New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays. More specifically, it's the afternoon — not necessarily the evening — on the last day of the year that I enjoy most.

My grandfather was a tremendous cook. From pies to roast turkeys, a meal wasn't complete unless there were floured handprints on the cherry cabinets.

It was an idea that began in the first few months of 2016 — or more precisely, if I'm being entirely honest, it came to me on New Year's Eve of 2015.

The holidays are a hectic time. If you live in New York, they can be dizzying, and even maddening. Each year though, I vow to savor them.