In My Kitchen
December 2, 2012 – In My Kitchen
Today the temperature in north Texas is 78*. The air conditioner is running, I am wearing flip-flops and did I say, “it is December 2”! Crazy Texas weather…. we spent our day hanging Christmas lights in shorts and flip-flops.
I enjoyed participating in Fig Jam and Lime Cordial’s “In My Kitchen” so much last month that I’m doing it again for December. I enjoyed peeking into the kitchens of my blogging peers. We all have one thing in common – the love of cooking and sharing recipes and stories. The visual is just one more way to find similarity amongst us.
Enjoy!
In My Kitchen – December 2, 2012
A bamboo plant that belongs to Miss T – she left it in my care as she will be home for 5 weeks on her Christmas break very soon. So far it seems totally happy in my sunny kitchen window.
A bottle of Mexican Vanilla for holiday baking. 
My Christmas Mouse – she has hung in my kitchen during the Christmas holidays since 1973. She’s a little worn around the edges but makes me smile and keeps watch over the kitchen by night. You can see her hanging in the window in the vanilla pic above.
A poinsettia bowl filled with dark chocolates – for my daily chocolate fix. This bowl belonged to my mother in law. I think she made it in a ceramics class. I don’t think she ever made any other ceramics. It’s a perfect Christmas candy dish. 
A vase full of beautiful red tulips. My adoring hubby brought these home as a peace-offering after he forgot an important piece of equipment and needed me to make a 2 hour round trip drive to deliver it to him. I wasn’t particularly happy about missing my yoga class that morning but these bright red tulips bring peace into my kitchen! Namaste
Just a few of the mail-order catalogs that continue to arrive in my mailbox.
A “Texas” style platter and Christmas paper plates and napkins. The platter can easily be filled with the latest cookie from the oven or the delicious bread pictured below. I keep plates and napkins handy for holiday drop in guests who need a snack or a cocktail!
Honey-Beer Bread – it’s the most delicious thing I’ve baked all month! Adoring hubby even gave me reprieve from hanging Christmas lights outdoors to come inside (in the air conditioning) to bake a loaf of this. Recipe coming soon!
the mouse is a cutie!
Thank you – I’ll tell her you said so! Thanks for popping by.
Oh, I was going to say, ‘Your mouse is so cute’ but Claire beat me to it. Oh well, he is.
Thanks for the mouse compliment – she’ll be happy to hear all the compliments!
Loved the mouse, loved the catalogs (Victoria Secret a favorite of mine), loved the bread and look forward to the recipe. Loved everything else too! ;-0)
I haven’t participated in the IMK in a looooong time, but 2013 is looking mighty good to join the party…. stay tuned!
I’ll be watching in 2013 for you to join IMK. It’s fun! Those catalogs just keep coming…my girls especially love VS too!
I love your MIL’s poinsettia bowl and the tulips (my favourite flower!) I love these IMK posts – so nice to peek into other’s kitchens!
Hi Pink! Tulips are my favorite flower too – any color, but these red ones were perfect for December! It IS fun to take a peek into everyones kitchen isn’t it!
Linda, that bamboo certainly looks healthy! And I thought the mouse looked very cute too – certainly for something that’s been hanging around for nearly 40 years! 🙂
Your bread looks delicious, and I’m particularly impressed with your MIL’s bowl – amazing how fine it is, particularly if it’s the only thing she ever made! 🙂
Hi Celia – yes my little mouse has been around for a while! I’ll be posting the bread recipe soon too. I wish my MIL was here for me to tell her how much everyone likes her dish! BTW I want to know how you handled all those treats in your own kitchen?
Isn’t it always hot in Texas?
Every time my relatives come here to Ohio they start shivering and complain about how cold it is- even in the middle of summer!
Thanks for sharing a look into your kitchen- I love the platter and the poinsettia bowl- the mouse looks real good for her age- and tulips! Tulips make it hard to hold on to irritation, don’t they?
Yes, tulips make it hard to stay irritated! My mouse is old but special…she is still cute! Yes it’s more often warm or hot in Texas. Sometimes old man winter pays us a much welcome visit. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow. I’d have to say if we lived in Texas, I think I’d miss the snow. Especially during Christmas. I suppose it’s something you get used to.
That bread sounds heavenly!
If you are from Texas you never have enough snow to get used to it…when it does happen it’s like a miracle! But yes you get used to it. Recipe for Honey Beer Bread is up now. Thanks for popping by!
What magnificent treasure you have in your kitchen this month. I especially love your Christmas mouse, she is just too adorable.
🙂 Mandy
Awww thank you. My little kitchen mouse has gotten so much attention – she’s just beaming!
I love the mouse, too…. it’s great to hold on to those things we treasure. And those tulips are gorgeous!
Thank you – my mouse makes me happy! She’s pretty happy with all the lovely compliments she’s received from IMK readers. Those tulips are beautiful but sadly are now compost material. I didn’t stay aggravated long after he brought those home!
Hi there! It’s so funny because I have all of those magazines scattered about my kitchen too. They keep piling up! Out of curiousity – how do you like working with Mexican vanilla? I’ve never used it before and was wondering about the taste! Hope you’re enjoying the holiday season 🙂
Hi Emilie,
Yes those catalogs pile up and it drives me nuts! About the vanilla I think the Mexican vanilla delivers a spicy vanilla note in flavor. I think you should try a small bottle to see if you like it! Nice to meet you too!