*

I was all set to write about my fantastic weekend (the night out/ shopping trip to Oakbrook in an ice storm just to get to Anthropologie [ **and how I found the absolute number one must have item on my holiday gift list while there] even though I didn't buy anything :: and dinner at Wildfire with my girlfriends, and how we harrassed the waiters because we liked the way they rolled their rrrrr's and how we always share just a little too much information on nights like those and how I was the only one who ordered dessert :: the girl's night out at my neighbor's house :: the open studio at Melissa's barn where only two people came, but was quite productive and worth it nonetheless, even though we had another storm, because I got to work on all the projects I wanted to work on).............. but now I'm all pissed off. So I'm not going to write about my weekend. (I bet you thought I just did!)

I just spent the last three hours searching high and low for some fun tchotchkes for Hanukkah, and found nothing.

Yes, we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah here at the HQ. We always have. And I always pick up some gelt some time before the first night, and we have a few dreidels, and I pick up some nice candles when I find them for the menorrah (did you know that when all is said and done, you use 44 candles during Hanukkah?).

It's always been just the four of us.

But this year, we're actually hosting a bit of a Hanukkah party. And being the gracious hostess that I am, I wanted to provide a few little things for all of the guests in attendance. And so I drove from place to place to place in search of even the strangest bit of Judaica, only to come home empty handed. And it leaves me a little bummed. I know there aren't a lot of Jewish folks out this way, but come on! Where's the love?

I think I'll spend some time tomorrow working on a few projects from Martha while I whip up my kugel. At least Martha cares (insert pouty face here).

Do you want to make a kugel too? Here's how:

Ingredients

Serves 8 to 10

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for dish
• Coarse salt
• 1 pound broad egg noodles
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large Granny Smith apples, (about 12 ounces total), peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
• (I'm adding about a cup of chopped onion)
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles; cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 6 minutes. Drain noodles; return to pot. Set aside.
2. Put eggs and sour cream into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until combined. Mix in 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup butter, and the cream cheese. Set aside.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar, the cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add apples; gently toss to coat. Cook, tossing occasionally, until soft and caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir apples into egg mixture; pour over noodles. Toss gently to combine. Pour into prepared dish. Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons butter over noodles; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
4. Bake until set and top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Thanks for the recipe, Martha!

xoxo

* The photo of my menorrah was taken on the first night of Hanukkah last year. I needed to tell you this or else you might think that not only am I psychic, but that I have the crazy ability to take photos of the future. I will post new photos of the first night of this Hanukkah soon. It begins at sunset on the 4th. And please don't let me forget to tell you about the time Olivia's hair caught on fire, because that makes for a good Hanukkah story.

** This book is way too cool to not include a photo here:
I know it's not handmade, but I so need this book!

xoxo