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Christmas in the Cities

 

IMG_0294 IMG_0273{Picture of ceiling display at Saks and the drummer boy at Rockefeller Center in New York City}

What is it about Christmas in New York that transports one to wondrous time and place, akin to being in the North Pole mixed with a bit of Neverland? Everything sparkles and appears to have magical glow. Each meticulously decorated store becomes more inviting to enter than the next.

IMG_0360 IMG_0367{Ice rink and glistening trees at the Reston Town Center}

But, whether you are in a metropolis such as New York for the weekend like my dear friend Quy or a planned city like Reston, just being out and seeing people laden with packages, ice skating on rinks or viewing trees with twinkling lights pulls one into the allure of the season.

K

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Holiday Planning

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{Clementines, tangerines and walnuts are a traditional holiday treat in our home}

It is officially December and company is coming. The holidays are in full swing and time can truly fly when working, taking care of family or just decorating the house. Despite all the planning and preparations, which can leave the strongest of us totally exhausted, you ask yourself… how can I treasure this wondrous season? Well by taking a few short cuts of course and definitely sticking to basic traditions.

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My colorful holiday notebook amongst cookbooks and notes for creative ideas when cooking.

Guest are confirming their arrival time to Heath, last minute shopping has been accomplished, and decorations are up with a small tree twinkling away in the family room. First on the to-do-list, is a trip to la Madeline to place an order for a two-layer coconut cake and a pecan pie, which will save on baking time in the kitchen during the holidays. Secondly, I have been blanching and then freezing veggies; broccoli rabe, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard and collard greens to be used during and after Christmas so, that creating a gratin, casserole or stir-fry is not such a cumbersome task.  My aim is to spend as much time in the evenings sitting in the window seat, watching the sunset, curled up with a hot cup of cocoa with a big dash of Grand Marnier.

Plan stylishly,
K