Happy (Belated) New Year!

This may be my longest blog post to date but hopefully at least the pics will interest you.

We had an eventful New Year's celebration this year! We returned to VA with a lot of food from our respective families. Lots of cookies and sweets from the Rogers and some walleye too (very exciting for me but Troy is unfortunately allergic) and a huge chunk of ham from my mom.

We couldn't possibly eat all this food, so we invited a few friends on the evening of the 30th to share the walleye and ham and also to taste some of the bourbon that Troy brought back from Kentucky.


Despite their bored expressions, there were some very willing participants on the bourbon front.


We don't normally eat a lot of pork, and we definitely don't each much ham but Troy really has missed it. So I served up a very special New Year's Eve breakfast. I couldn't resist.


Later on the 31st, our friend Steve, Troy and I drove out to the Blue Mtn Brewery (one of our favorite places to stop after a hike in the Blue Ridge) to try out their seasonal offerings. We started with a chocolate cherry bourbon barrel stout and finished with the Vintage Bottle Release--Mandolin Redux: Brettanomyces-reconditioned Belgian Tripel. It was a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!

Happy Boys!

We finished off the evening with a fun party at Dave's. We had more good food (baked ziti and lasagna), a bonfire, and music courtesy of Nick's radio show and also Joe and his friend Lee (and some random characters from Durty Nelly's too).

Dave stoking up the fire

Jeff and Liz


Troy and me


Lee and some guy from Durty Nelly's


Some guy from Durty Nelly's, Lee and Joe

On New Year's day we ventured to rural VA--Flint Hill to visit Courtney and Kevin. It was just what we needed. We lazed around in their cozy log home, Troy and Kevin tasting a series of strong beers and me starting out with a bloody Mary (based on my sister's wonderful recipe). Kevin made us an entire turkey dinner and Courtney made dessert--Finnish rice pudding from her grandma's recipe. Everything was delicious!

Kevin and Troy (beer #?)

Troy, Kevin, and Courtney digging into the feast.

Later we sat by the fire and played board games until the wee hours. It was a really fun and relaxing time. The next day we were lazy again but Troy and I managed to get out for a little hike. It's a really pretty area--it backs right up against Shenandoah National Park.