That's not Meat and a contaminated Christmas party

Sorry I have not posted in awhile. I keep meaning too and then just get too busy to do it. I have been trying to work on my book too when I have a few moments to myself.

Last night we had a family Christmas party to attend and I just have to write about it. My Memere (grandmother) was making meat pies for everyone (traditionl French meal) and my Aunt had asked that everyone else just bring a dish to share. Originally I had planned on bringing a salad, but opted to bring a veggie platter instead. I made a really yummy dip using cashews, lemon juice, water and a lot of spices. I was so happy about how well it came out! I also brought a SAD ranch dip. Well when we got there I got my platter all arranged and set out the dips. I put the SAD dip in the veggie platter center holder thing because it fit and my yummy raw dip was in a container that was too big to fit in the little hole. So I placed my dip beside the tray. A couple minutes later my daughter tried to dip a SAD cracker into my raw dip! Eeek! Then my son and someone else tried to dip their chip into it!!! Augh!! Contamination! I managed to fend them off and then promptly grabbed up my dip and took it away where it would not be contaminated! I felt bad because I wanted everyone to try it, but not if it meant that all of their SAD crumbs would end up in my raw dip. Next time I will bring two containers and put one out for them to contaminate all they want, and save the other one for me!

Also while we were at the party my family was helping me prepare a plate of food for my daughter. I told them, no meat. She is not all raw but I put my foot down firmly in the meat area. No meat. Period. Well my sister tried giving her some appetizer that had crab meat in it and I said "no she can't have that." My sister says "why not?" "Because it's meat" I say. "No it's not" she says. Then later my father tried to give her some shrimp. I walked upon the scene as he was handing it out for her to take (she's only 3). I said "She can't have that, she doesn't eat meat." My Dad says, "It's not meat, it's shrimp." So I guess that according to my family seafood is not meat. I'm not sure what it is then!

Other than that we had a good time at the party. One of my Aunts brought a fruit tray, so between that and my veggie platter I did not feel hungry, and had plenty to eat I had meant to bring along some date balls but forgot to make them before we left. But it turns out I didn't need them and did just fine.

So I guess that is all for now. I need to get back to my book!