December 11, 2006
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It’s funny how when you get older, certain memories come and go. Guess I need more ginkgo biloba. When asked by Bravo to write a holiday blog, I thought long and hard about what Christmas means to me. My family was not religious when I was growing up. I think I debunked the Santa Claus legend by the time I was 10 (A. Because Mom and Dad never actually ate the cookies and milk, and B. because I was a sneaky little thing, staying up late at night to eventually catch my Dad in action.)
My fondest memories are not of any singular Christmas or gift. When I try to remember something specific, what pops into my head are memories with my Mom and Dad.
Let’s start with my hero and my superstar, Mrs. Wong. My mother worked the graveyard shift in the ER when my brother and I were kids so she could spend time with us in the day. My mother might single-handedly be the craftiest self taught cook and homemaker I know. She’d come home from work at seven in the morning and bake something spectacular for us to take to school to give to our teachers (the other kids called me and my bro brown-nosers).
Comments
Holly S wrote:
LeeAnne,
I loved your Christmas blog. I live far away from my family so I don't get to see them and often try to compensate by re-creating recipes form my childhood. Imagine my surprise when our "secret family recipe" for cookies turned out to be from the back of the Reeses peanut butter chip package! I will try your Moms pecan candy and will email and let you know how it goes over with my husband and sons. I loved watching you on season 1 and have enjoyed your blogs on the season 2 cast/shows. Have a great holiday season
posted on December 11, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Tony Robin Bulley wrote:
Hi Lee Anne
I joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 15 and trained as a chef though thats many years ago now and i have done many other jobs since.
I really enjoyed seeing you on the show here in New Zealand and personally i think you should have won the competition, you have a great personality and also you have the right values, i was very impressed with your thoughts here about family, yes youre right family is the most important thing we have in our lives and thats what the festive season is really about, its good to see you still have those asian values i admire in asians and the way they love their parents and extended family .
Well al the best for christmas and a happy new year , hope we see more of you , take care reagrds tony new zealand
posted on December 12, 2006 at 5:30 AM
erica wrote:
Lee Ann,
Thanks for the great blog. I was so excited that you are still a big part of Top Chef. You were one of my faves from Season 1 and it's great to see you are still going strong.
Hoping you will open a restaurant soon,
Erica
Geneva, IL
posted on December 12, 2006 at 4:25 PM
Mother Hubbard wrote:
Lee Anne—
Thanks for the holiday memory and the wonderful pictures of little you. What a cutie! Any shots of your parents? Your tribute to them was so wonderful, I'd love to see a full family photo.
posted on December 13, 2006 at 10:28 AM
Karen wrote:
Excellent blog entry, Lee Anne! Your memory of finding out there wasn't a Santa reminded me of when I was a little kid (four and a half), and I got back up and saw my parents putting together things under the tree. (I didn't let on for years that I knew, though!) It's so nice that you and your mom share the cooking gene--my mother pretty much stopped cooking when I was seven. I'll have to try to make something similar to the pecan candy this season--it's about time someone from my family took up the cooking challenge! I've always enjoyed your appearances on Top Chef, and hearing your voice again (albeit in a blog) makes my day. Happy Holidays!
posted on December 13, 2006 at 11:18 PM
Sammanth and Tim wrote:
Hey Lee-Anne We have not seen the final season of top chef its on this comming monday.we do hope Tiffany doesnt win The Snake ssssss lol..i could of said worse .Anyways Were from canada and did very much enjoy how well you cook and we taught you should of been in the final three .just as we felt a bad judgement call was on dave when he won 1 quickfire challange and tiffiany didnt OH WELL snakes can get all over you anyways Lee-Anne we wish you the best in your future endures hey maybe hook up with Hell's Kitchen that show is assume as well ...merry xmass tc Samm and Tim
posted on December 14, 2006 at 12:34 AM
jk wrote:
Leann, could you just keep writing? Five pages of true Christmas spirit was just not enough....I need more. Thanks for the memories and the recipe. I aspire to the Wong way.
JK
posted on December 14, 2006 at 12:47 AM
Maria wrote:
Hi LeeAnne,
Great to see you doing more stuff, you look great! I loved reading about you Christmas memories and thanks for sharing your mom's candied pecan recipe. I hope to see more of you on this website. merry Christmas. I'll try your mom's recipe and I'll let you know how it turned out.
Maria
posted on December 14, 2006 at 3:54 AM
Matt Schantz wrote:
CUTENESS OVERLOAD with that picture Lee Anne!!!
posted on December 14, 2006 at 4:41 PM
Ginny wrote:
Hi LeeAnne,
It was great to see you on Season 1 eipsode of Top Chef. You were terrific. Hope you have continued success. By the way, you look great :) Happy cooking!!!
posted on December 16, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Janet wrote:
Hi LeeAnne,
I've enjoyed reading your well written and entertaining blog. Unfortunately I tried to make your mom's pecan candy, but I ended up with burnt pecan bars. At least my husband thought it smelled good. Have you learned your mom's secret? Please pass it on.
posted on December 21, 2006 at 8:49 PM
susan wrote:
Hey Lee Ann,
You are my favorite still even with season 2. I think you should have won Season 1. You had such great ideas and very creative. I try your recipe for the roast pork with sourcream and avocado and such, and my boyfriend loved it. He asked for me to make it very often. Now that i got that out of the way, I want to thank you for sharing your christmas memories with me. It is very inspiring to read something that i can connect with. I too grow up with aisan families (Chinese), and we have such great appreciation for our families and teachers that they are always in our memories no matter what we do or where we are. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
P.S. If you open a restaurant, please email me, as i and my friends, family and boyfriend will be the first to be there.
Thank you,
Susan
posted on January 4, 2007 at 6:07 AM
meliblu wrote:
So, have you seen the articles about the very complex origami designs in--hmm, was it Smithsonian or Discover magazine a 2006 issue? Talked about the great origami contests and computer generating fold patterns and how some designs actually take years to make. Always wanted to try origami, nothing that complex of course, but just haven't done it yet. Origami tree decorations sounds very creative. Unfortunately, I knew there was no Santa Claus at about 3 or 4 years old, but I didn't let on to my parents. I found my Christmas presents hidden in a closet one year and then got them for Christmas. and another year, my Mother took me Christmas shopping and bought the presents and thought I would forget and I didn't.
posted on January 12, 2007 at 7:06 AM