Things at Jenny Lane have been very busy for the last few days. As with all who have family coming in for the holidays, we have been getting ready. It’s usually pretty quiet around here with only three humans, three dogs and two cats but that will swell to nine humans of which two are tiny humans, three dogs and two cats. That means food and preparation as well as Christmas presents and decorations. All of it fun and messy. One thing I really enjoy at Christmas is getting out the Christmas stockings that I have needlepointed over the years for all the family members. This year we added the one I made for Orin, once again beautifully finished by Needlepoint Junction in Hilton Head.

Walking in Winter

The dogs and I have been pretty good at getting out for a good walk every day. On the days that we cannot walk for whatever reason, John has taken to walking them on the road and over to play with our friend Sky. The walking has been difficult either with deep snow or snow that melted and iced over so very uneven. I don’t walk as far but I am pretty exhausted when we get back. The Rail Trail has been fairly good and is such a pretty walk that we try to do it a couple to three times a week. We have snowshoed and I tried my crosscountry skis but they are the really thin ones and I kept going over on my ankle so am thinking that this is not a success for me. I prefer the snowshoes or my yaktraks. We also have the Peloton back in service so we now have a backup for me but it doesn’t do anything for the dogs.

Cooking in December

Katie got her baker’s hat on and spent a weekend pulling together some incredible goodies. Her Bailey’s is always a hit, cheese crackers, her first try of caramels (soooo delicious), mixed nuts and what I call pretzel crack which is chocolate and caramel – I cannot go anywhere near that. It was quite a display when she finished up so I had to take a picture. Once again, I’m not that great at presentation but it sure was impressive.

They let me in the kitchen again – shame on them. Without a doubt I made the biggest mess ever. It took me longer to clean up than it did to do the actual cooking. This is what I was making and it was delicious. I browned the meat after cooking some bacon in the pan. The whole house smelled wonderful.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Maple and Stout from the NY Times Cooking

Ingredients

Yield: 8 servings

• 3large carrots, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2large parsnips, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 3thyme sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2rosemary sprigs (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 3 to 3½pounds chuck roast, excess fat trimmed, cut into 2-inch chunks
• ⅓cup stout beer, or beef broth
• ⅓cup maple syrup
• 4garlic cloves, chopped
• 1teaspoon onion powder
• 1teaspoon garlic powder
• 3teaspoons balsamic vinegar, preferably aged
• Kosher salt and black pepper

Preparation

1. Combine the carrots, parsnips, potatoes, herbs, beef, beer, maple syrup, garlic, onion and garlic powders and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of pepper. Mix well to combine (feel free to use your hands). Cook on low until the meat and vegetables are very tender, 10 to 12 hours, stirring the stew once if possible; this helps the beef and vegetables cook more evenly, but if it’s not possible, it will be fine.
2. Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons vinegar. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like. Serve in shallow bowls with the meat, vegetables and some sauce.

Tip

• If you have extra time, brown the meat before you start cooking for a richer, more complex flavor: Season it with salt, then work in two batches, searing the meat in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over high heat. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker, and add a few spoonfuls of water or broth to the pan, and scrape up the browned bits. Add those to the slow cooker, too.

Holiday Festivities

Crafty?

I am not a crafty person usually but I certainly had fun creating this guy with my friend Sally’s help. He brings a smile whenever we come in the driveway. I told granddaughter Edie that he was bigger than she is.