Good Morning, Darlings!

As you know, I was most excited about watching the Gators vs. Alabama play the SEC Championship last night. Well, my Gators lost, but the food was fun!

Midafternoon, I heard a song on the radio that reminded me of Miss Diane – Modern Love by David Bowie. Miss Diane says that every time she’s at our house it comes on the radio. Well, I was in the kitchen making peppermint brownies when that very song came on so I had to call her. She asked me how many people were coming over to watch the game. Uh….nobody but Eric and me, sitting on the couch, hollering at the television. Of course I asked her to join us.

I had gotten out the andouille sausage, the cheesy poofs, the salt and pepper chips, the plain chips, onion dip and some moon pies. There was wine and beer and cokes to drink. I had also baked the aforementioned peppermint brownies and had put some bread dough out to rise to take to Crystal and Teague’s house after the game so we could help trim their Christmas tree and indulge in some of Crystal’s grandmother’s Beef Vegetable Soup. Yum, soup!

It was a junk food afternoon at our house. Perfect for game day. Take a look at my bowl of chips on the left as put together by Miss Diane when asked what type of chip I would like. “Yes” was my reply. That’s a lot of chips!

The brats were going to be grilled outside, but baby, it’s cold outside! So I braised them in beer and onions and they were tasty indeed.

But alack and alas, my Gators were defeated. Not sure how this happened but I have to admit, Alabama was all over it and deserved the win. Hopefully they’ll be a bowl game, but until then, we have a tree trimming to attend!

Miss Diane left to go home and Miss Tracy showed up to walk with us to Crystal and Teague’s house (yes, our front door is revolving…). We packed up the brownies, bread and more wine & beer, and then proceeded to bundle ourselves up. First, after the jeans and turtleneck, the gloves, the Uggs, the fuzzy lined hoodie, scarf and leather jacket. I mean – it was COLD outside. But it was a clear night and the walk was pleasant.

Everything smelled so good at our good friends’ house and the tree was so fab! Somehow I neglected to bring my camera to the soiree, so just trust me that their afternoon tree search certainly yielded a beauty. Large and full, with the lights on and ready to be decorated. But first there was soup and bread and brownies to gobble up. Crystal’s soup was so good, I ate a giant bowl.

Joining us were our sweet neighbors Rick and Denise. After dinner, the ornaments were brought out and we got to decorating. With seven friends, it didn’t take long. Not only that, but Crystal was dear enough to gift me with a bundle of ice blue branches for our party next Saturday. But she and Teague also gifted us with the cutest ornaments ever! They are black tie for our black tie party next week! Look how cute:

And so, after the tree was trimmed, toasts were made and soup was devoured, we bundled back up and made our way back home in the misty moonlight.

I hope the season is treating you well so far. If you need a little something to take to a friend’s house or you could use something yummy for yourself, here is the recipe for the Peppermint Brownies. Super easy and quick. You could make these and be out of the house in under an hour.

Peppermint Brownies

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 350F.
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. When melted, remove from heat.
Stir in sugar and eggs, beating slightly.
Add in vanilla and peppermint.
Add flour.

Bake in greased 8x8x2 pan for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Tomorrow the real work starts. Five days and counting until our Christmas Black Tie party for 75 friends. Let the chaos begin!

xoxo, Patti