Holiday Planning

IMG_1203
{Clementines, tangerines and walnuts are a traditional holiday treat in our home}

It is officially December and company is coming. The holidays are in full swing and time can truly fly when working, taking care of family or just decorating the house. Despite all the planning and preparations, which can leave the strongest of us totally exhausted, you ask yourself… how can I treasure this wondrous season? Well by taking a few short cuts of course and definitely sticking to basic traditions.

IMG_0247
My colorful holiday notebook amongst cookbooks and notes for creative ideas when cooking.

Guest are confirming their arrival time to Heath, last minute shopping has been accomplished, and decorations are up with a small tree twinkling away in the family room. First on the to-do-list, is a trip to la Madeline to place an order for a two-layer coconut cake and a pecan pie, which will save on baking time in the kitchen during the holidays. Secondly, I have been blanching and then freezing veggies; broccoli rabe, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard and collard greens to be used during and after Christmas so, that creating a gratin, casserole or stir-fry is not such a cumbersome task.  My aim is to spend as much time in the evenings sitting in the window seat, watching the sunset, curled up with a hot cup of cocoa with a big dash of Grand Marnier.

Plan stylishly,
K