On Saturday, our old neighbors The Kiln Guy and The Chef came over for a little fondue party.
Well actually it was just going to be a cheese and crackers party but then I remembered I had bought 2 fondue kits at the Costco in Canada and figured, the more cheese the merrier, right?
Did I mention we don’t have a fondue pot? 😉 We had a hot plate and an extension cord though so we used that instead.
The HH, nor I had ever “made” fondue before, and silly me, I assumed everything I needed was in the “kit” bag. I didn’t realize you had to add other stuff.
Whoops!
The HH told me to just melt the cheese… it will be fine, but I was like… Umm it says you need to add garlic, flour, wine and kirsch. That’s a lot of things to leave out, don’t you think?
I didn’t even bother to wait for his reply, I dashed out the door to grab the other ingredients {because seriously, if you’re going to go to all the trouble to have fondue, you’ve got to do it right!!}.
Long story short, I get back from the store, 2 minutes later The Kiln Guy and The Chef arrive and we are making fondue!!!
Which was really, really good by the way.
Shockingly good! We couldn’t get enough of it!!!
We had chopped apples, grapes, bread and ham for dipping. Next time I think we’ll add some par boiled new potatoes to the line up.
We also sampled 8 other cheeses from our Québec City cheese haul. We talked about Christmas and winter projects and all the bulbs we planted.
The Kiln Guy and I are both hoping the bulbs make it. The weather here has been so wonky this year. Super cold, then super warm… Who knows.
I guess we’ll have to wait until spring to find out.
Fact: Lucy loves fondue. 😉
And I LOVE cookies!
Do you give cookie boxes at Christmastime? As someone who LOVES cookies, I think these are one of the greatest gifts ever!
The Kiln Guy and The Chef out did themselves this year. I’m not sure how many different kinds of cookies they made {there were 2 layers in the box} but I now have a new favorite one!!
I think it had cream cheese and ginger in it. I don’t know, I’ll have to get the recipe though and share it with you because holy cow man, it was GOOD!
Can you believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow!!! Where has this year gone?
We decided to keep things super low key this year and have a feast of pickety bits {and another fondue party!} on Christmas Day. No ham, no turkey, no sides, no fuss this year.
It’s going to be awesome!
How about YOU? What are YOUR plans? Are you going all out this year or taking it easy? Curious minds want to know.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Erin says
Sounds so fun! Now I want a hot plate & some fondue cheese! I’m going to brave the store today to grab things for a charcuterie board for Christmas Day. We are renovating our new house while still living in a rental, so it’s a lot of back & forth – no grand meal will be cooked. We didn’t decorate but we did take an hour off from renovating to build a Lego poinsettia. It was actually a lot of fun! I had to make things festive somehow, even though we’re having so much fun working on the house. Merry Christmas & happy holidays to all! I hope Lucy is staying warm in this cold snap we’re finally getting! Our boy lets us put his sweater & jacket on but then he climbs back under the covers before we can put his leash on. He wants nothing to do with the cold 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
I am glad you are having fun working on your house… I love doing house projects!! 🙂
Rosemary says
I make sugar cookies and Italian love knots and give to friends and family. This year I made a total of 1,278 cookies. I have been making these cookies for about 50 years and I think my kids would be very disappointed if they didn’t get their cookie box (as well as some friends who look forward to them). Can’t have that now, can we? Merry Christmas!
Mavis Butterfield says
Holy cow Rosemary!!!! 1,278 cookies is a crazy amount. And yes, you can’t stop making cookies now… Your people would be truly disapointed! Merry Christmas.
Shari Harniss says
We’re having lasagna for Christmas lunch with your biscotti for dessert.
It’s good to shake things up a bit, culinary wise.
Merry Everything, Mavis and fam!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Lasagna for lunch is always a good idea! Merry Christmas Shari.
Nancy Settel says
Merry Christmas Mavis and I am so darn jealous it looks and sound amazing. We are having breakfast at our granddaughter’s house with all of our children/grands that live in this area (plus she is ready to have our new great grandson any day now) and for dinner we decided to shake things up for us and we are having scallops for dinner. Oh the price but so much better than having turkey etc. We deserve it. I love the idea of fondue though. Wish we had those kits here.
Mavis Butterfield says
Changing things up is good! Enjoy your scallops Nancy. 🙂
Christa H. says
The fondue party looks like a lot of fun! Hope you do get that recipe. I love molasses cookies and that looks similar.
Our neighborhood consists of 10 small farms and we always drop off little gifts for each other. Every year I make something homemade. This year was honey granola. In the past I gave out jars of my own honey, Italian pizzelle cookies and raspberry thumbprints, guava puffs, cinnamon rolls, and your spiced Christmas jam.
Merry Christmas!
PS- I’m loving the hydrangea book and clippers. I’m planning out a hydrangea area now between my chicken run and garden gate
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m so glad you like the book. It’s a beauty! And homemade granola is a great gift.
Nancy says
We have Chinese food on Christmas Eve and lasagna on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas, Mavis!
Mavis Butterfield says
Merry Christmas Nancy.
Brianna says
My teen daughter is going to a friends for Christmas Eve to enjoy their cultural food and celebrations. We are just doing appetizers for us that day. On Christmas Day I will cook a wegman’s garlic studded prime rib and the next day I will probably be cleaning my oven.
Mavis Butterfield says
HA HA HA. That is a task I would pass off to the HH. Merry Christmas Brianna!
Margo says
This year we are going out for Christmas dinner. Easier on the back. I gave out apple butter instead of cookies this year, but years ago I sent 60 dozen cookies to my son who was in the army stationed in Iraq during the war. I sent about 6 different varieties which he and his squad enjoyed. Don’t think I’ll do a repeat of that baking marathon again, but it was all baked with love. Merry Christmas!
Torry says
As a Veteran and a mom, I love that you sent your son so many cookies. I still remember the joy of getting a cookie care package while in basic training. And it has been more than 55 years ago!
Mavis Butterfield says
Apple butter is great on toast and a wonderful gift!!
suzanne says
We’re all going to join at my nieces home. (I do thanksgiving.) We always do well rounded pot lucks and have a good system set up. We have a white elephant and a name draw gift exchange for those that wish to participate. I love the white elephant and always bring a hostess gift as well because…30 people. The littles all get small gifts from their cousins. This year my nephew will be flying in with his new bride and she’s a lovely woman and we are thrilled to have her as part of the clan.
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t done a white elephant gift exchange in years… They are always so much fun.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
Fondue looks amazing, as do the boxed cookies! Yum!
Low key Christmas here…we are having your Copycat Panera Chicken and Rice soup, along with a homemade sourdough bread.
Merry Christmas!
Mavis Butterfield says
Merry Christmas Patty!! I hope you sold a lot of jewelry this year.
** Here is a link to Pattie’s jewelry if anyone wants to take a peek: https://www.pattivan.com/
Sue R. says
Raclette is our Christmas day meal–similiar ingredients to fondue but with a different method. Delicious!
Mavis Butterfield says
I saw a raclette pan in Quebec and almost bought it. I’ve never tried it but it looks really good.
Noelle says
The sandwich cookie with the pink frosting looks like a cream wafer. We make those in our family but i haven’t seen tons of others that do. We call them “crack” cookies. Pork for Christmas eve and beef tenderloin roast for christmas dinner! And of course cookies and Frangos for breakfast on christmas morning.
Noelle
Charlotte says
Our family loves the creme wafers! We make them for weddings, showers, holidays. They melt in your mouth!
Mavis Butterfield says
Frangos for breakfast morning {the mint ones in the green wrapper} with my tea are always a must this time of year. So glad to know you are still calling them Frangos!!!
JC says
We always have fondue for Christmas, cheese fondue and then we heat oil for cooking bits of steak and shrimp. We have ham chunks, bread and veggies to dip in the cheese.
We started with my deceased brothers fondue set and have added sets thru the years. Picking them up at thrift stores and yard sales. Big family.
The littles love fondue and look forward to it.
I guess I am boring my favorites are the bread and cheese.
JC
Mavis Butterfield says
I didn’t think of adding veggies… Thanks for the suggestion! Merry Christmas JC.
Linda Sand says
We simplified traditional. We bought a precooked turkey breast, instant mashed potatoes, a jar of turkey gravy, a can of cranberry sauce, and a Marie Callander’s pumpkin pie. That feeds the two of us for several meals. My husband does not like the traditional green bean casserole or dressing so he doesn’t miss those. Yes, we had the same thing for Thanksgiving but we really like it and that was whole month ago.
Lindsey says
I do not understand the draw of that green bean casserole either.
Charlotte says
Same!
Mavis Butterfield says
Me too! I’m not a fan.
Jennifer Murch says
That molasses cookie looks like the one from the NYTimes!
Mavis Butterfield says
I just called him to ask and YES, that’s where it came from. Have you made it yet? I’m going to try it. If you haven’t yet, DO IT. It’s really, really good.
Peggy Lannon says
I used your daughter’s turkey rub recipe and it was amaaaazzzziiinnnggg!! We had some turkey left over, so I froze it. I am going to thaw that, make stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and salted caramel cheesecake for the traditionalists in the family. I am also making shrimp jambalaya for the seafood lovers. Doing as much as possible ahead of time.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m glad the cheesecake lovers are getting their favorite dessert. 🙂 🙂 🙂
sandy says
The ginger cookie recipe is from The NY Times cookie week. It is the absolute best cookie that I have ever made. And I used to work for a wonderful bakery. Make sure to add each and every ingredient and do not flinch with the copious amount of ginger-you will love it. Here is the link:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026326-ginger-cheesecake-cookies
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the link Sandy!! Merry Christmas.
sandy says
Oh-PS:
When I visited friends in Switzerland I learned that fondue is to be served with lukewarm tea or drinks only. Fondue can be a bit hard on tummies…
Dianne Labadie says
The cookies look fantastic. I, too, love cookies. It is my only vice. And not a bad one at that.
The fondue looked like it turned out very well. If you have a 2 bowl crockpot that would work also.
Christmas is as low-key as you can be. I didn’t even put a tree or put one decoration out this season, no baking, cooking, prepping. Real nice.
However, we will be spending New Year’s Eve on a Lake with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson (14 month). I am looking forward to that!
Mavis Butterfield says
Merry Christmas Dianne!
Ashley Bananas says
I love the photo with Lucy looking up expectantly. I made a turkey on Saturday and we’ve been eating left overs. I’m going to make spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread on Christmas day. We’re going kind of non traditional I guess. We also have so much food in the house, it just seems crazy to keep running to the store. I’m giving myself a break in the grocery department.
Mavis Butterfield says
Spaghetti with meatballs is always a winner!
Sue S. says
Love the way you pull off a meal without even having everything you need ahead of time. I admire that and the fondue looks so yummy. We don’t eat much meat but for the past few years I’ve splurged on Filet Mignon, cooked on the grill., for Christmas dinner. It’s expensive but we’re so worth it. Low key, small family day for us and hopefully a hike in some conservation area or other, my new favorite thing to do. Sometimes the charley-horses hit in the middle of the night but again, it’s worth spending time with #1 and only son and I feel great afterwards. Happy Holidays everyone and to you and your family Mavis. Can’t wait to see what patterns you have on the hooking agenda for 2025.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have two drawn out that I am really, really excited about!!! Both would be perfect for your “area”. 🙂
Rebecca Anne says
Your fondue night with guests sounds wonderful, simple and charming! Love the idea of that.
We are in Puerto Rico for Christmas this year and it is GORGEOUS here! Loving the food and scenery and escaping the crazy materialistic day that Christmas has become. (I love how you like to keep things simple and sweet!)
We told our kids no presents this year. Just 10 unforgettable days of making memories on a warm tropical island during their school break! And whaddya know, the kids are loving it here and are so glad we came! Yay!
Thank you for sharing a bit of your world with us, Mavis! That’s really special to have a box of homemade goodies to eat from your friends. It looks so yummy!! I love to bake cookies when we’re home for Christmas. (We usually do a destination trip every other year, because my husband loves Christmas at home and I hate it because we actually have to do 4 of them since our family all lives close, so this is what we’ve agreed to do to compromise, ha ha.)
It’s the simple things that seem to matter the most. I’m figuring that out more and more. And you remind us often on your blog
to focus on the simple things, make travel memories,
enjoy simple foods,
get a hobby you love,
and just enjoy life in a simple kind of way.
Thank you!!
I’m glad you’re a part of my story.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love that you get to trade off every year and do something far, far away. I might have to steal that idea. Merry Christmas Rebecca Anne.
Rebecca Anne says
Yes, a destination for the holidays is such an amazing escape! Highly recommend doing it! They say travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Merry Christmas to you and HH!
Virginia says
I’m approaching 60 years of age and I have never had fondue in my life! I’m intrigued though, and one of my daughters is a cheese lover so I may need to give this a try. I was curious and looked on Costco’s website to see if they had a fondue pot. Sure enough they do. It’s a Cuisinart brand for $50. I cross referenced it on Amazon’s website and was very pleased to see it was extremely popular and well rated. Amazon’s price was $80. Thought you might be interested in purchasing one for yourself, Mavis.
Have a great holiday and happy new year! And thanks for always keeping us entertained and informed.
Mavis Butterfield says
I saw that one at Costco and decided not to get it… I am still trying to get rid of kitchen things, ha!
But yes, it does seem to have good reviews. You might want to give fondue a whirl… I really liked it. 🙂
Virginia says
Totally with you on “less is more”. I’ve got a plug-in induction hob, so I could follow your fondue pot “hack” if I decide to give it a try. Merry Christmas!
Tc says
I am going all out as usual goose pheasant duck breast and wild boar with roast potatoes in goose fat mashed potatoes brussel sprouts carrots and parsnips and a different sauce for each of the meats I’m not sure what that will be yet but I’m going to work on it tomorrow we love our English traditions and then our German friend who’s a Swiss trained pastry chef is bringing a linzertort and Mavis you would love it it is so full of almonds and almond paste it’s so delicious and raspberry jam. Served with heavy cream poures not whipped.
Mavis Butterfield says
Are you selling tickets to Christmas dinner? Oh my word, it all sounds so, so lovely. Especially the tart.
JulieP says
The cookies look amazing not a tradition here in England although we make ginger Christmas shaped biscuits and you can buy if you don’t bake. I haven’t made them for years in fact I gave my cutters to my daughter to use with the grandson. We make mince pies very traditional and yummy with brandy cream!
Your fondue reminds me of school ski trips to Europe never made one myself but like other s above I may have to try. It made my mouth water along with Lucy’s.
Merry Christmas one and all especially to you and your family Mavis.
I’m cooking a small turkey for 4 just son and partner staying over the holidays all the others are coming for dinner Christmas Eve and one of them is cooking but at our house so easy for me. I bought a dessert from Aldi which looks amazing.
We haven’t had turkey for about 10 years in fact when we’ve been away in Spain in the RV we’ve had fish which is quite traditional there. It’s always good to change it up.
Another lady posted this …
Christmas dinner – is just a big roast. Break it down. Do as much as you can in advance (and outsource sides to some of your guests – or buy. No one will know or care)
Again merry Christmas
Ps thank you for my book and cutters amazing and so thrilled to get something from overseas ❄️⛄️☃️❄️
Mavis Butterfield says
Note to self: No going to Spain for Christmas if they are serving fish. 😉
I’m glad you like the clippers and the book. And I agree, it’s always fun to get something from overseas. Even the little things like packaging can be interesting. Merry Christmas JulieP!
Melissa says
Lucy looks like my dog when she sees something she has never had, but she’s sure she would love. Merry Christmas Mavis & Lucy!
Anissa says
I adored reading about all the different ways people celebrate. My husband changed shifts, so he had to work all 7 days in a row. Going to be a change getting used to working 12 hour shifts Wednesday to Saturday instead of Sunday to Wednesday. We were able to rearrange some weekly therapy appointments, so it will be nice to have help with all the appointments for our youngest.
I have a frozen lasagna made a month ago and we will have that for our holiday meal on New Year’s Eve.
The kids were happy with frozen pizzas, cupcakes, and snacks for Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!