bringing in 2012

On New Years Eve, Pete, Sei-Wook, and I drove up to Storm King State Park in the Hudson Valley. It was Pete's idea (this is why I married him) to do a hike on this abnormally warm last day of 2012. The trail started off with a one-mile very steep climb to the summit where we had gorgeous 360 degree views of the valley. The rest of the trail was moderate to easy, with even better views of Breakneck Ridge and Newburgh/Beacon. We passed several groups of hikers, also commemorating the end of 2011 (and one very energetic dog). I love this whole region (known as the Hudson Highlands; the hills are over 1 billion years old and formed by a glacier, which left giant boulders along the trail, the same that are found in Central Park). What a great way to end the year. This could turn into a resolution....






And keeping with our mustache spirit, Pete and I stayed in for the New Years Eve countdown. I bought crab and filet mignon for a special dinner (okay, not as mustache, but it's once a year) and cooked a three course meal. For appetizer, I made crab salad on toast, bacon wrapped gorgonzola stuffed dates, beet and orange bites. For entree, the filet mignon was accompanied by roasted garlic heads, creamed spinach, and potato gratin. And for dessert, I made buttermilk panna cotta, Riesling poached pears, and a blackberry syrup from the poaching liquid. Our New Year's Day brunch included a crab hash and a chocolate waffle with strawberry compote and leftover fresh-whipped cream. Feast your eyes! It was delicious (and this is why Pete married me).