What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
My dear Ricochetti (I hope I can still say that) -- we at Toad Hall were planning to have a party here with a bonfire, sledding, egg nog,
champagne, board games, children playing outside under the nearly full moon until midnight while the parents chatted, ate, and drank.
Instead, as has happened so many times for us this year, ill health kicked us in the backside. My four and six year olds have the croup, and one of them threw up on our new Christmas blanket this morning. So we canceled the party.
We Toads ate our lonely (if 8 people can be said to be lonely) chili (good for respiratory health), drank wine and children's beverages,
and munched on the appetizers intended for 25 instead (stuffed mushrooms and a yummy thing my son makes with breakfast sausages and croissant rolls).
Now the children are preparing for bed while I clean up the kitchen and post at Ricochet. Soon I will brush little teeth and then read Dickens' "Christmas Carol"
while we work on a new 1000-piece puzzle.
We'll keep the fire going til midnight, and then crawl into bed at some point.
What were your plans to see 2012 off?
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May '10
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
It is VERY quiet chez S. Mr. S and daughter S are already in Florida, while I am home alone (CT), with a fire in the fireplace. We were away 12/16-28 for some R&R (and college applications for daughter S). Less than fifteen hours after we arrived back at the S house, we were again headed for the airport. I will join them on Wednesday, after a looooong night at the opera 1/1. My evening has been spent, unpacking, repacking, going through the mail, and reading the local paper. Whoopee! I am tons of fun, but a relatively cheap date. :)
Happy new year to all my Rico-friends.
Dec '10
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Annual Star Wars marathon, nachos, and root beer floats followed by watching the Seattle fireworks on tv.
May '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Got a workout in, I needed it given what was coming at dinner.
Walked up to the local Italian restaurant. Started with lobster ravioli while I bantered on Ricochet about Mark Levin and David Brooks. Sipped a nice chardonnay with the appetizer and salad.
Read the introduction to Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, this year's resolution.
Enjoyed a fine off the menu veal milanese and roasted potatoes paired with a young, but very smooth merlot.
Decided to finish big, cappuccino and a slice of flour-less chocolate cake.
Now at home on the couch re-thinking the flour-less chocolate cake.
Happy New Year!
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Nestled in a warm sleeper, having finished a bowl of chili and a slice of pie. It's sleeting outside, but the cab is very comfortable. Just finished a delightful conversation with my best friend Bob Lee. Hoping the road crews get everything passable tomorrow so I can press northward, I'm happy to enjoy the company of friends on Ricochet.
Feb '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Brent -- last night Papa Toad and I used up a gift certificate at a local fish restaurant. Fantastic meal -- Thai chowder, miso black cod with bok choy and other yummy fabulousness... I ate so much that by the time dessert came out I turned up my nose... Papa Toad ordered what he thought I would like but I was too busy being silly with him to eat any of the creme brulee... fantastic meals are such a blessing (and I LOVE not having to wash the dishes!).
Feb '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Dear Dave -- Today I was crossing the Hudson River and saw some barges tootling to and fro with their cargo... I thought fondly and with some sadness of my good friend who works in the merchant marine and all those who are out there right now about the business of the country. Peace and blessings to you. I hope your chili was nearly as good as my own... Happy New Year! and safe travels.
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Thank you Mama! The chili was great. And according to my online feed, it seems LSU is taking care of "bidness" as well. It's shaping up to be a good night.
Jun '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
We decided to go out for dinner despite the heavy rain and 2 hungry and irritable children. My niece is leaving in 2 days to Vermont and we wanted her to have some southern Tex-mex dining experience. The waiter was very professional and we had huge booth seats where the children could lay down after eating.
We drove a long way home to catch the last Christmas lights and realized the water pipe burst and we have zero water supply. I had to place buckets all around the house. Listening to the dancing raindrops and fireworks make a rhythmic symphony. Perfect night for my favorite Kahlua eggnog recipe (frivolous amt of Kahlua and a dash of nutmeg).
Surrounded by love, ushering the new year in humility. One slide of the mouse, and my pc screen lights up greeting me with Mama Toad's eggnog picture.
Hello Ricochettis, I look forward to a meaningful 2013 with you all.
Sep '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Just a quiet evening at home. Wife brought Long John Silver's home for dinner (I know, lowbrow fare, but we have simple tastes & like LJS). I am now enjoying a glass of cheap merlot (I know, not the proper pairing, but I'm drinking it after, not with, the fish). Tomorrow I shall enjoy my last vacation day this holiday season, then back to work on Wednesday.
Happy New Year, y'all!
Dec '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
RushBabe and Hubby will be going out for dinner at a nice local place, probably ring the new year there. Tomorrow, we snuggle up with the warm cat (see picture at right), read whatever we're reading (Mark Helprin's new book In Sunlight and In Shadow for me), and I cook a nice prime rib roast for dinner (it basically cooks with little effort from me). Then, back to work on Wednesday, giving thanks for our secure jobs, and for having discovered Ricochet and all the great people here.
Note: we had to cancel our annual Christmas open-house this year, when Hubby had his gallbladder out the day after Thanksgiving and there wasn't enough time for his recovery.
Hippo Gnu Year to all! With apologies to Sandra Boynton.
May '10
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
We were a little bummed to learn that Longwood Gardens won't be doing its traditional fabulous fireworks display this year. I don't know why.
So, this afternoon we went instead for a long, walk in chilly and blustery and beautiful Valley Forge, visiting George Washington's headquarters there.
Then, a yummy dinner together. Now it's Settler's of Catan, while daughter fries up the traditional Dutch "olie ballen."
It's basically fried dough. New Year's wouldn't be New Year's without it.
You douse them in powdered sugar before you devour them.
Champagne is cooling in fridge. We may have time for a last Christmas puzzle.
At the stroke of midnight, after a toast and hugs and kisses all around, we'll sing a song and say some prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of the New Year, and the joy of being together.
God is good.
Feb '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Amen, katie! And Joan -- will you share you kahlua-nog recipe please?
Peace to all!
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
That bit I wrote about LSU taking care of things? Never mind. Evidently the RNC is running things in Baton Rouge too. 2012 can't end fast enough.
Feb '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
RushBabe -- I bought Helprin's A City in Winter this year for one of my tadpoles and am looking forward to stealing it from him in the New Year to read myself.
How are you liking the In Sunlight/Shadow book?
Feb '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
It sure has been a doozy. Still and all, I give thanks!
Jun '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
Mama Toad, I just add 1-2 teaspoon of Kahlua with half a cup of store bought eggnog. A dash of nutmeg. And it is wonderful.
Or you could use a clove, a cinnamon stick, star anise instead of nutmeg. Bottoms up!
I am going to have a half and half ( Kahlua to eggnog) before I go to bed.
Mama Toad: Amen, katie! And Joan -- will you share you kahlua-nog recipe please?
Peace to all! · 1 hour ago
Mar '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
It's 10:58 by the clock on my computer. I'm going to bed. Good night, I love you all, and see you next year.
Jun '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
What if you wake up and it isn't 2013?
Jul '11
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
We are drinking spiced whiskey and watching Lonesome Dove.
Jan '12
Re: What Did You Do For New Year's, New Year's Eve?
After a wonderful homemade meal with my parents and sisters, I spent the night at the National Shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe (www.marytown.com). Mass started at 11:15 and concluded with benediction just before 1:00 am. I've always thought New Year's Eve was a little hyped and didn't get the big deal, so I'm happy that this year I found a way to enjoy it.