BAKE LIKE A BEEKMAN

Since I had ALL the ingredients on hand for this marble pound cake from the Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert cookbook, I decided it was time to use my new cookbook. The cookbook has vintage recipes reflecting the "Four Seasons".  The cake was easy enough to bake as a weeknight treat, or even to have on hand during the holiday season for unexpected guests. The recipe was different than other marble pound cake I have made. It included bourbon and lemon zest . Joe and I have been enjoying a slice after dinner with coffee. I'm going to experiment by serving it with a decadent chocolate ganache glaze and a small dollop of either clementine, maple or peppermint ice cream. It was also a good excuse to use my Nordic Ware Heritage Bundt Pan that I love. 

I'm joining a group of folks who have been baking their way through the cookbook. 

If you are interested, feel free to join us over at the Beekman Bakes blog.

I am joining Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo

Debbie

CHICKADEES

This is a repost. When I found this chickadee platter at Home Goods two years ago, I had no idea how much I could fall in love with it.  Since then, I have seen the teapot and plates on a few different blogs. The marking on the platter says Global Design Connections (Kate Williams). 

The red polka dot plates are so cheery, especially when we have so little sunshine this time of year. 

The white dinner plates are from Oneida. We are lucky enough to have the Oneida outlet here in Central New York, and they have bargains. I think I paid $2.00 for the dinner plates last year, and they came with coordinating salad plates which I think were $1.50. 

This snowman below is my favorite even though he's not so perfect. His carrot nose got broken a few years ago but a little glue made him whole again. 

I just noticed that the red glass is reflected in the silverware. 

This post was inspired by the sweet chickadees that visit us daily. If you missed my post on the Tweet Treats for the chickadees and cardinals, you will find the instructions here.

Be joyful always.

Debbie

A Cookie For Your Christmas Platter

Soon it will feel a little like Christmas in our home but first I need to put away the Thanksgiving dishes. We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my family, and I love waking up to the leftover kitchen smells the morning after. Joe is such a good helper, and we have almost everything put away. I was listening to Christmas music and looking at photos from Christmas past to see how I decorated the tree in the sun room. This is a repost from two years ago and I did a Mackenzie-Childs/Christopher Radko theme. I added some owls, a red kitchenaid mixer, birds nests with eggs that I painted Mackenzie style, dragonflies, lighthouses, cupcakes and a photo ornament that I made for a dinner party.

A picture of our Christmas table from two years ago. Joe found eight red glass Avon plates at a yard sale. The tartan plates are from Target, and the wooden chargers are from Pier One. The red Breeze stemware is from Noritake.



Mom has been making almond paste cookies for our Christmas gathering ever since I can remember. This recipe is over 40 years old, and we look forward to these cookies appearing on the Christmas tray each year. The dough is sticky, and your hands and/or spoon will be very sticky too. I washed my hands three times while making these. Enjoy!

1/2 lb. almond paste 

1 cup sugar

2 tbsp. flour

3 egg whites

1/3 cup powdered sugar

l lb. pine nuts (you can also use walnuts)

Mix almond paste, adding sugar slowly. Use fork or finger tips. Add egg whites, when well blended, add flour and powdered sugar which has been sifted. Roll a teaspoon of dough into a dish of nuts. Place on well-greased cookie sheet. I used parchment paper and then sprayed it with Pam. Remove while still warm with a  spatula. If the batter is allowed to chill, it will be easier to handle. 

Bake 300 degrees for about 30 min. I take mine out when the edges start showing a golden brown. Don't overbake.


I am joining Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday.

Debbie

GRATITUDE

Count your blessings every day.

Savor every moment.

Being thankful during the holiday season is the key to success.

If you find yourself stressing over even the smallest thing, pause for a moment, breathe deeply and force yourself to calm your mind. 

The table is always set a few days before Thanksgiving so we can enjoy it before the mad rush. A very happy and healthy holiday season to all!

xo

Debbie

Hello Again

Wow, two posts in one week for me. This post should be called "What I Am Loving". I adore the new Bundtlette pan by Nordicware! I have the large swirl bundt pan and it's truly my favorite cake pan ever.

I had a lazy day puppy sitting over this weekend, so I grabbed the new Better Homes and Gardens magazine from the coffee table, and spotted the gingerbread snow globe city on page 115. Love it! It's on my list of things to make for Christmas.

Have you heard about the competition that will air on Monday, December 9 on ABC from 9-10 pm?
The Great Christmas Light Fight. Twenty families have decorated their homes to the extreme for Christmas. The light displays and over-the-top designs should make it interesting.

It's very cold here this week, so it was time to bring out the texting gloves. Those silver tips work like magic on my iPhone.

I confess that I bought these Exotic Harvest chips because of the color of the chips. And I needed something gluten free for my niece who is coming for Thanksgiving.. I've been enjoying Pumpkin Spice coffee all week. This cute bag of coffee came from Marshall's.

Run to Trader Joe's for these Joe-Joe's. Seriously. Thanks for stopping by!
xo
Debbie