Luxury Where You Least Expect It

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Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday decorating in our neighborhood with lights of bright orange, fuchsia and underlying tones of deep purple glistening throughout the trees creating an air of wonderland. A spooky impression upon the houses start with creepy ornaments strewn across the lawns or front porches with bales of hay, cornstalks and carved jack-o-lanterns setting the scene for those ghouls and goblins who will trick or treat within the community in their carefully chosen outfits.

But, Halloween also marks the start of the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas and on into New Years in one whirling swoop. Most of us will attend party after party or even throw a few. Family and friends will pop in throughout the season for a delightful cup of cheer and a definite bite to eat. There will be days when you may be out from sunrise to sunset, darting from one function to the next in the blistering cold and heavy traffic.

IMG_1967{Do not forget your accessories during the holidays and on those busy days when you are going from work to a party make sure your essentials are within reach}

In order to get through these festivities in one elegant piece it will become necessary to set time aside for yourself. Start by treating yourself to regular manicures and pedicures along with regular massages. Make sure you have booked with your hairstylist for those necessary touch-ups, and remember it is the holidays and everyone’s schedules will book quickly. Note: “if we don’t look good, we will not feel good”, it is all about the “joie de vivre”, the exuberant enjoyment of life and the details of beauty.

There are many ways in which you may treat yourself luxuriously without spending a fortune. Keep a variety of cheeses in your fridge so, that you may have an assortment with crackers on those nights you stay home with a glass of wine.

Upload books to your iPad from the Public Library. You can search the library’s catalog, download a variety of titles, manage your account all from an app, and the great thing is that you do not have to physically step into the library to return your books. They are removed from your inbox and re-shelved for the next patron.

Korean Pumpkins{Korean Pumpkins from the Asian Market}

Curl up with a seasonal movie. There are many to choose from starting with classic Sci-fi or Hitchcock for Halloween to those adorable animated Christmas shows we all enjoyed growing up. Whichever show you decide to watch, make sure you have your soft leopard throw, a bowl of popcorn and the beverage of your choice at your finger tips, and then the evening is yours.

Remember with careful planning each of your galas will come off effortlessly. Schedule time in your calendar for just you, and you will feel absolutely luxurious!

Enjoy the holiday season!!!

K

Cookbook Reviews

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I had an opportunity to scour the shelves of the cooking section (641.54) in the library yesterday, searching for holiday recipe ideas through the stacked shelves of cookbooks. Every year I write copious notes to myself in search of light confectionary treats that can be incorporated into my repertoire with the hope that family and friends will enjoy a wonderfully concocted dessert during the festive party season!

I focused on three of the books that seemed to capture the essence of what I was researching in the way of ease of preparation; a dessert that would be pleasing to the family and the items were miniature or small enough to prep several desserts with considerable ease.

First on the list is the Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller, which was a wonderful collection of French and American baked goods that most of us enjoyed as children such as marcarons, tartes aux fruits, and believe it or not Oreos and Hostess Ho-Hos. I think the French version of a Hostess Ho-Ho is an elegant cream puff, and cannot wait to try this elegant recipe on page 40-41 for the Chocolate Shortbread without the filling. I love the simplicity of baking shortbreads, and to pack them into cookie tins for guest who may drop in or for family who are would a teat with after dinner coffee or tea.

Second on the list is Dolci: Italys Sweets by Francine Segan. Ms. Segan takes the reader on a virtual tour of Italy through 125 recipes for cookies, cakes, frozen confections, and more. She has instructions for Tiramisu that does not include raw egg, from the recipe ‘Updated Tiramisu” on page 132, which I am anxious to try soon!!!

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And, last on the list is the title Petite Sweets: Bite-Size Desserts to Satisfy Every Sweet Tooth by Beatrice Ojakangas. Beatrice is a James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame author and I have enjoyed watching her many times on Julia Child’s show on PBS. From this book she makes a velvety chocolate mousse in small glasses, ginger carrot cakelets and a two-bite whoopee pies, which are perfect examples of miniature desserts.

Cook Stylishly!!!!
K