Another Week has Blurred By

Please take pity upon me dear bloggers. It seems I just can't find the time or energy to post these days. I neither know if I am coming or going. But, alas, I am slowly getting a little Christmas spirit in my bones. Decorating yet? Nah. Not this year. A few sporadic pieces placed here and there; but overall pretty barren. Just as I (we) want. The thought of taking the normal amount down and putting it away just overwhelms me. So this year, it will be a piece of cake. We did, however, get the tree up last night. Of course, the hub is in Europe but the teenager and I got it up quite easily. (That is after I finally decided where to put it and had to move the coffee table back once I changed my mind. The teenager didn't even complain--go figure!) I got a smaller tree this year, and we plopped it right down in the middle of the study-- behind French doors so the cats can't climb it once everyone is tucked away in their beds. I will share a photo of the tree later (better than the one above, mind you--I was having a little fun). (I have to tell you, there is a dog that is barking outside, has been for the past half hour--and it is NOT OURS!) Ok, got that off my chest.

Something happened on Monday, I don't remember what it was at this point. But on Tuesday, I decided to drive down to Atlanta and see my brother Johnny before he left to go back home to Arlington, VA. I wanted to surprise him, but my big surprise was the ice and sleet that hit us Monday night and Tuesday morning. Not a prob. I just took it nice and slow through the hills and the fog. Once I got out of Nashville (temp in the lower 30sƒ) the temperature began to rise. I'd much rather have the fog than ice going up and down those mountains! At any rate, I got in to Atlanta later than expected so I checked into my room at the new W in Buckhead. It was very nice and trendy, decorated by Thom Filicia (of Queer Eye fame), but it didn't wow me as much as the W Midtown Atlanta. I'll stay there from now on. Still, it was very nice (and free thanks to the hub's gazillion miles).

It may have been too late to see my brother, but it wasn't too late to go exploring. I had been reading about an area with some fun shops that I had to find. And I did just that. So off to Virginia Highlands I went. I fell in love. Quaint little stores, which you know I adore, chock full of goodies.

Bella Cucina was one of my favorites. What a delight to the eye. It was so beautifully decorated.

Next door was another favorite, Paper Source. Again, sigh.

This is the window of the old hardware store. Precious.

I had a little time before the malls closed, so I did a little shopping there too. Mind you, we are quite deprived here in Nashville. We don't even have Nordstrom's. Geesh. I came upon this delightful tea shop.

And even a Frontgate Store! Who knew there was a store (vs. the catalog)? I saw several of Natalie Sarabella's pieces which always put me in the Holiday spirit. Such gorgeous work.

The store was full of lovely Christmas scenes. I spent way too long in there.

It was then time to go back to the hotel and relax. Which is exactly what I did. This is the reflection off the building across the street.

Again, it was a very cute room.

The next morning, I stopped by Caribou Coffee to get me started. Johnny doesn't get up until around noon so I had time to go to the bakery that I wanted to visit the day before but it was closed by the time I got there--Highland Bakery.

Who knew, but on my way out of town coming home, I stopped to pick up the latest issue of Jezebel, a local magazine. Low and behold, there was an article on the bakery! How fun is that? I wanted to show you the article, because while at the shop, I took pictures of all the cakes there. There was the one the chef in the article is holding and it was so sweet!

See?

And others too! How fun are these?

And look at the cookie! Kinda resembles my curvy self! ha.

I came out with mini cupcakes for the boys, which they have been enjoying of course.

When I made it to the hospital, Johnny was having his lunch and was quite surprised to see me. (One of my self portraits with brutha Johnny.)

Here is a shot of Peachtree from his window.

Of course, before heading home, I had to stop off at the Smith and Hawken almost across the street from the hospital! I found some fabulous vintage looking Christmas lights (which are on the tree now).

And then I found yet another gardener's delight on a wrong turn I made trying to get back to the road that takes me to the highway. One of life's little unexpected treasures.

A little Postscript: This article was in Jezebel regarding our lovely Richard Blais (see my visit to Home here). Seems he has shifted gears to another restaurant. Next time, perhaps.

Ho ho ho.

Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice

The Viking Cooking School's "Cookies Around the World Swap" class was a lot of fun. Sherrie and I had the best time. I don't believe you could do wrong by attending any of their classes or seminars, in truth.

I found out I don't really enjoy "decorating" sugar cookies. Mine came out quite wonky, as Val would say. So I'll leave that job to someone else from now on. I like sprinkled sugar on mine anyway.
The French Sables Korova and Scottish Brown Sugar Pecan Short breads were very tasty. Very rich! Ooooof. The sables are a big hit in this household. Chocolate? Need I say more?

I haven't tried any of the Austrian Linzer cookies, but they sure are pretty with the raspberry jam. (Not a berry fan here.)

The All-American Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles are to die for, even with some coconut (ew).

But, my all-time favorite is the Mexican Wedding Cakes. A little bit of orange zest is the key ingredient as far as I am concerned. YUM!

And since it's my favorite, here's the recipe you can click on and print if you wish. I'm sure Viking won't mind. wink.

We had snow last night. It was so pretty. Although, I was out in the thick of the snow fall heading down town to the hub's office Christmas party. I hardly ever see these sweet people because first, I'm not one to go to the hub's office and hang out and two, I'm just so extremely shy, it takes all my guts to go to these things. Of course, once I'm there, I have a grand time. Like I said, they are all just the nicest people on earth, especially Frances. Love you Frances!! We always giggle all night about one thing or another.

This morning, everything is beginning to melt as you can see. But still such beauty.

I need to cut some of this holly and bring it into the house. Still no decorating going on here. Bah humbug.

Well, not much anyway. I did find some Christmas Cactus at the grocery store this week. I bought some for friends, mom and our house. Five for $10! Not bad and oh so pretty.

Ho ho ho.

A Work in Progress

If you remember, I have slowly been working on the teenager's room. Remember the rug you all helped me choose? It's finally on the floor! Yay. We had to wait several weeks for the new hard wood floor to "cure" before putting it down. Voila! (Like I said, it is still a work in progress. I am not at all happy yet.) The dresser was my brothers growing up (and probably my parents before that) along with my boys as they grew. I painted it last month and changed the knobs. The rocking chair is from Charlevoix Michigan from a dear, dear friend with a cottage there. She gave it to me when we were visiting there several years ago. It has sat in many a dirty room until now. I'm going to have to tend to it at some point. I just adore it.

And if you go a couple of months back, like August, this is how my son No. 1 left his room when he ran off to university. Quite the transformation, no?

Phew! Only the kid's room is left to redo in a couple of years. I'll be glad to get rid of all carpeting upstairs! Yes!

Feeling better today, finally. A friend and I took a Holiday Cookie Swap class today at Viking. I'll share that with you tomorrow.

The teenager is heading home tonight. He said he's not feeling well. Guess everyone in Tennessee is getting this muck. Can't wait to tuck him into bed and give him some much needed TLC. Did someone say chicken soup?

Hope you all are staying well and in the thick of the Season. Me? Hasn't hit me yet. Guess I have so much other stuff on the brain these days. The thought of putting Christmas decorations up just overwhelms me. I'm not one to push when I get overwhelmed so it will be a nice low-key Christmas. If we're lucky, perhaps we'll even have a tree up before Christmas Eve. ha.

Thanksgiving 2008

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone; but here I am still trying to catch up. I finally went to the docs yesterday and was prescribed a Z-pac. Sinus infection that was moving into my ears and throat. Loverly. At any rate, I'm on the mend, I hope. I have cookie class tomorrow at Viking! I have to be on the mend! Many thanks to the makers of Tylenol Extra Strength that has kept me going this week.

Ok, on to Thanksgiving. Jim always makes his own croutons, stock, well everything. To tell you the truth, at this point, I don't even know what he was making here. But whatever it was, it sure did turn out well. Sigh. Perhaps this is what he actually stuffed the turkey with if my photo sequencing is correct.

Stock, cranberries and potpourri on the stove. You can imagine how the house was smelling about this time.

I love watching the cranberries glisten and then pop. The brutha makes cranberry sauce and cranberry sorbet. The sorbet is just the perfect ending to a big, rich meal. It almost settles the stomach.

The turkey comes out for a quick turning. Jim admires the big boy and wonders how he's going to get it turned over!

Champagne gravy, potatoes for mashing and green beans.

Garlic going into the green beans. They were so good.

We actually made this Friday, but if I don't throw it into this post, it will never been seen again. This is the infamous Viking upside down cake. Jim wanted to make it with fresh pineapple, so that is just what we did. We think it's better with the apple though. The pineapple slightly overwhelms the sweet cake.

I can't tell you how good the caramel is when it's home made. Oh my. Sinful.

Of course, we still enjoyed the cake. Duh.

And now some stills Jim did while I was "supervising" a couple of rounds of Pictionary. It's always so much fun downloading my camera and finding snaps from the day.

Phew. Done! Am I caught up? Sure hope so.

Each year is better than the last, which always amazes me. I'm always worried it will never be as fun as before. But, we always have a wonderful time together. I miss my family terribly and wish they were closer. Sniffle. Sending each and every one of them warm hugs from Nashville.