Getting Ready

I found a spot for the large nativity set.  It's on the buffet.  I purchased this set maybe 20 years ago after seeing it in a window in a shop in Marietta, OH one summer vacation .  I love that it is so intricate.

Below the backs of the donkey and the sheep have a quilt square.

More elaborate quilting on Mary and Joseph though the shepherd only has striping.

The wiseman have the most intricate quilt designs.

And even the babe is covered in a quilt.

The main figures also feature scenes in the story with Mary having the skyline of Bethlehem,

the shepherd having the angel appearing bearing the glad tidings,

Joseph features the journey that they made to Bethlehem,

and each of the wise men have more of the story.

This was the last decoration to place.  I'm glad I made room for it here.

You asked for it

 Well those who commented on yesterday's post. 

Here’s the recipe for Dutch Baby from this cookbook. 

Note: I used microwave to melt butter for the mixture.  Also used a whisk to mix it up in a bowl and substituted almond extract for vanilla.

 

The recipe says it serves 2 but I halved the recipe for just us 2.

Let me know if you try it.

Enjoy.

Breakfast on a Cold Morning

 

20º with a very stiff wind calls for something special for breakfast - a Dutch Baby.

Update

I know I said I was taking a break until the New Year and will likely have few posts between now and then.  But wanted to share where my head is now.

I stopped reading the Washington Post.   I stopped the subscription but because I pay a year at a time that won't end until May. 

I glance at the headlines on the New York Times but not as frequently as before.  No more morning email with all the breaking stories for me to read and worry over.

I've limited my participation in causes to Moms Rising,  Americans of Conscience and Faithful America so get their emails which are not frequent now.

****

We had a snowy Thanksgiving here. Daughter and family from Buffalo arrived Tuesday night so no snow issues for them.  But niece and family from Boston suburbs drove through snow on Thanksgiving morning. The 6 cousins enjoyed the snow once dinner was ended.  

And dinner was delicious.  Everyone contributed multiple items.  The locally grown turkey was exquisite!  My fears of whether it would fit in the refrigerator to dry brine and then whether it would be done in time were for naught.  In fact it was done 30 minutes earlier than expected which was fine.  Everything was ready at 12:30 instead of 1:00. 

I didn't manage to get a photo of roasted turkey.  But my plate dished up is below.

Addendum: Despite Anonymous comment below there was gravy on the table.  I hadn't poured it on before the photo was taken.

It was one of the best Thanksgivings we have had in a long time. Everyone got along, games and conversations and just wonderful family time carried the day.

My daughters with niece in center.

The grown ups table above and cousins table below.  Age range of kids: almost 3 to 12.