It’s December 19th and you know what time it is.
It’s less than a week ’til Christmas, that’s what time it is.
Just about the time when people (i.e. me) start to freak out that there isn’t any time.
It’s about the time when you realize that that box of holiday cards you bought weeks ago is still laying untouched on the floor where you last left it …
… about the time when you realize that perhaps you should get started on that holiday shopping …
… and around the time when it actually dawns on you that you haven’t the faintest clue as to what will be on the menu for Christmas dinner that no one else but you is in charge of making.
Precisely the time when that very thought makes you want to take a very long walk off a short pier.
Image from MuseMaka.Com
Well, before you do any of those things, please sit down and take a nice, deep breath.
And then another.
And if your belly is empty and the self frazzled, first, take that beautiful self into the kitchen and make yourself a sandwich.
Not just any sandwich, but this dill-full chicken salad sandwich so good, it’ll feel like you’ve just been beamed back to summer.
Not to worry, it’s easy-day easy. Just toss a bunch of goodness in a bowl and give it a mix.
Scoop between two pieces of bread and you’ve got yourself dill-y chicken-y heaven.
Now, tummy full? Good. ‘Cause I’m going to lovingly tell you something.
There may not be enough time.
Those cards may very well arrive late.
Image from SavageChickens.Com
You may not find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. (You may not even have a list).
And you know what? That’s okay.
Cards will eventually be sent, gifts will be bought and meals will be made.
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. ~ Jean Anouilh
The best gifts of all, are ones of the heart. The giving of yours.
Image from LoveMeow.Com
And as long as we have at least one other creature to love … and are loved by even just one other …
… then we have all the gifts we’ll ever truly need.
And there will always, always be enough time for that.
Best Dill Chicken Salad Sandwich
Inspired by Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Cafe
Makes 2 huge sandwiches + plenty leftover for the day after
8 ounces pre-cooked roasted chicken breast, diced
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon finely chopped celery
1 dill pickle spear, finely chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon dried dill
3 pinches cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dill pickle juice (from jar)
salt and pepper, to taste
sliced wheat, white or rye bread, for serving
micro greens or chopped romaine lettuce, for serving
extra dill pickle spears, for serving
In a medium mixing bowl — using a spatula or spoon — fold chicken, celery, chopped dill pickle, mayonnaise, dill, cayenne pepper, dill pickle juice, salt and pepper together until well combined.
Serve between two slices of bread with greens and a dill pickle spear on the side and …
Enjoy!
Announcement: Small Kitchen Chronicles (i.e. yours truly) will be on hiatus from Dec 20 – 27, 2012 to prep for and celebrate the holidays. As such, please note there will be no post next week but will be back — full swing — on January 2, 2013. ‘Til then, have a very happy and safe holidays, everyone! Thanks so much for reading and for all your support this year; it’s meant the world. (See you back here in 2013)! Much love, Christina xo
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Small Kitchen Chronicles 
Now I just might make this tomorrow. A good chicken sandwich sounds like just the thing to make and eat while busy getting ready for the holidays. Happy Holidays to you and your family Christina!
Excellent, and I know, right?
Happy holidays to you and your family, Ms. Samantha, and thank you so much for reading and for all your support this year — it’s meant so much.
Warmest wishes and see you in 2013, beauty!
Christina
Excellent combinations! 😀 Fae.
Thanks, Fae, glad you liked! =)
Hugs and happiest of holidays!
This looks divine!!!! I’m totally fine with a late card, just knowing that I am thought of makes my heart happy.
Hi honey!
Thanks for stopping by; and glad you liked!
I totally agree with you (speaking of which, make sure you check your mailbox these next few days … just saying 😉
Much love, Jolene, big hugs and talk soon!
That looks delicious Christina and I’m not big on cold sandwiches. I’ll have to make myself one soon! 🙂
Thanks, Anne, and you know, I am not a big fan of cold sandwiches myself, but this is one that pretty much tipped me over =)
Big hugs and happy holidays, Anne, and as always, so nice hearing from you — it always makes me smile =)
Awwww so nice of you to say that Christina! BIG hugs to you and happy holidays to you as well. 🙂
**warmed heart**
=)
HI Christina!
Dill…how I love dill. Especially in chicken salad. I love that you posted something that you could make quick, but still tastes amazing. Isn’t that what we all need right around this time of the year?…lest we spend a whole week eating saltines.
And the Christmas cards…yeah. I had ideas of grandeur. “Let’s take a picture outside while we’re buying our tree and use that for this super cute card that we will have made at snapfish!”
Card Reality: It rained when we got the tree, so we all had very weird it’s raining squints, we had to rush because we had the baby and didn’t want o get him wet, so no picture actually happened…and no back up cards were bought, lol
So you know what? Everyone is getting a Happy New Year card! It’s a new trend spawned by procrastination!
Hope you have an awesome holiday, Christina! I can’t wait to hear what you make!
:), Rebekah
You know, that’s what I thought, Rebekah! Spending a whole week eating saltines, especially with Christmas dinner to cook? Not at all advisable 😉
And, yes, holiday cards, haven’t we all been there? Uh huh, I know we have; I feel ya, sister, and good thinking! And a Happy New Year’s card? Brilliant.
Aww, have an awesome holiday too, Rebekah, can’t wait for another brand new year filled with even more foodie goodness from all my foodie peers, such as you — I have a feeling it will be an absolutely wonderful one =)
Big hugs,
Christina
Hi Christina–
Loved your post and absolutely agree that the only gift we really need is to love and be loved. I just need to find a way to gift wrap that and put it under the tree. . .
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking forward to reading your wonderful posts next year!
Rose
Aww, thank you so much, Rose, and I am so glad! Your comment just filled my heart =)
Warmest wishes to you, and the very BEST Christmas and New Years! See you in 2013!
Christina
Just when I was wondering what to have for lunch, your blog appeared in my browser full of deliciously dill inspiration! Mmm I love dill and rye, so basically I feel that this post was written for me. 🙂 Thank you, Christina.
That’s wonderful, and I am so glad, Marisa, my pleasure! That was my intention — easy and delicious dill inspiration! I think we could ALL use that every once and a while 😉
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I wish you a merry christmas and a wonderful new year. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes.see you again in 2013.kisses
Thank you so much, traditionis, and the same to you!
Thank you for reading and for all your support this year — see you in 2013!
=)
Hey buddy, I love all the pics and references, especially the long walk off a short pier:). The cat and horse are adorable too. See you soon! Much love!
Thanks, Niko, glad you liked them and thanks for stopping by =) Look forward to the next time we hang out! Much love and big hugs ’til then …
Love you, brother wonderful!
Hello my dear Christina: Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2013. Xox
Hi, Anne! Aww, thank you for leaving me such a lovely comment — it’s the first one of 2013! Many wonderful sentiments back dear Anne! Happy New Year! xo
Just by looking at the photo I agree that it’s the best Dill Chicken Sandwich. The fresh dill, cayenne pepper and greens probably make it one of the best chicken sandwiches around. I’m ready for lunch now and really wish I could bit into one of those. 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind words, EarthDrifter! I so appreciate them. Wish I could beam a couple over to you now! =)
Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!
Hi Christina, I am sad to have only just seen this post now since you have moved away and I won’t have a chance to see you and thank you for the mention in person! I have followed your blog for a long time, though I missed this post probably because December is so busy for us I do not get much blog reading done. Luckily, a customer mentioned it to me. Your recipe is very close to ours and I love the touch of cayenne in it! I am very curious to know how you found out about us and when you visited the cafe; whenever you get settled (even if it’s a year from now!) please feel free to contact me, I would love to know how you are doing down there. Thank you so much for the shout out, be well and happy cooking!
~Monica
Hi Monica,
My apologies for taking so long to get back to your lovely comment. And please, no worries, it truly was my pleasure … thank you.
You know, I cannot remember exactly how I found out about your place, but I think it was through Yelp. It tends to be my “go to” to find all things good, so I think that was it =) I actually visited your place quite often; usually for a cup of coffee, either by myself or with my husband, Christopher. We both really appreciated how consistently good it was (you’d be surprised how difficult it can be to get a good cup of drip coffee) and how lovely and welcoming your staff consistently was. I am sorry we never officially met! Please, if you do ever make it down to San Diego, please let me know! Would love to talk shop over coffee (though I have yet to find a great cup here — the search continues!).
😉
Thanks so much again, Monica, and likewise! And thank you for your continued readership and support; it means a lot =)
Warmest wishes,
Christina
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