Winter Sunset

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Holidays are over (everyone exhale), but unfortunately winter’s just getting started.  It’s time to fill the chilly winter nights with family and friends, great food and wine and a tasty seasonal cocktail or two. This drink features two delicious winter fruits –pomegranates and mandarin oranges– with a dash of exotic Allspice Dram to add […]

Glamorous (Homemade) Party Decorations

Monday, January 3, 2011

I love a family craft project. This year our annual quiet New Year’s Eve dinner in Southampton somehow blossomed into a party of 22, and I wanted to add a little sparkle to the Holiday decorations to mark the occasion.  As of about 9:00pm on December 30, however, I hadn’t done anything about it.  I […]

Cookie Factory

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

We’re finally done.  63 dozen cookies in all.  We baked all weekend (Julia helped), packed the boxes on Sunday night, and they shipped out Monday.  This annual ritual’s a little crazy –particularly with a two year-old’s hands in the flour– but it’s lots of fun too, and it’s nice to give a gift we’ve made […]

Stylish (and Quick) Holiday Arrangement

Monday, December 20, 2010

During the Holidays, most of us end up in a sort of decorating/cooking/baking/eating/drinking/entertaining hyperdrive.  It can be great fun, but it can also be too much, and it comes too fast.   This year, with a wide-eyed toddler to entertain, I’ve been looking for ways to streamline and simplify our Holiday preparations and carve out […]

Quince and Goats Cheese Toasts

Friday, December 17, 2010

‘Tis the season to find quick, delicious and special little snacks for Holiday entertaining.  Here’s one. One of the best things about living just off 10th Avenue in New York City is our proximity to Tia Pol, a tiny, cozy, crowded and wonderful restaurant specializing in tapas and wines of Spain.  If I’m in the […]

Spectacular (and Achievable) Holiday Cake

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Julia’s been on tour — last weekend in New Orleans with David to see his family and this week in Tacoma to see mine.  We’re all having a ball.  Here’s a repost of a Holiday favorite, a traditional Norwegian Christmas cake that I make for family and friends during the Holidays. It looks like something […]

Holiday Wine Bottle Bouquets

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I hope imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, or at least of paying a compliment.  Earlier this week I dropped by my friend John’s house in San Francisco for a little Holiday cheer (and consultation on his bathroom renovations), and I wanted to bring him a little gift.  Early this year, John had brought […]

The Pillow Talk

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

A couple of months ago, David gently led me into the living room in Southampton and said “I’ve got something I’d like to talk to you about.” I don’t like our pillows anymore.”  After a few seconds of denial, a little annoyance, a bit of bargaining (“All of them?”) and momentary sadness, I accepted, after […]

Host Helper Poundcake

Monday, December 6, 2010

I’ve found that with entertaining, and especially with Holiday entertaining, the difference between feeling like a charming host and feeling like a galley slave can come down to a little organization.  Planning ahead, cooking ahead and keeping menus simple and familiar can save your wits (and save everyone else from a cranky host). When we’ve […]

Pears Poached in Red Wine Sauce

Monday, December 6, 2010

To me, this tastes (and smells) like the Holidays.  Poaching pears in spiced red wine turns the Holiday tradition of hot mulled wine into a light and flavorful dessert.  They’re delicious just on their own, or you can add whipped cream, ice cream, shortbread or a slice of pound cake for a more substantial treat. […]

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