Here's the deal. AC and I don't host holiday parties or the family meal. And we don't send out cards or bake goodies for our friends. It's not because we don't care about these people, we just don't want to go to all the trouble. But—and I'm sure our cohorts will agree—we are extremely supportive of our friends' and families' parties, family meals, goodies, and holiday mailings. We finish our plates, and usually go for seconds, we always take a bag of leftovers home, and I, personally, get a thrill out of receiving holiday cards (even if they're auto-generated, like the one I got from the bridal salon where I bought my gown).
But this year, my devoted readers, was a veritable Christmas loot bonanza.
Much to our surprise, we received about 40 percent more cards than last year, and, as such, I was inspired to display them in our living room. AC protested at first, but soon saw, as I was gingerly propping up the final card, that there was no arguing with it. These cards were going up. And I will also admit that I frequently look at them, sometimes even re-reading the message inside, no matter how brief or canned it might be.
But while paper goods are certainly welcome and adored during this time of year, it's the homemade treats that get the blood pumping. This year, in no particular order, was what we received, some of which we are still chipping away at:
1. Martha Stewart-style white chocolate peppermint bark (thank you K and J)
2. Pecans dredged in a delightful spice mix (thank you K and R)
3. Mini muffin-shaped brownies (also Martha-inspired) that barely survived 30 minutes in the apartment (thank you K and J)
4. Mint chocolate brownies so rich it takes some doing to separate tongue from roof of mouth (thank you J)
5. Oklahoma-grown pecans, both raw and chocolate-covered (thank you J)
6. Homemade turtles, with caramel and chocolate so seamlessly integrated. The best EVER (thank you J).
7. Peanut brittle, one almost soft and chewy, the other traditional (thanks to mom and dad)
-AK
Surely, the ostensible purpose of contributing to a blog like this on a regular basis is to build an audience so you're not writing into the ether. I happened to amble by after an absence of about six months or so to see if AC had finally dismantled the E&P URL, which had sat dormant for so long, and I stumble across this perfectly delightful -- and thoroughly entertaining -- foodie blog, written by my two favorite foodies. The shortage of feedback suggests that I'm not the only one in the dark about this. Now, I'll bookmark this page and make it one of my regular pitstops while surfing the Internets. Get the word out to your pals!
ReplyDeleteThe Chief has spoken.
Must be honest with you, that peppermint bark was actually the one and only thing that someone else made at that party. All respect goes to Courtney! I ate it until I was physically ill. Then I got smart and gave it all away. I am still thinking about it...
ReplyDeleteI've never commented on my husband's blog (which has sat dormant for a few weeks now), but I'll comment on your site!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am sure our Chistmas card was a long read!
I haven't read the entire site yet, but I would like a dedication to pickled okra and moon pies (all flavors)!