Merry Christmas!
‘Twas the day before Christmas when what was supposed to be an icky, rainy day turned out to be a beautiful, snowy, WHITE Christmas!
The first we’ve had in many many years.
This, my friends, was our Christmas tree this year. I’m not kidding. It kills me…breaks my heart.
I tried, Santa, I really did! We’ll make it up to you next year.
This is the out-of-focus (artistic?) photo I took with my iPhone. Looks more like a real Christmas tree, eh? Kinda sorta…
I missed Thanksgiving this year (my absolute favorite holiday ever) while I was on my trip, so our Christmas Eve [Peter's Kitchen] feast was extra special.
Peter went all out, natch.
We enjoyed delicious appetizers including mussels (my latest obsession), bacon wrapped hearts of palm, gouda cheese and chicken liver pate while catching up and gawking at the gorgeous snow.
Then it was feastin’ time.
On the menu: roast duck, jumbo tiger shrimp, and chicken curry.
My favorite dish was by far the chicken curry. Peter usually makes it with lamb, but this time he used chicken drumsticks. The potatoes were cooked to perfection and the curry was rich, creamy and full of flavor.
Dessert was homemade (!!) by Lo the Bro. Pecan Cheesecake Ice Cream! He made it with whole milk, cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, sour cream, sugar, and pecans.
Check out ALL those pecans. He packed ‘em in just for me. Usually, I pick through the carton for the nuts (yep, I’m totally one of those people), but I didn’t have to with this masterpiece 
. Pecans everywhere!
Christmas morning, I rolled out of bed and looked out the window to see if a short holiday run would be possible (that would be a NO). Lo and behold, there were two big ol’ REINDEER frolicking around right before my eyes!
Hi, Rudolph!!
We deviated from our family tradition of opening presents at midnight on Christmas Eve because Peter was tired from cooking and drinking all day. So we waited until Christmas morning afternoon.
It was a chat-and-watch-TV-while-snacking-on-leftovers all day long kinda day. Good times all around.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday/Tuesday! Much love from my family to yours.
Tell me: The best food you ate, the best gift you received and your favorite Christmas tradition!
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Christmas Pasts:
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
How does eter make those shrimp!? Always look delish!!!
Peter**
Just pan-fried in oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
Merry Christmas to you : ) The food looks amazing. And you must live somewhere special to see reindeer outside your window!? That’s crazy!
Don’t you know? I live with Santa in the North Pole
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Merry Christmas, Allie! Everything looks delicious, especially those shrimp and ice cream! My favorite was the chocolate yule log we had for dessert!
It was so nice to have a little snow on Christmas this year! Although now, I’m so over it. We’re supposed to get a nasty mix today and I’m not very amused that it’s sticking around. Glad you had a great holiday girl!
Merry Christmas! It looks like you had a great time with your family.
I’m jealous you guys got some snow! I was hoping for a white Christmas, but no dice.
Your dinner and that ice cream look delicious! The best thing I ate was the gingerbread cake with dulce de leche frosting that I made – I could have just eaten a bowl of that frosting alone!
Thats awesome! I hope Peter is a chef for a living because everything he makes look amazing. And that icecream omg! your brother seems to be following his footsteps lol merry xmass!
Ha Peter actually claims he doesn’t like to cook. Pshh!! Lies…
loved all the dishes you had for xmas, esp the curry sounds delicious. I dont really have xmas tradition but had a really nice, white xmas in Dallas- its a present there itself. Also, got a KitchenAid mixer which i am totally stoked about
I got one for Christmas a couple years ago. Best gift ever! Happy baking!
OMG we need the recipe for Lo’s ice cream!
I’ll have to ask him for it!
OMG, that ice cream looks amazing. I want some! My favorite present was either a) our vacuum (we really needed one) or ) some lulu wonder unders.
Hi Allie, I am a new visitor to your blog and will definitely return!
My best gift this Christmas is a Garmin 10! As a non-smartphone-owner, this is a big deal as I now have a way to track my miles when running outside.
Welcome, Sharisse! The Garmin will change your runs FOREVER!! You’re gonna love it.
Thanks! I actually just saw your workout gear page and read about your transition to outdoor running thanks to the Garmin. Need to run ASAP!
Looks like a very Merry Christmas was had by all, hope 2013 is awesome for you!!!
A Merry Christmas to you too Allie (thought it’s almost New Year’s Eve
)!!!! I’m so glad you had such an amazing time with your family 
My computer won’t let me see your newest post
Luckily I missed this one, so I’ll just comment here! That pecan cheesecake ice cream sounds RIDICULOUSLY good!! Now I’m going to dream about one day finding that in stores 