A Taste of Christmas

I have previously referenced that wino-inspired line from a Gatlin Brothers song, "will they have Mogen David in heaven?" ... you remember the rest.

Can you imagine a perfect heaven with no food (or wine)? Will that eternal (immortal, immutable, invincible, invisible, whatever) spirit body need it? A little taste of heaven takes on a whole different meaning...

Every Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, a baby who comes with the promise that all who believe he is also their Savior, are now welcome to live forever in heaven with him and his father, God. Pretty incredible. And worth celebrating.

But if you found out that there would actually be no real food or drink in God's banquet hall, would you still want to go? I know--that is a silly question. (I may be more ready to answer it when I am old and have lost my teeth and/or taste buds!).

It is difficult to even think of Christmas (or eternity) without a favorite food association. I have a few taste desires left unfulfilled this year. I have not had banket even once this year, or oliebolen (traditional Dutch old year's treat) or eggnog. And I only thought about making Hazel's Candy.

So far the best holiday taste I have had is a slice (or two or three) of pizza on Christmas Eve--very sad, but true. It was easy, inexpensive (just $10 for a large pizza) and delicious. It even had a touch of red and green. And came with a handful of complimentary mints.

The runner-up best taste so far was a slice of a Costco ham with spicy glaze. A bite of of M's mac and cheese at Panera Bread the other day was also very tasty.

The year is not over. I hope to consume one or two more things that are over-the-top delicious before the January diet starts. But so far, I enjoyed sitting down to that pizza more than anything else the entire season. I have provided a cropped closeup for your drooling pleasure.

Pizza Hut Pan Pizza (sausage, pepperoni, black olives, green pepper, grease)

And I washed it down with the cutest-ever bottle of full-sugared Coke, which even Santa cannot resist.

Is this staged or what?

I may add a few more things or not--it depends on how the last three days of the year (no pun intended) shape up. I would love to hear from you regarding your most satisfying mouthful this holiday season. Cronuts, anyone? Fruitcake?