Ringing in the New Year this year felt special for multiple reasons: my brother Josh flew in from Kansas City for a visit, we had great plans starting on Thursday evening and going non-stop until Sunday, and we left an entire decade behind and started a new one. Phew.
Our friends Jude & Ken hosted 2 breakfast meals this weekend - one on Friday morning after our all-night revelry, and another one on Sunday with all of the leftovers and some new additions. It was so nice to wake up and have somewhere to go - not a restaurant, with the masses of people lining up and vying for a table, but to another home, where the smell of freshly baked coffee cake greeted us as we walked in the door.
And what a feast it was! We had many highlights, starting with orange and grapefruit mimosas, and bloody marys:
duck confit hash with eggs:
brown sugar bacon with sage:
biscuits and gravy:
bagels and smoked salmon:
and of course, that wonderfully addictive coffee cake:
Of course my favorite part is hanging out in the kitchen with my friends, chatting and re-living our adventures from the previous nights, cooking together and enjoying the beautiful day. And the best part about brunch is that afterwards you have a whole afternoon ahead of you, with time to go home and relax, or go to the movies, or enjoy the outdoors. It may be my new favorite meal of the year. Bring on the paper plates and tumblers, throw on something comfortable, and pack up your favorite dish; I am ready for some new traditions.
