There is something wonderful about the start of a new year.  For me it is a time of infinite possibilities and fortified resolve.  With each passing year, I find myself increasinlgy  motivated to live deliberately  and in balance with the people and world around me.  Today I will take the first steps in the journey that is the rest of my life.  Some of these steps will cover familiar ground but I hope that many more will lead me in new and as yet unexplored directions.

Jeanine’s recent decision to purchase a deep fryer can, I believe, be directly traced to our breakfast menu this morning. Behold the beignet. These powdered sugar dusted fried doughnuts have their origins in France but migrated to New Orleans in the 18th century where they are often featured in Creole cuisine. A questionable choice to start a healthy new year, there were no objections heard over the munching sounds that quickly consumed the delicious fritters.

By evening, after a day filled with various card and dice games, the family once again found itself organized around food preparation in the kitchen.  Kyle is seen here sautéing lobster tails and shrimp to be served over bow-tie pasta being cooked by Nicolai while Jeanine prepared a kale salad with fresh lemon, anchovy, croutons and candied pecans.  Yummy!