Good Food + Fun People = Happy Holidays!

We invited a few of the ortho gang over for a holiday gathering last night. On the menu: chicken-bacon nuggets, baked spinach-and-artichoke dip, pork tenderloin sandwiches with mango chutney and Dijon mustard, vegetables and dip, cheese crisps, homemade peanut butter cups, wedding cookies and spritz cookies. Our friend Melissa brought apple cider, which was totally wiped out, and our friend Jessica brought chocolate and peanut butter bars, which were scrumptious.

P.S. At a time when it seems like husbands everywhere are not representing the species very well, I must brag on mine. Whenever we're having people over for dinner, Matthew always calls on his way home from work to see if I need him to pick up anything. And I usually do, so I really appreciate the call. Plus, yesterday, he chopped veggies, assembled the sandwiches, took out the trash and recycling, and fixed drinks. What a catch, huh?

Christmas Card Woes

Sad realization: Matthew and I haven't had a single decent photograph made of us together all year. Not one. We either look goofy, sleepy, disheveled, blotchy, blurry, or, well, too much like our actual selves. So what, pray tell, are we supposed to put on a Christmas card? I love all the fun designs for the photo cards, but it looks like they are not going to happen this year. Guess I better plan ahead for 2010.

In the meantime, here's a flashback to our first photo card. I think we set the bar too high with this one. I mean, how can you beat snow?

The Keys to Successful Holiday Baking

1. A LOT of butter.


2. Child labor (the kids next door).

We've Decked Our Halls