My DIL received this at a holiday party gift exchange. A Grump Tree is a Lemon Cypress tree.
“Instagram account @TraderJoesList announced the highly-anticipated arrival of the Trader Joe’s Grump Trees on Nov. 11, noting that each tree, wrapped in a red burlap sack (à la the Santa Claus toy sack the Grinch hauls with him around Whoville), topped with a sparkly Christmas ornament, and adorned in red ribbon, is selling for $8.99.”
When I got to Laura’s house there were three packages of Lebkuchen by the guest bed. My daughter knows me well. These are from Germany.
Unfortunately, Oscar the dog got one package and ate some (no ill effects even though he got a chocolate covered one)
but he didn’t get my favorite kind.
I just opened it tonight. One a day for six days and then will have to wait until next Christmas
Lots of Lebkuchen links below
Aunt Rhea’s Recipe post from her mother’s father.
Friends in Florida and Massachusetts Bake Aubt Rhea’s Lebkuchen recipe a double guest blog
And if you want to experiment with different recipes here’s the blend of Lebkuchen spices
I was a passenger last night. We were looking at holiday lights. Erika drove us through the McCammon Chase neighborhood where the HOA has coordinated uniform light displays. Tree trunks wrapped in red lights, white lights draped in the bare branches.
Here’s a quick video of driving through a block or two so you can be amazed like I was.
And a still snipped from from the video
My sister sent this photo of some marzipan pigs.
Almond paste confections taste good to me, but I know a lot of people who pass, no matter what shape or color the marzipan takes.
I’m sure you’ve seen fruits and vegetables, animals, or marzipan incorporated into a pastry at a bakery. Some people find it gross.
Marzipan at the Daring Gourmet recipe and history
Marzipan, yes or no?
Article about A Griswold House in Delaware, Ohio
Guest blog by Maura.
Photograph and video by my granddaughter Maura (12)
My mother (from Illinois) always made a Christmas JELL-O with the juice of a fresh lemon added. I made it on Christmas Eve but forgot it on Christmas Day and it’s still in the fridge. Maybe we’ll eat some tomorrow. Her other concoction was lemon jello with crushed pineapple and shredded carrots with fresh lemon a pinch of salt. Oh and one made with the little packet of plain gelatin, fresh limes’ juice and sliced green grapes. My childhood memories of JELL-O(click for history as it all started in 1897) my sense is that it’s just not as popular anymore.
So JELL-O, yes or no?
Christmas JELL-O preparation on Christmas Eve
My sister gave me this cookbook
Perhaps your remember my Rainbow JELL-O post which was more of an art project.
Eggnog, egg nog or egg-nog, historically also known as milk punch or egg milk punch, is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks.” Wikipedia
Eggnog, yes or no?
And if yes, spiked or non-alcoholic? And if spiked, what alcohol do you add? Rum, bourbon, whiskey?
A rich and creamy adult milkshake it was called in one recipe I read. I think it’s a love it or hate it but we’ll see what response we get.
My mother made it with raw eggs when I was a kid and sprinkled nutmeg on top. She used a hand held egg beater, a rotary one, non-electric, to whip the egg whites into froth. There was no cooking involved that I remember but there is definitely cooking in Alton Brown’s recipe.
Here’s an article from Wired Magazine How to Use Science to Make Safe Eggnog with Raw Eggs
There is an Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe here
You definitely do not want to make anyone sick with raw eggs. Not that anyone is entertaining and serving eggnog this holiday season.
