Local Hatcher Dairy Egg Nog, George Dickel Whiskey, and homemade cookies!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays, all of them, whatever your beliefs. May you enjoy some quality time with loved ones, some peaceful reflection, and delicious food!

I have a last minute recipe to post for Holiday Nuts! I got this recipe from Nigella Lawson’s cookbook that a friend gave us years ago. Who doesn’t love nuts- you can make some for yourself and throw some in a jar to share with friends. We love this recipe. It is simple and delicious.

Holiday Nuts
2 ¼ cups mixed unsalted nuts and/or seeds
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
½ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Toss the nuts together in a bowl and then spread out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine all other ingredients and then thoroughly toss the toasted nuts with the spiced butter to coat. Serve hot or let cool and then store in a glass jar.

I’ve been trying hard this year to keep the holiday stress at a manageable level and find as much time as I can to enjoy the holiday visits, baking and eating, and music (from our Christmas music collection at home to live shows in the ‘hood). Our friend, Allison, and I started the month off right with a Red Barn Round-Up Holiday Extravaganza. Grant put together a stellar Christmas band for us and they had many amazing guest singers! And, the food was over the top! We didn’t make it to any of the fancy country Christmas shows around town but we did partake in the $2 Tuesday 5 Spot Christmas Pageant. I love holiday music! Sadly, it didn’t occur to me until the last possible show, to video tape some of the Christmas music. I did get this one of Grant playing with Derek Hoke at the Family Wash last night. Merry Christmas, Y’all!

Derek Hoke at Family Wash Dec. 22, 2011.