red + green = xmas

i haven't actually finished the crisp of the recipe i found, but here are a couple of my prep photos, season-appropriate in green and red. pomegranates and green apples are the main ingredients for this yummy holiday delectable. let the baking commence! (by the by, you're right, those are the very fruit used for the thanksgiving decor!)

update: i finished the crisp over the weekend and boy were we happy to have the smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, bubbling apple and pomegranates wafting through the air. our christmas tree was delivered at 5 and the crisp was done at 6 perfect timing for it to cool while we ate dinner. the little one even got to participate in a few bites as we hung ornaments on the tree. it was a festive and delicious holiday evening.

on a side note: we learned about goleta valley beautiful from a friend on facebook (thanks elizabeth!) although during the rest of the year the organization concentrates their volunteer efforts on planting beautiful native tree species to the urban areas of santa barbara and goleta, this year they decided during the holidays to rent those same trees instead of having them sit in the nursery. rina and i went on a nursery tour during our lunch hour and got an up-close look at coastal oaks, torrey pines and a slew of others. my personal favorite (most closely suited for xmas decor) was a redwood! how cool to have a 9' redwood in our house. according to the GVB executive director ken knight, this tree will later be planted at stow house. It is my understanding that redwoods can live up to a thousand years. pretty cool to have such an intimate few weeks with this tree that will be on our earth for hundreds of years to come! this purchase felt so good this year. it's money going to a eco-friendly cause, it's not a tree that come 1/1, we'll solely use for firewood or will go to mulch, and it was more affordable than our usual xmas tree. keep it in mind for next year. i believe they have traditional trimmed trees too (just limited). enjoy your holiday of family, food, giving and lovely holiday ambiance!