A really great trip to the now wintry North Carolina mountains last week.
One evening we enjoyed walking to a French bistro in snow flurries.
Next day we had a meeting with longtime friend and blogger Penny from
Enjoying The Simple Things. We met for lunch in glorious sunshine with a
thoroughly enjoyable visit to her beautiful home on a hillside, then came back
to non-stop readying for Christmas!
One evening we enjoyed walking to a French bistro in snow flurries.
Next day we had a meeting with longtime friend and blogger Penny from
Enjoying The Simple Things. We met for lunch in glorious sunshine with a
thoroughly enjoyable visit to her beautiful home on a hillside, then came back
to non-stop readying for Christmas!
I baked a lot for Christmas Eve!
Traditional English Mince Pies (with a dollop of rum butter added at serving time).
Tiny Cheese, Onion & Black Olive Scones (later split for a spread
of herbed Boursin). Costco supplied the baked brie and some great cheeses,
and I made really crispy herbed crostini from rustic baguettes.
The grapes I roasted after brushing with a marinade of olive oil, white wine vinegar
and honey - a new recipe which went over well, tasted so good, and looked great
on the cheese board.
We took a late evening drive around the neighborhood to view lights and luminarias
lining the streets - all very festive.
Christmas Day was quieter. We visited with friends for drinks then spent
the evening at home. I made Asian inspired salmon, Brussels sprouts roasted
in olive oil and crushed garlic almonds with perfect plain mashed potatoes.
Dessert was Christmas pudding topped with more rum butter and fresh whipped
cream - oh my, I see more walking and exercise in the near future - like later today!
The sun is shining and temperature perfect at 63F so no excuses not to head outside.
Our meal was enjoyed in front of the hearth with a blazing fire. . . . . . .and watching
the "Call The Midwife" Christmas special. OMG it was fabulous and filmed on
Scotland's beautiful Hebrides Islands - one of the few places
remaining on my 'travel bucket list!
Today, Boxing Day, is always a favorite day of the year for me.
Time to reminisce about childhood holidays and take a little
quiet time planning for the year to come.
We have a busy month ahead which includes the garden - tree company coming
to remove a dead oak (thanks to woodpeckers over-pecking!), and some serious
pruning of other large branches now overhanging the roof.
Hopefully an indoor project involving paint and furniture will be done. . . . . . and,
after the holiday decorations are down and stored, some serious purging and
downsizing as we clear out 'stuff' room by room.
I don't make a list of New Year resolutions, however in my mind I know what
needs to be addressed to get me organized here at home for what will hopefully
be a great 2020!
If I don't make it here again before New Year's Day, I wish you all the
very best for a happy, healthy and wonderful Year.
Traditional English Mince Pies (with a dollop of rum butter added at serving time).
Tiny Cheese, Onion & Black Olive Scones (later split for a spread
of herbed Boursin). Costco supplied the baked brie and some great cheeses,
and I made really crispy herbed crostini from rustic baguettes.
The grapes I roasted after brushing with a marinade of olive oil, white wine vinegar
and honey - a new recipe which went over well, tasted so good, and looked great
on the cheese board.
We took a late evening drive around the neighborhood to view lights and luminarias
lining the streets - all very festive.
Christmas Day was quieter. We visited with friends for drinks then spent
the evening at home. I made Asian inspired salmon, Brussels sprouts roasted
in olive oil and crushed garlic almonds with perfect plain mashed potatoes.
Dessert was Christmas pudding topped with more rum butter and fresh whipped
cream - oh my, I see more walking and exercise in the near future - like later today!
The sun is shining and temperature perfect at 63F so no excuses not to head outside.
Our meal was enjoyed in front of the hearth with a blazing fire. . . . . . .and watching
the "Call The Midwife" Christmas special. OMG it was fabulous and filmed on
Scotland's beautiful Hebrides Islands - one of the few places
remaining on my 'travel bucket list!
Today, Boxing Day, is always a favorite day of the year for me.
Time to reminisce about childhood holidays and take a little
quiet time planning for the year to come.
We have a busy month ahead which includes the garden - tree company coming
to remove a dead oak (thanks to woodpeckers over-pecking!), and some serious
pruning of other large branches now overhanging the roof.
Hopefully an indoor project involving paint and furniture will be done. . . . . . and,
after the holiday decorations are down and stored, some serious purging and
downsizing as we clear out 'stuff' room by room.
I don't make a list of New Year resolutions, however in my mind I know what
needs to be addressed to get me organized here at home for what will hopefully
be a great 2020!
If I don't make it here again before New Year's Day, I wish you all the
very best for a happy, healthy and wonderful Year.
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