Fancy Gourmet Dessert Cakes

Decorating is one of life’s hidden pleasures. I love to take on the challenge of coordinating colors to create a striking and tasteful effect. Sometimes “simple”, is the most effective method of successful decorating. For instance, last year’s Christmas tree adorned red velvet ribbons with white luminescent decorative balls hung alternately and evenly around the tree. The top of the tree held a big floppy red velvet ribbon crowned with a white starlit angel. Everyone loved it and it was actually quick and easy to decorate.

Tree skirts present an opportunity for the perfect decorative finish. I’ve just secured a large piece of thick blue velvet, to wrap around this year’s tree. My color combination is going to be blue and gold. I found some beautiful decorative balls made in Poland. They are dark blue with gold sparkling patterns blended throughout. I am going to add dark blue and gold soldiers and light blue and gold Christmas stockings. To avoid monotony, I intend to add a few decorations with the colors of red and gold. I’ve noticed that clear lighting is the fashion this year. Personally, I don’t like the stark illumination. I will have clear lighting but will include a string of blue lights placed further back on the branches to add more flare yet remain inconspicuous. HA!

The first step for engaging in this project is to find a way to make it fun and rewarding. My holiday decorating has become something of a ritual over the years. First, I brew a pot of hazelnut coffee; lay out a tray of rainbow cookies, and very likely a cheesecake sampler. I put on Christmas music and light the holiday candles. It makes the decorating process more pleasant and taking breaks from the tree dressing more frequent.

Don’t forget the Christmas music! If the snow is coming down you can think about how cold it is outside and of how warm you are inside. That’s a fine feeling to start the season off with.
Written by Delightful Biteful

The small wonders that make a holiday complete are so under spoken and yet so powerful. I was looking around the room the other evening and took note of all the little decorative touches I’ve added for the holidays. I suddenly realized, colorful and joyful surroundings can lift the spirit no matter how difficult life can get, and it does it, so subtly, that sometimes I don’t even notice my cares lessening.

As a teen, my Mom told me that if things got tough and I couldn’t change them, then I should change something in my environment and add something nice to look at. I of course shrugged it off, but now as an adult, I see that once again, she was right.  

What I do is simple stuff. For instance, I try not to hang the same holiday pieces in the same places every year and I always try to use different methods of decorating. This year I am using sheer ribbon with a glittering gold finish, and draping it along the walls with grand bows to accent the main points of the room. I am also hanging clear lights along the walls to pick up the colors of the glittering ribbon. It adds a very magical holiday feeling to the house.

For relaxing enjoyment, I sit back with a nice cheesecake sampler; cut up a few bite size pieces and turn up the holiday music. I focus on one of the nice decorations poised in my living room and poof; my worries vanish for a minute or two. For me, one minute makes a big difference.

Our society celebrates lots of holidays. Each season provides an opportunity for honoring, celebrating and decorating. There is always some way to brighten up our surroundings and distract ourselves from the every day grind.

In my opinion, we should give ourselves the best chance that we can to enjoy our moments. There really is nothing to lose but monotony and sadness.

Written by Delightful Biteful

I was sitting back with my cup of coffee, planning the events of the season. We have a globe of people in one country and so much has combined to create some neat holiday traditions. In review, I notice the activities throughout the years have had some variations but always with the same goal in mind; to build up the human spirit and reflect on our humanity. At least this is what I hope for.

This year Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 27^th. The festive celebration was declared a national holiday by President Lincoln. The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts by the Plymouth Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. The early celebrations lasted for days and consisted of people from different areas and included guests among the Wampanoag Indians.

Turkey, being a Native of North America was decidedly the bird prepared for the great holiday feast. It is reported that turkeys get very nervous around the holiday season. The original cornucopia was made from a curved goat’s horn stuffed with various fruits and corn maze. Included in the celebration was Squash used widely for its traditional value and its particular good taste during the autumn season.  

Pumpkin pie is thought to have evolved from settlers who filled their hollowed pumpkins with milk and spices to create delicate gravy. Pumpkin pulp was later appreciated for its rich taste and when mixed with sugar and milk made a tasty seasonal dessert.

When planning your Thanksgiving feast it is always a safe bet to serve the traditional foods so that all of your guests know what to expect. Some wonderful side dishes to complement your dinner can be creamed spinach or asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Other sides to consider are banana walnut bread or corn muffins. You can always order online if you don’t feel that ambitious in the kitchen.

Some safe dessert choices alongside pumpkin pie are cheesecake, streusel or a decedent chocolate dessert. Don’t forget the assorted nuts, fruits and chocolates.

Written by Delightful Biteful