HOORAY FOR THE JOY-GIVERS! We always need more smiles, music and laughter. The “local” version of this fun series salutes those seriously unsolemn people, places and things that bring joy to our community.
The “SHIELD THE JOYOUS” shields, which will be given to those honored or to their family, are inspired from a passage in “The Book of Common Prayer” (1662). Prayers are lifted to “tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying…and shield the joyous.” Joy-givers are precious. Let us preserve them, protect them, treasure them, smile with them, laugh with them, tap our toes with them and give them A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
A CULLMAN ROUND OF APPLAUSE for JOY-GIVERS: PHIL CABRI and DAUGHTERS
There are joy-giving angels among us in the Cullman area, and three of those are “Holiday Hosts with The Most,” Phil Cabri and his daughters D’ete Sewell and Gina Smith. For many years, these joy-givers have opened their home and hearts to legions of friends for one of the happiest gatherings during the “Hap-Hap-Happiest season of all.” I love that it’s a place for people with intensely differing politics and passions to come together for laughter and good cheer. Here’s a fun, party recipe to honor this trinity of joy-giving angels:
CARAMELIZED BRICKYARD BACON
(Yield: Two dozen bite-sized hors d’oeuvres)
I first discovered this easy, delish (everybody loves bacon) party recipe the fashion designer, Bill Blass, shared in an interview.
- Pick up 1/2 pound of thick-cut, sliced bacon from Brickyard Meats (another Cullman joy-giver) and pack a cup of dark-brown sugar.
- Preheat the oven to 250 F.
- Rub the bacon with the brown sugar on both sides. Pat it down to make it stick to the bacon.
- Place the bacon on a heavy baking sheet. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool. Then, break the slices into bite-sized pieces.
This is perfect with a bourbon, Bloody Mary or a co-cola. Friends of Phil Cabri always volunteered to tend bar. Last Christmas, the bartender was Brad Smith, a crowd favorite. Phil Cabri has moved to a new home in Cullman this year, so it could be a year where the many friends of Phil, D’ete and Gina treat them. We need a little Christmas, NOW!
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