Aunt B eats at Minerva's (restaurant in the yellow structure with rounded roof at the front of the building) in the Park Place Hotel. And I had my favorite- stuffed ravioli with mushroom sauce. I love it and I haven't found it any other place. So, I order it everytime I go there. I enjoy the rich mushroom sauce, ravioli stuffed with ricotta ( I think), and the garnish of grated cheese and freshly minced tomatoes. It is about $9.00 which is a little pricey for lunch. It doesn't come with salad or bread like you get on the dinner menu. We used our Two on the Town cards, so the bill was about $15.00 including Big Fred's perch lunch and my glass of chardonnay.

Since I like this ravioli so much, I'm hunting for a similar recipe. I think I have found it in an article about Traverse City in Midwest Living magazine, but haven't tried it yet. That will be for another posting.

Luckily, I brought a little of the mushroom sauce and ravioli home and I can savor the flavor one more time. Yum!

Big Fred got some amaaaazing cheese for Christmas. AS(soon to be AB) gave this gift. Mongomery's Cheddar cheese. Now let me tell you my tastebud review: it is creamy with occasional crystal chunks, it has an distinctly aged flavor and at first I thought it might be Stilton, only a sliver is needed with a mild cracker for a cheesy taste. It definitely can stand alone. I haven't tried it on eggs, so won't report on that combination.

Now, saying all of this from an unknowing viewpoint, here is the partial word on Mongomery's Cheddar from : www.teddingtoncheese.co.uk
"The making of real farmhouse cheddar is now restricted to a hand full of farms, and the traditional unpasteurised cheese is only made on three farms. Ours is made by the Montgomerys' who have been making the cheese at Manor farm for generations. Their cheese-maker Harold was making the cheese at the farm for forty years, and in the later years with his son Michael. Harold has recently retired, but fortunately his son Michael has continued with the help of a new cheese-maker called Stephen.

Montomerys' cheddar can be matured for 18 months to produce a full nutty flavour and a dry texture. However, at the Teddington Cheese we prefer to mature the cheese for 12 to 14 months where the full nutty flavour is accompanied by a slightly moister texture. On stripping away the cheese-cloth and cutting open the cheese the most amazing aroma fills the room and the first taste of each and every cheese is one of the highlights of being a cheese-monger. Cheddar is a very versatile cheese, which can be cooked, grated or eaten on its own. However the quality of Montgomery's cheddar ensures that it makes a statement when added to the cheeseboard, and is sure to impress those who have eaten nothing but block cheddar before."

What I do know (though I forgot) is that I tasted this cheese at my Epicurean Classic class this past fall. It was paired with Burton Bridge Brewery Empire India Pale Ale. I really liked both.

So, there you go. Another great gift. Thank you, AS.

With Christmas over, it's time for the Snowbirds (relatives and friends from the North who go to the warm climes) to head to Florida. They are looking forward to sunshine, warm temps., and golf everyday. I can't blame them, since it has rained here all day with gloomy gray clouds overhead.

I was talking to BF about going south for the winter, but we both decided that we would only leave home if it was to go visiting our family for a short while. I guess we are just home bodies. When we are retired and have the time we might change our minds, but for right now, we have no desire to go to Florida or Alabama or Texas. Give us a few years and we'll probably be wishing and praying to get out of here.

Bring on the snow. We have the new plow. We're ready! Bye, bye everyone, see you when the robins come home.

CT made me her world famous honey caramel corn. NB gave me a grand bottle of olive oil. I got a beautiful jewelry box, gilded vanity set, a gold dressup watch and matching bracelet, earmuffs and a scarf, a gorgeous necklace from AS, money, gift cards, candy, and gosh, I can't think of it all. We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Mom came from the nursing home and really enjoyed the company. Even the weather was warm and sunny.

So, what could be the problem. Well, it is kind of a let down. I feel like I should take down the tree and put away the ornaments, but I just put them up. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE VALENTINES JUNK IN THE STORES. Time is just moving too fast.

I'll have to think on a solution. I wonder what my relatives did to slow down the time? Maybe I'll eat some more of that yummy caramel corn.

Christmas Eve was a busy, fun time. I made potato soup for supper. We all enjoyed Meggie's visit cause she's sooo sweet. Later, we watched the 1951 version of Scrooge with NB and AS, and FB and I made a cheesecake from scratch for tomorrow's dinner.

Usually, Big Fred and I sit here alone on this evening. It is usually very quiet for us, but tonight was different and I loved the company. It is so nice to share the excitement. So many gifts under the tree. So many laughs and good natured teasing. I say, like Tiny Tim, God bless us everyone.
Merry Christmas !