frankly speaking

Christmas for me is about family.  Christmas Eve is usually spent together with my partner Shawn.  Just the 2 of us. With hectic careers, we don’t get alot of alone time lately.. We’ve done this for many Christmas’ as we have been blessed with being together this past March for 20 years.  We did alot of remincising !  Brought back alot of memories from Childhood, growing up, our parents who miss so much, and the last 20 Christmas’ past.  So many stories and “episodes”.  Good times. Lots of great memories.

We spent Christmas Eve this year by dropping off our Bichon Frise Fenwick at the groomer for a Holiday hairdo. Went out to breakfast and went to the grocer in prep for Christmas Dinner.  Picked up Fenwick, came home and I fell asleep on the couch till Fen barked at someone in the hallway leaving us Christmas Goodies at our door. We have a tradition of baking cookies and treats, and leaving them at neighbors doors in our building.  This all starts on Christmas Eve and goes thru Christmas Day, so you never know what you will find.  Many of the dog’s exchange gifts this way too!  Fenwick gave Mr. Bill (OH NOOOOOOO!) (and yes he says that when you press him) and Where’s Waldo (who is silent) dog toys to many of his friends in the building this year.  I baked last week.  Baking is something I love to do, and enjoyed doing this every year with my Mom.  I usually take a day off every year to do this. Like to be alone, as it’s theraputic for me.  Packed up all the cookies for delivery yesterday. I bought alot of cookie containers last year, as I went nuts at the Dollar Store after Christmas last year.. and still won’t need any more for a few years to come.  I don’t even remember buying all these. 

We have an entire closet of Christmas decorations, but did not do any decorating this year.  First year I can’t remember not having a tree and decorating.  Our condo board (don’t get me started) decided to wait on getting our roof project started till October so they could keep the pool open. So, being on the top 2 floors, we had to take down all of our artwork, and take everything down from any open shelves.  It is all store in our dining area.  First completetion date was Thanksgivng, and long story short due to bad weather they are still not done.  As usual Shawn and I and our friend Margie decorated the Christmas Tree in our lobby that I designed 10 years ago when after I was agast at the tree the janitorial Staff decorated.  We have done it ever since, and get numerous thank yous from so many of the owners, and were asked to serve on the decorating committee when the redid the hallways and lobby the following year.  I did receive a lovely fresh wreath from one of my vendors that we have on the inside of the kitchen door, so we do have something!  So we need to move all the boxes and artwork to one of the bedrooms this morning so we can at least enjoy Christmas dinner. Ok, I’ll stop my ranting. Sorry!

We just hung out together in the afternoon. We had our tradtional Christmas Eve late lunch/early dinner which we call “Lupper” of White Castles, and Onion RIngs.  This started years ago, when we didnt realize most fast food places (and grocery stores– Now that is a whole nother story) close early.  We DVR’d a bunch of Holiday episodes from shows we enjoyed as children.  Thank God for TVland and Me TV!  Always watch something that takes us back to Childhood. One year watched “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”, which Shawn was shocked I never saw this Holiday classic with Pia Zadora as one of the Martian Children. Went to bed early, but I was awakend about an hour ago by the sound of chuch bells, and can’t fall back asleep. Hence here I am blogging.   I will probably see “A Christmas Story” at least once today.. It was the inspiration of my Award winning Holiday Window at the studio this year.  (see previous blogs)

We will be up early to start dinner.   This year’s Menu is:

Butternut Squash Soup with drizzle of Creme Fresh

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Chateaubriand stuffed with mushrooms

Double Baked Potatoes

Brussel Sprouts with brown butter and Almonds

Glazed Carrots

Warm Pop Overs

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Egg Nog Cheesecake

And yes, we make everything.  We love to cook and entertain.  We spend Christmas with our extended family,  as we have learned that Family is not just blood family.  We will start the day w/ Freshly made Crossiants and Coffee while we open presents (as the Squash is roasting and the Cheesecake is baking). Even Fenwick gets into the action.  He loves to open gifts,so we loosely wrap the toys we give him.  Who says we don’t have children! 

The table will be set with our Pottery Barn Holiday Reindeer China.  Centerpiece is simple all done with Sprigs of different pine and evergreens, with cymbidium orchids and roses.  We’ve even done chair covers and had a custom table cloth made (well, Shawn made it) to fit our triangular shaped dining room table, but we really want to keep things simple. Even cut salad and intermezzo courses this year. Every says they are so “uncomfortably full” when they leave.  And seeing we dont have any decor or tree, we thought simple this year was the “theme”  We theme the menu every year.. from French, to Italian to Southern.  We really need to start writing this stuff down so we can remember what do from year to year. I have a nice entertaining journal I should use. Hmm. Where did I put that?

We will see family (my niece and her husband and Shawn’s brother and sister in law /and son) who I just adore probably this weekend or next. Also need to stop by my best friend from Grammar School and his wife’s house to drop off the gifts I forgot to bring when we saw them last weekend when the adults went out for dinner.  Fenwick spends his vacations there, with their huge yard and 3 kids.  And has “playdates” when the four of us can find a date to go have dinner or brunch.

Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a joyus and peaceful Christmas, and 2010 filled with much love, good health and happiness. 

I will be back in the studio on Monday to finalize My New Years Eve Wedding.

 Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy 2010.  Love, Frank

Last week had an awesome lunch at one of my favorite Caterers here in the city , Calihan Catering.  I was hosted by the 3 “N’s”.. Nicole, Nit and Nash.  It was great to catch up and visit.  Lunch was wonderful as all my food and service experiences with them.  Lunch started with Soup (sorry, didn’t take pic) Chicken and a real twist on Holiday Fruitcake for dessert.  But, believe it or not, I am one of the few who do LOVE fruitcake.  I remember my Mom and cousin Debbie loving it too, now are both “upstairs” enjoying it!  for more info www.calihancatering.com

It started as a “teaser” before Thanksgiving, with an undecorated tree, boxes Marked “Fragile” (that’s Fra-ghee-lee) and a pink bunny costume.  It got noticed by passersby, and alot of people on the bus going down Sheridan Road.  After Thanksgiving, over a period of a few days, the window started to evolve, with the full display done a week later.  A scene from the 1983 film “A Christmas Story” was my inspiration for this year’s window.  I was thrilled to be named “Most Creative Holiday Window” by the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce.  It was alot of fun to put together, so I think I will keep this traditon alive next year by doing the evolving window that goes up over a few weeks time. I got this idea many years ago, from Marshall Fields, who had a family decorating their home for the holidays, and every day, maniquins were moved slightly, and different elements appeared over night so that each day, the scene was closer to be completed.  Now, how to top it next year!  

Before Thanksgiving, 2 Boxes marked “Fragile” (s/b prounouned FRA-GEE-LAY), an undecorated Tree, and a pink bunny costume were displayed in the window.   Hmm. After the Holiday, A Christmas Story arrived. Lots of great feedback, including a call from the Edgewater Chamber asking me to enter it into the Neighborhood Holiday Window Contest!

Our December meeting was small, but lovely. Those who braved the snow, sleet and rain had an enjoyable evening.

We started out with cocktails and passed savories while checking out Record A Hit’s new “flip book”. What a great interactive idea for any party.  You have 6 seconds to move around, then this is put into a flip book. Background music was provided by Adams Magnificent Music.

We then moved into the dining room for dinner. A beautifully designed table by our member Melissa Phillps (who put this whole evening together for us–THANK YOU) was done all in whites.  With products provided by A Tulpe Floral, BBJ Linen, Hall’s Rental and lovely Menu Cards by CW Designs.  Little touches like a snowflake ornament favor was hanging on each chair.  The Room was lit in blue by Elegant Event Lighting and music by DJ Mark Riva.

Dinner was scrumptous!  Maine Lobster Bisque En Croute, Roquefort and Poached Pear Salad w/ Sundried Cranberries and Sherry Walnut Vinaigrette started us out.  Our duet of Pan Seared Organic Salmon and Grass Fed Beef Tenderloin w/Morel Mushroom Sauce was accompianed by Root Veggies and Risotto. Yum. The meal finished with Chocolate Cake Expresso Mousse and Gourmet Coffee Station with Assorted Truffles and Honey Fig Biscotti.

We then had a Chinese Auction with gifts provided by guests. We raised over $50 for our Scholarship fund. Not bad for a dozen attendees.

We then were invited to go bowling at the Club’s lanes.  Everyone decided to pass (frown) because of the bad weather.  A lovely Holiday party!