Leap Year Reflections: Boxing Day Joy, Warming Lemonade, and Creative Leftover Turkey Pizza

The calendar can sometimes surprise you, can’t it? I recently had one of those delightful moments of realization when I discovered we’re in a leap year. For a fleeting moment, I was convinced I had miscounted the days, having reached day 360 with a full week still to go until New Year’s Eve. How I managed to overlook that extra day in February is beyond me, but here we are, embracing all 366 days of it! It’s a strange but wonderful feeling, almost like getting a bonus day at the end of a long journey, allowing for a little extra reflection and planning.

While this project of daily writing was originally slated to conclude sooner, the extra day seems to have perfectly aligned with the universe’s plans. Of course, I won’t be stopping entirely. Whether I’ll continue the nightly writing marathon is still up for debate – my partner Mike might just move into another room, or even out of the house, if I do! But rest assured, I’ll keep this creative journey going. I have a few more days to iron out the logistics and future plans. And speaking of future plans, I’m thrilled to announce that my project, “DwJ” (Days with Joy, perhaps?), will be featured in the National Post! Mark your calendars for January 3rd. There’s a slight irony, of course, that it’s set to run just two days after this particular daily endeavor was supposed to wrap up, but I couldn’t be more excited for this unexpected turn of events.

Boxing Day Bliss: A Day of Play and Comfort

I must confess, I think I’ve grown to love Boxing Day even more than Christmas Day itself. There’s a unique charm to it – all the pressure of Christmas morning is off, the gifts have been unwrapped, and a calm, relaxed atmosphere settles in. Our Boxing Day was a perfect testament to this, filled with a delightful mix of leisurely activities and family bonding. We spent a good portion of the day simply sitting around, reveling in the post-holiday glow.

W, our little one, was thoroughly engrossed with his new treasures. We immersed ourselves in the intricate world of marble games and challenging puzzles, each piece clicked into place bringing a small victory. The hallway was transformed into a mini hockey arena with his brand new net set, echoing with the sounds of joyful play. Meanwhile, Mike and I slowly chipped away at the Boxing Day crossword puzzle. This year, Mike emerged as the undeniable hero of the day when he brilliantly cracked “haberdasheries” – a fourteen-letter word for men’s clothing stores. It seems all those years of watching This is Spinal Tap finally paid off, proving that even seemingly trivial pop culture knowledge can come in handy!

Our grazing habits were equally relaxed and indulgent. We snacked on generous handfuls of Cheezies – the real, authentic ones, of course, with their unmistakable cheesy dust – and whatever delicious stocking chocolate lingered from the previous day’s bounty. The house felt warm and cozy, but the afternoon called for a little adventure. We braved the crisp winter air and escaped to the nearby hill to try out W’s new bright red sled. The exhilaration of sliding down the snowy slopes was invigorating, but upon our return, we definitely needed a proper warming up.

A Refreshing Twist: Hot Spiced Lemonade

Having already plowed through a mountain of Hershey’s Kisses in my pocket and half a Toblerone bar, the thought of yet another mug of hot chocolate, surprisingly, held absolutely no appeal. My sweet tooth had reached its temporary saturation point. We needed something comforting, yes, but also something that would cut through the lingering richness of holiday treats. That’s when inspiration struck: hot spiced lemonade.

It proved to be the perfect antidote. Unlike the mulled cider we’d been simmering on and off the stove all week, which, while delicious, felt a little too familiar, the hot spiced lemonade offered a wonderfully refreshing change of pace. It hit all the right notes: warm and soothing, yet tangy and bright, without being overly sweet. It truly did the trick, warming us from the inside out and invigorating our senses.

How to Make Simple Hot Spiced Lemonade:

• **Ingredients:** Freshly squeezed lemon juice (or good quality bottled), water, honey or maple syrup to taste, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, a few slices of fresh ginger, star anise (optional).
• **Instructions:** Combine water, lemon juice, and your chosen sweetener in a saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger slices. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for at least 10-15 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse and release their aromatic flavors. Taste and adjust sweetness or lemon intensity as desired. Strain out the spices before serving, or leave them in for a rustic presentation. Serve hot, perhaps with an extra lemon slice or cinnamon stick for garnish. It’s wonderfully soothing for a cold day or when you’re feeling a bit under the weather.

Creative Culinary Solutions: Reinventing Leftover Turkey with BBQ Pizza

As dusk began to settle and the day wound down, it became apparent that we’d eventually need some sort of dinner. Traditionally, a turkey sandwich, piled high with leftovers, or perhaps a skilleted turkey hash with plenty of crispy bits, would have been the perfect fit for a post-holiday evening. However, our leftover turkey situation was rather dire – we had a baggie of shredded turkey, but crucially, no gravy, no stuffing, and most tragically, no cranberry sauce. What’s the point of a turkey sandwich without its quintessential accompaniments?

Faced with this culinary conundrum, I decided to pivot entirely and transform the turkey into something that bore no resemblance to our previous two festive dinners. My solution? A delightful barbecue turkey pizza. It was a complete departure, a fresh take that breathed new life into the humble leftovers.

Recipe: Innovative BBQ Turkey Pizza

This recipe is perfect for giving leftover turkey a delicious and unexpected makeover. It’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

• **For the Crust:** Use your favorite pizza dough (store-bought or homemade).
• **Instead of Tomato Sauce:** Spread a generous layer of good quality smoky barbecue sauce over the pizza dough. This provides a fantastic sweet and tangy base that perfectly complements the turkey.
• **Caramelized Onions:** Slice one large onion thinly and sauté it in a pan with a little olive oil over low heat until deeply golden brown and sweet. This process can take 20-30 minutes, but the rich, sweet flavor is well worth the effort.
• **Shredded Turkey:** Distribute a good amount of your leftover shredded turkey evenly over the BBQ sauce.
• **Roasted Red Pepper:** Add strips of roasted red pepper. You can buy these in a jar or easily roast your own by charring bell peppers over an open flame or under a broiler until the skin is blackened, then peeling and slicing them.
• **Grated Cheese:** Finish with a generous sprinkle of your favorite grated cheese. Mozzarella is a classic, but a mix of mozzarella and provolone, or even a smoked gouda, would be delicious.

Bake the pizza according to your dough’s instructions, typically in a hot oven (around 425-450°F or 220-230°C) until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

The resulting pizza was a revelation – a beautiful blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, with the tender turkey, sweet caramelized onions, and vibrant red peppers. While Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed this creative twist, W, with his discerning palate, thought it was rather “weird.” He opted for his tried-and-true favorites instead, happily munching on apples and cheese. And that, too, is a perfectly acceptable outcome on a relaxed Boxing Day.

As the extra day of the leap year slowly winds down, these simple moments of family, good food, and unexpected delights are what truly make a year special. Here’s to embracing every bonus day and finding joy in the everyday.