It has been a busy 3 weeks hosting family and taking a much needed and overdue family vacation. Gramma Susie and Grampa Bud spent nearly two weeks with us in Dallas, and Cousin Jason was here for a week. We celebrated with cooking and baking, and a few new cocktails and of course lots and lots of wine. Stella and Will decorated their first Gingerbread House (sans the baking). I was adventurous this year but opted for homemade risotto, christmas cookies and a twist on the French Cassoulet courtesy of Cook's Illustrated magazine with a shortened version of the French pork and beans casserole - yum! I even turned my dad into a fan. My three weeks off from work was almost glorious! I rifled through my cooking magazines, read a book, watched so many movies I can't recall them all, and took some naps with Will. T and I took Stella to ride The Polar Express with the Texas State Railroad, which all of us enjoyed dressed in our P.J.s, despite the down pour of rain. Stella even learned how to ice skate with Mommy & Cousin Jason. On Christmas Eve we were treated to a steady snowfall, yielding 2 1/2 inches of snow and a very White Christmas. We traveled to Nashville for the week following Christmas and visited with all of our close friends - Jannette & Marvin, Jacquee, Con-Con,Nick & Nikki, Beth & Bill, Felicia & Brian. I needed some overdue girl time with my friends. Stella had fun bowling with all of her friends from The Gardner School, going to the movies to see The Princess and the Frog and romping and playing at the home of our dear friends, Jacie & Brad with their children, Cole & Maren. We ended the vacation with our annual New Year's Eve dinner with Jacie & Brad at The Patterson House. Wow, it was amazing! My soul has been refreshed from great conversations with the most amazing friends. Happy New Year!
