Christmas Pops and Delicious Sprouts!

Last week we attended the Nutcracker Suite in Macon, and yesterday Kevin, Ashlyn and I went to Atlanta to attend the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops Concert.  It was marvelous.  The venue at the Woodruff Arts Center is a magnificent one, and there isn't a bad seat in the house.

  The orchestra was great, the chorus made up of about 200 students from two high schools in Atlanta, did a marvelous job, and the two guest musicians one a lovely female singer, Montego, and the other a male singer/piano player did a magnificent job of entertaining us.

This was such fun.  We had lunch at Strip in Atlantic Station and then went to the concert.  It was Ashlyn's first time to hear a symphony orchestra and she seemed quite impressed.  She was also fascinated by a very interesting piece of art outside the Woodruff which was composed entirely of little metal "people" holding each other up.  I am so glad we got to expose her to the arts in this way.  I think it is critical for children to start appreciating all of the arts at a young age!

Christmas being just around the corner, I thought I would share a recipe for a side dish you might like to use during the holidays.  This is one vegetable that you must use FRESH.  It just isn't the same if you try it with the frozen vegetables.  Some vegetables like corn, peas, lima beans and a few others are just fine if you use frozen, but Brussels Sprouts MUST be cooked fresh or they are watery and their flavor is bitter. So if you think you don't like them, and all you have ever had is those little frozen balls, then  you absolutely must try the recipe below!

FABULOUS BRUSSELS SPROUTS

10 ounces FRESH  Brussels Sprouts, cut in half
1/2 large sweet onion halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon FRESHLY GRATED Nutmeg
Fat free chicken broth...
Place onions, brussels sprouts and oil in large frying pan and add about 1/2 cup chicken broth and begin to saute on high heat, stirring occasionally.  Saute until tender (adding more chicken broth if it evaporates before the sprouts are tender).
Add grated nutmeg just before sprouts are done and stir in.
You may add a tablespoon or two of butter if you desire, but it isn't really necessary.
Salt and Pepper to taste!
Believe me, these are fabulous, and even people who think they don't like brussels sprouts have raved about these!

Merry Christmas to All!