Gold Belly Pierogi

We got a text message from our daughter in law yesterday asking if we had received a “peculiar” package. We did receive notice that we had a package but I thought it was medicine so we hadn’t yet picked it up. So my husband went down to the lobby to get it. He came back with a large box. When we opened it it was filled with Gold Belly pierogi. When we were growing up we always had pierogi on Christmas Eve - after spending a lot of time making them with my mom. Potato and sauerkraut/cabbage/hamburger were our favorites. Now we always stock up on Mrs Ty’s and have them routinely all year round. So it was a big surprise and a thoughtful gesture to get polish food for our Christmas gift. there were four packages of three different kinds - potato and cheese, pulled pork, and mozzarella. Rather than wait for Christmas Eve we decided to try the pulled pork last evening. We boiled them first then put them in the frying pan for a bit with olive oil. Then we made the salad and the broccoli as sides. We happened to have some barbecue sauce to add a bit of taste to the pulled pork. It was an interesting combination and we are looking forward to trying the rest tomorrow night. Of course we let our daughter in law know we received the package. It made a very gloomy and rainy day bright. 

Uncommon Goods and Wrapping Paper

For whatever reason, last year I was taken in by Uncommon Goods. It has interesting items for hard to shop for family members for the holidays from independent artists and craftspeople. We usually don’t buy gifts - and if we do, it’s something edible. And for the grandchildren we started college funds when they were born and make donations for birthdays as well as a few times during the year. So I looked around at the options again this year and found a few things. This year we have a furry grand daughter to consider too. The items arrived the other day. The packaging is cute and the letter enclosed is about getting “your favorite things.” And since every item requires wrapping, I needed to pick up some more paper and ribbon since last year’s supply couldn’t stretch to the amount required. The grocery store is a great place to get just about anything these days. So most of my Christmas shopping is done and I don’t have to think about it any more. We usually pick up some Persian treats at Yas before we drive over to central Virginia next month. I rather enjoy wrapping things, but it’s even more fun to deliver the stuff. It’s certainly not the item, just the gesture. 

Yas Bakery and Supermarket Visit

We haven’t been to Yas Bakery and supermarket since September. We went to pick up some cookies and jelly for my sister in law’s birthday. We like to go there to get Persian treats - especially when we are on the way to visit family. My husband likes the vegetable/relish eggplant sauce. Today we wanted to get some small, very fresh, cucumbers. but while we were there a couple of other items got our attention. My husband likes the Sadaf brand, and picked up some pomegranate juice. And his sour cherry jelly supply was running low. Of course, the cookies are always replenished. They are always excellent with tea after dinner. Since last year I’ve been thinking about a Christmas gift for some friends of ours that I’ve had my eye on. They are tea cups with silver holders with a matching sugar bowl. I’m really looking forward to giving this special gift to our friends. They always make a big deal over my husband’s background and show so much interest in his country of origin. And the timing was good today to get a head start on holiday shopping. We discovered Yas several years ago and now live much closer to it since we moved from DC seven months ago. It feels like we know the shopkeepers well. They are always so kind and helpful. 

Turnip, Garlic, and Lamarca Prosecco Sparkling Wine

It's become a tradition of sorts. I retired from the Library of Congress almost two years ago. Every so many months my husband and I have dinner with a friend of mine from the Library and his family. Every once in awhile it happens around the holidays. We usually bring a little something or other because they never let us return the favor! This time we brought a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine - dressed in holiday sweaters - along with some Persian cookies and treats from Yaz in Vienna, Virginia. After dinner on the most recent occasion, my friend brought out a very sparkly black bag with "diamonds" that contained some very interesting contents. He said it had something to do with his ethnic background and heritage. But I'm still wondering about the turnip and the garlic! What was more traditional were two small bottles of sparkling wine - Lamarca Prosecco. It was a kind gesture to think of sharing a glass of bubbly in spirit with us on New Year's Eve. When we got home, we received a photo of another turnip wearing one of the Christmas sweaters. I guess that's what we like about this friend. He always makes us smile. 

Total Wine Store Finds

We haven't been to the total wine store for quite some time. Lately we have been picking up six packs at the grocery store, which are supposedly already discounted, and then discounted again when you mix and match up to six. But since we needed to stock up for our own supply, and purchase a red and white for friends - with spiffy covers - we decided to take a ride to the total wine store in McLean. The parking lot was packed, and the store itself was expanded, remodeled, or both. It is HUGE and has anything you would ever need to wine and beer supplies. So we got our little cart and found mostly red for us, then asked an attendant to help us select a white wine. The store now has an order on line and pick up section that was overflowing with readied orders and busy with people coming to pick up their stock. I wanted to find some whimsical bottle covers that showcased the holiday season. Some were quite out of the park - like the sequined high heel that is a wine bottle holder. Then we stumbled upon these cute felt sweater looking covers - one with a snowman and one with a Christmas tree. They would be perfect! And hard to believe they were only ninety-three cents each! I didn't notice that one was cut to fit a wide bottle while the other was cut to fit a tall slender bottle. Luckily the two bottles we selected were one of each. So the "sweaters" fit perfectly. When we got home I put the sleeves on the bottles and they look quite cute. They make a fine holiday decoration as it is. Maybe I'll just keep them for myself!