Singing ten concerts with the Conchords, rewarding as it was, was terribly intrusive on the time I had to prepare for and enjoy the season. I have to figure out how to find a better balance next year.
I was able to get the house decorated, though, inside and out, and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Garlands on the front are a natural with the design of our porch.
This year, I decided to use smaller pine cones on the banister; still not sure which I like better. The result was nice, though, and I like the ornament I added at the front.
Last year we started bringing in fresh-cut greenery from our back yard to decorate the mantels. I love the effect - and the fact that I can avoid cedar, which seems to trigger my allergies.
We cut down our tree early this year, and finally got it up and decorated on my birthday. Squeaked it in with one week to spare! It does look pretty.
We decided to try something new this year, and hung ornaments on the light fixtures over the breakfast and dinner tables. I rather like it! Perhaps a new tradition has been born!
This year's cookies were of six varieties: peppermint, chocolate (a bit of a mocha flavor - guess what the secret ingredient was?), ginger spice, peanut butter with chocolate kisses, cranberry-coconut (new this year, and definitely a keeper!), and my old stand-by date, coconut, and pecan concoction: porcupines. Nearly killed me trying to get them all done in two days, but they made for a pretty platter.
Gifts got wrapped in due time, and Xeda really enjoyed climbing around on them in front of the tree. She really isn't hard to please! The family enjoyed unwrapping them on Christmas morning, too.
Dungeness crab chowder
Roasted beet and hazelnut salad with goat cheese
Salmon Wellington
Garlic mashed potatoes
Brussells sprouts
Multi-grain rolls
And for dessert:
Blackberry crisp with vanilla ice cream
Time for a nap!
No comments:
Post a Comment