one clear picture: dried, dead, frigid, reluctant sun I am officially in post-Christmas mode now. I am over all the little anxieties about getting everything ready in time, hoping everyone is happy with their day, presents and the food. Yesterday was a day of re-grouping for me - cleaning up the house mostly. Things look neater now. That's good. So, all is calm, all is bright..... and I just heard the most glorious bird outside singing … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2013
The Morning After; Feast of Stephen and the Omnipresent Push to 2014
Mom's Apple Pie - choice for Christmas Dessert Our Christmas Day this year was very kitchen-focused - loads of fun for me. Then, there is the day after........ Is anyone else exhausted and looking forward to a day of vegging? I am. There is always something transitory about the day after Christmas isn't there? It's some sort of a mixture of relief and letdown. I padded down the stairs early this morning, around 5, made coffee and … [Read more...]
Christmas Morning Cake – The Raspberry-Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
MERRY, MERRY - HOLLY JOLLY! On the menu this morning: My Crabmeat Frittata, Crepes with Fresh Fruit and this cake. While I am going to get into big trouble for using all the raspberries which I forgot were for the Crepes, I am hoping everyone will be happy with this offering today. I really didn't want to make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls! THE RASPBERRY-CINNAMON STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE- adapted from Saveur Topping: 8 tblsp … [Read more...]
Christmas Eve Afternoon Fondue and Taralli w Christin
Today has been especially busy - running around to the grocery stores, etc., just to pick up a few last minute things........ But, later on I got into the kitchen with Christin, as she was inspired to bake - WOW! Ryan made a last minute trip to the mall and decided upon a nap. Fire's on and we are all happy and relaxing ............. This morning I decided to start a new tradition - Christmas Eve afternoon of Fondue, Prosecco and … [Read more...]
Oysters and Martinis – Selection de Rigueur; Classic New York Christmas, Uptown and Down
courtesy goodfoodstories.com courtesy seattleite.com image courtesy Eats on Lexington image courtesy Keen's Steakhouse thisweeksf.net courtesy hauteliving.com Is this not all that is beauty and perfection in a few choice ingredients? Yesterday, I had a little day in the city. It was filled with memorable visual and sensory vignettes of classic New York Christmas. There was all the expected hustle-bustle but sans the … [Read more...]
The Name of the Dance is the Peppermint Twist; Don’t Scare the Kids
Joey Dee and the Starlighters circa 1961 - you must watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WIvZu4dPQQ I would have to say that, generally speaking I do believe it isn't a good idea to have your children view you in situations which lead them to question your sanity and thereby threaten their overall sense of security. However, this morning I actually played a youtube video of this wonderful classic from 1961 for Christin. She was … [Read more...]
Yes, We Have No Bananas – or Raspberries; Strawberry and Chocolate Scones
Today I somehow landed in Vaudeville - although when Christin is around unexpectedly, sometimes it does seem like our house could be a scene from there. " Yes, We Have No Bananas" was the title of a song from 1922's Broadway revue, "Make It Snappy", written by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn and sung by Eddie Cantor. Ok, this was the year my Mother was born and I obviously have no recollection of any such show so I can not say why I know … [Read more...]
Me, I Want a Hula Hoop……Please Christmas Don’t be Late; White Chocolate, Almond and Cranberry Biscotti (Definitely Not as Good as Roseann’s)
image courtesy Wikipedia.org It's 1958 in my head today and what's playing? Who can forget the Chipmunks' famous lyrics, "Please Santa, don't be late": ......me, I want a hula hoop, we can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don't be late"................ Yes, The Chipmunks began their still famous career in 1958 and even appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show - that's before their career took off in earnest (aka in … [Read more...]
Stop the World, I Want to Get Off? Dorie, Carolyne and The Mouse King
looking a little fierce and sans one foot, presumably lost in the battle Three unnerving things happened to me yesterday: First I saw that Dorie Greenspan closed her amazing cookie establishment, Beurre and Sel. Ugh! This couldn't have been worse news for me as I work to muster up all my confidence to go into my own baking business. This was a "Stop the World, I Want to Get OFF"- type occurrence, since I consider Dorie to be a … [Read more...]
In the Mood: Cold Air, Classical Music and Visions of Sugarplums
Dance of the Snowflakes from George Balanchine's The Nutcracker - image courtesy NYTimes You should look at the full size picture of this online - it is an amazing photo Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies This post could be called "continuing to stream nostalgia"...... In the Mood - one of my favorite tunes, ever. Getting into the mood for the Winter Holidays, whichever ones you celebrate and enjoy most, is initiated by different stimuli … [Read more...]