What's New with Us

This is the witch La Befana.  She is the one who fills stocking in Verona -not on December 25 but on January 6.  In Verona, a large crowd comes out to burn this statue of her.  Here is a link if you are curious about her story and why.  And yes, it is/was creepy.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Befana

Watch out Harry Potter :)  Noah experienced a sparkler for the first time on Jan. 1 2012

Yep -just an average 'ol night at the Taylor's.  I think we are going to put some "crazy-fun" into this year :)

At least my picture isn't scary.  This one would cause someone to wonder and feel the need to check in on the children.  Maybe that's not a bad idea ...please come check on us! :)

Got in on clothing exchange with some moms ...my girl sporting a cute skirt and ughs

A certain teacher at their school has taking a liking to the kids ...Rowen has fun new rain boots now.  Thank you Karen.

OK, here is what you get when you have two Thanksgiving dinners, one small oven, no Wal-Mart, and one artisan cucina ;)  One turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, and cranberry chutney for Thanksgiving day and all the same plus rolls, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, pecan & pumpkin pies, and a pumpkin roll for Saturday.  Throw-in a busted eye on Tuesday and a double ear infection on Wednesday and you get one mama mia of a week!

Can't buy Pepridge farm dried cornbread ...so corn bread from scratch and now drying out.  I did this twice -our team dinner and for our Italian friends.

Again, can't buy dried apples ...must learn to make my own.  Can any one say "sticky"!  It took awhile and had to clean my oven afterward :0 (a necessary ingredient for a recipe)

OK, corn bread is not drying out! So Troy suggested the fans and drying racks.  Bravo Troy!

The start of more cornbread for dinner #2 and the cranberry chutney

Turkey #1 -too dry!!!!  Brinning didn't work.  W/o ice available (like at a gas station in US) I had no way to keep the Turkey while it sat in the brine and a big tub ...won't fit in the frig.  So, have to rethink the next turkey.

Mom's light rolls -Perfetto!!!!

Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes!

Much better -nice and juicy

Next!

Sweet potato casserole.  There are not sweet potatoes here ...so this was a rare treat to share!

Corn bread stuffing, my family's tradition.   One for the team and one for the Italians

Make-shift green bean casserole -X's 2.  Can't find any of the same ingredients but the beans ...I have to say, I found an amazingly similar result!

The kid table

The kitchen in full bloom :)

Speaking of full bloom, these beauties were a hostess gift from a friend.  Lovely!

...and Rowen's gift was snazzy red slippers.  She wore them to bed :)