Month: December 2011

dark chocolate truffles to take to party at work

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Although I am running between jury duty and work this week, I have committed to bake something for my co-workers. It’s been a tradition of mine forever and this year, no matter how hectic this week is, if I am excused from Jury duty before Friday, I will take these dark chocolate truffles to work. Ingredients 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate Morsels Finely chopped toasted nuts, toasted flaked coconut and/or NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa for coating truffles Directions LINE baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. HEAT cream to a gentle boil in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate. Stir until mixture is smooth and chocolate is melted. Refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened. DROP chocolate mixture by rounded measuring teaspoon onto prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Shape or roll into balls; coat with nuts, coconut or cocoa. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.      

holiday decorative table setting

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I love the holiday season and truly do not mind walking through different stores to gather ideas for the buffet table setting. However, in the past I had always avoided the color red because I hated the orange hues visible in the tone, so I stuck to golds and silver to play it safe. This year, since the color has been perfected to a vibrant red, I can’t help but lean towards a more red, white and silver theme.  Check out some of my favorites from here: 1. Red Bridge Tea Kettle 2. Peppermint Dish Towel 3. Flatware Stockings 4. Matte Metal Red Pillars 5. Antique Red Votive 6. Diaz Red Candleholders 7. Tasmin Dessert Platter (my favorite) 8. Ombre Red table mat 9. Happy Holidays Tumbler

christmastime in the napa wine country

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I have never been to Napa past October, let alone during the holiday season. Usually because, the countryside past the turning of the leaves, isn’t  as appealing during this time of the year and if there is rain involved, the region usually experiences flooding, making it difficult to travel.  However, this past weekend, we decided to venture out to Napa since it’s been unusually warm and dry around the bay area. I must admit, I was actually surprised to discover still remnants of fall all around, with colorful trees standing strong, bright orange leaves hanging on their last thread along the walls of the wineries, vibrant green holy leaves and red berries blooming  through the bare twigs of the fig trees. It was truly a sight for sore eyes.  To top it off, once we opened the doors to all the wineries we visited, I was captivated by the warm glowing lights and sparkle from all the Christmas decor and the subtle smell of cinnamon and spice incense emanating from every room. I loved every …