Tradition(less)

For too many years to count, Christmas Eve has meant an elaborate meal, conceived and prepared by yours truly, usually for a crowd of 12-16. However, like many other things this year, the celebration of Christmas Eve demanded something different, something a little more simple.  The obvious solution: Chinese Food and Champagne.  

At 4:00 in the afternoon, I calmly called CCK and placed our order for a 6:30 delivery time.  People - this is how you do it on a holiday.  Call early and get your order in, trust me, it makes things so much nicer for all involved.  The size of our order bordered on obscene: a whole Peking Duck (served with buns, crackers, scallions and plum sauce), a hot pot of seafood, bean curd and vegetables, steamed pork dumplings, har kow, fried squid with hot peppers and salt, hot and sour soup, Chinese broccoli, sesame chicken (for Q, it's his favorite) and an amazing beef satay chow fun, all washed down with bottles of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.  You do know that Champagne and Chinese are a natural pairing, right?  

Did I miss my usual houseful of friends?  Yes, without a doubt their absence was duly felt and noticed.  Did I embrace the food, friends and family in attendance, with sincerity and grace?  Absolutely.