It's not November but...

It may actually still have been the end of August and not even officially ticked over into September when I first saw the Christmas stock appearing in stores. Too early!

Here we are not quite the end of October so no where near the beginning of November and my Christmas plans are formulating. Initially I thought it was just going to be the Daft White Cat and I, cue visions of sugar plums, bad Christmas movies and eating popcorn, naked.
Turns out I'm spending it with my sister, alright re-make plans, perhaps all of the above but without the nudity. Possibly in pajamas instead.

My sister the carnivore is fine with vegan sides and vegan desserts/baking, but she sneers at the possibility of tofu or "something made with wheat gluten" for a main dish. TVP was disdained as well, I didn't mention tempeh. We've established I can cook whatever I like out of whatever I want, since she won't be eating it so she dosen't need to like it.
Currently I believe my sister will actually be eating a steak as big as her own head (or maybe bigger?) accompanied by the various veg side dishes.

I'm going to try some stuff out over the next month and see how it turns out, this is the initial hit list of new things I want to do.

Christmas menu from Quick and Easy Vegan Celebrations by Alicia C. Simpson
Christmas Tamales
Hazelnut-Crusted Seitan
Agave-Glazed Acorn Squash - Finding acorn squash or it's Aussie equivalent, not a high priority.
Jamaican Curried Pumpkin Soup - Jamaican curry powder in the hard to find basket, also soup in summer? I'm down with a cooked dinner for Christmas. Might save this for winter.
Green Bean Casserole - I read on an American expat forum, that some of them have had success with those fried shallots you buy in the Asian section of the supermarket when unable to buy the Fry's fried onions. Duly noted.
Dill New Potatoes - Scratched as I have my heart set on a layered potato casserole.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Mulled Pomegranate Cider - My sister expressed a desire to try mulled wine despite our summery weather, mulled cider popped into my head as I was sure Nigella had a recipe for both. Then there this one was, it's got a stamp of approval.

Some stuff I've made successfully in the past from off the Interwebs (actually this list appears to be all PPK at the moment) and will make an appearance:-
Seitan Roast Stuffed with Shiitakes and Leeks - So this might only get an outing if the other mains flop.
Scalloped Potatoes and Eggplant Bacon
Roasted Broccoli

Of course I'm still desperatly trying to adopt Delia's tradition of sausage rolls on Christmas Eve, albeit veg ones now, so some trials there to do as well. And of course I really want to adopt that all American movie tradition of Holiday Cookies!
Only because this is the Darkside, I suspect I'll end up with Ninjabread Men or Ghosts or something equally nontraditional Christmas. Well nontraditional for other people maybe. :)