Happy 2020!

Although the decade technically doesn’t end until December 31, 2020, I will include myself in celebrating the end of the teens and hoping that the twenties are more peaceful and less divisive.  (Declaring that the decade is not technically ending is divisive in itself, I know.)

I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday season and that you’ve had to time now to regroup and exhale.

Let’s just start with what was in our stockings!

Yes, it was the obligatory smash orange chocolate spheres as well as some delicious sounding combinations with blueberries and cranberries.

You might remember that Mom got me a fermenting book for my birthday last month.   Well, Santa stuffed a fermenting lid kit in my stocking.   Hurrah for Santa!

Of course, we gave everyone lots of jams and jellies for Christmas and my sister reciprocated with these delicious jars of goodness!

I recently received a surprise in the mail.  I enter most of the Taste of Home recipe contests and periodically I will receive a free cookbook in the mail as a prize.

I had two recipes in this book:  Pina Colada Cake (featured here) and Rustic Eggplant Dip (featured here).  

This is a great holiday book, full of any festive recipe you might need.   The book is organized into the following sections:  ‘Tis the Season (Holiday Open House, A Classic Christmas Dinner, My Favorite Things Party, Game Night, Tropical Christmas Party, Easy Christmas Cookies), Giving Thanks (Traditional Turkey Dinner, Slow-Cooker Thanksgiving, Bake It Forward, Harvest Fair), Easter Gatherings (Fish Fry, An Elegant Easter Dinner, Spring Garden Party), Special Celebrations (Breakfast for Dinner, Galentine’s Day, Taco Tuesday, Pre-Prom Party, Red, White & BBQ, Backyard Camping, Rosh Hashana, Sips & Suspense, Homegating).

I love cookbooks with menu and party ideas like these.   The photos are very professional and helpful.

OK—now back to Christmas presents (and the boat).  It was a very nautical themed holiday for us.

These “knot”-i-cal mugs (complete with cleets and practice ropes) came from The Hubs’ sister.   We can’t wait to have morning coffee on the deck with these.

Don’t you love this retro (read old) penguin server.   Mom had one when we were growing up and we always served hot rolls in them for Sunday dinner.   My sister has the family original one.  I wanted one to use as an ice bucket on our vintage boat.  Mom found me one (along with the original box and brochures) for a birthday present.   LOVE it and can’t wait to decorate our boat galley with it.

My best friend knew I was coveting this Penquin server, so she found these cute little appetizer picks and swizzle sticks at Pottery Barn.   

So cute!

We already put these little penguins to good use on New Year’s Eve.

Speaking of the boat :), it is currently on a lake three hours away so as we trek to another state to work on it and enjoy it, we have found a couple of culinary things.

The boat is actually located in the Black Walnut Capital of Missouri.   So, we had to buy a bag.

I remember the taste as being quite different (from my childhood—my grandmother loved these).  They are an acquired taste and I’m very glad we taste-tested before we dumped them into our homemade holiday fudge.  (We used regular walnuts.)

There’s a quaint Amish store on the way to the lake that we recently stopped at.  It is full of bulk spices, Amish clothing supplies (fabric and hats), surplus canned goods and home supplies, baked items and a deli.  I thought some of the prices weren’t bad, especially on holiday spices.

See how good we must have been this holiday season?

I’m linking up with the 2020 Foodies Read because of the Holiday & Celebrations 2019.

And, of course I’m linking up with Sherry’s Pickings, the host of “In My Kitchen.”  Please stop by to see what others have happening in their kitchens.   

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2020!!!