New year and BIG news

Another year, another blog post-- finally. Wow, it has been way too long since I visited you here and for that I apologize. But you should forgive me once you hear my excuses.

December was quite a month! Even before that, November ended on a busy note. I did my first wedding cake which turned out beautifully. It was made for some friends, new to town, who had a lovely and intimate Fall wedding at their home. People came from as far away as New Zealand and Ireland and a good time was had by all. The cake was really special: a dense almond cake with a almond dacquoise layer and a layer of apricot glaze and almond buttercream frosting. We decorated it with handmade marzipan fruits, acorns and berries and finished it with two woodsy animals on top. The couple loved it!





Then, there were the December parties: like the staff holiday cooking party with my friends at Crema at which we made homemade pumpkin-stuffed ravioli with butter and sage, among other things.



I also catered a party for my friends Ross and Jimmy and did a barrage of Italian antipasti like bruschetta with prosciutto and figs, wild mushrooms and fontina, a bagna cauda with crudités,and little meatballs with spicy tomato sauce. I was so busy that night I didn't take one photo.

And then came the usual December baking frenzy. I made so many dozens of holiday cookies I couldn't even find time to make any for my family! They were not amused. But I did make a lovely orange chiffon cake for Christmas Eve dinner. And I cooked with my brother on Christmas Eve which was fun. We managed to make a fabulous 3-course dinner for 16 people including homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli with tomato cream sauce, a spectacular 14-lb salted and spiced pork roast from Heritage Farms, and the most amazing potato and celery root gratin which my brother makes at Minetta Tavern in New York.



The whole meal was wonderful and the time spent with my family the most important thing.

And then there was the surprise... (actually two surprises)

Which I humbly present to you here by way of apology for my extended absence.

I'm pregnant!

And, I'm engaged!



So 2010 is going to be a big year for me. It's all very exciting news and we are over the moon. Happy New Year everyone.

Next post: my New Year's Day lentil and spicy sausage soup. Can't wait to get back in the kitchen!