the mountains were calling...

Several avid full plate readers have pulled me aside or emailed me this week, asking why I haven't written a post lately? I could come up with all sorts of reasons that would make me sound very busy/important, but the truth is, I've just been out having fun...

I have cooked enough to keep us very well fed, like this red-wine braised fennel and sausages recipe from the WSJ last weekend, which was perfect mountain food...

and I started our Christmas morning off with a decadent strata that I'd assembled the night before, then let it do its' thing while we sat by the fire that morning.

I've been relishing fresh, mountain air

and time with great family friends.

So, I'm going to set aside a little time to write-up one more post before the New Year, with some of my best go-to appetizer ideas (that are all super simple), and then I'm getting back to playing

and nourishing family and friends out here with comforting foods. I hope that all of you have also had a wonderful week surrounded by family and friends. One more week of play, and then I'm excited to start the New Year off with all of you!