Happy 2020 folks!

This New Year's celebration was totally topsy turvy for wonder | wander | women. All our well laid plans set up way in advance were lost in the gusting gales of December 30.

Hudson River, 30 Dec 2019

Winter weather in the East Coast has always made holiday plans more challenging especially when road conditions are not the best and can get pretty nasty very quickly. Safety first is a definite must.

Image from NOAA.gov

Luckily the internet connection remained clear and strong for Mahala in the UK to stay in touch with Issa in the US and Martina in Boston as we went through our separate days from Dec 30 to Jan 1.

the colorful holiday table setting

Presents were wrapped in advance and laid out beneath the lush poinsettia by the fireplace. Looking festive even if dwarfed in its shadow.

Then the accumulation of as many things round and delicious as possible began. It is believed auspicious and symbolizes wholeness and completion.

We set out bowls of fruit - fresh as well as cocktails - oranges, apples, grapes. A bountiful and sweet harvest as our treat.

Fruity and fluffy pane tonne to start our day off, slathered in creamy butter and toasted to perfection. Filling our home with the aroma of holiday cheer. 

Much as we love our sweets, we delight in our savory delicacies too. With more round things to add luck and blessings to the dish. Torta? Frittata? Quiche?

It may have been cold and gray outdoors but inside we were warm and cozy, well fed and in good company. A feast for our senses prepared with patience and passion, imbibed and ingested in care and love.

We ended New Year's eve with 12 Grapes of Luck - eating them as the year ended, assigning each grape a goal, intention, or hope to float us through 2020.

the dawn of a brand new year & decade

Happy New Year to all!