[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] >> WELL, H ELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS ABOUT LIVING HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS THAT IN THE COURSE OF OUR DAILY LIVES, WE NEVER KNOW WHO WE'RE GOING TO MEET AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT AS FAR AS THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR TRADITIONS ARE C ONCERNED.

FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT NOW I'M STANDING OUTSIDE MY LAUNDRY, THIS IS THE LARGEMONT CLEANERS.

I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOREVER.

BUT WHEN YOU COME INSIDE THE CLEANERS, LISA, HELLO.

LOOK, HERE SHE COMES.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I'M DOING FINE.

>> FIRST OFF, I BROUGHT MY SHIRT TO BE CLEANED.

YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF ME FOR YEARS, HAVEN'T YOU.

>> I THINK SO.

>> TELL THEM THE KIND OF THINGS THAT YOU HELPED ME OUT WITH.

SHE KIND OF HELPS DRESS ME AND MAKES SURE -- >> FIX THE BUST BUTTONS AND THE ZIPPER.

>> YEAH.

SO SHE'S KIND OF MY MOM HERE.

MY O LDER SISTER, I'M SORRY.

>> OK. THAT'S OK. >> YOU ARE FROM -- >> I' M ARMENIAN.

>> AND WHAT COUNTRY IS THAT?

YOU'RE NOT FROM ARMENIA.

>> I'M NOT FROM ARMENIA.

MY PARENTS WERE ACTUALLY FROM TURKEY AND THEN ABOUT 1915, THEY DROVE INTO THE SYRIAN DESERT.

SO THEY SETTLED IN ARAPO, WHICH HAVE A BIG ARMENIAN COMMUNITY THERE.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?

>> EXACTLY 25 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

BUT YOU ARE STILL VERY MUCH INTO THE TRAD ITIONS OF YOUR COUNTRY, OF YOUR PARENTS, OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS AND ALL OF THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> PLUS YOU HAVE A HUGE FAMILY.

THAT'S ALL I HEAR ABOUT SHE HAS TO COOK FOR HER FAMILY ALL THE TIME, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> BUT SHE LIKES TO COOK.

>> I LOVE -- I ENJOY COOKING, YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS I ENJOY CLEANING.

BUT I LOVE COOKING AND BAKING.

>> AL L RIGHT.

AND THAT GETS US THEN TO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU COME INTO THE CLEANERS DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, YOU NOT ONLY GET CLEAN CLOTHES -- COME ON OVER HERE, LISA -- BUT LOOK AT THIS SPREAD.

SHE'S GOT TO PUT THE SHIRT -- BUSINESS FIRST, RIGHT?

HANGERS, NO STA RCH.

>> FOR MR. HOWSER, LOTS OF STARCH.

>> NOW COME ON OVER HERE, AND TELL US WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS A TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS SPREAD HERE.

>> YES.

WE CAN SEE THAT.

BUT IT'S MOSTLY MY TRADITION, MY CUSTOMERS LOVE, ESPECIALLY THE DATE .

THEY EAT COOKIES STUFFED WITH DATES.

THIS IS ARMENIAN.

ARMENIANS LOVED DRIED FRUIT.

>> YOU CAN EAT THAT ANYTIME NOT JUST DURING CHRISTMAS.

WHAT IS THI S?

>> BACK LAVA, WHICH MY CUSTOMERS WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS TIME TO EAT MY BAKLAVA.

AND THIS IS THE SESAME SEED.

IT'S VERY DELICIOUS.

ACTUALLY, THIS IS MORE MIDDLE EASTERN.

THIS IS OUR TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN SWEET.

>> PUMPKIN SWEET.

WHAT IS A PUMPKIN SWEET?

I DON'T THINK I'VE HAD ONE OF THOSE.

>> YOU HAVE TO TRY.

AND THEN -- >> ALL RIGHT GOT ONE OF THESE.

USUALLY WE DON'T USE A PLATE AND UTENSILS LIKE THIS, WE JUST PICK IT UP.

>> OK.

PICK IT UP.

IT'S FINGER FOOD.

YOU CAN EAT IT.

AND THERE TH IS THE FLAKEY ONE.

THIS IS ARMENIAN AND MIDEASTERN, TOO.

A BUTTER COOKIE, BUT IT'S CRISP AND MELT IN YOUR MOUTH, NOT IN YOUR HAND.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> YOU REMEMBER I CUT MY FINGER BECAUSE OF T HIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS JUST PUMPKIN?

>> REGULAR PUMPKIN, I TREATED WITH SPECIAL -- WE HAVE SPECIAL RECIPE FOR THAT, AND WE BAKE IT IN THE SUGAR.

>> YOU HAVE LOTS OF -- >> DRY FRUIT.

DATES - - ACTUALLY THESE DATES WERE GIVEN TO ME.

IT'S FROM SAUDI ARABIA.

>> DATES FROM THE PRINCE.

>> THIS IS DRY FIG URES.

>> OH, FIGS.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE BANANAS.

>> T HESE ARE RAY SINS.

WHAT ARE THESE?

>> THESE ARE THE RACENS.

THE WHITE AND BLACK RAISINS.

>> THE ONLY THIN G HERE NOT TRADITIONAL ARE THE M & M'S.

>> AND I LOVE IT.

>> WELL, THIS IS -- LOOK WHAT WE GOT OVER HERE, TOO.

THIS IS TRADITIONAL.

>> TRAD ITIONAL.

ACTUALLY, I USED TO HAVE MY GRANDPA'S PI LLOWS.

BUT DURING THE EARTHQUAKE IT GOT LOST AND I THROW IT OUT.

>> YOU DO TRADITIONAL NEEDLE POINT WHICH THEY DO IN YOUR COUNTRY, AS WELL.

WELL, THIS IS EXCITING.

BUT THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, ISN'T IT.

>> YE S. >> BECAUSE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT LISA HAS INVITED ME TO JOIN HE R FAMILY -- TODAY IS DECEMBER 1 8.

>> 18.

YES.

>> BEFORE THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 25.

THE ARMENIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, TRADITIONALLY THE ORTHODOX CE LEBRATE IT WHEN?

>> JANUARY 5.

>> JANUARY 5.

>> YEAH.

CHRISTMAS EVE IS JANUARY 5, AND CHRISTMAS DAY IS JANUARY 6.

>> OK.

I THOUGHT IT WAS THE 4TH AND 5TH.

BUT IT'S THE 5TH AND 6TH.

>> 4TH WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE IT'S SUN DAY.

>> SHE HAS TO WORK ON CHRISTMAS ON THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE.

SHE HAS INVITED US OUT TO HER HOUSE ON SUNDAY JANUARY 4 FOR A HUGE T RADITIONAL ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS FEAST, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> SO WHEN WE GET TO YOUR HOUSE, THIS IS GOING TO BE NOTHING HERE.

COMPARED TO WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOR US OUT THERE.

>> YOU WILL SEE.

YOU WILL SEE.

>> I'M GOING TO MEET HER WHOLE FAMILY.

AND WE WILL FIND OUT WHAT A TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT.

OK. TIME HAS PASSED.

NOW IT IS JANUARY.

WE'VE COME OUT HERE TO NORTH RIDGE, TO LISA'S HOME.

ALL DECORATED UP FOR CH RISTMAS.

AND A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE IT IS.

BUT WE ARE NOT HERE TO LOOK AT THE TREE.

WE ARE HERE FOR THE ACTION IN LISA'S KITCHEN.

AND THERE SHE IS AT THE OVEN.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING OVER HERE LISA?

TELL US WHAT IS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE O VEN.

>> THIS IS THE CHEESE.

>> CHEESE TURNOVER.

LOOK AT THIS.

>> THIS IS OUR FAVORITE.

THIS IS THE DOUGH, PASTRY D TO RKS U GH .

>> WHAT IS THIS?

>> STUFFED JALEPENO.

>> STUFFED JALEPENO.

>> WITH CH EESE.

>> THAT'S ARME NIAN?

>> NO, NO.

COME ON.

FORGI ME, GRANDMA.

THAT'S NOT ARMENIAN.

SORRY.

>> WHAT IS THIS OVER HERE?

>> THIS IS -- THIS IS BULGUR WHEAT.

WITH THE GROUND BEEF, WITH THE ALMONDS, PINE NUTS, WALN UTS.

>> HOW DO YOU EAT THAT?

WHAT IS IT?

>> YOU WANT TO TRY IT?

BE MY GUEST.

IT'S NOT HOT NOW.

>> OH, BOY.

>> AND THE SPICES.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THIS IS MORE -- IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, NOT TYPICAL ARMENIAN STUFF.

THIS IS MORE FROM TH E REGION THAT MY GRANDMA CAME.

IT'S EAST MEDITERRANEAN, WHICH YOU KNOW THE MIDDLE EASTERN MAKE.

>> BOY, THIS IS GOOD.

PICK UP SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR.

WAIT A MINUTE.

WHAT ARE WE HERE TO WATCH YOU MAKE?

WE GOT HERE EARLY TO WATCH YOU PREPARE SOME OF THIS.

>> YEAH.

JUST A MOMENT.

LET ME CHECK THE TURNOVERS.

>> SO ALL OF THIS, YOU HAVE HELPERS HERE IN THE KITCHEN.

ARE YOU ONE OF HER RELATIVES?

>> YES.

I'M HER AUNT.

AND I LOVE MY NIECE.

>> NOW, IS SHE A GOOD COOK?

>> SHE'S A GREAT COOK.

I, I COULD LEARN MORE FROM HER.

>> TRADITION, AMERICAN, WHATEVER YOU WANT HER TO COOK, SHE COOKS.

BELIEVE ME.

THIS IS THE GR EATEST KITCHEN YOU CAN HAVE.

>> OH, OKLAHOMA.

GOOD.

-- OH, OK. >> I'M GOING TO MAKE -- MOST OF MY CUSTOMERS AS K ME TO MAKE HUMUS FOR THEM.

SO HERE WE GO.

>> WHAT IS IN THERE?

>> MASHED GARBANZO BEANS.

TO BE HONEST, I DIDN'T MASH IT.

I BOUGHT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU STIRED I T AROUND.

>> YOU MIX I T WITH TAHINI.

IT'S SESAME OIL.

THIS IS TAHINI.

SO YOU MAKE A PORTION OF ONE CAN, W HICH IS 13 OUNCES OF PUREED GARBANZO BEANS AND JUST THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAHINI OIL, OR SESAME OIL.

WHATEVER.

THE SAME THING.

>> AND WHAT'S THIS GOING -- HOW IS THIS USED?

WHAT IS THIS USED FOR ?

HOW DO WE EAT TH IS?

>> ARMENIANS -- >> IF WE WEREN'T HERE YOU WOULD JUST -- >> OTHERWISE I GO LIKE THIS.

I DON'T DO TH AT.

COME ON.

>> SO NOW YOU'RE MIXING IT UP.

>> I MIX IT WITH TAHINI.

WE ADD CUMIN POWDER.

SO IT'S ALL BY HAND.

I CAN'T FEEL THE MEASUREMENTS.

AROUND, AROUND A TEASPOON.

AROUND A TEASPOON.

>> THIS IS LIKE A REAL COOKING SHOW WE ARE DOING HERE.

IT'S EXCITING.

>> NOBODY CAN MAKE IT LIKE THIS.

OK. NOW GARLIC.

WE HAVE TO PUT SOME GARLIC.

>> UH-HUH.

>> NOW, YOU KNOW, MY MOM -- >> GRIND IT UP IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY.

>> TRADITIONAL WAY.

AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY.

YOU CAN HAVE THE AROMA OF THE GARLIC 100%.

BUT YOU KNOW -- >> A LITTLE BIT OF SALT.

>> SALT.

AND I'M SORRY.

WE THEY ARE MAKING NOISE BACK THERE.

THE TECHNIQUE, YOU PUT SOMETHING UNDERNEATH, IT WILL NOT MAKE THE NOISE.

SO ONE CLOVE OF GARLIC.

THIS IS ENOUGH.

MOST OF THE TIME I USE POWDERED GARLIC.

BECAUSE FRESH GARLIC -- >> YEAH , YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> THE FRESH GARLIC, SOMETIMES -- >> YOU SMELL IT, TOO.

WHOO.

>> GIVE YOU HEARTBURN.

SO YOU KNOW.

>> HAVE YOU CHECKED ON THE CHEESE -- >> OH, YEAH.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S WHY I LOVE TO WORK ALONE .

>> THE PEOPLE KIND OF GET IN YOUR WAY.

YOU LIKE TO BE IN TOTAL CONTROL OF THE KITCHEN, DON' T YOU.

BE HONEST.

>> OH, YEAH.

YES.

YES.

>> SHE'S THE QUEEN OF THE KITCHEN.

>> NO, NOT THE QUEEN.

BUT YOU KNOW, IF I'M GOI NG TO DO IT, I HAVE TO DO IT.

OTHERWISE I DON'T KNOW IF -- WE SAY IN ARMEINIAN, TOO MANY WOMEN IN THE KITCHEN THEY WILL BURN THE FOOD.

YOU KNOW.

I'M JUST TRANSLATING.

>> YOU DON'T MIND HER SAYING THAT.

>> NO, I DON'T MIND AT ALL.

BECAUSE SHE'S RIGHT.

JUST LIKE TOO MANY CAPTAINS, THE BOAT WILL SINK.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

WE DON'T NEED TOO MANY CAPTAINS IN ONE KITCHEN.

BELIEVE ME.

>> YOU SHOULD BE HONORED TO BE ALLOWED IN HER KITCHEN.

>> OH, YE S. SHE TOLD ME TO COME HELP HER.

I'VE BEEN HERE 12:00, EXCITED.

ESPECIALLY THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE ON TV.

THIS IS MOST HONOR FOR US.

>> ARE PEOPLE USUALLY DRESSED LIKE THIS IN THE KIT CHSNN DRESSED UP LIKE THIS?

>> FOR CHRISTMAS.

>> OH, FOR CHRISTMAS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO NOW WE ARE -- >> MIXING THE CUMIN, SALT, GARLIC AND THIS IS THE GARLIC POUDER.

>> WHAT IS THIS?

>> THAT'S OWE LIVE OIL.

>> YOU HAVEN'T PUT ANY IN YET.

>> I WILL.

>> LUPE?

>> LITTLE BIT.

JUST A LITTLE B IT.

AND THEN Y OU POUR IN THE LEMON JUICE.

>> LUPE, YOU'RE GOING TO HELP ON THIS?

YOU UNDERSTAND ALL OF THIS?

THAT SHE'S HAVING YOU DO?

YOU COOKED WITH HER BEFORE.

>> SHE FRY THE FISH FOR ME.

AND I'M GOING TO SQUEEZE THE LEMON.

>> GO T LEMON.

BOY, HAD IS COMPLICATED.

>> THIS IS FROM MY GARDEN.

AND THIS IS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY TO SQUEEZE -- WHICH I LOVE IT.

>> OH, WOW.

AND ALL OF THIS, YOU HAVEN'T REALLY MEASURED ANYTHING.

IT'S ALL JUST BY FEEL.

>> YEAH.

BY EYE AND -- >> WHAT'S LUPE GO ING TO DO TO HELP?

WHAT DID YOU CALL FOR LUPE FOR?

>> NOTHING.

I HAD SOMETHING IN THE SINK.

>> BECAUSE WE'RE ALL READY TO HELP, IF YOU NEED ANY HELP.

>> AND HERE'S THE FINISHED PRODUCT, RIGHT HERE.

>> YEAH .

>> NOW HOW DO YOU EAT THIS?

>> A LIT TLE PIECE OF PITA BREAD OR CHIP.

I LOVE IT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I'M ON DIET, LIKE YOU ON ATKINS.

>> I THINK I'M JUST GOING TO GO OFF THE DIET TODAY.

NOW LOOK AT THIS.

>> WITH MEAT.

FISH ALWAYS WE EAT HUMUS.

>> THIS I S ARMENIAN HERE.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE ON CHRISTMAS, WE HAVE TO HAVE FRIED FISH.

FRIED FISH.

WE USED TO HAVE TOO MUCH CAT FISH.

THIS IS CAT FISH.

FRIED CAT FISH IF I -- CAT FISH FILLET.

THE WHOLE FISH.

THIS IS WITH THE BONE.

>> WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS TURKEY.

>> IS THAT ARMENIAN?

>> NO.

I CAN'T FEED ALL THESE PEOPLE TRADITION.

>> I JUST WONDERED IF THEY'RE TRADITIONAL -- >> THIS IS TRADITIONAL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE BEEF WITH THE RED SAUCE.

THAT'S TRADITIONAL.

WE HAVE RICE AND GROUND BEEF, THAT IS TRADITIONAL.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> NOT THIS.

THIS IS SIDE DISH.

THIS IS BBGNOUSH.

IT'S ROASTED EGGPLANT, MIXED WITH YOGURT, GARLIC, AND TOP IS GROUND BEEF.

>> THAT'S DEFINITELY ARMENIAN.

>> THAT'S DEFINITELY MIDDLE EASTERN.

>> MIDDLE EASTERN.

>> D ON'T FORGET I'M FROM MIDDLE EAST, SEE?

>> SO YOU'RE COVERING LOTS OF CULTURES H ERE.

>> UH-HUH.

YEAH.

>> NOW HERE IS CARROT DSHES >> ARTICHOKE SALAD.

MUSHROOM, CARROTS, LOTS OF ONIONS.

THIS IS GOOD.

VERY HEALTHY.

WE CAN EAT IT.

>> WHAT IS OVER HERE?

>> HERE YOU CAN MIX IN THERE.

>> SORRY.

I JUST WANTED TO PUT THE SPOON IN.

SO LET'S LO OK AT THIS OVER HERE.

THIS IS -- PEPPER.

>> OH.

>> I HAVE TO SHOW YOU.

NOW I MAKE A NOTHER DISH, THE TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN TRADITIONAL.

>> I'M MAKING A MESS ON YOUR TABLE.

I'M SORRY.

>> THAT'S OK.

I'M IN CLEANING BUSINESS.

I CLEAN IT.

>> OH, LOOK.

THE CHEESE, THEY'RE OUT.

>> WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO PUT IT?

>> I GIVE YOU ANOTHER ONE.

>> OK. >> BOY, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON, GOING IN AND OUT HERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> YOU GOT THE THING ORGANIZED THOUGH, DON'T YOU.

>> OTHERWISE I CAN'T MAKE IT.

I I'M WORKING 13 HOURS A DAY.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE HERE FOR THIS FEAST TODAY?

>> AROUND 40.

>> SO YOU'RE COOKING FOR 40 PEOPLE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S NOTHING.

>> SO THE FAMILIES IN THIS CULTURE LIKE TO GET TOGETHER FOR THESE HOLIDAYS AND EAT.

>> EAT.

YEAH.

WE EAT, WE SING, WE DANCE.

ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS.

JESUS BIRTHDAY.

AND A RMENIANS, WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH AND THE CHRI STENING, SAME DAY.

THAT'S WHY WE SAY CHRISTOS, AND -- IT MEANS THAT HE'S BORN AND WE CHRISTEN, YOU KNOW, CHRISTENING, TOO.

>> AND THAT ALL HAPPENS ON JANUARY 6, EVERY YEAR.

>> EVERY YEAR.

>> AND THE TRADITION IS IN THE FAMILIES, TO GATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE, FOR THE BIG CHRIST MAS EVE DINNER.

>> Y EAH.

>> SO DO YOU EAT A BIG MEAL ON CHRISTMAS DAY ON JANUARY 6?

>> NO.

WE GO TO CH URCH, AND THEN WE GET TOGETHER, YOU KNOW.

WE GO AND VISIT THE ELDERLY AND WE HAVE THE SWEETS LEFT OVER .

>> SO YOU EAT LEFTOVERS.

>> YES.

>> CHRISTMAS IS THE SAME IN WHATEVER CULTURE, EAT LEFTOVERS.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THAT'S GRAPE LEAVES.

>> STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES.

>> THIS IS GRAPE LEAVES, RICE WITH GROUND BEEF.

IT IS ANOTHER KIND OF STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES.

>> WHAT IS THIS ON THE TOP?

>> THAT'S GARLIC.

WHOLE GARLIC .

>> THESE ARE WHOLE GARLIC AND GRAPE LEAVES.

NOW THIS GOES IN ITS PLACE OF HONOR OVER HERE AT THE TABLE.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT I'VE JUST FOUND OUT, LISA, THIS WHOLE TABLE, THIS ISN'T EVEN THE MAIN COURSE.

>> NO, IT'S NOT THE MAIN COURSE.

I HAVE ONLY TWO MENUS FOR THE MAIN COURSE.

>> THESE ARE JUST THE SIDE DISHES.

>> YEAH.

WE LOVE THE S IDE DISHES BECAUSE WE LOVE TO DRINK.

>> THAT'S ANO THER STORY.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW THE SIDE DISHES IS LIKE DRINKS.

I LIKE TO PRACTICE TRADITION.

NOW SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IT.

MY GRANDMA US ED TO MAKE OKRA.

WHERE IS OKRA?

>> SO WE'RE NOT HAVING OKRA CHRISTMAS DINNER.

ENERGY IS BUILD ING.

AND LISA, THIS IS EXCITING, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE CONGLOMRATION OF INTERESTING PEOPLE HERE TODAY.

THESE ARE NOT J UST YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS.

THESE ARE FRIENDS FROM -- >> FROM THE SHOP.

>> COME ON IN HERE, CA MERAMAN, TAKE A LOOK.

WHO HAVE WE GOT?

THIS ISN'T TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS.

>> THIS IS INTERNATIONAL.

EVERYBODY KNOW THIS IS, YOU KNOW.

THAT'S CHRISTMAS.

>> YOU GOT ONE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS HERE PLAYING -- >> MICHAEL.

>> PLAYING THE PIANO.

HI, MIC HAEL.

>> HE'S MY CRUST MER.

-- NOT MY CUSTOMER.

HE'S MY NEPHEW.

>> WHO IS THIS RIGHT HERE?

INTRODUCE ME AROUND.

>> THIS IS COUSIN JOHN.

>> HI, JOHN.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> T HIS IS MY COUSIN.

>> WE'VE ALREADY MET.

AND YOU ARE?

>> ELIZABETH.

>> I'M ELIZABETH.

>> I'M AN ADOPTED FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM HERE.

AND THIS LADY?

>> MY NIECE.

>> SHE'S REALLY A NIECE.

>> THIS IS MY HUSBAND.

>> AND NEXT TO H IM -- >> THA T'S MY OTHER NIECE.

AND AL ICE, WHICH I'M HER GODMOTHER, TOO.

AND ANDRE.

>> OVER HERE?

OH, MY SON.

>> THAT'S YOUR SON.

>> THAT'S MY SON.

SORRY, SWEETIE.

>> HI.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> AND YOU KNOW JOHN.

>> THE B ARTENDER OVER HERE.

>> AND THE GRANDMA.

THIS IS BRANDY, OUR SON-IN-LAW.

>> HI.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

YOU ARE HE R -- >> S ISTER-IN-LAW.

>> SISTER-IN-LAW.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST AMERICAN LADY I MET 25 YEARS AGO.

I MET HER.

>> THIS LADY ?

>> THIS IS PEGGY, MY BEST FRIEND .

>> WO W. >> AND THIS IS MY BIG SISTER, CHRISTINA.

SHE'S ALWAYS THERE FOR ME.

>> WHO IS THE LADY IN THE CORNER?

>> THIS IS MY MOTHER-IN-LAW ALICE.

>> NOW, DID SHE TEACH YOU ANY OF THIS COOKING OR DID YOU KNOW IT ALREADY?

>> NO, THIS IS CRITICAL QUESTION.

MOTHER-IN-LAW.

NO, EVERYBODY TAUGHT ME.

BY THE WAY, SHE'S A VERY GOOD COOK.

VERY GOOD COOK.

>> YEAH.

WE GOT A WHOLE THING GOING ON OVER HERE.

♪ >> BOY, THIS REALLY GETS YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD.

>> OH, YEAH.

ANNA, SHE SINGS VERY GOOD.

>> THESE AREN'T TRADITIONAL SONGS.

THESE ARE AMERICAN SONGS.

>> NO.

THEY ARE NOT AMERICAN.

ALL OVER THE WORLD THEY SING IT.

WE SING IT WI TH ARMENIAN, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW ARMENIAN.

>> THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME HERE IN NORTH RIDGE.

>> ♪ SILVER BELLS IT'S C HRISTMASTIME IN THE CITY RING-A-LING HEAR THEM RING SOON IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS DAY ♪♪ >> IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

>> THIS IS THE MAIN COURSE.

>> THE MAIN COURSE, WHICH IS -- LOOK THINK, CAMERA.

>> THIS IS BRISKET.

>> INSTEAD OF OKRA.

>> AND LOOK WHAT WE GOT OVER HERE.

COME OVER HERE, CAMERON.

LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT IS THIS WE HAVE?

>> THIS IS THE SPICY RICE WITH POTATOS, HARD -BOILED, BROWNED EGGS.

AND ALL KINDS OF SPICES, WHICH IS ALSO VERY TRAD ITIONAL.

>> LISA, THIS IS AMAZING.

>> IT'S ALL VERY YUMMY.

VERY YUMEY.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

>> CHICKEN AND EVERYTHING.

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> SOMETHING I MADE FOR HER.

>> OH, WOW.

NOW THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF WHEN I THINK OF TRADITIONAL -- >> THIS IS THE TRADITIONAL RICE.

THE SPICY RICE.

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YES, YES, YES.

>> LET'S PUT IT OVER ON THE TABLE.

>> JACK, GET UP.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

NO SPACE ON THE TABLE.

>> THE TABLE IS GETTING SMALLER.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

LISA, THERE'S NOT ROOM ON THE TABLE.

LOOK AT THIS.

OH, MY GOSH.

LOOK.

LET'S S TAND BACK AND GET A LOOK AT THIS TABLE.

NOW TH AT IS A CHRISTMAS TABLE RIGHT THERE.

>> YES, IT IS.

WE ARE GOING TO EN JOY EATING IT, BELIEVE ME.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUT IFUL.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

WE LOVE IT.

>> LOOK AT YOUR TABLE.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS.

>> AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING ME AND ALL OF US IN THIS WONDERFUL TRADITIONAL AND YET AT THE SAME TIME VERY UNTRADITIONAL, VERY AMERICAN CHRISTMAS.

IT'S ALL MIXED TOGETHER.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> T HANK YOU, MOM.

>> NOW THE KISSING STARTS.

LOTS OF KISSING.

LOTS OF KISSING.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[CAPTIONING MADE POS SIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --WWW.NCICAP.ORG-- >> KNOW IT'S BEEN SAID MANY TIMES MANY WAYS MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ♪♪