The Ghost of Christmas Past

This story is from last year, but like all Christmas memories, it’s worth remembering.

Christmas Eve is finally here. My son is tucked away in bed with visions of the world’s largest toy store dancing in his head. Shortly after putting him to bed, I wandered outside to bring in some firewood and was greeted with the sound of a solo brass wind instrument drifting through the cold still night air. It was my neighbor down the street, who happens to be a professor of music at Georgetown College here in town. Evidently he felt the need to stand at the front of his garage and serenade the night with Christmas carols. After listening to a tune or two, I heard the distinct sound of applause drifting over the hill. Some people on a neighboring street which overlooks our cul de sac had been brought out of their homes by the sound of music on Christmas Eve. My neighbor continued to play for a good half hour: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Deck the Halls, Angels We Have Heard On High, Jingle Bells and more, all unaccompanied on a solo horn. It was somewhat surreal with the nearly full winter moon shining down and the cold air as still as frost. Somehow, it didn’t seem out of place tonight. At the close of his last song he shouted out “Merry Christmas” to the now sizeable gathering of neighbors, many who like me were standing in their own front yards in their PJ’s and flannel robes clutching a warm beverage to ward off the chill. Some were sipping on hot chocolate or coffee, others passed around a bottle a bourbon. Actually, I was the one who broke out the bourbon. As we all shouted our season’s greetings to fellow shadows in the night I couldn’t help thinking that musicians will do anything for a gig.

So Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Christmas in the Caribbean

“Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum
Santa’s run off to the Caribbean.”
Jimmy Buffett

I’m sure if one were to spend Christmas in the Caribbean, dinner would be nothing like the menu below. However, being as I am in Kentucky, this will at least give enough of the island flavor to a holiday feast to get us by. And after all, it’s better than turkey, right?

Making a Mark on the Holidays – Part 2

Ok, so it appears Maker’s Mark didn’t revoke my membership for threatening to use this year’s Ambassador Christmas paper to wrap up a bottle of Woodford Reserve. Evidence that I have been given a second chance, or at least an opportunity for redemption, was this week’s invitation to the Ambassador cocktail reception at Hugo’s and Harvey’s in Lexington to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation. In addition to the food, the auction items and the very excellent band, the highlight of the evening was when Bill Samuels, Jr. himself climbed behind the bar and began serving drinks. For those who have never met Samuels or seen him in action, the patriarch of Maker’s Mark can best be described as the clown prince of bourbon.

A Meal to Be Proud Of: Cancer Benefit Dinner Auction

My favorite kitchen apron, ready for action.

“So, what do you think about being auctioned off for charity?”

It was my neighbor Charlotte who was asking the question, and while it was in no way a display of any lack of trust in her, I was for some reason immediately afraid.

“Auctioned off for what exactly?” I asked, visions of being sold to the highest bidder for a blind date with a blue haired widow of the equine set parading through my head – definitely not my cup of tea.

“We’ll offer to cook dinner for 6 at the winning bidder’s home,” she replied. “It’s to benefit a cancer charity at work.”

They say every addict has an enabler – someone who, consciously or not, encourages and even facilitates the person’s behavior in question. For me, in the culinary sense, my enabler is Charlotte.  

Celebrate Repeal Day – December 5th

Prohibition era prescription for medicinal whiskey

So what exactly is Repeal Day? It’s the day we celebrate the end of Prohibition after the last state ratified the 21st amendment to the Constitution, which repealed the 18th amendment passed 14 years earlier. I won’t waste space here with the details as others have eloquently told the story already. Check out the “official” Repeal Day website by Jeffrey Morganthaler, or see his post from earlier this week on his regular blog (click here). You can also read more about Repeal Day at The Scotch Blog. The Wall Street Journal even got into the act with an article by Eric Felton (click here).