What happened to January?

Quite suddenly, today is the last day of January. It’s been a month of cold, a little snow (not nearly enough for my liking), time spent with family and friends, experimenting with my new bread machine and lots of jewelry creating but it is time to head south. I am excited to be heading to Anna Maria Island this week to see old friends and to help my dear friends Julie and Sally in their awesome restaurant "Rudy's Subs and more". See you from there!
Sun and sand await!

Shen Yun

Had a lovely evening at the Kennedy Center seeing a performance by the Shen Yun Performing Arts. It was a colorful and exhilarating performance of classical Chinese dance and music. It was a presentation of traditional Chinese culture as it once was: a study in grace, wisdom, and the virtues distilled from the five millennia of Chinese civilization. It was a wonderful show and a fun evening!

Polar Bear Plunge

My brother-in-law leading the pack for the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Lake Michigan. I believe the air temp was around 11 degrees and I suspect the water was not much warmer! They had to chop up the ice just to be able to do this! And there were EMT's standing by....

Blue shirt and red swim trunks is the man to watch!

Happy Birthday Ann!

Nobody enjoys a birthday more than my Aunt Ann. Today is number 75 and I know she is enjoying every minute of "her"day!

Here she is on the left many years ago (like 40) with my best friend Julie and my mom in the rear. In the front is my cousin Patrick, Prudy and my sister in front of my mom

Pesto Bread

Most everyone I know has a bread machine - not sure where I was when it was the rage - but I have now joined the ranks of bread makers. Have had a few unsuccessful attempts, we'll call them practice loaves, and a couple really good ones. One of which is my Pesto bread which I have made twice now and has turned out quite well! Here's the one I made today and took to a dinner party. It could not be easier - all the ingredients into the magic machine:

all mixed up and ready to rise and bake:

all done - nice and crispy on the outside and soft and tasty on the inside:

ready for sharing:

***** dinner

My parents prepared a fabulous dinner tonight in celebration of the New Year. Check this out:

1st course was Pate with egg in aspic with homemade bread crouton. Also, all the place settings were done with a picture - so clever!

A palate cleanser of raspberry and lemon sherbet

Main course of cornish game hens with mixed mushrooms and grilled endive

Salad course of fresh veggies like yellow and red beets.

Bread that my dad made! He's the master baker!

Cheese course (not only was the cheese terrific but what a good excuse to eat more yummy homemade bread!)

Frozen eggnog soufle - This was incredible!