Innehållsförteckning för Holiday Bliss 2023 från Victoria

Dear Friends When Clement Clarke Moore recited “A Visit from St. Nicholas” to his children on Christmas Eve, the father of nine could not have imagined how generations to come would embrace his Yuletide tale. A guest submitted the poem to a New York newspaper without the erudite professor’s knowledge, according to legend, and the text debuted anonymously in 1823. The fanciful account of the narrator’s encounter with Santa Claus was warmly received and has been circulated far and wide since its original debut. Although scholars debate authorship of the piece more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” it was first officially attributed to Moore in the mid-nineteenth century, when he included the work in an anthology of his poetry. This special Victoria Classics issue offers a tribute to…

Cran-Apple-Ginger Cocktail p.29 Makes 1 drink Ice cubes 3 ounces cran-apple juice1½ ounces vodka1 ounce Ginger Simple Syrup (recipe follows)3 ounces club sodaGarnish: fresh sugared cranberries In a cocktail shaker, place ice cubes, juice, vodka, and Ginger Simple Syrup; shake to combine. Strain into a glass. Add club soda, and garnish with sugared cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately. Ginger Simple Syrup Makes 1¾ cups 1¾ cups water1¾ cups granulated sugar3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger In a medium saucepan, bring 1¾ cups water and sugar just to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add ginger. Let cool completely; strain. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Mascarpone-Mousse Tarts with Cranberry-Orange Chutney p.30 Makes 2 (14x4½x1-inch) tarts 1½ cups heavy whipping cream¼ cup confectioners’ sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract½…

“The best of all gifts around any christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”—BURTON HILLIS “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on christmas day.”—ANDY ROONEY…

When it comes to decking the halls, Janet Rooney has always been exuberant. “I suppose more is more,” she says with a laugh, “and more is better.” Treasures from relatives have sparked vignettes throughout her home. The dining room features a wedding present from her late husband’s parents: an exquisite tea set Janet displays with other vintage silver finds. Emphasizing the rich patina of the accoutrements, natural elements contribute Yuletide flair to the stunning grouping. Nearly twenty-five years ago, her brother gave the couple a Department 56 “The Old Curiosity Shop.” Charmed by the English architecture of the Dickens’ Village Series, Janet and Ralph expanded their wee hamlet over the decades, adding buildings and accessories to the landscape of miniatures. Varying the placement of seasonal trimmings showcases their versatility. European-style…

“i will honour christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”—FROM A CHRISTMAS CAROL…

“When we’re designing, we try to stay rooted in tradition but also sprinkle in bits of nostalgia and whimsy.”—KENDALL KERBY “The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of midday to objects below.”—CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE…

The Christmas trees are decorated with elephants, zebras, giraffes, and clowns; the table is graced with a fishbowl filled with plump oranges; and tarlatan stockings hang near a Victorian mantel. Ladies and gentlemen, let the show of shows begin! Come late fall, Wendy Addison turns Theatre of Dreams, a combination shop/studio and her private residence, into a holiday extravaganza. “In my world, it’s not only Christmas that is made of magic,” she says. “Magic is for every day.” Wendy, an artist, takes old sheet music, tarnished tinsel, vintage crepe paper, Victorian ephemera, and German glass glitter and transforms them into what she calls “objects for an imaginary life.” “In my world, it’s not only christmas that is made of magic. magic is for every day.”—WENDY ADDISON Ornaments, masks, hand-cut silhouettes,…

“It’s christmas in the heart that puts christmas in the air.”—W. T. ELLIS “The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.”—J. B. PRIESTLEY Whipped Feta and Olive Finger Sandwiches p.81 Makes approximately 24 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened1 (8-ounce) block feta cheese, crumbled¼ cup heavy whipping cream½ cup finely chopped pitted kalamata olives1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill1 teaspoon lemon zest½ teaspoon ground black pepper1 (16-ounce) loaf firm white sandwich bread½ cup finely chopped fresh parsleyGarnish: sliced kalamata olives, fresh dill 1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, feta, and cream. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Beat in chopped olives, dill, lemon zest, and pepper until combined. 2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture over half of…