Hubby, Zoey the Wonder Dog and I headed out to Chicken Mama's early yesterday morning. The day was perfect with temps in the low 20s, intermittent sunshine, and lots of snow on the ground as we got closer and closer to Swamp River Ridge.
Once we left the main highway, this is the road heading north for about 12 miles before our daughter's 4-mile winter driveway. (Sorry about the tinted windshield I didn't manage to avoid in the picture.)
Then on to her 4-mile winter driveway that she plows to keep open. One vehicle wide and that's it. Usually she manages to keep it plowed wider but snow and time restraints this year haven't allowed her to do that.
Here we're turning on to the driveway into her property. Beautiful, beautiful.We opened our Christmas stockings first. Yes, we still get stockings just like little kids. (It was such a relaxing day, that once we got there I went into complete jello-like mode and forgot I had a camera with me for the most part. A shot of the bulging stockings would have been nice here.)
Then the Christmas presents were gleefully torn into with everyone present (including dogs and cats) being pleased with our goodies.
One of the presents dear daughter got was a panini pan. Sandwich lover that I am, I requested we christen this new kitchen tool for our laid-back meal. Chicken Mama made some yummy appetizers (again, where was I with my camera?) and then set to work on our panini sandwiches.
Mmmm, looks like they're gonna be good.
Tasty sandwiches and baked squash served on fresh spinach leaves.Liquid libations flowed, the whole day was a very enjoyable day, and we arrived back here at home a bit after 8 in the evening having seen a total of 6 other vehicles on our nearly forty-mile trip home. We were hope, hope, hoping to see a moose or two before we got to the highway, but no such luck. Still and all, Christmas in the North Woods at its finest! It was a sweet, memorable Christmas Day.
12 comments:
So glad you had a wonderful day. I have never seen a panini pan before that doesn't plug in or is just two heavy pans you have around the kitchen one on top of the other. That one is nifty. See you learn something new everyday.
I'm glad you had such a wonderful day! That is a REALLY neat pan! My son would love it. He's the grilled cheese artist in our family, and he could really get into the panini thing.
Happy 2011!
What a perfect day! So glad you had a wonderful Christmas:)
My husband bought a panini maker a couple of Christmases ago and I thought he was nuts. Turns out I was wrong. He makes them often and I love them in the cold weather even for dinner with a nice bowl of soup. Glad that you had a nice day and visit. So, what did you get for Christmas??? Anything quilt related?
Jane - This one can be put in the oven also which I would think would make the sandwiches even faster.
Patty - I'm a little envious of it myself!
Stephanie - Thanks, Stephanie!
Karen L. - Nothing quilt related . . . a couple of books on the history of our area here and some new beer glasses! I am a terrible glass breaker and we were down to nothing in that department!
Looks like a wonderful Christmas!!
I've often wondered about the Panini makers....but doubt I could find the room for one more gadget. I like the idea of an alternative meal like that--we had ham (blech!)but I was really wanting pizza.
The drive must be so beautiful. Do you see moose much? I know Minnesota was one of the few states we ever really saw them.
It's Erin! I can't seem to get on my google acct, I miss my home computer but vacation is worth it! Panini is the best! That is a great gift she will get LOTS of use out of! Sounds like a wonderful relaxing day and the snow and woods are beautiful!
"Over the river and through the woods to Chicken Mama's house we go! Papa Pea knows the way to drive the sleigh through white and drifting snow!"
I think her driveway or one very much like it must have been the inspiration for that song!
So glad that the weather didn't prevent you from getting together and having what sounds like a wonderful day!
You are never too old for stockings! That's the fun part! Glad you had a wonderful time and the trip/lane looks so awesome! Yeah for all the snow!!!
Sue - I can eat a good pizza anytime! We don't see moose a lot, but then we're not driving around at night when they are most likely to be seen. I suppose we have one or two sightings a year, sometimes more than one moose at once. It's always a thrill that's for sure.
Jen - Yep, we were thankful for the nice day so we could get together. It might have been different!
APG - And hubby and I are fortunate to have "someone" who fills our stockings with the coolest things!
Sounds like a perfectly wonderful day. Mine was rather quiet and laid back also. All that snow!! I am so jealous. We have yet to get more than a few flakes.
Alla - Nothing wrong with a laid back Christmas. Not so much to recover from! ;o)
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