It’s the last Bliss Bits of the year! What a time of reflection, as the minutes tick by toward the end of another year. We are on a plane again, headed south to spend New Year’s Eve (and my 40th!) laughing with old friends with good food and many drinks in warm weather. This week has been a breath of fresh (snow-filled) air, some downtime in between traveling and holiday craziness and an impending/intimidating birthday. Take a peek at the things that have been making me smile (and pause to think about the happy things in your own life!).
Brrrrr!
Santa drank too much boozy eggnog.
She found her stocking immediately.
Cookbooks + biographies = Santa knows me well.
Party napkins!
A hike was halted by a couple hundred elk sprinting down the mountainside in single file. Wow!
Left-over birthday grits for breakfast!
Seriously.
Citrus season!
My favorite trails look like this right now.
Who knew you could be this sore after two ten-minute workouts?!
The latest backyard beast is pretty darn adorable. He has a fluffy white tail!
Her pouting face.
Winter sunset.
The opposite of her pouting face.
New Year detox! Fresh veggie/pearl couscous bake with tarragon.
We woke up to a LOT more snow yesterday. Whoa.
One year ago, the holidays had caught up with me.
Two years ago, we’d just hopped in a convertible for a few days in sunny SoCal!
Three years ago, I was smiling on a Sundance chair lift with no clue I was about to get engaged.
Four years ago, I was at Sundance, standing in the same spot where I’d get engaged the next year!
Five years ago, I was spending NYE in Charleston and these little nuggets were my dates.
And here’s the current view from the porch. Welcome, 2015.
You know. Just the usual bliss.
One year ago: Hopeful thoughts for 2014.
Two years ago: Christmas 2012, part two.
the usual bliss 
I bet it was something seeing those elk come down the mountain!
Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, and safe travels, Amber! Looking forward to another year of bliss. xoxo
hi can I have your recipe for Fresh veggie/pearl couscous bake with tarragon? tx harris_robert@hotmail.com 🙂
It sort of just came together. I cooked the pearl couscous according to the package directions using vegetarian “chicken” stock instead of water. While the couscous was cooking, I sautéed some of my favorite veggies and seasoned them with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, dried tarragon. I added in the couscous and stirred it together, shredded some cheese over the top, and stuck it under the broiler for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese a bit. You can customize the veggies and seasonings and cheese to be whatever you like. Hope it works! Thanks for reading!