A feast for New Year's Eve

 Will Lobster Thermidor do?

Recipe follows.

They arrived from Maine

(with instructions)

It is cold outside 

But my kitchen is warm and the cooktop is busy.

Two large Main Lobsters.  More than enough for two.  

Wishing you a New Year of Health and Happiness. 

Gina 

Recipe

Drop  lobster into boiling, salted  water

add a few lemon slices. Cook for 5 minutes 

reduce to simmer and cook for another 15 minutes

Remove lobster meat.

In frying pan stir 2tsp of flour into 2 tsp butter

add lobster meat. 

add 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of stock

Simmer for 10 minutes.  Season to taste. 

Remove Lobster from Pan, set aside.

Bread topping

In pan add 1 Tb of dry Sherry or Stock and 3 Tb of butter

and 1 and 1/2 cups  of shredded white bread. 

Cook until all butter is absorbed. 

Fill Lobster shells with lobster mixture,

 top with bread mixture and 

brown under broiler. 

Note: Save Lobster tail shells in Freezer for next Lobster Thermidor dinner.

Merry Christmas

I wish for you health and happiness.

May the beauty of Christmas fill your heart today and always. 

A grateful Thank You to you for your visits.

Gina 

  

Almost Christmas

It's me, Pasha.

May your Heart glow with the magic of Christmas.

Gina 

I'm celebrating, it snowed.

Now it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I'm sharing a few of my favorites. 

  

I'm celebrating.  Are You?

Gina

Have you ever wanted to be an Artist?

Yes?  Then here is how.

I know that some of you, dear Readers, have set aside a few clear glass balls. 

If not, then get yourself to the Craft Store.  
This is the only time of year that they are available.

While there, pick up a few acrylic paints, 
don't forget white. 
Simple instructions here:

http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2011/11/one-of-kind.html

They make great Christmas presents. 

Also pretty in a glass jar.

Practice on wooden hearts. 
(from the craft store)

They come in handy when wrapping presents

Hand painted glass ornaments are so pretty on a Christmas tree. 
They harmonize beautifully with your older and cherished 
 decorations. 

Have fun painting. Invite a few friends and have a party, 

Gina

Waiting in anticipation.

 Will they open before Christmas? 

My Delft crocus pots are standing by, 

now holding roses.

Roses only lasted a week

In the meantime I planted crocus bulbs. 

They are beginning to show in my greenhouse. 

(I know a couple of nasturtium seeds found their way amongst the crocus).

When crocuses begin to bloom I will transplant them. 

I wonder which group will bloom first.  

It's a test.  This group is trying to grow inside where it is warm.  

They are  supposed to be grown in the dark and at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  

We will see.

This type of container is perfect for table decorations.  

They are compact and small, yet hold a lot of pretty cut flowers. 

(Don't you just hate tall arrangements on the dinner table?

Who wants to play peek-a-boo with other guests).

Have a wonderful weekend and please make it snow at my house.

Gina

Getting ready for Christmas.

Christmas is just around the corner

Are you getting ready?

Are you like me?

You bring out the old and make them look new. 

Happy planning, 

Gina 

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

It's a special day

Happy Thanksgiving my dear Friends

My friends have accused me of celebrating my birthday a month before and still a month after my birthday.  

A few (not my friends) have asked if my birthday always falls on 
Thanksgiving Day.  No, Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. 

I'm fixing our favorite Thanksgiving Day Meal 

Duck a L'Orange. 

Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, sage dressing, cranberry sauce, caramelized sweet potatoes,   and "cabbages in disguise" also known as Brussels sprouts. 

And for dessert? Home made Pear Pie.

Happy Thanksgiving,

dear Friends. 

Wishing you a most special day. 

Gina

Have been away

It's just down the street

Have a great week, dear friends.

Gina 

Mon Bouquet du Jour

The lowly Nasturtium

One of my most favorite flowers.

Long lasting cut flower.

Easy to grow

When placed in water will reach for the light. 

Will grow in my winter greenhouse.

First day, a week later, two weeks later. 

Even tight buds will open in water.

So, so many colors.

Easily grown from seeds.

Flowers and leaves brighten a salad.

This one, a favorite color. 

They arrange themselves so naturally.  Always pointing upwards. 

They even survive for days in florist tubes.  

I always plant a few Nasturtiums in pots.  
They do well in my greenhouse.  

All others have frozen in my garden.  


Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. 

Gina