can't beat it food tv - if you don't know who they are, I'm truly sorry Today, I'm across the pond again. I do tend to wake up over there more often than not, you know. Today, I'm in the home of the proper Nog and Trifle (ooo - I like that name for something - file). Which leads me down a memory lane or two......... In this little head of mine, I reiterate, this is the time of year for extreme nostalgia. I revert to visions of my … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2016
Day 7 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – The Most Bee-utiful Gift – Biscotti Fiorentini, Updated
this may not be a Christmas-y picture, but it is a vivid depiction for today's topic If you asked me what my single most coveted and all-time favorite individual food item is, I would not hesitate to say it's honey. Anyone familiar with me, this blog and my travels around knows that I go about my days coddling the bees wherever I am and tasting their offerings like some obsessed fiend. Honey, in my mind, is the most bee-utiful gift ever - … [Read more...]
Day 6 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – The Red and White Cookie – Peppermint Gets a New Suit
save Black and White for New Year's Eve Day 6 and the weather outside is getting more frightful! But, inside, it's so delightful........ Here's my holiday version of the iconic Black and White! It pays homage to the bright colors of Santa's suit, I think. Christmas is for kids, after all, isn't it? I read one reference on the internet claiming that Santa's red and white suit is not a custom that came down through the ages, but an … [Read more...]
December 5 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – David Leibovitz’s Fresh Ginger Cake with a Light Dusting of Snow
this morning outside my door - a light dusting of snow What is it about the power of music? This is yet another of my absent understandings about how the brain works. Many times a day I find music coming into my head. It's an association thing, I know that. But, beyond that, I don't know where it comes from. It's like movie lines...... There is just something about this time of year that opens the flood gates of associations that have … [Read more...]
Sunday Dinner – A Beyond-Common Five-Minute-Prep One-Pot Meal to Make Ahead or Last Minute – Herbed Chicken and Grapes with Yukon Gold Potatoes
Got plans for today and won't return till dinnertime? Going Christmas tree shopping? Last minute dinner guests? Who can't use a beyond common, quick do-ahead or last minute meal at this time of year? This one is good enough for Sunday Dinner. Read along........ The other day I was watching Ina Garten on her new series, "Cooking for Jeffrey". She was showing a friend how to make a simple meal for a dinner party - Roast Chicken with … [Read more...]
December 4 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Diagnosis: Cookie-Brain and Vanilla Kipferln
Yesterday's curious color combination-discovery Little story of the day: So, yesterday I had a faux-pas with my wreath for the front door. On Friday evening, I dutifully sprayed it with Wilt-Pruf and hung it by the garage to dry overnight. Yesterday morning when I went out to hang it, I got a little surprise! Our front door is a direct southern exposure and a fresh wreath can get literally fried out there. I even have trouble … [Read more...]
December 3 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Great Billowy Clouds of Egg Whites and Sugar – Nigella Lawson’s Winter Pavlova
Kit with a snowy nose Do you ever get a little crazy and act in the exact opposite way as you know to be your true self? Well, right around this time of year, I get to thinking about snow. Yes, I said that. For one short instant, I transcend every normal thing about myself and if only in my mind's eye, dream about cold and snow. I really enjoy the month of December with all of the preparations (after that we can just fast-forward to … [Read more...]
December 2 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Peppermint and My Lunch at Barney’s Counter
Thank you to Barbara Wild for reminding me of this! go online and take a look - so fun! Wow, it's day 2 already. Do you have your little books ready? Is there a recipe or two in there already? Some little drawings, doodles, clippings, or photos? It's not too late to start! I was in Manhattan again yesterday. I adore New York in December - even though the traffic is abominable. Yesterday in Manhattan - it was looking good: … [Read more...]
December 1 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Gingerbread Men and Spritz Cookies
from the candy cane collection yesterday Thank goodness that rain is gone! I know we are in dire need of rain but these past two days were *****. That, of course, didn't stop me from running around outside with my camera. I happened upon these candy cane collection roses, all drenched but still gorgeous on 11/30. Wow, those 11 months went by very quickly. And, those last three days went by quickly, too. I have to confess I haven't … [Read more...]