As we started our trip out west for the winter, our number one goal was to get as far south as quickly as possible. It was quite cold in Illinois and we have very few winter clothes. So our route is not the most direct, but did get to warmer weather faster. Once we got to Little Rock we went to Whole Foods to restock our supplies. While there we purchased our little Christmas tree, brought it home to the RV and had a tree trimming party.

This is their first Halloween where they were old enough to want and be able to eat candy. As usual, they were adorable. We had a Cheetah and Godzilla. They practiced holding out their candy buckets and preformed perfectly, receiving copious amounts of candy as reward. That is until we encountered the house that was decorated for-real scary not the usual cartoon-pretend scary, but by that time we had plenty of goodies and the adults were finished marveling at the cuteness.

After work on Friday night, I went upstairs to find a bouquet of flowers waiting for me on the dining room table. The next morning chocolate bars were waiting for me on my desk. The best surprise was waiting for my in my e-mail. Husband, along with Rikka and Rainah sponsored a dog through the Best Friends Network, a favorite charity of mine. The dog’s name is Rose and she is a Katrina survivor.
Yesterday’s celebration began with brunch at Harry Bisset’s New Orleans Cafe. I had the Eggs Barrone and Husband had Eggs Henry Bisset, which is poached eggs on steak with Bernaise sauce. These dished were complimented with Mimosas and Stoli Bloddy Marys, respectively.
We returned home after picking up our wine club, plus some, at Shiraz, and had a pleasant afternoon sipping wine and listening to music. Then is was time to start dinner. We made short-ribs braised in Malbec, and served over homemade egg noodles. The recipe was based on John Besh’s and turned our really well (Note to self: next time cut the noodles smaller)

On the Twenty-fifth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
A Saxo biere blonde

Merry Christmas!

On the Twenty-fourth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
A Jenlain French Farmhouse Ale

On the Twenty-Third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu Ale

On the Twenty-second Day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A Seriously bad Elf

On the Twentifirst Day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
(Uh-Oh)he shoulda gave me a mem-o-ry