Happy New Year

A new year and a commitment to get back to blogging. Hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve full of friends and merriment!

Making A List - Checking It Twice!

Christmas menu decisions - so much to cook - so many lists to make! It's all about organization and planning!
My annual ritual - scour all my recipe sources for my holiday cooking.

Baking - need to bake cookies for the neighborhood holiday cookie exchange - Rosemary Cardamom Pinwheels - so different, so delicious!

Christmas brunch at my brother's house - - - assignment - French Toast casserole - - - Mmmmmmm - Eggnog French Toast with Cranberry Apple Compote - sounds great!

And now for the true challenge - Christmas Dinner for my husband's family of 11 (and all of their families) - now you understand the lists - this is a well orchestrated event - - -
The menu this year:
Appetizers -
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce - this recipe is from the Famous Meatball Shop in NYC!
Rosemary Parmesan Almond Savory Crackers (addictive!) - from Fine Cooking
Brandade
Tangy Red Pepper Nut Dip with Pitas,
Caramelized Onion and Apple Tart with Thyme and Gruyere,
and ...
Shrimp and Andouille Cakes.

Dinner -
Fennel Garlic Roast Pork Loin served with
Mashed Potatoes and Rutabagas with Creme Fraiche - my recipe - no holiday dinner is complete without!
Celery Root and Sweet Potato Gratin,
Parsnips with Dates and Spiced Yogurt,
and a Crunchy Winter Veggie Salad.

My sister-in-laws bring the desserts. For libations - St. Cecelia's Society Punch and plenty of wine.

Now you understand the lists - and yes, I check them twice - and still I need to send my husband out for forgotten items.

Clickity - Clackity

Well, I've been busy with my knitting needles - trying to get some "potential" Christmas gifts completed - one of these days I want to keep something for myself - both of these projects may end up on my scarf hook in the mudroom - I'm overdue!

Here's the diagonal scarf - it's made from a fine merino wool that is very flesh colored - not really pink - flesh hued. The pattern is free from Churchmouse Yarns and is available on Ravelry. When it comes off the sticks it's all curly at the edges.A quick steam and it lays nice and flat - - -
All five feet of it!I love the pattern - it's about 18 inches wide.
After finishing the diagonal scarf I moved onto this shield pattern done in a beautiful mercerized cotton with a lovely sheen. The pattern is available free at Ravelry - A Noble Cowl.

It's not difficult, but you really need to pay attention to the pattern - I like using lots of markers to keep track of my stitches.
It's a cowl - nice and over-sized so you can bunch it up about your neck. And best part for me - no wool, so no itch! Merry Christmas me!
I'm still busy with the needles - clickity clacking - busy with my sweater - second sleeve just about finished!

Quilting - next week I'll be back in the sewing room. I have lots of news and some great new quilts to share.