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 2023 & New Year's Day 2024

 

New Year's Eve was mixed and had us reminiscing and delving into some festive leftovers, cheese and crackers, olives, and meats with the addition of veggie spring rolls, vegetable samosas, deviled eggs, almonds, Welsh Cakes and a spicy Bhuja mix. A selection of my baking and chocolates sweetened the savoury and was followed by champagne. A light and lovely way to say goodbye to 2023!

New Year's Day saw us relaxing under slightly sunny skies with a bit of coolness to the air. Dinner had a refreshing and comforting start to the new year as we tucked into a bowl of creamy chicken stew, not the usual dinner however change is good. Hearty warmth soothed our soul and fuelled our walk. Setting the new year off on the right foot.   

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 2018 & New Year's Day 2019

New Year's Eve: Since we had a selection of leftovers; we pulled it all together to make a Ploughman's. A great selection of cheese, meats, nuts, veggies, pickled onions and walnuts, dried fruit and baguettes. Everything was rounded off with a slice of Fortnum and Mason's Single Malt Whisky Dundee Cake for dessert. 

On New Year's Day, breakfast was a filling egg nog waffle with maple syrup and tea. A nice walk soon followed after.  

Our New Years Day dinner was oven roasted glazed ham, buttery mashed potatoes and steamed French green beans. 

... and for dessert my husband made a delicious white chocolate mousse. 

Tuxedo #2

This is a very crisp, neat cocktail that will definitely set your shirt straight.

Tuxedo #2 

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makes 2 cocktails

3 oz dry Gin

3 oz dry Vermouth

4 dashes Orange Bitters

2 dash of Pernod

2 dash Maraschino

Stir with ice and strain into cocktail glasses. Add a cherry and a lemon peel, if you wish.  

Have a great weekend and Happy New Year, everyone! - 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   

Rum Balls

I was never really fond of rum balls, probably because of the artifical rum flavouring used in the majority of the ones I tried. They tasted overly sweet and the chocolate was bland. Last year I got on with making rum balls and I haven't looked back since. They are now part of my regular Christmas baking. Running a close second to my shortbread.         

The ones I made, pictured here, have a good quality chocolate and rum. The flavour is deep and rich and as for the rum... you can never have enough rum in them. These are great to give as a gift or a festive thank you treat when dashing off to one place or another over the holiday season. - JW