Dear Silenus Charm, Santa's Crack Research Elf:

So sorry to be away from thsi thread. I've been busy cooking. Over Thanskgiving holidays I made a huge batch of my very best Never-Fail Cranberry Sauce and put a bunch of it up in jars. I was also busy boiling down Pyracantha berries to make my first ever batch of Firethorn Berry Chili preserves. After a lot of trial and error, I believe I have perfected the recipe.

I did indeed get the Tar Heel pie recipe postcard and it was magnificiant! I do hope to bake one up soon. Today am occupied with a bread pudding. I cubed a stale loaf of Cinnamon bread 3 days ago and really need to get the custard made and over those bread cubes before they become bird food! I meant to do it yesterday but I was distracted by a small rack of lamb my husband wanted for dinner.

Colors I might like - as you know, NO ORANGE. I'm not a big fan of primary colors either. My Cottage was just painted a lovely cape cod blue if that helps you out at all. It looks lovely but now I have to redo the front gardens that line the fence. Yellow & white Aliums just won't do any more. At least I can consider putting in some pink and lavendar flowers now.

I would very much like Mrs. Claus' Chess Pie recipe. if she happens to have one for Lemon Chess Pie, so much the better! I saw an item in a catalog from Virgibnia Tradtions (they sell hams and such) and it was a combination of a lemon chess pie and lemon cheesecake! Can you imagine such a thing?? Yummy. It seems they use a deep dish lemon chess pie base, fill it halfway and bake it some, then return it to the oven topped off with the cheesecake filling. That's a pie I would risk making for sure.

Tonite I have to figure out what to do with several pounds of frozen Perch filets. My Mum suggests frying them but that's boring. I'm thinking of making them in a casserole like escalloped potatoes and sliding the filets in between layers of potatoes and sweet onions. add in some greek yogurt or sour cream, some parmesan, a little milk and then top with butter cracker crumbs and more parmesan cheese.

Do you or any of the other elves think this is a good idea? I may not get around to trying this until tomorrow since I still have leftover Lamb from last nite. I think Dave (my husband) won't mind having rack of lamb leftovers especially since I managed to find a six pack of Asahi dry in bottles at tarder Joes. For the longest time they only had cans. Blech! Asahi in bottles is sublime and even better when paired with rich food since it's so crisp and clean tasting.

So, that's all from me. I hope the reindeer are well. My favorites was always Comet. Please give his ears a nice scritching from me and tell him I think he's the top! I know every always goes for Rudolph or Donner (his dad so they say). Me, I always heard Comet was the best sleigh puller and that he has amazing sense of direction.

Best wishes

Dave'sWife