house proud: a home for the holidays

Given that we are not in our naperville house for this holiday season,

here's how I left the house for all of our visitors 

(i.e. potential buyers)...

hopefully the house is someones giant Christmas present! 

no more 'H' mugs.

yes, the christmas bush returned... for one last year... maybe ;)

a 'liz' chair replaces 'old grey faithful' in the office

hopefully we will have good news come 2014! 

i'm thankful again in 2013

It will be our last thanksgiving in Naperville.

We relaxed, packed, cooked, and 

even went for a chilly walk at the nearby prairie reserve.

(yes, the husband, whom I'm very thankful for, went on a walk with me)

A few pictures from Springbrook prairie that morning.

I spent significantly less time in the kitchen this year, 

& for the most part it was a good dinner.

I called this bowl of fruit my modern day cornucopia.

   ingredients.  

some of them.

fresh sage and thyme.

smells like thanksgiving.

waiting for time in the oven.

the smoker in action.

Here's this years menu:

vodka and cranberry with pomegranate garnish 

(yes, this was my version of the cranberry side dish)

pear, herb goat cheese & prosciutto appetizer

(aka lunch)

 

appetizers (or lunch tray) round 2

(thank you paula for the cake)

arugula salad with walnuts, mission figs and goat cheese

fresh sage & thyme herb butter

(to be paired with turkey-as trae did- or

with sweet potatoe to make it a savory side- as i did)

simple. baked sweet potatoes

roasted brussel sprouts with smoked bacon and fig balsamic

(thank you to the egans for the fig balsamic)

smoked turkey

pumpkin pie with gingersnap crust & 

homemade cinnamon whip cream

the spread. 

Due to leftovers, this may be the last meal cooked in our little kitchen! 

house proud: home for sale

we're moving... again!!!

see you in kc!