It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!!!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year and I decided this christmas I'm finally going to enjoy every little detail of the Christmas Season!! To start I'm going to be blogging recipes, traditions, movies, and of course what I love random facts about christmas!! Oh yes I love Christmas!
SO tradition/random fact #1 begins today!

Have you ever wondered why we decorate the house with Poinsettias, oh you have, me too.... well turns out the reason is more than just the bright festive color.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

 "A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.
Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.
As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.
From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season. The plant was brought from Mexico to America in 1836 by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first American minister to Mexico.  It was introduced to him by Mexicans who called it the "Flower of the Holy Night."  The plant was cultivated in the 1890s by Albert Ecke in California. The city of Ventura, California, is called the "Poinsettia City."  Today, the Poinsettia plant is considered a Christmas symbol and brought into homes in early December. Their beauty remains throughout the holiday season."  

What a cute little story did you know that was the reason we use poinsettia's today?....me either!

The Thanksgiving Rookie

Alright this post is for all you seasoned chefs, ok or for all you who have done thanksgiving countless times, I need your advice this year. I'm making the thanksgiving feast this year for the first time (Tim volunteered me!! surprise surprise), but i'll be honest I'm kind of excited about it, because I love to cook and well because I love good food! I know you're probably reading this and thinking sure you are now, just wait! You are probably right! So I am writing this post to get your advice and tips on making this day a success. My parents and Tim's parents are joining us along with grandma sister, brother in law and his girlfriend, so it will be a full house. Now the main thing on my mind right now is questions about the food:
1. Do you recommend brining the Turkey?
2. I've always wanted to have the Turkey presented on the table. Growing up we always carved it in the kitchen and brought it out on a platter. Do you have any tips on carving it at the table or should I just swap that idea?
3. What dishes do you recommend making ahead of time like the day before?
4. Do you have any tips for keeping everything hot?
5. When should I begin to cook the 15lb Turkey do I really need to wake up at 5am for that?
Any advice you can give me will be so appreciated I would love to hear your tips and tricks!!!

Oh and for some fun thanksgiving trivia check out this old post!!