Let's see if I can post this, maybe Blogger is just anti- pictures of fruitcakes.
So the party was lovely, everything was a hit except the couple of things that got forgotten in the fridge, and we got to have leftover cookies and cider for ~1.5 days, which is reasonable.
Christmas was also fun, we went and had a delicious cioppino at the house of some of Matt's Italian gourmand cousins. I brought a tiramisu as it is my only recipe that will stand up ti ANYONE's scrutiny, no matter how fancy their tastes.
And now I am at work and it is DEEEEEEAD because it has been pouring rain and nobody is worried about their plants being happy when they are worried about their trees blowing down. So I am using up all my data on my phone farting around online instead.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
House Update and the Beginning of the Party Planning Lists
I inherited some stuff from a parental cleanout this weekend, the annoying office rug that never stays flat under chair wheels is getting Craigslisted and the old vaguely Persian rug that is in way better shape is now residing under my wheels as I type. Also my mom's knockoff Herman Miller-ish desk chair that she never used. So my office is fancy now! House tour update is still pending, I swear.
I have also been swapping art around on walls and it is still not where I want it to be. Grr. However, good art is everywhere and is even sometimes incredibly cheap - I am thinking about buying the digital download of this amazing thing and hanging it over the bed, which would be one nice big thing to center that room around. But not right away as framing is still not free. Maybe after the holidays.
Party Thoughts: the party is two weeks from today. I need to dig out the entertaining box from the garage, it is the magical place where all spare paper cups and napkins hibernate until needed, as well as the big coffee percolating urn thing that gets filled with cider and keeps it hot and on tap for me. So here is the list/plan so far. A Costco trip is pending as of next Tuesday.
Sweet
Cookbook's amazing bourbon balls
Peppermint bark
Nut/shortbread bars (I am addicted to these and am only allowed to make them once a year)
(possible new recipe) Smitten Kitchen's lemon bars from the new cookbook
Gingersnaps
Some kind of thumbprint cookie to use the insane pineapple guava jam I made from free pineapple guavas, or at least some kind of shortbread sandwich cookie for the same purpose. Trying to decide if it could work in ischler, which are Hungarian sandwich cookies made with ground almonds (may test this with hippie almond flour as they can be dense) and chocolate on top.
Savory
Cut up veggies with hummus (possibly two kinds, last year it was roasted garlic vs. roasted red pepper)
Baguette with cheeses (this is another potential place to serve that bonkers pineapple guava jam)
Spiced nuts
Baked brie with cranberry sauce for something hot and holiday-ish
Trader Joe's mushroom tartlets (I usually forget to serve anything warm so this is one thing)
This highly exciting savory version of hamentaschen, but I need a filling other than mushrooms if I do the TJ's stuff. Or maybe I should do these instead and go with the mushrooms? They will get a test run next weekend, they just look sooooo good to me
Korozot, my grandmother's highly addicting Hungarian blue cheese based dip
Mini bagels with shmear (korozot is also good here) - this was a random thing my mom brought last year and it was a HUGE HIT
Smoked salmon (great with the tiny bagels)
Antipasto plate with olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, salami and prosciutto, possibly with the little mozzarella balls...
90% of this can be made ahead of time, served at room temp. and eaten with fingers or toothpicks. Somebody is threatening to bring a crock pot o' meatballs and I have to figure out what that involves, utensil-wise. But I figure if the brie is warm as well as the mushroom tart things I can get away with mostly cold stuff other than that.
Next up, thoughts about decorating. I need to get a tree soon!
I have also been swapping art around on walls and it is still not where I want it to be. Grr. However, good art is everywhere and is even sometimes incredibly cheap - I am thinking about buying the digital download of this amazing thing and hanging it over the bed, which would be one nice big thing to center that room around. But not right away as framing is still not free. Maybe after the holidays.
Party Thoughts: the party is two weeks from today. I need to dig out the entertaining box from the garage, it is the magical place where all spare paper cups and napkins hibernate until needed, as well as the big coffee percolating urn thing that gets filled with cider and keeps it hot and on tap for me. So here is the list/plan so far. A Costco trip is pending as of next Tuesday.
Sweet
Cookbook's amazing bourbon balls
Peppermint bark
Nut/shortbread bars (I am addicted to these and am only allowed to make them once a year)
(possible new recipe) Smitten Kitchen's lemon bars from the new cookbook
Gingersnaps
Some kind of thumbprint cookie to use the insane pineapple guava jam I made from free pineapple guavas, or at least some kind of shortbread sandwich cookie for the same purpose. Trying to decide if it could work in ischler, which are Hungarian sandwich cookies made with ground almonds (may test this with hippie almond flour as they can be dense) and chocolate on top.
Savory
Cut up veggies with hummus (possibly two kinds, last year it was roasted garlic vs. roasted red pepper)
Baguette with cheeses (this is another potential place to serve that bonkers pineapple guava jam)
Spiced nuts
Baked brie with cranberry sauce for something hot and holiday-ish
Trader Joe's mushroom tartlets (I usually forget to serve anything warm so this is one thing)
This highly exciting savory version of hamentaschen, but I need a filling other than mushrooms if I do the TJ's stuff. Or maybe I should do these instead and go with the mushrooms? They will get a test run next weekend, they just look sooooo good to me
Korozot, my grandmother's highly addicting Hungarian blue cheese based dip
Mini bagels with shmear (korozot is also good here) - this was a random thing my mom brought last year and it was a HUGE HIT
Smoked salmon (great with the tiny bagels)
Antipasto plate with olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, salami and prosciutto, possibly with the little mozzarella balls...
90% of this can be made ahead of time, served at room temp. and eaten with fingers or toothpicks. Somebody is threatening to bring a crock pot o' meatballs and I have to figure out what that involves, utensil-wise. But I figure if the brie is warm as well as the mushroom tart things I can get away with mostly cold stuff other than that.
Next up, thoughts about decorating. I need to get a tree soon!
And because Eve Moneypenny had the best costumes in Skyfall and I want them all.
That red outfit might be good for a holiday party...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)