It's been eons since that happened, but I keep meaning to bake some more, and what better day to bake goodies than Valentine's Day? Lucas and I don't make a big deal about this day since our anniversary is in two weeks, but I did want to make him a sweet treat. I posted all about it on my crafty blog but here's a sneak peek.
How is your Valentine's Day going? Have a cupcake on me!
Tonight we celebrate Réveillon with Lucas' family, so the push is on. Yesterday we cooked up a storm, preparing the dishes we are providing. The house smelled delicious, I'm really looking forward to dinner tonight. Today I'll be finishing up and wrapping gifts, and finishing the topping for the cheesecake I made for dessert. I'll also be trying not to go crazy, since I really should have completed my handmade gifts earlier. But that's all part of it right? I'm wishing all of you as calm and stress free a Christmas Eve as possible!
Not the cooking and baking, but the smell of the lasure or lacquer that I am using to finish our dining table at long last. The varnishy smell took me right back to Christmases past, which included a lot of things like refinishing furniture, painting the verandah and steps red, and cleaning everything to within an inch of its life. I think my Mum would be proud of me as I have spent most of the last week scrubbing and mopping. The baking will begin in a few days, but first my next major project: cutting and sewing the cover for the couch. Stay tuned.
I nipped out this afternoon for a couple of last minute items, and boy, was it freezing! Literally so, it had to be at or below freezing point, my hands felt like ice cubes by the time I walked around the block. I promptly eliminated about half my list (yeah, that means yet another trip out soon!). All I could think about as I faced the wind and slapped my hands together was a hot cup of tea and the Christmas cookies I received earlier today from Vernell. And that's exactly what I had upon arrival chez moi.
I didn't even get a chance to talk about Fall. There was Halloween, and then suddenly it seems to be winter. And I am in the Christmas spirit already. Unlike my friends stateside there's no Thanksgiving standing in the way of my favourite holiday of the year. (There is Lucas' birthday on December 7th, but I'm being a bad girl this year and sneaking Christmas stuff in early.) I have even, get this, started on making my cards and tree ornaments and other decor. I am even planning the handmade gifts I want to give! The stores are putting out the decorations, and there seems to be this bustle in
the air. I hate to admit it, but even though I have had tropical Christmases for most of my life, the cooler weather and shorter days really make me feel Christmasy. I don't even seem to need to hear Christmas music like usual (but can someone back home please let me know when the radio stations start playing it so that I can listen online? Thanks.)
I'll probably be spending most of my time working on Christmas related projects from now on (ok and some birthday ones too!) I'll be posting sneaks here from time to time, but all the details will be going up on my designs blog, so be sure to check it out too. And don't be surprised if you find a holiday card from me in your mail box. This just might be the year I get it together enough to mail them out!
Last night we had dinner with Lucy and her husband Loic; lots of talk about our resolutions amid the fabulous spread they had prepared. I so love the French way of eating in courses, the excitement builds as each new course is awaited, and is greeted with ooohs and aaahs when it arrives.
We had my homemade Punch-a-Cream as the aperitif, as well as three different wines with dinner, and of course champagne at midnight, so I was quite happy by the time we said good- bye. Lucy made Hoppin John' for us to have at midnight, as is the tradition in the Southern US states. Here's hoping it will bring us luck indeed!
When I got back home I had a special treat waiting for me. My sweet hubby made an African Pizza to take to his office Christmas lunch, and made me this heart-shaped version. It was exactly what I needed to cut the cold, not to mention the hunger. (I couldn't find an English version of the recipe, but stay tuned, I'll translate it and put it on my recipe blog soon).
act together and constructed one of them, burning my fingers on the caramel along the way (and eating it as well). It's the first time I have made a gingerbread house, something I've been planning to do for a number of years. I even bought a book of instructions years ago, and never used it. Lucas helped out with the icing sugar, and then I added the M&Ms. The whole apartment smells of gingerbread now! I can't wait to break of bits and eat it up!
Subscribe to my Feed