I love the holiday season. I love when Phil panics as I attempt to buy the largest tree on the farm. I love sipping cider mulled with anise and pepper laced with brandy while sitting bathed in the light of the Christmas tree while something delicious roasts in the oven. I love knowing that I did my holiday shopping and won’t have to stand in those lines. I love receiving holiday cards from those I care deeply about, but with whom I am apart from.
As a December baby, I am unusually excited during this time of year but, since this is my first holiday in the northwest in five years my excitement is even more pronounced that normal. During holidays in the northwest, our usual overcast world is studded with light, scented with Douglas Fir and suddenly the grey chill in the air becomes a bit more friendly. Familiar things appear like those little wooden ferry ornaments, bowls full of Frangos and this years holiday roast in your favorite coffee shop. The Pacific Northwest Ballet puts on it’s wonderfully unique performance of The Nutcracker, Seattle Center opens it’s ice rink, boats on Lake Union dress up for a nighttime parade and tonight the Westlake tree will be lit for the twentieth year.
Soon local radio stations will begin their yearly torture of the citizens of Seattle by playing that infernal song “Christmas in the Northwest” and snow will begin to fall inside Pacific Place. Then as quickly as it began it will all be over, so I have decided not to waste a single second. In order to celebrate with you, I am kicking off The Endive Chronicles 2008 Holiday Bonanza, which means that I will be posting much more often in order to bring you all sorts of holiday recipes to get you through this hectic glorious time. If all goes well, this is something I plan to repeat every year.
Happy holidays to you whatever your beliefs and traditions.
Savor it while you can, Erin
This will be my sixth Christmas away from home, and it certainly hasn’t gotten any easier. I want Frangos now! You’ve even got me nostalgic for that infernal song. Will you and Phil be ice skating this year at the Seattle Center? I know it won’t be as entertaining without me to laugh at as I fall on my backside, but it will probably be more romantic.
Les, We will be. I’m even contemplating buying a pair of ice skates.
We are also going to see The Nutcracker.
Nothing beats watching the holiday light boat parade in the mist with a flask of tawny port and tons of Polarfleece! I’ll take a Pac NW Christmas over a frigid East Coast postcard one any day!
I’m glad you and Phil are home this year. Cheers!
How on earth did I manage to miss Frangos when I was in Seattle all those years ago? They sound divine!
Looking forward to your holiday bonanza of posts, Erin!
Angela, They really are wonderful. Thanks!
Erin,
Love the picture. I know how excited you are to be on the west coast this holiday season but this east coast girl sure does miss you!! I hope you and Phil had a very wonderful Thanksgiving. The first in our new home was a hit. My pumpkin tart was yummy as was the apple pie.
Love Heidi
I am a bit of a Grinch. But since this is my first Christmas in the States and X it’s really cold and feels seasonal I am kind of excited. So looking forward to reading all about your seasonal activities and hope to get some up myself!
Bordeaux, Aren’t you in California? I guess even Cali would seem chilly to someone who has been living in southeast Asia. Phil can be a bit of a Grinch as well, so I take it upon myself each year to change his mind. . . or I torment him. I still haven’t worked that one out.
yeah she can.