I've had a busy holiday that sadly just ended on Wednesday. I spent a few days at home for Christmas before jet-setting off to Puerto Rico with Boyfriend's family. Everything about the past few weeks was phenomenal and I did not want it to end...so why not relive it with a few highlights? Here's the second installment of Sneak Eats [first one here]:
1 - One of the things I've hated the most about growing up is no longer getting to help decorate the family Christmas tree. I used to love going through all the boxes of ornaments we've accumulated over the years and traveling back in time to different memories. I suppose soon I'll have to start my own ornament collection. Oh, changes...*sigh*
2 - For the first time, I attempted to make a round loaf of challah bread, rather than just a braid. I think the mess of braids-turned-knots is actually quite beautiful, although the recipient (my brother) was a bit disappointed there was only one loaf.
3 - My youngest sister's birthday is on Christmas Eve, which I personally love. It guarantees that I'll always be home for it! Renee turned sweet 16 this year and we spent an evening in Richmond celebrating her birth...First stop was the Gardenfest of Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (it was gorgeous and I highly recommend going!). We ended the evening at The Tobacco Company, one of my family's favorite Richmond restaurants (Cheetah room pictured). The Tobacco Company first opened when my dad was a medical student at MCV; and he'd treat himself to a prime rib the night before each of his boards for good luck. I don't hardly eat meat; but when I'm at The Tobacco Company, I have to order the filet mignon. Topped with onion straws and Gorgonzola-crusted, it doesn't get much better.
4 - Because our Thanksgiving was so unconventional this year, we had a very Thanksgiving-esque meal for Christmas. I was put in charge of the cornbread stuffing, my absolute favorite part. Ours typically includes cornbread, onions, celery, pecans or walnuts, and either a pear or apple (plus an egg, a bit of chicken broth, and poultry seasoning). Then instead of baking it in a dish, we form little stuffing mounds for optimal outer crispiness. SO GOOD.
5 - Just look at that view. Paradise to me is being close to both mountains and sea, so I guess Puerto Rico fit the bill. You can visit the rainforest, then drive 30 minutes to the beach. Luquillo Beach was wonderful...and located behind the famous kioskos! (Read more about them here.)
6 - By some sort of miraculous system glitch, we ended up in first class on the way down to San Juan. Mimosas were offered and accepted. Naturally.
7 - I'm not sure if you're aware, but everything is fried in Puerto Rico. This is both delicious and terrible. My first fried food of the trip: shrimp empanada. Aside from the deep-fried part, food pockets are pretty genius. Must make soon.
8 - I swear we didn't just lay on the beach for an entire week, but its seems to be the only place that Boyfriend and I got a picture together.
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