As much as I love Christmas, I don’t really love Christmas Day. It’s always kind of sad to me – the wait is over. The Christmas music tolerance is nearly used up [for most of us 😉 ]
Other than packing, cleaning, preparing for our vacation and a quick shower, we didn’t do much during the day today.
For lunch we ate bakery leftovers: a sandwich lovingly prepared by Alex + Ellen as they cleaned out the sandwich cooler [I like to have fun with our order forms!]
The salad in a bag was scrumptious! I added blue cheese, olive oil and honey. And loved the tofu + cheddar + chutney combo.
Mid afternoon we went for a walk, going through downtown to run by the bank.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..
We were greeted by El Leon aka Pumpkin upon our return! She actually came inside for a bit (and got stuck behind the couch!) and I fed her special kitty milk in a bowl for Christmas (since her owners are out of town)
While our Christmas Day was super chill, we knew we had a big evening planned!
Sara + Juan were here and we had them over for a four-course feast! We thought breaking dinner in to courses would make it feel more special – and it certainly did!
[Matt’s lamp acted as a centerpiece – ]
Sara brought over courses one and two: a scrumptious salad with bleu cheese, pear and candied pecans
Followed by Whole Foods Curried Pumpkin Soup, which I loved! [It was even better with a few goat cheese crumbles on top!]
A wonderful Napa Cab was passed around the table
The main course was Matt’s specialty: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. We stuffed it with Wisconsin Bleu Cheese (that Wisconsin itself sent me for a recipe a while back) and dried fruit mix because I was out of dates. Served with roasted brussels [tossed in EVOO and maple syrup and roasted for 30 minutes at 350*] and green beans tossed in butter and smoked paprika [also roasted for about 25 minutes at 350*]. Virginia rolls rounded out the plate!
For dessert, we uncorked Seamane and Rob’s HOMEMADE egg nog!! All boozed up and super strong, I might add!
It was fantastic..
Especially with a sliver of Great Harvest Pecan Pie!
Sweet dreams!
[My alarm is set for 3:30!]
Sounds like a very merry christmas dinner.
Where did you find those chicken glasses? I love them!
As most things in my house, they were my grandmother’s 🙂 Antique “cocktail” glasses
That homemade eggnog looks so good…so rich, creamy…and I’ll take your word for it, that it was boozy 🙂 mmmm, good stuff!
I really like that pic of you and Matt. You both look relaxed, happy, and tan! And I know it’s the middle of winter for you.
Merry Xmas, Kath!
Good thing – since we’re headed south tomorrow for sunshine!
We actually had snow here and lots of it! Just in time for Christmas.
Man, that photo of you guys – my first thought – what a GORGEOUS couple. Seriously!
Enjoy your vacation!
Can’t wait to hear where you’re traveling to, somewhere warm I’m guessing! Glad you had a nice evening with friends, and your meal sounds filling and delicious!
We just got homemade eggnog as a gift tonight and I can’t wait to break it open tomorrow morning for a breakfast bake! Enjoy vacation!
Christmas Day is always sad, I love Christmas Eve so much more. The excitement and thrill are over I guess. Enjoy the warm sun, wherever you are going! You both deserve a vacation.
Merry Christmas! I hear you about Christmas day; I think it tmight be the lack of a large family around this year. I still love it though. 😉
merry x-mas! i agree about the day being anti-climactic. it’s all about the anticipation!
Enjoy your vacay, Kath!
That photo of you guys is super cute! And it looks like you guys had a good holiday.
Merry Christmas and have a great trip! 🙂
El Leon always makes me smile. 🙂 Glad you had a nice holiday. Safe travels to you!
All I want for Christmas is that hugggeeee bag of greens 🙂 And maybe a bottle of that homemade eggnog!
Merry Christmas! Have a great time on your vacation – you and Matt deserve a break.
Sounds like you had a great day.
Here it it now 4:11am and I guess you got up about 45 minutes ago… don’t know the time difference between us.
Driving to the airport! What are you doing awake?
I work nights/early mornings cleaning a movie theatre…..
Have a great vacation!
A shot glass is the perfect amount of egg nog – it’s too rich to drink much more than that. Such a cute way to serve it!
Looks like a nice evening with friends! Oh, and I’m with you, I don’t love Christmas day sometimes because I’m sad the holiday season is nearly over. I do have one more celebration today with my good friends from high school that I’m looking forward to. Have a wonderful, relaxing vacation! 😀
Looks delicious, expeically the 2 salads and the brussels and beans! Enjoy your vacation!
Yum! That was some amazing looking pork tenderloin! I also know what you mean, we had Christmas pretty built up here in Ktown, worrying how we’d feel without any family nearby, but you know what? It was a special day for just us two…and not a creature stirred here either…not even a whoo:) Happy vacationing!!
I always get sad at the end of Christmas day too. I hate that we have to wait a whole year for Christmas to come again! 😛
Your dinner looks wonderful! I’ve actually been meaning to try out a recipe for pork tenderloin stuffed with blue cheese and dates – I can’t wait to try it now!
I LOVE Christmas Day! It’s so fun to open presents with my family, have a special breakfast, and hang out all day until our nice dinner!
Our Christmas Day was quite hectic…I made an allergen free Christmas dinner for my eldest son to take to my inlaws…roasted a 15 lb fresh turkey with dairy/peanut/tree nut free stuffing and gravy…was in the oven by 6:30 am and we were out the door by 1pm. Baked and iced a special Dairy,Egg and Peanut/Tree Nut Free Chocolate Yule Log for dessert the day before. Boxing Day is our chill day…will enjoy all the leftovers today! Yummy! Enjoy your ‘chill’ time!
Eggnog is my favorite!!!!!
I’m with you–Christmas day is always kind of sad. I love the anticipation so much more 🙂 Regardless though, your holiday meal looks/sounds fabulous!
I’m kind of the same way. I LOVE Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. But I do love Christmas Day too…up until we leave my grandparents’ house after dinner. But this year, we decided to drag it out (“drag” isn’t the right word) but we wanted to stretch the day as much as possible! So around 6 pm, we departed. I was exhausted after 10 pm church the night before, so I pretty much grabbed my gifts, went home, put everything away, and hit the hay by 9 pm. I awoke this morning for 9 am spin class! Back on track. Enjoy your vacay!
The salad in a bag is quite funny. A salad of that size means business. I loved reading your sandwich order form, it gave me so many good ideas for my lunch tomorrow that I can’t wait to go to sleep so that lunch will get here sooner.
Also, for anyone reading this, I have a new blog that you can feel free to check out. I’ve been posting for over a week now and I am very much open to new readers and their feedback.
So glad you guys had the energy to celebrate! 🙂 I imagine the first Christmas at GH would take its toll. Looks like fun!!!
That is so funny! I made your pork tenderloin for Christmas Eve with Brussel sprouts as well! It was delicious as ever!! Hope youre enjoying vacation!
I know what you mean about Christmas day… All the hustle and bustle is over, and Christmas music is not as exciting. But we have a whole new year to look forward to 🙂
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