Mexican Treats for Book Club

These
"Christmas Rolls" are taken from Chapter 1 of "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquirel. I made them for our monthly book club tonight. They have a spicy mixture of chorizo, onions, sardines, oregano, and serrano chilies (which my friend Joe Serrano grows in his backyard each summer for his kids' sake). As the story goes, you may cry over the chopping of the onions. And the simmering aroma in the air may remind you of Christmas in kitchen's past. I love recipes and culinary fiction or culinary memoirs. I also took Luzon wine from Jumillo, which was recommended by the Wine Shop lady for its smoky flavor to complement the rolls - Excellent! The title: "Like Water for Chocolate" is a saying that means the boiling water/milk is ready for you to melt in the chocolate--either to refer to someone who is boiling mad or boiling with passion. I can relate to Tita! It was a great treat for me tonight to discuss this book, even though another member *detested* the story. The magical realism was not to her taste. I also brought Vee along, and I think she liked meeting our 6 regular members and will join our book club for the whole year!

Christmas Rolls
1/2 chorizo sausage (I used 1/2 pound)
1 can sardines
1 onion, finely chopped
1 can chiles serranos (I used fewer)
Oregano, (I used 1/2 t. ground oregano)
10 hard rolls
Simmer the onions and chorizo sausage slowly so as not to burn. Add sardines, serrano chiles, and oregano. Let mixture simmer to combine flavors. Allow to stand on counter until serving time. Stuff into hard rolls, allowing sauce to drip over the edges.

Bantam Hockey

The Saints Bantam team traveled to St. Louis for the MLK RiverCity Tournament. They finished in 3rd place! and enjoyed their time at the hotel breakfast buffet. Dorito spent a lot of time in the "Rule Room" playing PS-2 games with Aaron and Cody, et. al.

Taking a Break

As you can see, this blog lacked my attention from Dec. 12 - Jan. 12. The busy-ness of family life at Christmas time is my best excuse. I was too stubborn to admit the hockey and school schedules were overwhelming me. Since I need to continue writing for my own sake, I will try to pick up the peices. Everyone will know I'm not perfect.

Christmas Music Warms my Heart

The Suzuki concert was comprised of a dozen Christmas songs, which must be performed from memory. (Captain was able to attend instead of listening via cell phone.) We were proud of the twins for learning nine of them - as compared to 4 last year. Dorito was in all the numbers, including Pacabel's Canon in D and the fancy glissando in "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

Last of the Apples

I need to make room in the garage for sleds from the attic, so the twins helped me make 4 apple pies plus a bit of homemade applesauce for dinner. Winger likes the peeling machine.
Polar Bear claimed the longest peeling.
But he was soon sharing it with his twin brother. A phone call from Aunt Kathy in the middle of our baking gave us a good idea about who would like to receive a pie for a Christmas present.

Skits with the Family of Jesus

On this Feast of the Immacu- late Conception, we held a fun Co-op Class at St. James and studied the family tree of Jesus. First, "David" visits his brothers in the Army, where everyone is afraid of "Goliath."



Now, young David (Edmund) is telling Goliath (Shane) that he will fight him!
David needed help loading the marshmallow in his sling-shot.
Joachim (David/Winger) and Anna (Sierra), future parents of the Virgin Mary, on their way to the temple to pray and ask the Lord to bless them with a child.

These fun skits were followed by a "Manger of Good Deeds" craft project and then (loud) Advent games in the gym!

St. Nicholas Was Here

The children got these Brass Initials for St. Nicholas Day from Gr. Judy and Gr. Gerald. We decided to hang them on the mantle during Advent, while we are waiting to put up the stockings.

St. Nicholas filled the shoes with chocolate coins, Stride gum, and a movie this year. Dorito started watching "August Rush" immediately (it was a Saturday morning); the twins are taking their "Young Riders" to the hockey tournament today; and Meggar plans to watch "27 Dresses" later tonight when all the boys are gone.