Some Christmas Cheer..

Sip  this delicious cocktail when you get home from Christmas shopping.
Cranberry Christmas Cocktail

• 5 ounces cranberry juice
• 2  ounces vodka
• 2 ounces ginger ale
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Put all of the above in a cocktail shaker.  Shake until the shaker becomes cold to the touch.  Pour into a glass that has been rimmed in Christmas sugar.  Enjoy!

Where Is The Snow....

Tonight it is freezing out and  there is absolutely no chance of a snowfall, not even one single tiny white flake.   Tomorrow according to the weather reports it is suppose to be forty-five degrees  and on Sunday it will reach fifty-four.   I am becoming desperate for snow.

 My house could really use a soft  blanket of snow, maybe some frosty icicles hanging from the roof.   WE ARE READY!!  The snow shovels are piled neatly in the shed.  The snow blower is all set to go and waiting patiently in our garage. I am in a heighten state of anticipation for anything remotely white falling from the sky.  I will keep you posted on any weather updates.  Please keep your fingers crossed.

Let's Get Cracking....

Ok  I've had a week off and my decorating needs to get kicked up a notch or two.  In other words I need to get the lead out and start decorating.    My collection  of nutcrackers almost always finds a home on top of my corner cabinet.

One of my white pitchers with some peppermint candy canes inside and a winter scene trivet that belonged  to my mother.  These simple decorations will find a place in the kitchen.

The boxwood tree  is slightly decorated.   I think it needs some glittery silver ribbon .  Maybe a bow on top and a couple of bows  intertwined here or there should dress it up.

Our wreaths are hung on all the outside windows.  The spotlight is going in shortly.  Once the ground freezes its just too hard to place.  Next, the tree is coming in, lights are going on and ornaments hung.   I'll do my mantel next.

Christmas Count Down

I'm exhausted from cooking and cleaning for Thanksgiving and did not want to start on the Christmas decorating  yet.  This weekend was more about relaxing than anything else.  A few pine branches in the wood basket was just a start.

A few years back at an after Christmas sale I bought these adorable red sparkling berries.  They fit nicely on top of my lamps and add a festive look. Again,  not a lot of effort.  I'm still relaxing.

 A little egg white and granulated sugar make ordinary fruit a little fancy. But enough for one day.  I'll do a little more tomorrow.

Cranberry Nut Bread

We love our cranberries here in New England and will bake and cook with them all through the holidays and beyond.  Cranberry Nut Bread is a fall favorite.  It is quick, simple and delicious.  Try it and I'm sure it will become one of your fall favorite's too. Here is the recipe.

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1 egg well beaten
• 1 1/2 cups cranberries coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 9 by 12 inch loaf pan.  Mix together flour,sugar,baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium mixing bowl.  Stir in orange juice, oil, orange peel and egg.  Mix until well blended.  Stir in cranberries and nuts.  Spread evenly in loaf pan.  Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool on a rack for 15 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.  This is an Ocean Spray Cranberry recipe.  Go here for more cranberry recipes.http://www.oceanspray.com

Congratulations to Postcards From the P.P. on winning the Dedham Pottery flower vase.  Please email  me and let me know where I should ship your thank you gift.

Veteran's Day..... Lest We Forget

In Flanders Field

by John MacRae 

In Flanders field the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead.  Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Cranberry and Orange Chutney

My sister-in-law made this delicious chutney years ago as Christmas gifts for the family.  If memory serves me well,  I believe she also made beer bread to go along with the chutney.  We all loved it and I have been making it every year since.  This cranberry and orange concoction is delicious served with your Thanksgiving Day meal and  then spread on your left over turkey sandwiches. I think it screams holiday! Here is the recipe.  Enjoy!!

• 3 small oranges, seeded, coarsely chopped, peel and all
• 4 cups cranberries
• 1 cup chopped tart apple, not peeled
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup orange juice or apple cider
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tbsp. cider vinegar
• 3/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp. ground clove
• 1/2 cup bourbon (optional) I always use it 

Mix all the above ingredients in a heavy pan, simmer until cranberries pop.  About 20 minutes.   The mixture should look like jam.