I know that Food is a big part of the Christmas holiday time.  We all enjoy cookies and treats....maybe even special treats you only get this time of year.

And even dinners...ranging from full on Turkey or Prime Rib dinners to some people just enjoying snacks or, as in my brothers case - Nachos...Food is a big part of the holiday.

We had a nice Prime Rib dinner last nite.  Thats become our go-to dinner since we just put that in the oven and it cooks, then bake some potatos, toss a salad and dinner is ready.  No one is stuck cooking all day long.  Its perfect.  And it was very good.

( altho next year I need to remember to bring horseradish for the beef...my mom only had chinese mustard...and that had expired in March of this year.  Also need to perhaps buy her some NEW and fresh chinese mustard . )

It was a great dinner to finish the holiday.  Which was good because really....it didn't get off to a great start!  My Mom makes Oyster Stew EVERY christmas eve.  Like for as long as I can recall, and no, I don't eat it.  I have always brought or had an alternative.  Its been sloppy joes, deli sandwiches....anything but that stuff. :)  Altho others enjoy it.  But this year....something....something happened to the stew.  No one knows just what went wrong...but well, its a good thing there was a LOT of drinking going on too, to cover up the oyster soup mess.

Even the breakfast cassarole wasn't quite the same this year....didn't quite cook right, but was still good to eat!!! 

I know I have given my Mom a lot of grief over the years about her cooking...and I know she tries hard.  And I know too that I too have many many nights where my husband said he couldn't identify the dinner I had made and stopped at McDonalds instead....but I think I am actually starting to enjoy my Moms cooking "challenges".  I don't think she should change.  Its becoming one of the fun "traditions" in the house and the holidays!!

AND...to be fair, this year she made my Dads bday cake from scratch and it turned out great.  NEVER does this happen for her.

I think that used up all her cooking luck for the year.

Luckily, the new year starts soon.....luckily for us all!!!!