Jiggety Jig, Home Again

In November, it was a European vacation with my family, capped off by a visit to New York. We were home just in time for Thanksgiving and houseguests and more celebration. December brought the holidays with all the requisite parties and festivities. January is supposed to be the month to clean up your act, settle down, shed a few pounds, do some penance, button down your collar, and get going on your resolutions. So I feel a little sheepish to admit that we haven't stopped our extra long holiday fiesta yet. Quite the opposite; we've been at Disneyworld all week. I only paused a moment between my steady Disney diet of popcorn and churros to reflect on our gluttonous good fortune. We're not quite as devil-may-care as it might seem. We're lucky. See, this trip to Disneyworld was a prize from a cooking contest I entered in 2008. Grandma's Molasses was looking for favorite holiday recipes. I entered my recipe for a succulent beef tenderloin with a balsamic-molasses glaze over blue cheese mashed potatoes. They liked it enough to send the four of us packing to Orlando for a chance to draw out the holidays for a little longer. But starting Monday, it's back to business. Especially since January is half over, and February is packed full of holidays. So, yes sirree. You won't catch me having too much fun. At least not on Monday. I promise to spend a full 24 hours dedicated to lengthening my stride, trimming my sails, and battening down the hatches. After that, I can't promise anything. After all, you only live once.

Some pics from our trip....

Belle and Obi Wan at Epcot, getting the most from those Halloween costumes

Seen on the side of the road on the way to the Kennedy Space Center. Better hope you never get a flat tire there.

At Cocoa Beach. And to think, the week before they were sledding...

And building snowmen.

My gallant young hero and his souveneirs from the venerable Vikings.

Coming Next:

Good for You Creamy Tomato Soup and Rosemary Focaccia