We have a new year upon us!  The 2023 countdown is shortening, and it is not uncommon to pop some bubbly and garnish it with a kiss, all to celebrate another year behind us and a new fresh year ahead.   This past year, my love for Lillet Blanc has blossomed and is now a must-have pairing with Champagne.  And this cocktail is the best of both worlds. A refreshing bubbly cocktail with notes of citrus, lightly sweetened, but the undertone of dry brut rounds out the experience to make you gasp for more. What is Lillet?  It’s a French aromatized wine, similar to vermou ..read more

Jump to Recipe Holiday pot lucks are so much fun and can offer a wonderful variety. But there is some stress with picking out what to bring.  You want something people will eat and enjoy.    Just remember that sometimes going simple is the way to go.   Recently, I had to throw together an appetizer for a party in a pinch.  After searching through my fridge, I found a pound of bacon and a bag of cranberries.   Let’s just candy both and pray it will be enough.   They were a hit!  The sugared cranberry recipe can be found in the gingerbread b ..read more

Jump to Recipe In my Love Actually-themed holiday class, we make a wide variety of food, but I keep returning to the hot amaretto chocolate.  Hot chocolate, especially what we think of with the cocoa mix powder, and heating the mug in the microwave does not do hot cocoa justice.  This recipe was a slow-cook of milk, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk with two kinds of chocolate with flavors of vanilla and almond.  It was perfect with the only thing missing was the snow! This recipe is a two-hour time frame, but don’t let that discourage you from enjoying a warm, delightfu ..read more

Let’s keep this short and sweet.   I’ve compiled the holiday cookie recipes over the years and am happy to share the ones that continue to be discussed, requested, and always eaten!  And happy to share it with you!   Some are classic, some are new twists on old.  It’s a blend of traditional holiday flavors, bright citrus cookies to break some of the heavy sweetness, and others with fun new textures to keep your cookie-eating interesting!  Enjoy! Click on the Holiday Cookie Box link below to download your pdf! Holiday Cookie Box The post Holiday Cookies Recipe ..read more