Our house ~ Christmas in pictures...

The mantel.

Decorated with glass glitter effects (compliments of Wendy Addison), feather tree and dove, and lights tangled in fresh cut pine and holly branches.

Shelf vignette.

Beaded bottle brush trees and a glittered reindeer stop for a moment near a steam engine and an antique church photo which includes my great great grandparents.

The buffet.

Christmas home to my small Fontanini nativity collection and glass ornaments in candlesticks.

Table top.

The bird that faithfully gives up its warm nest in exchange for freedom.

321.

Where my life happens.

post holiday thoughts...

Here is a secret that is not so secret to those who know me well… I love to cook. I don’t mean I love to cook regular food. Regular food is necessary, sort of. Who wants to get in the rut of eating the same old pot of spaghetti, mashed potatoes and gravy with roast? Those are all well and good and tasty and appreciated, but why lead a boring food life when you can eat food that will excite your senses and not just simply taste good?

I have an addiction when I cook. I wish it were as simple as stirring a pot with my right hand with a glass of wine in my left just like in the movies, but no not me! I have a bottle of spices in my left-hand, shaking, adding, and changing that hum-drum meal into a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

Most of my dishes aren’t for those whom you have to tiptoe around in the kitchen with, catering to delicate palates. I haven’t yet figured out how the picky eater syndrome managed to sneak into our society. As a child, my siblings and I were required to eat “some” of everything that our mother had labored over. Day after day she gave up what could have possibly been her free time. (e.i. eating bon bons and reading romance novels while sitting upon a pink cushion) Instead she provided us with healthy, tasty, and yes sometimes gourmet meals to grow up on. Thank you mom for instilling food variety into my life!

A few days before Christmas I started to fulfill my candy making binge that had come over me two weeks previous. This is not usual for me because in years past when we arrive at a family Christmas celebration, there are already pretty heaping plates full of sugar in many shapes. So why waste my time? However this year was predetermined to be different. I had been dreaming of dipped pretzels and peanut butter cracker sandwiches. Then to that I added my Cranberry Orange Almond Truffles and Coffee Truffles rolled in cocoa. What fun I had! Oh and did I mention the Onion Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball and the Southwest Cheese Ball and baked sausage balls? Mmmmm.

The holidays have rolled by in taste, with a dash of joy and a pinch of love! May this year hold many joyous moments in store for you!