Happiest of Holidays To All
Happy holidays to all and Merriest of Christmas from everyone at Raw Silk and Saffron. Thank you for being a part of our life {photo source}
All posts filed under: Christmas
Holiday Series: Gift Wrap – It’s All In The Trimmings
Don’t get me wrong – I adore a beautifully designed gift wrap paper and sometimes buy a roll just to add to my collection of uniquely crafted wraps. But lately, in light of all things to save our planet, I cannot help but appreciate the simplest of gift wrapping ideas. Which by the way, I’ve adapted for years – finding the most unusual ways to wrap presents with grocery paper bags, tissue paper, newspaper, old magazine pages, and even book pages – because at the end of the day, it is all about the trimming… {source here, and here}
Culture: Who’s Your Celebrity In-Character Crush
I thought about this topic a few days ago, when I decided to watch ‘You’ve Got Mail’, (for the millionth time) to help me get out of the funk I was in, and also to do character study for my novel. And it did, giggling, tearing up, beaming, and feeling over the moon about the idea of two people, who cross paths on a daily basis, end up falling in-love in the most peculiar of way, over the internet/and kind of in person. Realizing the influence of certain actors in character have over us. Who’s your celebrity-in character crush? {featured image source}
Food: Holiday Series – Thanksgiving Main Course
I am not a fan of Turkey, never have been and I doubt I’ll ever be. So this year, while searching for a main dish recipe I can live with, I stumbled upon this one, while reading an article on ‘how to have a sustainable Thanksgiving.’ And guess what? We are having A butternut Squash Vegducken! INGREDIENTS 1 cup pecans 1 (7 1/2″-long) zucchini 1 (9 1/2″-long) globe eggplant 1 (11 1/2″-long) butternut squash 2 scallions 2 garlic cloves, divided 1 shallot, coarsely chopped 1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, trimmed, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 9 sprigs thyme, divided 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 2 large eggs 1 cup finely grated Parmesan 1/2 cup fine plain breadcrumbs 6 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley, divided Kosher salt 2 tablespoons mint, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Special equipment: Kitchen twine {follow recipe here} And in case you are curious about the sustainable Thanksgiving suggestions, I have included the article here. {featured image credit}
Inspired By the English Countryside
This morning while commuting to work, bits of the film The Holiday came to mind. Particularly the English cottage where one side of the story took place. Followed by the eclectic decor of course, and then how wonderful the connection between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law’s characters were, sparkly eyes, and bright smiles, make the perfect holiday film, don’t you think? Add Cameron’s/her character’s fashion sense, and basically it is a well rounded and my favorite modern holiday film I happen to watch every year. So you can imagine me wanting to share these beauties, and my desire to simply hibernate for the entire month of December or maybe trade places with someone itching to hang out in San Francisco. Any takers? So, here are my questions? Have you seen the film The Holiday? Which side of the story do you relate to? If you had the chance to trade places, what part of the world would you consider? Is the fact, we are near completing the first week of November freaking you out? I’m …
Holiday Series: What To Bring to the Office Party
Rrrrright about now, companies are planning their annual office party, where employees sign up for what to bring to the pot luck. Or, a group of co-workers and friends organize a house party – where they provide the alcohol, if you bring the snacks and appetizers. In case, you have run out of ideas, or the idea of running to the grocery store to stock up on pre-packaged goodies is no longer considered cool, then here are some ideas to consider. {Click on image to the recipes} {featured image source}
Holiday Series: Gift Ideas For the Traveler
That would be me – the traveler, so I figured I’d kick off my holiday gift idea series with some ideal gifts for the traveler in your life or the ones you are trying to introduce the idea to – that travelling is probably one of the best experience any human can have in their lifetime and a lifetime spent not travelling – is a life not lived well. 🙂 {featured image and source}
Holiday Series: Easy Holiday Cheese Board
The easiest spread on any pre-dinner table is a cheese board and lots of bottles of wine and kiddy drinks of course- that’s all I’m saying. INGREDIENTS 3-4 cheese wedges such as brie, goat cheese, Merlot, and blue cheese 6-8 cups Chex Party Mix mixed olives assorted meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni assorted fruit, such as pomegranate, pears, citrus, and persimmons assorted veggies, such as marinated artichokes, and pickles spreads, such as honey, fig preserves, and jams {more} Best Cocktails for 2018, Best Wines for 2018, Kid non-alcoholic drinks for 2018
Holiday Series: Tree Trimming Party, Cocktails included
What a wonderful idea, to have a tree trimming party, or an excuse to invite a few friends or family over to trim the tree while you serve up cocktails and appetizers. I honestly couldn’t hope for a better occasion to escape, even for just a few hours:
Travel: In Search of the Christmas Markets
Christmas is around the corner, and the shopping has begun in some places, while in others the planning – first stop a good old fashioned Christmas market:
