Christmas Recap

I am happy to report I had my first white Christmas!  Not only that but the sun was shining, something one does not take for granted on Kodiak.  All in all it was a good day all around.  Since I am currently working nights, I had to wake up early (noon for me - hey when you go to bed at 7 or 8am, that's early) to cook for everyone since they all work normal people schedules.
 
Christmas dinner was held at a friend's house.  A house that is shared by 3 single men.  3 single men in Kodiak.  This was bachelor pad to the extreme.
 
I should have known dinner would be a challenge when I walked into the kitchen and was met by a beer pyramid.  Yes, a pyramid built out of full case of Miller Lite and Corona Extra.  My second clue was the magazine that went into some unseen assault rifle.  Right.
 
We took an inventory of cooking utensils.  My oh my.  Was it ever limited.  How do these guys cook for themselves when all they have are a couple large skillets and a single 2 quart sauce pan?  I mean really?  Oh, that's would explain the beer pyramid and the frozen pizza in the freezer.  I was starting to wonder how this was going to get done, but it was Christmas.  Time for Christmas magic!
 
I had to prepare a few things, but there were no large bowls.  A cereal bowl does not a serving dish make. Time to make use of all that Coast Guard training.  I made green bean casserole in a cake pan, the only oven safe dish I could find that was not a sheet pan.  The 10 pound ham went in a one of those flimsy disposable roasting pans that the landlord had used to deliver cookies, placed on said sheet pan (we removed the cookies first, for the record).  The fruit salad got made in a Crockpot.  And the crockpot went in the fridge.  So, in case you are wondering, yes, your crockpot can keep hot dishes hot and cold dishes cold.  Must write them to let them know. And the mash potatoes got made in a large skillet.  Yes, a skillet.  4 pounds worth of potatoes too.  It actually turned into a stroke of luck, because it made mashing them fairly simple afterwards.
 
In the end, it all came out delicious.  And I will never forget having to "adapt and overcome" Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas!

or, whatever other holiday you celebrate.  They are all pretty awesome.

For me though, Christmas the only time of year my family ever came together under the same roof.  Which, looking back at it with older eyes, was probably for the best.  I'm used to mom or dad (or even me) having to work that day, so I understand life goes on and the world does not stop.  I just need to ask my parents about that.  Dad's a firefighter, mom's in healthcare.  But this is the first time I will be half a world away.

And I'm ok with that.  The man is with his family in Minnesota. And my family will meet, just as they always have, and eat dinner with a turkey and a ham since my cousins don't eat turkey, two kinds of dressing ("stuffing" for you all not from the south), turnip greens, pepper vinegar, and ambrosia.  I've left out about 20 different dishes we always have even though there's only 12 of us, maybe 16 if my out-of-state cousin comes home.

My watch section is off, so that means I get to cook dinner for a few of us random people that had no other plans.  We get to decide what Christmas in Kodiak looks like to us, and that's pretty cool.  Apparently it looks like ham, mashed potatoes, peas, pies, and whiskey.  Sounds like a good plan to me!  Especially the whiskey the part.  Keep ya warm you know?

Even the rest of Kodiak is getting in the holiday mood.  Some fishing boats are back and there's fresh crab for sale.  There's a couple of guys carving wood sculptures outside.  Lights are everywhere, even on base.  Best of all, it looks like I may just be lucky enough to get my first white Christmas!  It snowed a bit today, and is supposed to snow tomorrow.  That alone makes it all worth it.  But with that being said, dear Kodiak, if you put me though all this crap so far and I don't get snow tomorrow out of this, I will be very, very, unhappy.

So, to all, enjoy the day where ever you are, with whom ever you are with. Remember not all of us are lucky enough to be with our loved ones, but be assured that those of us in the military, the fire service, the police service, or health care are making a sacrifice we chose to make. One we made so you could be safe from tragedy not just today but everyday.  And we will be with our second family, a family bound not by simply by blood but by oath, courage, and commitment.  It is the greatest gift we have to give, besides surrendering our life for yours. It is one that we give freely - even though it can take a toll on those we are parted from.  So do not waste such a gift my friends.  Celebrate it. 

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist....he lives, and he lives forever" - in us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy stuffing your face with turkey. I have to work. In the snow. Yep, my first white holiday. Woohoo!