The Little Tree<\/b>
\nBy Patt<\/p>\n
Summary: Someone is very lonely on Christmas Eve.
\nWord Count: 2083 (not counting the recipes)
\nGenre: Barely slash
\nWarnings: First kiss.
\nEmail: PattRose1@aol.com<\/p>\n
Blair awoke on Christmas Eve day and found himself feeling the depression already. Jim had said he was going to a Christmas function at the station and he hadn\u2019t invited Blair. So it was going to be another lonely Christmas Eve and Christmas. He had to stop feeling sorry for himself. It was time to focus on other things. <\/p>\n
\nBlair had shopped until he found a perfect book for Jim for Christmas. It was a book that he hadn\u2019t been able to find anywhere in Cascade. Someone he knew in Seattle, found it in a small bookstore and called Blair and told him about it. So now Jim was going to be the proud owner of Urarina Society, Cosmology and History in Peruvian Amazonia by Bartholomew Dean. It had cost him seventy bucks, but it was worth it to Blair to make Jim happy. Jim was always interested in the different tribes in the Amazon. Blair had saved for it and finally got it in the mail. He had the day to himself, with Jim working, so he decided to wrap the book and put it under the so called tree. <\/p>\n
\nJim had put up a small artificial tree that was sad. It would have even made Charlie Brown sad. That\u2019s how pathetic it was. To top it off, it had been Carolyn\u2019s and this drove Blair insane for some reason. No, Blair wanted a new tree. One they could call their tree, but Jim wouldn\u2019t ever listen when Blair brought it up. Jim just didn\u2019t get it. <\/p>\n
\nGetting the wrapping paper out of Jim\u2019s closet, Blair was amazed at how organized the closet was. Blair would have had to dig for hours in his closet for wrap, but no, not in Jim\u2019s. There was a box that said, \u2018wrapping paper\u2019 on it and Blair opened it up and took out the prettiest blue one he could find. He wanted something that would set off Jim\u2019s eyes. Oh for crying out loud. Now you\u2019re looking for paper to match his eyes? Get a grip, Sandburg.<\/i> Blair took the one he wanted, he liked to call the blue azure, but wasn\u2019t sure, really. He went downstairs and wrapped the beautiful book for Jim. Blair was fairly certain that Jim would love it. But he couldn\u2019t swear to it. Sighing, Blair finished, took the paper back upstairs and put everything away just the way it had been. <\/p>\n
\nBlair sat down and looked at the tree and it made him sadder as the day went on. He couldn\u2019t stand it anymore. He had to replace that tree with a new one, and some new bulbs. He didn\u2019t have enough for a lot of ornaments, so he would make some things to hang on the tree. Jim wasn\u2019t going to be home until late anyhow. <\/p>\n
\n
\nOnce the new little artificial tree was up, saving a real tree from death, Blair sat back and looked to see how much Jim was going to hate it. First of all, it was green. The other one was silver. Blair hated how cold the silver one looked. Blair liked to believe that was Carolyn\u2019s choice, not Jim\u2019s. And what if Jim had picked it out? What then, you sappy romantic?<\/i><\/p>\n
\nBlair had placed a bunch of homemade ornaments, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and ribbon on the tree along with some he had bought at a used store on the way home. When he was done, it was time to start dinner. <\/p>\n
\nBlair made a nice dinner, just in case Jim would be home. With your luck, he\u2019ll bring a date.<\/i> He really didn\u2019t want to eat alone, so he kept it warm in the oven hoping that Jim would be home soon. Blair glanced at his watch and saw that it was 9:30 at night. No wonder he was starving. He was going to give Jim another hour and then he was eating alone, even if it killed him.<\/p>\n
\n
\nJim got done with the stakeout and was never so glad to get out of that van. He had been stuck in there waiting for his turn to walk the mall. He climbed into his truck for the ride home and thought about stopping at Wonderburger, but knew it was too late. They had all been undercover at the mall trying to find the Christmas Bandit that was taking wallets and billfolds. They finally got him. Jim had felt the touch to his backside and knew this guy had been really good, because he had his senses turned all the way up and just barely felt the tug of his wallet. Jim grabbed him and slapped the cuffs on him so fast; his head would be spinning for a week. <\/p>\n
\nNow Jim couldn\u2019t wait to get home. He hoped that Sandburg would have dinner made, but it was Christmas Eve and he doubted that Blair was home all alone, making dinner for him.<\/p>\n
\nAs Jim drove, he listened to the Christmas carols and remembered that he had a present in his closet for Blair. He had to be sure and put it under the tree. He got him a wonderful book on anthropology. Blair was going to love it. Jim knew this for a fact. He had seen Blair look at it at the store, but it was too expensive and Blair had set it back. All Jim had to do was go back and get it the next day. He had taken it home and wrapped it in this gorgeous blue gift wrap, that almost matched Blair\u2019s eyes. What are you nuts? You\u2019re now trying to color coordinate gifts and Blair\u2019s eyes?<\/i><\/p>\n
\nJim sighed and hurried home. If nothing else he could have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He wondered what Blair was doing that very moment and with whom. I\u2019d rather not know.<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
\nBlair glanced out the balcony door and saw Jim pull into the parking lot. His mood got better immediately. He rushed to the cupboards and got dishes, glasses, silverware and placemats and set the table as nicely as he could. He had made Jim\u2019s favorite dinner and that was a delicious leg of lamb. Blair had gotten the ingredients and<\/b> the recipes from the store. He hoped he had done a good job on them. The potatoes were Greek potatoes, lightly covered with olive oil and coated with lemon. The skins were still on the potatoes and Blair couldn\u2019t wait to try them. He had made a lemon, chicken and rice soup for the start of the meal. Everything was ready and Blair listened as Jim opened the door with his key. <\/p>\n
\nJim walked in and smiled when he smelled dinner. \u201cYou made Greek food?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI thought it sounded good for Christmas Eve. Does it sound good to you?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cChief, I was ready to eat something out of the truck that had been there for a week. I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThey didn\u2019t feed you at the party?\u201d Blair wondered. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat party? There was no party. We all had stakeout for the Christmas Bandit, whom we caught, by the way,\u201d Jim said proudly. He glanced over and saw the tree and said, \u201cWasn\u2019t that tree silver this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you. I thought we needed a new tree-something that called our name out and didn\u2019t kill a real tree.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThat\u2019s fine, Blair. It was Carolyn\u2019s anyhow and honestly, it reminded me of a cold sterile room when it was up,\u201d Jim confessed. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re not mad that I changed it,\u201d Blair said softly. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is your house too, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cCome on, wash up for dinner. It\u2019s done. I can\u2019t promise the leg of lamb will still be juicy. It might have dried out from cooking too long. I thought you had a party to go to tonight at the station.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBlair, I would have taken you if there was a party at the station. As it was, everyone asked me where you were. I should have taken you on the stakeout. You would have been thrilled,\u201d Jim said, before he let out a bark of laughter. <\/p>\n
\nBlair seemed pleased with this and that confused Jim somewhat. But then again, Jim confused easily these days with having feelings for his partner and not knowing what to do with them. <\/p>\n
\nThey sat down and Jim tried the soup, and made all of the yummy sounds you make when something makes you feel good. Then he moved to the leg of lamb and the potatoes with broccoli. There was just the right amount of lemon on the vegetables and the leg of lamb was delicious. It was so tender-you didn\u2019t need a knife at all. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cBlair, you\u2019ve outdone yourself with this dinner,\u201d Jim said happily. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m so glad you like it. This is my first try at cooking an all Greek meal. I was nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI don\u2019t know why, you did it all perfectly. Thank you. Everything was delicious. Are we having desert?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOh yeah, I made a bread pudding with bourbon sauce over it. The sauce is killer, I have to warn you,\u201d Blair teased. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhy are you home on Christmas Eve?\u201d Jim asked, switching gears so fast it made Blair\u2019s head spin. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t have anyone to spend it with that meant anything to me,\u201d Blair explained. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd you thought it would be fun to cook dinner for your grouchy partner?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cJim, you\u2019re not always grouchy. I was a little worried about the little tree I put up. I was afraid you wanted the silver one and I just really hated it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis dinner, desert and the tree have really made my holiday special. Thank you for everything, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat about you giving me a hand cleaning up? Tomorrow is a big day. We\u2019re having turkey. Does that sound good?\u201d Blair asked. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cThat sounds excellent, Blair.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe two men got up and side by side cleared the table, put away all of the food and then proceeded to wash and dry all of the dishes. Once that was done, Jim walked upstairs and got his gift out of the closet and brought it down to put under the tree. <\/p>\n
\nBlair laughed when he saw it. \u201cWe both used the same wrapping paper. How comical is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJim looked closer at the tree while he placed the gift there. \u201cChief, are those homemade gingerbread cookies on the tree along with the candy canes and ribbon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYes, I didn\u2019t have a lot to spend on ornaments. Sorry about that,\u201d Blair said. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt looks great, Chief. I mean it. Can we eat those cookies tomorrow?\u201d <\/p>\n
\n\u201cNo, I have some freshly made in a container on the counter for you to eat tomorrow. I\u2019m sort of tired, so I think I\u2019ll hit the hay,\u201d Blair said as he headed towards his room. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cChief, come here for a minute,\u201d Jim said. <\/p>\n
\nBlair walked over to him and was pleasantly surprised when Jim pulled him into a huge hug. \u201cMerry Christmas, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBlair continued the hug and didn\u2019t answer. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cAre you all right, Blair?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYeah, I\u2019m just mushy about the holidays. Thank you for making this one special,\u201d Blair answered. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cChief, I didn\u2019t do anything, you did it all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou were here. You hugged me and wished me a Merry Christmas. I was so lonely tonight, but now I feel great. Thank you again, Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJim didn\u2019t let him pull away from him this time. Jim tilted Blair\u2019s face up and Jim went in for the kiss of a lifetime. Both men felt the electrical type charge go through their bodies. They were meant to be together. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cHow would you like to sleep upstairs with me tonight?\u201d Jim asked. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cGod, I would love to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThat\u2019s great, but you can just call me Jim.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBlair snickered as the two of them walked up the stairs to begin their new life. <\/p>\n
\nBlair glanced at the tree on his way up the stairs and realized it had all started with the little tree. He would be forever grateful for it and they were never getting rid of that<\/b> tree.<\/p>\n
\nThe end<\/p>\n
\n
Greek Leg of Lamb:<\/b><\/p>\n
\n5 lb. leg of lamb
\n1 lemon
\nOregano
\nSalt and pepper
\n2 oz. butter
\n1 c. water or wine – wine is best, red cooking wine
\nSeveral cloves of garlic<\/p>\n
\nWash the meat well and set aside in the roasting pan.
\nIn small bowl mix salt and pepper, oregano and the peeled garlic. Mix well.<\/p>\n
\nCut incisions all over leg of lamb where you put garlic cloves and a little butter, seasoning the lamb, rubbing it in. Use all butter, rub on meat what is left of incisions. Then pour the juice of the lemon all over lamb. After seasoning the lamb let set about an hour. Then cook on 375 oven. After it gets started well, after an hour, lower oven to 350 or 325. Cook slowly. Add 1 cup of water or wine. Keep basting the lamb until browned nicely and done to taste.<\/p>\n
\nGreek Potatoes:<\/b><\/p>\n
\n6 med. potatoes, cubed
\n1\/2 c. fresh lemon juice (about 2 1\/2 lemons)
\n1\/3 c. vegetable oil
\n1 tbsp. olive oil
\n2 tsp. salt
\n1\/2 tsp. black pepper
\n1 1\/2 tsp. dried oregano
\n2 garlic cloves, pressed
\n3 c. hot water
\nChopped fresh parsley<\/p>\n
\nToss together the potatoes, lemon juice, oils, spices and garlic in a deep flat pan about 8 x 12 inches. Add the water. Bake uncovered for about 45 to 60 minutes at 475 degrees. Stir every 20 minutes adding more water if necessary to prevent sticking. <\/p>\n
\nBe very careful not to burn the potatoes during the last 20 minutes. During the final 20 minutes allow the water to evaporate until only the oil is left. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. 100% cholesterol free.<\/p>\n
Greek Chicken and Rice Soup:<\/b><\/p>\n
\n1\/2 lb. chicken
\n2\/3 c. uncooked rice
\n1\/2 tsp. salt
\n2 eggs, beaten
\n3 tbsp. lemon juice
\n2 tbsp. snipped parsley or chives
\n2 qts. Broth<\/p>\n
\nDice chicken, add homemade or canned broth, rice and salt, bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until rice is tender. Mix eggs and lemon juice. Stir 1\/4 cup of the hot broth into egg mixture; stir into broth mixture in saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not boil or eggs will curdle. Garnish with parsley or chives.<\/p>\n
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce:<\/b><\/p>\n
12 oz. loaf, day old, French bread
\n2 tbsp. soft butter
\n1 qt. milk
\n3 eggs
\n2 c. sugar
\n1\/2 c. seedless raisins
\n2 tbsp. vanilla
\nPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan with butter (use all 2 tablespoons). <\/p>\n
\nBreak bread into chunks in a large bowl, pour milk over it. When soft continue to break smaller. Soak until all milk is absorbed.
\nBeat eggs with sugar. Stir in raisins and vanilla. Add to bread. Mix until well combined. Pour into buttered pan. Place pan in large shallow pan. Pour boiling water (1 inch) into pan. Bake for 1 hour until knife, inserted in center, comes out clean.<\/p>\n
\nBOURBON SAUCE:<\/p>\n
\n8 tbsp. butter, cut in 1\/2 inch bits
\n1 c. sugar
\n1 egg
\n1\/2 c. bourbon<\/p>\n
\nMelt butter in double boiler. Stir 1 cup sugar and egg in small bowl. Gradually add to butter until sugar dissolves over hot, not boiling, water. Remove from heat after 2-3 minutes; let cool before stirring in bourbon. Pour warm sauce over pudding, top with whipped cream.<\/p>\n
Enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Little Tree By Patt Summary: Someone is very lonely on Christmas Eve. Word Count: 2083 (not counting the recipes) Genre: Barely slash Warnings: First kiss. Email: PattRose1@aol.com Blair awoke on Christmas Eve day and found himself feeling the depression … Continue reading