heading south...me and the economy

I'm off to Palm Beach for work for nearly a week! I'm sure I'll have some progress from the house to document when I return...Kyle suddenly has a lot of free time on his hands.

He was unfortunately one of the many homebuilders to get laid off recently - we got the news last week. He's got a few leads but most everyone in the industry is cutting back right now. So if you know anyone who needs a {very} handy man in the next few weeks, let us know! Meanwhile, he'll be networking, applying, and puttering around our house.

I haven't been too good about taking house pictures lately, but here's some eye candy for you from our ugly holiday sweater contest on Christmas Eve. I had already taken mine off because I was too hot with it on in the kitchen. Kyle's sweater has been in his dad's dresser drawer for probably close to 30 years!

Have a great week, and pray for a new job for Kyle and good weather for me!

Bring us some figgy pudding!

We didn't have figgy pudding, but we ate just about everything else...Christmas 2008 at the Nortons' was full of culinary delights! Here is a photographic re-cap.

Cookies

Dave is marveling over his good fortune of marrying into a family of sugar-addicts.

Lemon drops, Russian teacakes, mint brownies, sugar cookie cut-outs (aka "trees"), peanut butter kisses, and chocolate crinkles. And a hungry Kyle.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Tera artfully prepares Potatoes Anna.

They were as delicious as they were beautiful!

My favorite ham recipe - herb encrusted. There are some pearl onions carmelizing too - a delicious side accompaniment.

Dave carves the ham.

Christmas Morning

Carrying on the Norton tradition of cinnamon buns (extra sticky this year!) on Christmas morning.
From scratch? You bet! Totally worth getting at up at 6 on Christmas morning for. These and some strong coffee gave us just enough energy to open presents.

An egg bake with hash browned potatoes and cheese for brunch.

Christmas Dinner

Kyle decants the Christmas wine.

Preparing Lesley's yummy dijon green beans, with a bonus steam treatment.Roasted root vegetables. Even the brussel sprouts were good! The man of the house goes to town on the prime rib.Caught! Mom sneaking a pre-dinner bite.Yorkshire pudding. It got a LOT puffier than I expected, and made a huge mess of drippings in the bottom of the oven. Thanks again, Mom, for cleaning it up! Mmmm....can't have steak without sauteed mushrooms.
The obligatory 'round the table picture. Gramma, this one's for you!
Finally...my plate is ready. YUM!

I don't have any pictures of dessert but it was another Norton tradition - Margie's chocolate mousse. It was great, but I don't think it was quite as good as hers. There's always next year!