Getting ready for the big day

It is just me or does any one else consider the present wrapping and the table setting just as important as the meal served on the day.  This year I have built up a colour scheme around a fabulous ribbon I have found. Paper Source here in the US has the most beautiful ribbons, paper and cards.  I would have been lost without them! Although the presents won't make it under the tree until Christmas Eve, here is a place setting for Christmas lunch.  

The place setting

After what seemed a culinary flop of epic proportions Gingerbread House Part 2 went off without a hitch.  Here's some of the other Christmas creations I have been cooking up for the big day. A good friend of mine, who will always set the benchmark for amazing decorating, has inspired me to create my own Christmas Crackers this year.  For my children I have stuffed them with little Lego.  I can't wait for them to open them! 

This year Donna Hay has been my Christmas food guru.  Her Christmas fruit tarts are amazing!!

As we take off after Christmas in search of some warmer weather, I wish you the most magical and safe Christmas and a fabulous 2012.

Cooking up a storm

With only 4 more sleeps until Christmas I find myself elbows deep in the kitchen in an effort to create some culinary masterpieces for the 'season'.  So after a disappointing batch of rum balls, not enough rum, I have raided the cupboard to find a bottle of OP rum that should do the job sufficiently. I can't wait to try them!!

Okay so you can only have so much success in the kitchen before a monumental flop occurs.  Mine took place this afternoon when my son and I decided to make our own gingerbread house by scratch.   Needless to say a SOS trip to Wholefoods early tomorrow is planned to buy a ready made kit. I just had to include a photo. Yes, it tasted as bad as it looked.  Do you think I was aiming too high using the Gourmet Traveller recipe?  It didn't come with any warnings about novice gingerbread house chefs...

Wish me better luck with the fruit mince pies.  I have found a delicious Donna Hay recipe and have made the filling.  Now for the shortbread pastry......

Bring on a White Christmas

For all of my life I have seen these White Christmas' and thought how strange for Christmas to be cold and what about those sweltering hot days, the lovely seafood and spending the mornings lazing by the pool only to have to rush to be ready for Christmas lunch.  So imagine my surprise to have moved to a place where it is cold, it will snow and finally a hot Christmas lunch is not strangely out of place.  As we prepare to spend our first 'White' Christmas in Annapolis, and yes, I will be deeply disappointed if it does not snow!!, I wanted to share with you all some images from our 'potential', 'fingers crossed' White Christmas.

As those who know me, I LOVE a fabulous ribbon. Can you spot a ribbon theme going on....

Our front door

Close up

Another wreath. I love a bit of felt at Christmas!

Well... we are in deer country

The next time you see this view it may be covered in snow...

I have come to love Anthology magazine.  Here is a link to their Christmas gift issue http://anthologymag.com/blog3/issues/