My weekend was full of a little of this and a little of that. Let me show you.
There was a little cooking.
One of the things I noticed about last year’s Christmas Eve gathering was that the homemade candy went over really well. I decided this year we need more so I made this Chocolate Mint Fudge yesterday. I sampled just a bit and oh yeah, it’s good. Recipe here.
There was a little baking.
I read Gale’s post about the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes with great interest. I used to bake bread a lot and I always enjoyed it but I’ve gotten out of the habit. This technique makes it pretty simple and this is my first loaf. As you can see, it’s already half gone. That probably tells you all you need to know, Cookie.
There was a little decorating.
I’ve been so slow getting my snowmen set up this year. I almost bagged the whole thing but told myself to just do it and I’m glad I did. It’s nice to see all my little friends again.
Of course there was a little knitting.
I started the Flared Lace Smoke Ring with a skein of Plymouth Earth Ecco Cashmere. This stuff is so soft and wonderful. I’m really enjoying this project but I know I’ll enjoying wearing this cowl even more.
Finally, there was a little entertaining.
We were so happy to have Kathy and her family over to spend some time with us and have dinner. I know my table is not as fancy as Marcia’s but I thought it looked pretty just the same. And the food was yummy. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Comfort food is my favorite thing to serve when entertaining.
That’s my weekend in a nutshell. What did you do this weekend?
Looks like you had a full weekend. We went Christmas shopping this weekend and we celebrated Grandpa’s 95th birthday. 🙂
Another one of your “eye candy” posts, Carole! Nobody does it better.
The snowmen are just adorable, and I think they definitely qualify as a “theme”. I’ve answered the 25 Christmas questions on my blog, too. 🙂
It was wonderful! When we got in the car, I asked the kids if they had a good time and M immediately said, “I love it there!” Of course, thing #2 was too busy stuffing in the Peeps to talk. 🙂 xoxox
Delicious weekend, including the smoke ring.
SO funny on the Peeps!
You know how to pack all things good into one weekend!
I love all your snowmen, Carole! This weekend, we had robotics practice while E had her Christmas dance at school, Saturday was the robotics competition followed by pizza with the team, and yesterday was a full day at church with a concert in the evening. I’m ready for a break. 🙂
What a great weekend. Me? I kid wrangled. B is still working every day.
Huddled close to my family. There was a tragedy in my ‘hood this weekend. Made me appreciate my own kids more. ‘Nuff said.
Let me know if you want more candy recipes – my grandma was a whiz at simple & tasty candy!
It looks like you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was full of shopping and recovering from shopping.
That candy looks delicious. You better hide it away or be prepared to make another batch.
Well it’s only 8 a.m. and I’m already craving chocolate, thanks to that first photo. Everything in this post is beautiful; your home looks ready for Christmas!
mmmmm…. fudge looks good. I made buckeyes this weekend for my spinning party. I am making more candy this year myself.
Your table looks beautiful! The snowmen look so festive too. I am “bagging” quite a few Christmas norms this year. No time. There’s always next year….
Wow, you did a lot this weekend. Your house looks so festive and pretty!
I cleaned a lot this weekend. It really needed it.
Love the snow men – My Mom makes us a Santra every year and it is fun to unpack the old friends every year. I ran 8 miles, worked on a Christmas gift and went to a Christmas parade last night. I agree with comfort food for entertaining – guests really appreciate that more than fancy stuff.
WOW, what a wonderful weekend. I was wondering if you lost power, guess not! I love snowmen too, nice collection! Thanks for the recipes!
Oh – I love those snowmen! And I think I can smell the fudge from here. YUM!
That fudge is enough to have even ME baking! And I love your decorating and knitting projects, too…
(I worked all weekend, thank you!)
🙂
(((hugs)))
What a beautiful table, and I suspect I will be trying that fudge as well.
We got a tree and put up the lights and some ornaments; a friend of Miss B’s came over to shower as the power was still out at her house; I took a nice Sunday walk (see pix); Miss B and I went to Grant’s choral concert. Ahhh, Mozart.
WOW!!! You Were busy this weekend!! I’m going to try the fudge and did you use the “Artisan Bread” cookbook? The bread looks fabulous!! By the way, I love your posts! I have your blog at the top of my list and look at it each day of the week(M-F). I’ve been reading it for a long time!! Thanks for letting us have a peek at the things you’ve been working on!! Have a great Christmas!!
Looks like a good weekend to me. The thought of homemade bread is making my mouth water.
I spent it huddled in bed with a candle and a flashlight, until the house got too cold and I went down to Kathy’s. I got my power back at the house last night, but could be the end of the week before my work has electricity! So now I’m huddled in a blanket at my desk calling customers on my cell phone.
That fudge about put me over the edge! Let’s see, I spun a fair bit, finished up a long-languishing, half-forgotten project, made my boss’s b’day cake and tended to a sick husband! I’m glad to be back at work! ;o)
My weekend flew by with trips to the post office, grocery store, etc. The bleh chores. Your weekend looked much better!
Yummy!
Okay, I give. I need that book.
I had a bread failure, but great success with some orange blueberry bread that was more cake-like than anything. Can’t win them all, right?
xo
Oooh, that fudge looks easy enough for even *me* to cook! And I think it’d be a big hit next Monday with my co-workers. Weekend actvities? Three loads of laundry, mid-afternoon naps, and some much-needed grocery shopping. Would have included the post office, but it closed before I could get there. Grumble, grumble.
I’m not very good at making fudge – but that looks awesome…but bread – oh, I love home made bread! I love to make it and love the way it smells up the house.
The cowl is beautiful!!!
Your house is so pretty – and I like the way you decorated your table…
ANOTHER book to add to my list of must-haves, especially since I love Artisan bread! This was a lovely Christmas post that has put me in the mood to decorate my tree and do some baking.
All good and lovely things. I’m glad you had a nice weekend!
Can’t wait to see more of that yummy cowl!
Wow! You were busy! I’m going to have to try that fudge. It looks delicious.
Sounds like a wonderful and full weekend!
I love your snowman collection. Sounds like it was a wonderful weekend!
after a lovely luch out on saturday, i spent the rest of the afternoon baking four different types of cookies. and then made dinner. sunday was my bee’s holiday gathering (hence the need for all those cookies) and i watched some football, some inspector lynley on dvd and knitted on a christmas stocking. i’m tired today.
That sounds like a fabulous weekend – especially the bread and chocolate part. Yum! I ran errands all weekend long even though I promised I wouldn’t. DQ got a pair of kick-a__ heels though. Black patent leather that are so high she can almost look Bruce in the eye.
What a wonderful way to spend a weekend~ The fudge looks scrumptious and your home so cozy. You know……..I am pretty sure that the wall paper I had in my dining room in Massachusetts is the same as yours. I really loved that wallpaper…
slept in. twice. got a christmas tree and set it up. rearranged the living room so the tree would fit (which took much longer than we anticipated and looked much better with our new couches than the old ones. we might just keep them there). tonight we’ll be ditching a rotary party to decorate the tree – which will make it our only free night this week. sleeping in was SO worth it.
i’ve seen that bread book before, it looks like a good buy. maybe it’s not too late to put it on a wish list…..
Looks like a great weekend! I’m glad you put your snowmen up, too – they’re very charming!
Unfair- I tempt you with nice wholesome bread and you return the favor with..FUDGE!! I’m dying for some now. Might just need to test that recipe….
What a nice — and full — weekend you had! I can hardly remember what it is I did. I did make a nice vegetable soup, and oh yes, I had a massage and went to yoga. That was about it, I think. 🙂
Your site is always so cute. Pleeese tell me how you made it snow. I have looked it up on ‘Lissa explains it all’, but I can’t get it to work. Maybe you have a better way. Thanks.
Looks like a perfect weekend to me! That fudge picture is awesome! yummy 🙂
We went to see Miracle on 34th Street (for the fourth time this season) My 8 year old girl is playing the part of Tommy Mara Jr. and she’s really quite fetching. Decorated the tree on Sunday morning, then it was off to San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker with my MIL and the kids. A world class performance! But, frankly, I would have rather spent the time at home knitting!! (Or eating some of that fudge!)
I do believe that homemade candy goes over well ANYWHERE.
Mmmm. Mint fudge.
Mint fudge. YOU ARE A WICKED WOMAN!!!
Nothing nearly so entertaining. Well, I knit. And updated Ravelry. But you have made me feel less than productive. The fudge looks soooooo good!
mmm that bread and fudge look delicious!!
Your table is just lovely….if you only knew how little I spent (HomeGoods) on those linens! And the centerpiece came mostly from the yard! As for the Artisan Bread in Five (they have a blog, BTW), try the Deli Rye….better than the Polish bakery!
I’m glad you got your snowmen out – my lightup nativity is still at the top of the stairs. I think I am going to put it back in the attic at the end of this week.