Menu Plan Monday - Christmas is Coming!

Recently I've been planning my meals in blocks and that has really simplified life. This week, of course has a couple of special meals that must be planned to the nth degree so there you are!  Here are my Christmas menus - with wines so I can remember what they were next time -- and my plans for other days.

Italian Christmas Eve

Polenta  Parmesan
Ratatouille (I know, it's French!)
Broccoli (steamed) w/ shaved parm and almonds
Baked cod
A nice Chilean Chardonnay  - Copa del Rey 2009

Later, by the fire:
Peppermint ice-cream (Blue Bell of course) and Christmas cookies
Prosecco

Traditional English Christmas

A Tempranillo, Casajus Bebera del Duero 2009
Prime Rib (cooked in our Big Easy)
Mashed Potatoes
Yorkshire Pudding
Horseradish Sauce (really just sour cream and horseradish)
Candied long Carrots
Roasted Brussels Sprouts w/ Balsamic Vinegar &  Pancetta
and toward the end of the meal, St Michelle Select Harvest Riesling (2012)
Tennessee Stack Cake

If you've never had Tennessee Stack Cake - you must have it now. Run, do not walk to your kitchen. This year, I'll be using apple-butter Alli made last year. Oh yum.

We will also be eating:

Black Beans and Rice over Spinach

Crock-pot Chicken Tikka Masala with Jasmine Rice
Turkey Sausage and Peppers with Polenta
Florentine Omelettes with Ratatouille (since I have it on hand!)

I linked up with OrgJunkie for this Menu Plan Monday.

A Sweet Gift Idea - Tabletop S'mores

Sunshine is a mother's helper to a wonderful homeschooling family. They gave her the cutest Christmas gift and I am just now getting around to blogging it:  A tabletop S'mores kit.

Contents:
Can of Sterno
4 to 6 wooden skewers
Package of graham crackers
A dozen large marshmallows
A large chocolate bar

Supplies
Sandwich bag for the marshmallows
Some fabric pieces to decorate
Sharpie
Ribbon
Labels
Cellophane bag to hold it all

Sweet and simple.

A few more Christmas Shots

Our niece Lily took some beautiful pictures at Christmas.  Here are few of my favorites:

Christmas Pics

If a picture's worth a thousand words, well what are a lot of pictures worth?  Here some assorted snaps of the family at Christmas.  Later I will post some photos taken by our niece, Lily.  She is an amazing photographer. I am going to also put up individual albums for the kids in case I never again put an actual photograph in an actual album. But for now, you get these: