Happy day after Christmas! Thank you for all your lovely comments on our Christmas house tour. This year we were blessed with a white Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — a rare and magical surprise for Seattle. A fresh blanket of snow transformed the neighborhood and made staying home feel extra cozy and special.
The snow began falling in the late afternoon, so our little family and our pack of dogs settled in for a warm, quiet Christmas Eve. The pups were fascinated by the snow, racing around, tasting it, and enjoying every minute.
We changed into pajamas and slippers, played games, listened to Christmas music, watched movies, and read the Christmas story together. It was simple, comfortable, and exactly what we wanted.
On Christmas morning we gathered in the kitchen for our traditional family breakfast: Dutch Baby pancakes, bagels for the vegan members of our family, French press coffee, mimosas, and coconut milk holiday nog. We also enjoyed apple sage sausages from Field Roast. It was all delicious and warming after a snowy night.
We’ve made Dutch Babies for years. We like ours with a squeeze of lemon and a dusting of powdered sugar, but you can top them with fruit or syrup if you prefer. Below is the simple recipe we use:
Dutch Baby Recipe
Butter: 1/3 cup
Eggs: 4
Milk & Flour: 1 cup each
Vanilla: 1 tsp
Place the butter in a 3–4 quart pan and put it into a 425°F oven to melt.
While the butter is melting, mix the batter. Put the eggs in a blender and blend on high for one minute. With the blender running, slowly add the milk, then gradually add the flour. Blend about 30 more seconds. Add a teaspoon or more of vanilla to taste.
Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and pour the batter into the melted butter. Bake until the pancake is puffed and golden, about 20 minutes. Finish with fresh lemon and powdered sugar.
There’s never a dull moment with so many dogs around — they keep us laughing and on our toes.
For the next few days we’ll continue celebrating with family in town. We plan to watch some favorite movies, including Father of the Bride, and enjoy relaxed time in our cozy clothes.
What are some of your family’s favorite after-Christmas traditions? I’d love to hear!
