Why don’t you drink alcohol?

I’ve already answered this question on the blog. Read it here: Why I don’t drink alcohol

This often seems to come up and is one of the best decisions of my life.

Can you recommend some advent poems?

Yes, here are some of mine:

Advent of Waiting

Advent

Those Left Outside

Advent a Puzzle of Waiting

and yes, you can use them with attribution.

Any particular recommendations for holiday recipes from the blog?

My experience cooking for people, particularly at the holidays, is that people welcome simple if it is fresh and delicious enough. Great food doesn’t have to be decadent or difficult, fussy or fancy, if you are just mindful of flavors, textures, and presentation. If you feed anything on this list to your dear ones, they will thank you:

Savory Strada (great to take to a potluck, or good for Christmas morning, or anytime to satisfy a group)

Polly’s Mom’s Yam and Cranberry Casserole (crowd pleasing side dish)

Ginger, Carrot, Hazelnut Cake with Molasses Frosting (a perennial favorite)

Gougere (holiday breakfast or anytime)

Easy Cauliflower Leek Gratin (so easy and a delicious side dish)

Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes, Feta, and Mint (everyone loves this)

Multigrain Blueberry Pancakes (everyone agrees these can’t be beat)

Swordfish with Herbed Lemon Pepper Butter (a favorite special occasion food over here)

Cinnamon Poached Pears (warm and luscious)

Perfect Snowy Day Soup (tastes like being home)

Cut out Frosted Sugar Cookie Recipe (Cut into seasonal shapes instead of the birthday numbers on this post; same recipe)

Don’t forget plenty of salads and fresh fruit. We like to throw in a great cheese platter, some chocolate, and sparkling apple cider.

Enjoy! Let me know what you make!

And let me know any questions you have that you want me to answer next time!