seasons greeting, eating and tweeting

     Last week was such fun at my house. My bff from Tennessee, Michelle was here for our annual Soulmate Reunion. 

     We began each of the six mornings with the customary double espresso followed by a huge helping of laughter, which really is the best medicine. We cooked, we ate, shopped and laughed even more.
     We even took notes on the details to recount later in a blog and posted enough photos on Facebook to suitably annoy our friends. We sat by the fire each unseasonably cold night, discussing blogging and tweeting, the world's problems, respective families and our lives so far apart from each other.    

     We strolled through downtown Savannah and camped out in the Booklady Bookstore. We invited ourselves on a visit to Flannery O'Connor's childhood home with one daughter, ate pizza at Vinnie Van Go-Go's and shared decadent desserts at Lulu's Chocolate Bar with the other.  

     The Housewife and I lunched at Soho South Cafe, enjoying the view provided by Juan, our handsome server. This cheered the three study-weary girls who tagged along, on a much needed break from finals week. And I finally got to introduce her to my closest Savannah friend. 

     A few Christmas gifts were found at the Paris Market on Broughton Street and the Savannah Bee Company provided us with a taste of sweetness plus some apiary education. I had to pull Michelle out of there. She has empty hives at home and is planning for bees in the spring of 2011. We both departed a little bit sticky from the samples of honeycomb, fruit and goat cheese.

     This week it is back to reality. I am cooking for my church family on Wednesday, for the last time in 2010. Where has the year gone?

     I'm wrapping presents by the fire, while sipping homemade cocoa. Here is the recipe for cocoa. Serves two. (Forget that powdered artificial stuff):

2 c. milk

4 T. sugar, or less, to taste

2 T. cocoa
dash of vanilla
pinch of salt

pinch of instant coffee or espresso powder

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan to heat on the stove. Heat until piping hot, whisking to blend. Pour into mugs and top with sweetened whipped cream or giant homemade marshmallows. It will warm you all the way through!
      I am making lists, dreaming of sugarplums, stacking firewood and trying to avoid the Christmas rush. I remain in exile in Coastal Georgia, missing my far-away friend. 

     My house is a little too quiet since she flew away to the west... Well, until all three of the dogs begin to bark in unison at the arrival of my husband. Warm wishes!