I can’t even believe we are 3 days into 2013 already!
The end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 was a great celebration, filled with croquet, good people, and of course- the Capital One Bowl hosted right here in Orlando. The picture story of those 48-hrs is below. I hope all of you had a great time ringing in the New Year, whether it was a quiet one or you did something big. Or maybe you didn’t ‘ring it in’ at all and instead woke up to a brand new year. Whatever the case may be, Happy New Year!
New Years Eve began with croquet on the lawn for an early afternoon start. Croquet gets a ‘bad rap’ but it is actually a really fun sport. You swing a giant mallet like a pendulum and chuck balls around the course. It involves strategy and skill. And you play with groups, which makes it a very social sport. I love it!
Pictured: Rick Wack, Sean Olenek, Ren Werrenrath, Karen Werrenrath.
New Years Eve was so much fun!
New Years Day was gorgeous. Thank you so much, JC Stuart, for the tickets and the great time tailgating! It was the perfect thing for New Years Day- to be surrounded by good friends in beautiful weather outside. And we got to see Dierks Bentley perform which was such a bonus!
#Herewego2013!
What fun!
Tamara, it was a blast! Happy 2013 to you!
Always a pleasure to read your bog and see the great pictures you post too.
Wishing you a good and healthy New Year Juatine.
Your train driving friend from NYC
Johnny C
John, wishing you a good and healthy 2013 as well! I love reading all of your happy posts about life, love, etc. and am so impressed with your appreciation for the ‘every day’ things. If only we could all live with as much gratitude as you have! You are an inspiration, thank you. Glad to be connected.
New Years resolution..WEAR my new prescription glasses when writing on JUSTINE”S BLOG in the future…sorry, had to correct..it’s the OCD in me.
Wow, you hang out with some great people! How nice he shared those tickets with you. BTW, I made that cranberry relish recipe to go with our Christmas turkey and I LOVE it. I cut down some of the sugar and added crushed pineapple because I enjoy a very tart flavor, and it was delicious simple, and easy. Cranberries are so good for us. (My husband didn’t enjoy it so much, he prefers canned jelly-type… yuck) Thank you for your picture blog and have a very happy new year Justine! We had the most beautiful white Christmas day here in the southwest!
John,
I am always compelled to do the same thing if I notice a mistake.
Sincerely, Juatine
J,
Yes, yes I do. I am very lucky! Thank you so much for sharing that you made my Cranberry Relish Recipe! Your modifications sound delicious because I like it tart as well and pineapple sounds like a nice way to round out the flavor. Love that your husband likes the canned stuff. Sometimes we grow up eating things and learn to love them by sheer tradition/frequency.
Your white Christmas was stark contrast to our green Christmas. FL was typical FL! Thank you for your well wishes and wishing you and your family a happy new year, too.
You are so sweet Justine. I love following part of your life over the internet. I forgot to mention how much I love that your family’s recipe uses the whole orange, peel and all…. who knew you could do something like that??? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’m going to make it every year now, honestly. I made some more and have it in the refrigerator right now to snack on. lol Yes, it was very unusual for us to be watching snowflakes fall on Christmas day. It made me so incredibly happy! We had candles lit, a fire going, a great afternoon dinner, and the most picturesque window view from our table. I’m a FL born & raised so having snowflakes in my back yard is the best!! It collected (4 inches) and was gone in a few days. I’m looking forward to positive changes this year:). [this is wordy I know. lol] thanks again! May your 2013 be very prosperous and joyful!! J-Cizzle is like no other –an incredible influence/blessing to everyone who knows him. His wife is a sweetie too such a gentle soul.
J,
It is definitely unusual to use the entire orange, but now that you know, I am so glad you love it! My grandparents do the same thing that you seem to be doing- make it in advance, snack on it in the fridge, and go through MAJOR withdrawals when cranberry season is over. I can’t find any more so they have been without it for a few weeks. Looking forward to the next season already.
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and new year. And yes, I love my friends! They are so good to me and I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am for what each one brings to the table.
More recipes to come.
Hugs, Justine