A gourmet Christmas in the 'shwa

It's been a gourmet Christmas for us in the 'shwa in that most of our gifts have been much needed (or coveted) things for the kitchen.

My parents got us a wicked set of pots and pans, to replace the mish-mash of pots and pans we used before, most of which were wedding gifts from my parents wedding some 33 years ago, and the remainder were yard sale finds. Unfortunately with the new pots there isn't the same warning system to alert us when the pot was boiling. With our old set they were so warped that when they (finally) boiled on our glass cooktop they would shake back and forth uncontrollably, and I don't imagine the new set does that. We're making a frittata (sundried tomato pasta, eggs, red pepper, peas, spinach, zucchini, sundried tomatoes, and feta all stir fried then baked in an egg and egg white mixture) for dinner and I can't wait to try them out.

We were also the glad recipients of a bread maker which is not only pretty but bakes some pretty wicked bread. We've been enjoying plain white bread so far, with a loaf of cheese bread and one with basil in it for variety and as I type a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread is rising, just waiting to be baked so we can eat it with a wee bit of butter. No doubt we'll be cursing it when our hips and bellies expand beyond their current girth.

A combo blender/food processor will help make some wicked soups this week too. Heck, I might even get in a batch of latkes as well.

All this on a whirlwind tour of the province involving Omemee, Cobourg, the 'shwa, and Windsor from the 23rd until we got home last night. It was great to see family and friends over the holidays.

Our living/dining/hallways are slowly but surely getting done. They declared the process complete last week but we weren't entirely happy with the results (still tons of paint in the grain of the wood, bumpy walls were still bumpy and paint work was a bit sloppy) so they're back today to finish things off. Ah the advantages of holding the cheque until the end. It still looks like a wee bit of a disaster area with us not being sure where we should put the furniture and plants back but progress is being made and that's what matters.

What did Santa bring you?