What Happened to the Rules?

What happened to rules? You know, the rules your mother used to tell you. Ones like - Don't wear white before Easter and after Labor Day. Don't go into the water for thirty minutes after eating. Always dress up for a plane ride, you don't know who you might sit next to. Nice girls don't wear ankle bracelets. Ladies don't drink beer from the can. If you must insist on wearing patent leather shoes, at least wear underwear.

Even though we may not have liked the rules when we were growing up, it gave some sort of framework to our lives. Something we could count on to guide us through the hazards. Now, these rules have been discarded. Cast aside like so many unwanted apple cores along the highway of life.

That was then, this is now. And, now it seems like there are no rules. For instance, when does the Christmas Season start? When I was growing up, the rule was that it didn't start until the day after Thanksgiving. But, now???? It seems like it is getting earlier and earlier. Why this year, right after the Fourth of July, I found Christmas decorations in Longs Drug Store. Granted they were a part of a card company's display and we all know that card companies do not have a clear concept of time or calendar. But today, November 14, 1995, as I walked into the office building I was confronted by 3 individuals moving a big concrete planter with a forklift. To my surprise, on the ground in front of the planter was a HUGE Christmas tree. As I approached, I thought "Give me a break! It's not even Thanksgiving yet!! This is just another crass commercial attempt to get me into the Christmas spending frenzy!!!" I had made up my mind that when I reached the office, I would call the building manager and give him a big ol' piece of my mind. But, as I passed by the trees, I caught a whiff of pine and by the time I got to the elevator I was already on the "Fa la la la la la la la la's" of Deck the Halls.

In that short period of time, I was hooked - Christmas is coming. Christmas is coming! Time to start all the Christmas traditions - the tree, the presents, the food!

I don't know about you, but to me the Christmas season means parties. Parties at home. Parties at the office. Parties at the neighbors. And parties mean appetizers. Here are some of my favorites.

Artichoke Squares
Makes 77 squares.

12 ounces artichoke hearts -- marinated in jars
1 small onion -- finely chopped
1 clove garlic -- minced
4 whole eggs -- beaten
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons parsley -- minced

Drain marinade from artichokes reserving 1/2 of the liquid. Chop artichokes and set aside. Heat reserved marinade over medium heat; add onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft and translucent. Remove from heat and cool. Combine eggs, bread crumbs, cheese and spices. Add artichoke mixture. Pour into a greased 7x11 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven until set when touched in center (about 30 minutes). Cool and cut into 1 inch squares.

Serving Ideas: Maybe served warm, room temperature or cold.

Oriental Chicken Wings
Serves 18.

36 chicken wings
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sesame seeds

Mix soy sauce and brown sugar in a bowl. Add chicken wings and mix. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Baste wings every 5 minutes. Remove from oven and place wings on a serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Salmon Pinwheels
Makes 36 pinwheels.

8 ounces cream cheese -- softened
1/3 cup salmon
2 tablespoons capers
1 tablespoon onion -- finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in oil
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
1 small cucumber
6 flour tortillas

Blend cream cheese, salmon, capers, onion and red pepper flakes well. Peel cucumber and cut lengthwise into sixths. Trim the flour tortillas into a square shape. On each tortilla, evenly spread 1/6th of the cream cheese mixture. Be sure that spread goes all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with dill. Place a piece of cucumber at the bottom of the tortilla and roll into a log. Place in a ziplock bag and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, slice each log into 1/2 inch pieces.

Note: Using red pepper flakes in oil helps to spread the pepper flavor throughout the mixture. They are a snap to make. Place 1/2 cup of red pepper flakes in a glass jar. Pour vegetable oil to cover plus 1/2 inch. Cover and store in the refrigerator. This mixture will keep indefinitely.