In the Bleak Midwinter

all pictures taken by my dad at/around our old house in upstate New York

The holidays have passed for me, as they usually do, in a wild blur.  Every year as I think about the Yuletide season approaching, I imagine it being a collage of every perfect moment I experienced in my childhood.  I think there will be snow- I swear there was always snow, at least until I was 9- and I'll get to make snowmen and igloos and go tobogganing (in some imaginary yard, since I don't have one,) and come in and drink hot cocoa in front of the wood stove, while the ice melts from my hair and my cold hands sting from the heat.

Eggnog French Toast

I made some challah earlier this week, so today was perfect timing for a french toast brunch.  I usually make my batter with buttermilk, but since it's December, I decided to make it with eggnog this time.  It was a good choice.

Peppermint Bark

Ah, peppermint bark.  A blessing and a curse.  So beautiful, so delicious, so seemingly simple.  I mean, look at this stuff.  It's no wonder as soon as people know you can make it, they want it every year for Christmas!

thanks to my friend Hana for taking this awesome picture at my holiday party :D

Candied Vanilla-Masala Orange Peels

I've been trying to find more goodies to make this year that are good for packing up in a little cello bag or jar.  Holiday cookies are a great gift, but they don't always arrive in the best (or freshest) shape when your friends and family are scattered across the country (or across the globe!)  So when I saw this beautiful recipe for spiced candied orange peels on Savory Simple, I knew I had to give it a try!