A Cooks Christmas

Happy New Year to all.

I am feeling completely spoiled this year with all the gifts I received. I have used each and everyone of them several times already. Here is a run down of them all.
I received this amazing Mixer and set of knives from Mom, Dad, Kelly, Ravi & Max. They think they are fooling me by saying I do so much for them and deserve this very generous gift however I see right through them. They are just looking to benefit from all the amazing foods that will be produced with the help of this gift. I have already made several batches of Banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, whipped cream and baked a couple of loaves of bread.
Rick gave me this Creuset braiser. I had expressed several times how I wanted this piece to add to my collection. Rick actually found himself at Yorkdale Mall on Christmas Eve. He purchased this gift and the Sales Person asked him if he had more shopping to do and would he like her to hold it for him until he was done. He replied that yes he was still going to shop but he would be fine. He no sooner left the store when he realized how heavy it was to carry and quickly returned and accepted the offer to have them hold it. It was a noble effort. So far I have made Tempura and creamy leek & spinach eggs in this perfect gift. Tonight I am making a bean dish which I plan on posting later this week.
Renee gave me this coffee cup, bodem and oven mitt duo. A few days before Christmas I broke the glass carafe of the old bodem so this was the perfect gift. I also often complain about my coffee getting cold too quickly and this is an insulated cup with a lid and I usually buy my oven mitts at the dollar store and needless to say they are quite thin and don't last very long so having a more durable pair is great.
Elia told me once about this Oil & Vinegar bottle that her friend Carly had at her house and how cool it is because it is all in one. She finally found one during the summer in Vancouver and has held onto it til now. We often dip our bread in Oil & Balsamic so this gift will now make it simpler to do so and it is so pretty to look at. She also gave me this lovely Star Shape to make pancakes. The next time I make some I will photograph them and post them to the blog.
Connor often goes to All Fired Up. This is a paint your own ceramic shop just around the corner from the house. She made this lovely dish which I cherish and I think of her every time I use it.