I love Christmas stories. Writing Christmas stories are my favorite. Since 2013 I have published four. Lone Star Holiday, A Texas Christmas Wish, Forever Christmas Kiss and A short story in A Recipe for Romance: A Collection of 22 Inspirational Stories and Recipes.
There seems to be a theme of Texas family, food and porches in my fiction and real time. I have found the most joy I’ve experienced with my family is the simple things. It shows in my books and pictures on Facebook.
One food that is in demand and the first to go at every gathering is the oh-so-simple pigs-in-the-blanket. Little bite size deliciousness.
They are featured in A Texas Christmas Wish. Karly, the heroine has been homeless and alone most of her yearly adult life and has not had the opportunity to learn to cook.
When she gets a job of live-in-companion, she thinks for the first time she will be able to give her young son a real Christmas.
Her only problem – she can’t seem to get the hang of cooking, but she can make a mean little sausage wrapped in croissant. SHe discovers how fulfilling it can be to make something that people love and devour.
For my real family, pigs-in-the-blanket is one recipe they expect at every family gathering. It’s not the healthiest or fanciest snack, but we love it.
So let’s make a batch: Step One. For extra fancy add cheese.
Step Two: It’s a wrap
Step three: Cook at 375 for 15 minutes. I use a stone.
Step four: Keep everyone away until it is time to eat. :)
Throw in some tamels with chili and Christmas Eve dinner is ready. Now we have time to sit on the porch and enjoy the Texas Hill Country.
Sitting on the porch, visiting, eating and enjoying God’s gifts.
What are your favorite must haves during Christmas and what do you do to relax after all the craziness?
Have a Great New Year!
LORRAINE MACPHERSON OWENS says
It’s odd how a recipe can be so very different in another country. I am a Brit living in the USA and our pigs in a blanket are cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon. I think they are both yummy.
Destressing after Christmas is settling down on the soda with a good book and a nice cold bottle of spring water.
Jill Weatherholt says
Being the cheese lover that I am, I’d like the extra fancy version, Jolene. Great photos! I especially love the one of your son. :)
Just getting back into a normal routine again is a great way to destress. Happy New Year!
Priscila says
I really like the porch tradition. I feel like it is a tradition of being together and that’s my favorite must have this time of the year: family hanging out together in a Christmas spirit of preparing our hearts and remembering the birth of Jesus (whether in the porch or near a Christmas tree). My parents always had two moments, one around mid afternoon (before Church) in the back yard, kind of like your porch idea, and then another one later at night after dinner next to the Christmas tree. I really enjoy these moments and I miss them when they don’t happen.
Renate says
Comfort food in the Midwest for the holidays is ham served with cheesy potatoes, vegetables, salad and served with Christmas cookies. As a teacher and pastor’s wife, the week between Christmas and New Year was family time. Time to sleep in and spend a day in PJs watching movies or reading. Now being retired but watching grandchildren, I enjoy sleeping a little longer and staying in my PJs longer. Reading and chatting with friends around the world. Nice pictures. May make pigs in the blanket New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year.
Valerie Comer says
Today we’re meeting with my sister’s family for our annual Christmas get-together. I’ve brought mushroom turnovers to this event for a LOT of years. I’m not sure I’d be welcome without them! They consist of a cream cheese pastry with a dollop of seasoned mushroom and onion mix, “turned over,” and baked.
A good long walk is a great destresser for me. Sitting around on the porch isn’t what we do after Christmas in sub-freezing weather! ;)
Julianne Archer says
We have pigs-in-a-blanket periodically for dinner :) However, our son prefers it without cheese, can you imagine? Must-haves seem to depend on whether we are with his family or mine for Christmas. If we’re with mine – Ham, mashed potatoes (preferably w/garlic), apple and maple sugar pie on Christmas. If we’re with his – lasagne, oyster stew, and a variety of cookies on Christmas Eve. Either way is good because we’re with family. Happy New Year!
Jolene Navarro says
Oh – that sounds delicious! I think I might add bacon next time. A good book is always good
Jolene Navarro says
Happy New year to you too! Normal is good. That’s what I hear anyway. LOL Have a great New Year.
Jolene Navarro says
I agree. Just hanging out is what makes it special.
Jolene Navarro says
I’m a teacher also. So is my husband. We have this lovely week of just being. It’s nice. And yes pigs in a blanket will be in our house for New Year’s Eve. May your be full of joy.
Jolene Navarro says
LOL – It was in the 80s here yesterday, same today. We are expecting a cold front and it might get down to the 50s. The mushrooms sound delicious!
Jolene Navarro says
Those both sound great – I have heard lasagne is popular for Christmas Eve. We have always had tamales with chili. I think I might make a lasage for New Years. Have a great one and enjoy the families!
leemcclain1234 says
Jolene, it’s so much fun to follow you on Facebook and see your pictures and posts about your family. YES to front porches, families, and FINE FOOD like pigs in blankets!
Jolene Navarro says
LOL – I have to say my husband was horrified when I discovered LIVE on facebook. I promised to control myself.
Trixi says
My husband does pigs-in-a-blanket but with hotdogs. I think we’ll have to try them with the little smokies, sounds so delicious :-)
As much as I LOVE Christmas, I’m so thankful it’s over for another year! The time between it and New Years feels like a time to do nothing but relax, catch up on reading or maybe watch a good movie or two. I’d love to be sitting on the front porch with your family, it looks so serene :-) We used to do that a lot growing up with the adults talking and us kids playing in the yard at my grandma’s house. Just watching the world go by is so peaceful, isn’t it?
Happy New Year Jolene to you and your family!
Jolene Navarro says
Happy New year to you too! And YES you have to try it with the lit’smokies – world of difference. :)