If You Hear Cackling on Christmas Morning...

It's likely coming from our house. I found a treat launcher for the kidz. With wrapping paper, empty boxes, and flying cookies, Holly and Hurricane should be in prime form. Happiest holidaze to all!

It's December, and That Means It's Time to...

Paint a wall! This year it's the back entry wall by the laundry. Business as usual here. Slowly but surely getting colorful...

Not Feelin' the White Christmas Part

(With apologies to those who are freezing...) We're trying to decorate our Christmas trees today, with doors open and the ceiling fan whirring. It's 75*/24C. Tom is in shorts, and Holly is prancing around in her skin, howling along to the carols we're blasting. We're running later than usual this year, but I always try to finish up before my birthday. Here is a photo of the purple tree.

One Weekend, Two New Soups, Both Yum!

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/rosemary-chicken-noodle-soup-10000001160571/ http://www.bhg.com/recipe/soups/butternut-squash-soup-with-ravioli/

My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Delicious any time of the year, this cheater risotto has been on my Thanksgiving table for years. Can't imagine celebrating without it. Yum! Sweet Potato Risotto 2 c. Arborio rice; 1#+ diced sweet potatoes; 5 c. chicken or vegetable stock, heated; 2 T. butter; ½ c. grated parmesan; 2 T. chopped fresh thyme; Salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 375*. Put rice, sweet potato, stock, and butter in ovenproof dish. Seal with foil or tight-fitting lid. Cook for 30 minutes, then check and stir. Cook another 5 minutes. (Watch that it doesn’t get too dry at the end.) Remove from oven. Add parmesan, thyme, salt and pepper and stir until creamy. Garnish with pine nuts, if desired. Serves 4-6.

Back Home

The 25-hour-long trip home was 11 hours shorter than the big trip there. Still didn't seem short, but the next trips to Europe will! I am fortunate to have almost no jetlag this time, and I had no problem making it through my classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday morning, however, I woke up with a cold. I had nothing on my schedule, so it was a good excuse to catch up on my blogging. As I looked through my photos and reflected on all my adventures, I recognized what an incredibly rich personal and professional experience it was. I would do it again in a heartbeat--ideally with a few different food choices!

City Views