Fa-la-la-la-la!
How fun to share a random selection of kitchen-y holiday snapshots with you, dear friends and followers and family!
If you're like me, you might be starting to bustle 'round the kitchen just a bit more in these next weeks.
Or not.
A bit of a disclaimer here. I'm no gourmet chef or fancy baker. I'd eat out multiple times a week if we could. But the holidays do bring about a fair amount of food prep ... chopping, stirring, rolling, tasting, and baking.
Even if it's not our year to host the gang. Like this year with Christmas plans still nebulous and uncertain.
Anyway ... I love the holidays when my girls {and their girls} bustle happily around our little kitchen. They're incredibly at ease as they multi-task their way through lengthy food-prep for anywhere from 12 to 22 hungry mouths that beg to be fed well. Whipping up all kinds of delicious dishes, they're creative and energetic which enables me to indulge in what I do best.
Make myself comfy in the corner chair in the living room, quilt in hand, enjoying a mug of mulled cider. Rejoicing in the happy chaos. And waiting for the dinner bell to ring.
a simple morning breakfast,
pine-scented candle, &
a meaningful devotional book
one of 5 sweet granddaughters
cracks many eggs for a
delicious holiday brunch
my favorite gingerbread friends
happily hold court in front
of an old canister bin
a waffle bar is always a big hit
with fruits & meat
& sweets on top
I wonder what the names of the
women are who faithfully used
these beautiful bowls
my mom's surprise meringueshave often been my
signature holiday bake
well-used & newer
kitchenware have always
mingled well around here
a big pan of luscious shortbread
straight from the oven
makes me smile
if you're going to whip up one
bacon spinach quiche,
you might as well whip up two
a ton of melon on
my grandpa's cutting board
will be gobbled up soon enough
everyone pools their baking skills
& a huge glass platter
gets re-loaded often
these little warm & cozy
kitchen napkins
say it all
I wield a vintage bread knife
to chop up gooey
marshmallows
hands down,
housemade stuffing
is the tastiest part of any meal
indulging in a hot cup of tea
& a reflective book
creates a soothing evening routine
just looking at
this holiday bounty
makes my mouth water
a gingerbread man ornament
& blue spatula make
the gift of cookies extra special
these old spoons & Christmas towels work hard while an
ancestor's oak cabinet rests still
after the crowd is gone,
we put up our feet &
polish off the last lone goodies
What's happening 'round your kitchen this month?
Linda
*
*
sharing my little kitchen album with
*
my mom's surprise meringues
You had me at your first picture. I love pretzels with chocolate. I just wish it was the whole pretzel. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe whole pretzel. Yes! I couldn't agree with you more!
DeleteI enjoyed this post and all the lovely pictures and ideas very much! I am visiting from Sandi's No Place Like Home Christmas tour, and this was fun. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas for food and goodies and presentation! Very delightful! Merry Christmas and May God bless us one and all!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam! I've met such friendly bloggers the last few weeks at Sandi's site. So much fun to connect with such creative homekeepers.
DeleteI'm glad you're here with us as we kick off this post!
Hello Linda, thank you for your visit to my blog and for leaving a comment. It was fun to scroll through this post with so many yummy and kitcheny items to enjoy. I have a couple "Be Merry" bunting up at our country bungalow. Have a great rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteA country bungalow sounds absolutely lovely right about now!
DeleteI'm appreciating your writing, insight, and creativity, Ellen. So glad we've connected ...
What a fun tour through your kitchen, Linda! I love baking at Christmastime, but this year will definitely look a little different since we won't be having the extended family over. I'll still be baking a few favorite Christmas cookies, perhaps sticking with those that can do well in the freezer so that there aren't too many left over for me to overindulge in. Two of our sons will be home, but they aren't big sugar eaters (quite surprising, given that I'm their mother :-)). And I'm afraid they don't have the degree of interest in cooking that your daughters and granddaughters do, which means I'll be spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen. Well worth it, as I'm very happy to have sons at home for a bit!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm also enjoying The Greatest Gift as my morning devotional ... second year using it ... a perfect read in the days leading up to Christmas.
Yes, Lauren, everyone needs an Advent devotional, for sure! This is the 2nd year that a friend and I walk through a reading together every week. Love this practice, this gift.
DeleteI hear you, I'm not sure if we'll be able to be with our girls this Christmas. It pains me to write it, but we're just not getting the go-ahead from the Lord. So, much to my husband's disappointment, there might not be any large platters of anything.
But I do think that pans of shortbread coming from the oven will soothe our disappointment. And until then, I'll appreciate the pictures from other years ...
;-}
With no family visiting this Christmas, I don't know how many goodies I'll be whipping up this year, but yours sure did look delightful, Linda. I'm sure I'll think up something fun!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Right! What can we dream up that's different yet fun and inspiring? If you figure something out, Martha, please let me know ...
DeleteIn this bright gay Yuletide season
ReplyDeleteI would offer joyous praise
for the feasts, but there's a reason
that training table rules my days.
Lean chicken with a bit of rice,
and Brewer's yeast upon the side;
carbs and fat are sacrificed
and sugar has nowhere to hide.
Perhaps it is a vanity
to think that I might succeed
(some say it’s more insanity),
but, my friend, I truly need
to believe I'll conquer pain and fear
and be on the rugby pitch next year.
Well, if it takes some lean chicken and a bit of rice to get you rugby-ready, then by all means, go for it!
Delete;-}
It is not fair. All these wonderful photos have made me hungry.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a wonderful time filled with hope, joy and trust in the Lord.
God bless.
Yeah, I'm hungry, too.
DeleteI think I'll go make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on 15-Grain bread. Although I'd much rather be in jolly old England and enjoy a few cream cookies, some warm scones, and a big pot of steaming tea.
Linda, what a delightful cozy Christmas album. I enjoyed each special photo and all the memories that surround them. The pan of shortbread whets my appetite on this Thursday morning! Merry time spent in the kitchen, dear Linda
ReplyDeleteWell, I've got a pan of shortbread in the oven even as we speak, so if you want to come over and join me in devouring it ...
Delete;-}
Linda, you reminded me how much I would love to be bustling around the kitchen with my mother and grandmothers again. Sweet memories! Your "well-used & newer kitchenware have always mingled well around here" made me smile!
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen things I treasure most are my grandma's and my mom's recipe boxes. I can hardly remember my grandma outside of the four walls of her kitchen. What a cook!!
DeleteYum
ReplyDelete;-}
DeleteOh my mercy Linda! Now I am starving! Loving all the pictures that you have shared. I love to bake and cook. And nothing any better than baking and cooking for those and with those you love the most. And I am drooling over your kitchen scoops! I hope that you have a delightful weekend dear Linda. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found this fun, Cindy! Yep, I'm loving the scoops, too!
Delete;-}
Oh my does that all look delicious! We will not be doing anything near that this year.
ReplyDelete* sigh *
DeleteNope, we won't be either. Except the cup of tea, the shortbread, and a good book or two.
All will be well, friend ...
Lovely pictures. The kitchen is so much delightful when it is full of people and food, some cooking, some not.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, hi! You just made me realize how much fun it can be to simply observe a happy chef doing her thing ...
DeleteThanks for the peek into your kitchen, Linda. That Christmas brunch looks absolutely delicious. I would have to have a little bit of everything!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love a good brunch?!
Delete;-}
Lovely photo collection, Linda! The holidays are cozy and bright at your place!
ReplyDeleteAnd very very quiet this year.
DeleteYou too?
Ahhh, Linda your photos and words convey what's most important to you at Christmas time. I loved reading and savoring all you shared here. We're traveling for Christmas this year, so my kitchen is dark. Mind if I sidle up to your feast and enjoy a little homemade goodness?
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, friend. We still haven't figured out the right thing to do. One day at a time.
DeleteAnd yes, I'd love to share a little homemade goodness with you, friend. Maybe someday?
;-}
Looks lovely. I felt like I was in your home. It will be a quiet Christmas for us as we have no family here in England. I will do the traditional turkey with sides. We might bake some cookies. Not sure as my son who is a chef in training will be home so some depends on what he wants to make. We will enjoy our day with church in the morning and then family time.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth ... good to have you here! And how wonderful to have a chef in the family! What a treat!
DeleteEnjoy a lovely Christmas ... you're in good company around here ... several in this little blogging community are from England, too!
These photos are such a cozy look into past Christmas gatherings, Linda. Such precious memories. They inspire me to still hope for future gatherings with our families, even if they had to be called off this year because of too great a number. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this has served as a bit of inspiration for you, Trudy. That the pictures have kicked up some hope for you has encouraged me, too, especially in this season of uncertainty.
DeletePeace, He's whispering ...
Those lined up ginger bread looks cute.
ReplyDeleteOh thanks! Those little guys are my favorite!
Delete;-}
I love your photos - and I am definitely feeling hungry now! I normally enjoy baking at Christmas but this year there aren't really any events or gatherings to do it for. I did receive some shortbread this week though from a lady at my church. She said she missed baking for everyone so much that she just decided to bake anyway and drop it round to everyone's houses.
ReplyDeleteLesley, What a sweet lady, so thoughtful and generous, as so many of us are yearning for traditions that simply won't happen this year.
DeleteI made shortbread, too, this week ...and it was awful. I'll try again this week.
;-}
What a perfect post for this time of year, Linda. Thanks for sharing these glimpses into your kitchen and holiday patterns ... I usually spend a lot of time making Christmas cookies but this year, I’m finding the regular routine of simply preparing supper each night is settling my heart and bringing me the most peace. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Lois ... I wish I could say the same --> 'I’m finding the regular routine of simply preparing supper each night is settling my heart and bringing me the most peace.'
DeleteHow fulfilling that must be. Most nights have me peering into the freezer, hoping that a delicious ready-made meal will jump out and save the day. I seem to have lost any creativity in the kitchen ... my mind seems to draw a blank when it comes to any kind of menu planning.
I'd like to blame it on pandemic brain, but honestly? My lack of interest began long before this past spring!
;-}
This was such a fun post, Linda! I enjoyed your kitchen photos and your brunch sounds wonderful. Having so many ladies in your family must make your Christmas festivities so much easier, fun and delicious too, judging by all the goodies. My family consists of mainly men so it has always been mostly my own handiwork and baking this time of year. They do chip in to help but most of it is on my shoulders. I enjoyed seeing all your vintage pieces as well. I think vintage adds so much more character and personality to one's home. Thanks so much for sharing at this week's party and enjoy this last week before the Holidays. Christmas hugs...Sandi
ReplyDeleteIt's been so fun to meet you and get to know the women in your community, Sandi. I've been especially touched by the combination of faith and home. Thanks for welcoming me.
DeleteIt's been a lovely gift in this season.
What a delightful post!No place like home!Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAlways glad to visit with you!
DeleteYour kitchen snapshots made my mouth water!
ReplyDeleteOf course, my favourite image was the one featuring the pretty teacup. LOL.
Thanks for the visit! We don't have a Chick-Fil-A here, but I'm intrigued by the peppermint milkshake!
Your teacup collection is enviable, Margie! My dad was from Scotland and we had many beautiful cups and saucers on our table when we were growing up.
DeleteJust a few made it after a generation or two of good use.
Thanks for keeping this lovely tradition alive!
I loved seeing all the yummy food and your pretty kitchen vignettes, Linda. Those gingerbread figures are so charming. I’ve been baking and candy making. I guess it’s my therapy!
ReplyDeleteCandy making! Now THAT'S a sweet therapy!
Delete;-}
Wow! What a lovely post! I love to see the things that bring joy to people at this time of year. Great food, time with family, well loved items. Precious memories being made.
ReplyDeleteI hope this year you can gather!
Deanna, hi! I'm glad you're here. And yes, let's hear it for gathering ... even if it's just with 1 or 2 others.
DeleteAnd maybe a new tradition or two will take root.
Merry Christmas to you and yours ...
Hi Linda. I've enjoyed your blog with all the vintage things and good food. Looks like a delicious brunch.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of baking and decorating for Christmas. I am retired and we are stuck in the house this Christmas so I keep busy finding things to do. No family visits are allowed in our province, here in Canada. Let's hope this brings down virus cases.
Merry Christmas
Thelma.
P.S visiting through Sandi.
Oh, thanks, Thelma! Yes, I hear you about no family visits ... this is a hard thing for us all.
DeleteThanks for your prompt to look for things to do instead of just sitting around and waiting for the world to return to normal. I always need that nudge!
Hi Linda, I loved looking at your photos. Such delicious foods, I'm not much of a baker, but I help family. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from #TellingHisStory
I'm not much of a baker either, Paula ... I depend on the generosity of my girls!!
DeleteThis made me smile! It reminds me of what Sara Miles has written
ReplyDelete“There's a hunger beyond food that's expressed in food, and that's why feeding is always a kind of miracle.”
― Sara Miles, Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion
Oh that's beautiful, Kathreen! I'm so glad you're here today ... believe it or not, I was thinking of you just this morning. I hope we'll connect in the new year.
DeleteI've always appreciated what you bring to the table. I hope you're well. Bless you!