Singing the praises of a meatless wonder....

Last year, Stephanie, who works at Whole Foods, showed up with something special for the holidays, a Tofurky roast for our Christmas eve meal. The Turtle Island Tofurky web site touts its organic vegetarian roast, saying... "Made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, Tofurky is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor."

I'm a vegetarian, but tofu is not my preferred source of protein. It's OK, but I don't love it. So I was reluctant to jump for joy at the prospect of a tofu-based turkey substitute. Let me also add that I don't particularly care for meat substitutes, products that try to imitate meat in taste and texture. So I was skeptical. But we followed the instructions and prepared our Tofurky.

It was delicious!

They got it right... the texture is firm but not chewy or dry. The stuffing inside is perfectly seasoned. The flavor is very pleasing, certainly the right compliment to all the holiday favorites we all know and love. They also provide a "mushroom gravy" which is quite tasty as well.
This year we served Tofurky again, this time with a fabulous dried cherry balsamic glaze, and it was pure bliss. With it I served a wild rice casserole, sweet potatoes baked with apples, cauliflower, a tossed salad and rolls.

Leftover are gone and sadly, I contemplate the unfortunate fact that Tofurky won't be in the stores much longer, until the next holiday season rolls around. I may need to zip out to the store and pick up another roast while I can!

MMmmmmmmm.... Tofurky!

Holiday magic, in the least expected places....

Somehow, the holidays have become so chaotic. It's so nice to pause awhile and just enjoy TIME spent with loved ones...

Becki and Hope stopped by Christmas Eve. It's over a year since they've lived here. For the first four years of her life, ours was the only home Hope knew. She still remembers much of her time here, things she did here and how things were.

She ran into the bedroom and squealed "Remember I used to love to jump on the bed?" Of course I DO!!! Oh yes, she was quite the jumper... and she still is!

Here she's coming down for a landing....

Then a backward summersault....

Finally after a lot of jumping, we posed together....

Two silly girls... lots of giggles. This picture of her is so cute, that great big mouth! We were having the best time!

In my opinion, everyone in the world should know a child... and experience the world through that child's perspective for awhile, with complete abandon. It makes me think that the hours in the kitchen, and all the other holiday preparations, don't truly give us what we need most... those moments of magic and free-flowing love when we pause and enjoy all they hold in our hearts.
We open many pretty packages, but the best gifts are not found in boxes tied with ribbons. Look around... then feast on all the rich, deeply satifying moments we've been given to feed our hungry souls. The best presents of all are as those we love, and those who love us.

More to come... it's late and I'm very sleepy....