Dysfunctional Mom’s Christmas Saga. Part Two. The Surprise Family Dinner.

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Catherine

Welcome back! It’s Saturday.  After yesterday’s stress and drama of the frustration at Philadelphia International Airport, we managed to have a great evening with a dinner of pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage and cheesecake for dessert.

Which brings me to this.  Oona told me that the kids were taking care of dinner for Saturday evening.  This was a nice little respite for me because it meant an evening off from cooking and less a chance I would manage to stain a new J. Crew tee.

Forget what I said about staining my new J. Crew Tee.  I did. But the stain came out!

Early in the morning, my daughter and I headed off to the nail salon for our manicures and my lip and chin wax.  And upon arriving home, Bonaparte pulled me aside and told me, in secret, that someone from our favorite restaurant, Spring Mill Café called him to confirm the reservation for eight people at seven o’clock that evening.

Bonaparte may have gotten all stressed from the Spring Mill Cafe phone call–but I sure wasn’t!!!

This time the drama was reserved for The Frenchman! Whereas my drama is screaming, yelling, and various stages of me making a complete fool of myself, Bonaparte’s drama lies in his ability to have everything run perfectly, smoothly, and properly.

Welcome to my dysfunctional mom drama. And YES. I actually DID this on the NYC subway system 33 years ago.  This is how I drama!

He asked me if I knew anything about the reservation at Spring Mill Café.  I answered honestly and told him that I didn’t, but that dinner at our favorite restaurant was a nice surprise.

I’m easy!  I’ll take any surprise at face value and won’t stress…

Now the story takes on a bit of a dramatic flair.  He asked me to check with the kids to see if they did, in fact, call the restaurant to make the reservations because the resos needed to be confirmed.

I’ll also add that I didn’t care WHERE we had dinner because I just wanted FOOD–and a free evening pass from cooking!

I ran downstairs to the kitchen and mentioned to Oona, what happened. Oona texted Claire, Bonaparte’s daughter, who will from hereon in will be referred to as Claire, my stepdaughter. I don’t like referring to her as Bonaparte’s daughter. We’re all family now.

When Claire spoke to the owner to make the reservations, she explained it was a surprise. She also gave the restaurant her phone number to confirm.  Apparently, someone at the restaurant was playing Candy Crush[1] Saga and didn’t pay too much attention to the instructions that my stepdaughter gave them!

Roman chimed in with “that’s why I don’t like surprises”.  Jake was watching a football game.

And now that the surprise was out of the bag, Bonaparte started fretting about “the right wine”.  I can’t even.  My mindset was still highly appreciative of the fact I got a free pass on cooking dinner for the evening!

My Frenchman.  Made sure we had the proper wine for our big surprise!

Once I explained to Bonaparte that all the kids wanted to do was just take us out to dinner and not make a fuss—it was smooth sailing.

Or was it?

I’m that selfish peasant Patsy talks about. I drink outta the bottle!

Lo and behold the surprise was on us as we entered the restaurant.  In the back room were Claire, her husband, Brian and my step-granddaughter Sophie.  The room was decorated and festive. They were waiting for our arrival!

Claire did a great job decorating the room.  We had the traditional French wedding cake, Croquembuche!

The surprise was our belated Wedding Dinner.  The kids all planned this and boy, if Bonaparte had not received that confirmation voice mail, it would have been the surprise of the century.  Still, it was a fabulous surprise and we had a blast.   Here’s how it rolled:

Sophie, channeling her inner ’80’s accessories.  Hey–is she a Madonna fan?

Everyone had a place setting.  Me and Bapa–which is what Sophie calls Bonaparte!

Our Growing Family! Our wonderful kids!

We started out with an assortment of appetizers, including my favorite baby octopus salad…

…and country pate!

Cassoulet. OK–so it isn’t Toulouse Cassoulet but it was pretty darn good. I order Cassoulet a lot during the winter months.  I also snapped this pic after a couple of drinks so it’s a bit fuzzy. I make no apologies!

Jake and Roman are serious diners…

…and I’m pretty sure Oona is describing our airport adventure here..

Brian and Roman in conversation while Jake has that enigmatic look about him..

I have absolutely no idea what Bonaparte is saying to me–I’m just happy and feeling pretty good after all that Champagne!

And guess who was watching over us during dinner?  None other than the spirit of Bonaparte’s grandfather, Jacques-Henri Lartigue in the form of a photograph he took turned poster!

It was a great, great evening and even though the surprise was let out of the bag–it was just wonderful!

I was feeling the love…

Sophie, our hostess, had her work cut out for her!

So, when all is said and done.  I’m blessed.  I may be a dysfunctional mom—but luckily the kids and my stepdaughter all did such a fantastic job with our dinner.  It was, one of those evenings that completely warmed my heart!

I wore my new holiday pants from Old Navy.  They were tight from all the food I ate–I won’t even attempt to wear them again until after the New Year.  Weight Watchers here I come.  Again!

That’s it!  I sure hope you enjoyed the surprise and the continuing saga of my dysfunctional mom Christmas.  Part Three is on the way!

[1] See previous post.  Dysfunctional Mom Saga Part One.

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Dysfunctional Mom’s Christmas Saga. Part One. The Airport.

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Catherine

Hey everyone! I’m back to the blog with a few days’ rest. The Christmas Weekend.   Dysfunctionality on my behalf.  Fun times.  Stressful times.  Dramatically horrific times mixed in with the best times.

Today all is calm.  I’m sitting at my laptop, in my flannel pajamas and fuzzy Christmas slipper socks, drinking tea and writing about my dysfunctional mom life!

And in the end—it all works out.

Shall I begin?

So, Friday turned out to be the busiest day ever. I met Oona at the airport while Bonaparte drove into Center City to pick up the boys. T’was my plan to film a short wig review in the car while waiting for Oona’s plane to arrive.  I placed the wig’s stock card into my purse and kept it nestled there.

This wig.  I love it. And I DID place the stock card into my purse for a review to be filmed while in the car waiting!

However, Chippy had other plans and while I started to film my review in the car, I thought I left the stock card home. I didn’t. Chippy grabbed the card from my purse unbeknownst to me and chewed it in the back seat.  I was too busy playing Candy Crush Saga to notice that he robbed me.

Yeah. Look behind me.  He may look innocent but he isn’t!  He foiled my review!

 Add to that Philadelphia International Airport is an absolute $hithole during holiday season.  It isn’t necessarily the traffic.

This is a photo of the pick up/drop off area at Philadelphia Int’l. Airport. This is a propaganda pic.  During Holiday Season this scene turns into an absolute zoo.  

It’s the miserable airport police. While thousands of family members are landing and exiting the baggage claim areas in various terminals, they are being picked up by drivers of automobiles. That means the drivers or people picking the passengers up need to park their cars to load the luggage and allow their family members to get into the cars. 

Yeah. Perhaps this fit into the plane but it takes some manipulation to get it to fit into my trunk. OK?????

And so basically what we have are miserable officers who are pissed off that they are working at the airport during busy time but are receiving great pay for this but they are using their  power to bully drivers therefore taking the stress level between the drivers and travelers at an acme.

Yes. The pretend airport cops at Philadelphia Int’l. Airport can’t fight real crime so they bully drivers who are picking up and dropping off.  And that’s no lie!

This is how picking Oona up played out.  Her being frustrated with dysfunctional mom because I got flustered about which terminal to pick her up even though she texted me and told me about a dozen times that she would be at Terminal “F” closest to the airport exit.  Dysfunctional mom was too busy playing Candy Crush Saga to pay attention.

Mothers and daughters will “get” this.  Especially around the Holidays when everyone is traveling!

Then me getting frustrated because the idiot fake police who don’t fight real airport crime but threaten to and hand out tickets to the innocents who are picking up the travelers need to stop the car for at least one damned minute.

Oh yes.  Dysfunctional Mom is super chill and non-dramatic at all times. (Wait till you read about what happened on Christmas Day!)

See where this is going?  Not one minute and Oona and I were at it with each other. Dysfunctional Mom strikes again! Trust me on this one. If you have ever had to pick someone up or drop them off at Philadelphia International Airport during any Holiday season or holiday weekend, you know what I mean!

Did I mention that I am drama-free?  

Needless to say,  by the time we arrived home, all was calm. All was good.  And Dysfunctional Mom was able to enjoy the evening. And so was the rest of the family!

When all else fails–the Christmas tree calms the beast within us!

BTW, here is the fabulous wig review that I did.  I’m a vision of class with the ever-present wad of Double-Bubble bubble gum making an appearance in my mouth from time to time.

My mini-wig review. Just for you!

 

To be continued……..

 

 

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The Busiest Day of The Year…

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Catherine

Ok.  It isn’t Christmas, nor is it the Eve of Christmas.  The busiest day of the year is when the family comes to gather.  Like today!

Hi All!  I have no time to hang in this snow globe. I gotta get out!  Today’s a busy day!

All seems quiet and relaxed now.  Bonaparte and I woke up at 6:00 AM.  I enjoyed my morning cawfee in bed and then ran downstairs to prepare to bake a loaf of bread.

A quiet moment while the bread dough proofs–the calm before the storm of activity!

Yes. Bread has to be made because the kids are all arriving today.  And thank God, I prepared much of the Christmas foodstuffs ahead of time.

Ganache for the Buche de Noel is made.  I’ll probably eat most of it beforehand!

Thank God, I cleaned the baseboards and blinds.  All is vacuumed.  All is dusted. All is cleaned.

This lumpa dough will soon be a delicious loaf of goodness.  It’s the “yeast” I can do for the kids!

But back to the busiest day.

The kids are all arriving.  At almost the same time.  I am picking Oona up at Philly airport.  Her flight, if on time, arrives at 3:00 PM.  Bonaparte’s duty is to pick the boys up at 30th St. Station in Philly.  They are arriving from NYC.  Luckily, Jake had a business trip and few in to NYC from LA two days ago.

Let’s hope the transportation schedules are as timely as I am!

No matter how many times I fluff the cushions on the sofas and loveseat, Chippy insists that I am making things more comfortable for him.  He is getting on my last nerve right now—but I love him!

I made sure the loveseat looks perfect–right?

And look what happens.  Chippy doesn’t want to sit ON the loveseat.  So he plops atop the cushions instead…

And he doesn’t move….until…

I fluff the cushions in the living room sofas!  I can’t win with this guy!!

And Oona has informed me that she has had a tremendously busy holiday schedule (i.e. socializing) and didn’t have time to do those loads of wash she meant to do last night to prepare for the trip home.  I have enough detergent and fabric softener.  And naturally, my iron will be my Zen!

Regardless of how much laundry you bring home, I still love you and I still enjoying doing it!

The table is very casually set for this evening.  Very casually.  I literally threw the silverware in the folds of the napkins.  And before we sit down to dine, I’ll manage to take my laptop off the table!

I’m so classy.  This is a very, very, maybe too very casual set table…

The height of my casuality.  Literally throwing silverware into the napkin and…

….folding it. Peek-a-boo, I see you!

At least this vase of greens adds the class that I lack!

The dinner this evening will be quick.  Gemelli pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage.  This will be accompanied with an arugula salad and the bread that is now baking in the oven.  Dessert is the cheesecake I made yesterday.

The UPS man is working hard because my newest hair just arrived.  And she’s a beauty.  I’ll break her in today!

My new hair! I just realized the camera lens is dirty.  It’s probably bacon fat!  But I love this new wig. Brown Sugar Style BS223 in the color Raisin!

I think I may wear the steal of a sweater that I got yesterday at J. Crew.  I was eyeing this festive wintery Tippi Sweater but at $89.50 it was just too pricey for me at present.   When what should my wandering eyes should appear—but a promotional gift card from J. Crew!  For $50.00.  Whatever possessed me to head to the mall yesterday I don’t know, but I did.  And I wanted that sweater.

Lo and behold, there was a 40% off in-store sale.  I saw the sweater and another Christmas miracle—I snagged the last sweater in size Medium.  The total price after the discount and the gift card was $3.70.  Yes—that $89.50 sweater cost me all of $3.70.  Santa is watching out for me.

Yes.  My final total for this sweater was $3.70..

And here she is.  Is this Tippi sweater not adorable??

I decided to wear this ensemble to drive to the airport instead!  I’m leaving now to gas up the car!!  Have the best day ever!

The weather is gray.  But my spirits are bright.

Have a wonderful day and a glorious night!

May your Holiday evenings be tranquil and full of happiness a

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Hey Ladies—Let’s Go On a Bra Crawl!

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Catherine

My mother referred to them as “Brassieres”

I refer to them as a “pain in the neck”—especially if I wear a racerback one.

Really. It’s true.  I have had actual racerback bras that gave me a pain in the neck AND a headache. Then I purchased these little inventions that turn any bra into a racerback bra and  the neck and head pain was worse!

We all wear them, but few bloggers actually write about them.  OK. Well, many bloggers do write about them, but only for “Like to Know It” and  sponsorship purposes.  But nobody really discusses them.  “Them” being bras!

Are you at the water cooler?  Got a cuppa tea or cawfee?  Good. Let’s discuss BRAS!

Seriously.  I’m raising the bra high!  It’s about time that someone wrote an “uplifting” post about what’s under clothing.

How high am I raising the bra?  Well, I’m gonna buy a Maidenform bra and run for office.  I’ll do a better job…

I don’t know about you, but bras are such an annoyance for me.  They are the one article of clothing that I absolutely cannot stand buying.  When I was younger, I never gave a bra a second thought.  I went straight to the 36B’s, grabbed whatever bra was on sale for the lowest price, paid for it and went home happy.

Do you remember the pencil test for the bra?  I took it in high school and realized that I didn’t need to wear a bra because the pencil fell to the ground!  I felt very liberated until my mother noticed that I  was braless—a cold breeze must have caught me!  After her screaming and yelling that I was turning into a hippie and not dressing the way a proper young lady should, I never went braless again until I moved out of the house.

My mother was also the one who, as soon as I started growing the slightest hint of chest nuggets, had me in a “training” brassiere.  This brassiere of sorts was nothing more than a cropped undershirt with adjustable straps and a hint of stretch.  It was so uncomfortable that I begged to go back to my little white undershirt. And just why was it called a “training” bra?  Training for what??? Breast Boot Camp?

That bra on the top left, that’s what I was trained on! And that girl is flat as a pancake–I’ll bet the pencil dropped to the floor when she took the test.  But what’s worse is that Sears is advertising bras for “chubby” girls. That is so disgusting.  Nothing like destroying a young girl’s self-esteem by bringing home a chubby bra.  Ugh.

Add to that, I feared wearing the torpedo bras that my mother wore.  There were not many options available to house the girls back in the mid-to-late 1960’s.  These cotton things had circular stitching around the outside of the cups and had tips that were as pointy as the shoes I love to wear! Watching my mother actually IRON these bras was an amazing feat. And yes. my mother ironed bras–something I will never do–and I love to iron!

Thank God I wore eyeglasses through childhood or my mother could have knocked an eye out when I grew to her chest level!  But read the ad–I wanna know what “Perma-life” is. Does it mean the wearer will last forever–or the bra will?

These bras are absolutely ridiculous looking….but “floating action”?  Hmmmmmmm.  I could use these as a floating device whilst swimming!

I never thought I would say this, but Jayne Mansfield’s chest looks like a normal size compared to the other two.  Thank you, Jesus, for allowing this look to be a thing of the past.  And don’t let it come back either!

The fact that my mother went through seven pregnancies also meant that she should have been wearing an underwire or padded brassiere but certainly not one of those torpedo thingies!!

The only time I became remotely aware of what kind of bra to wear was when my breast doctor (I have those fibrocystic breasts and went to a breast doctor when I lived in NY) suggested to me that it may be a good idea to invest in an underwire bra as I was breastfeeding for so many years.

Me at the height of my breastfeeding days.  Dr. Gump, my breast doctor told me I had enough milk to feed a country.  You can see why he recommended an underwire bra.  Breast milk–nature’s boob job! My God!! I look like an ad for a torpedo bra!

But a strange phenomenon happened to me as I aged.  My breasts started to suffer the effects of gravity.  Not that badly though.  I mean, I don’t look like that old lady from the Playboy magazine cartoons, but my girls lost much of their perkiness.

I’m not sagging as much as her. And boy, that old lady needed more than an underwire! 

When the first signs of titty-aging were bestowed upon me, I purchased bra inserts—better known as “chicken cutlets”.  I wore them once.  At work.  And when I went downstairs to get the daily mail from the mailman, one of them fell out of my bra and onto the floor. In front of him.

Suffice it to say the mailman was mortified.  And grew more mortified when I casually explained that it was a chicken cutlet I was slow cooking for dinner—my body heat was grilling it.  And I bent down and placed it back in my bra. In front of him.  Hey—don’t judge—I had no choice!

The next day we had a new mail carrier!

These are the infamous chicken cutlets that nearly caused the mailman to have a stroke.  After 14 years, I still have these.  I’m wondering if I really DID cook them how many Weight Watcher points they would be.

Let’s face it, as we age, our attributes change a bit.  No longer can we really get away with going braless (Caveat. I’ll go braless in the summer when I wear those off-the-shoulder shirts and dresses. I refuse to wear a strapless bra.  They are awful!)Image result for atypical60 off the shoulder top

Luckily, there are times when I can get away without wearing a bra. This top is one of them.  Strapless bras are the worst. The. Worst!!

Presently, I have a draw full of these “over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders”. And I rotate only about four of them.  There isn’t even a logical answer as to why I don’t trash most of them. Perhaps I can find a DIY project about turning a bra into a bird feeder!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Thank you Debra Lee Baldwin, for proving my “idea” (which I thought was soooo original) of using a bra-as-birdfeeder really exists as a DIY project!

But enough about my drawers—I’ll cover drawers (or rather panties) another time.

God only knows how this bra ended u with colored clothing but it needs to be trashed.  Why do I keep bras like this around anyway?

The frustrating thing is that now, I have to spend money on a decent bra. The TJ Maxx specials no longer work for me.  I’ve got side boobage.  I’ve got backfat. One of my boobs is about a half-cup larger than the other.  And I’m sure as you are reading this you are saying aloud “Me too!!!”

Fit is very important these days.  The right bra will give you the illusion of a better shape or figure.  The right bra will also help give you better posture.  The right bra will actually be comfortable—and will come at a price.  But for the cost per wear, in the long run, it will be a great value.

Different bras for different tops help too.  Come with me and I’ll show and tell!

Below is one of the bras I purchased last year around this time when Bonaparte and I were in Paris.  Let me tell you, purchasing a bra in France is a very pleasant experience.  The dressing room was so elaborate—I almost felt that I was in a very exclusive brothel—and in the best way possible.  I was measured in front, back, sideways and practically asked what I was having for dinner!

The Monica by Princesse Tam Tam.  This is one great bra that is perfect to wear under button down shirts!

The bra, Monica, by Princesse Tam·Tam is an underwired bustier type bra.  It is worn with button down shirts.  I am in love with this bra because the underwire gives me some lift, but the buttons on the shirts I wear lie flat and a huge problem with wearing button down shirts is that the fit of the bra can make the button space get all weird. Monica was 55€ when I purchased.

See how the buttons lay flat…

…and there is no gaping space?  I can’t stand that gaping space!!

The next bra, Taylor, also by Princesse Tam·Tam, is a padded, push-up bra.  What I absolutely love about this bra is that she isn’t overly padded.  This bra was a great price at 49€.  I wear Taylor with lightweight sweaters like my J. Crew Tippi Sweaters.  The color is definitely out of the box for me, but I am so in love with this bra. I love the ease and comfort and the shapeliness it gives me.

The Taylor Bra from Princesse Tam Tam. Notice the placement of the padding to push the mams up and the pads are sewn in.  I need to get a second one…

Here’s how she looks on me. I swear this would make a great bathing suit top. I love the fit and shape that Taylor offers.  Two thumbs up–or rather, two titties up for Princess Tam Tam bras!

Note the flattering shape from Taylor.  A perfect bra to wear under a lightweight sweater or a knit top!

Another look. Not overly padded–and just enough padding for a flattering silhoutte.

Next is quite possibly, my favorite bra to date. It is by the brand Natori and is the Feathers line. I can’t say enough about this bra.  I was measured at Nordstrom and explained to the bra specialist that I wanted a bra that would look good under a fitted tee.  At first, I was a bit surprised when the S/A brought this bra to me because I thought I needed more padding.  I didn’t.  This is the perfect tee shirt bra. And very mature titty friendly! At $68.00, I’m hoping Nordstrom has a sale soon—or Santa brings me a gift card to Nordstrom.

My Feather bra by Natori.  I can’t even remember when I purchased this but it’s “held up” for quite a number of years. I need another!

This bra fits so well, gives a great shape and–is as light as a….feather!!!

And there’s no gap space either…

The one and only bra I’ll wear under a tee shirt–I need a two and only of Natori’s Feather bra.  Honestly, I recommend this  so highly!  It’s like not even wearing a bra!

Next is a bra that is so old the label is faded.  It’s either from Nordstrom or Victoria’s Secret but it is my favorite bra to wear under a heavier sweater.   Heavier sweaters and heavier knits need a bit more padding because the weight can weigh the girls down a bit if you know what I mean.

The fit is great. Sorry that the photo looks like the bra has gap space but it is the way I was holding my iPhone’s camera…

This is the bra’s side view. As you can see the bra also has a plunging neckline. If I wore low-cut clothing, this would also suffice.  But, you know–I’m very modest! (don’t choke on your drinks ladies!)

I’m wearing that black bra under this nubby and heavier-textured sweater. See what I mean?  The bra works perfectly with this. (and I need to get this sweater dry-cleaned)

Lordy Miss Claudie!  You would THINK I could have at least gotten rid of the pilling on this sweater.  I’m so ashamed (no I’m not).  But–here’s another view of the shape I get with the heavier padded bra underneath this heavier sweater.

Here’s an example of an ill-fitting bra. It is from Victoria’s Secret and I have no idea how I allowed the S/A to talk me into this purchase!

The gap is so wide that I can’t even wear this under a tee–it looks ridiculous..

It’s like–two cup sizes too big–I don’t even think my chicken cutlets would fill this space out!  Don’t do this ladies. Do NOT make a purchase of a too-large cup size. You will never wear the bra!

I also want to add that if you need to get fitted properly for a bra, get to Nordstrom. Their sales staff in the bra department is specially trained and they are wonderful.  No insult to Victoria’s Secret, but I’ve had some bad fits from their staff. The same with SOMA.  I was fitted for a 32B when my regular size is between a 36 B or 36 C.  Go figure that one out!

A good bra will also wear very well.  And by that, I mean you don’t have to wash your bra every time you wear it.  I wash mine after five wears and I wash them on a gentle cycle and air dry them on a rack (not my rack silly. On a rack in the laundry room!) I do NOT allow my bras to be placed in the dryer. Never. Ever. Ever!

So, what it comes down to is this—our aging bodies need some lovin’.  We go to the doctor for our annual examinations and we should treat our lady parts with kindness.  We should get them gifts in the form of a decent bra. Take your girls shopping ladies—and take them to a specialist who’s trained in bra fit.  You will thank me.  Your girls will thank you!

Let’s go shopping for bras!  Let’s go on a bra crawl!  I’m ready. Are you?  BTW,  the hair that I’m wearing in the photos is the Claudia wig from Bobbi Boss. She’s beautiful and I shifted the wig to a left-side part.  I think I purchased her from Divatress!  

OK—so, all this bra talk brought back memories of a song from my favorite musical of all time. All. Time.  The movie is “Flower Drum Song” and the song is “Chop Suey”—and there is a reference to a Maidenform bra in the song.  Just for you…

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During the Holidays, Preparation is Key. How I’ve Done It.

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Catherine

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas Day is a week away. I started decorating the house just before Thanksgiving.  We bought our tree a little over a week ago.   The major cleaning of the house is done.  The table linens are washed and ironed.

The tree is lit up like Luna Park–and I wish I had a Dustbuster to pick up the needles instead of carting the vacuum around!

Bonaparte and I had time to run to the KOP mall on Saturday to run last-minute errands, and do much of the food shopping.  We dropped Chippy off at the doggie day camp, and by 9:30 AM we arrived at the mall for the early Holiday opening.

I couldn’t wait to wear my new LOL sweater that I ordered from J. Crew.  But–as is my luck, the second I put this beautiful creamy white sweater over my head, I got a winter nosebleed. Nothing says “Winter” more than that first nosebleed of the season.  After completely disgusting my refined French gentleman of a husband, my nose dried up and we were off!

Our first stop was the mall.  We arrived at the mall so early that nobody was waiting to see Santa.  He saw me stop to take his pic and yelled out what did I want for Christmas.  I yelled back. “I want Trump to be impeached”.  That got a laugh and a “Ho, ho, ho”!

Bonaparte may have been disgusted by my bloody nose, but he was proud when I announced what I wanted for Christmas!!  Please Santa. Make my wish come true!

The Mall’s tree is pretty spectacular this year..

And this bright reindeer is very popular with the Kodak Moments. Wait?  I don’t think Kodak Moments are relevant anymore.  I should say iPhone moments!

This is how I like my mall visits.  Empty!

After hitting the mall, we headed to Wegmans which was a feat upon itself.  Everyone and their brother was there for Christmas food shopping.  I had a headache when we left.

I’ll be driving to Philly airport later this week to pick up Oona—she’s flying in from Cincinnati.  I’ll be picking up Jake at 30th Street Station on Thursday and I think I’m picking Roman up in Paoli on Friday. No. Wait. The plans have changed.  I’ll be picking Oona up at the airport in Philly–her plane arrives at 3:00 PM.  The boys have informed me that they will be at the 30th Street Station at 3:45.

I’m planning for a stress-free Holiday. I said I’m planning. You know that there will be delays and to make it from the airport to Center City in 45 minutes ain’t gonna happen!

At least my food is somewhat prepared.

So what did I prepare?  I’ll show you!

The majority of the baking is either done or prepared.  The freezer is jammed with baked goodies—cookies are baked.

The Momofuku Corn Cookies have been baked and are protected in bags and are in the freezer..

..as are the Chocolate Chocolate cookies…

…and the compost cookies.

I also have bags of cookie dough that haven’t been baked yet.  You never know how many I’ll need for the week!

More uncooked cookie dough packed away.  Even if they aren’t baked any time soon, they will keep for months!

The cake for the Buche de Noel is baked and frozen but  the Ganache frosting and the Chestnut filling are in the fridge.

Inside this freezer bag, underneath the foil is a layer of plastic wrap. Under the plastic wrap lies the genoise cake for the Buche de Noel…

I made the chocolate ganache frosting earlier yesterday.  Very easy.

I took two cups of heavy cream, 16 oz of semi-sweet chocolate, and vanilla (Ina will kill me. I didn’t use GOOD vanilla!)…

Added the chocolate to heated heavy cream and vanilla…

Then whisked like crazy till all was well-blended and glossy..

Poured into a plastic container and into the fridge to set. It’ll become thick and harden somewhat to be the perfect frosting!

Next I prepared the chestnut filling for the inside of the Buche.  Chestnuts–either you love ’em or you can’t stand ’em.  I love them!

Tray Joe’s has the best price on chestnuts!  Two packs of these…

…pulsed in the food processor with a bit of grapeseed oil and a touch of Kosher salt to make a butter…

I then emptied the contents of the food processor into the bowl of my KitchenAid stand mixer.  To that I added one softened stick of unsalted butter and confectioner’s sugar. I added about a cup and a half to two cups of sugar and blended until all ingredients were incorporated and smooth.  I also added vanilla..

Chestnut filling–into a container, in the fridge.  On  Friday evening I’ll make the Meringue mushrooms to embellish the cake.  On Saturday, I’ll assemble. Everything is prepared!

Are you familiar with Ina Garten’s French Nougatine dessert?  I’ve written about it in past blog posts.  This light and airy dessert will be one of the desserts served along with the Buche de Noel.

Inside these double-wrapped loaf pans sit French Nougatine.  The surprising thing is that this is THE most requested dessert in the house. Everyone loves it.  Oona asked me yesterday if I was making it.  Bonaparte insists I make it.  It’s the weirdest thing!  But it is so easy to make!

Biscotti is baked and in bags.  Luckily this doesn’t require being placed in the freezer. I have it hidden in a stock pot! 

Candied nut clusters are in Mason jars and waiting to be eaten with cocktails.

OK. So with the Nougatine, I needed egg whites. But–I feel like it’s a sin to waste food, so I took the yolks and made lemon curd. This will be a great spread on toast or on the…

Shortbread that I made. Y.U.M.–with a cuppa tea–it’s heavenly!

I have a little bag filled with profiteroles–they will come in handy for a quick dessert during the week. I can melt the leftover chocolate ganache as a topping and add either ice cream or whipped cream!

And last but not least–the gougeres.  Little choux pastry cheese puffs to be enjoyed with aperitifs.   Light and not stuffing–leaving plenty of room for the dinner!

This guy.  He’s already lickin’ his chops in anticipation!

By preparing much of the work, it’ll leave me free to concentrate on the actual dinner we’ll have for Christmas!

So that’s about it for the prep.  I need to vacuum and wipe the blinds and I’m done!

Oh. And I’m preparing to go back to…..

As soon as Christmas is over!!  How about you?  What are you cooking for Christmas?  Have you baked?  Whatja baking?

OK.  I have a guilty pleasure.  Hanson.  I love those MMMBop brothers and have remained a fan.  Their Christmas CD “Snowed In” is one of my favorites.  Yes. It is!  Now they have another Christmas CD. “Finally It’s Christmas”.  I love these guys!!!  XOXOXOXO

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Atypical60’s “Best Of 2017”—More Best Stuff for Mature Women

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Catherine

Hi everybody!  If you were reading this blog last year around this time, I wrote a post about my “Best of 2016”.  Not much has changed since last year—and much has!   My favorite makeup remover remains the same:  Albolene.  I’ve yet to find anything as wonderful as this when it comes to getting rid of my makeup.

Best Makeup Remover:  Albolene for a second year in a row!

I gotta say, there’s nothing better than this stuff.  It remains my favorite makeup remover.  Now–although I don’t use this as a cleanser, it is an integral part of my evening routine.  The makeup literally melts off.

Although I haven’t found a “great” eye shadow palette that warrants the “Best of” for this past year, Mally’s Nude Attitude Palette remains my favorite eye shadow palette.

Best Eye shadow Palette:  Second Year in a row. Mally’s Nude Attitude

This photo is from last year. OMG–I’ve hit pan on so many of these shadows.  I’ve got a backup that I haven’t opened yet but boy, this is the best shadow palette ever!

Primers have changed.  Last year I had e.l.f.’s primer and as good as the actual product is, I’m so disappointed in the packaging, about a tablespoonful for six bucks is no value.  Shame on e.l.f.  They are off my list—but I have a few more primers that I’ve added!

Maybelline must have done something with the formula for my former best of mascara, The Falsies.  It has been replaced.  But—another disappointment this year in the mascara department has been Lash Paradise by L’Oreal.   The product dried out within two weeks and flakes more than a pie crust made with lard!

What a major disappointment this mascara turned out to be for me.  Despite the raves, I found that this mascara dried out way too quickly, flaked like crazy and that brush–it’s so difficult to work with!  Thumbs down on this.

And the Bestidy Spoon brushes remain favored brushes throughout 2017—the Morphe brushes that I tried out this year—I wasn’t impressed.

Best Brushes–Another Second Year Term!  Bestidy Spoon Brushes.

I love these brushes.  And I’ll be writing a bit more in the post about the larger one! I have these on my new Influencer List on Amazon!  Go to Atypical60 on Amazon.com. The list is new but I’ll be adding more items!

Anyway, without further ado, here’s my “Best of” list for 2017.  For reference, here’s the “Best of for 2016”

Best Beauty Blending Sponge:  Real Techniques Blending Sponge.

My apologies for not taking a photo of the one I have, but Chippy started snacking on it. It’s the fourth one he destroyed.  He loves them as much as I do.  I have to buy another one tomorrow.  Seriously, I find this to be better than the more pricey Beauty Blender brand sponge.  And the price is far more purse-friendly.  If Chippy ate the more expensive ones, I would be in the poor house by now!

Real Techniques sponges–best makeup applicator sponges of 2017. And God knows, I’ve gone through enough of these!

Best New Scent/Brand for 2017.  Adopt’ –Oud Ambre

It’s no secret that I have three favorite scents that I rotate throughout the year.  Guerlain’s  L’Instant and La Petit Robe Noire, as well as Fragonard’s Fleur d’Oranger.  The three remain my signature scents. BUT–and a huge one here.  I discovered this brand during the summer of 2016 while we were in France.  I picked up a couple of spray falcons for less than 7 Euros each.  This summer I repurchased.  The Oud Ambre is a great fall/winter scent. It’s woodsy, earthy and very masculine. I like a masculine scent when I’m wearing heavier clothing.  And although I don’t know if this brand is sold in the States, I HIGHLY recommend if you are traveling to France anytime soon or in the future, scout this parfum brand out.  The selection is huge and the price is right.  Here’s the website–it’s in French but if you can translate, you may find the site interesting–especially for future reference:  Adopt’ Parfum

This may be my favorite Adopt’ scent but there is a huge selection to chose from. I contacted the company to see if they sell in the States–will let you know!

Best New “Setting” Product:  Mally Evercolor Poreless Face Defender

Ladies.  I don’t even know where to begin with this.  It sets your makeup and is the most unusual and unique product I’ve found this year.  It’s a siliconesque cake of product in a compact.  It comes with a sponge that you tap into the product and then tap onto your face to set your makeup.  It works!  And works very well.  For those of you who cannot use face powder because of dry skin (Raises hand!), this is a fabulous fabulous alternative.  I love this stuff. My only “thing” with it is that the packaging could have been better. The sponge doesn’t store in the compact–so you have to keep everything in the box which means you can’t carry it with you during the day.

Although this is one of the best products I’ve used this year,  Mally needs to rethink the sponge–its too thick and the compact needs to be redesigned so that the sponge fits into the compact. Regardless–this is one great product for setting makeup!

Best Foundations and Primers of 2017.  Fenty Beauty Primer and Foundation.

I’m sure you’ve heard the hype for the new Fenty Beauty brand by Rihanna.  The brand is a winner!  Not only is does the foundation have a massive 40-shades available, but the foundation is wonderful.  The primer is also excellent.  The primer glides on beautifully, giving a nice finish and soaks into the skin quickly.  The foundation blends in so effortlessly to match your skin tone.  Both of these products are definitely a “Best of”

Ever the foundation junkie, I was thrilled with how exceptional this foundation is.  Despite some reviews of oxidation, if you are matched correctly with your skin tone/foundation and shake this foundation before use, it will NOT oxidize.  It blends in beautifully to give your face a nice finish.  It doesn’t cake up during the day and stays put.  The primer is also wonderful.  At the price point of $32 for the primer and $34 for the foundation, it compares to more expensive luxury brands.  I am a complete fan of Fenty!

More Best Primers/Foundations: The Ordinary

Much has been said and written about Decium’s  “The Ordinary” . The hype is real.  The Ordinary’s foundations and primers are life! I first found out about “The Ordinary” from Wayne Goss.  He being the best beauty guru of all time. Anyway, he raved about the foundations.  Just my luck, The Ordinary sent me a few products to try.  Among the products were the Full Coverage foundation, the Serum Foundation,  the Silicone primer, the liquid fluid primer and the Hylamide blur.  (My blog post review:  The Extradordinary Ordinary)

I can’t say enough about these foundations and primers.  The foundation is literally like a second skin. And the price–you just cannot beat the price.  With the escalating price of drug store foundations rising into the teens, at less than seven dollars per foundation, this is an absolute steal. And the same with the primers.  I’m blown away.  These are absolutely some of the greatest products of 2017.  And the blur can be used alone as a primer or mixed in with the foundation for that something extra–although you don’t really need it!

The Ordinary–the simple packaging helps to keep the cost of the products down but boy oh boy are these products out of this world fantastic!

Best Drugstore Foundation:  Wet ‘n Wild PhotoFocus Foundation.

I need a moment here.  You know how I feel about the rising price of drugstore cosmetics.  Well, thank God I watched Tati Westbrook’s review about this foundation.  She raved on so much that I had to make the purchase.  Of less than five dollars!  Yes. I purchased this foundation for $4.97 on sale at Walmart and I’ve never looked back.

This foundation is, hands down, the best drugstore foundation of all time.  Like The Ordinary, this foundation blends like a second skin.  Honestly. It does. In fact, whenever I wear it, Bonaparte always compliments me on “not” wearing makeup–that’s how natural the foundation is.

One tip.  This foundation blends much, much better when applied with the Bestidy Spoon Brush (or any spoon brush–I happen to have Bestidy’s). The brush’s density works like magic to give you the look of airbrushed skin!  The foundation dries to a bit of a matte finish but I swear to you it does not look dry!  This is the craziest and greatest inexpensive foundation.  The selection isn’t a big one, but buy a couple of foundations and blend them to give you the color you want. Let me tell you, at this price, its worth it to buy at least three shades!

Nude Ivory and Peach Natural–blended together, these give me the perfect blend. At around five bucks, this is a steal!

Best Concealer:  Maybelline Age Rewind.  

2017 is the year that I started playing around with concealers.  I like to brighten under my eyes–especially since I wear glasses.  Most concealers are just too heavy and pasty for mature skin. Our skin gets thinner under the eyes and any thick makeup will make lines more visible.  This goes on so lightly.  The product itself is more of a liquid–but it dries quickly and is as light as a cloud with great coverage.  And the sponge tip gives a good area of product on the face.

Let’s hope Maybelline never discontinues this gem.  I keep going back to this–I’ve purchased three of these so far and it is a valuable concealer!

Incredibly mature-skin friendly!  Added bonus–you can actually see how much product you’ve used–so you’ll always know when to repurchase!

Best Contour:  Fenty Beauty Match Stix in Amber.

Again, Fenty Beauty came up with another winner.  Contour.  It’s really a great thing.  Where our mature face has lost some definition, the contour is an asset.  I’m not going after a chiseled look–I want the illusion of shadow and this contour is wonderful.

For drier skin, the creamy consistency of the stick is stellar.  This glides on well and the shade is a taupe slightly gray one which lends itself well for very pale to fair skin with pink undertones.  I am such a fan of this that I purchased a backup.  This is also a great contour for beginners. It’s foolproof!

Fenty Beauty Match Stix in Amber.  A most beautiful contour. And mature skin friendly!

Another Best Contour and Cream Blush Stick.  Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks.  Las Salinas and Ibiza.

Charlotte Tilbury is a brand that I became familiar with when my friend Jay gave me a makeover at Nordstrom. 

He used quite a few Tilbury products–had I purchased all of them I would be in serious debt.  But two items that I’ve become quite fond of are these two Beach Sticks.  The Ibiza stick,  a bronzer and contour, was one product I waited over a month for because they were sold out. Talk about creamy–this stick is ridiculously creamy!!  The color is a bit on the warmer side for my skintone, however, as a summer contour, when I have my fake tan on, is perfect.  I still use it during the winter months though and it blends in beautifully without looking orange.  It is a great contour stick.  More pricey than the Fenty Match Stix, only a small amount is needed so the price-per-use is still an excellent buy!

The blush–I’m a fan of cream blush.  Powders just do not work at all for me.  My skin is just too dry and the powders have a tendency to appear chalky.  The Las Salinas Beach Stick is a gorgeous coral/pink.  Again, it is so incredibly creamy and gives a luscious hint of color to the cheeks.  Just dot a few times on the cheeks, blend and go.

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Sticks.  The beautiful Las Salinas blush on the left and the Ibiza contour/bonzer on the right.  Money well-spent ladies. Money well spent!

Best Highlighter.  NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick in Lavender Lust.

I started getting into highlighters this past year.  On a whim, I purchased this highlighter and I’m glad that I did.  It offers a very subtle highlight–just a touch of illumination–very flirty. On the cheekbones, the cupid’s bow, under the brow and down the nose.  This is a discreet highlighter. Not drawing too much attention.  That’s the way I like it.  If you want to become familiar with highlighters, I strongly suggest this for a first-time user!

 NYX definitely came up with a winner here. This highlighter is subtle and pretty!

Best “Baked” Products:  Laura Geller Brighten products.  Blush n Brighten, Balance n Brighten Foundation, Bronze and Brighten Bronzer.

Where do I start?  I’m not a powder person–and even though these products may resemble a powder–they kind of aren’t.  They are more like a mineral cake.  Can I just say that the three of these products are summer greatness?  Let’s face it. During the summer we sweat.  The humidity can wash liquid foundation right off of our faces.  These products seem to be made for that summer weather.  Non-drying to mature skin.  Not cakey either.  They just blend in like a fine little mist–only in a solid form.

The Apricot Berry blush is a very light blush that looks nice with a tan–whether fake or real.  The foundations and bronzers are also excellent.  I never thought I would be a fan of any baked products except the goods that I bake in my oven–but these are fantastic!

All three products are extremely mature woman friendly.  They are lighter than air and don’t dry out your skin at all!

Best Lipstick: Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss . Number 08–Tender Mauve.

This is a recent purchase and less than five bucks at Walmart.  Far be it from me that I would add something so recent with a “Best of” but I can’t help it.  Always on the search for “That” special lippie that could be used every day. A neutral that isn’t too bright or too dark.  The versatile lipstick that you can apply with your eyes closed.  This is it.

I took a chance and went back twice to buy more for purses.  I’m blown away by the natural luster and color of this lipstick.  There isn’t much more that I can say other than the staying power is also quite exceptional.  This is a keeper!

An inexpensive lipstick that can hold it’s own against any higher end lip color. The most beautiful neutral ever!

Best Skincare products–Remained the same.  SkinActives Collagen Serum.  Vivant Skincare Mandelic Face Wash and Toner.

These three.  I haven’t found anything this past year to compare to these products.  The Collagen Serum remains the best.  The Mandelic Face Wash and Toner just can’t be improved upon.  I’ve written about all three and will continue to rave about them.  They can’t be beat!

Although I use a LOT of skincare products and have quite the routine. These three remain my best and favored! The serum can be found on Skinactives.com and the Mandelic Wash/Toner on Vivantskincare.com

Best Lip Gloss of 2017.  Fenty Beauty Lip Bomb.

This gloss is the bomb. Literally.  It has warm undertones in it’s golden glow but is flattering on everyone.  My lips are naturally very pigmented and this doesn’t come across as dark.  It adds a nice natural luster to bare lips and over a gloss adds a special golden warmth.  And yes. I love this so much I went out and purchased two more!

Hmmmm. Fenty Beauty came out with many best of’s this year.  This Lip Bomb is the most beautiful gloss of the year!  

Best Wigs of 2017.  Carrie Lace Front Wig–by Uniwigs Lavivid Collection.

I’ve reviewed her a few times both on the blog and on YouTube.  I cannot say enough about the Carrie wig from Uniwigs Lavivid Collection

Ladies.  If you are suffering from hair loss and want a great low-maintenance and natural looking wig–this is the one for you.  It is priced moderately–i.e. it is not inexpensive but not overly expensive.  I can’t say enough. I love this wig so much.  The parting space is exceptional.  The hair itself is just beautiful. It is a dense unit and so well-constructed.  If you are only going to buy one wig for the coming year, go on the Uniwigs site and purchase Carrie!  She is a stunner!

One of the many faces of Carrie.  Look how natural she is.  I want to win the lottery so I can buy a Carrie for every day of the week!

 

Best Inexpensive Wigs of 2017.  As a wig wearer, I also enjoy the many looks that are available from very inexpensive wigs.   These are wigs may not have the quality of Carrie, but nonetheless, they require more care to make them last for a longer time.  And they need more manipulation to give a more natural appearance–but they are fun, are mass-produced and they look good too!   As  much as I love a bobbed wig, my two favorite inexpensive wigs of 2017 are….

Samala by Janet Collection.  This human blend hair from Janet Collection Brazilian Scent, named Samala, is a great little head of hair.   The hair is dense.  The unit is big-head friendly, the style is flattering due to the layering and the angles around the face.  This is a silky Yaki texture and she wears well.  The only issue is that there is a lot of shedding–thankfully this is a dense wig but still, the wig sheds. A lot.  At $19.50 from ElevateStyles.com, this wig was and is a great buy!

Samala.  This is a very flattering longer unit. And mature women CAN rock a longer wig!  

Konis.  From It’s A Wig.

I dig Konis so much I have three of her.  TT99J/530 is the color of this unit.  A blend of dark and burgundy synthetic hair, she’s so pretty in every way.  I love the cut–a very long bob, if you will.  Maybe a bit longer than a lob.  Whatever it is, the style is simple and not complicated.  Giving a very natural look.  The part came pretty well spaced, I just tweezed a bit.  The density is good–thick but not too thick.  Minimal shedding.  This is akin to a lesser-quality Carrie, but nonetheless still a good wig.  I may have gotten her from either Hair So Fly or Elevate Styles–both online wig companies.

Another inexpensive wig I dig.  Konis is another favorite that always looks great!!!

Best Junk Food, Really-bad-for-you-snack of 2017.  

So darned bad that its great!  I know. I know. eating stuff such as this Takis Fuego, Hot Chili and Tortilla Roll Chips is bad on so many levels–especially if you are on a prepetual diet such as I am.  But the fact is, sometimes you just need to stress-eat, emotional eat or want to pig out.  What better way to do so than with something so hot and spicy that you wake up with such bad heartburn that you think you need to get to the ER!

This is that stuff!  I could polish off an entire bag of this–but I won’t.  I’ll leave it in the pantry to savor each time I get stressed.  Seriously. This is the bomb!  The stomach bomb.  And I shouldn’t be eating this–but I can’t help it.  It is the best bad snack of 2017!

Just for ha-ha’s, if you see this, buy it. And try it. And let me know what you think!

So that’s about it.  I’m going to finish the Holiday baking for today.  Share YOUR faves for 2017 in the comments!!

XOXOXOXO!!!!

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Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails? Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice? I’m All That!

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Catherine

Remember that nursery rhyme–about little boys and little girls?  If you don’t then you are too young!

Move over Chuck!  I’m made of that too!

So then, if little boys are made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.

Me and Chippy. We’re ready for the snails and the frogs.  Bring ’em right here!

And if girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, then what the hell am I made of?

Yeah.  I’m sweeter than sugar too!

The reason I ask this is simply because I’ve been cooking—and last weekend I made snails. And I loved them.  And I’m thinking of making frogs legs as an appetizer for Christmas week.

Ohhhh…Frogs legs!  I’m so lustful after some Frog legs that I just may bite Bonaparte’s legs!!

And if Chippy goes after any of my cooked goods, I’ll be dragging him away from the table by the tail.

Keep wagging that tail Chippy–but don’t get any ideas to eat my frogs legs or snails. OK?

And I’m not a boy.

And yeah.  I’ve been doing a ton of baking and using quite a bit of sugar and spice—but not necessarily am I made up of everything nice.

I’m a woman—not a girl.  And for the record.  I like frogs and snails better than the sweet stuff!

But fear not. I’ve got a couple of recipes for you.

I made Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Escargot recipe last Saturday.

Photo Credit: Krista Kennell/Sipa Press.

Chef Ludo.  I think he is, quite possibly, America’s greatest gift from France!  His recipes are great!

Because of Bonaparte, I did end up tweaking the recipe.  He did not want the cognac incorporated into the recipe (I did want it) and he did not want the shallots incorporated into the recipe (I did want it). And so I left them out.  Although the snails tasted spectacular with the omitted ingredients, they are going in next time.

Here’s the scoop:

Chef Ludo’s Snails in Parsley Butter (From Food & Wine)

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup minced parsley
  • 2 sticks of unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Cognac
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Rock salt, for baking
  • 24 snail shells, rinsed and dried
  • 24 canned giant snails, drained and rinsed
  • Crusty bread, for serving

Blend the butter, parsley, shallot, dry white wine, garlic, kosher salt, cognac, pepper and nutmeg together.

Empty shells,  finished parsley butter, and snails waiting to be stuffed.  Shells and snails  were purchased from the Gourmet Food Store

NOTE:  I used my food processor to chop the parsley and shallots and then mixed the remaining ingredients in my Kitchen aid.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of rock salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Pack 1/2 teaspoon of the butter into each escargot shell and stuff a snail inside. Fill with the remaining butter. Nestle the shells in the salt, butter side up.

NOTE:  I didn’t do the rock salt.  I just placed the stuffed snail shells into the snail plate and cooked it.

Snails were cooked and served in these plates.  The weird looking thingy holds the snails as you pick out the snail with the little snail fork!

NOTE:  I also brought the butter to room temperature, spooned into a pastry bag and piped the butter into the shell, then added the snail, then finished off with more butter.

Left pic:  Piping the butter into the snail shells.  Right pic:  Ready for the oven!

Bake the snails for about 10 minutes, until the butter is bubbling. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Freaking amazing!  This is the greatest recipe!  Thank you, Chef Ludo!

Out of the oven, piping hot and delicious and the melted butter is great for dipping bread. I froze 12 so we have more for this weekend!

If you are a regular reader, then you are aware that every Christmas I make a traditional Buche de Noel.  The cake itself is a genoise sponge cake and is rolled and frosted.

2015 Buche de Noel…

2016 Buche de Noel

This year, I made the cake ahead and wrapped it very well and it is now in the freezer.  I’ll thaw it out and frost it on Christmas Eve.  It’ll be decorated with meringue mushrooms and it is the one dessert I look forward to.  The filling and the frosting will either be a chocolate butter cream or ganache.  I haven’t decided yet.  But here’s the recipe for the genoise cake:

Genoise Cake for Buche de Noel’s Link from The Spruce:  Genoise Cake.

Genoise freshly baked and out of the oven..

Rolled and wrapped in a towel until completely cooled off!

Wrapped up in plastic and foil. Let’s hope it thaws out well!

I’m hoping this plan works because the only cakes I freeze are pound cakes—but there’s a reason that I froze this one.  I started a job on Monday and I’m trying my best to prepare everything ahead that can be.

Yes.  I was hired and it didn’t take that long.  But I will say, I’m happy to be employed again because being in an office is a great diet aid for me.  I’m nowhere near a refrigerator or cabinets filled with food.  I can focus on work and not get up every ten minutes for a piece of cheese or bread!

And God knows that I need that.  I gained about ten pounds being home since September.  As soon as Christmas is done with, I’ll be back on Weight Watchers!

I’ll be living on butternut squash after the Holidays!

But the good thing is that my clothes still fit. And here’s what I wore so far this week.   My apologies for not writing posts since the weekend, but I’m finding my groove with the timing of my hours and with the Holidays inching up—it’s been tough!

So, here’s what I wore so far this week!

Monday was my first day. Plaid pants and heels!

Our office is casual–so I was able to wear these cute velvet pants, flats and a bright sweater.

I dressed for comfort in a plaid skirt and boots today!  OMG. It’s so much fun to get dressed again!!!

I’ve been listening to Christmas music to and from work.  I have a CD–Christmas With The Rat Pack–it’s basically Frank, Dean and Sammy.  Here’s a more unusual but total Rat Pack Sammy Davis Jr. Song:  Christmas All Over The World! I can’t help it but I’m very much entertained by this song!

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My Ghosts of Christmas Past

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Catherine

Well, I decorated the tree on Friday.  It wasn’t an easy feat because half the lights we had for the tree were no longer working so I ended up having to get out of my pajamas, getting dressed and driving to Walmart to purchase new lights.  I love the lights on the tree. It’s so weird but when the lights are turned on I love to squint my eyes and look at the tree out of focus—it looks dreamy that way.

The decorated tree.  It’s not themed. It isn’t fancy. It is simply a tree filled with memories in the form of ornaments!

Anyway, our decorated tree is not a fancy one.  There is no “theme” nor is there anything fancy or elegant about it.  Some years I wrap ribbon around the tree like garland.  Other years I adorn the tree with garland of little gold balls—that’s what’s I did this year.  There is really no rhyme or reason in the way the tree is decorated.

The tree is embellished with ornaments that I’ve had since my first Christmas in NYC at the apartment on Riverside Drive.  It was the first Christmas my ex-husband and I spent together. He wasn’t big on having a tree but I insisted.  I found our tree in the form of a beautiful fir that was sold down in the East Village.  The vendor was willing to sell a full, and very tall tree to me for $15.00.  But he was also quite cynical in the fact that I would have to drag the tree from the village up to the West Side.

Suffice it to say,  I looked pretty ridiculous dragging a huge Christmas tree on the NYC subway but it was well-worth it!

No problem—where there was a will, there was a way, and I dragged that tree down to the subway, and the huge tree rode the subway from 14th street up to 94th Street with me. The tree was ridiculously huge and heavy. But I didn’t care. I wanted the tree.  And I got it!

We had a “tree trimming party” that year and I still have a few of the ornaments.  One ornament, in particular, stands out to me and always brings fond memories when I hang it.  It’s a little golf ball with the image of Santa painted on the face.  Our friend, Steve Hartnack, gave it to us.  And the reason that I have fond memories with this ornament is that at the beginning of every Holiday Season, back when all of us were in our twenties, Steve hosted, right before Thanksgiving, a “Friendsgiving” dinner.  Hmmmm I think he may have actually invented Friendsgiving!  But it was a ton of fun.  I’ve lost touch with most of that group but the great thing is that I have wonderful memories. And those memories surface once a year as I go through the ritual of hanging the ornaments on the tree.

The infamous Santa Golf Ball Ornament from Steve.  This little nugget is almost 40 years old! Wow!  I can’t believe it!!

These ornamental memories are my ghosts of Christmas past—and they are happy ghosts that always bring a smile to my face, and also a sentimental tear or so.

Here are some of my ghosts!

I’ve always gotten ornaments that say something about my kids.  This guitar is for Roman. He’s my musician and has been playing guitar since he was in high school.  I think of him every year I hang this on the tree..

This ornament was  purchased at the 2007 Oireachtas, when Oona was 18. It was supposed to be her last Oireachtas.  She took a hiatus and went back as a Senior in College. But with each year when I hang his up, it brings back fun memories of her Irish Dance days!

Jake was our all-star baseball player!  He lived, breathed and ate baseball when he was younger.  I always think of him when this is hung up!

Oona was in 4th grade when she made this.  How pathetic am I that I still hang this torn, broken pretzel ornament?  Actually, I’m not pathetic.  I’ll hang this until the pretzels turn into crumbs!

It isn’t a tree ornament, but this was purchased way back in 1990 when Jake was 7 years old and Roman was 4.  I couldn’t resist because it looked like a cross between both boys.  It’s one of the ornaments I look forward to displaying each year!

Here’s another throwback to the ’90’s.  It’s an homage to my roots! 

This Polish Blessing I think was given to us from one of my ex-husband’s relatives.  I really should give it to him but I’m too selfish.  I think of Kielbasa, Pierogis and Texas Chocolate cake when I hang this up!

Barbie.  I HAD this Barbie doll back in 1959. I remember the day I got her. It was at Green Acres Shopping Center and I loved this first, of many Barbie’s so much and I think of the day I got this doll when I hang this ornament!

Statue of Liberty Claus!  You know what memories I have when I hang him!

And there are new ones too.

This was new last year, but it is already making memories of our trips to Paris and throughout France!!

This is a new one.  I love this little red truck. I have this red truck on a bowl too. But the memory this will give me is that it pays to discount shop.  I got this at Walmart for $1.97.  The same ornament is being sold at Ballard Designs for $12.95.  Yeah.  You read that right!

It’s funny how a simple action such as placing an ornament on a tree can evoke so many memories.  I think back of past Christmases and the history of family trees that we had.

All of these ornaments make for pause when decorating because of the memories I have–it takes me FOREVER to decorate the tree!

My mother, when she was in better days, always placed the “good” tree, the real one, in the living room upstairs.  That was the tree she would admire in the evening with a cup of tea. It was the one we were allowed to stand near as we had our photos taken.  Immediately upon unwrapping the gifts, and with five kids, there was a ton of paper floating around the house along with the toys Santa delivered, she would carry, in about ten trips, the presents we received and place them around the other tree. The one in the finished basement.

When we had a real tree….Can you spot the snowman ornament?  It was my all-time favorite as I was growing up!  

Is it any wonder that I love the color red and plaid?  This is how I grew up!  Check out the tinsel on the tree. My father was so particular about tinsel placement. I swear he spent at least three hours doing this–and none of us kids were allowed to assist!

This was the first fake UPSTAIRS tree that my parents got.  To me, it’s a sign that my parents not only were getting older, but that they weren’t well.  My mother was becoming ill and my dad suffered his first heart attack.  The tinsel placement isn’t good at all.  Funny how a tree can talk…

Now, this tree in the basement was a rather sad looking tree. It was spindly and thin and the branches were sparse—it was the saddest of all fake trees.  Next to the fake tree was a fake fireplace—in all its cardboard beauty.  I don’t remember any fake logs but I do remember a little multicolored foil spinner, so that when the spinner was plugged into an outlet, the foil reflected to appear as though a fake fire was burning in the cardboard fireplace.

Atop of the fake fireplace stood four felt and wire angels.  Each of the angels had a letter and when placed properly “NOEL” was spelled out.  I loved those angels and would play with them for hours.  The thing is, when I think back of that basement scene, it was kitschy and tacky—but as a child, I adored it.  And looked forward to every Christmas because it was like having my own little Christmas wonderland!

The Christmas Basement. So very 1960’s!!!  Note the drawing of the snowman ornament.  

With the kids all grown and living away from home–Roman in NYC, Jake in Los Angeles and Oona in Cincinnati, Christmas memories are different.  The memories are more about our time together and not about the gifts we receive.  Santa passes by without stopping these days.  Christmas morning isn’t an early wake up and a run downstairs to the tree.  It’s a sleep-in morning with a late breakfast and then the meal preparations.

But it’s all good.  Because when you get older you realize that Christmas is not about the presents but is about the present.  Our ghost of Christmas present makes sure we enjoy our time together.

What will the ghost of Christmas future bring?  Hopefully what the present brings—and will leave us with the gift of a strong memory of the great times we’ve had over the years!

For now, I’ll sit back and admire the tree–I’ll also have Bonaparte fix the crooked angel.  On second thought, I’ll keep her the way she is—it makes for a better memory!

I got this great pair of  fancy pants at Old Navy!  I’m wearing them on Christmas. Aren’t they great?  I’ve never worn anything this flashy in my life!!  But I couldn’t help it–and the price was great too!  What do you think?

From my Instagram feed!  These pants–I love them so much. They go so well with the Dulci suede shoes from J. Crew and a black Tippi Sweater!  The hair I’m wearing is Samala from Janet Collection!  Isn’t she pretty??

Remember the video I posted the other day?  John Roberts’ The Tree?  Here’s an even funnier one from him–and Debbie Harry is a riot! Last Year/Next Year/This Year

 

 

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The Christmas Tree Saga—2017 Edition

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Catherine

Be that as it may, as much as I try to plan ahead for a stress-free Holiday Season, stress always raises its ugly little head when we go to get the tree. Every year, something happens.  Trees fall down in the house.  Trees dry out too quickly.  The tree doesn’t fit through the door.  The tree is messing up the carpet.  It’s never an easy task.

One year, while doing a “chop your own tree”, I fell into a patch of thorny brambles, ripped my clothing and bled for two hours.

Trust me. I LOVE Christmas and everything the Holiday Season brings….with the exception of getting the tree.

This year was no different! With an unexpected break in his work day, Bonaparte arrived home and announced that it was a good time to get the tree before resuming with his clients.

Dressed or (S)dressed to get the tree. That smile didn’t last that long….

Dressed for tree success, we drove off to Home Depot—the point of sale for trees of Christmas past.  Naturally, I headed for the Fraser Firs.  Bonaparte knew better than to suggest anything else.  There is a reason that I’m so in love with this particular type of tree.  The branches are strong to carry the weight of the heavier ornaments and the needles aren’t as quick to fall.

I have to admit, going to get the tree in the middle of the week was actually better than on the weekend!  We were the only ones getting a tree!

We have to be careful not too get too wide of a tree because we keep it in a corner of the living room.  And I don’t want Chippy to get any ideas that the tree is his private latrine.  We also didn’t want a tree that was too small; we have high ceilings and a too-small tree would look out of proportion.

A lovely tree, but too wide for the corner..

This one was nice, but was too short!  See how well-prepared Bonaparte is?  He has his tree gloves on!

It had to be just right.

Bonaparte, my Christmas angel, found a tree that looked great but I still wasn’t too sure.  So, we searched a bit more and ultimately ended up with that I wasn’t sure about!

Look!  My Christmas Angel found the best tree. I thought it might not have been wide enough but it did work out!

Into the car and off to your new home!

The corner where we place the tree was ready.  The plastic to protect the (ugh) carpeting, the tree stand in place, the sofa moved so that the tree could be transported into its resting place.  Everything was prepared.

We placed the plastic disposable bag-as-tree skirt under the tree stand and proceeded to move on with the tree.

And then it happened.

As Bonaparte was pumping the pedal on the tree stand, a piece of plastic went flying across the room faster than the Concorde on its maiden flight.  The tree stand broke.

Yes. After over ten years, the effing tree stand broke!

I WAS READY TO THROW THE TREE OUT AND GO BUY A FAKE ONE!!!

I was seething. The drama has begun!

Now. Before I go further with this story, let me explain about our tree stand.  This stand was purchased over ten years ago. It was the first Christmas Bonaparte and I were living together.  We purchased this incredible tree stand at the now defunct Waterloo Gardens in Wayne, PA.

Waterloo Gardens–now more akin to Grey Gardens (Remember my post about Edie Beale and Grey Gardens?)–this was the only place to purchase that damned tree stand!

This state-of-the-art tree stand was operated by a foot pedal. No need to get down on all fours or body crawl on the floor to adjust those long screws into the trunk of the tree.  All that was needed was a few quick pumps of the foot and voila—no mess, no stress, no cursing!

Obviously this tree GENIE was nowhere near the genie that Aladdin was buddies with. This genie can’t even muster up an appearance let alone any wishes!

Whether age, who knows how long these stands are meant to last, or whether from Bonaparte’s masculine strength, was the culprit that broke the stand, I could feel stressful drama rising from my feet up to my head.  This.  Was.  A. Disaster.

It was starting.  My stress-free Holiday Season was to be no more.

I couldn’t leave the house because I didn’t trust Chippy alone with this free-standing wonder of nature.  If I can recall, I started speaking, screaming, yelling like a crazy woman that we should have gotten a fake tree to match my fake hair and my fake nails. (speaking of which, I really need to get a fake tan).

 

No way was I going to allow Chippy alone with THIS!! God knows what waste I would have come home to!

 

Ever the pragmatic one, Bonaparte asked me to go online to see if any stores within a decent distance carried the Krinner Tree Genie.  Yes. This tree stand is so magnificent that it warranted an extensive search.

The only information I could gather was that we would have great luck to order online.  But even Amazon’s quickness wouldn’t be of any help—we needed that tree stand and needed it now! Eventually, I found the company’s website, Krinner USA.

Well, let me tell you something.  This company was founded by a gentleman from Lower Bavaria and if I were so wealthy that money was no object, I would have flown over to Germany to purchase one of those stands because there are none to be found in my neck of the woods.  When Waterloo Gardens left, so did those tree stands!

Klaus Krinner, creator of this tree stand and owner of Krinner company.  He’s no relation to Santa, Klaus if he was, I would have a brand-spanking new one of these and would have had it today!

I ended up calling the contact in the States.  Now—it is advertised that ACE Hardware and True-Value Hardware stores carry this Krinner tree stand.  OK? So, I get on the phone with the lovely Helen and explain my situation—because I needed to give her every last detail.  I asked if there were any stores in the Philadelphia area that carried the Krinner stand.

She asked me if I was near Pittsburgh.  This conversation was going nowhere. I had a sixth sense. What transpired was her telling me to call the Ace and True-Value hardware stores in my area.  WTF kind of company is this anyway?  Would Mr. Krinner be happy about this customer service?

Without writing a novel about this, we were unable to find this much-coveted tree stand.

We went back to Home Depot and took Chippy with us.

And we ended up going with a heavy-duty, old-school, get-down-on-the-floor-and-screw-the-sucker-in tree stand.

Santa’s Last Stand.  You got THAT right!  This is the last tree stand we should be buying. This one better last!  No pedal. Not plastic. Old school steel painted enamel

Our tree is now standing beautifully straight and I’m waiting for the branches to fall so that tomorrow I can start decorating.  We need more lights so I’ll head to Walmart as soon as it opens.  And then I’ll be able to sit back and admire our tree!

This tree stand is looking mighty sturdy..

The white plastic over-sized bag will be so helpful in dismantling and taking out to the trash!

I was able to hide it underneath the tree skirt I ironed yesterday!

It fits perfectly in that little corner!

….and as the branches fall downward overnight, I’ll be able to start decorating it tomorrow with lights and ornaments and maybe garland–I’m not sure yet…

Which ornaments will make it on the tree this year?  I’ll post pics when done!

For now, I’m baking a few batches of biscottis.  The kids, especially Oona, look forward to these little treats every Christmas.  Then I’m going to fake tan my legs!

Biscotti cooling off before going back into the oven for that second bake!

Another sweet and funny look at the Christmas Tree. I swear I never get tired of this video and every year I keep laughing!  John Roberts “The Tree”!

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Dressing Down the Holiday Table

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Catherine

What a day!  This morning I woke up early enough.  Enjoyed my morning cup of cawfee then got dressed and gathered.

No warm and fuzzy plaid today.  I’m dressed for  ironing! At lease my tee has a “red” theme!

I gathered all the cloth napkins, a few tablecloths and table runners that I plan to use for the Holiday meals.  The tree skirt and an apron were also thrown into the mix.

This is just a sampling of the wrinkled mess that confronted me!

And I went downstairs and ironed. And ironed. And ironed.

Doesn’t everyone iron cloth napkins?

In fact, I spent three hours ironing.

And while I ironed, Chippy watched morning TV as comfortable as ever.  There is something so wrong about this..

When he looked down at the remote, it meant I had to change the channel for him.  He’s a big fan of The View!

I managed to iron all of this…

…and this…

….and this.

And when the ironing was finished, Chippy allowed me  a bit of time to sit down and watch The Chew!

Despite the worst title you can give a TV show, The Chew is surprisingly great TV!!!

It’s all part of the Holiday preparations.  The house will be full.  The kids will be here and Oona’s boyfriend will be arriving the day after Christmas and stay through the week.

Christmas dinner’s table will be set with places for my kids, Bonaparte’s daughter, her husband and their daughter and my ex-husband and his girlfriend will be joining us.

I need to get as much done as possible.  I’ve got cookie dough, cream puffs, pound cake and gougères that I’ve prepared in the freezer.

Alain Ducasse’s Gougeres Recipe is the bomb!  These little nuggets of choux pastry and cheese are in the freezer!

Shortbread has been wrapped in plastic and in the cabinet as well as candied nuts.  The Buche de Noel and Nougatine can be made a few days before Christmas but the biscotti will be baked on Saturday or Sunday.

I made shortbread last night.  I’ll probably do another one tomorrow.  Baking this in a tart pan is so much easier!  When it thaws from being frozen, I’ll cut into wedges and serve with tea.

Candied nuts.  Thank God for Trader Joe’s–the price on nuts is the cheapest ever!!

And part of that preparation is making sure that the table linens are cleaned and pressed.  It isn’t a task that should be put off until the last minute.  By taking care of this now—it’ll mean no stress when the table is to be set.

Look how nice and unwrinkled.  I wish my face was that smooth!

I’m not a formal person by nature.  My vibe, even during the Holidays, is casual and welcoming.  It’s really important for anyone coming into my home to be comfortable and that comes through in the way I dress the table.

My casual table.  This is how it looks now.  We eat dinner here every night.

Luckily, I love the color red—and red being a Christmas color, means that I don’t need to go out and purchase anything more to dress the table.  I like that.  And it sets the tone.

Some of this year’s Poinsettias.  I gotta go get me some more!

See how pretty this little round table off the kitchen looks?  I’m glad I saw this pic. I need to steam the wrinkles out of the burlap tablecloth!  I’m ashamed!

The tone being familiarity and comfort.  I don’t spend a ton of money on my tableware.  Much of it comes from thrift and discount stores.  The good stuff to me, is the company and the food that’s made with love.  Trust me, I try to make everyone feel special and I love a wonderfully set table—it’s just that I keep it incredibly casual.

Plates break.  I come from that home where spilled milk is a major cause for drama so you can just imagine the drama that occurred over any broken china.

This is how I grew up when milk spilled.

And during the Holidays, my mother served food on the good china. And every year someone broke a plate or a bowl.  It wasn’t a good scene.

God forbid someone break a plate…

The drama that ensued was incredible.  Someone always ended up in tears!  This is my childhood Christmas memory.

Perhaps that’s why I keep it underdressed and casual.

My plates, for the most part are solid. Either white, cream or red.  I do have good china—sort of, that I purchased many, many years ago at my favorite thrift store in New Jersey, The Red, White, and Blue Store.  And the money spent was so minimal that it doesn’t matter if a few plates break.

My “good”  American Limoges from the Red White and Blue store. I must have 100 pieces of assorted plates, bowls, serving dishes, cups, saucers, cream and sugar bowls and gravy boats in this pattern.  I paid like twenty five bucks for it all–and nothing has ever broken.                 Yet.

Besides, it’s fun to mix and match—so here’s a few ideas!

My favorite tablecloth is the Moroccan-inspired trellis print.  A white plate with a red soup bowl and a red-dotted napkin look cheerful!

All white against the same cloth.  Those soup bowls are so old that the inside looks a bit wonky but it doesn’t matter.  It’ll be filled with soup! And I have a huge white soup terrine!

A Rooster bowl atop white plates.  This bowl will be great for gumbo!

Looks fancy–the thrifted china against a cream tablecloth.  This may be good for Christmas Eve.  I dunno yet.

Lunch time!  Soup, a sandwich and a cuppa tea–Holiday Style!

I love the red, white red on the bare table.  This wooden table is great because I really don’t need a tablecloth.  I LOVE these paisley napkins!  They are so versatile. Holiday and non-holiday dinners and these napkins always look festive! The napkins are Ralph Lauren and I know that I picked them up at Home Goods for next to nothing!

Same napkin, cream and white plates.

An every-day placemat, white and cream plates and a plaid (weren’t you expecting that from me?) napkin look very Christmasy!

Red napkin, a small rooster plate and another meal has a  different look…

…and the same look can be changed with a different color napkin!

Other touches include this great Lazy Susan I picked up at Home Goods a while ago.  It’ll make things move easier on the table!

And not only does this work well on the table, but…

This will work so well in the Living Room as we have out aperitifs and appetizers.  

This’ll make my hostess duties a lot easier!

Little wine glass markers are also a necessity for holiday entertaining!

They may be slightly kitchy, but these Christmas tree salt and pepper shakers serve a purpose. With 10 people at the table, multiple shakers come in handy!

These rooster shakers are so cute..and if anyone has too much to drink..

They can see what shaker holds salt and which one holds pepper.  It’s on the back!

And now the napkins and tablecloths are stored in the antique dresser in the living room.  Everything is close at hand!

Waiting to make an appearance on Christmas Eve!

Well, that’s about it.  What do you think?  What’s your Holiday style?  Relaxed?  Formal? Casual?  Do tell!!  It’ll be fun to hear what everyone likes!  Do you have a prep-ahead thing that you do? I’m listening?

Yes.  A gentle reminder of what happens AFTER Christmas dinner!!!

And while I’m polishing my silverware, have a listen to Dino singing about Sliver Bells!

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