Bag, Box and Store

If you haven't already, you probably are about to pack up the Christmas tree and all of her fabulous accessories for another year. I spent most of the day yesterday taking down all of my own festive decor and sweeping up glitter. In order to make next year's installation easier and to protect everything, here are a few storage tips that will make decorating move quickly and keep your investment sparking.

As you take the tree, garlands and other items apart, discard any broken ornaments or burned out lights. There is no need to store trash just to have to sort through it next year. Be sure to separate each style of decoration from your tree, wreaths and garlands and place in gallon sized zip storage bags to keep together. Your holiday design will not and should not be exactly the same each year. Seeing how much you have of a specific item will help you plan next year's design with ease.

An easy way to keep lights from twisting together is to hold one end of the string against your palm and then wrap the lights around your hand starting with your index finger, around the back of your hand and back to index finger. When you reach the end of the strand of lights, slide the "nest" off of your hand and plug the ends into one another to hold the bundle in place.

Glass balls should be stored in the original box if you still have them. If not, invest in some stackable plastic boxes with inserts that hold the ornament in place to keep them from breaking. Select clear plastic boxes with tight fitting lids to see whats inside and keep out dust. Store in a closet or other space inside the house, especially if you live in a region with big swings in the temperature. Attics, outside storage units and other areas with extremely hot, cold or humid conditions wreak havoc on painted glass and papermache items. A little care and planning now will pay off later, but isn't that always the case?

Getting On The Right Track

Aside from paint, there is no less expensive or easier way to update the look of an interior space than to change out dated light fixtures. Any room in the house can benefit from a quick swap out of a dated ceiling light.

In the kitchen, those boxed florescent lights are horrible. A track light-style fixture with adjustable halogen spots on a dimmer works well to flood the space with light for prep work or lower for mood lighting. A chandelier in the dining room to match the style of your decor can really add drama and a wow factor for $100 or less. Those builder-grade strip lights over the sink in the bathroom should also be replaced with a double or triple sconce type fixture to bring a since of style to what tends to usually be a small space.

Installation of these new fixtures can be done by yourself if you do your homework. Home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot offer classes if you aren't comfortable in following printed directions. Always make sure to turn the power off at the breaker box before doing any changes or upgrades to any electrified fixtures and switch boxes or you may get the "shock" of your life!

Fridge Stew

After you have hosted a dinner party or entertained house guests for a few days, you more than likely have lots of odds and ends left over in the refrigerator. A few extra raw veggies here; a side dish of this or that there. With grocery prices at a premium these days, its not a good idea to let anything go to waste. But what can you do with just a handful of an array of ingredients? Fridge Stew!

When a restaurant has fresh produce that will go bad in a day or so or gets a really good deal on a mass quantity of a particular item, you can bet it is headed into a stockpot with some broth for the "soup of the day." Using the same idea, you can clean out your refrigerator, save money and create a delicious homemade meal.

Add any root vegetables like garlic, celery and onion to an enameled cast iron pot or stockpot with a little olive oil or butter. Saute until translucent. Next, in goes some fresh chopped or canned diced tomatoes along with any fresh vegetables left in the fridge. Leftover chicken, steak, pork or ham can be diced and added to the pot now as well. Add a can of vegetable, chicken or beef both along with any fresh herbs tied up in kitchen string or a couple of tablespoons of your favorite dried herbs. Bring to a simmer and add any previously cooked vegetables to the stew. Let the flavors combine on low for an hour or more and enjoy your creation!

Spot No More

If you are struggling with naming a new dog or cat, your brain racking days are over. Dull, traditional dog names like Spot, Rover and Patches are out and more creative names with special meaning are in.

One way to select a pet name is to think of something that has unique meaning to you like a favorite TV show, book, movie, childhood friend or favorite place to visit. Pull a name from one of the characters, author, best friend's nickname or town. My dog, Serina, is named after a character from my favorite childhood TV show, "Bewitched." Serina was Samantha's pesky cousin (actually Elizabeth Montgomery in a black wig and go-go boots).

Next, there are the pups and kits named after the "the divas" like Bette, Madge (short for Madonna), Liza, Judy, Diana, Patti, Cher, Babs, Whitney, Tina, Chaka and Bee (short for Beyonce). Fashion houses have also reared their heads in the pet name world; Dolce & Gabanna (for a pair of pouches), Prada, Armani, Chanel and Valley (short for Valentino) are all very popular among fashionistas.

New Year's Eve Switchover

Christmas has come and gone and now New Year's Eve is just around the corner. If you are hosting a party this year, why not tweak your Christmas decorations so they are a bit more appropriate for ringing in 2010.

It is perfectly OK to leave up your Christmas tree until after the New Year rolls in and any sort of outdoor or indoor lights keep the mood festive too. It is a good idea to remove the other decorations that scream "Christmas!" such as Santas, reindeer, Frosty, any wrapped gifts, manger scenes and toy soldiers.

Switch out your red and green for shinny metals in silver and gold. I like to blow up lots of non-helium filled balloons to fill the floor and let the guests have fun kicking them around...it reminds me of the old fashion balloon drop at midnight. If you don't want to wear them, place glittered New Year's Eve top hats and crowns around in the empty spots where you took away the traditional Christmas items. If you really want to go out, visit Ikea and stock up on black and white classic style clocks and make a huge display on a wall, setting and labeling each clock for a different time zone. You can ring in 2010 throughout the evening as the new year spreads around the world!

To Return Or Not To Return

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? Chances are if you didn't, you are headed to the mall or Big Box store to make an exchange. One word of advise from my years of retail experience...go late in the day.

Are you struggling with guilt about exchanging a gift a friend or loved one gave you? Well... don't! I am sure that Aunt Peggy or your best friend would much rather you trade out the not-s0-perfect gift for something that you would really love, especially if they enclosed a gift receipt. If you get several great small gifts from the same store, why not return them for one large item you have had your eye on? That, along with after Christmas sales, can really be an amazing deal for you.

If you are unable to exchange your present for something else, consider regifting. Just because the gift is not perfect for you, someone else may love it. Remember to use your good judgment when regifting. We are embarking on a new decade and hopefully we will continue to reduce, reuse and recycle even more than ever...including our unwanted gifts. When it comes down to gift giving, it is really the thought that counts!

Merry Christmas from One Gay Man!

The Devil Made Me Do It

Deviled eggs are a Southern classic...especially come Sunday lunch or holidays from Easter to Christmas. While simple to prepare and healthful if made with a low-cal mayo, did you know deviled eggs have made a resurgence into the gourmet world?

The basic recipe for deviled eggs start with boiling Grade A large chicken eggs. Eggs that are a few days older actually make better hard boiled eggs....4 of them make 8 servings. To boil eggs, place them in a single layer in a medium pot and fill with cold water. Bring water to a rapid boil uncovered. Once boiling, turn off the burner, cover immediately and leave them alone for 15 minutes.

Run eggs under cold water and allow to cool completely before peeling. Once peeled, slice the eggs lengthwise. Place whites on a egg plate and yolks into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons low calorie mayo or substitute, 1 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and spoon or pipe with a pastry bag into egg white "cups." Classic deviled eggs are garnished with ground paprika.

To glam up your deviled eggs, add some horseradish and capers to the basic recipe above. Other gourmet ingredients such as your favorite fresh herbs like dill, Italian parsley and chives work really well too. Crab, lobster, salmon, bacon, goat cheese, olives, finely chopped prosciutto, blue cheese or sun dried tomatoes can really add a punch of flavor and sophistication.

Hey, Old Timer

At Christmastime and throughout the rest of the year, lighting timers are a practical and money saving tool. I always have one to plug my Christmas tree and other decorations into so they only glow at the appropriate period each evening. Timers are great at limiting the use of electricity until just the exact time it is needed.

January through November timers also prove just as useful. I love uplights in the corner of rooms, especially behind palms, ficus trees and other plants. Picture lights too and other mood lamps on a timer work very well together; at least one per room. It is nice to not come home to a dark house in the evening. When you travel, timers also keep up your usual lighting pattern habits, throwing off possible thieves.

I like to have my interior lights to activate about 30-45 minutes before dark. When setting an off time for each light, I usually start at the front of the house and then have the bedroom lights turn off last, following a natural progression to retire for the evening. It is nice to be able to get into the bed with some soft light and then not have to worry about turning it off once you are settled.

Steaming Apple Cider

There is nothing that smells like the holidays more than a pot of hot mulled apple cider simmering away on the stove top. When I worked at a bed & breakfast back in North Carolina, this time of year we would always have an electric pot out for guests to help themselves and to send the scent wafting through the house.

Making apple cider is not a difficult endeavor. Start by purchasing a jug of cold apple cider from the market. In a large pot, pour in the cider and add a piece of peeled ginger, some sliced lemons and oranges with the peel, a couple of whole cinnamon sticks and some whole cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes to drink or partially cover and simmer for hours to fill the house with a lovely smell.

To serve, strain the mix into mugs and sever warm. For an adults only version, add a shot of brandy or rum. This is a great beverage to end to a dinner party instead of coffee or just sip while chatting with friends. Cheers!

Circulation Destination

Today, I'm headed to the grocery store to pick up a ham for Christmas Day. I'm hosting a few friends with no local family and who are staying in town over for an afternoon covered dish gathering. I am also going to do some more baking this week. Before I head out with my reusable cloth bags, I always check the ads online to see what is on sale.

Most supermarket circulars come in the local newspaper on Sunday. Since I don't subscribe, I always check the deals online. Did you know you can see the actual sale paper in a digital format for most of your favorite grocery stores right on their websites? You can cyberly flip the pages just as you would if you were holding the actual paper in your hands.

Most grocers offer a BOGO selection, or buy one get one free, weekly. The items change each addition so I scoop out stapes I always use like coffee beans, ketchup, mayo, butter, creamer and other items. I also glance over the meats and if there is a good deal there, will pick up something for now and will freeze more for later. Buy as much as the sale allows when something you really use goes on sale but don't pick up things you don't just because they are at a discount. You probably will end up not using it and that doesn't save you anything in the long run.

More Easy Holiday "Baking" Ideas

Baking is a relatively new passion of mine. I have always loved to cook which allows you to be creative. Baking is more of an exact science if you want to achieve excellent results. I have only recently become reserve enough to be precise with the liquid and dry measurements for my bake goods to turn out properly. Before, I had an arsenal of no bake recipes, some of which I have already shared with you.

In the last couple of days before Christmas, it is time for a few more treats that are easy and quick to prepare. White chocolate coating is sold at the grocery store on the baking aisle and comes in blocks. This specialized confection melts different from pure chocolate and coats other items very well. Begin your endeavor by melting the "bricks" in the microwave or double boiler as instructed on the package.

Set up a station of a variety of items to dip in your chocolate sauce. Large pretzels, peanut butter sandwiches made with Ritz Crackers, Oreo Cookies, candy canes, strawberries, biscotti and dried bruit all produce beautiful, decadent results. Add some red and green sprinkles on top while still wet for a bit of color. Place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet until the chocolate hardens and then store in an airtight container in the unlikely event there are any leftovers.

Host A Holiday Away

Since my family is 650 miles away in North Carolina and I'm staying in town for Christmas, I have decided to invite a few others who might be spending the holiday alone to stop by for a bite. The best way to make it a special day is to have everyone bring something.

This year, I have invited a variety of people...friends, neighbors, coworkers. It is a good idea to supply the meat or main dish and then ask everyone to bring a casserole or vegetable side dish that travels well. You will be surprised what everyone comes up with and may even get a new recipe for a dish that you love.

Set everything out on your table or kitchen bar and let everyone help themselves buffet style. It doesn't matter if you don't have enough seats at the table; people can eat off their lap in the living room or in shifts at the table. Part of the fun for this type of event is the casualness making people feel very homey and comfortable. This year, invite some folks over who might have spent the day alone and get the best gift of all...a smile!

Cheese Straws

My mom used to always make cheese straws during the Christmas season when I was growing up. I was horrified to learn that this savory delight was mainly a regional dish segregated to the South. Cheese straws aren't that hard to prepare and keep for a week or so if you can resist eating them that long. Stir up a batch for holiday visitors or package them as for gifts.

You only need a few ingredients to make 4 dozen or so; you may already have everything you need on hand:

1 softened stick of butter
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix by hand until well blended and the consistency of cookie dough. Place dough in a cookie press and pipe into long straws on a cookie sheet using a star tip. With a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut straws into 2 inch pieces. You can also make cheese daisies by balling dough with a small ice cream scoop and then pressing it onto the cookies sheet with the tines of a fork in one direction then another. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until browned slightly. Cool on a wire rack and place in an airtight container. You can also spice these delights up with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary and watch them disappear!

Holiday Play List

If you are burned out on standard Christmas music, I have some suggestions to upload to the iPod for the days ahead. A modern mix of holiday classics remixed to a hip, upbeat tempo is just the thing for background music while entertaining friends at holiday parties or just baking cookies or wrapping gifts.

Some of these tunes are covers of standards by artists from the electronic genre and some are laced with samples of vocals from holiday heavyweights like Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby.

A few of the CDs titles on my play list include "Christmas Remixed," "Christmas Remixed 2," "Holiday Dance Party," "Holiday Remixed," hOMe for the Holidays" and "Merry Mixmas: Christmas Classics Remixed."

Some of the DJs/producers turned artists featured on these CDs include Kaskade, Rondo Brothers and John Beltran. Check them out and download them today on iTunes. Merry Christmas!

Peppermint Bark

If you want to make a homemade gift but aren't much of a baker, here is the perfect recipe for you. Peppermint bark is quick and easy to prepare and can be packaged in in holiday tins or cellophane bags tied up in ribbon. You can make peppermint bark with dark, milk or white chocolate. There are only three ingredients to make a batch and it requires very little kitchen equipment. The following recipe makes just over two pounds.

2 16oz. bags of chocolate chips (premium quality dark, milk or white chocolate)
1 Tps. peppermint extract
8-10 candy canes

Place chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for one minute, stir and return to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Once the chocolate has melted, stir in peppermint extract. Place unwrapped candy canes in a zip close bag and smash with a rolling pin or other object. Add crushed candy cane pieces to the chocolate, mixing well.

Place a piece of waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Pour out chocolate on top of waxed paper and spread evenly until about 1/4 inch thick. Place in refrigerator for an hour. Once the chocolate hardens, break off triangular pieces in varying sizes and store in an airtight container.

Whoop It Up!

As a waiter, bartender, banquet manager and party planner I have had a chance to see more than my share of corporate holiday parties and more than my share of unfortunate career ending events. You may find yourself this week or weekend in a hotel ballroom or restaurant with the people you work with everyday. Why do some people forget that they have to face these people Monday through Friday the rest of the year?

First, make sure your attire is professional. Even though you are not on the clock, professional dress standards should still apply. It is OK to dress festively with style but the ladies should watch how low the neckline plunges and how high the skirts shimmy upwards. Men should wear styles similar to how they are required to dress in the office but could leave off the tie if they are wearing a jacket, unless this is a stated formal event.

Limit your alcohol consumption to just a couple of cocktails over the entire evening. If you normally do not drink, don’t use this as an occasion to experiment. I’m sure you would prefer not to be the topic of water cooler chatter as your coworkers discuss your tabletop dancing abilities come Monday morning.

Do at least make an appearance at your work sponsored holiday event, even if you do not really want to go or if you have a scheduling conflict, if at all possible. Not participating could send the wrong message to your boss. Remember, eyes are watching your every move this evening so be on your best behavior!

Everyone In The Dishwasher!

You may think you know how to properly load a dishwasher, but do you really? There are certain things that belong in the dishwasher and certain things that don’t. It is also very important to place the items that are dishwasher safe into the washer correctly.

First, the don’ts. Chef’s knives, steak knives or any other type of knife (except a dull blade, all metal butter knife) should not be placed in the dishwasher. Anything with a wooden handle like wooden spoons, offset spatulas and pastry brushes or wooden cutting boards should be washed by hand. Fine china and crystal would take a beating in the dishwasher so hand wash them and line the bottom of the sink with a dishcloth or mat to prevent breakage. Sterling silver and silver plated cutlery will not fair well either. One last category, pots and pans…check the label on the box or owner’s manual to see if it is dishwasher safe. Some are (all metal) and some aren’t (Teflon coated). The metal or glass lids usually clean up great in the dishwasher.

Once you know what to actually put in the dishwasher, make sure you load the appliance properly. The top rack should be used for glassware and plastic containers. The heat on the top rack is not as intense and will not melt your Tupperware lids. When racking glassware, make sure each piece is secure and not touching neighboring items or they may clank together during the wash and break. Make sure to rinse your plates and stack them sideways, with similar sizes together to maximize space. Use the silverware rack for your forks and spoons but put the handle up on some pieces and the handle down on others so they do not “spoon” each other and they will come out sparking clean. Finally, either use the heat dry option on most systems or hand dry them promptly with a towel at the end of the cycle to prevent water spots.

Don't Get Caught With A Sink Full

You are probably spending a lot of time in the kitchen right now with holiday entertaining and visits from family and friends. Here are a few tips to move things along and enable you to spend more time with your guests and not get stuck in the kitchen all day.

Take a trip to a wholesale membership club…Costco is my favorite. Stock up on large containers of premium mixed nuts, hummus, spinach dip, fruit salsas, crackers, Wheat Thins, cookies and other great quality, prepackaged snacks. Spread them out on your table or bar in little servings so guests have snacks when they visit.

If you are preparing a more elaborate meal, remember to clean as you go. After you finish a specific recipe or phase of prep work, take a moment to wash and put away all the items you‘ve used up to that point. When you complete your meal, you will be very happy that your kitchen is not a disaster!

Give and Give and Give

One of the best gifts that you can ever give someone is a gift of your time. Whether your friends, family or a charity, volunteering and helping out someone in need goes much further than your dollars ever could. During the holidays we have many demands on our time…shopping, traveling and the general hustle and bustle of the season…and they often take up a lot of the hours in the day.

Plan on getting together at least once with your circle of friends for a special evening. Time with the family is also a must but don’t forget those less fortunate than us. And there is always someone less fortunate, no matter what situation we are in. Find a local family in need and arrange Christmas gifts and a holiday meal with the help of coworkers or friends. Volunteer a few hours at a soup kitchen or sit and talk with the elderly in a nursing home. There are a million ways right now you can give the gift of you this season.

Get out and start giving of yourself now…and give until it hurts, my friend!

Today’s blog is dedicated to the memory of my friend, Christopher Surridge.

My Friend, Garlic

Fresh garlic is said to lower blood pressure, prevent cancer and heart disease. The health benefits of garlic have been know for centuries and different cultures around the world have embraced it for culinary purposes even longer. A garlic clove is an individual piece of garlic from a larger cluster. A head of garlic are many cloves that make up the garlic bulb.

Garlic is my best friend in the kitchen. I dice and sauté it with onions as a base for vegetables, soups, sauces and more. I also roast whole heads of garlic in the oven to add to dishes as whole cloves and to spread on bread or crackers. Roasting garlic slowly turns the stinky smell you might know into a scrumptious, sweet flavor.

I often buy fresh heads of garlic when cooking but also keep handy jars of whole peeled garlic cloves and minced garlic too for quick recipes. To peel fresh heads of garlic, start by removing the outer paper-like “skin” and then break the cloves off the main head. Place the clove on a cutting board and with a chef’s knife, smash the garlic with the side of the knife by first placing the knife of top and then hit the side of the blade with your fist. The remainder of the skin should come off easily in one piece.

There is also a silicone tube available at kitchen supply stores that garlic can be placed into and rolled on the counter to remove the skin. Either way you remove it, enjoy garlic every day for tasty recipes and a healthy lifestyle.

Soup and Salad...Well, Sorta

Last night Kelly, Joey, Chris, Alex, Glen and I converged at my place for a eight course holiday meal. We had a great time but I had just a bit too much Champagne. Everything turned out pretty well. The roasted butternut squash soup, the lobster tail, the creamed spinach and the lemon rosemary sorbet intermezzo were the hit of the menu. Today I am sharing with you a couple of recipes from last night. Enjoy!


Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (makes 6 to 8 servings)

1/2 pound butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeded
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup onion sliced thinly
3 garlic cloves sliced
2 cups chicken broth
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
Fresh Thyme leaves for garnish

Spray 13 x9 x 2-inch glass baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Place butternut squash with cut side down in prepared dish. Pierce with a knife several times. Bake at 400° until tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven, scrape the butternut pulp into a bowl; discard the peel.

In a large saucepan melt butter over medium high heat, sauté the onion and garlic stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, roasted butternut squash pulp, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cream, transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Return butternut squash soup mixture to the saucepan stirring constantly over medium heat, do not boil, until heated through and serve.

Creamed Spinach (makes 6 to 8 servings)

1/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup minced yellow onion
1 1/4 tablespoons minced garlic
teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups half-and-half
2 1/4 pounds chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for about 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Sprinkle flour over onion and cook over low heat, stirring with wooden spoon, about 4 minutes or until there is a nutty aroma. Add half-and-half and cook over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally, until hot. Raise heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Whisk continuously 6 to 8 minutes, or until mixture thickens.

Remove pan from heat. Using a blender, blend sauce for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in spinach until well-mixed and heated through. Just before serving, set over medium heat, add Parmesan and stir until well-mixed and heated through.

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Dental Health

Today, I am off to the dentist for a cleaning and six month checkup. Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, tooth loss or even heart attack. Let's take a moment to review good dental practices.

You should brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least 3 times a day, after each meal. Make sure to brush well behind your back teeth. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Rub the floss between each tooth up and down and just under the gum line. After flossing, rinse with a antiseptic mouthwash.

Every six months, visit your dentist for an oral exam and a professional cleaning. Your doctor will probably recommend that you have X-rays taken at least once a year to check for decay that cannot be detected visually.

Dull, discolored or yellow teeth can make you look older than the story the calendar tells. Daily consumption of red wine, coffee and sodas can stain your pearly whites. Keep your teeth gleaming with bleaching. Laser bleaching in the dentist's office is one option that is quick and easy. You can also have the dentist make trays for your top and bottom teeth. A bleaching agent in syringes can be put into the trays to accomplish the same thing at home. Like grandma used to say, "you only have one set of teeth...take care of them!"

Reduce Holiday Stress

Its that time of year...Christmas trees, holiday parties and...stress! There are some things that you can do however to reduce the headaches that sometimes come along with the season.

1. Take some time every day for yourself. Go to the gym and workout, do some cardio or go for a long walk.

2. Try to eat as normally as possible. When you go to a party, only eat small portions of the foods you rarely eat.

3. Plan menus for holiday meals and parties weeks in advance. Write down all of your menus, print out recipes and construct shopping lists and buy nonperishable items to have on hand so you don't have to rush last minute.

4. Try to consolidate Christmas shopping for gifts into one day and just a couple of stores or buy online and have the gifts shipped directly to the recipient. Picking a theme for gift giving helps too. You can buy multiple presents at one time.

5. Say "no." It is OK not to accept every invitation you receive during the holiday season. Also, if someone asks you to do something you don't want to do, let them know. You can't be everywhere at one time!

Yes, No or Maybe - Holiday Edition

There is a little game that will show up here from time to time called "Yes, No or Maybe." I will present a laundry list of items, names, places or other things and tell you, in my opinion, if I like them (yes), don't care for them (no) or maybe (depends on the situation). Let's get started with the 2009 holiday edition!

Turkey - NO
Ham - YES
Neiman Marcus - NO
TJ Maxx - YES
Recycled wrapping paper - YES
Homemade treats - YES
Gingerbread houses - YES

Scented candles - MAYBE
White Christmas lights - YES
Multicolored Christmas lights - MAYBE
Fresh Christmas trees - YES
Artificial Christmas trees - MAYBE
Red and green - MAYBE
Inflatable yard decorations - NO

Icicle Lights - NO
Poinsettias - YES
C9 Christmas lights - YES
LCD bulbs - NO
Christmas cards - YES
Airline travel - MAYBE
Car trip - YES

Dick Clark - MAYBE
Ryan Seacrest - NO
New Year's Eve parties - YES
Champagne - YES
Party Hats - YES
Noisemakers - NO

Happy Holidays!

Tabletop Final Touches

Wednesday evening I am hosting a small group of friends for a Christmas dinner party. As I am working on the final tweaks to the menu, I am putting the final touches on the tablescape. Since my dinning area only accommodates four people normally, I am moving out the small, round table in exchange for a heavy weight, six foot folding table I have tucked away in the closet for just such an occasion.

I am headed to the party rental store tomorrow to pick up a solid linen that drops to the floor which will coordinate with my holiday decor color scheme. I have a burlap topper with fringed ends that made some time ago and keep on hand. Renting the under cloth and matching napkins give me more options throughout the year. A colorful runner or even braided ribbon from end to end and side to side would work too on top of the undercloth.

Since I have five guests and me, I am using the four chairs I already have and renting two folding chairs in a similar color to cap the ends of the table. Down the center of the table, I am placing eight tall, elegant taper candles in simple crystal candlesticks in a variety of heights. I will place single orchid blossoms in multiple containers and nestle tea light candles and copper leafed pomegranates among the candlesticks.

I have designed and printed long menu cards from a kit purchased at an office supply store which are inserted into paper holders and secured with decorative clips. The menu card will be placed in front of each seat on top of the folded napkin and also serves as a place card. A variety of silverware and glassware needed for the meal will add a final layer of sparkle among the candles. See you at dinner!

Wrap It Up

Christmas shopping is in full swing. Black Friday has come and gone. Cyber Monday and come and gone. You probably have a car trunk or closet full of stashed away gifts that need to be wrapped and placed under the tree. Do not buy a bag of bows and one roll of Christmas paper to wrap all of your wonderful gifts.

Start your project with 3-4 varying styles of coordinating holiday wrap. Rolls of brown paper are also a great base for gift boxes. Wide wired ribbon can be tied around the wrapped box. Insert a spring of fresh greenery or twist a festive floral pick decoration around the bow.

Another unique design is to wrap your box with brown paper and then use a bright foil print paper as a wide accent around the center of the box, leaving about 1-3 inches of the brown paper edges and ends exposed. This style is great for stacking under the tree or as a display just for decoration on a side table or shelf.

One of my favorite preparations is to first wrap the box in a beautiful paper and then tie the box up in brown string. Wrap the string around the box in both directions and make a knot. Tie four shinny balls from the tree (two each of a coordinating color) on top of the with the string and then top the balls with a flat glittered ornament like a snowflake, angel or other style for an ultra designer look.

Visions of Sugar Cookies

Have you planned your holiday party? If you are hosting a large group of people this year consider hosting a holiday dessert buffet with wine or Champagne and a signature cocktail. It is much less expensive to serve desserts to a large number of people than to provide heartier appetizers. Homemade cakes, cookies and other baked goods can be made a little at the time, in advance, so they day of the event is stress-free for you.

Set the start time for your event later in the evening after people have had a chance to eat dinner. Be sure to state on the invitation that this is a dessert only party so people will be prepared. You can even do a few desserts yourself and then ask everyone attending to bring their favorite sweets. A liquor based punch and Champagne or wine can be set out with glassware so guests help themselves.

Cover your dining room table with a festive tablecloth or set up a long folding table somewhere with ample traffic flow. Platters, cake stands and other serving pieces at different heights make your display interesting. Intermix fresh cut greens, shiny glittered ornaments and tea light candles among the food or run Christmas trees lights around the table and cover with bright sheer fabric for a warm glow.

A Little Indulgence

To me, one of life's little splurges, is a nice liquid hand soap. Even when times get tough, I rarely stop using my favorite bathroom hand cleanser. Since I wash my hands so many times a day, it is really worth the extra money for the joy a fabulous soap can bring.

My favorite sudsy lather is a liquid, anti-bacterial hand soap pump by Bath & Body Works. They make bathroom scents year round and also do seasonal "flavors' too. Some of the ones I have been enjoying lately are Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, Spiced Cider, Winter Candy Apple and Fresh Balsam. A kitchen line is also available...my favorite is Kitchen Lemon. The packaging looks nice on your sink too.

Bath and Body Works stores are located in most areas so they are easy to find. The 8.75oz pump bottles retail for $5 each, well worth the price. Bath & Body Works often runs sales; 3 for $10 or buy one, get one free. Such an amazing deal for a little piece of bliss every time you wash up!

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza

We are officially into the holiday season. Hanukkah begins soon and Christmas parties start in full force this week. When you visit friends and family for swanky soirees, its nice to take something special along with you. Your neighbors and coworkers also need a little token to know you are thinking of them during the holiday season. With money tight this year, there has never been a better time to bake homemade cookies and other sweets as holiday gifts made with loving care.

Cookies are an easy option for both the beginner and advanced baker. Select cookie cutters in various shapes like stars, trees, gingerbread men, snowflakes, wreaths or make rustic cookies with a medium sized ice cream scoop. Cookies can be decorated with candy, powdered sugar, colored sanding sugar or other festive edible ingredients.

Make your homemade gift really shine with the packaging. Decorative holiday tins, lined with waxed paper, are a classic container but there are also more creative options. Simple brown paper bakery boxes can be dressed up for the season by tying a colorful ribbon around the box and adding a sparking ornament or sprig of holiday greenery. Chinese takeout boxes available in a variety of colors are great for stacking larger cookies and the handles are perfect for transporting hefty quantities of your baked goods at once. Bake a batch of cookies today and watch the smiles light up the night.

Oh, Tannenbaum

After returning home late Sunday evening from my 10 day trip, I decided to put up my own Christmas tree last night after a week of decorating other people's trees. While putting up a Christmas tree is a very traditional thing to do, the tree itself doesn't have to be.

I have always loved a holiday tree with lots of texture. Instead of traditional garlands of beads or ribbon, try a rustic look of unwound grapevine wreaths weaving in, out and around the tree. Put the grapevine on the tree first after setting it up and lighting the branches and then fill in the voids with ornaments. Another textural idea is to insert barren spray painted limbs from a tree from the yard throughout the holiday tree. Collect the limbs as they fall during the year or do some select pruning right when you deck the halls.

The traditional tree skirt can also be replaced by a number of different items. Urns, large flower pots, baskets, planters and metal tubs are all great alternatives. Surround the container with a mix of wrapped boxes in several holiday wrapping paper styles with some large, antique looking toys like dolls, toy planes or small wagons for a final touch.