Happy Holidays Everyone!
Happy Holidays!
I want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you the happiest of holidays. This is the season of giving, enjoying the company of family and friends and whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza I hope you have a fabulous day filled love and laughter, lots of delicious food and that you get to spend the day or days with those you hold dear.
I am thankful for each and every one of you, for your kind comments, enthusiasm and inspiration. Without each other why would we be tending to our blogs almost daily. This Christmas is hard for me, I have had to literally force myself to try to get in the spirit of the holidays. Losing Izzy just a couple of months ago still weighs on my mind. I am reminded of her daily and getting out my holiday things brought memories flooding back. I still hung her stocking. I hope you don’t think I’m silly for wearing my heart on my sleeve. Nando is doing a little better but losing his life long companion has been very hard on my frail little guy.
On a brighter note, I participated again this year in the Food52 Holiday Swap and got this incredible gift box from Jason. Look at all these goodies. You should consider participating, it’s a lot of fun!!!
Food52 Holiday Swap – Yes thats a bottle of KY bourbon
I made several gift boxes this year. dozen after dozen of cookies and mini loaves came from my oven, you saw my posts. It was fun and I like keeping busy.
One gift basket
Happy Holidays to all, I just wanted you to know how much I love and appreciate you and I look forward to more delicious recipes, amazing photo’s and mesmerizing writing from you all!
Nando
All dressed up
apuginthekitchen 
Merry Christmas Suzanne! May all your dreams come true!
Thank you Georgie and yours too, best wishes for a fabulously successful, happy and healthy 2015 for you and yours.
Merry Christas Suzanne!
Thank you so much Pat and same to you.
Happy holidays to you as well Suzanne! Hoping 2015 brings you joy and happiness!
Thanks so much Melissa, I am so glad we met. Have a wonderful, healthy and happy New Year.
You are the bright spot for many with your unrelenting generous friendship. I hope Izzy was there with you guys in spirit. Merry Christmas dearest Suzanne!
Azita, I am so happy that I have the great pleasure of being your neighbor and friend. Thank you so much.
A big hug and a very happy holiday Suzanne! It’s been a pleasure knowing you :).
Cheers
A really big hug back Sonal, you are such an inspiration. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind wishes. Happy Holidays and more great cooking in the new year!
Happy Holidays to you too and best wishes for an amazing 2015!!
Merry Christmas Suzanne. As you grieve remember the great life you gave your precious IZZY. There will never be another but would you consider another. dog?
Bernie got 2 more after Howie died to keep Zoie company . Love to you and all your family we need pics of the girls.
Sent from my iPhone
Thanks Maria, I will email some photo’s today. I don’t think I’m ready for another dog yet. I went through so much with Izzy and am still going through so much with Nando. Maybe sometime later I will consider adopting another dog. Love to you, got your card, thank you. I am so bad about sending cards. Every year I buy Christmas Cards and don’t send them, I think I could open a card shop. Have been incredibly busy this year, no excuse I am just pretty bad at multi tasking. Take care and love to all!
Sending best Christmas wishes to my friend across the country – xo best, Lix
Oh Liz, thank you and Holiday wishes right back at you and Larry, best wishes and may 2015 be the best year ever for you all!
That food box does look like a treasure chest Suzanne!! Hope you find lots of Joy in your Christmas in the next couple days. So glad to be your “blog buddy!” Merry Christmas!
Yes we are blog buddies and I am so happy to know you. Have a very Merry Christmas and fabulous 2015!
Suzanne my heart goes out to you. I understand.
It’s been a delight to see all your delicious recipes. Plus they’re the centerpiece of a truly well crafted blog.
Here’s wishing this New Year brings endless good things to you. Happy holiday hugs, dear friend. 🙂 ❤
Thanks Teagan, my wish for you is that the creativity that is innate in you flourishes and flows and that you enjoy health and happiness in 2015! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hello Suzanne, No, I don’t think you are silly for wearing your heart on your sleeve. Grief is so hard. I am pleased to hear that Nando is doing a little better but sad for you both that you are missing your beloved Izzy so much. Happy Holiday and take care. 😉 x
Thank you, sometimes I feel like people will judge me and think me silly. Thank you for saying that and a very Merry Christmas to you. I hope all continues to go well with your photography, your photo’s are wonderful and I really enjoy your posts. Also looking forward to more on your home renovation. Thanks so much.
Thank you. 😉
Lots of hugs to you! Happy holidays! Have a great one and eat lots of cookies! 🙂 And let’s meet up next year…finally!
Lets do, meet up. Thanks Pamela, Always enjoy reading your blog and seeing you loving those beautiful kitties. Merry Christmas.
Wonderful post Suzanne. Hugs and holiday cheer to you and Nando. Izzy is a beautiful pug angel sending you both her love.
Thanks so much Izzy and Daisey are both pug angels and are hanging out together and they are both sending love to us all.
Merry Christmas and happy happy new year!
Thank you so much and the same to you!
Merry Christmas Suzanne xx
The same to you Elaine, thank you!
Your little ones are too cute. I can’t stand it. Happy Holidays, Suzanne! ❤
Thanks Mary Frances, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Xmas may god make us all more FoodMad..😍
Have Fun..stay connected with https://clickitab.wordpress.com
Thank you and same to you!
I know that feeling of just trying to get through a holiday. Hopefully things will get easier with time. Thanks for sharing your lovely recipes with us, even when it’s difficult for you to do so. Hugs to you and Nando, Suzanne.
Thanks Patty it has been very hard. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you and Gracie and your entire family.
To Mom from Izzy: Thank you Mom for hanging my Christmas Stocking up! You are the very best Mom ever. I miss our walks and talks too. Snuggle Nando for me or at least nudge him a bit. On this Christmas Eve Mom I would like you to smile; Daisey and I are together in doggie heaven with no pain Mom, just that ache of missing and loving you x0x0x0 Forever Yours, Izzy.
Merry Christmas Suzanne.
Thank you so much. That is the best Christmas gift I could ever get. Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your family from me and Nando and Izzy is still with us in spirit.
Smile my friend! No tears…Cheryl
You knew I was crying. :o)
Every year I would put a little card in each of their stockings and I read it to them on Christmas morning, I will still do that tomorrow morning. Izzy loved getting gifts, she was so cute, I couldn’t leave the wrapped gifts on the floor under tree because she knew they were there and tore into them. She was Alpha and even though I bought gifts for both of them she would take Nando’s and he would submissively let her have it. Whenever I went to the store she would have to inspect the bags when I got home to see if there was anything in it for her. Your message brought back some sweet memories of my little girl. Thank you.
I see you smiling through your sweet memories Suzanne, you have a heart of gold my friend!
:o) yes I can’t help but smile. Thank you!
To Mom-From Izzy: Merry Christmas Mom! Thank you too! Nudges to Nando for me. Love and miss you extra much today…XOXO Izzy.
I read the card to my Izzy this morning as I always did every Christmas, first to Izzy then to Nando. Love and miss her so much. Thank you for being her voice.
Merry Christmas! At last I’ve got my 4ft tree up. Your tree is a fabulous shape. Mine is fake. Oh well. At least it looks festive. With lots of cooking planned it’ll be holidays over the next couple of days. I might even blog about it!
My tree is 4 ft. Isn’t it pretty, it was so fresh just cut (poor tree) it smells like Christmas in my parlor. Oh please do post on the blog I miss your blogging, Merry Christmas Johnny and a very happy and healthy New Year.
This is beautiful! Have a beautiful, wonderful Merry Christmas as well 😀 Although I am still learning and growing as a blogger, I just want to thank you so very much for your support from the very beginning. It’s been such a comfort knowing that I have others out there who are actually reading what I put out there for the world to see. Also, I know that you are going through a difficult time with the loss of Izzy, but you are strong and this too shall pass. So thank you for always being there and let’s bring in the New Year with a bang! 🙂
Thank you so much. I love your blog, it’s food, fun, goings on and it’s all about our hood. I am so thrilled to see another Brooklyn Blogger. There are a few, Brooklyn Farm Girl, (Pamela) Brooklyn Locavore, and a few more. We Brooklynites have to stick together and support each other. Happy Happy Holidays and I look forward to more from you in the New Year.
Amen, thank you ! Have a joyous holiday week!
You too Sue thank you so much.
The feeling is mutual, dear generous Suzanne. I wish you and yours the Happiest of Holidays! ❤
Thank you so much Fae and the same to you, I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Holiday!!
Love your tree and stocking! The gift boxes are great, wish I had saw the Holiday Swap, maybe next year! Happy Holiday to you Suzanne and I hope 2015 be the best year ever for YOU!! Michael
The same to you Michael, thank you so much.
Merry Christmas, Suzanne! Your tree and mantelpiece is beautiful and I hope memories of Izzy will bring you joy at this time. xx
Thanks Christina, it’s bittersweet. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the best new year ever!
I wish you a very Merry Xmas and joyful holiday season, Susanne! Thanks so much for your kind comments and all support that you have given to me, you was one of my first commentators and supporters, and I really appreciate that! Hugs!
Mila
Thank you so much Mila, I do love your blog, and look forward to more in 2015. Thank you and happiest of holidays to you and yours.
Dear Suzanne, wishing you a wonderful what’s-left-of-Christmas! It’s been great meeting you and reading about all your amazing creations – All the best for 2015!
Ginger x
To you too Ginger, thank you so much.
Merry Christmas Suzanne!
Merry Christmas Jeff, thank you. Hope you all had a wonderful day.
Merry Christmas Suzanne, happy 2015. .. may all your dreams come true in the coming year…
Thank you and same to you Chitra. Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas, dear Suzanne!
So sorry about Izzy. I can only imagine how hard it must still be. Hope that the holiday season and Nando help you cope and keep you busy enough.
A big hug,
Stefano
Thanks Stefano, it was much harder than I thought. Work is very busy, taking care of Nando is also a constant. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and thank you.
Merry Christmas Suzanne 🙂
Thanks Flora, hope your day was wonderful.
A lovely post Suzanne! Thanks so very much to you for all your kindness and generosity too. Wishing you much good health and happiness in the year to come.
Thanks Margot, same to you, it’s so nice the support we get from each other. Happy New Year!!
Hope your Christmas was merry and bright, Suzanne. The treats look faboo 🙂 Enjoyed reading your post.
Thanks Liz, it was such a wonderful gift basket, chock full of goodies. Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas Suzanne!! So sorry you are so sad, understandably, about Izzy…I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. I want you to know that I truly appreciate you, your kindness and always taking the time out to comment on my blog. I know you follow a lot of blogs and are a busy lady, so thank you. I hope you have a beautiful, blessed year in 2015! Your mantle looks so pretty too by the way.
Thanks Brandi, likewise. Your sweet comments are always so appreciated. A very Happy New Year to you and yours, health, happiness and prosperity is my wish for you. Thank you.
ohhh… Merry Christmas Suzanne! I’m so sorry about Izzy…I couldn’t feel Christmas Spirit either…I know how you feel. I know it’s hard but we must be brave 🙂
I wish you all the best!
Take care!
Marcela
Thank you Marcela, I am sorry you also had a bit of a tough time this holiday. Here’s hoping 2015 will be the best year ever for you. Thank you again.
Bless you, Suzanne, since “discovering” your blog, reading your posts is one of the highlights of my day – you’re truly an inspiration. 🙂 I’m catching up now, as Gibson and I have been making the rounds visiting relatives. )
You are so kind, thank you. I love reading your blog too, you always have great tips for saving $$$ making great food. Thank you for that. Look forward to more from you in 2015, Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas Suzanne!!! and A very Happy New Year 2015!! 🙂
sorry to hear about Izzy pets are dear and so loving, I hope Nando does not get heartbroken…Enjoy your gifts 🙂
Thank you so much I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday.
I was so busy cooking I missed your post. I hope you had a lovely and relaxing time, 2015 will bring many happy surprises and I am looking forward to seeing more of your lovely cooking! 🙂
Thanks Petra. it was a very busy time. Looking forward to more from you in 2015!
I hope you had time to out your feet up as well 🙂 I think I cooked for most of the time, closely followed by eating too much 🙂
Well not really, work was very busy and then add to it preparing for the holidays there was very little rest. Eating too much yes that too, diet starts soon. I cooked really baked a lot, didn’t really stop especially the last few days before Christmas. Happy New Year!
Wow, you have accomplished an incredible amount with all of your baking! Hope your Christmas was splendid and Happy New Year!
Yes a lot of baking and still doing it. I couldn’t get it all done before Christmas work was way too busy. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all.
Have a very happy and healthy New Year Suzanne! Thanks for all the great posts this year. Looking forward to seeing whats coming next year 😉
Thank you Cindy and same to you, I look forward to what you will be making in 2015!!
Suzanne I hope you had a lovely Christmas, I have so enjoyed all the sweet treats you’ve been making 🙂 yum!!! Have a Happy New Year my blog friend!!! Cheers to 2015!! 🙂
Thank you Amy I hope you did as well. A very Happy New Year to you and your family wishing you all best in 2015. I look forward to more delicious recipes from you.
I simply LOVE those pugs under the tree. So darn cute. I hope you had a great holiday
Yes it was nice thank you. Hope you had a wonderful holiday! I love my ceramic pugs too!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday! Your pugs look so precious! 🙂
Thank you Nancy, hope your holiday was wonderful also.