Donna van Veghel-Wood graduated from the two year Culinary Arts Programme at George Brown College including three month Italian Culinary Arts programme in Italy. Worked for five and half years at "JK ROM" Restaurant and Catering company with Jamie Kennedy. Started and ran "donna&co." catering company for five years. Presently, owner of "frankie's ristorante" in Uxbridge.
Previous
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
’Twas the Night Before Christmas, written by Clement Clarke Moore, is best known as a Christmas poem. However, many singers including Perry Como, Don Williams and others have performed it.
Dr. Clement Clarke Moore was born in New York City in 1781. As a writer, Dr. Moore thought he would be remembered for the Hebrew Dictionary that he wrote. Instead, a simple poem that he wrote for his own children for Christmas has lived on. That poem has become a part of many children's Christmas Eve. How many can recite by heart the first few lines:
“Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse.”
This poem has been a part of our family for many years as children and as adults. It fairly well describes our house on Christmas Eve and probably yours, also. So, this is my take on a beloved Christmas poem/lyric.
'TWAS THE DAY before Christmas and all the through the house,
preparations for dinner were up and about.
The turkey was washed with water and care,
Then stuffed with a lemon, herbs, apple and pear (fresh rosemary and sage, of course).
Placed in the fridge for an overnight nap,
It's on to the veggies washed under the tap. ………………
Root vegetables were prepped - all cut by hand,
Salt, pepper, olive oil - then placed on a pan.
On parsnips! On turnips! Sweet potatoes! Cooked right.
It 's on to the stuffing. The end is in sight!
Your favourite stuffing. An ovenproof dish.
Or is it called 'dressing' - what then, is your wish?
Whether regular, vegan, or gluten-free
The dressing is our favourite. Don't you agree?
Then into the oven on Christmas day,
Four hundred degrees will roast it, I'd say.
Next come the veg. - ones prepped yesterday,
along with the dressing. What a meal you have made!
Or is it the fact on this special of days
Our family gathers 'round us to share stories and ways.
Showing their love and sharing this meal.
Not food. But the kinship. That's the main deal.
So, I ask of you all, from our house to yours,
Pick up a drink and give it a pour.
Lift your glass high whether juice, wine or beer
And gratefully toast that your family is here.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good eat!
