Counting down

 Seven days until Yule, and my Midwinter's Night Feast!

Details are settling in, thanks to a couple of factors.  I ordered leeks from Kroger this past week, and they were HUGE, so I have a surplus.

That decided that I will make my spiced carrot soup on Yule, which calls for leeks.  

I went ahead and washed and chopped all of the leeks up, and froze the ones I will use next weekend, while having what I needed for yesterday's recipe.

So, that's settled, and I will probably do a mash with rutabaga for the other side to go with the HOPEFULLY FIRE ROASTED Cornish hens, stuffed with dried fruits.

I am cheating for the sweet, and ordered some mini-mince pies in shortbread from Walker's Shortbread, since I was unable to find currants, or candied citrus peel, or much of anything here in town.

(I had thought of making a tart with dried fruit, sort of like mince pie, but without the suet--but if all I can find here is raisins and prunes, well.... no.)

We are finally having more hard freeze weather this weekend.  It's been a while.... but it will be in the 60s next week.

Our tree isn't up or decorated yet, but it will happen on Wednesday, when it will be warmest out, and easier for Dave to get it out of the shed, and shake it out, which needs to be done outside.

I did manage to get some lights up on the front porch, including a string of flickering "candle flame" lights in the chiminea.  It looks so cool from the street!

Our friends from Switzerland have agreed to join us the week after next for Christmas Eve dinner, and my sister sent a box of chocolates to share.

That dinner is the same every year, so no need to worry about planning it.

I started round two of the chemo pills this past week, at full dose.  There has been digestive upset, which was expected after round one, but it has not been debilitating.

I see my doctor next week for an interim follow up, to tell her how things are going.  After that, no appointments until January.

Also this past week, our friends who we stay with in Missouri sometimes, were passing through town and we took them out for dinner.  It was nice to go out for dinner for the first time in AGES, and it was nice to go on a weeknight, when there were fewer people out and about.

Got my cards, and my gifts to my family mailed out this week, too, and sent gifts to the friends in Illinois who regularly send ME gifts.

(they got Walker's Shortbread, too, LOL!)

Yesterday, I made a new to me recipe for Irish leek and oat soup....it was exquisite.... and tonight, I am making spiced chicken thighs with rice.

Wishing you, gentle readers, a lovely week leading up to the Solstice!