New Year's Eve 2025 & New Year's Day 2026

 

New Year's Eve was snowy and quiet as we decided to change things up a bit and head to one of our favourite pubs for a round of fish and chips and celebratory pints. It was the perfect dinner to see out 2025; and with full stomachs we made it home to quietly ring in the New Year, toasting with glasses of champagne. 

New Year's Day was a mix of rain and snow making it somewhat icy outside so we all tucked inside for a warm and cozy graze of hors d'oeuvres, nibbles and munchies throughout midday and early evening. A more relaxed casual start to the new year which suited us perfectly. All and all a lovely optimistic and thoughtful end and start.  

New Year's Eve 2024 & New Year's Day 2025

 

New Year's Eve: It was a quiet one and that is just how we like it. The temperatures were cold however we still managed to go for a walk and take in the fresh air. Later on I made a chicken potsticker soup with spinach and edamame and paired with festive nibbles saw us through to ring in the new year. We watched movies, chatted, laughed with much merriment and relaxation as we sipped champagne. The perfect way to say goodbye to 2024.  

New Year's Day: Quiet and reserved with a bit of bite to the chilly temperatures outside. I made French toast for brunch using cranberry walnut bread to start us off and keep us going until dinner time. A lovely long walk to get the body moving and to refresh and clear the soul. Dinner was roasted ham, cabbage rolls, green beans with pickles and dill cheese and all washed down with a glass of crisp white wine to toast the new day and year. 

New Year's Eve 2022 & New Year's Day 2023

 

New Year's Eve was casual and festive and what better way to send off the last day of the year than with a massive platter of nachos. Layers of corn chips, cheese, refried beans, peppers, hot peppers, olives and tomatoes were nibbled and noshed and dipped in guacamole, salsa and sour cream by all with such celebratory flair. Followed later with champagne and nibbles. It was a perfect way to say goodbye to 2022!  

New Year's Day was sunny and bright, which is a positive way to start the New Year. Our dinner was less formal... or traditional however it did have some holiday signatures such as glazed ham and stuffing along with a jasmine wild rice trio and peas. A more robust happy go lucky plate to welcome 2023.

New Year's Eve 2021 and New Year's Day 2022

 

New Years Eve was reflective and quiet. A simple snackette of vegetable spring rolls, carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes, devilled eggs, assorted meats and cheeses, dried fruit and nuts, olives, homemade hummus and pretzels, salty nibbles, chocolates and mince pies started our celebrations and toasted turkey sandwiches and champagne followed nicely. Although the city cancelled the fireworks display, periodically throughout the evening leading up to midnight you could hear fireworks going off throughout the city. We saw it to midnight and beyond recollecting the moments of the year that was and welcoming the start of a new year with fresh eyes. 

New Year's Day was equally reflective and quiet. The sunny skies that started the day seemed promising. We broke from our traditional ham dinner to enjoy a simple dinner of oven roasted chicken, seasoned rice, a spicy kale salad and carrots. Dessert was a seasonal whisky sponge cake. An evening walk was pleasant as the plummeting icy temperatures eased slightly making it a comfortable and refreshing winter walk. 

Peace, Happiness and Health and Happy New Year to all!  

New Year's Eve 2020 & New Year's Day 2021

New Year's Eve: We enjoyed what seems to be our tradition... the ploughman's; with a few additions like hard boiled eggs and teriyaki chicken wings. Mulled wine and non alcoholic fizz to wash it all down. A relaxing fare to say goodbye to the year.

New Year's Day: We welcomed the day with a more light and continental feel; I made blueberry oat bran muffins and cheddar cornmeal muffins, added fresh and dried fruit and nuts on the side. A fit combination for all. 

New Year's Day: Dinner was oven roasted ham, just like our turkey, was free with points, steamed rice, sweet corn and my stuffing that was leftover from Christmas and steamed carrots. I forgot to add the steam carrots to my plate before I took the photo. 

  

It was a quiet and reflective New Years for the most part; random fireworks went off and shouts of Happy New Year to all rang out throughout the neighbouring streets from doorsteps and balconies. It seems as though everyone was doing their best to put the year that was, behind and look forward with peace and positivity.  - JD   

     

New Year's Eve 2019 & New Year's Day 2020

New Year's Eve we did some nibbling and noshing on a ploughman's inspired dinner that was made up of festive leftovers. We enjoyed more Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea beverage to sip on and ring in the new year.      

New Year's Day for dinner we kept it very simple with oven roasted ham and vegetables. The vegetables were parsnips, carrots, potatoes, and yams lightly seasoned. 

... and for dessert we devoured a slice of clementine cake with added mixed citrus peel for an energizing, cleansing pudding.


Hope everyone had a fabulous and celebratory New Year's Eve and that the first day of the year was a relaxing one. Wishing everyone the best in 2020! - JD 

New Year's Eve 2017 & New Year's Day 2018

New Year's Eve we took a lighter approach and enjoyed oven baked herbed salmon with mushroom couscous and steamed carrots. 

It is all about balance... dessert was leftover ginger cake soaked in rum with lashing of custard. Champagne flowed hours later to ring in the New Year!   

Buttery sweet scones with raspberry chia seed jam and fresh fruit brought New Year's Day brunch together nicely and carried us through to dinner. 

As the plummeting temperatures of the past few days... minus 40!, started to rise towards zero, New Year's Day dinner was a comforting bowl of slow cooker stew. 

Followed by a decadent selection of Fortnum & Mason's Glacé Fruit for dessert. Sweet and indulgent worth sharing. It is all about balance.  

Hope everyone had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year and are looking forward to 2018 and what it will bring. We are! - JD 

New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day 2016

New Year's Eve saw us ringing in the new year with a lovely buffet style dinner of mini cheese quiche, greek salad, a selection of cheese with biscuits and crackers, slices of French baguette with apple lime elderflower vinegar for dipping, pickled asparagus, sliced white wine salami, an assortment of dried fruit and crystallized ginger for digestion. Champagne (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) soon followed. 

New Year's Day we had a bit of a later start therefore 3 cheese & chive scones were in order for a light however filling brunch. Kept us going on our New Year's day walk.

New Year's Day dinner was oven roasted ham with Fortnum's Cranberry & Apricot chutney, steamed asparagus, steamed brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes with fresh chives. A lovely red wine was on hand and Fortnum and Mason's wonderful FitzGeorge Fruit Cake was for dessert.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year like we did. Plenty to be thankful for and plenty to celebrate with friends and family. Looking forward to what 2016 may bring our way and all the best to you and yours in the coming year. - JD   

Last of the 2014 Party Mix

Doing some last minute preparations for tonight and thought I would make this simple seasoned snack. After midnight try saying that 10 times fast. 

Snack Mix

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3 cups Shreddies cereal

1 cup Cheerios cereal 

2 cups popped popcorn

1 cup small pretzels

1/2 cup peanuts - optional

3 tablespoons margarine or butter

1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce

1 teaspoon seasoning salt

Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Place the Shreddies, Cheerio's, popcorn, and pretzels in a large bowl.

In a small/medium sauce pan melt the butter on low-medium heat. Once melted add the Worchestershire sauce and seasoning salt. Stir until well blended. 

Drizzle evenly over the cereal mixture and toss to coat. Turn on to the prepared baking tray and bake until cereal is crisp. 

Serve in individual bowls or a large bowl for sharing.

Notes: This recipe can easily be doubled. Try different seasonings. Add parmesan cheese.  

I guess this is the last post of the year... Thanks to all my followers around the world and hope you all have a Happy New Year! - JW      

Here's to the New Year!

We celebrated the New Year the way most celebrate... quietly with rounds of Royal Pimms. Rather than reflect on the year that was we took great comfort in looking ahead.

  

HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all!  -JW 

New Year's Eve Eats 2012

I spent most of New Years Eve in the kitchen baking, cooking and preparing. It may not be how everyone spends New Years Eve Day however I quite enjoyed it. I kept everything simple and delicious, of course. 

I made savoury quiche with organic sharp old cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes and my new found favourite spice, summer savoury.

I also served goats cheese with radishes on gluten free crackers. The crackers I bought from a local tea shop, Cally's Teas and are made on site by their cook/baker extraordinaire. 

I also purchased... even though I know how to make scotch eggs... from a local British Food Shop here in E-town. I was having a scotch egg craving and these tend to go fast. They were very delicious! I still would have preferred to make them however they did just nicely. Adding another savoury element to the meal.  

And for the dessert, remember the cookbook Plum Pudding Pie I spoke about and shared the Chocolate Rum Mousse recipe from... well here it is. Even though there is a certain amount of fusing it was easy to make. I served it in a martini glass with whip cream and a chunk of Lindt Orange Intense Dark chocolate on top. Candied orange peel would have worked as well. The orange flavour from the chocolate complimented this fabulous dessert exceptionally! The meal was filling however light. The champagne was sparkling and the dessert was heavenly. A great way to ring in the new year. 

Happy New Year everyone! - JW