random bits of bliss...

 

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Dream ~ Priscilla Ahn

Classic With A Bit Of Rustic

What I love about these spaces is they are classic with just a bit of rustic. It adds interest without overwhelming the space.

 Beautiful furniture and styling enhanced by the rustic wall paneling, also a great color palette

 The rustic fireplace and table are a wonderful contrast to the traditional setting and again a wonderful color palette.

 The stone wall and wood slat ceiling complete this other wise sleek modern  interior.

Great color and the rustic sliding barn style door is amazing. Love it!
photos 1, 2, 3 from Coastal Living  4 from Architectural Digest

Honey Mulled Wine Recipe

Winter has officially arrived, and in my corner of the world, it's time to hunker down and try to stay warm...I think I'll try this as an accompaniment to a warm fire and a good book this weekend!

Honey Mulled Wine Recipe

• Cook time: 10 minutes

Make sure you use a wine that you like to drink! If it isn't good cold, it's not going to be any better hot.

Ingredients

• 1 750ml bottle of zinfandel, or other full-bodied robust red wine that you enjoy drinking
• 3/4 cup of water
• 3/4 cup of honey
• 15 black peppercorns
• 3 inches of cinnamon stick for the wine, more sticks (optional) for serving
• Thin peels of lemon zest for serving

Method

Into a 2-qt saucepan, put the wine, water, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and honey (if you are unsure about the sweetness level, start with less honey and add more to taste). Heat until steamy and lightly simmering.
Strain into glass mugs. Serve with a thin strip of lemon zest and a bit of cinnamon stick.
Yield: Makes one quart. Serves 5 to 6.

{photo and recipe via Simply Recipes}

From my house to yours...

Joyeux Noël!

Crusade ~ Kyrstyn Pixton

A Danish Christmas

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 When my mother was a toddler in the early 50s, my grandparents moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, for five years while my grandfather worked at the American Embassy.  When they returned to the States, they continued to celebrate the Christmas traditions of their beloved adopted country, eventually sharing them with all of us.

One of them was making heart ornaments like these...

I have really happy memories of making these as a child.  Want to learn how?  Visit this link.

And then there is this dessert:

 Ris a la Mande (rice pudding with almonds).  The cherry topping is a must. I just adore it!  To follow tradition, add one whole almond to the batch, and the person who ends up with the almond in their serving gets a special little gift. Find the recipe here.

And because the Danes can't get enough cherries, finish off the night with some Cherry Heering.  It was the first liqueur I ever tasted....wonderful.

Glaedelig Jul!

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