farewell 2013

it has been quite a year. it started with a bang by way of me banging my foot into a closet door and breaking a toe (note: even a tiny fracture causes lots of pain). then fanboy & i made some pretty big decisions - to stay in the DC area and to buy a home. that has involved more hiccups than expected but we are getting the hang of things. it was also a bittersweet year, so i am ready to say goodbye to 2013 and ring in 2014.

we have already have some fun on tap: 

NYC to see our friends' get married and hang out at our favorite places. we haven't been "home" together in almost three years, we are long overdue for real pizza and great chinese food!

my mom is coming to visit for her birthday weekend

chicago with the main goal of eating our way around town (and fanboy's first visit to the windy city). 

and hopefully traveling somewhere we haven't been yet! 


what do you have planned for 2014? 

christmas eve eve

did december fly by as quickly for you as it did for me? wasn't thanksgiving like five minutes ago? yet here we are with two days before christmas! the tree has been trimmed, most of the presents are wrapped, and food prep has begun, so now we just wait for santa ;) 

we start christmas morning with hibiscus cava cocktails and cinnamon rolls. this year's dinner is only a slight variation on last year because, for me, prime rib, potatoes, and trifle are christmas must-haves.

bacon wrapped scallops
perfect prime rib
duck fat roasted potatoes
green beans with caramelized onions and almonds
and, of course, gram's chocolate trifle

what is on your christmas menu?