Cheesecake Please!

The holidays were so wonderful. I did not expect the peacefulness that the season brought me, but I certainly welcomed it with open arms.

I shop for Christmas on Christmas Eve. It had become a tradition for me when I worked in retail many years ago. I figured by then everyone would have what they wanted and I could go into the stores and pick out my gifts and groceries. This year I had a surprise companion. My son woke up and wanted to go with me. So much for shopping for him in secret. He was so into the last minute shopping that he forgot his phone and his money. We tackled two stores before basketball practice started. Yes, he had practice on Christmas Eve.

After we conquered the first two stores we were so tired but we had so much fun. I cooked at my home like I knew what I was doing. Our menu was simple we had honey ham, corn pudding, spicy green beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread. I even baked two carrot cakes. All of this was prepared by noon. I was so proud of me.

My New Year's resolution is to be a little more tidy and definitely more organized. I started on Christmas Day and I believe that I am doing well. The kitchen counter is proof.

After lunch at home we headed out to visit relatives. My mother was at home and she went a different route. She had beef ribs. OMG! Had to have at least one. I wanted to take some home but that did not happen. She wouldn't let me. ;) I might have to buy her some ribs to cook for New Year's.

We ended the day at my aunt's house. Now normally I would eat until I couldn't eat. Not this year. I only wanted those things that brought back warm memories of my grandmother. She would bake dressing and make this gravy. The gravy contains boiled eggs, celery, and turkey meat. We only have this delicacy for the holidays. I had been looking forward dressing and gravy. Gravy is not my thing to cook. My aunt mentioned something about a rue. I am just not there yet.

We are watching a Lifetime movie and my aunt asked me to get her some more ambrosia. No!!! Not ambrosia!!! My mother and grandmother would have ambrosia during the holidays. Having ambrosia means Christmas is really here. So I had some ambrosia too. Boy I am so happy now. Life could not get any better. Until. Did somebody say "Cheesecake"?

My aunt makes cheesecake from scratch and that is how I ended my Christmas Day. Before we cut the cheesecake my cousin and I had to take a picture. It looks like it came from some upscale restaurant doesn't it?

Christmas was wonderful and filled with family, food, and meaningful gifts, (Aqua Globes, throw blankets, and lavender. A girl could not have asked for more.