Glazed Nuts for the Holidays

474.  How many parties have you been to where there are bowls of pretzels, chips, salted peanuts, Chex Mix and an occasional specialty chip or pretzel.  Now, to be clear, I love a good pretzel, chip or Chex Mix.  But, this holiday season why don't you deviate from the norm and place bowls of Glazed Nuts around the room.  Or, place a scoop in a cellophane bag and tie with a velvet ribbon to give as a take away.  It's up to you if you would include the recipe or not, "wink, wink".

You can make them salty or sweet. Trust me, once someone takes a taste, shares how great they are, there will be people congregating around the bowl in excited conversations.  As well as hearing, "What spices are on these nuts?" or "You have to give me this recipe!".

I remember being invited to a Christmas party at my friend JoAnn's house.  She got the memo and had these bowls of sweet glazed nuts around on side tables and within reach wherever you found yourself.  And of course, they were the conversation of the night.  

So, in honor of JoAnn and her perfect hosting, I give you my Glazed Nuts recipes.

It is your choice which nuts you use as each nut has its own wonderful flavor and enhances or clashes with the spices added.

And you can create a recipe of your own adding different spices, dried fruits or different salts.

I hope you try one of the recipes and it brings compliments from your guests.  

"Families are like fudge, mostly sweet but filled with nuts."

~ Unknown

"Today's oak tree is just yesterday's nut, that held it's ground."

~ David Icke

Walnut-Orange Bûche de Noël

23.  Do you shy away from challenging tasks?   I seem to gravitate to them.  But I must admit, my patience and tolerance levels have grown over the years.  Where once I would have thrown up my hands and walked away in tears, now I want to figure it out and accomplish the impossible.

On New Years Day a new challenge was taken on...a recipe 

for "Walnut-Orange Bûche de Noël" from the Martha Stewart Holiday Magazine 2008.  

You can find the recipe here.  It is a deliciously wonderful challenge!!!  My family enjoyed this tremendous treat while we played Scatergories and sipped espresso. 

 It did take a great deal of time, because of the steps involved...but it was so rewarding and absolutely delicious !

Take on a challenge this New Year...don't run and hide...make a new recipe...begin to write that book you know is in your mind...run in that marathon...read a whole book!  Or just challenge yourself to tell your family you love them every day.

"You may be whatever you resolve to be.  Determine to be something in the world, 

and you will be something.  'I cannot', never accomplished anything;

 'I will try', has wrought wonders." 

J. Hawke