Happy New Year!

I hope this finds you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Mike, Mattie, and I send our dearest wishes that you have a safe and happy New Year.

We had an evening alone to celebrate last night. It was very nice. Since we were "on our own" we decided to make some special food to celebrate the meal. For dinner we made Crab Cakes and Baby Greens with Lemon Vinaigrette, asparagus and new potatoes. It was very good. Next time I would bake the crab cakes at 350 for 10 minutes just to firm them up.

Later in the evening we had lime bacon-wrapped shrimp. I think it would have been better if we had grilled instead of using the oven. I was not satisfied with the results and these guys hit the trash. We rang in the New Year with buffalo wings and bleu cheese dip. Oh my God! This more than made up for the failed shrimp! I would definitely do these again and again and again...

Tonight we'll celebrate our first full day of 2008 with Irish Beef Stew. I am making it now and it smells yummy. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'll accompany mine with a Ciroc martini... Mike is working out (bless his heart) while I am cooking.

Have a great tomorrow!