We’re back in the kitchen after a few days off for Christmas and boy are we ready to hit the ground running!

Jessica, Nick, and Dan at River's Edge Brewery, Milford, Michigan

We started our Christmas festivities with our friends Dan and Jessica Riley at River's Edge Brewery in Milford, Michigan. We enjoyed beautiful Christmas music, played but extraordinary string musicians. I must say, I love the violin, but man am I a sucker for the cello.

Since 2004, I’ve been hosting Christmas Eve Breakfast for friends who are back in Michigan for the holidays. When I was living in Ferndale, MI, in my early 20s, I had quite a few friends move to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Texas, and other states around our country. When local friends and those who moved away come over, I make a ton of food and we all hang out before heading our separate ways.

Just a few dishes from this year's Christmas Eve Breakfast

Jake, Brad, and Marie play pinball in the basement at Christmas Eve Breakfast

This year’s breakfast was more intimate than usual, but the food was delicious and the company was amazing. We had quiche, brussel sprouts, potatoes, sausages, brie and lingonberry bites, blueberry streusel; and so much more. Everyone had a great time. We also had a pinball tournament in the basement this year. Dave Rose, a great friend of ours, took home a mini trophy and a Pumpkin Cheesecake for winning 1st prize!

Nick and I went to my brother John’s house that evening, where my sister-in-law prepared a feast for the Kellys, the Nichols, and the Campbells. Santa stopped by to pass out presents to our nieces and nephews, too! Santa was wonderful, but truth be told, I was pretty biased of this year’s Santa. Watching my super cool, smart, fun nieces and nephews open their gifts is my favorite part of Christmas. It warms my heart to see their smiles and excitement.

To MarieLove, Nick — To Marie
Love, Nick

Nick and I got home that night and we exchanged one present before getting to bed. Nick had a custom National Park sign made for me – my absolute favorite gift this Christmas. I opened it and immediately started tearing up. I’m so thankful for his constant thoughtfulness.

Christmas morning we headed to my sister Janet’s house, where my niece, Grace, and nephew, Stefan, showed us their Christmas presents. My brother-in-law, Scott, was also jazzed about his gifts. Mom was there, too, and we all had breakfast together before doing another little gift exchange.

I am proud to say Grace and Stefan still think Aunt Marie’s eggs are the best.

Janet got us the best gifts, including a super warm and cuddly blanket from Restoration Hardware, and Mom got me some amazing kitchen gadgets and a cooler/organizer for Nick’s and my annual road trip (#campbellkellyroadtrip) coming up in February/March 2018. It’s absolutely perfect and we’re both so excited to use it!

From there, we came home for a heart beat so Nick could clear the driveway of all the wonderful snow we got on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Then, it was off to Mom’s to give the rest of the nieces and nephews their gifts. There were so many smiles and hugs!

We drove to my in-laws, the Campbell’s house, where we nibbled on my mother-in-law’s addictive Christmas snacks, laughed with Lindsey and Steve, my awesome sister-in-law and brother-in-law, and played with Drew and Donnie, our nephews. The boys were in heaven; playing with their toys and demanding Uncle Nick play with them, too. They just know he’s the best.

Nick snuggled up on the couch Christmas night

We got the most unique, thoughtful gift from Tim and Mary Margaret this year – over 50 lbs. of meat and 10 lbs. of potatoes! Seriously! From bacon to sirloin steaks, and everything in between (ribs, chicken, ground beef, pork chops! Seriously, everything!). What an awesome idea, right?! Truly the coolest.

Finally, we headed home with bellies full, feeling so blessed and grateful for our family.

Nick lit a fire in the fireplace and underneath the warm blanket from Janet, Nick and I exchanged the rest of our gifts.

We’re both so thankful for everything this year, mostly our family and friends, and all the good fortune we’ve had. We’re really looking forward to living our best in 2018, and spreading love and sharing good food with all.

What do you do for the holidays? What was your favorite meal? I cannot resist my Mom's homemade pierogies, that's for sure! What was your favorite gift this year? We'd love to hear from you!

Here's to a healthy, happy 2018!

Happy Holidays 2017