Christmas was a total blast! I had fun hanging out with the Silver Fox and our dear friend Judy, who was visiting from NYC. On Sunday, Judy helped me to prepare Christmas dinner for nine people. And what a meal it was! We feasted on a colorful soup, an unusual bread, and some wine-braised short ribs served over creamy mashed potatoes. There was a salad, too, and a flourless chocolate cake that made everybody swoon.
Afterwards, we all passed out from pleasure.
Or maybe we’d just had too much to drink.
Anyway, here’s what the dining table looked like before guests arrived. For a centerpiece, I laid some lacy Thuja ‘Green Giant’ boughs between a pair of candelabra, and topped them off with apples, oranges, and a single pineapple. Easy!
To the left of each setting is a Christmas “cracker.”  When two people pull the ends of a cracker, the thing breaks with a loud BANG!, and out falls a little toy. I can assure you that sober children love this Victorian novelty as much as inebriated adults do.
Of course, no December holiday can be complete with a domestic disaster. I had two of ’em.
On Christmas eve, I noticed a cloud of steam rising through the ancient floor boards in the entrance hall. The culprit? A rusted and busted 1940s steam pipe in the cellar. The pipe is being replaced as I write this. The floor is another story.
And then…
Gale-force winds arrived the day after Christmas, taking with them three large sections of the garden fence, including the front gate.  We’re grateful that no one was hurt. We’re also grateful for homeowners insurance.
Was your Christmas holiday filled with good cheer and good friends? You can let me know by leaving a comment. I look forward to hearing from you!
xKevin
Joanne C Toft says
So sorry for the unexpected holiday adventures but the Christmas dinner sounds great! The fence looks like a job to put on the spring list of to do items.
We has a quite Christmas. Thank goodness!
Happy New Year!
Judy K. says
Your Christmas dinner was unforgettable, as always!! So glad I was able to help the famous Kevin Lee Jacobs cook without cutting my thumbs this time! Sorry about the steampipe. That word has special meaning to me as you know! Wishing you and the Silver Fox a happy, healthy — and delicious 2017!!!!
Louise Brouillette says
Kevin, I’m glad you and the Silver Fox survived the unexpected mishaps. Your table and tree look lovely!
Sandy Staples says
Nice Christmas eve with my children & their families. My sons did the cooking. Saw a movie Christmas day. The Rogue! Sorry for your disaster. Pipes my age are apt to break.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Here’s hoping holiday disasters DO NOT come in threes. We feel your pain. Your festive table is so inviting with those bright napkins and the crackers and the fruit centerpiece. Your guests were undoubtedly charmed. Happy New Year!
Monika wolf says
Love your recipes, photos and cheeky comments.
Your Christmas sounds it was fun , fabulous with yummy food, delicious drinks and lovely company and to top it of… Exciting entertainment was given as well…also this one was not planned.
We had a fantastic time celebrating our annual Christmas party early December with our friends and sometimes visitors from overseas and on the 24/12 is our family Christmas. Both are always great fun with to much food and sometimes to much vino. Diets always start in the new year
We wish you and your family a happy new year filled with laughter,happiness,love and health
Btw.. I will make this yummy soup for my next dinner get together with friend
Deborah Goodman says
With young kittens in the house this year we were afraid of more than a few mishaps. They left the tree alone ( gasp!) but unfortunately my curtains in the front room weren’t so lucky. Bad babies!! Needless to say I’ll be getting new curtains. The Hubby was feeling a little under the weather so the Christmas visiting was just myself and the kids. He’s much better now. That was the extent of our Christmas mishaps.
The best part of Christmas other than good food and family? I was pleasantly surprise with a large gift certificate to Baker Creek Seeds. Yes instead of sugar plums I’m dreaming of the garden. A garden question for you. Is it possible to get rhubarb plants started with your winter sowing method? Just a thought.
Currently we are expected the get a foot of snow between tonight and tomorrow morning so it is Downton Abbey ( tea and scones anybody?) and cozy comfort food meal planning for this evening.
Nancy Rusinak says
Our Christmas mishap: finding the fresh asparagus had gone bad. We improvised and still had a great dinner. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you, Kevin. I send the same to your family and dear readers. I’m looking forward to 2017.
Karen says
Happy New Year! Which colorful soup did you prepare? Spill! We enjoyed lobster bisque and roast goose + some lovely sides. Cockers and Siamese enjoyed treats and new toys from Santa Paws.
Bethe Harrison says
Christmas with my three grown kids who have no spouses or kids. Bottomless mimosas all day long in crisp cold weather in California. Kids made breakfast of a egg scramble dish and smashed potatoes! Delicious. No tree as I too have two new kittens and was not trusting. They provided the entertainment in a pile of wrapping paper. Love your tree that sparkles and have great sympathy for your mishaps. Without mishaps there would be no stories to tell……
Karen says
Sorry, must be the eggnog from last night, did not click on the colorful soup that was HIGHLIGHTED! When we lived in Pasadena, CA, we often enjoyed a soup like this; they would serve it ying and yang style with a warm vichyssoise and garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Always a treat and now I serve it at home.
Anne in Vermont, zone 4/5 says
Hi Kevin,
Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you both.
My sons came from Seattle and NYC (the latter a recent escapee from Texas, Hurrah!) and their father came from Chicago (much less welcome. Actually, not welcome at all; he invites himself.) and though we had fun, including Christmas Crackers – you forgot to mention the crowns which I hope you all wore – I managed to make the worst Christmas dinner in decades. I am really not sure what was wrong as I have made all these things successfully before and, indeed, most of them with spectacular results this last Thanksgiving. Perhaps it will be the final blow to persuade the ex not to return. The leftovers received extra cooking time and were scrumptious on Boxing Day.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Karen – Glad you clicked on the soup!
susan gortva says
becareful with any insurance company. they could short your replacement cost by alot. even double. check out 3 companies for the cost yourself. sorry I had too many bad experiences to not warn you. a happy and healthy fun new year kevin, I very much enjoy reading your articles. susan
Nancy P Adams says
Your table and tree are lovely. And the meal sounds terrific. As for disasters, they don’t pick their time, to they. Hey, they are part of the memories as well. Sometimes they even provide a chuckle or two–later. Happy New Year!
Vonda Gunnells says
We had strong winds here in TN as well! And of course we had scheduled family pictures to be taken since we had a new baby and 4 generations together. Let me just say “hair all over your head “will be the theme in all the shots!!
Kathy Keating says
No busted pipes, no fallen fences; aside from that our day passed in similarity!
I, too, served your braised short ribs (ribs from some happy local beeves), made it in a blue La Crueset two day ahead to let it marry and because I had other things to do. I served it with mashed spuds and parsnips together as well as sauteed (first blanched) spinach/garlic and a corn souffle. Dessert was also similar to yours except it was a dense bittersweet brownie, flavored with mint and topped with crushed candy cane. It was supposed to be served with ice cream and a salted caramel sauce. Guess who oversalted the salted caramel sauce?
Thank you so much for making our holiday dinner one that shall be repeated each year ongoing and Happy New Year.
Kat in Shelburne, VT
christina lawrence says
Two days before Christmas, my new last year white led Christmas tree that my hubbie bought for the sun room went dark. Lights were on for about 3 minutes, then a blink and nothing. Luckily, I also have a tree in the living room, which lit the festivities. p.s. I love your Christmas tree. It is perfection.
Sue beaty says
Christmas Eve here with children and grand babies. Lots of them…..a houseful to say the least. Christmas day with step mom and siblings. It was a very nice Christmas this year. Happy New Year to you and yours, and to all readers.
Cindi says
Glad everyone is ok..! On to a NEW YEAR!
Kathy Keating says
P.S. I forgot to mention that the meat was the best ever. It’s important, I think, to buy quality beef for this. I did. It was perfect.
Helen H. says
Had a lovely Christmas. Christmas Eve Mass where one of my beautiful granddaughters sang “O Holy Night”, then to a lovely Christmas Eve at one of my daughters followed by a great Christmas morning brunch at another daughters. She served a great sausage and egg casserole and mimosas. Later in the day, dinner at my home with all the family who are nearby. We had the usual ham, turkey breast, and of course lasagna (for my Italian sons-in-law). All in all, a great holiday. Would love to try your rib recipe, but several in my family do not eat red meat. Sorry about your pipes and garden fence. Hope you have a great New Year!!
Annie B says
Gorgeous table! Happy New Year.
Diane M says
Your dining room and set table are beautiful – so colorful! Dinner sounded absolutely delicious. We had the decorations up, table set, gifts wrapped, and then my husband and I got the flu! We are just now finally able to get out a little bit. Needless to say we had to cancel Christmas! And we both had flu shots, but were told this was a strain that didn’t quite make it into the flu shot, but the flu wouldn’t be as bad (really?) and we would recover quickly. But no pipes broke or did we lose any fencing. So we are looking forward to a wonderful New Year. Cheers!
Rosemary says
Other than the steam pipe and the gale force winds, it sounds like a fabulous Christmas, Kevin. My Christmas was great too. We always have Christmas crackers. In addition to the toy, I hope yours also contained a joke and a hat. The hats are always the biggest hit around our Christmas dinner table. In the past, I have occasionally made Christmas crackers (you can actually purchase the bit that makes the “pop” online), customizing them for each guest. This year, however, I ran out of time and opted for the “store-bought” variety. All the best in 2017!
Jessica Graves says
I searched your site for flourless chocolate cake and did not find it. Would you share your recipe please?
Carolyn says
Blessed with children home and a few good friends for dinner which our daughter and I cooked.
May your new year be filled with lots of fun, good health and many blessings.
Donna Korkus says
Hi Kevin,
Our family came in from Denver, and then we went down to Stamford, Ct., to visit our Daughter and family who has a new arrival, Addison Mary born 12/14/16..
The only bad thing that happened to me was the popovers, I used Wheat/White King Arthur flour, and they came out like hockey pucks..
We ate them nevertheless..(Should have used all purpose)..
Hope you & the silver fox have a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year 2017
xoxox
Donna Korkus Bolton Landing New York
lise says
i loved Christmas , but very hectic beginning a new job, and having people over… but we were able to pull it off..! Happy New Years Kevin and the silver fox!
Judy LeRoux says
Ah Kevin a lovely table there, no holiday is repleat ithout some disaster for the memory, lol.
We took out this year and went to St. Croix vi for Christmas. Lovely 73 degree weather, great food everywhere , great beaching, great beers and Cruzon rum drinks! Can’t wait to go back!
Came home with a new altitude. Remember if a tsunami is coming grab your beer and run!!!!!lol
Durf says
It was lovely. I made a spiral ham, apple pie, brussels sprouts, carrots and three kinds of candy.
I don’t remember seeing this room before. The magenta wall color is lovely!
Rose says
Kevin,
you might be better off to pay for the fence replacement out of pocket, rather than turning it into your homeowner’s insurance. we have been there, done that, etc.
Your decorations are simply delightful! Thanks for sharing!
mags says
Hi Kevin! Your Christmas table looks wonderful and (being from England) was very happy to see those Christmas Crackers!). Wouldn’t be the same without a paper hat and a corny joke lol!
Happy New Year and I hope it’s a good one for you – I am looking forward to your new recipes and advice re. the garden – thank you so much for your inspiration:) xo
Joni D. says
Love your tree and table setting and especially the Christmas Crackers! Am sure your dinner was absolutely wonderful and your guests enjoyed ALL of it! We had an interesting Christmas … 3 days before Christmas our dry wall guy walked out of here – totally finished with his work! We needed to have ALL of our ceilings re-worked from storm damage and leaking roof. Of course the only time it could be done was starting on 11/29 and it was going to take 2 weeks – ha! First we lived in our kitchen (not a good thing for me!) and slept on a blow up mattress for 2 weeks – then when they finished our bedroom – we could move in there – whew! A nice place of solitude when the rock dust got to be too much! Too soon we had to move into the family room – sort of and mostly the garage! Thank goodness we had the garage. We moved microwave, prepared food, coffee maker, dishwashing (not dishwasher) stuff – it was like camping only I had a microwave (low wattage as our regular one bit the dust – literally!). We survived! I managed to make a decent meal on Christmas Day and we were already talking about the memories we made! Living in Minnesota – we are fortunate that our garage is insulated and heated and also that I’ve camped a lot! Next year your will be talking about “last” year! I know we will! It was an adventure!
Carol says
Sorry about the pipe and gale, but so happy for the 9 people youth whom you shared Christmas. We had a wonderful and event-filled one, too–three had the stomach flu and we set our huge pine tree on fire with an errant lantern! Glad we found the put-away hoses!! Life goes on and disasters are always better with loved ones and friends around!
Happy 2017. Love your recipes and chats. Carol
jean diemer says
Hi Kevin, Sorry for all the chaos, but glad you were with friends. I made your marmalade cake and everyone loved it. It got great reviews. Thanks again for a wonderful recipe which I will make over and over. Can’t hardly wait for that wonderful cookbook you’ve been promising us.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Allison says
As I was reading the post aloud to my husband, and laughing and commenting about how funny you were, I got a sense of people all around the globe enjoying your (mis)adventures and your cooking, gardening, designing and writing skills. Thank you for taking the time to share yourself with us out here.
Allison in Falls City, Oregon
Linda says
I looked over your appetizers and decided that the fun of appetizers is to have a nice “appetizing” selection! Since I am domestically and food prep-challenged, I instantly became overwhelmed, so, I am going to the Deli and buy several of their tasty treats!!! Try to forgive me, Kevin! 🙂 Happy New Year!
badger gardener says
Your table setting is beautiful. The Christmas tree is too.
We had a very low stress, merry Christmas. As my boys get to the middle school years I have no idea what to get them, but my husband who enjoys the RC cars, drones, and video games as much as they do is on top of it. As a result that shopping has all been handed over to him and he did a wonderful job creating a very happy Christmas morning. That left me with just a few grown up presents and the cooking to prep for.
Janis says
Here is to a happy and healthy new year to you and the Silver Fox. You r table looked beautiful. Sorry about the pipe, it is the bigger challenge of the two incidents but you will get it all done and in good form too! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes, anecdotes, priceless observations and muses. You are a treasure.
Karen Lyons says
Oh! I remember those wonderful old houses. I lived in a 1910 built house in CT. But it’s worth the trouble! The hit of our dinner was the famous Kevin’s Carrot-Ginger-Orange soup. Wow, is that a great soup.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hey Karen – I’m so glad you enjoyed the soup!
Kyle says
Hi Kevin:
Happy New Year to you and your Husband!
Just wanted to let you know that I made the “Braised Beef Ribs” for Christmas dinner and they
were too good for words! So tender. And the gravy was delicious. I made it ahead and skimmed the fat off the top, reheated and served over mashed potatoes as you suggested. I used the Coppola wine too (which my husband liked). So this recipe will enter my regular dinner rotation. Thank you for such a delicious, easy dinner idea. We all loved it. And I love you, your humor and all your good advice and ideas.
Marilou Gaw says
My problem and disaster was coming down with a very severe cold. I did have my flu shot; but the 22nd of December I had a scratchy throat. I thought it was better by the next day; but I was mistaken. The next day was awful. I spent the holidays alone except for working. My doctor wanted me to rest; but I am an RN who works per diem. My doctor told me if I worked had to wear a mask. That is what I did; but my entire holiday season was rather spoiled. Did not see family or friends due to being under the weather. Did not got to Mass. Did not sing in the choir. Worked with a mask on due to cold. Felt lethargic. Better now; but missed out on so much family and friends celebration. Hope everyone else is hale and hearty. Usually I am; but not this year. I am better now.