Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours... 

I'll be taking a bit of a blogging break until after the New Year enjoying time with family and friends. Talk to you in 2013!

Annual Cookie Baking

Again this year we gathered for our annual Christmas cooking baking party. Here's my summary from last year.

Nina made a short appearance at our baking extravaganza. Generously, Mr. Evans, my dad and father-in-law watched her during the Packers game so us women folk could bake! :)

Here we are deep in powdered sugar and dough. A few mimosas didn't hurt either... we do start early in the morning!

This year, cookies included Raspberry Almond Thumbprints, Pecan Cups, Bacon & Eggs, Molasses cookies, Spritz, Pecan Fingers, Toffee bars, Turtle cookies, Fudge, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Chocolate Snowflakes and Rolo Turtles. Yum!

Our Christmas Card

It always feels more like the holidays "with every Christmas card I write"... a la Bing! This year was no exception.

Thanks to Nellie Design, McManigal Photography and Sun Graphics my cards came together in a snap. I chose the wording this year to stay with the holiday song lyrics theme I started last year. :)

From our family to yours... Merry Christmas! 

Peace

via

I've been reading articles and watching coverage ... heartbreaking and tragic coverage ... about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary for the past few days. As much as I want to turn away and reject the hurt in what is a happy time of year, I feel compelled to read the stories of heroism and pray for the little faces. The grieving families. The unopened presents. The lost innocence. I am so deeply and profoundly saddened. I know you are too. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends... the whole nation.

Really nothing else seems important right now except being with family. Being truly present and grateful.

I agree with her that "The devastating news coverage is extensive, and I have nothing enlightening to add to the conversation. But my thoughts have been consumed by those sweet children, teachers and families, as I'm sure yours have been."

I could make some politically charged comments about gun control, self defense, mental health and school safety - of which I have some strong feelings. But today in this Christmas season, all that really matters is that we turn to love and prayer. Prayers for peace. For a strong, smart nation. For the love that actually is all around us.

I like what she said here... "Let's be honest - it happened a few weeks ago in a mall - so don't shop? It's happened in a church a few years back here in my home state - so no church? Bullets have been sprayed into highways, so don't drive?... Prepare to go out, to be brave, to be ready, to understand, to know why, to live full and well and when they face evil (because they will) know where they stand and what they believe, and where they are ultimately headed."

That is all for today. Be kind to one another and please give an extra hug to your loved ones.

Carols by the piano

I've played piano as long as I can remember. I hope I instill the same thing in Nina. After bath time a few nights ago, we played a few Christmas carols together. M. Evans captured the moments.



I think she's a natural!

She sure feels like a big girl when we let her sit up on the bench by herself (with supervision, of course).

Nina's visit with Santa

This past Sunday we went to Enchantment in the Park so Nina could meet Santa for the first time. It was a perfect evening to view the lights and sip some cocoa, especially because it had been snowing the past day or so.

Here we are by some of the light displays. Can you tell we're a little cold? At this point, the pretty snow turned to wet sleet.

Here's two photos we took with Santa. I just couldn't help myself... I had to post this silly one of her with her finger up her nose! Nice.

Nina sure enjoyed her time with Santa. She was very curious about who he was and she didn't fuss or get scared. I'd call that a win!

Snow, snow, snow!

We were blessed with a pretty dusting of crisp white snow over the weekend. I wish it would stay like this all throughout December!

I was reminded of the scene from White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen all in the dining car riding up to Pine Tree, Vermont. They burst into song singing "Snow, Snow Snow... Snow, it won't be long before we'll all be there with snow. Snow, I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow." Don't you love that part?

A little look down our street

Oh, Mr. Evans

This is the man I married. Oh, Mr. Evans. I love you!

Doesn't he look so rustic in this photo? What crazy hobbies this guy has. I swear. Swimming, biking, running... scotch... and now, pipe smoking!

Lately on our world...

Here's a random smattering of photos from my iPhone from the past month or so. Don't you just love scrolling back through your photo stream? Sometimes I'm thankful for this feature just to remember what I do during a week! I'm sure we all can relate.

Clockwise: (1) my favorite holiday drink at McDonald's - nonfat Peppermint Hot Cocoa... perfect for a shopping trip, (2) cookies at Sciortino's Bakery on Brady St - my fav, (3) a beautiful wedding at the Grain Exchange downtown, (4) family dinner at Hon-e-kor - our favorite Friday night fish fry spot.

Clockwise: (1) Nina enjoying some tomato based dinner, (2) Nina and my mom being silly at lunch at the Milwaukee Ale House, (3) appetizers and dinner with good friends, (4) a surprise dinner all the way from Chicago's RPM Italian Restaurant... Mama DePandi's Bucatini Pomodoro! If you watch Bill & Giuliana, you know that this is a treat.

Clockwise: (1) Nina bundled up on a cold day, (2) Mr. Evans and I courtside at a Bucks game with clients, (3) Nina's first band-aid, (4) Mr. Evans enjoying a rare post-Thanksgiving golf game at WBCC.

Clockwise: (1) I made filet mignon au poivre with Ina's mustard mash to celebrate a special professional milestone for Mr. Evans, (2) Made Ina's tomato soup with gruyere grilled cheese croutons for lunch with my in-laws, (3) Ate Ina's lobster mac-and-cheese for dinner, (4) Mr. Evans and Bob enjoying their new purchase... smoking pipes.

Oh, Christmas Tree

There's something about the soft glow of twinkling Christmas tree lights. It's so peaceful and calming. Kind of like getting lost looking at the flames in a campfire. Or watching the clouds move slowly across the sky on a bright July day. I love our little tree and the memories and ornaments it holds. I am also thankful that Nina enjoys looking at the tree and not touching the tree.

Happy Weekend! Our holiday parties are occurring for the second weekend in a row... I can't wait!

Ina Garten in Milwaukee!

As you may know, I am a major fan of Ina Garten. The Barefoot Contessa. I own every cookbook and have made (or have eaten) nearly every recipe ... or so it seems. When my mom (my counterpart in cooking) asked if I wanted to join her for a Conversation with the Barefoot Contessa in Milwaukee, I was ecstatic. And, dinner at my favorite Harbor House prior to the show for a prix fixe Ina menu - sold!

Finally, last week we got to see her - from about seven rows away. She was as earthly and elegant as you'd imagine. Just like her recipes. Just like on TV  I felt like I was right there in the Hamptons with her and Jeffery.

Dinner at Harbor House. The menu below was delish and the recipes were from her new cookbook. Included with our ticket purchase was a signed copy of the newest edition!

Left: Prior to the show my mom and I grabbed a cocktail at Mo's.
Right: We ran into my mother-in-law and her friend at the show! They're big fans as well!

I didn't take these photos, but I thought I'd post them. They were emailed out to attendees following the show.