Everything is awesome, fundamentally.

Perhaps you are visiting my blog for the first time today - thanks! Jason put our website together about a year ago and we keep it updated pretty regularly with the quirky, mundane and goings on of life. When we sent out our Christmas cards - we thought it would be nice to alert you that we've moved...and mention our website too! So, thanks to you who have been reading for a while - and to the newbies - Welcome!

Well, we did it - we survived Christmas on our little island of joy in Virginia. I wasn't sure how things would turn out - given that we didn't travel home to see our family and friends in Illinois- but to my surprise, all was well. It would have been nice to see everyone, but we'll just make some new plans and carry on.

I'm really enjoying our new home. We decorated for the holidays, and it felt very festive for Christmas! We put our tree front and center in the bay window and it looks fantastic from the street! You'd think the condo association paid us to put it there. (actually we don't have a condo association yet - new construction ya know.) And on that note, i nominate Jason condo president! I actually think he'd be good at it - however - i've also shared the elevator with some of our neighbors, and i'm not sure it's worth the hassel dealing with some of the snottiness. So, nevermind Jason - it would probably just be more annoying than anything.

We are invited to a New Year's Eve party at our neighbor's house on the first floor. So, travel plans will be easy. Just head down a flight of stairs!

I hope your travel plans are just as safe this New Year's Eve.

Have a very Happy New Year!

PS. I made the Peanut Brittle - it turned out delicious! (read previous post)

Candy Coated Nuts!

For some reason, while i was at the grocery store on Sunday, a glistening package of Peanut Brittle caught my eye. In-between the deli counter and the bread section it called out my name. I got a closer look only to find that this particular canister of Peanut Brittle was almost $10. I thought, "I can do better than that." As if - the challenge was ON! I researched my cookbooks, even called my parents and got the extremely old version of Peanut Brittle - the kind they made back in the day! (*Note: I've included the "scan" from my parents ancient Better Homes "New" Cookbook. My dad can't find a date on his copy, but i'm thinking it's from the 1950s.)

As my dad and I talked, it was made offical -The Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Season -has arrived! Every year, my dad has the same list of delicious cookies - Pinwheels are his specialty - and it just wouldn't be Chirstmas without them. So, this week, the Gingersnaps, Spritz, Pinwheels and Cresents will be created! And for some reason, i have this adventurous candy dream.

Perhaps it was my recent visit to the Sarris Candy Factory on Thanksgiving weekend. Or, just that $10 canister of peanut brittle at the grocery store.

No matter....the supplies will be purchased, and candy will be made! ( i hope) ....I have to find the right saucepan first.