The heat is on. We are at T-10 days until Christmas Eve. I realize a number of men I know (there may be women fitting this but I don’t know any) who feel the Christmas shopping season is comprised of ONLY one day, Christmas Eve, but I’m speaking to the rest of you anxious people like me. I like to have my gifts ‘in progress’ if not all procured and in my hot little hands (or my locked guest room) with time to spare.Normally I gravitate toward the smaller artisans and always endorse shopping local businesses as a way to go but today I’m going to speak about stocking gifts from larger stores that allow online ordering up until December 22 (and for rush fees December 23 in the case of Williams Sonoma) still guaranteeing Christmas arrival. Ordering that late of course turns … {continue reading}
Gender-Neutral Gluten Free Gingerbread People Cookies (and a gluten alternative!)
I learned recently that my mother and her friends get together during the day for the holidays, drink a bottle of wine and make ‘Lewd, Nude Gingerbread People’ complete with all their ‘bits and pieces’ if you know what I mean. I personally prefer the gender ambiguity of traditional ginger-people. I just really don’t need to know that much about them.As part of our countdown to Christmas I wanted to make a batch of gender-neutral Gingerbread People (in fact ‘personality-neutral’ as I’m not big on the icing) to accompany a homemade batch of Eggnog Ice Cream. Truth be told I had decided to try some new gluten free recipes for this blog post and they failed. I was now like a heat seeking missile and was not to be detoured from my goal.I am not a recipe innovator. … {continue reading}
Savory Spice Shop: Shop Local OR Online!
‘Tis the season for lots of cooking, entertaining and gifting so to me there is not a better place to feature than the Savory Spice Shop in Boulder. Though this unique shop began in Colorado, there are now franchise stores open in other areas of the U.S. as well as a fabulous and extensive online shop for ordering. So non-Colorado readers stay with us! I distinctly recall my first discovery of the Savory Spice Shop in Denver. I was poking around a charming neighborhood I’d not visited. I had thought before entering it was an interesting idea but really what could be that special about it? Two seconds in the door and my question was answered. I’ve been a devoted patron ever since and feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon this incredible resource.The spices from the shop … {continue reading}
Holiday Cookies Sure to Make Your House First Stop on Santa’s Route!
Remember these?How about these?A month ago when it was threatening to snow I did some ‘wanting to feel like sunshine’ shopping on Etsy and ran smack dab into LorisPlace and her magnificent cookies. I was mesmerized by the artistry of these cookies thinking they were the most beautiful I’d ever seen. Like little works of art. Following my publication I’ve gotten to know Lori a bit and have now seen her cookies live, as have friends who ordered after reading my original post about them. I will attest that her cookies are even more beautiful in person, as inconceivable as that may sound. The fish is so brilliant in color and detailed that I immediately emailed to verify that she MUST have an art background (she does).As I’ve mentioned I am gluten free by necessity (cruel … {continue reading}
‘Wordless Wednesday’: Fa La la La la!
I just learned about the practice of Wordless Wednesday where, as Wikipedia puts it “on Wednesdays, all over the internet bloggers post a photograph with no words to explain it on their blog. Hence the ‘wordless’ title. The idea is that the photo itself says so much it doesn’t need any description.” It’s a bit like a visit from the Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free blogger fairy.I have come upon many blogs with beautiful photos on Wednesdays. Frankly I’ve always felt it was ‘cheating’ and a total oxymoron to blogging before understanding about this practice. Having now wielded my judgmental self, I’m going to jump onto the bandwagon this week. I do believe my photos are self-explanatory though I’d like to note they are all available at Sur La Table (nothing worse than … {continue reading}
Stylish Blogger Award….I Got It!
What a surprise to learn yesterday I was awarded with the Stylish Blogger Award! It was generously bestowed upon me by a esteemed blogging colleague, Ping of Pings Pickings. It is an award amongst peers based on personal view of blogs upholding the criteria; being Stylish! I’m thrilled and will proudly display it on my blog.It comes with conditions (as so many desirable things do). I must uphold the following:1. Thank the person who awarded me.2. Share 7 things about myself.3. Pass the Award on to bloggers I think are fantastic.I will begin by thanking Ping! I found Ping through a food blogging community of which I am a member; Food Buzz. It is a wondrous international community offering insight on every aspect of food, cooking and international … {continue reading}
)
