All the Creatures were Stirring...Holiday Cocktails

The holidays are here and I am ready to stir it up!

I am giving 2 festive cocktails a whirl this Christmas.

Jolly Jelly Cocktail

When enjoying a cocktail, I tend to be a creature of habit.

Typically I will have the old standby, a vodka soda.

With one spin of spoon, I've transformed the old standby 

into something as jolly as a bowlful of jelly...

I definitely think it would make Santa laugh and stay for a sip...

I prepared the standard vodka, soda and crushed ice...

and swirled in a dollop of raspberry jam.

I may preserve this recipe all through the winter!

Hot Buttered Rum, Pa, Rum, Rum

When there is a chill in the air, 

you long for something warm in your mug...

I've drummed up the easiest, Hot Buttered Rum.

It is one of the finest gifts to bring to the Christmas Cocktail menu!

I've taken my favorite recipe and made it even easier...

Fill your cup with one shot of rum and very hot water...

then stir in my secret ingredient...

the magical Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Butter from Trader Joe's...

 Cheers!

A Toast to the Holidays with Maple Bourbon Eggnog

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

There is so much to cherish during the happiest season of all

but I am particularly drawn to traditions.

My family looks forward to those special things we do once a year and

nothing kicks off the holidays like our annual eggnog toast.

Our Eggnog is always Clover Sonoma - they make 4 varieties after all!

They are a third-generation, family-owned and operated dairy.

Everything they make is sourced from a select group of Northern California farmers,

focusing on sustainability, and taking care of the land and the animals.

Clover Sonoma is committed to preserving the farms for years and generations to come.

They are deep rooted in traditions and their Organic Maple Bourbon Eggnog

is based on the founder's recipe.  

It is organic, non-alcoholic (unless you are feeling festive and add your own!) and

the clean ingredients contain no cornstarch or corn syrup.

With one sip, I am instantly transported to the days of Christmas past.

It is creamy and rich with a blend of holiday spices,

a touch of maple sweetness and a dash of bourbon flavor.

Do you know what else our first eggnog toast signifies?

That not only is Santa Claus coming to town, but so is Santa CLO!

Clover’s lovable mascot, Clo the Cow, was also the founder, Gene Beneditti's creation

and is a cherished local celebrity.

She is always happy, clever and the life of the party.

This holiday season, she's ready to celebrate and is taking her show on the road.

She'll be visiting many Bay Area markets for fun photos, samples of

Clover Sonoma Organic Maple Bourbon Eggnog

and opportunities for you to choose which local charities Clover will donate to.

You can find a list of her tour stops here.

Let it Clo, let it Clo, let it Clo!

You can find out more about Clover Sonoma and their amazing eggnog here.

It is available at many fine retailers like Save Mart, Lucky, Nugget, Oliver’s Markets, Mollie Stone’s, Lunardis, Draegers and New Leaf.

Thank you to Clover Sonoma for sponsoring this post, for your amazing products and the care you take in everything you do.  You are a true Northern California treasure.

Home Made Christmas Oysters with Jalapeño Dressing

I think oysters are always a cause for celebration, 

especially during the holidays.

This gift from the sea is always better when enjoyed with family and friends...

and an amazing sauce to serve them with!

I recently received a copy of 

Yvette Van Boven's new book, Home Made Christmas, 

and I was thrilled to find a recipe for her Jalapeño Dressing that she pairs with fresh raw oysters.

It is simple and clean, 

full of vibrant ingredients that will make your tastebuds merry and bright...

The dressing is so good (and not very spicy, I swear!) you will want to put it on everything.

It is amazing on steak, chicken and pork.  It gives any meat a fresh jolt of flavor.

This book is delightful and festive.

It has everything you need for simple, happy entertaining.

After a few minutes of glancing through the glorious pages, 

I guarantee you will want to be her best friend and visit her in Amsterdam and Paris!

Jalapeño Dressing
(from Home Made Christmas)
Process 10 jalapeños (seeds removed), 7 Tablespoons of white wine vinegar, some sea salt, 3 cloves of garlic and 1/2 cup chopped, fresh chives in a blender.




Thank you to ABRAMS Books for sponsoring this post and for sending me an advanced copy of  Home Made Christmas.  I am part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party so there will be more wonderful recipes to come.

Oh Christmas Cheese!

Cheese platters are a crowd pleaser, 

cheese platters are easy, 

cheese platters are delicious, 

cheese platters should never be boring!

I keep lots of cheese on hand during the holidays. 

It seems like someone is always stopping by 

or we need to bring something over to a friend's house.

Turning Christmas Cheese into Christmas Trees,

is my favorite way to make it Merry and Bright...

A flat wooden tree, topped with rosemary and battery operated led lights are all you need.

(I got the tree at Michael's last year, 

but you could also make a tree pattern out of the rosemary sprigs on a flat tray to lay the cheese on)

Once you deck the boughs...

add the cheese.

I decorated with Brie....

triple cream...

and manchego...

Rocking around the Christmas Tree, 

never tasted so good!

4 fun ways to give money for Christmas

The saying goes that "cash is king"

and during the holidays giving it as a gift is often a lifesaver!

It's quick, easy and always appreciated.

I've got 4 fun ways to Show them the Money for Christmas...

1. Sleigh it!

Santa changed his standard, 

Ho, Ho, Ho for Dough, Dough Dough.

He is ready for Christmas by filling his sleigh with money 

and had Thomas Jefferson don his signature bright red hat for some jolly fun...

Sometimes, giving the dough is the way to go...

Tags available here

2. Oh Deer!

Who doesn't love getting a few extra bucks?

This bow-tie clad, glittered reindeer is ready to make the season

Merry and Bright...

Everyone needs a little bit of green for their Reindeer Games, right?

Tutorial on how to make the bow here

3. Money Trees

They say money doesn't grow on trees 

but during Christmas I beg to differ.

This money tree is ready to Deck the Halls...

Who knew Abe Lincoln would be at the Christmas Tree Farm?

4. Silver BILLS

It's Christmas time in the city and the bells are ringing CASH...

Simple bells with a little loot stuffed inside...

ring-a-ling indeed!

Wishing you a very lucrative Christmas!

Deck the Halls for Taco Tuesday

The Holidays are here 

and we are about to Deck the Halls for Taco Tuesday!

Simple crunchy tacos are getting a Christmas makeover.

Seasoned ground beef, and all the fixings are stuffed into taco shells,

 then cilantro antlers and sliced tomato noses complete the merry makeover.

All of the other reindeers won't be calling Rudolf names, 

they'll be coming over for dinner.

It's as easy as one...

Two...

Three...

Feliz Navidad.

You'll go Nuts for these Christmas Crackers

It's not Christmas until my great aunt Nita,

 sends us a batch of her infamous "Dilly Crackers".

 Totally delicious, totally addictive.

This year I whipped up a few batches to give out as gifts and enlisted a crew of 

NUTS to watch over the CRACKERS...

One bite of these savory delights

and I have a feeling the soldiers will be abandoning cracking nuts!

Find out more on my amazing Aunt Nita here

Aunt Nita's Dilly Crackers

2-12  ounce packages oyster crackers

l-1/4 cups vegetable oil

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (original)

2-1/2 teaspoons dill weed

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Mix oil, ranch dressing (dry) dill weed and garlic salt

 Pour over crackers and coat well.  

Put into medium roaster pan and bake at 200 degrees for l hour.  (stir after  1/2 hr.)

Remove from oven and put on paper towels.  

Cool and store.