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Archive for the ‘BY THE WAY’ Category

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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AMUSE-BOUCHE du Jour – Maxine’s Best Holiday Humor

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

The line at the Post Office was sooooo ooooo long.  The store was terribly over-heated,  I can’t  tell you how much fun it was to carry around my pea coat and scarf, the umbrella (because it was supposed to rain) and the purchases.  Oh it’s that time of the year!

Maxine, Christmas humor

“Deck the Halls”

FOR MORE OF MAXINE’S HOLIDAY HUMOR GO TO: Holiday Humor from Maxine! Laugh Until Christmas-14 Days and Counting…

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December 14th-Count Down To Christmas-Holiday Hostess Gifts

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

Invited to a holiday cocktail party? Or to a Hanukkah latke supper? Or a Christmas dinner party?  You know you gotta bring a hostess gift…of course you can always opt for the traditional (read boring and unimaginative) bottle of wine, perhaps even some Veuve Clicquot.  OR you could bring a jar of that strawberry jam you made this summer.  In the past I have made batches of seasoned nuts and given them as gifts – but we’re running out of time to shop for ingredients, find appropriate containers and then make the peppermint bark or spicy pecans, so take a look at this list and maybe a couple of the items will jump off the page for you or at least inspire you to think a bit creatively when picking out that Hostess Gift.

Apartment48.com, kitchen timer, retro timer

Retro Kitchen Timer

Retro Kitchen Timer

An aluminum timer buzzing with old-school charm will wake up any kitchen’s style. Available in six colors.

To buy: $18, apartment48.com

uncommongoods.com

Still Hot From The Oven

Bread Warmer

Heat this terra-cotta plate, then tuck it into a bread basket to keep rolls soft and warm. Score brownie points by showing up with it packaged with a fresh-baked loaf of focaccia.

To buy: $15, uncommongoods.com

crate and barrel,

Say Cheese

These markers are a great gift for any hostess.  Perfect way to identify an assortment of cheeses for a cocktail party.

crate and barrel, kitchen soap and lotion

Sweet Clementine Soap & Hand Lotion

This refreshing scented duo is perfect for the hostess’s kitchen. 

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December 13th-Count Down To Christmas-Gifts for Techies

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , on December 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

And who isn’t a bit of a “techie” nowadays?  I know I am with what being a woman of a certain age and owning and using a Droid, an iPad, an iPod, a computer, a lap top, a digital camera, and a Kindle….well enough said.  My husband is NOT.   So no gift on this list for him- he who doesn’t even answer or for that matter look at his email, lol.

This first gift just cracked me up! It has twenty-something, thirty-something (or otherwise known as the kids born in the digital generation) written all over it.

Digits, gloves, texting, typing

DigitsNothing–not even the bitter cold–will keep you from commenting on your friends’ Facebook posts. Simply attach these small electronic pads to the fingertips of your gloves and you’ll be able to send those urgent (or not so much) messages fast.To buy: $20 for eight, quirky.com.Digits

Are cameras going the way of snail mail?  Personally I hope not because this blog would sorely miss Murray’s photos.  However, for the less than professional photographer who uses his or her cell phone camera for shooting just about everything, take a look at this! Now you can carry these around with you as well as the extra batteries you will need to keep your Smartphone charged!!!

Smartphone camera lens, photojojo.com

Smartphone Camera Lens

Smartphone Camera Lenses

Take high-quality photos by simply attaching these mini-lenses to your camera’s phone. Made of high-clarity glass, they bring amazing pictures to life. The set includes macro/wide angle, fisheye, and telephoto lenses (all lenses also sold individually).

To buy: $49, photojojo.com.

bluelounge.com

iPad Stand

Blue Lounge Nest iPad Stand and Desk-Tidy

Colorful rubber lining cushions and cradles your iPad while also providing a stashing spot for your phone, keys, spare change, you name it.

To buy: $15, bluelounge.com.



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December 12th-Count Down To Christmas-Gifts That Give Back

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , on December 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“It’s better to give than receive” and if you believe in this theory and have taken it to heart, then you might be interested in this list of Christmas gifts that not only give pleasure and joy upon receipt, they also give back to a worthwhile cause.

  1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

    A jar of homemade goodness. This sweet mix is packed with all of the ingredients (flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips) for baking three dozen tasty treats. Williams-Sonoma will donate a portion of the proceeds to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger through December 31, 2011.

    To buy: $16, williams-sonoma.com.

  2. KLAPPAR ELEFANT    

    Soft, snuggly, and begging to be hugged. An adorable pick for the young–or young at heart–on your list. For every soft toy sold, the IKEA Foundation will donate $1 to UNICEF and Save the Children education programs through December 24, 2011.

    To buy: $15, ikea.com.

  3. Mercury Owls

    If you’re looking for a decorative piece with a little extra sparkle, these mercury glass owls are a wise choice. For every purchase, West Elm will donate 50 percent of proceeds to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Available in two sizes.

    To buy: Starting at $14, westelm.com.

  4. Kids’ Victorious Graphic Tee

    There won’t be any complaints about getting clothes when he unwraps this cool graphic tee, designed by Dallas Clayton, author and illustrator of the Awesome book series. Proceeds from the sales of the t–shirts go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We’d say that makes this gift pretty awesome.

    To buy: $25, jcrew.com.

  5. TOM’s Campus Classics

    Cool enough to wear around campus; comfortable enough to make your weekend shoes. For every pair of kicks purchased, TOM’s sends another to a child in need. Available in 26 styles.

    To buy: $48, toms.com.

  6. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps

    Even winter skin needs extra TLC. Tuck this rich hydrating cream into stockings and feel even better knowing that Kiehl’s will donate 100% of the net proceeds from this collection to the Koons Family Institute on International Law and Policy.

    To buy: $29 for 8.4 oz bottle, kiehls.com.

    Uniceff, IKEA, Save the Children

    KLAPPAR Elephant

    St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, West Elm

    Mercury Owls

    Tom's shoes

    To A Child In Need

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December 11th-Count Down To Christmas-Movie Night

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, Only in New York, tagged , , , , , , , on December 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

A box of Junior Mints

Even Seniors Like Them

Does anyone out there remember when going to the movies was a cheap date?  I mean seriously, the price of a movie ticket is so high I’m happy to pass my self off as an almost senior!  In New York City, the price of an adult movie ticket ranges from $12.50 at The Film Forum, an art and vintage movie theater, $13.50 at AMC theaters and a whopping $19.50 to see a movie at IMAX.

So who wouldn’t want some gift certificates to their local movie house or a gift card from Fandango?

Not an original idea for sure, BUT this year let’s get creative with the packaging.

You can get an open striped carton favor box online or a store like The Container Store sells many various creative containers.  A popcorn box or container would be great and I bet if you go to your favorite movie theater’s concession stand and ask for an empty popcorn holder, you’ll get one or two!  Fill it with favorite movie-watching munchies like Good & Plenty, Junior Mints, Sugar Babies and of course the certificates or gift card. Tie a ribbon around it and you have the makings of a perfect (not too expensive) gift.  And it can be given to just about anyone on your list.

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December 10th-Count Down To Christmas-10 Christmas Quotes

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, tagged , , , , , , , on December 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »

English: Screenshot of Jimmy Stewart and Donna...

It's A Wonderful Life

I never thought about a category of quotes devoted to Christmas, but here are ten for your review.  I think a few of them would be wonderful as a tag line below your signature on your Christmas cards!

  1. A Quote from It’s a Wonderful Life

    “Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”

  2. A Quote from Calvin Coolidge

    “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

  3. A Quote from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

    “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

  4. A Quote from Jesse Jackson

    “Your children need your presence more than your presents.”

  5. A Quote from Peter Kreeft

    “Thanksgiving comes after Christmas.”

  6. A Quote from Edna Ferber

    “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.”

  7. A Quote from Gladys Taber

    “Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of.”

  8. A Quote from Gladys Taber

    “Christmas is a kindling of new fires.”

  9. A Quote from Freya Stark

    “Christmas is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.”

  10. A Quote from Ella Wheeler Wilcox

    “When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow, / We hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago, / And etched on vacant place / Are half-forgotten faces / Of friends we used to cherish, and loves we used to know.”

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December 9th-Count Down To Christmas-QUICK EASY Cookies

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, Tasty Tidbits Tuesday, tagged , , , , , , , on December 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Gifts to buy, presents to wrap, groceries to buy, decorate the house, buy stocking-stuffers, get the Secret Santa gift, send out Christmas cards, go to the office holiday party and on and on and on….

Here’s one holiday preparation that is truly quick and easy and yummy too.  Check it out.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cream, and cocoa, then boil for 1 minute.
  2. Remove the saucepan from heat, add the peanut butter and vanilla, and stir until smooth. Stir in the oats and peanuts.
  3. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the batter onto wax paper–lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart, and let cool until set, about 20 minutes.
  4. Storage suggestion: Keep the cookies at room temperature, between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.

*** This recipe from Gina Maria Miraglia Enriquez to REAL SIMPLE magazine

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December 8th-Count Down To Christmas-Book Lovers Gift

Posted in Amuse-bouche du jour, BY THE WAY, From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 12, 2011| 1 Comment »

This is a book you will love to give to a younger person on your gift list. It’s hard to really say what the age range is for a Shel Silverstein book – they have such wide appeal and the adults reading them to kids enjoy the life lessons contained within as much as the kids enjoy the precious drawings.

I read the Giving Tree to my kids so many times, I think we all had it memorized.  Silverstein’s newest book is Every Thing On It.  It’s a compilation of previously unpublished poems and drawings by Shel. It will capture the hearts of the young and not-so-young for years to come.

Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree,

Every Thing On It

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