Hi All - As our revered Harbour Master asked people for "most memorable" Christmas descriptions, thought some might enjoy this one. We had just moved into town, and my brother-in-law invited us to his home for Christmas - dinner and church, along with presents, on Christmas Eve. We accepted with gratefulness - unpacking wasn't entirely completed, and we couldn't locate the skillets! So, on the 24th we arrived at the specified time, with the requisite Jello salad (with fruit), and dinner rolls, as requested. Our niece arrived at much the same time, carrying her 'world-famous' green bean casserole with fried onions on top. (Don't ask.) In we trouped, to see a brightly lighted Christmas tree, and the rest of the family, who had been listening to 'old time' carols, and sharing a bit of Christmas cheer. Hugs, rearranging space to accommodate all, busy greetings and 'catch up' conversations, and eventually, a settling. Eventually we decamped to the dining room, where the table was nicely set, and flowers and candles trailed down the centre. (thanks to his daughter, who was into crafting at the time.) Grace was said, and dishes started to be passed. Here came the green beans. Here came the jello. Rolls, anyone? But where was the main course? Ah, said my bro-in-law, almost forgot! One moment. He dashed to the kitchen, and returned with a covered serving dish. With a swoop, he removed the top - and there it was. Beef stew. Lukewarm beef stew. Rather greasy, lukewarm beef stew. With scrawny veggies alongside. While shooting anxious/oh-my-goodness looks at my husband, who faintly shrugged his shoulders, I accepted a ladle of the rather unique-smelling stew. It was interesting to see the faces of the others, as their plates were adorned with the mixture. And then we tasted it. It was, indisputably, the most interesting stew ever made. (Note, the word "good" is NOT used!) It took about a minute, but when I caught the eye of my astonished nephew, I smiled a tiny bit. He grinned. He snickered. His sister followed suit. My husband started to smile as well. And then my bro-in-law's lady friend politely asked, just what were we eating? He smiled, and said "Dinty Moore Beef Stew; it was on sale today, and I bought 4 cans for $3.00!" At that, we did laugh! My nephew (his son) accused him of trying to poison us. My niece started waving her hand in front of her mouth, and excused herself from the table... ewww, ewwww, ewww dad!! My sister-in-law rolled her eyes, as her husband guffawed. Our host's lady friend saved the day - she had created a lovely Chocolate cake with chocolate icing - and as everyone knows, chocolate makes everything better. It was superb. In fact, the only truly enjoyable item on the menu! Bless her, and her baking skill. We all took a "Tums for the Tummy" and trouped off to church, still giggling just a bit. My brother-in-law has never lived down his famous Christmas dinner. We've had many a dinner since, with turkey or beef roast, and once, lobster, but never, ever, anything like that Dinty Moore beef stew! (Since then, his daughter has made sure to always, always provide the main dish whenever we're assembling at his house.) May each and every one of you have a lovely Christmas, and a tasty Christmas Dinner! Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell

Julia what a funny story, my husband and I got a big laugh from it. Thanks Connie Hi All - As our revered Harbour Master asked people for "most memorable" Christmas descriptions, thought some might enjoy this one. We had just moved into town, and my brother-in-law invited us to his home for Christmas - dinner and church, along with presents, on Christmas Eve. We accepted with gratefulness - unpacking wasn't entirely completed, and we couldn't locate the skillets! So, on the 24th we arrived at the specified time, with the requisite Jello salad (with fruit), and dinner rolls, as requested. Our niece arrived at much the same time, carrying her 'world-famous' green bean casserole with fried onions on top. (Don't ask.) In we trouped, to see a brightly lighted Christmas tree, and the rest of the family, who had been listening to 'old time' carols, and sharing a bit of Christmas cheer. Hugs, rearranging space to accommodate all, busy greetings and 'catch up' conversations, and eventually, a settling. Eventually we decamped to the dining room, where the table was nicely set, and flowers and candles trailed down the centre. (thanks to his daughter, who was into crafting at the time.) Grace was said, and dishes started to be passed. Here came the green beans. Here came the jello. Rolls, anyone? But where was the main course? Ah, said my bro-in-law, almost forgot! One moment. He dashed to the kitchen, and returned with a covered serving dish. With a swoop, he removed the top - and there it was. Beef stew. Lukewarm beef stew. Rather greasy, lukewarm beef stew. With scrawny veggies alongside. While shooting anxious/oh-my-goodness looks at my husband, who faintly shrugged his shoulders, I accepted a ladle of the rather unique-smelling stew. It was interesting to see the faces of the others, as their plates were adorned with the mixture. And then we tasted it. It was, indisputably, the most interesting stew ever made. (Note, the word "good" is NOT used!) It took about a minute, but when I caught the eye of my astonished nephew, I smiled a tiny bit. He grinned. He snickered. His sister followed suit. My husband started to smile as well. And then my bro-in-law's lady friend politely asked, just what were we eating? He smiled, and said "Dinty Moore Beef Stew; it was on sale today, and I bought 4 cans for $3.00!" At that, we did laugh! My nephew (his son) accused him of trying to poison us. My niece started waving her hand in front of her mouth, and excused herself from the table... ewww, ewwww, ewww dad!! My sister-in-law rolled her eyes, as her husband guffawed. Our host's lady friend saved the day - she had created a lovely Chocolate cake with chocolate icing - and as everyone knows, chocolate makes everything better. It was superb. In fact, the only truly enjoyable item on the menu! Bless her, and her baking skill. We all took a "Tums for the Tummy" and trouped off to church, still giggling just a bit. My brother-in-law has never lived down his famous Christmas dinner. We've had many a dinner since, with turkey or beef roast, and once, lobster, but never, ever, anything like that Dinty Moore beef stew! (Since then, his daughter has made sure to always, always provide the main dish whenever we're assembling at his house.) May each and every one of you have a lovely Christmas, and a tasty Christmas Dinner! Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell ------------------------------- Subscribe to digest by sending an email to CORNISH-D-request@rootsweb.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line and body text. If you want, MIME digests, email CORNISH-admin@rootsweb.com. Unsubscribe from either by sending an email to CORNISH-request@rootsweb.com. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CORNISH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message