Elena & Michael came to stay with us this weekend, with the promise of a repeat performance on our 'saber episode' inflicted on a bottle of bubbles. Michael has done this quite a number of times in the past, we'd been told, and we were assured that the gifted bottle of nice champagne wouldn't go to waste...
...so in honor of Louis' 50th birthday last month, we were treated to another go round, & once again found ourselves playing on the porch with Jared's machete.
This time, mission accomplished!...under Michael's a steamed tutelage.
The kids even got in on the act, with a bottle of Italian soda.
:o)
I sure like it when my son wants help with his High School dances: helping him coordinate his attire, going with him to decide on the flowers, pinning on his boutonniere, and photographing him getting ready & meeting up with his date.
Jared, you are such a Joy!
Audra had her Junior Ball on Monday Night. I just LOVE this photo of her and Claire giving each other a hug! They couldn't have been happier about having another Cotillion Event this Merry Holiday Season.
Audra is confident in her own style,
is happy to create her own 'up-do',
she's ready to dance,
So Cheers!
and off she goes to another Cotillion Party.
A Teeny Tiny Kiddie Tree for the hall bathroom...
A Champagne colored, super skinny, Tinsel Tree for the living room...
Traditional Nutcrackers & Toys for the place where the Stockings are hung...
...and my Grandmother's Vintage Snow Houses take a place in our sun room.
Aah, the feeling of Christmas!
My Crafter's Group Cookie exchange is coming up soon...
So I've been trying out some ideas,
like adding a special ingredient
not normally found in spritz cookies...
I'm supposed to be decorating my house...
but somehow the kitchen keeps calling out to me.
I wonder if it's distraction or procrastination?
The cast of characters (aka: ingredients)
What came out of the oven (already looks good to me, but...)
Soaked with lemon-sugar syrup (it's looking better, still...)
Drizzled with Lemon-Sugar Icing (now we're talking)
I just have to resist cutting into it (argh)....
Do you think it's okay to eat it AS our dinner tonight?
Leeks, Cheese & Brioche
Over this past weekend, I found a backlog of Martha Stewart shows on my DVR & took the opportunity to get caught up. One episode featured Thomas Keller, of French Laundry fame, making a lovely leek bread pudding.
I'm not sure why, but I've been drawn to a lot of bread pudding recipes recently. I think it's the relatively reasonably priced, readily available, yummy BRIOCHE that is spurring me on.
All Things Bread!!! ~ that could really be my motto.
(I would be SO UN-happy on a low carb diet)
Anyhow, I had to zip over to the market & pick up the ingredients, as I don't always have leeks, brioche & fresh herbs in my kitchen.
A necessary washing of the leeks, then some grating, chopping & whisking, followed with the layering of the bread, cheese & custard....and pop it into the oven until it's puffed & golden brown.
My family (of 4) ate the entire thing for dinner (it was supposed to serve 6-8 as a main dish)....so I'd say it was a hit!
Even Jared, who is frequently groaning about wanting MEAT, raved about it.
;0)
