Thank you, GKS.

Two nights ago for our Christmas Eve feast, my younger sister and I made an entire menu off of Green Kitchen Stories. Soup to nuts we made her  Christmas menu ::

- Spiced Spinach + Mushrooms in Almond Tartlets (though we made one larger tart).
- Baked Saffron Falafel
- Cinnamon Roasted Veggies
- Mustard Quinoa Cranberry + Kale Salad
(all recipes to be found through the link above)

This was a lot of faith to put into a blog I'd never made a recipe from. Not only was I trusting that 4 separate recipes would be yummy, but that they complemented one-an-other, and that despite being gluten free and vegan, they were christmasey enough to satisfy my sister and I, and hearty enough to satisfy my hard to please father.

I am thrilled to report GKT scored a perfect ten in all of the above categories, AND each was super simple to prepare. Kathryn and I couldn't have been more pleased with our efforts and shockingly Michael was thrilled with the dinner.


Thank you Green Kitchen Stories for your help with tricky diets and Christmas warmth. All of these recipes will be added to my staples, and I will most certainly be back for more ideas.

I hope everyone had a flavorful and healthy Christmas. Let the countdown to 2012 begin. xx

Image viahttp://www.greenkitchenstories.com/

Angel Wings

Tinkerbell says every time a child laughs for the first time, an angel gets her wings. Looks like there was a lot of giggling on West 10th Street this week --look at all these angel wings just waiting for recipients.

May your Christmas be filled with laughter, angels, spirit and joy. Don't forget to watch Love Actually + National Lampoon's, read The Polar Express, and leave carrots for the reindeer .

Ho ho ho. See you in 2011 !

Let it Dough

A friend sent me this "Abstract City" from the New York Times this morning. Its by artist Chris Niemann, and I love how his mind has worked with the simple dough + sprinkles. You can tell he's one smart cookie (ha !). These are a few of my favorite images, but look at the piece as a whole through the link above.

[Images courtesy of NYT.com]

Sugar + Spice

Does anything smell more like holiday deliciousness than oranges + cloves ?

Holiday Stringing.

Have you started decorating for Christmas ? I assume so. I almost didn't do it, at all. Sshhh. Don't tell anyone--but I'm moving, and won't be in the city for either holiday anyhow. But I hosted a party, so alas, how could I not ? I hadnt strung popcorn or cranberries, probably since I was six years old, no foolin. In early early childhood we wrapped our big beautiful trees in popcorn. I remember it being so very hard not to crush the popped kernels. I remember contcentrating so very hard not to prick my fingers with the sewing needle, and what a daunting task tying thread in a knot was. I remember a humongous bowl of fragrant popcorn, practically my size, sitting next to me as I worked, Sesame Street Christmas carols filling the room as the record spun under the needle.

Happy Weekend !

There aren't many weekends left before Christmas (2 to be exact), so please soak up every second of the spirit even if you have to go find it. May your weekend be filled with ringing bells, kissing balls, the smell of pine and old ugly sweaters. I hope you see the tree at Rockefeller center (or in your town center !), watch Love Actually + National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, drink eggnog, eat gingerbread men (and decorate them too !) And warm up by a fire. xo

Christmas in New York

I braced myself for the Hunter College 6 train station the other night at rush hour. But as I ducked under 68th street, the city already dark at 530 and so very cold, and made my way through the turn style and down the stairs, "Come All Ye Faithful" filled the platform. And a really beautiful version of it at that. I looked over my shoulder to find this pair with a bongo and saxophone--not your average combo in life, forget at Christmas, but these two hit the nail on the head. Maybe the prettiest "Come All Ye Faithful" I've ever heard. I gave them money for the performance, which as a standard I only do if I feel as though I would pay for a ticket to watch you perform. Only in New York do two Christmas street performers, not only make more wonderful music than most paid professionals, but manage to incorporate, oh, just about every holiday in their display. I mean, they got the right holiday on their heads, but we seem to be rocking a little 4th of July + Valentine's day... As well as some spring time park gear... It made me tap my feet on the platform and smile my whole ride home (probably creepy on a packed car). Only in New York kids...

Cookie Baking TIME.

Well, clearly my rolling pin isn't as pretty as the ones from yesterday, but it still does the trick. And the other night as I twittled my thumbs and pondered the fact I had lots of homework + the GREs in a week I thought to myself, what better time to bake cookies than.... right now ? (one word Whorf :: Braveheart). So I turned to my good baking friend Martha and her "cookie of the day." That particular day was cinnamon swirl, and I went with it. As soon as I started prepping to roll the dough out so I could sprinkle the filling in, I saw that my parchment paper anchors--my little sapling Christmas trees--were casting tree like shadows as I sprinkled snow like flour on the surface. I loved everything about this.

Obviously.

But I went on, to roll out, fill, roll up, slice, and bake. An obviously great use of my time.

These little friends were shipped off as a thank you (still not done thanking) and then given to a very hard working friend. She reported back that an officemate had come back 4 times, 4 times ! to ask for more. I think this means she has more cookies in her near future. Happy holiday baking everyone ! xo

Minis !

Last ones, I promise !! But if you're going to tote a Poinsettia to your next dinner party -- how perfect are these little guys ? A sweet single bloom in a reusable votive. Festive, cute, unique. Happy Friday -- hope everyone has fun weekend plans ! xo

PS. Can I say about all of these guys, that one of my favorite parts is the way the the reds and pinks bleed into the green ? Just so imperfectly lovely. And so ends Poinsettia Week ;)

Christmas Lillies

A quiet Holiday moment as I stood in line at Stumptown recently. I don't even think they are meant to me holiday, but with their hint of red sitting on brass they felt it. I loved the half full glass of water at their side.

Hope everyone has a day of digesting, turkey leftovers, and more family.