What wonderful show at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts!  The Nutcracker is one of my FAVORITES!  The show runs one more weekend…take the whole family to see this holiday classic.

As 2009 is literally kicked out the door, I want to remember this holiday season for what made it twinkle… 

Best performance, by 5^th graders: the Naval Academy Primary School Christmas Pageant, conducted by Mrs. Toomey and presented in Mahan Hall at the US Naval Academy on December 17^th, acknowledged to be the best ever by Devon Clouse, head of school.  The 5^th graders are an artistically talented group and performed magnificently…  You don’t have to have a kid at the school to enjoy this annual event.

Second best: the Naval Academy’s performance of the Messiah on December 5^th and 6^th.  If this does not get you into the holiday mood, you are missing something in your soul.  Tickets go on sale around Halloween at the music box office at the Academy.

Best party: Joyeaux Noel Fete given by Debbie Porter and Lesly Bell on the eve of the blizzard of the century!  Charcuterie, Pate de Campagne, Foie Gras and the stinkiest of French cheeses; Roquefort, Camembert Isigny Sainte, Comte with sliced pear and Epoisse de Bourgogne.  Pisalladiere Nicoise, Salmon en croute and Jamon Persille (just like in Savuer Magazine) made by Jason who owns Dibonaventure’s Bakery in Lewes Delaware.  Best way to eat oysters… outside with snow falling down like crazy, so cold and frosty, topped with a classic mignonette and an icy flute of champagne.  The oysters are from Mike Conelley in Whittman, MD who catches them wild from Tilghman Sound.  Cleanest and best ever.  His partner, Carol Bean, manages Pot Pie Farm there, near St. Michael’s.  Put some of her micro-greens and fresh shaved horseradish on the oysters and you’ve really got something good!  Hopefully, you can get some of their oysters at the City Dock Market, if it is ever revamped.  I should mention the French Martini made from St. Germain Liqueur.  This is a flowery elderberry liqueur and when shaken with vodka and lime, it’s sublime!

Best home décor: new slipcovers for two chairs from BE on Maryland Avenue, so beautifully constructed.  Fabric was ordered at Thanksgiving.  Chairs fitted on December 2^nd.  Covers back and fitting perfectly one week later – what more do you want?!!

Best Christmas present for my husband: 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, rare and found, barely (if they’ll give it to you), at Mills Wine and Spirits.

Best Egg Nog: Martha Stewart’s recipe.  Enjoyed only once a year on Christmas Eve.

To keep us from turning into the gingerbread lady herself: Annemarie Touloumis – Dobbs (Pilate’s ballerina) from Evolutions, the best gym.

Best present for me: cool Alpen-Roc tee shirts and a pink cashmere scarf from Gorsuch, in Vail.  Along with my Epic Pass, I am super set for skiing this year.

And last, but not least – LEFTOVERS!  The best turkey sandwich:

Toast a slice of Italian bread, sliced think

Butter the toast with lots of butter, no mayo

Warm up some turkey and stuffing, homemade (you also can buy this semi-homemade from Atwater’s Bakery).  Pile it on!

Crack some salt and pepper

Add some cranberry-orange relish

Happy New Year!

Barb and her team are FABULOUS!  The food was SCRUMPTIOUS!  I can’t wait for my next party! — Betsy Dunigan

As always, thanks for your support and superb efforts to make our life and entertaining much easier. –Dick and Sabra Ladd

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