Holiday Madness!

Ok, so I'm just now realizing that we are in a hurry to get no where to find nothing we didn't need before and to wrap it and send it off to someone who only talks to us once a year... sound familiar? I hope not. But that is how most holiday seasons tend to be. 

This year, I'm trying to really stop, and smell the roses (or in this case, poinsettias). I'm trying hard to not fill up my break with busy- checks, but beautiful heart checks. 

In the midst of this season, I tend to get my to do list out and start cracking away, I start thinking of what I can buy them and what they will love, but truly- I have everything I need, and so do my children. I'm grateful that we do and I want them to be grateful too. So how I go about making these next few weeks is not only important to my sanity but also to theirs. 

For their wives and husbands- their children, and grandchildren. How would we spend Christmas if we knew our kids were going to do the exact same thing we do with their kids? Would we spend hours searching for the perfect gift or would we buy less? Would we play more, watch a few more movies? Not bring out the elf? Not get on the computer as much? (Yikes that's hitting way too close to home...) But you get the idea, how are we going to spend this time "off?"

My mother- in- law told me she left the bed of a dying relative this evening. Death is happening all the time. Yesterday I wondered, if I died tonight, would I be happy with how I spent it? The truth is sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not. I pray for all of you reading this that you spend it wisely and in the holiday madness we take time to do all that really matters! Not the other stuff. Less show, more shine from within!

So in that vein, I have a picture to share with you that might help. I was hosting my father- in- law this week and had to make a breakfast ahead of time. This recipe looks good but it tastes even better. Like, "Give me more, move over sister," kinda better. So if you are up for trying another new thing- and have guests coming this season, give this a shot and let me know how it goes.

Uncooked, and waiting for the oven to be heated.

Teresa's Frittata 

(named after my good friend)

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Toast (about 4-5 slices)
1 dozen eggs *
About a cup of milk
Onions (about half)
Garlic (about 3 cloves)
Feta (about 1/2 cup)
Fresh Spinach (about 2 cups)
Bacon (about 6 slices)
2 Large Tomatoes (Vine or Beef Steak)
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
1) Take a 9 X 12 pan and line it up with your whole wheat toast. I heat mine in my oven to get it nice and hard. But be careful not to burn it. Chop up or tear the bread into pieces so they are no bigger than a quarter.
2) Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to liking.
3) Fry up chopped onions and pressed garlic in a skillet with oil of your choice. Heat on high heat for about 5 minutes, then turn down and heat until onions are soft and translucent.
4) Mix onions and garlic in egg mixture.
5) Rinse and Drain spinach. Chope into pieces no bigger than a square inch.
6) Add to eggs
7) Add feta. Stir until it's combined.
8) Take it all and pour over toasted bread in pan.
9) Slice tomatoes and place on top of the egg mixture.
9) Wrap with plastic wrap, put it in the refrigerator overnight.
10) Wake up, pull it out of the fridge, while it comes to room temp, warm up your oven to 350.
11) Make the bacon (which is optional). Fry it up and drain. Chop up and place on top of your dish.
12) Bake for 45 minutes or until the center is not liquidy. Test with a fork to make sure it's done all the way through. Much like a quiche- it will giggle a bit but not be runny.

Serve warm or at room temp. :) Add a little cut fruit on the plate and wha laaa! You're an amaaaazing hostess.

If you have really old bread, the better! And as it bakes it will rise, so make sure there isn't a rack above it. But don't worry it will come back down. Here's my finished product.

All ready! Notice my son is totally not into this- but whatever the adults were.

Best part is you made it all after everyone went to bed and you didn't have to wake up super early to get it prepped beforehand. And it's pretty! I know appearances aren't everything, but when it comes to food, it does matter. It's like the elves came and surprised everyone with a great breakfast.

And it goes along with my philosophy this season to spend time doing the things that really matter. Less fuss and more sweet memories, that's my mantra.

* All of the ingredients can be changed or substituted as you can see I make things with apporximations. So go with your gut and let your common sense be your guide. This is what I love about it. Plus it's overnight and pretty healthy (minus the fattening bacon.)

 You can adapt to any diet. 

Ok, next post will be about education- promise. :)

Blessings to all!

-Crecia