Christmas Weekend

Mele Kalikimaka 2005 came and went. It was yet another commercial success I suppose for the retail industry. Sure there was the endless commercials, ads, spots, sales, etc. At some places I heard they even had caroling but sadly, I missed it. In spite of the all mighty dollar theme it turned out quite nice for gatherings.

Our family gathering was nice. We had two so my side was on the eve and her's on the day. There was actually three since she had two for Saturday - one lunch and one dinner. But bad timing and a lingering flu turned the lunch into dinner and the latter into apologies. Thankfully her sick is on the exit and I didn't get smashed by it.

Probably the stress of physical and mental planning for the occassion didn't help much either. There's so much going on during that time including gift shopping that it can bog you down real easy. Good thing most of that was done early so mostly was just my stuff for her which she chose.

Getting back to the parties we got to the Saturday lunch late so I can't say too much about it. What I can say is that I got to eat a favorite dish of mine that a "brother" makes - pork gisantes. Better than any I've eaten in restaurants!

I also can't say much on the dinner party for the same reason. It was already dark when we arrived and after only two hours it was late. Too late to attend that we reluctantly stayed longer at the late lunch. While it was nice to spend time with the family was still a bummer not to spend it with the rest.

The only definitive menu I can offer for this past weekend's potluck buffet is from Friday's fest. Lots and lots of grinds made up of high fat, high calorie, high carbohydrate content - in other words, ONO!! Here's the spread: oven roasted prime rib, kalua pork, kalua ham (w/ fat and skin gleefully hanging by a thread), kalua lamb, sauteed monchong (w/ shrimp, mushrooms, onions, and capers), steamed fish (w/ lupcheong), smoked fish, pork & cabbage soup, fish & tako pokes, steamed veggies, roasted red skinned potatoes, chinese salad, potato & egg salad, chips & salsa, rice, various breads, German apple pie, pumpkin pie, minced meat pie, chocolate chip cookies, and a ginger bread house that the kids demolished.

I brought down my own hotsauce so the only gripe was no damn kimchee. Now WTF is up with that?!?! What a bummerz. Anyway, lotta working out to do before the next pigout this coming Saturday!