Growing up, we never were home for Christmas. We spent it in Milwaukee or Minnesota and often had our own little family celebration a week or two before the real Christmas. Even though it wasn’t on the actual day, I loved our tradition of having our own little Christmas, every single year. We always read The Polar Express, ate an amazing breakfast and had cookies with fresh orange and grapefruit segments for dessert before opening presents. Or we would have an amazing dinner and open presents by the lights of the tree.

This is also a tradition that the Taster and I have started. So this past weekend we celebrated Christmas a little early. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ll be married in less than 9 months (eek!) or if I’m just growing up, but I’ve been really wanting to decorate and get into the spirit more this year. The decorations are a little sparse this year, but I can assure you that next year, I’ll have a house (or apt) that looks like it belongs to Martha…or something like that.  My favorite is a nativity scene I picked up in Haiti. It reminds of my trips to Haiti every time I see it.

We also pretend we have a tree and put the presents under our Palm. It works.

It wouldn’t be a Christmas celebration without a good meal – for our little celebration we went the non-traditional route with an Asian-Southern fusion dinner. Delicious. I’ve heard my Mom is making scallop chowder and beef tenderloin this year…am I home yet?

Don’t forget Santa! Did you hear he’s a vegan now? He loved Mama Peas Snickerdoodle Dough Balls, but not as much as me so I only gave up a few!

But the best part about Christmas is spending a relaxing morning or evening with the ones you love, and it never matters where that happens. (Taster and I with our ugly sweaters and cheesy engagement pose – hehe)

You know how much I love cheese and crackers. And if you don’t, know that if we don’t have cheese and crackers in the house, the world is just not right. I grew up eating cheese and crackers almost every night and I’ve since continued that habit. This recipe combines the two – cheese and crackers bundled up in one package? I’m in!

I’ve seen the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) episode (twice!) where she helps her friend plan and prepare a cocktail party and she makes these cute little blue cheese & walnut crackers. Both times I’ve thought they would be kind of fun and I finally got around to making them. I think they would be fabulous alongside some champagne myself and that is how I plan to enjoy the ones that I don’t give away!

Blue Cheese & Walnut Crackers - adapted from Ina Garten

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 8 oz blue cheese, crumbled and at room temperature
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon water for egg wash
• 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts

Cream together butter and cheese. Add flours, salt and pepper and mix until it is in large crumbles. Add 1 Tablespoon of water and mix until combined.

Dump flour on counter and roll into a long log. (I wanted my crackers a little smaller, so while Ina says to roll into 12 inch log, I did about double that). Brush log with egg wash and roll in chopped walnuts, pressing them into the log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 days.

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Cut the log into thin slices (about 1/2 inch) and place on baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Cool and serve at room temperature.