What Matters Most Now: December 2012 entries

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December 2012 entries

12/31/2012

Remembering our triumphs and our missteps, promises made and broken and second chances

New Year's Eve epitomizes romance, laughter, celebration and a chance to start over. Some of my favorite romantic movies (think When Harry Met Sally, The Holiday, and Bridget Jone's Diary, for example) culminate with great New Year's Eve scenes. When Gary Marshall created last year's movie New Year's Eve, he artfully blended all the magic and romanticism of the holiday into two charming hours. If you have not seen the movie New Year's Eve, you must. It is not only heartwarming but it weaves the story lines of numerous New York characters before the bell drops on New Year's and reveals the interesting interconnections as the movie comes to a close, capping at midnight on New Year's Eve.

I had to share two quotes from the movie as it succintly sums up New Year's:

Claire Morgan: As you all can see the ball has stopped half way to its perch. It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.

To remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken.

The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt.

Because that's what New Year's is all about, getting another chance.

The chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more.

And to stop worrying about what if and to start embracing what will be.

So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, to be kind to each other. And not just tonight, but all year long.

Yes, let's be kind to each other, all year long. Until we have walked in another's shoes, give them grace, as we have no idea what mountain they are scaling.

Sam: Sometimes it feels like there are so many things in this world that we can't control. Earthquakes, floods, wars, famine...but it's important to remember the things that we can. Like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts...because the one thing that turns the world from the longing place to a beautiful place...is love. Love and any of its forms. Love gives us hope. Hope for the New Year.

We can't control the world out there but we have total control over our own thoughts, actions, and choices. I choose to make the most of the days coming in the new year. I want to make my choices with love and lead an alive, creative, balanced, joy-filled next year embracing my loved ones with an authentic awareness. I want to make a difference in the world through my work, to be a nurturing mama and a loving wife and a force of good in my home and community.

If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would astound ourselves. - Thomas Edison

Here's to 2013 and all the possibilities that come with a new, clean slate. Wishing you a very happy New Year filled with hope and new beginnings!

xo,

Nicole

12/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments (1)

12/29/2012

{Family Favorite Main Dish} Mediterranean Chicken Pasta

This recipe comes from my sweet friend Rhonda who always seems to have the best recipes to share! She made this for us for a dinner and served it with crusty bread and salad. It has since become a tried and true favorite in our house. The 13.75 year old asked why I don't make this more often as it is one of his favorites.

Kalamata Olives, chicken, artichoke hearts, tomatoes with basil and oregano, garlic, onion, pasta noodles, red pepper and seasonings all swirled together to create a great flavor combo.

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

8 ounces Farfalle (bowtie) or other uniquely-shaped pasta

1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts in water, drained and coarsely chopped (I have also successfully used frozen hearts)

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1 small green bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives (you can also use pitted ripe olives but I like the Kalamata best)

2 Tablespoon olive oil, divided

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces (1/4 cup) parmesan or feta cheese, grated

2 chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta. Chop vegetables. Heat 1 Tab. of the oil over medium heat. Stir fry chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side and remove chicken from skillet.

2. Heat 1 Tab. of oil over medium heat. Press garlic into skillet. Stir fry 15 seconds. Add onion and pepper and stir fry 2 - 3 minutes. Add olives, artichokes, tomatoes with juices, and salt. Heat 1-2 minutes, stirring gently.

3. Remove from heat and stir in pasta. Sprinkle with cheese.

This can also be made as a vegetarian entree by eliminating the chicken.

12/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

12/28/2012

{Best Appetizers} Baked Brie with Apples and Cranberries

Oh my land - this elegant appetizer tastes heavenly! Come November, I start to crave this holiday appetizer. It has made it's welcome appearance at many holiday and New Year's parties over the years, always fetching rave reviews. From the caramel-like blending of brown sugar and butter to the melted Brie accented with apples, cranberries and almonds - the flavor combinations can't be beat.

The ingredients.

I'll admit that the photo does not do this appetizer justice. The melted goodness of the Brie is difficult to capture with a camera. Trust me that it is absolutely delicious. The Hubs could not stop raving about it (as it only makes a seasonal appearance at our place, I think he forgets about it!)

Baked Brie with Apples & Cranberries

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped apple (about 1/2 of a medium apple)

1/4 cup slice natural almonds

1/4 cup dried cranberries (I have also used dried cherries)

1 Tab. brown sugar

1/4 teasp. cinnamon

1 Tab. butter

1 8 ounce round of Brie cheese (about 4 inches in diameter)

Serve with: toasted baguette slices, apple slices, assorted crackers

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coarsely chop apple and then combine with almonds, cranberries, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in butter just until ingredients are moistened.

2. Cut Brie in half horizontally and place one half rind side down. Spoon half of the apple mixture onto bottom of Brie, spreading evenly. Top with remaining half of Brie, rind side up. Spoon remaining apple mixture on top.

3. Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is soft and just begins to melt.

Makes 8 servings.

12/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

12/23/2012

Gingerbread Pancakes & Lemon Sauce

I love gingerbread in any form but when you pair it with lemon sauce, it sends me over the moon! This combination of Gingerbread Pancakes topped with a tangy and tart Lemon Sauce is a dreamy way to start the day! I make these during the Christmas season multiple times and serve these along with sausage links, fresh fruit and applesauce.

Gingerbread Pancakes & Lemon Sauce

Printable Recipe

Gingerbread Pancake Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 egg

1 1/4 cups milk

1/4 cup molasses

3 Tab. coconut oil OR vegetable oil

Instructions for Pancakes:

1. Mix together first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl.In a large bowl, beat egg and milk until blended; stir in molasses and oil. Add flour mixture to milk mixture, stirring just until moistened.

2. Pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Cook over medium heat unitl bubbly on top; flip and continue to cook until golden. Serve with lemon sauce and garnish with lemon zest strips, if you'd like.

Lemon Sauce Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tab. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. nutmeg (I love using fresh grated if you have it and a zester)

1 cup water

1/2 tsp. lemon zest (I typically just use the zest from one lemon)

2 Tab. lemon juice

Instructions:

Stir together sugar, cornstarch and nutmeg in a small saucepan; add water and cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Cook and stir for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and zest. Serve warm. This is great over gingerbread also!

Serves four to six.

12/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

12/22/2012

{Best Christmas Traditions} The Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle: Holiday Traditions www.whatmattersmostnow.typepad.com

A Favorite Christmas Tradition

The Legend of the Christmas Pickle

This a great annual holiday tradition that my kids have loved at all ages, even as teens.

Legend has it that the pickle symbolizes good luck, and in Old World Germany, it was the last ornament placed on the Christmas tree. The pickle was hung deep amongst the branches of the tree, not making it an easy quest. The first child to find it on Christmas morning was rewarded with an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult to find the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year!

With four kids, we altered this tradition a bit by giving more opportunities for "success". After decorating our tree, the pickle was hidden amongst the boughs and the first child to find it was granted with a little treat. That child then had already had their turn discovering the pickle, leaving the others to get the opportunity to find it as well. After everyone has found the pickle, the kids hide it for each other on the days leading up to Christmas but the treats have already been doled out. One year, our pickle was hidden so well, that it almost made it's way out to be recycled with the pickle still nestled amongst the boughs!

Here is the Christmas Pickle Poem:

To start a tradition that will surely last,

Here's the story about the pickle of glass.

The night before Christmas, it's hung on the tree

While everyone's sleeping, it's done secretly.

And on Christmas morning, when you arise,

The first one to find it will get a surprise!

A family tradition for all to share,

You'll look for the pickle year after year.

This is one of our favorite, easy, traditions that make for great fun leading up to Christmas!