Sorry for the delay

Am in Lake Placid for the New Year- will post when able - no access to photo uploads- will have lots to report when I get back from the holidays... Happy New Year everyone...

Merry Christmas to all...

Dining with the cutest boy ever!!

We were lucky enough last night to travel out to Warrenton to have dinner with Gabe and family. It was great to see him before we leave for out trek to Maine. He was such a good boy - eating thai food - crispy tofu!!!- and very cheery for way past his bedtime.






He loves his Auntie Mo Mo!!!! And loves to break glasses!

He loves his grandfather's blackberry!!! Thanks Cappy!

Texting his friend Enzo in Seattle!!!

What is in MiMi's purse????

Sisters....

Daddy and Mimi check out what he wants.

Super cool Gabe

Lets play a few hands of cards

Soooo Cute.......

Katie's Winter Wonderland....

I had a great visit to Katie Doud's house yesterday- it is always such a treat to see her wonderful Christmas decorations - this year is no exception - everything is gorgeous. She has an unbelievable collection of snowmen. This year she also has lots of 40's and 50's decorations- the bottle brush trees are my favorite- Thanks Katie for the tour and the yummy treats. Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Annual Christmas Stitching

We had a great time at Hart's house last night for our annual Christmas Stitching! Everything was delicious and everyone looked gorgeous. Despite a cut throat gift exchange - a great time was had by all.


Polly loved her snowman made by Barbara.

























Hart unwraps her choice.

Cheers.....

Michelle, Polly and Barbara toast before we dig in.



Donna, Heather and Deb join in the toast.


The spread.














Hart's house always looks beautiful but especially at the Christmas stitching she outdoes herself. Some of us bring little gifts for eveyone and leave them at each place setting around the table. Donna gave each of us mugs with very appropriate saying on each one! Magazine subscriptions from Hart- Coastal Living here I come. And I gave a sampling of Martha Stewart's Texas Spice Rub.

Michelle slices the bread while Hart and Deb help out.

Donna and Heather look great in red.

Polly glams it up with a Marilyn Monroe pose

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Michelle and the appetizer table.

Hart looks beautiful as usual.

So does Donna.

A very gorgeous pair- Barbara and Polly.

This is why you smile when the camera is pointed at you. Deb looks great.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....

Holiday Gift Exchange at the Carlyle

We all enjoyed a great dinner last night at the Carlyle restaurant while we exchanged our holiday gifts- Dee, as usual, had beautifully decorated gift boxes- see below- remembrances of our Provence trip with the fragrant lavender!

Nick and Dee enjoy the evening!

Judy and Zip always find something to laugh about with this crowd!!

Doesn't Molly look so deferential toward Bill??? That is so true!!!! We missed George during this outing as he was working in STL- Happy Holidays to all - See you next year!!!!

Making friends in the post office line....

My new friend- Janice just sent me this pix documenting the moment I finally made it to the front of the line at the post office - told you we were all very friendly in post office today! The Christmas spirit abounds!!!

Spent some quality time in line at the post office today- about 40 minutes all told- and met some lovely ladies in line! Told them I would mention them in the blog today. All packages mailed! Whew! Merry Christmas! Shout out to Janice who gave me her calling card while we were in line.

Pickles and Mustard- A Christmas Tradition

Every year I try to make a load of pickles and mustard to give out as gifts to our friends - Have finished doing the first batch and hopefully won't have to do too much more. Thought I would include the recipes for those too far away to get their own jar!!!

Refrigerator Pickles

3 hothouse cucumbers
1/1/4 tsp salt
1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large onion sliced thin
1 cup white vinegar
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp celery seed

Slice the cucumbers in 1/4 inch slices - Mix the slices in a colander in the sink - sprinkle salt over all and let stand 2 hours.
Drain well and place in a large bowl. Stir in the peppers and onions. Stir the vinegar sugar and celery seed in a separate bowl and wisk until sugar is dissolved.
Pour over the vegetables. Put into jars and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. These pickles may be refrigerated for up to 4 months.




Mustard

1 cup dry Coleman's mustard
1 cup malt vinegar
combine and let soak 1 hour or overnight

1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
combine and wisk on top of double boiler

Mix in mustard mixture - cook 10 minutes until thickened - stirring constantly - after thickened cook 2 more minutes and pour into small jars. Refrigerate.

Something to Warm You Up!!!

Glogg or Hot Wine Punch

1 Qt. Cranapple Drink
2 C water
1C sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
peel 1/2 lemon slices
1 fifth wine- regular wine bottle size
1/4 C lemon juice

Mix together and keep warm serve in mugs with raisins and slivered almonds
Accompanied by slim ginger cookies.

Very Few Decorations in the City

The DC condo doesn't get nearly the attention the Maine house gets during this Holiday time! A few sparkles but that is all- more fun to decorate the big house!