The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer..

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to her!"- Buddy the elf

Christmas is fast approaching, all of the heavy work is done and I am patiently waiting out my last two night shifts so I can load up the car and head home to the island. If anyone is a nurse, you can understand how brutal the Christmas schedule can be. I personally sold my soul, working three quick turn arounds (*nights back onto days, in less than 24 hrs) to let me make it home for a bit of an extended weekend (hence why I have been MIA on here). Needless to say lots of things in my life are suffering at this moment, my sleep pattern, my plan to reduce my coffee intake and the bags under my eyes have never been so pronounced. I am fairly certain I could take them shopping with me or at least stick a Prada bag in them for safe keeping. But! It is Christmas time and it will all be worth it! Below are a few of pictures of my holiday decor as well as two wine recommendations, for the wine drinkers and last minute party goers! Happy holidays !
-m

Nothing Says Holidays....

"Nothing says holidays like a cheese log...- Ellen Degeneress

I am not going to lie to you, I was a bit bah-humbug-y this year. Over the last week or so that feeling has been dissipating. Maybe it is because my shopping is done and the tree is up, or maybe it is because I am looking forward to eight glorious days off over the holiday. All I know is that today it appears that I am less of a Grinch with barley a sprinkle of Scrooge.

Yesterday afternoon I had my annual centerpiece making party. A handful of lovely ladies from work combined with lots of glitter, pine and just a touch of rum made for a fantastic few hours. I woke up with a pine needle in my bra this morning, they are everywhere!

These make snappy gifts, especially for the hostess with the mostest on your list (what can she do with all those bad bottles of wine??). Pictures follow as well as a step-by-step tutorial, have fun getting crafty!
-m

Branches!!

Branches into the sponge!

Adding some bling...

Hard at work!

Chantal's masterpiece

One of mine!

Left over branches (there was a lot) stuck in my planter!

How to:

1) Find a container, jar, tin, pot or anything that doesn't leak (if it is clear you will need ribbon or you will see the florist sponge).
2) Insert florist sponge (oasis) approx. the same size as your container and trim to fit (a kitchen knife does the trick).
3) Drink some cider and rum.
4) Fill with greenery...pine, spruce, fir, whatever you were able to scour (we took an hour through the woods with shopping bags and gardening shears...quite a sight!.)
5) Repeat step number three, but you can mix it up with baileys if you so choose.
6) Use glittery branches, ornaments, berries or anything your little heart desires to jazz it up, it should all stick into the sponge very easily.
7)Water your greenery and it should keep till the new year!
8) Finish by wetting your whistle with any other festive beverage (spiced rum and egg nog...just a suggestion!)
Tips:

EVERYTHING (!!!) can be found at the dollar store. Pots,tins etc. glittery branches and berries, ribbons and ornaments. Even the florist sponge is there (but they do sell out, so stock up!). I provided the greenery, sponge and some sparkly baubles, everyone was to bring a container of choice and were welcome to bring anything else they wanted! I am already looking forward to next year!

A Man Can Not Live By Bread Alone...

"A man can not live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter!"- James Garfield

I love to entertain. A few weeks ago I had company coming and knew I was to cook for a handful of people. I wracked my brain and had numerous discussions with co-workers as to what would be the most bang for the least amount of effort and what was sure to impress (because entertaining shouldn't be stressful, it should be fun and easy!).

I settled on a big, steaming pot of chicken curry that simmered all day long. A real crowd pleaser. Dessert was another story all together. I just couldn't get inspired. I flipped thorough my personal recipe book, hmmed and haaawed and even Irma B and her Joy of Cooking couldn't get me excited. A last minute, desperate search lead me to my all time favorite foodie blog Smitten kitchen and the random recipe button. I pushed that button once and bam! Peanut butter chocolate cake. Who wouldn't love that? It was easy, moist and delicious and everyone LOVED it! Because I can't leave a good thing alone, I adapted her recipe by adding pear infused balsamic (instead of white vinegar) and just a splash of red wine for good measure. I also added fresh raspberries between the layers (I had two layers not three) and some on top for garnish. Because I was in a rush, I frosted in a messy-just-get-the-damn-stuff-on kinda way and I loved how it turned out. I think everyone should make this, or at least use the chocolate cake recipe, cause it is the bee's knee's.

Recipe can be found here...    http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/ 

If you do not know Smitten Kitchen, you should. I have never had a Deb Perelman recipe fail me yet and she uses simple ingredients with an elegant finish. She also just released her first cook book and it is a beauty.
-m