Cranberry Pecan Spread

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
(To soften cream cheese - microwave on high 10 seconds)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup orange juice

Beat cream cheese until soft and fluffy. 
Add pecans, cranberries and juice. 
Mix well.
 Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving.

This can be doubled as shown above.
One for home and one to bring to someones house!

From Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book - Page 21

Peppermint-Mocha Brownies

This recipe comes from Phyllis Hoffman's  "Celebrate"
Holiday Magazine - 2012
This magazine gives you great ideas for parties and
fun gatherings all times of the year!
Yummy, Pretty, Easy!

Preheat Oven to 325 degrees
Makes 8 Servings

1 (18.75 ounce) box brownie mix
2 tsp. instant coffee granules
1-1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
8 small peppermint candy canes
1 Tbs. confectioners' sugar

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil,
allowing edges of foil to extend 2-inches over sides of pan.
 Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions,
adding coffee granules and peppermint extract to batter. 
Spoon batter into prepared pan.  Bake according to directions.
While brownie is still warm, top with candy canes,
lightly pressing into warm brownie.
Let cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. 
Lift brownie from pan, using edges of foil as handles.
Cut between candy canes into 8 brownies. 
Sift confectioners' sugar over brownies.
Make sure to wipe sugar off of candy cane!

They are nice and thick.  I will be putting them into cellophane
bags with a special handmade tag and bow.  The recipients will be
glad to be on my Christmas list! 

More Christmas Memories!

Several friends have sent along their
"Christmas with Santa" photo.

Notice the Christmas cards on the wall along
with the very natural Christmas tree with tinsel!

We Grieve

There are no words to describe how we feel. 
This senseless act of violence on innocent victims
is beyond anything we can possibly think or
put into words.
Our hearts ache.
May these beautiful children and their teachers
rest in peace.

Russell's Garden Center - One Stop Decorating!

Find your way to 397 Boston Post Road
Wayland, MA 01778
www.russellsgardencenter.com
508.358.2283

From candles...

to poinsettias

to paperwhites, this garden center has it all!

Byer's Choice, Ltd. in all varieties can be also found here.

Lights, garland, wreaths, silk flowers, ornaments, gifts
children's toys, a grand puzzle selection, and gourmet foods,
birdfeeders, birdbaths and flowers are in abundance at
Russell's Garden Center.

Christmas at Vaillancourt Folk Art

Located in the original Fruit of the Loom Factory in the
Manchaug section of Sutton, Massachusetts, Vaillancourt Folk
Art is a destination you mustn't miss!

www.vaillancourtfolkart.com
9 Main Street, Sutton, MA 01590
508.476.3601

They are famous for their chalk ware Santas.  They make
Santas for Williamsburg too!  Check out their website!
 

If you don't live near place an order online.

The displays are beautiful and the staff
very helpful!



Byer's Choice, another American made product
is sold here at Vaillancourt.
Put this on your list of places to visit...
either in person or on the web!

Rose's Italian Anise Slices

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes
4 eggs plus 
2 cups sugar
The rind of 1 lemon, grated
4 tsp. anise extract
2 T. lemon juice
1 drop almond extract
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) butter, melted
Mix above ingredients together. 
In another bowl, mix 3 teaspoons baking powder with 5 cups flour.
Add flour mixture to egg mixture.  Mix until well combined. 
Divide dough in half.  With floured hands, shape two loaves placing them on a
parchment paper covered cookie sheet. 

Brush the tops with an egg white.  Sprinkle with colored nonpareil confections.
Makes 2 loaves!

 

Slice when cool!

You're going to love this old recipe.  Many years ago, I went
to my friend, Rose's house and she taught me how to make this great recipe.
Put them in cellophane bags with a pretty bow for a thoughtful gift.
Keep them in a tin and as company arrives, you'll have something to go with
that hot cup of tea or coffee.

By the way...the house will smell delicious!

A Festive Frittata for 4

Basil and Tomato Frittata
1 (8-ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 T. all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 large tomato, diced
3 T. chopped basil or parsley

Toss Cheddar cheese with flour.  Spread in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.
Sprinkle Jack cheese on top.  Whisk together eggs and half-and-half.  Stir in
Worcestershire sauce.  Pour egg mixture over cheese. Top with tomatoes and
basil.  Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.
Yield 4 to 5 servings
This recipe is on page 142 of Two Sisters and the Silver Spoon Cook Book.

Priceless

This "Priceless" photo of a friend's father sitting on
Santa's lap circa 1946 tells a real story about the
magic of Christmas!  If you have any of these
old photos at home, place them front and center
for all to see.  After all, it's all about the magic
in the eyes of those young and old.

Holly Harvest 2012

On a seasonably warm December day, I knew it was
the perfect time to trim the holly! 

Lush green holly branches were cut and placed on the
potting bench.  When you harvest so much...
you must share!



The holly was bagged in cellophane, tied
with bright red ribbon and labeled with a
homemade tag.  How will it be used?
Perhaps it may be served with the Plum Pudding,
put in centerpiece, found on a mantle, fill an outside urn...
whatever your pleasure, this winter harvest is sure to
bring some holiday cheer to an unexpected recipient!
Time to deliver!

Mantles for the Decorating! Recycle, Reuse, Redesign!

We brought some friends to Ladies Night
at the Worcester Club.  After a delicious meal prepared
by the Chef, we were escorted to the 3rd floor where
hundreds of decorations awaited our selection!

We divided up into groups and each took a mantle
and there were plenty of them to choose from!

Thanks to our friend, Nancy for taking these photos
with her phone!

Here we are with Floral Designer, Al Deluca as he puts
the finishing touches to one of the gorgeous mantles
in this historic building in Worcester, Massachusetts!
Thanks to Richard and all of the staff at the Club
for helping to make this a fun, creative and enjoyable evening! 

Ordinary Things Make Extrordinary Displays!

Vintage tablecloths are too pretty to keep in drawers.

Choir children sit on a window break. 

Move your holiday items around from year to year. 
Changing places makes them look like something new!

Mommy's cups and saucers are shiny and ready for use!

You're never too old to write a letter to Santa Claus!

Old candy dishes filled with our Christmas favorites,
Christmas pins scattered here and there and...Oh, those
great red slippers made by Grandma!  Perhaps they were
a Christmas gift many years ago!

The book, Treasury of Christmas Stories was purchased
at a school book club while in 4th grade.  A photo of me on my new
tricycle in a new old looking vintage frame!  Memories...surround
yourself with them! 

Cranberries Add to Classic Pumpkin Pie!

Make your traditional pumpkin pie.  Add the following
topping for a new flare to an old-time favorite!

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup hazelnut liqueur

In a small saucepan combine all ingredients and cook
over high heat for 5 minutes.  Cool.  Spread evenly over pie.
 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're wishing all of our friends and family
a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Two Sisters Holiday Collection - Catch a Glimpse!

These Nantucket Baskets are filled with Narcissus
ready to sprout!  Great hostess gift!
 

Gift baskets make the perfect gift! 
Starting at $33.00

Trays, foaming soaps, gift baskets set the holiday stage!

These lovely items  make great gifts!

Be a hit at the holiday party with one of these evening purses!

These eye catching evening bags are very couture and complete
the holiday evening!  Wear black and carry one these and...
you've arrived!

Bangles for the winter months!

Atkins Farms - Farming Since 1887

Atkins Farms
Jct. Route 116 and Bay Road, Amherst, MA
1.800.594.9537
413.253.9528
www.atkinsfarms.com

Halloween wine and ale are on
the shelves waiting for you!  Don't you love the color orange!

Delicious seasonal cakes and other
delightful sweets are in the bakery.
If I lived closer, I'd be there every day!

Got Cupcakes?

"C" is for Cider doughnuts.
Yummy, yummy, yummy...just ask me!

Apples of all varieties are picture perfect in bags
or sold by the pound.

Atkins sells apple pies and all kinds
of breads, muffins and other treats!

Speaking of treats...here are some old time favorites
just in time for Halloween!

Picked up one of these caramel apples to share after dinner!



Cranberries are in season in all varieties ready for your
cooking and baking needs!

Tons of fresh vegetables are just
irresistible!  You'll want to buy everything
in sight and start cooking!

My coat matches the pumpkins! 
There are lots of goodies in my bags.
Take Route 9 or the Mass Pike.  Have a cup of coffee in
the bakery or a great sandwich and or salad for lunch.
A fun, fun place...Don't miss it!
I can only imagine what the holidays will bring to Atkins Farms.