Our family of four gathered last night and this morning to celebrate the end of 2011 and rejoice at the beginning of a new year with all sorts of possibilities and adventures ahead of us. We watched “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and then enjoyed some Pei Wei takeout dinners before waiting for the ball to drop across the globe. Only advice… be sure to read the book first and to see the Swedish movie version. The American version ties up the mystery rather quickly, not only leaving out some pertinent details, but replacing them with less exciting and less endearing details! Loved the book and the Swedish, sub-titled film.
Today, New Year’s Day, we celebrated with breakfast together: mimosas for the New Year’s toast, North Carolina Apple and Caramel Cinnamon Rolls, and Macaroni and Cheese Butternut Squash casserole. Our new home state of NC chose the cinnamon roll recipe as a favorite at the state fair, so I just had to try it. It was simple and delicious ~ plus there are leftovers. Macaroni and cheese is frequently found on the menus as a side dish in the south. Having never made it in any form, I got this recipe from The Chew, and it was good enough to make again. I would make half a recipe unless feeding a crowd, and would choose at least one of the cheeses to be a bit sharper. It was creamy and delicious! Added some fresh avocados (for our California years), some pineapple (for our Hawaii years), some clementines (tangerines) and tomatoes (for our WI, KS, IL, TX, MN, UT years), and it was a great celebratory New Year’s Day brunch ~ plus it was simple to make.
PS: Be sure to read the next post below which details the felted wreath project I have been working on and will continue to stitch this afternoon.
Narrative Textile Illustrations 