Christmas is over and now the New Years celebrations loom ahead. These two celebrations are just too close together for my liking. The weather is less cooperative at this time of year too.

Its a good thing I have a completely different menu for New Years EVE.
Instead of cookies it will be much healthier, Hummus and vegetable sticks.
I am not making meat pies I am getting away from pastries as much as I can. We had meat pies in England too so it will be a really big change from traditional fare. I am still hoping to be in Plattsburgh still trying to get to see grandkids.
The kids do not mind the Vegetable sticks but they do not like Hummus, it is an acquired taste for sure.

I used to make a White Cheese and Chicken Lasagna and I add chopped Spinach or Broccoli. I put the greens in the ends of a 9 x13 pan then we serve the children from the ends. It actually works best allowing just a little of the greens to migrate and when they find it I apologize and then the usual response is, no problem and often I see some greens go into their mouths and swallowed. It makes it easier if they have control of what they put in their mouths. They all ate vegetable baby food but along with learning to walk they appear to develop a new set of taste buds and vegetables are out for a long while, right when they need them the most for growing bodies.

It is a good dish to make, everyone does seem to like it and we will be able to sit together and serve ourselves.
I have another box of crackers for the table so it will be fun again to have them on hand.

I think I will ask for input from the children this year, that way if they help with the menu they will have some vegetable of their choice in the meal.

We have to stay tuned to the National weather pattern so we can decide when to go West through the mountains. We no longer take the ferry we drive the perimeter of Lake Champlain it adds an hour to the journey but I dislike the ferries in winter. The wind can give us a rough ride and I know I will never be a sailor.

We are both tired from a fabulous busy weekend and hoping to be in bed a little earlier tonight.

I have read lots of blogs and people for the most part have enjoyed the season, some are through with their celebrations and others are still celebrating.

Now we are waiting and hoping for another opportunity to have clear roads for about 250 miles. You just cannot get there from here. Flying is not an option it would take so much longer and is so much more expensive. I would most definitely be carrying way too much extra baggage since their gifts are still here on this side of the mountains.

There used to be passenger train service but it no longer uses the same route so it requires us to drive further away from our destination to board the train and at the other end another long drive. Its no use we just have to wake up early and go. If we have to stop at least their will be more likelihood of finding a room in a hotel or motel to wait for the roads to clear. As it gets closer to New Year we will find hotels and motels filling up fast.

Decisions, decisions, life is just full of them. Christmas worked so lets hope New Year does too. HUGS Pat in Maine.