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Not Too Fruity Fruitcake

Okay, the title may lack a bit of logic, but it is accurate to describe the recipes below. Let’s face it; this time of year fruitcake becomes the butt of many a holiday joke. Personally, I really don’t find the sweet treat to be so bad. I’m not a big fan of the traditional dark, liquor-laden fruity fruitcakes, but I have been known to snack on multiple pieces of fruitcake that have just a bit of candied fruit and nuts. The following recipes come courtesy of my mom (she didn’t create them, but she does pull them out and make … Continue reading →

Scrapping Holiday Family Fun

The holiday season provides a litany of opportunities to create memorable scrapbook layouts featuring your entire family, and I’m not just referring to the same ol’ boring page designs of people opening presents. Since most clans tend to gather for either Christmas or New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the chance to document and expand on your family’s favorite traditions. Forget about creating a chronological timeline of Christmas Day; rather, select a few standout events and tell the stories behind each. Some special seasonal layout ideas include: Caroling: You don’t have to participate in an elaborate Christmas caroling event around the … Continue reading →

Baskets Full of Fun

Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a basket full of homemade cookies, brownies, chocolate sauce and pound cake. My neighbor outdoes herself each December and this year is no exception. Yesterday she dropped off a huge gift basket filled with my daughter’s favorite sweet treats, lovingly prepared in her own kitchen. I love the idea of getting and giving gift baskets during the holiday season. Even if you are working on a tight budget, homemade gift baskets are a great option for neighbors, co-workers, family and close friends. The best way to save when putting together a gift basket is … Continue reading →

More Fun Places to Ride with Santa

Railway companies across the country are inviting families to hop aboard and ride with Santa this season. Whether it’s the “North Pole Express,” “Christmas Tree Express,” or “Snowball Express,” the big red guy will be on hand to visit with your children. Take a look at where Santa will be riding the rails before he hits the skies on Christmas Eve: CALIFORNIA Fillmore and Western Railway Company offers not one, but three types of Christmas train rides. Kids can have dinner with Santa, pick the perfect Christmas tree, or visit the “North Pole.” The “Christmas Tree Train” takes families to … Continue reading →

Having Fun on Santa’s Christmas Express

Forget about seeing Santa at the mall and head to the train depots listed below for a seasonal ride your entire family won’t soon forget. Railways from coast-to-coast are decked out to deliver your kids to Santa (or vice versa). Conductors don Christmas caps and train rides feature milk, cookies and other treats from Kris Kringle himself. Take a look: WISCONSIN Hop aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad in Spooner for a festive trip of a lifetime. Not only will you be treated to a two and a half-hour train ride, but you’ll also get to share a pizza with … Continue reading →

Celebrate Election Day with Cake

Why not? Our ancestors did for centuries. According to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), back in the 1800’s voters had to travel great distances to get to polling places. When they finally arrived they were welcomed with a slice of cake. Back then Election Day Cake was a 10-pound (plus) fruitcake made with yeast and whole wheat flour. These days the same cake probably wouldn’t be considered a treat, though that hasn’t stopped the CIA from coming up with a similar recipe for this year’s election. Their version (see recipe below) is a healthy bundt cake, which includes dried … Continue reading →

Baking Basics… Just in Time for the Holidays

It’s that time of year again… a time when my kitchen is an utter disaster, but the house smells utterly delicious. A time when even self-professed non-bakers fire up the oven, roll up their sleeves and start sifting flour and separating eggs with a vengeance. Ah, yes, Christmas time. The cookies, the bars, the fruitcake and pies… it’s enough to make your teeth twinge. And if you make it an annual ritual to bake your very best once a year (during the holiday season like me) then you might benefit from the following baking reminders… just in case: Don’t Forget … Continue reading →