well, the truffles got scarfed (shame on you catters, eating your sweets before your savories!) so I'm off to the kitchen to help those that are rustling up some grub.
Erm, I think I'll just finish off this whiskey so it doesn't, ah, gather dust...thank ye Amos. Must think of another song while I'm in the kitchen..maybe the Wexford Carol with those spiffy new lyrics from Renbourne...one for the quiet moments 'round the fire later.

Wow. The kitchen is remarkably clean considering there's some hot necking going on in the pantry, and several people at the counter, scratching their heads standing round an old copy of Martha Stewart's Living and several boxes of confectioner's sugar, a bag of gumdrops, and a jar of silver candy balls...wait, is that a gingerbread house you're bulding?!?

Okay, good luck, you guys.

How about (a few of my specialties):
Cream of mushroom soup with champagne and tarragon?
Venison medallions, soaked in a Guinness-Worcestershire marinade and fried in butter?
Broiled salmon steaks, drizzled with a honey-lemon-garlic-cumin-red pepper glaze?
Red potatoes done with butter and fresh parsley?
and for dessert...spicy, clovy gingerbread, still warm from the oven, with real whipped cream.

Oh, and later, I can make some real hot chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps...mmm...

all this dairy wreaks havoc with the singing voice! But what the hell, it's the holidays.