Surprise! We’re in North Carolina : )
Kanz and I came home for the night to celebrate a belated Christmas with my family. We’re staying at Larbs and Matt’s urban loft in Durham, but we stopped through my parents’ house to say hi to Lillis Billis and use the facilities. We also had a snack of cheese and crackers!
At the loft we got started on more apps and a few drinks – including Matt’s latest homebrew transported in a growler. [Also got to pay a visit to Sarah!!]
Larbs and Dad worked on a great dinner
My dad’s famous London Broil
Brussels sprouts
Grilled Great Harvest bread
And delicious whipped sweet potatoes!
Plus a spicy syrah
After dinner we exchanged gifts. Mom got me a Davidson plate!
I gave her a Buzz necklace (her nickname)
We got dad a beer tumbler of his favorite flavor (which he says he can no longer get). Thankfully he also appreciates fine craft beers!
Matt trying on Matt’s bowtie!
Love this bottle of wine we got too!
Matt’s birthday is next week, so Larbs surprised him with a cake!
29 years young!
It was an awesome carrot cake from Whole Foods
Plus we had some leftover Christmas goodies
Dad also insisted we finish the Christmas eggnog – it’s now gone!
Full of sugar, gifts and family time, I’m ready for bed!
{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }
That necklace is so vintage-tastic. Belongs on Etsy, I swear. Being home is one of the greatest things in the world, especially when you’re home from college. And then you want to be back.
SoCo Egg Nog? —- there really is a God.
It’s from Etsy!
Fun!!!
My Mom had that egg nog too and it was awesome – STRONG – but yummy.
I haven’t had London broil in forever, your dad did a great job!
Love my Buzz necklace. Thanks!
It looks like a magnificent celebration. So cute.
Looks like a great evening to get rid of the lingering Holiday blues! Is Matt a big b-ball player?
Haha – no – he’s my dad’s old bball birthday guy
It looks like you guys had a wonderful time in North Carolina!
Happy [early] birthday Matt!!
southern comfort nog, never heard of that one…I bet it was good!
Happy early bday to Matt…I love the cake topper! And I love carrot cake.
What a fun little surprise trip down to celebrate a belated xmas with the fam. Glad you guys could do this!
Isn’t being home with family the greatest? I’m glad y’all are having fun!
Carrot cake – (one of) my faves. Happy early birthday to Matt…and belated Christmas to you and your family!
Wow!!! … That London Broil looks AMAZING/mouthwatering!!! I love meat, and that makes me hungry for it!!!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Wow that looks wonderful -Now u have me wanting carrot cake ! I can’t believe how much you look like your dad !
Haha really!?
Yes ! The splitting image
She acts like him too, sometimes…
LOL – Mom: the “…” makes me wonder if that’s good or bad?!
95% good. 5% bad!
Haha. Aren’t we all?!
Lol I’m sure kath is always lovely
Okay Kath, it not so weird that the other day when I had overnight oats and so did you but now I am kinda amazed that tonight I am having a glass of syrah while reading your blog and picked up a bottle of Seven Hills Malbec today at a local shop. Seems we are both having a very good evening! Enjoy your family time!!
Aww how fun that you got to have a little Christmas celebration in January! =)
Ah yay! So fun
Enjoy NC!
Mmm my bday cake was from whole foods too. Just ate a frozen leftover piece for dinner!
That’s cool that you guys get to see each other even if it wasn’t exactly on xmas.
Everything looks delicious, your dad rocked the Broil. Enjoy your time at home!
Once the eggnogs are gone from the stores, that’s when the the holidays are officially over…
Hi Kath,
Awesome you got to catch up with the family!
Looks like such a fun & wonderful celebration.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
–Dorota
That London Broil looks amazing!
What a lovely night. That London Broil looks amazing!
Oh, what a beautiful necklace! Wish I were your mom
Looks like a very fun night! Whole Foods makes such awesome cakes, I bet the carrot cake was delicious
I’ve always wanted to try WF carrot cake!
I love it, one more holiday celebration! and those whipped sweet potatoes look delicious!
As much as I love egg nog, I can only handle it for so long. Thank goodness it’s seasonal!!
You can’t beat brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes!
Looks like a fun night with family!
I love the necklace! Looks like an awesome night
Family and Christmas go hand in hand…what a wonderful time it looks like you all had together! Love Carrrot Cake…the cream cheese icing is always my favourite part!
You must have had a wonderful time! Family make the heart so happy
…..The delicious birthday cake is calling my name, I think I should make carrot cake cookies TODAY!
Carrot cake cookies?! Do tell! Next week is my brother’s birthday and carrot cake is his favorite!
Google carrot cake cookies and recipes pop up. Or you could always just take the cake batter but form it into small cookie balls on a baking sheet instead. (Sometimes I just a Muffin Top pan).
I am debating between a carrot cake cookie and a carrot cake bar….
Carrot cake cookie recipe I’d use: http://ohsheglows.com/2010/11/20/itty-bitty-carrot-cake-cookies/
Carrot cake bar recipe I’d use: http://spinachandsprinkles.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/carrot-cake-anyone/
It looks like you had a great time with your family, even if the celebration is belated.
Where, oh where is that necklace from? My mom’s name means the bee, so I’m always looking for things like that!
It’s from Etsy, although I can’t remember the shop name right now. But if you search for “Bee necklace” you might easily find it?
Thanks Kath!
mmmm sweet potato’s and brussel sprouts, my kind of dinner! I LOVE brussel sprouts, especially with a dash of maple and salt..YUM! And that carrot cake to top it off, WOW!
Wow, is your brother in law related to Matt? They could be brothers! That dinner looks delicious!
No, but they do resemble each other! His name is actually Matt too
We have been loving Syrahs lately–but always seem to grab the same label. Do you have favorites?
Also, I definitely will be making Brussels sprouts this week. Those look so so good!
I am horrible with wine labels but I love anything from Sonoma!
Family time is the best. Enjoy your time with them!
Loving that necklace you got for your mom. Its gorgeous!
That’s my nickname too! When I was young they called me Bee, because I was as busy as one. Eventually it went to Buzz. That necklace is so very cool, I love it. Interesting, original gifts that have meaning are the best.
How fun and I adore that necklace too, so nice to extend the holiday celebration!
who is Kanz??????????????
It’s my matt’s nickname!
The pictures on this blog are amazing! You must be a photographer too. Keep up the awesome work and we look forward to following.
Matthew
Thanks Matthew. I’m not a pro photographer, but I’ve been taking dozens of photos daily for over 4 years!
That’s so nice that you could spend time with your family for a belated holiday. The brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and carrot cake – my kind of celebration!
Mmmm love carrot cake! That meal looks like something straight out of a restaurant
Thst picture of your sister in the kitchen could totally be you!!
Grilled bread- great idea! BTW, it’s always fun reading anything about Davidson because my elementary school and still BFF went there [graduated in May] and loved it! Were you in an eating house?!
Yeah I started out in Connor and finished in Warner!
She was in Connor! Small world…
Tell your Dad they still sell Schaffer in NY!!
And who can sing the jingle for Schaffer….? I cracked up when I scrolled down to the picture to see the Schaffer – what’s next ? Genny or Ballentine? Did Dad spend time up north? Looks great all.
Kath – that necklace is adorable. If you can remember the name of the artist that would be great. I tried looking on etsy but couldn’t find that exact one, and it would be a perfect gift! Thanks!
Found it!
Here! http://www.etsy.com/transaction/65354818
I am intrigued (coming from London, England) – what is a “London Broil” ? It looked wonderful.
Apparently it has nothing to do with London!
It’s basically a broiled or grilled flank steak: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_broil
Wow, can you believe, at 28 (almost 29) you have your own well-doing buisness… That’s pretty amazing!
I am 29
But yes, it’s quite amazing!
Hi! Great post per usual
Random question-do you have any idea where your sister got that dining table?? I’m in the market for a new one and love the almost-hammered look of the top. Thanks!
I believe she got it at World Market
That house (I assume your parents’) is beautiful!!!! It reminds me so much of my childhood home — it’s an historic farmhouse with the same style, color, roof, siding and shutters.
Seems like everyone got really cool, unique gifts! The necklace is awesome!
Thanks for the Etsy Website link Kath!!
This is awesome, someone sent me a link — I am the maker of the Buzz necklace (owner of Luccichio & Co on Etsy). Thanks for sharing it, Kath! Exciting to see my creation “in print.”
xo, Emily
Hey Emily! My mom loved the necklace!!! Thanks for stopping by