Hard to believe that 2013 is nearly over and I must admit that the things I promised myself I would do, didn’t get done.  So I didn’t get a sourdough starter going and I didn’t learn to temper chocolate – the two things I said I was going to do in 2013.

Instead we invited John’s dad to stay with us and I have no regrets for changing my priorities. He’s not been spoiled since he was a child and he’s really enjoying it.

On to In My kitchen – a group of food bloggers who share what’s new in their kitchens every month and it’s hosted by Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.

Okay, this is the dining room.  We celebrated Thanksgiving in style this year and Rob took a photo in the afternoon while I was setting up.  John’s son has an American girlfriend who’s only been in Australia a few months and she’s homesick and wanted real bacon for breakfast and pumpkin pie and other American food.  They arrived at lunch time and I’d bought Hellman’s and Miracle Whip – just in case.  She walked in and exclaimed, “MIRACLE WHIP???  YOU HAVE MIRACLE WHIP??”

She lives in Melbourne where they would have tons more ‘stuff’ than we have in our regional city but I don’t think she’s done much shopping.  They live right downtown and after a long day of programming, I suspect it’s easier to walk next door and get dinner.

We invited our neighbors for Thanksgiving dinner and they came laden with gifts.  Wine, champagne and these lovely things.

Jan from across the cul-de-sac gave me some choko chutney.  I’d barely heard of chokos so the chutney was a surprise. It’s delicious and I’m hoping for the recipe.

She also baked these little melting moments.  The cat was just sitting around on the room divider.

Her husband John, also known in the neighborhood as Big John, loves playing with wood and he made this gorgeous wooden platter from mango wood.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  Disregard dirty tile grout in the floor.

Fran from next door has the loveliest raised garden beds away from the water so she doesn’t get as much salt spray damage as I do.  She came laden down with these wonderful veggies AND a bottle of Moet champagne.

I’ve been wanting this espresso powder for a long time and now I have some!

And finally, my second-best friend in the world who guards my kitchen as if it were his own.  We’ll be making doggie biscuits again soon for Christmas.  He can’t wait.  …or maybe he can.

So…  what’s in your kitchen this month?  For a peek into heaps of food bloggers’ kitchens, head over to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial’s In My Kitchen!