Dear Grandma

This will interest very few of you. These pictures are posted primarily for my Grandma so we can discuss how the party went. I'll call her and remind her how to get to my website, then she'll tell me how beautiful my tables looked and I'll feel pleased with myself. That I actually accomplished something feeling.

Yes, I had to put a table in the family room.

I wish I had taken a picture before the four folding chairs had to come in. They were very handy but not attractive.

This was my favorite thing about the table: the place card holders! Aren't they adorable? I thought of them myself and you can bet I'll use this same idea again. I already have pastel birds for spring.
Yes, there is a See's truffle in the box, but no, I did not get to wrapping the boxes for the red table. I can hear your concern: I used my silver on the dining room table.

The silver and blue table before the many candles were lit.
Notice the chandelier.

Good lighting.



I did wrap the tiny boxes for this table. And when I say "I", I mean Justin. I tied the ribbon on. I have since re-thought the snowflake placecard holders. Too scrap-book-y?

The kids table.

Complete with well behaved kids. There were actually 14 children (!) but these were the oldest. All except Whitman were on their best behavior.

I didn't get a full shot of the buffet table, but here's the Prime Rib in Croute. My talented chef friend, Karren, made all the food besides the (amazing) rolls.
Cheese and vegetable pie. To die for.

Diane is placing her fork in the Duchess potatoes. They looked like rosettes and tasted like heaven. Now that I'm noticing, Diane didn't eat very much.

Here's the full menu:

Cross Rib Roast on Croute with Duxelle
Torta Rustica
Roasted Root Vegetables
Potatoes Duchesse
Cream Spinach
Figgy Pudding
Plum Pudding
Croquembouche
Rolls
Assorted Drinks

The drinks consisted of a homemade ginger soda for starters and sipping chocolate with homemade peppermint marshmallows as an ending, by Justin.

The End.

Gifted

I'm in love and I don't care who knows it.
That's how I feel about the interior of these latest treat boxes. And just like true love, I can't even play it cool and pretend to be neutral. Remember how I said not two weeks ago that the red and white candy cane striped boxes were my favorite?

Well, they were superficial- looked good on the outside, nothing special on the inside.
My new love looks decent enough on the outside:



Yet I'll admit maybe the red and white are more eye catching initially, but it's what is inside that counts.But what is inside the pretty boxes, you ask? Clockwise from the top: Mexican hot chocolate cookies, peppermint brownies, orange shortbread snowflakes, and cranberry cashew coconut bars.

What? This doesn't fascinate you? A quick and slightly dull Q and A then.

Dear Alisha,

Am I lazy to be giving kids all gift cards for XMAS, especially when they are all ages 9 and below? Some suggest I buy something small and add a gift card. Really, anything small is at least $3 to $5. I'm imagining when they get the gift card, they probably be happier if I combine that few dollar to the gift card instead. And if your answer is yes, what do you suggest be great gifts for boys and girls ages 9 below.

Sincerely,

Many Kids to Shop For

Dear --what do I call you? Lazy but Kind Shopper?

I love gift cards. I love them for myself. To me they're better than cash because cash I might be expected to do something practical with. But this isn't about me. My own children started liking gift cards at around age 8. They, or he, since I only have one child that age, grasped the concept and looked forward to picking out their own toy.

Recently my 5 year old was given gift cards for his birthday and I was surprised at how apathetic he seemed towards them. I tried to make it interesting for him while at Target picking out a gift. As a mother, I love it when my kids get gift cards rather than large, noisy gifts that will be a chore to find a place for.

Here's my advice. Don't give a gift card to anyone under 5. Age 8 and up, it is a very good idea. Between 5 and 8 is a grey zone. All kids like the little go-along gift. If you are so inclined, just buy something silly. I hate it when people give my kids candy. Enough already. Other options if you don't want to send an actual gift, contact the parent ahead of time, ask them if it would be okay if you sent them cash or a gift card so they could pick out a toy their child would really like. As a parent, I wouldn't mind that at all as long as it wasn't a last minute request.

As there are a few other mothers who read this blog, maybe they will throw out a few other ideas or share their opinion. Hopefully with out fights or accusations, ladies.

I fear this discussion did not reach you in time.

Balding Gift Giver

Dear Alisha

I have a family member that I have always really enjoyed and get along very well with. We see each other at least once a month at various family functions as well as at each other's children's birthday parties. The problem? We always bring a gift for their children's birthdays and they have never once brought a gift for our children. I'm not usually a score keeper but it has happened several times now and I'm beginning to think they just come for the free food. Do I stop inviting them to our children's birthday parties, not take a present to their children's or just smile and pretend there is nothing wrong? And please don't recommend the third option as I am about to rip my hair out. Thanks Alisha!

Sincerely,
Balding Gift Giver

Dear Balding,

You are going to be glad that these questions are completely anonymous.

First, let me remind you of what a gift is "something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation or expectation of a return". Thanks Merriam-Webster.

As far as I can tell, your family member is not compelling you to bring him/her gifts. This seems to be your own choice. So that leaves the second part of the definition, "without compensation". If you are expecting something in return, like a another gift, you are not a gift giver.

Maybe your family member can not afford to give a gift to each extended family member at their birthday, or maybe they think that the whole lavishing children with gifts things is over done, maybe they really are coming for the free food. (Ha! I've never met one adult who actually likes attending kid birthday parties. Most consider it an act of charity.) Maybe they really are being selfish. Or maybe they have been taking your "gifts" for what they are suppose to be- a considerate act given out of the goodness of your own heart, without the expectation of return.

What ever the case, the problem lies with you. You don't need to "smile and pretend that nothing is wrong" because nothing is wrong. I will concede that often when you give a gift it is common for the receiver to reciprocate. But that is not a requirement. Maybe this relative of yours keeps thinking, 'sure, these gifts are nice, but when is Balding going to catch on that I don't want to exchange gifts? I keep not giving her kids gifts and she keeps lavishing them on mine."
That you would consider ignoring or not inviting a family member you enjoy over a difference in how you prioritize gift giving seems really petty.

In short, the problem is yours. Stop giving gifts or learn the true meaning of giving. It will be a good lesson for you kids too, so don't even try to mention their hurt little feelings. Their feelings will only be hurt if you let them think they have a reason to feel jilted.

You're welcome.

Christmas Blither-Blather

Dear Alisha,

Can we move on to a new post? This vegetarian thing is really boring.


I couldn't agree with you more. You see, it's Christmas time. Tonight instead of answering questions, I'm going to bore you with what I've allowed to keep me busy. Taking my own advice, I started early on my Christmas preparations. Telling you all I've done makes me feel accomplished, so thanks for humoring me.

I've decorated the Christmas tree..

...as you can see by this completely candid photo.

Finished*. I've also put up decorations. Here is my favorite new addition, a glittery village:

The glittery houses didn't look right and weren't safe sitting out on the buffet*.

Justin attached the Command sticky hooks to the wall then drilled holes in the back of the houses to hang them from. When we are all done, the hooks come off with out leaving a mark on the wall and we feel like geniuses. It took a few attempts before we figured out this solution.

*My silver and pale blue decorations do not look as good in picture as they do in person. I can't seem to capture their sparkly, winter-wonder. I am accepting photography tips.

Here's why the houses as well as the rest of my Christmas decorations aren't safe:

It is Whitman's goal to destroy Christmas. He has broken the nativity set twice, shattered a pretty snow globe, broken more ornaments than I can count, picked the feathers off a feather tree, and took a head dive from the piano into the Christmas tree. He shows no signs of stopping.

Davy on the other hand, has loved helping out with Christmas details.

As seen in this unflattering photo of him decorating the kid Christmas tree. If it makes you love him more, he hasn't been feeling his best this winter yet he's so excitable and eager to please.

He, I mean we, I mean I, am very pleased with it.

We accomplished the most tedious and tricky Christmas task of all:

The Family Photo. Attempt No.1. A Christmas tree farm on a freezing, rainy and windy day. The results speak for themselves.

Attempt No. 2: see family decorating the tree photo above. Doesn't look like the opening to The Family Feud?
Attempt No 3:

Sitting on the piano bench on a dark day in a dark room. Whitman loved it. The rest of the boys were good sports. We did get a shot, it's not my most favorite lighting but it works. In case you get a Christmas card from us, I won't spoil the surprise by showing you the photo now. Try to live with the disappointment.

Having done all that and with most of my Christmas shopping finished, I thought I'd get a jump on Christmas baking. Last Monday we had no school and why not take the day to knock out the most time consuming but delicious of Christmas treats, the sugar cookie?


(See recipe at bottom of post)I baked and frosted all day. On my recipe I have written this, "Warning: these take 4 long hours start to finish". True. And that's for a single batch not a double with kids hanging around. Just so you know, I don't let my kids touch any of the cookies or frosting except the few I place on a plate for them to frost and eat themselves. If anyone gives you sugar cookies saying the kids helped make them, beware. The frosting is 25% slobber.

I packed up my non-slobbery cookies in my new favorite boxes of the season,


along with some nutty-spiced-chocolate squares.

Besides tired at the end of the day, I was feeling a little pleased with myself, even smug. See how much I have accomplished so early in the season? Then as I dragged myself up to bed I noticed an email from a friend that went a little like this: "Alisha, where were you tonight? We missed you at Trevor's piano concert, hope everything is okay." AHHH! In my cookie accomplishing frenzy, I completely forgot about my son's piano recital! Not that I missed seeing him perform, I forgot even to bring him there. After all his months of practicing the Star Wars Theme Song and Dashing Through the Snow. I paid for my pride.


I'd like to share a 2011 goal of mine with you. Learn about photography, specifically lighting. I can spot good lighting but don't know how to get my pictures there. Jana says to get a good shot of yourself, "just sit next to a window with the light streaming in", and just look at what I get- an over exposed face in hash light, devoid of facial bones or tone. If you have a photography book you'd like to recommend to me, please do.

Sugar Cookies1 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract or orange oil or lemon oil and zest
*mix until creamed

3 ½ cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt, unless using salted butter, then use ¼
*sift together, then add to the above

Dough can be used immediately, unless you want you shapes to be perfectly cut, in which case you should chill the dough for an hour before cutting out on to parchment paper.

Bake at 325 for approx. 11 to 14 minutes. Hint: if you wait till the edges are browned, you’ve over cooked them.
General frosting how-to:
1 stick butter or 4oz cream cheese
juice of one lemon or 1 to 2 tsp almond extract
milk as needed
2 pounds powered sugar

Blend fat, extract, and milk-starting with 1/4 cup. Add powdered sugar. Add more milk if needed to achieve desired consistency. Add a tasteful amount of food coloring.

I thank you for your time.

Meat Eater Cooking for Vegetarians

Dear Alisha,

How do you accommodate vegetarians at your dinner parties? Or do you? Do you prepare both meat and meatless options? Or just one main (meat) option and make sure there are enough sides for your vegetarian to fill up on? Are you careful to make sure your soups and sides are vegetarian-friendly (no chicken or beef broth, no bacon, etc)? Do you talk to your vegetarian friend about the menu ahead of time and let her decide if she wants to eat a bit before she comes? And will you please ask your vegetarian friends to reply about what they most appreciate when they come to dinner parties?

Sincerely,
Meat Eater

Dear Meat Eater,

Mmmm, isn't meat good? How I cook depends on the vegetarian in question. I usually speak with them and ask them what they do and don't eat. When in doubt, I make sure I cook my side dishes with vegetable broth, not meat broths. If there is just one vegetarian in the family, I usually serve a meat and a non-meat option. (Why should the rest of us suffer?) If the whole family is vegetarian, I usually serve a meatless meal. In a larger buffet setting, I would have both meat and meatless options. I should also say that I don't invite over vegans- too many rules!

I should say I usually don't mind cooking vegetarian. But it I'm feeling meaty, I think twice before inviting over a vegetarian.

Okay vegetarians, what do you most appreciate when invited to a dinner party? Should we cater the menu around you?