Happy Merry Holiday

Holiday Greetings, and hopefully everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  It was a quiet Christmas for us here.  But this gave me the excuse to try and cook a Holiday Roast for Marc and I.  I have never really made much beyond skillet/wok meal.  So this was a big feat.  And I truly have my brother-in-law to thank for my success.  He coached me on how to make this amazing meal.  I am lucky enough to have to have a teacher from Johnson and Whales l and I truly appreciate all knowledge.  The best part was that our dinner tasted AMAZING!  Here's a little recap:

It started off as a mere piece of meat with garlic and onions, then began it's slow roast.

Mixed Green Salad with Goat Cheese and Homemade Balsamic dressing wet our palettes.

 The sides of Garlic Mashed Potatoes,  and Rosemary Carrots and Parsnips.

 

The the main course of a Holiday Roast with Sherry Mushroom Sauce.

It was magical!  I can't explain how amazing this all tasted and how enjoyable it was to cook for Marc and myself on our quiet Christmas.  Next time I will finish with a dessert of chocolate covered strawberries and a single malt.  The only thing I would change :)

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday!

Winter Solstice

Tonight marks the longest night of the year, with longer days of sunlight to follow.  This is something that we hardly think about nowadays, but the natural world is highly effected by this turn of events.  I know that for myself this fall, I have definitely felt the effect of the shortening days and the cold chill of the winter setting in.  Normally snowboarding is a good distraction from this time of year, but this year, I couldn't help but feel the darkness with the lack of a garden and sunlight.

Pepsi soaking up the last rays of the day, hoping they return tomorrow.

So tonight we celebrate the long night with the return of the sun and longer daylight in the morning.  The turn to lengthening days and the hope that things will bloom again.  Reflections of the past year, hopes for the new year, candles to light the long night and Solstice Bread to celebrate the night.

Happy Winter Solstice!

A Christmas Surprise

We got a special anonymous package today in the mail.  A miniature Christmas tree to give our bland apartment some Christmas cheer.  A beautiful little cypress tree that smells amazing and came with little decorations!  After some investigating I figured out who it was from... Thanks Mom and Dad for the great holiday surprise!

All Wrapped Up

AMAZING NEWS!  The BATTERY CHARGER has been located!  Shortly after posting that I had lost this vital piece of equipment, Marc went out to check the RV one last time and found it!  It has been in there since we got home from our road trip back in October!  I am pretty psyched, and now I can get back to posting.  What's new around here:

Snow and a frozen garden.

Christmas shopping and baking.  I attempted to do more of a "handmade" Christmas. 

     

However, for all the little kids in the family, I ended up buying some things.  I tried to make sure I was either supporting a good cause when buying the gift, or it was made of recycled materials.  This worked for almost all of the kids, but I will admit, some things were bought just because... Here are some links to great kids gifts from great companies (better late then never).

Stubby Pencil Studios 

World Wildlife Fund

Sprig Toys

Plant a Billion Trees

My goal for next year: not go overboard with the wrapping.  I bought a huge roll of wrapping paper that will definitely last us the next 5 years....should have thought that one through.  Recycled materials from here on out!

And lastly, what's growing around here...Wheat Grass.  A potent green that helps us through these dreary, cold days!

....it's nice to be back on the blogisphere!

Mission: Find My Camera Charger

Hello All, I am writing to say that, sadly, I have lost our camera charger...hence the lack of posts.  I am personally a fan of pictures rather then writing, so it's been s secret boycott of blogging.  I have tried using Marc's iPhone, but usually it's not around when I need it.  So I have come to buying one, and actually went to Staples to get one the other day.  Ironically, they were sold out!  The quest continues.  So hopefully soon I will be able to recharge the camera and get to blogging again, and I apologize for the lack of posts.

What's been happening here since the loss of the battery:
-Snow
-Lots of sewing projects.
-Put the garden to bed for the winter.
-Crafty holiday wrapping projects.
-Marc has brewed more beer.
-Some NEW amazing dinners with our winter veggies.

I will write again when we have a camera to post some pictures.  Enjoy your Holiday Season!