Merry Christmas and see you next year!

Well, Christmas is officially stowed in the attic for another year. I'm sort of sad to see it all put away as it was fun decorating our new house for Christmas. Everything just fits perfectly here, I see many wonderful holidays in our future.

I'll share a little bit of our Christmas with you. Nathan is reading "The Night Before Christmas" to everyone on Christmas Eve at Gramma and Opa's house. Hopefully a tradition in the making. He practiced reading to his brothers in the evenings at home and did a marvelous job. He looks so grown up... (sigh!)



Christmas Eve dinner. Always fabulous food, luscious libations and compelling conversation.


Christmas morning at our house. We had all of the family over for brunch later that afternoon. It was a good Christmas and a wonderful first Christmas in our new home.



Next year is full of decorating projects and fine tuning the new home. It will be fun. I'm anticipating a year full of blogging.

Wishing everyone an extraordinary year in 2009!

All four of them smiled!

I am elated, to say the least, that all of my children smiled for our Christmas card picture! One of them is usually grumpy and refuses to participate. My Mom and Mother-in-law both suggested the same solution to my newly coiffed son and as you can see I took their advice. Thanks Moms! Tomorrow is the signature assembly line for the cards and I'll have them in the mail by Wednesday. Not too bad considering last year they were New Years Eve cards!!

Have an extraordinary evening!

Jennifer

The three year old, clippers and a broken oven!

Wow! Has it already been two weeks?? My how time flies when you are having, um, fun. Yes, we have been very busy here. I have not been able to do any baking as my oven is broken. It is most annoying. We inherited the oven when we bought the house this summer. I called prior to Halloween to get it repaired and here we are two months later and I still have an oven with Linda Blaire living inside it. I have been promised that I will be up and running again Tuesday.
Holding my breath? Don't count on it!!

All the while I was dealing with the nitwits at the appliance repair shop. {By the way, call me if you want to know who not to use to fix your oven.} My 3 year old decided he needed another hair cut. This is what he looked like prior to Monday. He is the little one in the front with his two brothers and cousins behind him. I just love this picture. Thanks Melissa!!

And this is his new look today:

Notice the scowl on Santa's face in the background. Oh yes, he is indeed watching! Kleenex stock soared yesterday I am sure of it. And, Kleenex, you are welcome.
Between the never ending crisis, I have been able to roast and puree my Autumn pumpkins. I'll get on that post and hopefully next week I can bake a way. I see pumpkin bread in the near future!
On an extremely positive note. Ashley finished up her finals, at Incarnate Word, yesterday and reported two A's and two B's. Way to go Ash!!! (I do however, expect you back on the Dean's List asap!)
I finally figured out how to add a background to my blog. Cudos to http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ for having beautiful backgrounds and excellent instructions.
Have an extraordinary day!
Jennifer

Caution, Hard Hats Required!

Well, my blog is under major construction! After spending all day yesterday trying to figure this new "hobby-to-be" of mine, this is what we've got. I'll get it all figured out and up and running soon.

The idea of beginning a cooking blog came to me as I was going through recipes for my most favorite time of the year. I love Autumn, Christmas and New Years. The foods are rich and exquisite, the smells in the air are just wonderful and the house is cozy. Having two parties in one week at our home and planning another for the future sent me to the recipe box. I thought to myself, "I sure do have some great recipes, what a shame not to share them." Some of my recipes I used regularly in my catering business while others we just crave certain times of year and have pretty much become expected. Some recipes will be embarrassingly simple while others will be deliciously over the top.

Stay tuned for my first recipe which is an annual holiday "must have" for our family. You're going to love this one and will be amazed at how beautiful it looks and how surprisingly simple it is to create. Here's a hint: chocolate and mushrooms! Gotcha now didn't I? Back soon.

Have an extraordinary day!

Jennifer