In lieu of having a traditional office holiday celebration this year, the staff at Action Greensboro coordinated a lunch at Higher Ground, Triad Health Project’s retreat for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the area. We served some homemade treats (Judy’s delicious broccoli salad and Dabney’s decedent Coconut Cake), some picked up (chicken pot pie from Maria’s) and some holiday gifts unknowingly donated by several generous businesses that we work with (thanks to Mad Monk Interactive, Grassroots Productions, M’couls and others – the calories did much more good to their tummies than ours).

This year I bought very few Christmas gifts. I’m of the belief that most of the people in my day-to-day life buy things when they need or want them. To me, the best gifts come in experiences – meals shared around a table, trips taken near or far and words and thoughts exchanged. The biggest gifts for me this year were cooking for friends, spending time with family and sharing a simple meal today with the folks at Higher Ground. In retrospect, these experiences are really what this blog is about – experiences more than recipes – so thank you for sharing these gifts this year. I look forward to many more in 2010.