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Archive for the ‘Amuse-bouche du jour’ Category

12 Days of Christmas-8 Nights of Hanukkah=UGLY SWEATERS Galore

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , , , on December 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Oh yes it’s that time of year again! Thankfully the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah and the Christmas festivities which stretch to Little Christmas at least coincided for some of the time! 

Ugly sweaters were out and about EVERYWHERE!  These are some of the best out there!

pink ugly sweater BRSG blo, Bridgette Raes

Truly Accessorized

Hanukkah Ugly sweater, BRSG, Bridgette Raes

Dreidels In Space

BRSG, Christmas Ugly sweater, Bridgette Raes

It's All Here

Hanukkah ugly sweater, dreidel, BRSG

Hanukkah Hanging Dice

BRSG, Bridgette Raes, Christmas ugly sweater,

Full Blow Santa

Hanukkah sweater, Bridgette Raes, BRSG

Not So Ugly After All

BRSG, ugly Christmas sweater, Bridgette Raes,

"...and up the chimney he sprang"

Hanukkah ugly sweater, BRSG

Hanukkah Harry

BRSG, ugly Christmas sweater

Yes, She Did Win This Year's Contest

Hanukkah ugly sweater, dreidel, menorrah

Why the Snowmen?

All of these photos are from Bridgette Raes, a style expert and her BRSG blog.You will enjoy her matter of fact, tell it like it is style comments and advice at http://networkedblogs.com/s4GnE

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AMUSE-BOUCHE du jour-Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, Fab Fotos on December 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Murray Head, nutcracker suite

Nutcrack Sweet

nutcracker, Fishes Eddie

WTF?

Photos by Murray Head

 

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Count Down To Christmas-December 21st-Napkin Rings for your Holiday Table

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY on December 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Cloth napkins are a must at your Christmas dinner table.  Besides being “green”, they afford a great way to accent your table, and they last throughout the meal all the way to dessert.  And if you use a napkin ring you can place it in the middle of the plate which actually adds several inches to your table if you are squeezing in “just one more”.

Here’s few ideas:

Crate and Barrel, napkin rings, holiday place settings

3 Rings Ring

3-Ring

Made of three interlocking silver rings, the metal will sparkle among candles and soft lighting in your space.

To buy: $4, crateandbarrel.com

Split Birch Napkin Rings

Split Birch

Invite the wintertime forest to your table. These inexpensive birch rings provide a simple festive touch for large crowds.

To buy: $12 for set of 10, bhldn.com

Chalk It Up

Chalk Talk

A fun addition to the kid’s table or something to liven up your whole dinner space. Use as place cards with guests’ names or write a holiday greeting on each.

To buy: $10 for set of four, worldmarket.com.

 

 

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Count Down to Christmas-December 20th-Holiday Place Settings

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY on December 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

This is such a simple idea and in fact the idea came from the magazine, Real Simple.   Start with a theme or color palette and incorporate it into all aspects of the table setting;  table cloth, napkins and place cards. 

Adding a personalized touch like individually wrapped presents for your guests at each place setting takes your holiday dinner table to festive heights and sure to please your company, kids and adults alike.

Chirstmas dinner, table settings

Perfectly Matched Set(ting)

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Holidays by JibJab Sendables – Christmas – Video shared by Lori Press

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY on December 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Holidays by JibJab Sendables – Christmas – Video shared by Lori Press.

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family in the blogosphere.  There seemed to be more downs than ups this past year so the spirit didn’t move me early enough to send out real cards.  This is a first for us, but at least it made me laugh.  I hope it makes you smile too.

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Hanukkah Is Coming-December 19th-Get Ready

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , on December 18, 2011| 6 Comments »

Hanukkah, Menorah, Chanukah

Hanukkah Menorah

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights is about to begin.  Well actually the count down is two days because it begins on the 20th of December this year.  I’m excited because this is a holiday I sometimes get to share and I don’t have to do anything! YAY!  Luckily I have a lot of Jewish friends and this year I’m going to have some homemade latkes, can’t wait. 

The Menorah is probably the most widely recognized and produced article of Jewish ceremonial art.  The photo above depicts a nine-branch Menorah.  There are eight nights of Hanukkah and a candle is lit for each evening.  The ninth candle holder is in the middle and is known as the shamash candle and it’s the one used to light the other candles every night.  The shamash candle is usually set higher than the other eight which must all be at the same level.

The celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple after the successful revolt against the Seleucid.  They discovered they only had enough pure olive oil to light the Menorah for one night but the supply lasted eight nights until a new supply could be obtained.  In celebration of this miracle the Menorah has eight branches.  Candles are placed from right to left and are kindled left to right.  The manner of lighting on additional candle each night follows the opinion of the House of Hillel.

It’s time to polish the Menorah if it’s brass.

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Count Down To Christmas-December 18th-Hanukkah is Coming

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Pączki III

Ponchik

I thought I’d post a Hanukkah recipe but it was really difficult to find one I dared to print.  After all, I know every family has their own version of Matzah Ball soup and Latkes.  I might try for a Brisket recipe but for today, I’m sticking with Raspberry Ponchik.  mouth-watering fried doughnuts filled with raspberry jelly. 

Polish ponchik are fried doughnuts stuffed with jelly; Eastern European Jews brought these with them as they moved to Israel. This quick and easy recipe allows anyone to celebrate Hanukkah with homemade jelly doughnuts.

Serves 5

Ingredients

1 (10 count) package of pre-made refrigerated biscuits
24 oz canola oil (for frying)
¼ cup raspberry jelly or jam (or feel free to use your favorite flavor)
¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

  1. Separate biscuits and flatten them so diameter is about 4 inches.
  2. Place about a teaspoon of jelly or jam in the center of each biscuit. Bring the edges together to form a ball. Pinch it closed at the top to seal in the filling.
  3. When all 10 ponchik are ready, pour the oil in a saucepan and bring to 350 degrees F. While waiting for the oil to reach temperature, pour sugar and cinnamon onto a plate.
  4. When oil is ready, use a slotted spoon to lower ponchik into oil. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until the dough is cooked through and golden brown.
  5. Remove from oil with slotted spoon and place on plate with cinnamon sugar. Gently roll the ponchik to coat. Be careful, ponchik will be hot.

Recipe from Jewish Holidays Cookbook by Jill Bloomfield

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Count Down To Christmas-December 17th -Clever Gift in Clever Wrap

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , , , on December 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Alright maybe giving candles is NOT so clever BUT think of it this way;  it certainly is a wonderful hostess gift, a Secret Santa gift, an office gift exchange, a sister-in-law, really anyone who entertains will love this idea.

Purchase a bunch of candles (tapers)the number is up to you.  However, I think 4 would be the minimum in either holiday colors or shades that would complement your giftee’s home.  On the other hand, everyone can use a few beautiful white tapers.  Wrap the candles in a linen napkin.  Again the color contrast or combination is up to you.  Tie with a ribbon and you have gift within a gift.

Now I know you are thinking, who wants just one linen napkin?  The answer is the hostess who wants to line her bread or cracker basket with a linen napkin but doesn’t have an extra or odd one.

green tapers, linen napkin gift wrap,
All Tied Up For Christmas

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Count Down To Christmas-December 16th-Basic Sugar Cookie Dough

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, Everyday Food, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday, tagged , , , , , , , on December 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I wish I were a better cookie baker but I’m not!   Luckily I have two friends who are fantastic cookie makers/bakers!  My friend Susan in CT brought a large plate of assorted delicious cookies last week.   I had to finally put the last of them in the freezer because I was eating Ginger Snaps for breakfast, Christmas trees for lunch, Milk chocolate and white chocolate chip cookies and Pfferneuse for late night noshing! And my friend Dorothy brought me a plate of cookies ostensibly for Finley, however, I don’t think Finny even got one – they were yum yummy!

Christmas cookies, doves, holiday cookies

Sugar Cookie Doves

Makes 18 cookies| Hands-On Time: 25m | Total Time: 1hr 25m

Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
  3. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a disk and (unless otherwise specified in an individual recipe) refrigerate, wrapped, for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. 

Recipe from Real Simple

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December 15th-Count Down To Christmas-Christmas Stockings

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , on December 15, 2011| 1 Comment »

I always found an orange in the toe of my Christmas stocking.  There were nuts, some candy, and maybe a small toy.  What was in  your Christmas stocking?  If you never had one, this could be the year you decide that there really is a Santa Claus and if you hang your stocking from the mantle…who knows what you might find!  These stockings are original and unique, even your dog and cat get their own.

Red Ribbon Velvet Stocking

A classic stocking with a whimsical touch. Red velvet is delicately complemented with white and green ribbon accents. Personalized monograms are available for an additional charge.

To buy: $20, potterybarnkids.com

personalized stocking, velvet ribbons

Velvet Ribbons On My True Love's Stocking

Thomas Paul Tweeter Stocking

This 100 percent cotton stocking has a timeless design with a sweet winter scene. Also available in violet.

To buy: $30, velocityartanddesign.com.

scenic stocking, felt birds,

Twitter Stocking

Needlepoint Christmas Stocking

Designed in intricate needlepoint with a wool front and soft cotton velvet back, this stocking is hand-detailed and can be personalized with up to 10 letters at no additional charge.

To buy: $24.50, landsend.com.

choo choo train, needlepoint stocking

Choo - Choo Christmas Stocking

Skate Around Stocking

A playful approach to the traditional stocking hanging on the mantel. Made of poly felt, the skate’s “blade” can be personalized in light blue with up to 11 letters for an additional charge.

To buy: $24, landofnod.com.

ice skate, personalized stocking

Go Figure

Meow Cat Stocking

Make room for Kitty on the mantel. There’s no confusing stockings with this soft heather grey pick that has a special message for that four-legged friend in your home.
To buy: $13, crateandbarrel.com

kitty stocking, meow, pet stocking

For A Cat Named Socks

Personalized Pet Stocking

Dog bones meet cheetah print for an unexpected design for the furriest member of your family. Personalize with up to 10 letters for no additional cost.

To buy: $25, ballarddesigns.com

pet stocking, doggie stocking

Give The Poor Doggy A Bone

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