Sunday, December 31, 2023

Lucky Cabbage Salad for the 6th Day of Christmas #SundayFunday

And here it is.....New Year's Eve....the last day of 2023 and the 6th day of Christmas.  Time just flies.  Eating fortuitous foods to celebrate the New Year is a custom in many cultures to bring us luck throughout the year.  

Cabbage Salad

This food need not be extravagant or difficult.  It can be as simple as this Easy Cabbage Salad.  

Saturday, December 30, 2023

And that's a Wrap...the end of a year and the end of the Foodies Read Bingo Challenge on the 5th Day of Christmas

The very last category in my Foodies Read Bingo Challenge was A Book that had been on my To Be Read list for far too long.  Last Christmas I got the book Coffee and Cookies with God: 31 Devotions for December as a gift.  This year I pulled the book out and started each morning this month with a cup of coffee while I read the devotion, spent some time in prayer and thanksgiving, and found some calm in all the busyness of the season.  I finished my last devotion this morning.

Coffee with God

This book was completed on the 5th day of Christmas, as a bonus, it completed my Foodies Read Bingo Challenge by completing my goal of a Coverall.

Friday, December 29, 2023

Planning the Weekly Menu for into the New Year and a Book Review on the 4th Day of Christmas

On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Four Calling Birds.  These Calling Birds signify the 4 Gospels as written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament.  This classic Christmas Carol is sometimes believed to have been written in code signifying Christianity when it was forbidden to practice the faith.  

12 Days of Christmas Graphic
graphic provided by Google images

This theory, however,  has been debunked, mostly because it is a French Carol written in 1780.  The French Revolution, when Catholicism and all Christian religions were outlawed, didn't occur until 1790.  

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Pasta to finish up the Leftovers on the 3rd Day of Christmas

Santa brought me pasta attachments for my Kitchen-Aid Mixer this year.  I had fun playing with it on this 3rd Day of Christmas and as a bonus, I used up the leftover shrimp I had in the refrigerator from Christmas Day.

Homemade Pasta with Shrimp

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Celebrating with Cousins starting with Leftovers on the 2nd Day of Christmas

On this second day of Christmas, we are having Frank's cousin Bob and his two daughters and their husbands over to celebrate the season.  Don't tell anyone but I am serving up leftovers.....

2nd Day of Christmas graphic
courtesy of google images

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Baked Mac and Cheese with Ham for the First Day of Christmas

Our Christmas Season continues until January 6th when we celebrate the Epiphany.  Until then, our decorations remain, the tree stays lit, and the feasting continues.  It is a joyous time of year.

Mac and Cheese with Ham

Our feasting this week includes enjoying all the wonderful leftovers from our abundant Christmas Dinner. Tonight we enjoyed some leftover ham and leftover cheese from my cheese tray in a Macaroni and Cheese Casserole.  There was some Broccoli Slaw left to enjoy as a side dish.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Eggnog White Russian #SundayFunday

Enjoy this Holiday twist on a classic cocktail by using Eggnog in place of the cream in your White Russian.

Eggnog White Russian

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Eggnog recipes today....Cheers!!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Celebrating the Holidays with Friends, Appetizers, and Dominio de Los Duques Cava #WorldWineTravel

We had friends over for dinner last night to celebrate the season.  We started the festivities with appetizers and a bottle of Dominio de Los Duques Cava.  Spain's answer to Champagne.  Just as crisp, dry and delicious, and much more affordable.

Cava with Appetizers

It is time for the Holiday version of World Wine Travel where we have been visiting South America in 2023.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Kings of the Epiphany Galette #CakeSliceBakers

This Almond Galette is commonly served in France for the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.  Traditionally a feve, which translates to dried bean but is in fact a little trinket of some sort, is hidden within the cake for the youngest at the table to find.  

Almond Galette

It is not, however, only delicious during Epiphany but is the perfect dessert for any occasion or no occasion at all.  Flaky puffed pastry surrounding an almond paste center...who could ask for more?

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Beef Tongue Vinaigrette and A Review of Under Cooked #CooktheBooks

 Slices of tender, lean, beef tongue marinated in a garlic, onion and pepper vinaigrette.  This dish is delicious to serve as an appetizer by itself, as part of a charcuterie or as a topping for a green salad.

Beef Tongue Vinaigrette

If you have never tried beef tongue this would be a great first recipe.......

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Chicken with Cornmeal Dumplings #SundayFunday

Classic Chicken and Dumplings with a twist.  These Dumplings are made with cornmeal and fresh herbs providing a savory, delicious, and unexpected addition to your dinner.

Chicken with Cornmeal Dumplings

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up recipes using ground corn today.......

Friday, December 15, 2023

Two Book Reviews, One Movie Review, A Recipe and The Weekly Menu #Movies&Munchies

Tender Beef Filet seared golden brown then roasted to a perfect medium rare and topped with a creamy brandy sauce.

Steak Diane

This recipe comes from Jacques Pepin of television fame and the Executive Culinary Director for Oceania Cruise Line.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Abbesse de Loire Crémant de Loire Rosé to Celebrate the Holidays #Winophiles

This sparkling Rosé from Loire Valley is made from Grolleau grapes in the Champagne Method.   It is bright, vibrant, and bone-dry.  Perfect for welcoming guests with appetizers, pairing with a meal, or toasting with dessert. 

Rose Cremant Wine

The French Winophiles are celebrating the holidays with Bubbly.......

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Apple Pie Thumbprints and a Book Review

Sugar Cookies with an Apple Pie Jam filling are sure to be a hit at the Christmas Cookie Walk or Bake Sale Fundraiser this holiday season.

Apple Pie Thumbprints

I was inspired to make these cookies after reading Murder by Chocolate.  The first in the Bite-Sized Bakery Cozy Mysteries.......

Monday, December 11, 2023

Mediterranean Cod and a Book Review

Tender, flaky Cod Fillets baked with Zucchini, Onions, and Peppers in a Zesty Tomato Sauce.

Mediterranean Cod

I was inspired to share this recipe after reading the first in a fun, cozy, mystery set in Ireland......

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Lasopy #EattheWorld #SundayFunday

Delicious vegetables are cooked until tender in a rich, meaty broth and then pureed to a silky, smooth goodness. 

Lasopy

The Eat the World crew are traveling to Madagascar with the Sunday Funday Bloggers as we Eat the World.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Cheers! It is Christmastime in Michigan #WinePW

Our halls are all decked and we are feeling jolly.  It is time for the parties to commence.  We start tonight with a dinner at Jessica and Julien's.  Julien's parents have been visiting from France and tonight is their last evening here.  

Gift Basket

I am taking this Michigan-themed basket to share with everyone.......

Friday, December 8, 2023

Peppermint Candy Sandwich Cookies #ChristmasCookieWeek

You are going to love how quick and easy it is to make these festive cookie treats.  They are a perfect addition to your cookie tray, dessert buffet or to leave on the hearth for Santa.  

Peppermint Candy Sandwich Cooies

Today is the final day of Christmas Cookie Week......

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Cinnamon Shortbread #ChristmasCookieWeek

These scrumptious shortbread cookies are even better with a touch of cinnamon in the dough and a sprinkling of spiced sugar on top.

Cinnamon Shortbread

Welcome to Day 4 of Christmas Cookie Week.  It's hard to believe it's nearly over......

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Peppermint Palmiers #ChristmasCookieWeek

 These puffed pastry cookies look very impressive but are so easy to make that they are sure to become one of your favorite holiday treats.

Peppermint Palmiers

Today is Day 3 of Christmas Cookie Week......

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Cherry Winks #ChristmasCookieWeek

 These classic cookies from Pillsbury make an appearance on my cookie trays every Christmas.  They are festive and delicious.  They freeze well, pack up well for sending and gifting, and are great "fill the cookie jar" treats.

Cherry Winks

Welcome to Day 2 of Christmas Cookie Week......

Monday, December 4, 2023

Yuletide Bliss Pinwheel Cookies #ChristmasCookieWeek

These fun little pinwheel cookies will surely be a hit this Christmas Season.  Cream Cheese cookies with a dollop of jam in a whimsical form.

Yuletide Bliss PInwheel Cookies

It's time for Christmas Cookies Week......

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Chocolate Chip Pie #SundayFunday

Delectable, Chocolate Chip Cookie in a flaky pastry crust.  I topped mine with ice cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate.  A perfect ending to a Holiday Dinner.

Chocolate Chip Pie

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are turning on the ovens for Christmas Bakes today......

Saturday, December 2, 2023

A Book Review and the Weekly Menu

I read another Dean Koontz novel as we drove from Michigan to our son's home in Virginia for Thanksgiving.  


After Death

Friday, December 1, 2023

Aletta's Chocolate Cream Pie #LitHappens

 Creamy deep dark chocolate pudding in a flaky crust topped with a fluffy meringue.  


This recipe was shared by the author of Christmas at Carnton, our Lit Happens selection this month.....