Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is early Monday morning and outside it is wet and dreary— a small price to pay for the beautiful fall days we have enjoyed lately. Yesterday afternoon, filled with energy, I tackled one of the projects I hate most, cleaning out my closet. I was motivated by two compelling reasons, first winter is imminent, and at some point, I will need some warm clothes and second, I am leaving on Thursday for a cruise to the Virgin Islands and Costa Rica where it is summer.

For the past month, as I needed something more fall-ish, I would just dash to the upstairs closet and pull out something, eventually squeezing it into the summer wardrobe in my bedroom closet. What resulted was a closet where I couldn’t find anything because it was all smushed together. Dressing to go out was a nightmare. I could see the jacket, but the pants were nowhere to be found. I located my favorite sweater, but the matching shell was missing.

Yesterday, I righted the situation. However, in the process, I decided to take the advice of my friend and professional organizer, Ellen Delap, and try on every item. Do not attempt this immediately following an eating holiday. It is not pretty. Depressing is what it is. I am relatively sure that one of these days someone is going to come up with a zipper that is made of latex so that you can just stretch it and it will close. None of my zippers are apparently made of latex.

So there you have it. I am embarking on a cruise (eat-a-thon) and preparing for the biggest eating holiday of them all, Christmas. What’s a girl to do? Short of developing lockjaw, I have some serious challenges ahead. Come with me on my trip as I attempt to navigate the gourmet dining, midnight buffet and exotic, calorie-laden tropical drinks without splitting my capris. If in all my souvenir photos I am wearing a muumuuI , you will know that I have failed.

Christmas Gift Alert: I love beautiful flowers and one of my favorite holiday gifts for friends and family are the beautiful amaryllis plants. You can purchase them from a florist or garden center already in bloom on or ready to open. Personally, I like to purchase the kits that come with a bulb, usually already a bit sprouted, soil, and a pot. These are available locally at garden centers, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s from $8.99 to $19.99.

They come in a wide range of colors from pink to red and solid or varigated. After they have bloomed, trim the flower stalk 2 inches above the neck and leave the long leaf foliage intact until April. Plant in your garden with the neck above the soil line in a well-drained bed with morning sun. You will be rewarded with flowers each subsequent spring for years to come. It is a gift that continues to give pleasure.

For the readers on your list: Everyone is talking about The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Reviews on Amazon are amazing and it’s on sale, $10. My favorite gift book for girlfriends is Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. Part comedy, part romance and part travel guide, it is terrific fun. Julia Roberts will star in the movie version.

Videos: The video I am waiting for…Glee, Vol. One: Road to Sectionals. Probably one of the best written, acted shows on TV and the music is fantastic. Catch the rest of the season on Wednesday nights on Fox. Coming December 29. Send an IOU!

Have a beautiful day!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Thanksgiving is a sweet memory that I am still savoring. As I bid a sad goodbye to all my family, I tried handing each of them a “to-go” bag of leftover goodies. All of them intelligently declined. I suppose the rational thing to do would be to just toss the leftovers in the garbage because they are the calorie intense desserts.

However, as a child of depression era parents, throwing away anything is hard to do–especially something as delicious as an apple pie, two citrus-cranberry cupcakes from Crave, and 5 dark chocolate brownies. Surely in the annals of medical research someone has discovered that fruit+chocolate+sugar cures something, even if it is a sweet tooth.

Speaking of a sweet tooth, I performed a “Sandra Lee”. You may know her from her Food Channel Semi-Homemade show where she takes a mix or a product and improves on it. For years I bought a wonderful pumpkin pie from the bakery at Randall’s. It had a rich ribbon of cream cheese swirled into it. Now you cannot find them anywhere. I decided this year I would attempt my own. Ah la Sandra, I purchased a Marie Callendar frozen pumpkin pie. I searched the Food Network recipe site for a recipe for marbled brownies and took the cream cheese marble recipe and mixed it up for my pie.

I thawed out the frozen pumpkin pie and dropped dollops of the cream cheese filling onto it, and then slowly swirled the dollops into the pie.  The only thing I did not account for was the fact that the pie crust was already pretty much full of pie filling.

My swirling created what can only be described as the Niagara Falls effect–pumpkin overflowed everywhere! With a lot of damp paper towels, I righted the situation. Next time, I will remove about 1/3 cup of filling before I dollop. Bake pie at temperature on the pie box. When it is puffed and firm to touch, it is done. It was fantastic! Serve with whip cream.

Cream Cheese Filling for Pumpkin Pie or Brownies (Food Network.com/recipes)

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup of sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extact

Beat all ingredients until lump-free, drop by large spoonfuls onto the pie/brownie surface. Inset a knife through batter and swirl. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

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I have also discovered two wonderful new wines that require nothing on your part other than uncorking and enjoying. With our dinner, we had  a terrific red wine, Chevriot ,2005, Reserve, Maule Valley from Chile, brought by my favorite wine expert, Tribune columnist and blogger (www.virtualwineknow.wordpress.com), David Dickson. Chevriot is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.  It is about $17  at HEB.

My sister prefers a light, white wine and I found a delicious one, New Age, by Quintessential Wines of Argentina. It is a sparkling wine, but not dry at all, tasting like fresh flowers and fruit. It retails for $8.99, but I saw it at HEB yesterday for 7.99. You will not be disappointed. It is wonderful.

Christmas gift idea: For your friends who love to read ( and be scared), the number one fiction book this week is Under the Dome: A Novel by Stephen King and the nonfiction number one is Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi, a very honest autobiography.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is 6 a.m. and I am alone in my kitchen with the ghosts of Thanksgiving past. They are the icky–a greasy roasting pan that will need to soak until at least New Year’s Day, 12 wine glasses waiting for my attention, and a turkey carcass in a plastic bag that may need to be buried because the garbage cans overfloweth.

Then there are the yummy–the remains of three pies, some yeasty dinner rolls, and 6 moist fudge brownies calling my name.

I know you were worried about my turkey dilemma–no room at the inn, or rather the fridge. My plan was to dispense with the whole giant turkey this year and opt for two large turkey breasts. That was the plan, however, on Tuesday, my sister and I were eating our way through Sam’s Club daily buffet of samples when we tasted their fried turkey breast. We bought three. No more turkey crisis.

When we arrived home, we discreetly hid them behind 14 other items on the bottom shelf of the fridge with plans to warm, slice and slip them onto the table with no fanfare, or carcass. On Wednesday, my daughter casually mentioned how much my son loved our traditional Thanksgiving meal. A wave of turkey guilt swept over me. There was no way those 3 little turkey rolls were going to give anybody a warm fuzzy feeling.

Back to the grocery store!  I would buy two large turkey breasts and at least they would look turkey-like. Unfortunately every other person in my neighborhood had the same idea. Plan B: How about a nice fresh turkey? You know the rest.

My sister, who just drug down the stairs and is swilling a cup of double-strength coffee, had a brilliant plan for next year–freeze that carcass, drag it out Thanksgiving next year and buy 3 more fried turkey breasts. I like it.

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If you aren’t up to battling the crowds at the mall today, there are some great online bargains for the ladies on your list. White House/Black Market has 20% off everything today if you use Code 8954 plus free shipping. There are great gifts under $50. My favorite is the Bow Cafe Clutch with feathers for evenings out ($48).

Spiegel has a great online store with clothing, shoes, accessories, home decor and furniture. Use Code 231 through Sunday and get an extra 25% off. Take a look at their great purses. Many are under $50 and look fantastic. The patent woven tote with a tassel is just $59 and looks so much more expensive.

Amazon is releasing the hit movie, Julie & Julia on Dec. 8. You can order a copy now for someone on your gift list for $9.99.  Other great buys include Star Trek (Single-Disc Edition)for $9.00 and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (Single-Disc Edition)$9.99 and Up (Single Disc Widescreen) for $13.00. If you order at least $25 worth, the shipping is free!

Don’t forget to send me your favorite movies to diane@lipstickdigest.com because next week I will be posting favorites for holiday viewing!

This is relaxed!

I love your comments and feedback so please share your thoughts and ideas in the “comments” section at the bottom of the page. Thanks!!

Have a wonderful day and RELAX!!!!!!!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Happy Thanksgiving to you! While it is still early in the day, my optimism is rising that at 7 p.m. tonight we will enjoy a glorious turkey dinner and all the trimmings. With a house full of adults it just makes sense to spread the work around and assign several tasks to each person. If I make a detailed list of all the chores that need to be accomplished and a timetable for completion, it won’t be a stressful day at all. What a brilliant idea! I don’t know why I have been stressing! Thanksgiving dinner will be a breeze.

What could possibly go wrong here?

Oops, I have had too many cups of cappucino. Who am I kidding? I remember the last time I solicited help for any critical portion of the meal. I assigned my teen daughter and son the task of cleaning and preparing the turkey for the baking bag. My mistake was leaving them alone.

I returned to the kitchen fifteen minutes later with the highest of expectations only to see my turkey dancing across the kitchen bar propelled by my son’s arm rammed up inside the bird. As he would make one pass across the bar, my daughter would slap the bird on the butt. They were just hysterical. That was the first time I asked for help.

The following year I thought perhaps I should give it another try and assigned my son the  task alone. I thought without an audience he might do better. Sure enough, he did a great job cleaning the bird and adding flour to the bag to prevent an explosion in the oven, which under normal circumstances he would enjoy. Unfortunately instead of placing 6 one-inch slits in the top of the bag, he made one six-inch slit. Back to square one.

You can understand my reluctance to invite participants, at least in the turkey preparation process. Stay tuned. Miracles have happened.

I found a delicious recipe for a vegetable dish or appetizer that I am preparing  today. You might like to try it.

Cold Asparagus with Prosciutto and Lemon (Allrecipes.com)

1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed

1-3 ounce package prosciutto

1 T. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. grated lemon zest (just the yellow peel)

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a hard boil. Add asparagus and cook until tender but still crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain asparagus and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and maintain bright green color. Drain again and pat dry with paper towels.

2. Separate the asparagus into 5 small bundles. Sprinkle each one with lemon juice and zest. Wrap each one with a slice of prosciutto. Secure with a toothpick if necessary. Serve warm or cold.

When you begin to put up your Christmas decorations, Sam’s Club has the loveliest medium size fresh green wreaths ( less than $16) and fresh garland. The wreaths are pre-decorated with pine cones and red berries. You can add your own touch. These can serve as centerpieces for a large table with a hurricane and candle in the center or make a lovely gift for a friend to hang on the door. And they smell wonderful !

Today, when I recount all things that I am thankful for, I will count you.

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is now T-Day minus one and I can tell you the tension is mounting. First there was the turkey dilemma, which I am sad to say is still not resolved. A new issue has cropped up with the arrival of  troops from the North–what will we serve for dessert?

The pumpkin pie crowd has spoken and they will not go wanting. There is another group that believes if we don’t have pecan pie, it just won’t feel like Thanksgiving. The dieters in the crowd are looking for something that tastes heavenly but has only 25 calories. I am wondering if The House of Pies is doing a Thanksgiving dinner, because that is starting to look like a really good idea.

It is very early here and I am having my “alone” time with my coffee and computer. I have my laptop sitting on the kitchen bar next to two baby booster seats on bar stools. I just happened to look down and notice that  the reason baby boy #1 finished his dinner so quickly is that most of it is on the floor under the stool. There is a giant glob of sweet potatoes mingled with Cheerios. I don’t know why I find that hysterical, but at this hour, I just do!

I hope that by this time tomorrow I have a better grasp of what will actually be going on that Thanksgiving table tomorrow night ,and I find some way to squeeze one more thing into my refrigerator. My family has no idea, but for lunch I am serving 1/2 a jar of pickles, 14 olives, Lite Honey Mustard Dressing, 3 English muffins, 2 turkey franks,  and a grapefruit. I figure that will free up 8 square inches of fridge space. Never underestimate the creativity of a desperate woman.

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We have all made and decorated sugar cookies for the holidays, but here is a new idea that i think is a real winner. The grocery stores are now stocking a white chocolate-covered Oreo cookie. You can use either store-bought decorating tubes or make your own colored decorating icing. Treat each Oreo like a blank Christmas ornament and embellish with bands of red and green or polka dots. You can add a bow at the top of one or even use glittery sprinkles. They look beautiful for gift-giving, even if you don’t have the steadiest hand.

In the same vein, you can use decorator icing to liven up store-bought chocolate-covered pretzels or make your own more elaborate ones. Frankly, anything dipped in chocolate is always welcome–at least at my house!

Cold Season Alert: I have always read that vitamin C helps prevent colds. According to an article in Women’s Health Magazine, December, a recent study by Dr. Adit Ginde at the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that people who have low levels of vitamin D are 40% more likely to get a respiratory infection.” Vitamin D helps to turn on the body’s immune response” and since we don’t spend as much time outdoors in winter, many people may need a supplement or more vitamin D fortified products. Eat your tuna, salmon and dairy and stay well I need all my readers!!!!

Have a fantastic day!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

If you have seen the new John Cusack world disaster movie 2012, you have a good idea how my house looks this morning. Right at this moment it is silent because everyone is still asleep and I am alone with you and what is possibly the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted. It’s nothing exotic, but somehow at this time of the day with so many possibilities ahead for today, everything feels better, tastes better. In just a few minutes, I am going to have probably the best whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey, ever!

No, I still do not have a turkey. I am contemplating buying one today, which means I am going to have to commit to all the other things that go with turkey preparation. I might just wait a while and see if the other adult members of my family who are visiting don’t want to step in and take over this awesome job. Based on what I have observed so far this year and in years past, the answer is…probably not.  Stay tuned.

I have not read Better Homes and Gardens in several months and I have no idea why, other than the fact that there are so many other beautiful magazines competing for my attention. The December issue is filled with great holiday ideas and beautiful photos of original ideas for home and gift decor. This issue also features a $10 coupon toward the purchase of the recordable storybook, The Night Before Christmas with any Hallmark purchase, regularly $29.95.

Page 91 begins a feature on decorating with live winter greens that you can purchase in a nursery or garden center and plant in your yard after the holidays. These would also be lovely as gifts adorned with ribbon and some Christmas balls. Besides Norfolk Pines, rosemary trees, look for juniper, cypress, dwarf spruce and arborvitae.

I hate to throw away the beautiful holiday cards we receive and I can’t save them all. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children will accept used cards until Feb. 28 to be recycled into cards they will sell next year. Visit stjudesranch.org.

I haven’t even begun to think about a centerpiece for my dining room table for Thanksgiving, but here’s one even I can make. Page 109 suggests taking a decorative tray and piling it high with a colorful mix of citrus fruits–lemons, limes, kumquats and clementines, Add springs of live greenery (trim that ligustrum). For Christmas, you can layer in Christmas balls.

Page 193 has an ad for a holiday contest to win $5,000 from my favorite frozen roll/cinnamon roll company, Sister Schuberts. Also, if you spend $25 at a UPS store (and who won’t?), you will receive a FREE 1-year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle or Parents Magazine with your purchase. Send your original receipt with the form in the magazine. Now that is a deal!!

The cupcake craze is on and they are so pricey! My favorite is red velvet and Duncan Hines has come out with a delicious version. Combine it with their Home-Style Cream Cheese Frosting or your own recipe. Yummy and perfect for the holidays!

Have a beautiful Tuesday!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is almost Thanksgiving and judging from my visit to the grocery store yesterday, my community is laying away supplies preparing for an apocalypse. I can just tell you, don’t bother going to the store today because frankly, there is probably nothing left there.

If you are leaving town, there’s no issue, but for those of us who are staying and possibly hosting, there could be a problem. My trip to the store was for only the first wave of necessities. When your house guests are 10 in number and they range from age 2 to 93, you first have to lay in the basic daily requirements–lots of diapers, coffee, all the snack food previously banned during swimsuit diet season, every one’s favorite soda, beer, wine and emergency phone numbers (Pizza Hut & Pei Wei).

Then, everyone in my family has dairy issues so we have whole milk, fat free milk, lactose free milk, soy milk and 2 %. Right there is pretty much the entire top shelf of my refrigerator.

Breakfast is a whole different animal. We have high fiber oatmeal, Cheerios for the little tykes, Raisin Bran for one group, and my personal favorite, Kashi. When the crowd is small, I am usually in the kitchen whipping up pancakes or scrambled eggs, so it’s likely that my husband will be standing there in the kitchen looking longingly at the stove while pouring his Smart Start.

Yesterday, after filling both the basket and lower rack of my grocery cart to capacity, I had a scary thought. I hadn’t bought anything for Thanksgiving other than sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. There is still the issue of that turkey and the trimmings. And the bigger question, where in the heck will he roost until it’s time to go in the oven?

It’s going to be an interesting week. I hope you will hang around.

Ideal Heels Pres. Michelle at Dillard's

Stocking stuffer alert: There is a really cool product for the fashionista on your shopping list, Ideal Heels. It is a sad day, indeed, when a beautiful pair of high heels is ruined by a badly scuffed heel. Those days are over with Ideal Heels which are simply specially molded rubber heels that slip over the shoe’s heel and provide complete protection while walking thorough grass, mud, uneven surfaces or while driving. They are inexpensive ($12.99 at IdealHeels.com) ) and come in a huge range of colors and both medium and tall heights.The lovely Michelle Patterson is president of this terrific new company and recently was a sponsor of the Stiletto Stampede for breast cancer in Austin.

My sister arrived last night looking just smashing after a 9-hour drive. Her secret was the new Lancome micro-vibrating mineral foundation which she swears is the best thing she ever put on her skin.

You prepare your skin with a velvet-soft primer La Base Pro and then simply push the button of the darling little applicator that provides perfect coverage with 7000 micro-vibrations per minute while applying the mineral foundation. It is oil and talc-free and has an SPF of 21. Get me to the mall !!!!!

Have a Lovely Day!!!!

Diane

Good Evening Dear Reader:

I don’t know how the weather is where you are but here it has been cool and rainy all day which means everyone decided it was a great day to stay inside–mostly in the stores. This is a great thing for the economy, but not so great if you were standing in line clutching your purchases and thinking about how your feet had swollen at least one size larger since leaving home.

Foot pain led me to think seriously about these incredible “shoes” I tried on in Austin earlier this week. There is a very cool store, Backwoods, in the Hill Country Galleria. It has everything you need for outdoor activities and sports as well as adventure travel. I was walking past their store when I noticed in the window a pair of “shoes” that actually had toes formed out of the rubber-type material that the shoes are made of. I was fascinated. They are literally gloves for your feet.

Aaron's Happy Feet

They are called Vibram Five Fingers and store manager, Aaron Franz was wearing a pair when I walked inside. He enticed me to try on a pair and see for myself. Well, I’ll be darned, they looked strange, but felt great. I tried to imagine what outfit I might put together to wear them with, but I couldn’t come up with much past my favorite sweat suit. You should try on a pair. They could be very liberating. My toes were very happy.

Believe it or not, there are many athletes who now run in these shoes and swear that they have cured the knee problems and leg pain they had previously experienced in traditional running shoes. www.backwoods.com

Hairdressers know that washing your hair every day is not good for it, unless it is incredibly oily. All that washing disturbs the oil balance. What is a better solution is to use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil like  Klorane Dry Shampoo, $18.

I love Project Runway. There are so many incredibly talented designers on that show that I am just in awe. I am a huge Tim Gunn fan. He is just so savy about fashion and about people, and very nurturing of the young designers.

In Marie Claire this month ( Dec.), page 72, He has some great fashion advice.

1. Jewelry should add an oomph of glitz and glamour. Pay attention to proportion and harmony between your outfit and your accessories. Forget matchy-matchy its too predictable.

2.  Necklaces–high necks need opera length necklaces–26 to 36 inches. Plunging necklines need princess length, 17 to 19 inches. Strapless –wear a choker or princess style. Halters or one-shoulder, “let your earrings provide the bling”.

3. Cuff braclets are great and when wearing slim-fitting longsleeves, wear them on top of your sleeve.

4. Rings–fashion rings are fun and should be bold and make a statement–”Flaunt the fakeness!”

My favorite pick-me-up drink during the day is a homemade virgin Bloody Mary. Start with low sodium V-8 juice and add the juice of 1/4  fresh lemon or the equivalent and several dashes of Worcestershire sauce and ice. The 11.5 ounce can has two servings of vegetables, 70 calories, 3 grams of fiber and 180% of your Vitamin C for the day.

It’s the Weekend–Enjoy!

Diane

Good Evening Dear Readers:

I spent the better part of yesterday at Dillard’s in the Hill Country Galleria in Austin/Bee Cave having the time of my life! What girl is not just in Heaven when she is sitting smack in the middle of every beautiful cosmetic product and within an arm’s reach of a sea of gorgeous shoes?

It was a fun day and supported the area food bank as well as Coats for Kids. Thank you to Amy Fitz, Dillard’s precious store manager and Alexandra Rigia, my dear friend and manager of cosmetics and juniors for letting Lipstick Digest be a part of your special day!

Alexandra (right) & Me at Dillard's

Even though you might not have been in attendance, I scored some great Christmas shopping ideas for you. I am always thinking of my readers!

I love UGGS! Not only are they hot in the fashion sense, they are sooooooooooooo comfortable. Dillard’s has a huge selection. I love the two more tailored styles they have introduced. You will, too. Don’t tarry, popular sizes go fast. They have a slipper this year that will make you want to wear your jammies all day long!

You know chocolate is at the top of my personal food pyramid. But oh, the calories in those scrumptious little chocolate truffles!

Fret no more! Godiva has come to the rescue. They have introduced a line of the most tempting “chocolate truffles” you have ever smelled! It is their  candle collection and they range from $22.50 to $12.50 in fragrances like Milk Chocolate Truffle to Raspberry Ganache. Your nose and hips will thank you!

The hottest new jeans are in the junior department and they will tickle the jean fiend on your list. They are Miss Me jeans and the rear pockets have the most beautiful designs in bling! They range from $98 to $108. They are just the thing for that hot New Year’s party with a dressy blazer or ruffled top.

I saw this adorable sweater-jacket in the children’s department, but I could only fit in one arm. I couldn’t believe it was only $39.00. Some little girl on your list would love one.

By the way, I also saw several similar styles in the ladies’ department, particularly one by Peter Nygard that I think had my name on it!

For any female on your Christmas list, Estee Lauder has the most amazing collection of every makeup product your heart could desire in a huge kit that is only $55—the price of just one teeny, tiny jar of miracle wrinkle cream!!! What a deal!

I love a great facial, but they are pricey! You can do your own treatment between salon visits with the amazing Clarisonic. It gently rotates and massages your face and neck. When used with a facial cleanser or scrub, your face will glow! There are 3 models, a mini for travel, the regular and one for your full body, $150-$250, but worth it! Available in the cosmetics department.

Incoming holiday stress? Recent studies show that massage halts the adrenal gland’s production of the stress hormone cortisol and reduces both anxiety and depression! Put massage on your holiday “to do list”!

Have a phenomenal stress-free day!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Today is an exciting day for me. I will be at Dillard’s in the Hill Country Galleria , Bee Cave- Austin, sharing Lipstick Digest with new friends. If you ever have a chance to shop here, you will find one of the loveliest bunch of people anywhere. I hope to have photos to show you tomorrow and some great new gift ideas. If you remember from my early blogs, they sponsored the Stiletto Stampede for breast cancer and my feet still aren’t the same!

Right this minute, I am in one of my favorite places in the whole world, sitting on my porch looking at the lovely Lake Travis in Austin. The only sound you can hear are birds chirping and 4 beautiful doe  munching down below on the dried corn I tossed to them.

These beautiful deer that I love are the same ones that will eat any green thing growing in the yard, other than grass. Which means your landscaping choices are extremely limited. Pretty much any blooming flower looks to them like salad. Short trees are mistaken for appetizers. Beautiful shrubs are the main course and ground covers are dessert. I have learned to love cactus, rosemary and lantana–which are pretty much all they will leave alone. It’s a small price to pay for the pleasure of enjoying their company.

I don’t know about you, but I love the Food Channel, of course  I also love food! I feel the same way about beautiful magazines about food and cooking. You would think that all that adoration would result in an overwhelming desire to create culinary masterpieces at every meal. No, not really.

Somehow, part of my brain is completely satisfied just watching someone else prepare it. I have a very vivid imagination and can actually taste those wonderful, exotic flavors as they prepare them, even if I happen to be eating a giant bowl of Orville Reddenbacher at the time. Which is why I love Bon Appetit Magazine so much.

The December issue has the most incredible peppermint meringue cake with chocolate butter cream icing on the cover–and you know how I feel about chocolate! For foodies, this magazine is nirvana. (A subscription is $12 !)

One of my favorite features is R.S.V.P.–Reader’s favorite restaurant recipes. Incredible restaurants all over the world share their special recipes every month. The Four Season’s in Beverly Hills shared their recipe for Honey-Cinnamon Granola on page 18. I think that would be a dandy item to bake in large batches and put in decorative glass jars and give as Christmas gifts.

They also highlight new and terrific restaurants around the country. This month (page 40) they mention Bolsa in Dallas, a hybrid restaurant-food and gift store near Oak Cliff Farmer’s Market.

Page 50 features a monthly column by Andrew Knowlton, Bon Appetite’s Restaurant Editor. He suggests for a crowd-pleaser appetizer, bring homemade pimento cheese served with celery sticks and Ritz Crackers. Here’s his recipe from his Grandma Knowlton.

1 and 1/2 cups (packed) finely grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

1 and 1/2 cups (packed) finely grated extra-sharp white cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup cup diced, drained pimiento peppers from a jar, roasted red peppers or piquillo peppers ( about 2 and 1/2 ounces)

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix first five ingredients in medium bowl. Mash with fork to blend well. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

And bon appetit to you!!

Diane

P.S. Please click on “Comments” by the date at the top of the page to let me know more about you & your favorite movies for our holiday list. Thanks!