"Joy to the World"

448. It's Christmas once more and it never gets old.  Each year I can't wait to decorate our tree, bake cookies, place candle light all around and wrap gifts.  The Christmas season always brings wonderful joys to mind.

Decorating my home with all the special, memorable items collected and gifted from friends.  Each item has a story or person to reflect on.

And then there are the ornaments I've collected for years...43 years to be exact.  From our "First Christmas Together" Hallmark ornament to a beautiful handpainted creation by a charming friend.  To the mushroom ornaments my dear mother gifted me for years and my cherished Santas.  Each one is so special to me!

And, my favorite Christmas song that says what my heart loves..., "Joy To The World".

Adorable pencil tree with antique ornaments and a gorgeous painted Santa by my dear sister.

A Christmas Crèche purchased so long ago for our family.  As a child I would arrange and rearrange the characters and animals daily.  My mother gave this treasure to me.

Side vignettes of beauty all around.

A handmade Father Christmas from many years ago made by a dear friend.

From my home to yours, have a very Happy Christmas and Blessings in the New Year!

"Joy to the World"

"Joy to the World is a Christmas hymn written in 1719 by Sir Isaac Watts, an English Christian minister and writer whose sacred words were inspired by Psalm 98 of The Bible.  In its original form it had nothing to do with Christmas and was never intended to be a Christmas song.  Musically, the first four notes are the same as the first four in the chorus "Lift up your Heads" from Handel's, "Messiah" from 1742.  However, in 1836 Lowell Mason composed a riveting melody for the second part of the hymn, which combined with its popularity in the church, started its journey into the music (world).  Mason was a great admirer and scholar of Handel's music.

Christmas Cookie Baking 2023

447.  Christmas Baking 2023 highlights:

Poppy Seed Rugelach

          Peppermint Bark

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling

Coffee & Cream Cookies with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (These are 5 Star Cookies!!!)

Moon Cookies with Cinnamon/Powdered Sugar dusted on top

Cranberry Orange Chocolate Sliced Cookies

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 

“‘There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,’ returned the nephew. ‘Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!'”

~ "A Christmas Carol", Charles Dickens

Chocolate Cream Pie

446.  Chocolate Cream Pie brings to mind a satisfying, creamy, chocolaty bite.  Not to mention the baked crust, which really is my favorite part of any pie.

I've baked many pies over the years but the pie most requested is the simplest recipe with the most simple ingredients.  Even if you don't bake, don't like to bake or just don't have the time, this pie will deliver for you.

Here is a peek at my process, and, if you want to use any other pudding flavor, that is your choice.

I used a silicone mold to create sweet oak leaves on my crust.  This can be ordered from an Etsy shop called StaceyDecor.  You can find it HERE.  This shop has so many great molds for any type of baking accents, candy making and more.

My suggestion is to make the pudding the day before as it will settle, become smooth and set for ease in slicing.

And there you have an easy dessert you can make in a pie plate or a rectangle shaped pan.  And, you don't have to tell anyone it was easy ;-)

"Chocolate is cheaper than therapy, and, you don't need an appointment."

~ Author Unknown but so right

Charcuterie

445.  What is a Charcuterie or Charcuterie Board?  Seems everyone has jumped on the trend and anything seems to go. The word "charcuterie" is a French term for a line of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, primarily from pork.  The Italians have a different meaning for "charcuterie" as they interpret the word to mean "salted meats", which includes preserved whole cuts of meat and force-meats.  Now, what is a "forcemeat" you ask?  They are spreadable mixtures of meat and organ meats like pâtés and such.  Now, Americans have turned the charcuterie board on end and have changed the whole purpose.  I've seen candy charcuteries, fruit charcuteries and yes, even egg charcuteries.  

So, what is right and what is wrong?  I guess in our day and age, if you want to be original, ask a real butcher or simply follow the simple "3 3 3 3 Rule".  That is, three meats, three cheeses, three starches and three accompaniments such as fruit, nuts, brined or pickled items and veggies.

You can arrange on a wooden board, plates, marble slab or as I've seen, right on the surface of a table, covered with butcher paper.  It was quite clever and so unexpected.

So, when you attempt to be a charcutier and serve a charcuterie at your next football watch party, soiree, holiday party or event, remember the "3 3 3 3" Rule.  That is, three meats, three cheeses, three starches and three accompaniments such as fruit, nuts, brined or pickled items and veggies to make sure it is a true charcuterie and not an American bright idea.  If you want to do a candy, fruit or egg display, call it a buffet, arrangement, array, presentation, exhibition, panorama, ostentatiousness, etc.  Of course I'm being facetious, but, now you understand.

"Adulthood:  Where lunchables are now called a charcuterie."

~Anonymous Humor

"I've learned from past mistakes that you should never own something as fun as a charcuterie board and keep it for 'special occasions,' because it's highly likely that the people you saved it for will somehow end up not having been worth it in the long run.  Then, you'll just end up lamenting all the missed opportunities you had to enjoy the thing all by yourself."

~K.J. Micciche, The Book Proposal

Eggs Benedict Casserole

 444.  Do you love breakfast foods.  A favorite is Eggs Benedict with smooth Hollandaise Sauce dripping over the top.  This recipe for Eggs Benedict has all the flavors and elements in a casserole you can prepare the night before.  The hollandaise sauce is made right before serving but having your ingredients ready and prepped is smart.

We found this recipe online at Carl's Bad Cravings blog and had to try it.  Recipe HERE.

Fresh squeezed lemon juice is a must as well as egg yolks separated that day.

Using a small processor or blender creates the perfect consistency.

"Eggs Benedict is genius.  It's eggs covered in eggs.  I mean, come on, that person should be the president."

~Wylie Dufresne

Lemon Tiramisu

443.  I think we have found a family favorite!  It is happy tummy_702's Lemon Tiramisu on Instagram. And, watching her demonstration is a sensation for the senses.

 Tiramisu is delicious. I'm not a huge chocolate fan but have grown to appreciate the flavor.  But, I am a huge fan of lemon desserts!!

You can find this decadent recipe HERE .

We all agreed it is a family favorite and one which will quickly become a #1 for all you lemon-lovers out there.

"We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons."

~Alfred Newman

The Wedding

442.  The Wedding.  What a splendid day, surroundings, weather, friends and family and mostly, the bride and groom.  I wanted to share some special memories in pictures.

Mount Shasta was the natural backdrop to the whole evening.  It was wonderful!!!

And, the cookie table was an added treat.

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

“The greatest marriages are built on teamwork. A mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration, and a never-ending portion of love and grace.” ~Anonymous