Innehållsförteckning för Best of Christmas 2008 från Victoria

evergreen wreath…

Christmas brunches and lunches, New Year’s Eve soirées and shindigs, Thanksgiving dinners and more dinners—this season brings with it many reasons to celebrate. Whether you’re serving a turkey with all the trimmings or a delicious spread of desserts and coffees, a stunning tablesetting in the midst of decorative touches and adornments can transform your everyday dining area into a festive playground for guests of all ages. In this busy time of seasonal entertaining you may want to choose a transitional setting—perhaps one such as this—designed around nature’s gifts. By simply changing a piece of china, and flowers, or adding a few additional table accessories, you can give each celebration its own zing and zest without starting over. Mother, father, sister, brother—each enjoys a very special place setting around the family…

Soft cottony snow, fluffy as lambs’ fleece, swirls in deep drifts while a sleigh filled with giggling children glides over the frozen folds and snowy slopes countryside. Alas, that enchanting scene surpasses many landscapes. Come December, we yearn for even a tiny taste, a lacy flake or two, a delicate dusting of the wonderous white powder that transforms the world into a winter wonderland. Ever the clever ones, we fashion faux snow indoors to deck the holiday interiors as if Jack Frost himself has paid us a personal visit. A pyramid of pristine pretties from the sea resembles an intricate ice sculpture. Create a centerpiece with blanched coral, spiral shells, and white starfish. The palette is echoed in the linens, plates, and luminous mother-of-pearl silverware. Chocolate mocha chargers set off…

We all have things that strike our fancy, sometimes they are part of a designer series and sometimes they have been handed down through generations. They are our collections, objects that remind us of something special. Perfume bottles, limoges boxes, silver crosses, cherubs— what joy it brings to display a collection of your favorite treasures. This year, instead of storing them away to make room for the festivities, consider incorporating these meaningful mementos into your holiday decorations. No matter how you decide to utilize them, collections make a wonderful addition to most any décor. Whether included in a tabletop array or dangling from a beautiful arrangement, these treasured keepsakes will add to the delight of each and every display. A tree adorned with these special collectibles will most certainly be…

When frosty temperatures have us dashing inside for shelter, there is no better place to gather than the hearth. And while a glowing fire and witty conversation will thaw shivery spirits, nothing puts people in a happy mood faster than hearty foods and beverages that warm from the inside out. With that in mind, we’ve planned a fireside menu that will satisfy the appetite and soothe the soul. A deceptively simple dish, Chicken Cordon Bleu is bound to impress even the most discriminating diners. No need to confess—just serve this crumb-coated dish to the sound of ahhs. Add the cheesy Broccoli Fettuccine Au Gratin as a side, then complement with melt-in-your-mouth Easy Garlic Rolls and the meal is complete—almost. As the perfect finishing touch, fill mugs to the brim with…

Good food, good company, good wine can be the recipe for a perfectly wonderful evening. Acquiring wine savvy, however, can often seem a bit intimidating. But never fear. Lose your apprehension and read on to help you become a confident connoisseur. The South has a number of vineyards that in the past couple decades have developed quite a reputation for quality, rivaling the offerings of California and Europe for accolades. Notable among these Southern sensations, the North Carolina Yadkin Valley is home to nearly two dozen wineries that produce top-notch wine with distinctive flavors. Veteran winemaker Steve Shepard of RayLen Vineyards near Winston-Salem says several factors influence flavor: the climate, the temperature of the fruit, the kinds of yeast strains used, the types of storage barrels that hold the wine,…

“I see things that are beautiful so I draw them. —Felix Fu” When Felix Fu began sketching illustrations on envelopes bearing photography contracts for his artistic wife, Loren, he never dreamed of the reactions his drawings would receive. Says Felix, “So many people called to tell us how beautiful the designs were and wanted to know where they could purchase some themselves.” With such overwhelming feedback from Loren’s clients, Felix soon established his own custom stationery business, designing everything from invitations to savethe- date cards—all by request only. But it wasn’t long until Felix decided that if he was going to create the products, he wanted them to be available to a broader audience. “People really connect and respond to the drawings, so I wanted more people to be able…

This special season is sure to be filled with a host of holiday events. A fresh take on the traditional Christmas party, your ornament swap will have friends circling their calendars in eager anticipation of the festivities to come. Invite guests to bring a shiny new ornament or a homemade tree-ready trinket to exchange for a prized pretty of their own. For years to come, these take-home treasures, suitable for twinkle light-laden branches, will be cherished reminders of good times shared with those we love. Trim the table with splashes of apple green and soft pops of pink— stylish adaptations of traditional holiday hues. Set the stage for fun with woven grapevine topiaries adorned in dotted bows of cascading curls, then tuck tiny theme-inspired touches into a simple centerpiece of…

The season of celebration is winding down, but your home still shows signs of holiday cheer. Keep the good times rolling with extravagant flourishes of New Year’s grandeur. Washed in whimsy, a lavishly appointed dining room is the backdrop for this enchanting evening. An awe-inspiring sparkling chandelier steals the show with its festive fedora shades and crystal teardrop charms. Below it, a celebratory spread of elegant china and stemware join claret-colored cups that are anchored by silver bells ready to ring in the new year. Two partridges, roosting in the roses, play peek-a-boo with a proud peacock, while Seuss-esque tapers top carved candelabras. Artfully adorned scalloped velum placecards tucked into tiny silver seats take the guesswork out of guest arrangement. Serendipitous seating stirs lively conversation as new friendships are formed…

evergreen spray…

For Debby Scott, home isn’t simply where the heart is—it’s also where her business thrives. A lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama, Debby’s clientele revolves around one of the truest forms of flattery— customer referral. ” The holidays are all about joy, and that’s what I hope to bring into a home. “ Having grown up here, I know just about every customer who calls, or I at least know someone who knows them,” Debby explains. “Because of this, I usually stay as busy as I want.” For good reason. If you ask her, this humble artist will likely downplay her talent, claiming she simply “fluffed” a bit. But one step into Debby’s own holiday-bedecked home reveals why customers rave: Rooms sparkle with the cheery tone of the season, and each…

Is it possible to fall in love with a snowman? The answer is yes, if the object of your affection is from Penny McAllister’s fanciful family of one-of-a-kind creations. Fashioned of felt and snippets of fabric, these little guys and gals display their immeasurable charm. Penny adds bewitching details with tinsel trim and bright beads, then paints on personality galore—wide grins, pink cheeks, and pointy orange noses. These frosty friends will do their part to make your decorating a success. Enjoy! made with love Penny loves working with papier-mâché and papier-mâché clay to shape her “critters,” as she calls them. In her menageries you can find santas, elves, and angels—just in her Christmas collection. But Easter, Halloween, and miscellaneous “critters” can also be found in her creative gallery.…

leading ladies Since 1932, more than 3,000 women have been a part of the Rockettes. In addition to meeting strict height requirements—which have been altered a bit over time—the ladies must still fit founder Russell Markert’s vision by being skilled in a variety of dances. Auditions are held each year, and the Rockettes even offer a Summer Intensive where hopefuls can study with veteran members of the troupe. Marked by flashy smiles, glittering costumes, and “how-do-theydo- that?” high kicks, the Rockettes have been an American institution for more than three-quarters of a century. Founded by Russell Markert, the famed dancing troupe originated in 1925 under the name of “Missouri Rockets.” In 1932, the group moved to New York’s just-opened Radio City Music Hall where they adopted the title of “Rockettes,”…

[MENU] White Chocolate Raspberry Cake • Double Chocolate Éclairs • Holiday Cherry Charlotte • Chocoalte Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake White Chocolate Raspberry Cake Makes 1 (8-inch) cake 4 (1-ounce) squares white baking chocolate 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup shortening 2 1/2 cups sugar 4 1/2 cups cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 11/2 cups milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 egg whites 1 (18-ounce) jar seedless raspberry preserves 1 recipe White Chocolate Frosting (recipe follows) Garnish: fresh raspberries, white and milk chocolate curls 1. Preheat oven to 325º. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans; set aside. 2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate squares in microwave oven on High for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted (approximately 11/2 minutes total). Set aside…

season’s greenery…

“There’s just something magical about them,” says Gayle O’Hanlon, referring to the whimsical, colorful houses and buildings of all sizes that she creates out of gingerbread, candy, and frosting. In fact she has turned this magic into a business, the Nashville, Tennessee-based Enchanted Gingerbread. She says, “I haven’t met a person yet who doesn’t smile when they talk about a gingerbread house.” making magic Gayle and her helpers host workshops for groups of children and adults to create spectacular gingerbread creations. For these unforgettable, hands-on events, all you need to bring is your creativity, and they provide the rest. To the delight of thwarted gingerbread homebuilders everywhere, Gayle offers already-assembled houses and easy-to-assemble kits for those who enjoy the childlike wonder associated with seeing a gingerbread house—and later the childlike…

Appetizers Cheese Ball 65 Crab Spread 65 Mini Potato Skins with Horseradish Dipping Sauce 113 Pizza Rolls with Marinara Sauce 117 Prosciutto and Brie Dip 114 Spicy Sausage Balls 65 Beverages Cranberry Pomegranate Cider 68 Hot Rum Punch 110 Breads Bran Muffins 74 Easy Garlic Rolls 71 Cookies & Bars Amaretto Cheesecke Squares 118 Brownie Cherry Bites 93 Chocolate Cherry Biscotti 90 Cranberry Apple Filled Bars 94 Decorated Sugar Cookies 95 Kahlua and Coffee Fudge 118 Orange & Fig Pinwheels 93 Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars 94 Pecan Pie Tartlets 114 Desserts Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake 87 Double Chocolate Éclairs 85 Holiday Cherry Charlotte 86 Sour Cream Coffee Cake 73 White Chocolate Raspberry Cake 84 Main Dish Beef Wellington with Cognac Sauce 79 Cheesy Chicken and Asparagus Quiche 74 Chicken…

As familiar to the holidays as carols and Kris Kringle, vibrant red and green never go out of style. The secret to keeping these colors interesting is incorporating unexpected elements into traditional trimmings. Intertwining deep crimson roses, brilliant berries, and apple green foliage among branches of pine, balsam fir, and feathery Leyland cypress instantly spruces up swags on the mantle or staircase. Accent the greenery with grandiose bows fashioned of flocked velvet ribbon. Carry this color scheme throughout your home by strategically placing coordinating vintage-inspired cones—spilling over with the same blend of red and green—in prominently viewed spaces, helping to transform your home into an enchanted elfin wonderland suitable for welcoming guests galore—especially old Saint Nick.…

Creating dazzling displays of lavishness in your home is as easy as repeating the same elements over and over again, a method interior designer Bill Aroosian knows well. Bill says, “The secret to decorating is having a lot of the same things. Once you find a look you like, buy a lot of it.” When it came time for Bill to prepare his own Christmas décor, he kept adding to his collection of opulent ornamentals in hues of orange, red, and bronze. With hundreds of twinkling lights, dozens upon dozens of glass ornaments, festive gold trees, and pretty, personally-wrapped packages, the result was nothing short of spectacular. A popular gathering spot during the holidays, the mantel, Bill explains, deserves some extra attention. Tiny, white lights peeping out of gorgeous, green…

[MENU] Corn Chowder • Creamed English Peas • Red & Gold Potatoes with Herbs • Beef Wellington with Cognac Sauce hostess tips Make Corn Chowder the day before and simply reheat for serving. Add a sprinkling of bell pepper and a pinch of parsley to make each bowl special. White serving pieces are excellent accents to holiday china and can also be paired with many other motifs from January to December. To make the dinner even more memorable, try a decorative poinsettia garnish on Beef Wellington with Cognac Sauce Corn Chowder Makes about 4 1/2 quarts 1/4 cup butter 4 cups diced onion 1 cup diced green bell pepper 1 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 quarts chicken broth 6 cups diced potatoes 1 cup oyster…

Note to Santa: Better arrive early—this sleigh full of chocolate-dipped biscotti won’t last long! Chocolate Cherry Biscotti Makes about 3 dozen 23/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup dried cherries 3/4 cup chopped pistachios 2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels, divided 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled 3 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup vegetable shortening Garnish: chopped pistachios 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a baking sheet. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add cherries, pistachios, and 1/2 cup chocolate morsels, stirring to mix well. 3. In a separate bowl, combine butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add butter mixture to flour mixture. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened. 4. On a…

Christmas rose bouquet pinecone tip…