holidays

inspiration for special occasions.

What’s circular, dotted with holly, and green all over?

12/17/2007 | 8 Comments | Topics: food., holidays, recipes, snacks

Wreath cookies: of course! Many food bloggers do a great job making recipe upon recipe based on the calendar of food blog events. I on the other hand, only serendipitously contribute to these parties, events and recipe roundups floating around on the web. I was happy to find this one—or rather, have it find me: Food Blogga is hosting Christmas Cookies 2007. Now there is a… [more]

I heart cookies. I heart you!

01/29/2007 | 10 Comments | Topics: dessert, food., holidays

I really think food speaks volumes both about us and our lives, and the people in our lives.When a friend is sick: you bring food. When you are sick: you eat homemade chicken soup. When you are really sick: you are sad you cannot eat food. When you are sad: you eat comfort food. When you are comfortable: you make new food. When you are new: you eat familiar food.… [more]

coveted, frosted sugar cookies

01/01/2007 | 13 Comments | Topics: dessert, edible gifts, food., holidays

I have hidden, sneaked, stuffed and murmured this recipe. I have not shared it. In fact, to this day I recall being asked for it and conveniently ‘forgetting’ the request. It is so good, such a shoo-in for hitting hero-like status—that one does not want to share the spotlight. I made this recipe this Christmas for Santa, along with my kids who were decorating fiends, because the existing cookies… [more]

Snowball Cookies

12/19/2006 | 10 Comments | Topics: dessert, food., holidays

I have powdery, sugary, pecan embedded glorious butter ball cookies sitting on my windowsill. They look like a row of snowballs, blissfully unaware that they are resting, warm and moist, on the inside. Snowball cookies are a perfect treat for this time of year. Meant to melt in mouths, this sweet cookie delivers more than the snow that melted in my mouth as a child. I used to pour… [more]

Pecan Crusted Sweet Potatoes

12/08/2006 | 4 Comments | Topics: food., holidays, vegetables

It is sad, tear-worthy really. You know how you make a certain dish at Thanksgiving, the one that you [almost] enjoy more the second day? The otherwise forbidden treat, that special side-dish that you can’t wait to beckon off your fork? I realize Thanksgiving is quite over, but I cannot shake the fact that my favorite side dish was left in the back of the oven. Yes, really. I made… [more]

Loving Peppermint: BARK, ice cream & cake

12/01/2006 | 12 Comments | Topics: edible gifts, food spotlight, food., holidays

I love peppermint! I was so glad to find Megnut's recommendation for Peppermint Cake; it is already on the docket for this year's Christmas dessert.

Thanksgiving Orange Rolls

11/29/2006 | 2 Comments | Topics: food., holidays, starch

Luisa over at The Wednesday Chef inspired me to bring on the orange rolls! She made Wheat and Cornmeal Cheese rolls, another savory sweet, light and airy bread in a roll experience. Hats off to stepping off into the world of novelty bread recipes!

Drunken Turkey

11/22/2006 | 3 Comments | Topics: food., holidays

My turkey is sitting in brine. Not just any brine: 375ml of whiskey and a cup of sugar have been added to the regular salt-and-water bath. It is a big bird—I wonder if any fridge shelves have ever broken while brining a bird? It is the day before Thanksgiving and I haven’t done anything, save pick up the house and buy the groceries. I feel like I should be in… [more]

Purple People Eater

10/25/2006 | 1 Comment | Topics: food., holidays, libations

Halloween is my excuse to try new recipes, gussy up the house and serve multi-colored, nasty looking drinks. Every year I throw a big Halloween bash, and make it an all-family event. Adults and children dress in costumes, then play spooky tricks and eat Halloween treats. One of my goals for this year’s party is to out the lights: using only string lights, candles, light-up skeletons, pumpkins and glowing cauldrons… [more]

Halloween Party 2006: Drinks

10/23/2006 | 1 Comment | Topics: food., holidays, libations

Tombstone: Al B. Waiting Tombstone: Redd E. Wenuare Tombstone: E. B. Gone My husband and boys spent most of Saturday cutting out, sanding, spray painting and writing crafty sayings on the front of tombstones. Our front yard is flocked with tombstones; each year we make our home just a bit spookier. So much so, that now I write warnings to [party coming] friends whose little children might easily take fright.… [more]