This has been the best holiday season ever. It was so wonderful to have the family together under one roof, and we had many many lovely moments that I will treasure throughout the upcoming year and beyond. My son left to return to Ireland on New Year's Eve day. Wonder how the folks on board his flight celebrated at midnight? Champagne for all as they crossed the International Date Line? I will surely miss him, but it looks like he and his lovely MaryAnn will return this spring or summer for a wedding. Their own! Loads to look forward to.
We sure did have a lot of fantastic meals during the month of December. Good grief, I feel like I have been eating cookies and candy non stop. I made a great effort to eat it all up by New Year's Day. The photo above is a little dinner I made when my sister Andrea brought my dad up to see my house and Christmas decorations. It is Coquilles St. Jacques, a dish I learned how to make over 40 years ago. My college room mate called it her "signature dish" and I thought it was amazing and have made it ever since. The dish is scallops, shallots, brandy and lots of bread crumbs and Gruyere cheese. You can't go wrong. I made a salad of Spring greens, fresh raspberries, goat cheese and candied wallnuts to go with it. Very festive, topped with a lemon raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Now it is time to eat only chicken broth and undressed salad until the ten pounds I put on in December goes away.
It has been a wonderful year on the quilting front as well. I accomplished more than I could have believed possible during the year--a combination of bed sized quilts, lots of small quilts, and other non quilt projects such as table mats, a Halloween costume, and other crafty items. In my next three posts I will share with you what I finished, and...what I didn't!
Thank you all for continuing to read my blog, particularly in these days of Pinterest and Instagram. Both those social media sites seem to be overtaking blogging, but I still love to write and share with you what I am up to in this format, so expect me to continue much the same in 2015. I appreciate all of you who read my posts regularly, and especially those of you who take the time to comment. I wish you all the best of luck, health, prosperity, and happiness in the New Year.
I definitely like reading blogs best but just looking at a picture doesn't quite get it. Yes they are beautiful quilts and yes I like that people share them, but I want to know what pattern, what fabric, any tips about making it, and the progress of making it. I live alone so this is a place where I feel I am talking and listening and getting to know people. So please do not quit blogging!! Now that meal looks delicious and recipes hidden away that you are willing to share ;-D Happy New Year and can't wait to see your completions and non-completions.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 01, 2015 at 05:12 AM
Happy New Year! I'm glad you are still blogging. As you wrote, many are not. I have ignored mine except for our Alaska adventures this summer! Please keep posting your quilts and other projects. You keep me at least thinking about doing something! All the best to you in 2015.
Posted by: Marge | January 01, 2015 at 05:15 AM
I am so glad that you're still blogging.
That meal sounds YUMMY! My hubby loves scallops so I may have to find a recipe for Coquilles St. Jacques.
Posted by: Kathy | January 01, 2015 at 05:34 AM
Happy New Year...Looking forward to the quilts in 2015.
Posted by: Melanie | January 01, 2015 at 05:50 AM
A "Happy New Year" to and looks like your holidays were very "Merry"...glad that you will continue with your blog as I enjoy reading each post. Lots of great posts this year and looking forward to the nest one....Thanks,Gail
Posted by: gailss1 | January 01, 2015 at 06:04 AM
Happy New Year Nicole! Your blog is one of my favorites. You share your trials, tribulations, and triumphs! We, your readers can easily identify and bond with you because you share your imperfections. I am inspired by your beautiful quilts since I am a fairly new quilter. I also appreciate your non quilting stories. True, there are other forms of connecting, but like you, I prefer blogs. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!
Posted by: Anne | January 01, 2015 at 06:15 AM
ALWAYS a pleasure to read your blog.
I want to thank you for continuing to blog without all the ads so many blogs are picking up now. In the time it takes for all the ads to load, I could have done five other things. I will always cherish the bloggers who continue to blog and share their projects and their hearts without the need for the profit.
Happy new year to you! I hope it'll be one of your best years.
Posted by: Mary | January 01, 2015 at 06:15 AM
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 01, 2015 at 06:34 AM
Love your blog Nicole and read faithfully every day. And have for years. All the social media out there is becoming a little OTT and as a small business owner I feel compelled to stay on top of it all but this leaves less and less time for quilting, family and much needed down time. I hope some time when you are visiting Ireland our paths will cross! xo Anne Marie Kilbora quilt shop, co wexford Ireland
Posted by: Anne Marie Hobbs | January 01, 2015 at 06:38 AM
Thank you for still posting. I just cannot be part of instagram and Twitter. It seems just too disruptive and raises my blood pressure. Enjoy your posts and projects. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Susan | January 01, 2015 at 06:58 AM
Happy New Year Nicole! I enjoy your blog a lot! it sounds like your holidays were really wonderful and a wedding in the coming year is great news. Dinner looked delicious. Have a great new year!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | January 01, 2015 at 07:02 AM
Happy New Year, Nicole! Your holidays sound perfect with everyone gathered together to celebrate! Lots of happy news coming from your house! I always enjoy checking in with your blog & seeing the projects you're working on! Thanks for continuing to write in the new year!
Posted by: Jan | January 01, 2015 at 07:26 AM
Happy New Year! I look forward to your posts and to see your projects.
Posted by: Kathy Czuprynski | January 01, 2015 at 07:34 AM
I agree with Mary....thank you for keeping your site calm and uncluttered with ads....really dislike be sent off to never land because I inadvertently touched my iPad screen.
About 40 years ago I had your dish is a fancy French restaraunt (in Milwaukee) and the dish and restaraunt were heavenly. Please consider sharing your recipe with us.
Posted by: Lainee | January 01, 2015 at 07:50 AM
Happy new Year to you. Your sewing has been prolific this year and it's always fun to see your projects. Your choices are so different than mine and I love seeing how you work in your combinations. Thanks for sharing so much with all of us!
Posted by: Sharon | January 01, 2015 at 08:12 AM
Thank you for sharing in your blog!! I love reading each one--and you inspire me!! Happy New Year!!
Posted by: JaneEilderts | January 01, 2015 at 08:12 AM
You have had a good year quilting and I have really enjoyed reading all you have shared on your blog. You inspire me with your quilting and your sense of humor keeps it all real. Thank you for the promise of more posts in 2015. I prefer to read blogs as well, and yours in particular. Happy New Year Nicole!
Posted by: sallee | January 01, 2015 at 09:34 AM
Please don't even think about not blogging. I love reading what you are doing. I'm a fairly new quilter too and I love to see what you make and am so envious of how much you seem to get done in each day and week what with all else you do besides quilting. You are great at time management - wish I were better. And I also agree with Mary about keeping your blog free of ads.
Happy New Year! I wish you, your hubby, Ava and grandpa and the rest of your special family a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2015.
Posted by: Carol | January 01, 2015 at 09:40 AM
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!! (Happy New Year)
Posted by: Lynne in Hawaii | January 01, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Thank you for entertaining me throughout the years.
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Posted by: Pam O | January 01, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Thank you for continuing to blog. I look forward to seeing your post every time it comes up on my feed.
Posted by: evelyn | January 01, 2015 at 11:17 AM
I don't do Pinterest or Instagram, just too much work trying to figure everything out. Your blog is so soothing, and also very informative. I love hearing about your family and looking at the quilt photos that you post. I, too, have been making Coquilles St. Jacques for over 40 years from a recipe in my Julia Child cookbook, The Art of French Cooking. Since my younger son has taken up cooking with gusto, I decided it was time to pass this fabulous book on to him. I know he will make the recipe if he can read the page as it has many stains from many uses. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | January 01, 2015 at 11:23 AM
I love your blog. Thanks for keeping it up. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Diane Linford | January 01, 2015 at 11:42 AM
How wonderful to have family around you at Christmas time! I'm so glad you have not given up blogging. I have tried some of the other social media, but find the blogworld suits me best. Looking forward to hearing about your finishes and not yet finishes. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I will be joining you with the broth/salad routine for awhile. But, I'll have to say that I enjoyed every extra calorie to the hilt. ;-)Happy New Year!
Posted by: Linda | January 01, 2015 at 12:01 PM
Happy New Year to you as well. I always look forward to your posts, especially to see the quilting. Kisses to Ozzie!!
Posted by: Miss Jean | January 01, 2015 at 12:03 PM