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Posted by Stephanie Meyer on Dec 27, 2006 at 8:52pm

Christmas Day at the farm was perfect. Lovely drive, beautiful setting, great hosts (my aunt Mary and uncle Bruce) and guests (aunt Marge, uncle Jim, cousins Kelly, Kim, and Craig). And the KILL meal – salad with berries and almonds, roast prime rib with pan juices, mashed potatoes with sour cream (oh yeah, they’re as incredible as they sound; recipe posted in comments, below), Harvard beets, roasted vegetables, challah, and Marge’s pumpkin cheesecake with caramel sauce. After opening presents, we played a boys-vs-girls game of Taboo (girls kicked butt, of course), and then John and I drove home, enjoying the festive small town Christmas lights and remembering how incredibly bright the stars are when you get out of the city. Beautiful!

And now, oh ho ho is it time for the holidays to go! At least the over-eating part, ack. DONE! So long coffee cakes and cheeses and potatoes and steaks and breads and wines andcookies. Had you all! Enjoyed every bite and sip! But am also enjoying my return to salads and veggies and fruits and soups and teas and fish and nuts, aka Normal Eating. Like last night, when I pulled leftover simple tomato-garlic soup out of the freezer, stirred in chipotle chili powder, canned black beans, and a few diced tender turkey meatballs. NICE! And filling and healthy too.

Or like tonight – sauteed chicken, big salad, a mug of hot tea for dessert, and a family game night including rounds of Blokus and Scrabble. It’s still vacation for the kids, but feels good to get back a bit of our usual groove, too.

Big plans for the New Year? Not here, a quiet night is in order which is damn fine with me! We’re thinking perhaps Indian takeout, requisite glass of bubbly, more board games, and BED! After all the December celebrating, and my 40th in mere weeks, a low-key New Year’s Eve breather sounds positively lovely.

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Older Comments

  1. By Stephanie on October 23, 2008 at 8:33AM

    Deluxe Do-Ahead Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
    Mary Felt
    Serves 8

    Stephanie’s note: not only are these conveniently do-ahead, they’re The Best mashed potatoes, period. Rich and tangy.

    Thanksgiving note: I double the recipe and spread into a 10x15-inch pan, works great.

    8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut in half
    1-8 oz pkg. cream cheese (Mary uses light)
    1-8 oz carton of sour cream (Mary uses light)
    salt and pepper to taste (white pepper)
    2 fresh crushed garlic cloves
    1/4 c. of melted butter
    Paprika (like Grandma Meyer always used; sprinkled on top)

    Boil potatoes in salted water; drain and transfer to the bowl of a mixer. Add cream cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic. Whip with mixer until fluffy. Taste and correct seasoning. Spread in large baking dish (9x13). Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with paprika. (Can be prepared one day ahead; cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before baking.) Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

  2. By Stephanie on January 4, 2007 at 11:00AM

    Thanks Cousin Ann! You too! It was great to finally meet you (Suz always says very nice things about you!) and I enjoyed our meal too. Good to have a night out with the girls in the middle of the holidays, very fun! Thanks for checking in on my blog! Stephanie

  3. By Cuz on January 3, 2007 at 9:29AM

    Hi, Stephanie!
    Hope 2007 is starting off great for you! I so enjoyed meeting you and sharing that wonderful meal with all of you, as well as the Podcast! (How embarassing!)
    Cousin Ann

  4. By Stephanie on December 28, 2006 at 8:41PM

    Or else he's one talented pup! Which of course he is - but not that talented, our dear Digby. VERY fun game, and I'm not a board game lover. Love Scrabble too.

    Merry Christmas Digby!

  5. By Suz on December 28, 2006 at 3:39PM

    Oooops, I mean I am playing a game with Sullivan, not Digby. What is he thinking?! He must be having a puppy dream...:-)

  6. By Sir Digby on December 28, 2006 at 3:38PM

    Hey, Santa brought Blokus here too, my friend! In fact Sullivan and I were just eating popcorn and playing. Yeah!

    I miss you!