Saturday, December 07, 2013

Brrrrrr!



We had snow this week, on a day so gray that this photo, taken at midday, looks almost monotone. The snow is mostly gone, not melted, but blown away by chilly winds. The chill continues - unusual for our area. I'm not going to tell you the temperature because many of you will just laugh at me for thinking it cold. The sun shone today, bright and warm through the window.

We chose our tree today. Gloves, warm coat and stomping through a little snow reminded me of my growing-up years further north. I rather enjoyed it. The tree stands now in the corner beside the fireplace, bare, but smelling wonderful.
  

We had a few friends in for dinner last night. I made Paella, with seafood, chicken and chorizo. It was yummy, and not much remains of that big dish. One dish meals like this, rounded out with bread and salad, make entertaining fun and easy. Do you have any go-to dishes that you prepare for guests?

I hope you're staying warm. This cold front seems like it's affecting a LOT of the continent.

16 comments:

  1. Your one dish paella looks wonderful. I make a curry dish that is very versatile. Veggies, prawns or chicken and serve it with rice and chutney.
    It IS really cold out there!
    I tried walking my regular route and had to give up and come home for a hot cup of tea.

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  2. Your Paella looks delicious! We've never made it. Yes! It is so cold. We're going to pick up our tree tomorrow and then give it time to thaw before we set it up...

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  3. My go to dish is lasagna. That's because, even though I enjoy some seafoods, I am not good at cooking it. Paella sounds as if it might be easier. Yes, the cold is on its way. Cold is all relative...just depends on what we're used to. Sometimes 20F feels balmy depending on what came before.

    Your Christmas tree adventure sounds delightful. Bet it smells amazing!

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  4. Oh, that looks yummy! We usually cook on the grill when we have company (steaks, burgers, salmon), but we also fix dishes like chicken piccata too! It's a bit brisk here now that the cold front has moved it. It was glorious a couple of days ago when it got up to 72 degrees. Whee!!!

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  5. No snow here, but plenty cold indeed. Your paella looks very appealing . . . I have not yet tried that dish. I am not the most adventurous eater.

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  6. I love how you caught the snowflake and background in gray tones.

    Your one dish meal looks wonderful ... a great idea for entertaining to keep it simple.

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  7. Isn't it so cold right now? It was 8 this morning in Bellingham - and windy. I agree - very cold for our area. It is nice to stay indoors and with a nice hot cup of tea.

    One of my favorite company recipes is chicken enchiladas with a cream sauce instead of red sauce and lots of green chilis - warm and delicious and always a favorite.

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  8. Yumm! Paella is one of our go-to dishes for entertaining, a particular favourite of mine because Paul does all the cooking! We've ended up with paelleras in every possible size. . . Somewhere I have a crocheted snowflake just like the one in your pretty photograph . . . I'll have to hunt it out, get out all the Christmas boxes. Soon . . .

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  9. We drove through the countryside yesterday to visit an elderly friend - the whole world seemed changed, very grey and brown and dying. Everything had lost its color while I was still enjoying the sage flowers outside my window. All the more reason to brighten the house with some Christmas decor!

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  10. That does look cold and wintry. We are expecting some of that soon but just getting over the tidal surge that happened this week so we don't want anything else at the moment! The Paella looks delicious, let me just grab a spoon!! Keep warm xx

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  11. Mmm, looks delicious! My easy dish is Lancashire Hot-pot, a recipe of my grandmother's. Very warming and only for hungry people.
    PS, I hadnt realised your wreath was fake!!

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  12. Oddly, we had unseasonably warm weather last week but things seem to be getting back to normal next week. My daughter lives in Portland, OR and I'm planning to visit at Christmas. I'm hoping things warm up a bit before travel time comes. We've planned a trip to the coast and it's much nicer to enjoy the outdoors when temps are a bit more moderate. Stay warm!!

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  13. The Paella looks delicious, something I've not made before. For company it can range from chicken or salmon to shepherd's pie.
    Cold here this morning but with no wind, quite pleasant walking the dog.

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  14. I wish I lived closer and I would invite myself over for paella. OMG - it looks amazing. xo Terri

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  15. That looks wonderful! I usually do soup or chili or if it's warm outside we do kabobs on the grill!

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  16. Your Paella looks so mouthwatering good! I often make a large pasta dish like lasagna for a meal for guests.

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