, sliced
1 medium cucumber, sliced
Cook spaghetti. Drain.
In large bowl, mix everything except noodles, onions and cucumbers. Add spaghetti and onions to mixture. Toss well.
Serve warm or cold, garnished with cucumbers.
• Wal-Mart winner: Thousands of Wal-Mart associates across the country submitted recipes for a new Wal-Mart cookbook. Robin Pilger of Gilroy created this recipe for her family and it has become a favorite. It was a winning entry and Robin’s recipe is in the Wal-Mart Family Cookbook. The cookbook is available at Wal-Mart for $4.96 and is offered in six regional editions. To order a book from another part of the country, go to www.walmart.com.
Beef and Sausage Loaf
1/2 cup chili sauce
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 2/3 cup finely crushed saltine crackers
1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
Dash ground pepper
1 lb. ground beef
3/4 lb. bulk hot pork sausage
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bowl, combine chili sauce, eggs, milk, crushed crackers, bell pepper, salt and black pepper. Add beef and sausage; mix well.
Shape mixture into a loaf (about 9×5 inches) in shallow baking pan. Bake about 45 minutes or until done. Serve with potatoes or rice.
• Cheers! The California Highway Patrol and our local law enforcement agencies want to make sure local residents are safe. They put special emphasis on the holidays, and remind revelers to designate a sober driver. If you’re hosting a party, try this recipe for a non-alcoholic fun drink.
Front Porch Julep
1 quart ginger ale
1 pint cold water
2 bunches fresh mint
1/4 cup sugar
6 lemons, whole
2 lemons, sliced
crushed ice
In a large container, combine ginger ale, water and sugar. Juice 6 lemons into mixture. Stir well.
Pack tall tumblers 1/2 full with mint sprigs. Using a wooden spoon, crush mint until stems are broken.
Pour liquid over crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprigs, lemon slices and a straw. Serves 8.
Tip of the Week:
To keep wide packing tape from sticking to itself and annoying you the next time you need a piece, fold over a small piece at the end. It’s easy to snip off next time, and you won’t ruin your fingernails trying to get the tape unstuck.
• End notes: Thank you to everyone who dropped off Christmas cookies for the homeless at the Armory. I know we collected more than 100 dozen, but I don’t have the final count just yet. Merry Christmas to you all. My column will return Jan. 7.
