We had a very low-key New Year’s Eve. It was actually perfect. The day began with Payton and I baking cinnamon rolls to be delivered to family and friends (our NYE tradition). Later after delivering the rolls, teaching her about giving to say thanks rather than always receiving, we headed to the park where you could clearly see that other parents had the same idea of getting the kids tired out early. It worked. My parents came down to bring Delilah back down and the remaining gifts we couldn’t fit in our packed-to-the-roof car last week. We had a simple dinner of stuffed pork tenderloin, mac & cheese, salad and broccoli. We put the kids to bed, ate some store-bought apple pie (gasp! I know) and watched Ted. Midnight came, we had champagne and then went to our room to continue the last episodes of Homeland. Glad we finally caught up after just beginning them two weeks ago, but sad it’s over. I guess that goes for the holiday season as well. Sad it’s over but looking forward to fresh beginnings. I snuck away to lunch yesterday with a girlfriend at the Cheesecake Factory. Another great beginning to the New Year, making time for the ones I care about most is on my help, er, I mean to-do list. Half tipsy from my martini at lunch I was able to get most of Christmas put away, but a certain three-year-old was having a heart attack about it all going away so the tree will be done while she’s asleep tonight. We’ve had to hype up Valentines Day so now we can be found at Michael’s three times a week preparing for lovey dovey day. I hope you all have a safe and prosperous New Year. I know, so cliche.
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| mixing the maple icing. YUM! |
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| Grandma bought noise makers, I could’ve killed her but the kids had fun and they forgot about them after twenty minutes. Well, until the next morning. |
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| She fell asleep saying, “Happy New Years mama. I love you”. Melt! On New Year’s Day we showed her the recording of Taylor Swift, we watched her sing three times and watched the ball drop four times. It was perfect. |
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| I made this pork tenderloin stuffed with cream cheese (although next time I would do goat cheese), roasted red bells, pesto and spinach. I also made Emeril’s baked mac & cheese sans the bacon. So, so yummy. |
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| For breakfast New Years Day we dined on cinnamon rolls (I did not bake our pan until that morning), mimosas and egg casserole. |
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| This breakfast casserole (ham, cheese and green onion) was so yummy and prepared the night before. I might start making this at the beginning of each week for the kids to have for breakfast. It can easily be cut into squares and reheated. It is very versatile and great for gatherings. |
What is your New Year’s tradition?
Those cinnamon rolls look amazing! The noise makers remind me of the cat’s chirping bird gift. It seemed like a good idea at the time… 😉 Happy New Year!