Miso hungry

A highlight of the Vancouver trip was the festively tricked out cement truck near our hotel on Granville Island. I think it should be next year's Christmas card, don't you?

My sister-in-law made some fabulous panforte, a treat I've never had before - it was gooey, nutty and spicy - what more could you want in a Christmas snack? I'll never eat fruitcake again. She's sending me the recipe and I'll post it as soon as she comes through. She also makes an incomparable sour cherry pie, and butter tarts with no butter! My brother-in-law handled the meals, including caesar salad with prawns - the dressing had a fab tarragon mustard in it; one of my all time faves braised lamb shanks; and another cooked-forever taste treat, beef bourguignon. Christmas dinner was traditional with a 21 pound turkey, a sweet potato ragu, mashed potatoes, peas and mushrooms, et al. The Christmas movies were Bad Santa and my top 20 favorite Grosse Pointe Blank.