Dear Miss Blue,

The Diner has been so busy this season with seekers of Truth coming forth with gifts to entice the humble; tiptoeing among the diners, and, frankly, causing such a stir among the cooks in the kitchen - with my most dedicated chef about to untie his cover-all apron and depart - that I had to step up and shoo the Seekers, who, by the way, were in the kitchen now, out of the kitchen, past the tables and chairs and out into the Christmas Eve darkness.  Not a minute too soon, for as I returned inside I was relieved to see the diners removing their coats and hanging them up next to their booths, ready to enjoy the amazing moment with the Flaming Plum Pudding! And it was so wonderful Miss Blue. Just a tiny second when the lighted match hovers over the Brandy soaked Plum Pudding, and the diners leaping up and clapping their hands with glee! Chef Schubert, always dedicated, I just don't know what I would do without him!

Fanny's gift of the Cow Salt and Pepper Shakers arrived early on Christmas Eve, time enough to open and exclaim and place on the Diners' Table nearest the Christmas Tree for everyone to see. I filled them with sugar and salt, rather than salt and pepper since little children in their holiday finery wouldn't want pepper to make them sneeze, although I will return to the traditional salt and pepper as the cows would have it.

I have read recently, well, just two days ago, about the cheese debacle in Australia having to do with cheese triangle placement on sandwiches. What to do, say I?  Anything that breaks the traditional ways is Always a Debacle, don't you think so, Miss Blue?

Pearl, Lighting the Match on Christmas Eve