Hanukkah dinner with snowflakes

I made a dinner last night that was yummy enough that I wanted to share the recipes.

Andrew came home from school talking about Hanukkah, so we spent some time yesterday afternoon talking about some Hanukkah traditions.  We decided to make latkes (which, for the record, he then refused to taste).  Sylvie helped put the potatoes into the food processor, I pressed out as much moisture as I could, and using this recipe, I fired up some delicious potato pancakes.   I’ve only fried food a hand full of times before, and I’ve never had what I’d call success.  But using the right amount of peanut oil and keeping the heat on medium, these latkes turned out golden and scrumptious.  How do you convince a newly-picky-eating five year old that they’re just french fries in different form.  And he can dip them in sour cream or apple sauce!  Silly boy.

I had some chicken thighs in the freezer and a jar of honey mustard in the fridge, so I looked up those ingredients and made this honey baked chicken recipe.  It was an unexpectedly huge hit.  There were groanings of pleasure.  I think this recipe (easy as it is!) might make a repeat showing.

Andrew also learned how to make paper snowflakes in school today.  Since the Hair Cutting Incident of 2010, we’ve banned scissors from the home.  However, we’d planned to bring them back (with highly supervised use) in December.  My kids happen to L.O.V.E. to cut paper with scissors, so after a couple months of scissors austerity, Andrew and Sylvia happily snipped at paper while I cooked supper.  And we have snowflakes hanging on many windows.

Our house is decorated, holiday music is playing, and the kids are so excited about all the holiday magic.  Already – SO EXCITED.  I’ve been encouraging them to pace themselves:)  Hope your December is off to a good start!  Enjoy the twinkly lights:)