December 29, 2010

Why I Blog

...and Coulibiac of Salmon.


As a year comes to its end I always start reflecting on the past 12 months. What decisions did I make that effected myself and those around me for the better? What did I do that was a total bomb? What changes should I make in the next year???

December 26, 2010

A Matter of Perspective

Warm Crab Tartlets.


Some things never change.  I love crabmeat; I have always loved crabmeat.

When I was a little girl, I thought The Red Lobster was the fanciest restaurant on the planet. I mean, only a truly elegant restaurant would offer grown-ups special bibs so their clothes wouldn't get dirty!

December 22, 2010

Christmas Cookie Lineup & WINNER!

I'm excited to announce, the WINNER of the Bosch Tassimo T20 Coffee Brewer is:

 Comment 150, AKA High Plains Drifters! (Generated by Random.org)

Congratulations HPD! Email me right away with you shipping information.


December 19, 2010

Tassimo T20 Review and GIVEAWAY!



I was recently given the opportunity to review a Tassimo T20 Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, made by Bosch. As I was planning to buy my husband just such a contraption for Christmas, I jumped at the chance to try it!

December 15, 2010

When All Else Fails~BAKE!

Almond Sandwich Cookies.


I'm trapped in my house due to snow.

No...we don't have white drifts blanketing the landscape like many friends up North. Snow in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a novelty. We see it on the mountain tops. We drive up to it to ski. We even get enough in the valleys to sled once or twice each year. But drive in it? Live functional lives in it?

NO. We don't do that.

December 12, 2010

Merry Shortbread!

Orange Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread.


I told you I had a thing for shortbread. While nibbling any cookie, I think to myself, "You know what would make this even better? More butter and a touch of salt!" In my mind, chocolate chip cookies would be better as crispy shortbread. Oatmeal cookies would taste better if they had more butter and less (meaning NO) eggs. Macaroons...yep, they are in desperate need of butter.

December 08, 2010

All or Nothing

Sumptuous and Speedy Beef Stroganoff


Sometimes I watch my little girl in wonder. She will decide that we are having "party night" and goes about the house making decorations, invitations, signs, and appetizers (cheese and crackers and cereal mix). She'll even make or find little trinkets to put in goodie bags! Then after dinner the rest of us are herded into the living room to join her party.

December 05, 2010

Christmas Cookies UNLEASHED!

Molasses-Spice Marshmallow Cookies, a.k.a. "Kona" Cookies.


After displaying a picture of my sweet dog a few posts back, I decided  I haven't given him the recognition he deserves. So this post is dedicated to Kona.

December 01, 2010

Kitchen Invaders Detoured

Apple-Cheddar Palmiers.


I often feel like a military commander in my kitchen, on the day of a holiday dinner party. Barking orders, protecting the sacred cargo, holding down the fort from invaders.