What do I want to do this year?

• I want to read at least 14 new books (this would include books I've started in the past, but was never able to finish).
• I want to eat a little healthier
• I want to get out of debt (I won't count the mortgage and the car payments as part of this because they are a cost of living, but if I can get out of credit card debt?  woohoo!)
• I want to see friends more, worry about chores less
• I want to stop saying, "I think I can..." and start saying, "I know I can!"
• I want to finish at least 3 knitting/sewing projects (two are already under way)

I share this information, not so much for accountability, but for a record that at one point this year, I was feeling quite optimistic. Just before the Christmas Holiday, I was able to go into the city to meet with some Sisters I haven't seen in a while.  (Yeah!  I'm talkin' about you LG!!) When I say "a while" I'm talking like, 20 or more years.  (ok, ok, so we saw each other at the 20th anniversary of our chapter's founding...and sure, I saw Heather just a few months ago!) Anyway, it was so much fun to catch up, and share what we've been doing with our lives.  Upon learning about my culinary experiences, LG asked what I was serving over the holidays - because, well, food is fun.  Fish are friends, not food. This was the food plan. Christmas Eve

• Lasagna - for all
• Lobster Tails - for 4
• Steak - for 3
• Green beans with shallots and bacon
• Caesar Salad with fresh baked croutons

Christmas Day

• Brown-sugar Ham (I went with brown sugar over honey because the flavor, I think, is so much richer.
• Maple-glazed carrots
• Scalloped potatoes
• Broccoli with Parmesan
• Cranberry Salad with Mixed Greens, Walnuts and Goat Cheese - with a Balsamic Vinaigrette

I had additionally planned over the course of the two days to serve the following

• Baked brie en croute with apricot preserves
• Spinach and artichoke dip
• Cheese and Crackers
• Shrimp Cocktail

There would be a total of 7 of us for Christmas Eve, and those same 7 plus 1 would be dining on Christmas Day. Lauren, I apologize that I don't have pictures to share of meals.  The only things I didn't serve are all of my appetizers.  I did make some Asian Meatballs, however, and I used Glutino gluten-free bread crumbs (because my niece eats gluten free!).  I never would have guessed that they were made with gluten-free bread crumbs.  They were delish.  However, my niece still couldn't eat them, because they were made with soy sauce, which apparently has wheat in it.  Does anyone know if there is a decent gluten-free soy sauce out there?