A Few of My Favorite Things - Cookbooks

I love cookbooks, reading them, planning menus and trying different recipes.  I can't stop thinking I would love to recieve or give one of these cookbooks for Christmas.   

I'm still mad at myself for not buying a signed copy of one of these Thomas Keller cookbooks while I was at Bouchon. 

Ina Garten's cookbooks are always perfect.  Her recipes are easy to follow but the finished product looks so impressive and tatse incredible.   

      

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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

.....how lovely are your branches!

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Less is More

I must admit as far back as I can remember I am/was a Black Friday Shopper.  I have wonderful memories of getting up early the day AFTER Thanksgiving and hitting the stores with a pile of ads and my Mother and Sister in tow.  This was a ritual, a welcome to the holiday season that we participated in for as long as I can remember, probably 20 years, and I loved every minute of it.  It can be really exciting when you score that great deal or watching my Mother shop commando style in the mall, she had mad shopping skills. 

Lately, it seems like things are getting crazy in the world of Black Friday shopping.  Maybe it's the economy, because most people do not have the disposable income they once had and they need a good deal.  Maybe it is just the media making a big deal out of everything and scaring people into thinking these deals are so great they must go out, shop and buy stuff they don't really need.  I don't really know.

What I do know is that when I went to Everlane on Friday to order a Christmas present, ok and maybe a little something for myself, I was peasantly surprised to find this....



and it got me thinking.  I love this philosophy, I want less stuff but I want the stuff I do buy to be excellent.  I want to focus this holiday season on bringing high quality gifts, decorations and food into my life.  I want to teach my children that it is better to receive and give fewer, well thought out, high quality gift then several gifts that will never be used.  I want them to think about the money they spend and how that item will affect them, the person who receives the gift and the global community they live in.

I realized what I really enjoyed most on those Black Friday shopping trips was the time spent with my Mother and Sister and that is a tradition I plan to continue, just not at Walmart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Table is Set

I Want to Eat Here!

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Holiday Gift Guides

I am so grateful for the Bloggers that take the time to put together these gift guides.  They are so useful in helping me find something perfectly unique for the favorite people in my life. 





Creature Comforts Blog has put together an incredible gift guide for everyone you could possibly ever have to buy for this Holiday season, teenagers, children, the cook, the home, him, her, babies, food gifts, (my favorite ) and so on.  Her guide is really useful, the gifts are beautiful and unique and every source is well listed so you can easily order any gift. 



In Honor of Design put together a gift that also includes recipes and entertaining ideas, check it out here.

Also, check out the Taigan Holiday Gift Guide.  There are a collection of gift guides put together by some of the most popular bloggers.

Brussels Sprouts

I love roasted Brussels sprouts.  I usually just coat them with olive oil, salt and pepper, Ina's way, but I am trying to figure out a new recipe for Thanksgiving and these all look very tasty.



      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash-  recipe here



                    Dijon-Braised Brussels Sprouts- recipe here



   Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta - Recipe here



   Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Apples - Recipe here



   Brussels Sprouts in Garlic Butter- recipe here

Happy Friday!

More Thanksgiving Tablescape

I just can't stop thinking about my Thanksgiving table setting.  Since it is my first time hosting Thanksgiving for the family I want everything to be memorable, really I want everything to be perfect but that is a lot to strive for.  I think I really like simple, rustic tables with lots of whites and browns.   Also, I definitely need fresh flowers, fresh leaves or some gourds to make the table feel more organic.  


      




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The winner is...this is my favorite, simple but beautiful tablescape, via.

Rachel Maddow - Cocktails

I like watching the political shows, especially during an election season, but the best part of this election season is that I was reminded that Rachel Maddow makes cocktails.  She doesn't just make cocktails, she gives her viewers step by step instructions on how to mix and serve the perfect cocktails.  I am seriously in awe of her skills as a mixologist. I wish Rachel would invite me over for a cocktail!  

Las Vegas

I'm not much if a gambler so the best thing about Las Vegas to me is the food, the shopping and the shows. We saw Cirque du Soleil, Love, a show based on the Beatles music. I was really pleasantly surprised how good the show was. The dancers were amazing, everything about the show was so unique and creative.

Bouchon

Grateful

Vegas Baby!

I'm heading to Las Vegas today, yeah baby!  Time for some much needed relaxation.  I have been working like crazy lately and with the holidays coming up this is the perfect time to get away for some adult fun.
First and foremost, I am so looking forward to some much needed couple time.  In addition, I am super excited that I will finally get a chance to eat at one of Thomas Keller's restaurant, Bouchon.  I plan on eating there for brunch and dinner at least once, maybe more if I am lucky.  Who needs gambling when you have Thomas Keller?