I love Christmas music~especially the classics. Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, the Andrews Sisters...the more traditional, the better.
Though I've tried, I've just never been able to get into the Christmas songs sung by our current generation of musicians. There are a few that are okay, but they don't jingle my bells.
Despite this, there are three musicians that make this time of year merry and bright even without being Christmas classics. Somehow they've always warmed my spirits and lifted the festive atmosphere in our home.
Perhaps it's their voices, their renditions of yuletide lyrics. It could even be the instruments supporting their vocals. For whatever the reason, it all comes together magically. It's a treat to include them on our yearly Christmas rotations.
I hope you'll give them a try as well!
Kenny & Dolly Once Upon a Christmas
If you're Southern, and even if you're not, this is Country royalty at its finest. There is something so joyful about Kenny and Dolly when they get together~and even moreso when putting their spin on Christmas tunes.
Michael Buble Christmas
Though I've heard his other albums, I haven't listened to this one yet. But honestly, how can you go wrong? He brings that vibe of yore back to our favorite Christmas songs and he does it with such panache!
Red Mountain Church Silent Night
After learning about Red Mountain Church's music through Darby of Fly Through Our Window, I had to give this music a try. I love church musicians. They really put their hearts and souls into their songs and this album is no exception. It's acoustic Christmas and gloriously beautiful. Haunting at times. "Silent Night" is achingly wonderful to listen to as is "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". I encourage you to listen to their other songs as well as they're both spiritual and lovely.
And now that I've shared my favorite more contemporary Christmas albums and musicians, why don't you?
What makes your holly jolly and your spirits merry and bright? I'd love to know!
A glorious last day of November to you all...
There is celebrating going on all over our home, for things both big and small. The scallywag's rug arrived and looks fabulous. Celebrating! Even with all the dental drama, Eldest finished her first trimester at Colina with straight A's. Celebrating! The holiday stations are playing the tried and true classics: Perry Como, Dean Martin, and Andy Williams. There hasn't been one "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" yet. Celebrating!
And with the advent of Christmastime, we're also celebrating the reason for the season: the birth of Jesus.
Celebrations both great and small~we're relishing each of them as much as we can.
On cold evenings we like to wind down with hot, frothy mugs of our favorite wintertime drink: Hot Buttered Rum, also known as HBR. If you're going to raise a cup of cheer while celebrating, why not this one?
Enjoy this family recipe, handed down from my Mother to me, and from myself to my daughter. It's rich, it's creamy, it's delicious, and beset of all, family friendly.
Don't let the "rum" part fool you. It's completely optional!
Now grab a hearty mug of something warm and sit back to read this recipe. You may just want a cup the next time you snuggle up by the fire.
This is a warm concoction my mother has been preparing for us since I was a petite, and is yet another tradition we've continued in our family. This drink usually marks the beginning of the Christmas season for us. When the days are nippy, carols are playing, lights are twinkling, and someone walks into the room bearing mugs filled to the brim with creamy HBR's, we know the holidays are here.
My parents were wonderful at filling my childhood with warm memories. They made the Christmas season very special, something I hope to do for my own children.
But back to the HBR-a word of caution...
If you want a low-cal, low-fat, low-sugar, low-anything warm beverage-this is not that drink. Do not read any further unless you intend to imbibe a most delicious creamy and buttery drink certain to warm you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. It is sugary. It is super simple and it is a cup of wondrous winter indulgence.
Are you still here? Then please read ahead and enjoy!
The Doiron's Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
1 container for hot buttered rum storage
1 lb. melted butter
1 16 oz. brown sugar
1 16 oz. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 gallon of your best vanilla ice cream (if you're gong to do this, you may as well go all the way, friends. Indulge!)
*Optional nip of rum can be added to the drink.
Directions:
Let the ice cream soften, but careful not to let it melt. You should be able to scoop it easily without it being watery. In a large bowl combine butter, sugars, spices. Beat until fluffy. This should be about 2 minutes. It will resemble the color of caramel when you're done, and smell just as sweet!
Add the ice cream and beat once more.
The color is much lighter now and you can see specks of nutmeg, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the mixture. And boy does it smell good!
Go ahead and take a taste. It's soupy right now, but perfectly fine for you or any other little sous chef to sample. This year Eldest wasn't able to help~which was unfortunate, but she was okay with that as she was able to have the very first cup of the season!
Once you're done sampling, pour the HBR mixture into your chosen container and freeze.
I'd suggest overnight for the best results. The mixture should not actually freeze, but become taffy-like and cold and kept inside the freezer until it is gone or you're done with the hot buttered rum mixture.
To prepare and serve:
Take two generous scoops of mixture and place inside a festive cup, pour hot water over the mixture and stir very well, until completely melted. It should be frothy and will smell heavenly! You can choose to add a little rum to your drink at this time. To add sin atop of sin, feel free to add homemade whipped cream with chocolate shavings or cinnamon and nutmeg.
I hope that you all can enjoy this drink as much as my family does.
It's guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face and warm them from the inside out.
Cheers!
With my parents safely back in New Orleans, our home is quieter. It seems like such a strange thing to say, but it's true. Even with our two children there is a noticable difference within our house.
It was a wonderful month with my mother, and a greater week once Daddy joined us. Thanksgiving was a feast for the stomach, heart, and soul, but the day after? Undoubtedly the best.
We don't participate in Black Friday. We never have, and I doubt we ever will. But with the gorgeous & cool California weather, we had to take my parents on a coastal tour by way of the P.C.H. (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway).
We drove 15 minutes from our home to Malibu. There was so much beautiful ocean to see, grand homes to observe. Mother and Daddy couldn't stop marvelling over the views~and neither could we.
It's pretty cool to have a place that beautiful so close.
We continued on to Santa Monica, and to the iconic Santa Monica Pier.
We parked so we could walk around and enjoy the scenery. It was fairly early, and at times we almost felt as if the Pier was ours alone.
I'm not sure what was better: sharing this moment with family, the fresh, salty air, or the people watching.
I know a few people who would argue that the best part were the fabulous, home-made burgers at Pier Burger.
They were spectacular.
Everything was freshly made in their little stand and you could tell with each and every bite. The scallywag was so excited by fries he kissed his Daddy in thanks!
As good as the Pier Burgers were, however, the best dishes were yet to come!
We were taking my parents into Hollywood to see the Farmer's Market at The Grove. Isn't it already looking Holiday ready?
The Grove is a "must-see" place when in Los Angeles. If not for the shopping, then for the infinite stands of food that are made daily and served with panache. Your menu will be varied: Indian, Mylasian, Spanish, English, Greek, American, Mexican...the list goes on and on.
Every single item you eat will send you into culinary heaven! It may not be friendly on your hips, but your eyes and stomach will thank you.
We sat at our table for quite a while. We took turns nibbling, watching people, and in Edlest's case, reading. All of our appetite's were satisfied.
We had a hearty sampling of several booths, and ended our day out by grabbing Bob's donuts for our next breakfast.
It was the best outing. Good food, beautiful weather, and the most wonderful company a gal could ask for. There are times when you may be asked about the best day you ever had, and if someone were to ask me, this day would come to mind right away.
I miss my parents terribly right now. We all do. Christmas cannot come fast enough, but we have many memories to tide us over until we see each other again.
We also have the Holidays to prepare for!
Come back this week for these fun and delicious treats: our family's hot buttered rum recipe, preparing for Christmas around the house, and a simple, but fun craft for your children to partake in as they welcome in Christmas.
Our lives are filled with many blessings.
Today we celebrate and give thanks for them.
We observe Thanksgiving by enjoying a great meal with family, reading our blessings from the Blessing Bowl, laughing and getting full together, watching a parade or football game.
This year we're also opening our home to those who are far from those they love. Having lived in Japan, we understand only too well what this is like. We are grateful to spend the day with our new friends and share this special day together.
My heart is full of gratitude for my personal blessings~the ones I hold most near and dear to my heart. This gratitude and thanks extends to each of you who stop by to read and leave a kind word. It is a pleasure to hear from you all, and to know you.
Many blessings to you on this Thanksgiving Day!
With Thanksgiving upon us, it seemed fitting that Eldest's school call their yearly Fall run the Turkey Trot.
The seven fastest boys and seven fastest girls from each class, sixth grade through eighth, are chosen to run 3/4 of a mile around the school. For Eldest this was a real privilege. She loves to run, she's very good at it. And to be chosen to do something she enjoys was such a delight!
Of course, she was chosen before her surgery and there was some question of whether or not she'd be able to participate. It was cautionary more than anything else.
But this morning she was up, eager, and ready to trot with her fellow turkeys.
And trot she did!
From the two laps around the soccer fields,
to the mad dash up a dirt hill,
to a final lap around the parking lot and track field,
Eldest ran hard and did wonderfully!
I was so happy I was able to be there to cheer her on~and she was glad to see me.
We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Our health is just one thing~but after last week we are very grateful to have our daughter back on her feet and running her heart out.
Is there any one thing you're particularly thankful for this Thanksgiving?
While we're all in the full throws of Autumn, and preparing for Thanksgiving, we may find ourselves very busy. I know we are!
Not only are we readying ourselves for a very large Thanksgiving dinner in our new home, but tonight my Daddy arrives! We are all very excited~especially my mother. For while it's been wonderful to have her here with us for the month, that's also how long she and Daddy have been apart.
That is not easy. Believe me, I know.
In celebration of my sweet Father's arrival I'm sharing one of my most popular posts~and edible treats: pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing. Journey back with me to Tokyo as we make this decadent and delightful cupcake treat.
Enjoy!
OCTOBER 9, 2010
It's no secret that I have a slight addiction to pumpkin. By "pumpkin" I mean its various edible dishes and treats, and by "slight" I mean possibly in serious need of an intervention.
One of my nearest and dearest, Ruth, is a complete enabler, but I thank her for it. She thoughtfully sends a little note by messenger every time she comes across a new recipe.
Love you, Ruth! Thank you for your continuous help in my downward spiral.
In any case, it's Fall, pumpkins are everywhere, and I promised the family a month filled with pumpkin delights. This first week we made a family favorite: pumpkin cupcakes with vanilla cream cheese icing.
You may recall these delicious beauties from this time last year?
They were shared with two sweet girls, Casey and Michelle, during a Halloween movie night. The cupcakes received such rave reviews, I knew they'd make another appearance sooner or later.
Thank goodness sooner is here! It was a real task finding canned pumpkin puree, which was all sorts of shocking considering the stores in Tokyo sell every pumpkin delicacy imaginable. But we were successful in finally locating a can (or 6) and were able to make the most scrumptious pumpkin cupcakes this past weekend.
This recipe comes courtesy of the website Patent and the Pantry. You should check out the other recipes not only for their timeless appeal, but because they always turn out beautifully.
Now without further ado, I'd love to share this yummy treat. May you enjoy making these as much as the children and I did~and delight in eating them even more.
Don't be surprised at how quickly they disappear!
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing
~2 cups all-purpose flour
~1 teaspoon baking soda
~1 teaspoon baking powder
~1 teaspoon salt
~1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
~1 teaspoon ground ginger
~1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
~1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
~1 cup packed light brown sugar
~1 cup granulated sugar
~1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
~4 large eggs, lightly beaten
~1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and the spices. In another bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs. Add dry ingredients and beat or whisk until smooth.
Then in pumpkin puree.
Due to the consistency I beat the mixture at this point. Or, if I'm to be completely honest, Eldest beat the mixture. She's a pro and really enjoys baking!
Line the cupcake pan with liners and fill each about halfway with batter. Bake until the tops spring back when touched and a cake tester comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pans if needed. Transfer to wire rack and let cool completely before icing.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing
~8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature (very important that it is room temp)
~1/2 cup butter, room temperature
~3 cups icing sugar, sifted
~1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, then add the vanilla and sugar.
Due to the fact that we have a Japanese oven~something that's about the size of a microwave~it took 2 hours to bake 18 cupcakes. I could only bake 6 at a time.
Many prayers for patience were said, but as expected, the wait was completely worth it.
The cupcakes came out beautifully every single time. They were fluffy, light, and rich in flavor.
The icing was even more delectable. It was temptation incarnate. Eldest and I may have succumbed a few times, and we may have eaten the leftover icing.
Or not.
If we did, however, I may be able to tell you that there is nothing more fun than giggling over a small bowl of leftover icing with your daughter.
We made enough cupcakes that I knew trouble would come a'calling if we didn't share.
Several went to our friends and neighbors and our language teacher. I had a few, the children did as well.
I suppose it shouldn't have been too surprising that by yesterday evening they were completely gone. Not a crumb was left behind.
Those pretty and tasty cupcakes may have been kind of good.
But you don't need my word for it...
Just ask my favorite taste-testers.
I'm pretty sure you'll get an honest answer.
Now friends, go ahead and make these delicious treats! Whip them up for a Thanksgiving dessert or for yourself and your family.
Either way, you'll be so glad you did! A lovely Thanksgiving week to you all...
You may recall a post I did about the things I wanted to do for the scallywag's bedroom once we moved into our home. They were grand ideas surrounded by colors, patterns, furniture, and accessories.
Some have come into fruition, others have changed, others still we'll have to wait for. As always, the tricky part of making your visions come to life is when your imagination meets your reality. I don't know about you, but my last name isn't Rockefeller. Making things happen within our home sometimes involves saving, compromising, or improvising. Sometimes it's all three.
Let me give you an example. The turquoise blanket I'd envisioned for my son's bed? The price tag was ridiculous. The color may have been beautiful, but the quality certainly wasn't worth the price. It took a little looking, but a perfectly good substitute was discovered at Home Goods. The turquoise blanket changed to an embroidered navy coverlet from Ralph Lauren.
We love it!
I can also reveal that a big item I wanted for his room is on the way.
This was also a great deal that involved a good bit of research and waiting.
Dash & Albert's Yacht Stripe Cotton Rug in green & white has been a favorite for ages. It's perfect for growing with my little guy, the rug is an indoor/outdoor which means it's incredibly durable, and the colors are just so crisp.
I was just having a problem getting over the price tag.
But after searching high and low for over a month, I located it on Layla Grace, a website that offers free shipping, and after adding a 15% discount code the price was knocked down quite a bit.
Oh happy day! Good deals make this mama want to dance. Do you see how adorable this rug is? Placed on dark hardwoods with the new color scheme in the scallywag's room it will look fantastic!
I'll show you pictures once it's in next week, for now, though, why don't y'all join me in a little boogie with a cup of cheer? Good deals always make me extra happy and I just have to share that joy with all of you.
Happy weekend everyone! I hope y'all enjoy a little joy of your own as well.
Good morning, friends!
I want to thank each of you who took the time to think about Eldest yesterday. Your prayers certainly reached her! Not only did her surgery go quickly and with promising results, but after some initial grouchiness and nausea caused by the anesthesia, she is in no pain, and feeling wonderful. You wouldn't know she'd had surgery the day before.
As her parents, our personal prayers were answered in spades.
We're keeping her home an extra day just in case things change, and taking the time to count our blessings for skilled doctors, understanding teachers, and an unyeilding support system.
At her request I took pictures of the before and after, but she was in no mood to participate once we helped her walk back to my car.
I can't say I blame her.
This morning we can laugh about her delirious state post-op~initially, she was a riot~and reflect how quickly she bounced back after a deep sleep later in the afternoon.
Currently she's enjoying a soft food diet of Pinkberry, milkshakes, asparagus soup, water, oatmeal, and well-cooked mac 'n cheese. But we anticipate adding more solid foods back this weekend. This is great progress!
Thank you all once more for praying so hard for our sweet girl. She's in great shape and on the road to a swift recovery.
We couldn't be more pleased for her.
A lovely weekend to you all, and as always, thank you for stopping by.
Madeline is heading into surgery as I type. If you all would keep her, as well as her recovery time in your thoughts & prayers, we would greatly appreciate it.
As you may remember from my last post, all of our belongings from Charlotte arrived on Monday. We hadn't seen any of our possessions in almost a year and a half, so it felt a little like Christmas morning~all day long.
There were many moments of, "Oh my God I forgot we had these!", and squeals of happiness as our movers unwrapped some very precious things.
My top priority, however, was making sure Eldest's room was put together before her surgery tomorrow. This was made a little difficult when the movers informed us that the hardware to her bed was missing. Can you believe that?
Ordinarily this would not be an issue. But when your daughter sleeps in a tester bed that was passed down to her~and the hardware was antique and specifically made for it~complications will ensue.
Thankfully, I can report that with a little ingenuity and lots of elbow grease, we were able to remedy the situation and put the bones to Eldest's room together.
She's so happy.
Tomorrow afternoon I will bring her home to her room, where all the comforts will be waiting for her.
There is still much to do, but after we fill her bookcases, hang a little artwork as well as her drapes, her corner of the house will really be spectacular.
Of course, someone already thinks it's perfect as is. As of yesterday evening, we could barely get Eldest to leave her room! She was delighted to rest in her bed, and sleep beneath familiar covers.
With her permission, Eldest would like to share her room with you. Enjoy the tour!
Eldest's bed used to be mine, and when I learned 12 years ago that I was going to have a little girl, my heart lept for joy. Heirlooms, much like family traditions, are very important to us. I was so happy to have someone to pass it down to.
With the exception of the honeycomb matelasse, all of her bedding was custom made by myself and my Mother. It was a labor of love, and one Eldest cherishes. She has been praying that her bedding survived being in storage, and blessedly, it did. The duvet has two different sides: one is the Chinese damask, the other a yellow and white check.
Her bed skirt and matching drapes are a larger raw silk check.
The dresser was picked up in Oxford, and to keep things honest, here is how it looks right now. We'll get it gussied up this evening!
Her French lamps are a favorite. An antique yellow, the curves and scrolls are so feminine they're perfect for the bedroom of a budding young lady.
We still have a little more work to do, but we all agree that when Eldest returns from her surgery tomorrow, she will be surrounded by the people, as well as the things that she loves most. She will be able to rest and recover very comfortably.
Enjoy your Wednesday all, and if you would, please keep my sweet girl in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow morning.
Thank you for stopping by!
