Cooking Your Holiday Ham...

Ham is definitely one of the staple items in a traditional festive holiday meal. And there are a good number of ways you can cook it – but you could have a little dilemma just how to cook it to make it special. Personally, I prefer to glaze the ham with fruity and sweet glaze, I find that it enhances the smoked flavour very nicely.I have included recipes here for you to be able to choose one that will most appeal...

The Ultimate Christmas Guide...

Can you believe just how quickly that holiday season came around? I am looking at a calendar and wondering just how I am going to get everything done the way I want to have it. Only a few days left – but I am not panicking, because I have learned over the years that being organized and having important information at my fingertips is the key to success. And it is also a key to stress free and enjoyable holidays. Sounds...

Old Fashioned Christmas Breads...

The advantage of including some tasteful breads in your plan for Christmas baking is that they are suitable for addition to meal any time or any occassion. I have included a few creative recipes here that will delight your friends and family: Cranberry Orange Loaf Ingredients 2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 -1/2 teaspoons of baking powder 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest 1...

Easy Christmas Crafts...

Some of the best Christmas gifts are the ones that create memories. I chose those to include here – as time goes on an years fly by, these gift become more and more precious. If you don’t have a tradition of making something like the Wreath or a little Christmas tree from your child’s handprints for grandparents yet – give it some serious consideration. You can create a sonderful tradition and...

Easy Christmas Cookies...

I must admit – I love making a large assortment of Christmas cookies and arranging them on decorative serving trays. And that’s not to say that I don’t share – I also take smaller trays and boxes to everywhere we go and hand them over to people who come to visit. I start baking about 10 days before Christmas – and really – just like with everything else – having a plan and organizing...

Old Fashioned Christmas Fruitcake...

I love making this cake! It turns out great each and every time – and as most baking you will do for the holiday season – it fills the house with great aroma! Old Fashioned Christmas Fruitcake: Ingredients 1/8 cup chopped dried cherries 1/8 cup chopped dried mango 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup dried currants 2 tablespoons chopped candied lemon 1/4 cup dark rum 1/2 cup ...

Simple Tips for the Holidays...

Oh yes – til the season….. I first started writing this with putting down budget tips – and it really is what I wanted to do. But as always this time of the year, I am reminded what this season is all about – being with those you love and care for. So I am starting the series of holiday articles with a combination of how to manage the budget – and your feelings all at once. Enjoy! Save Up: I...

How to Bake Cookies...

You are probably starting to decorate your house – inside and out – and looking for the best bargains to put under the tree…. And you also may be thinking about doing some special holiday baking. I start my baking about 2 weeks before Christmas – it is a good idea to start with cookies that can be safely kept in cool place. You need to place them in a sealed container -  plastic or glass  food...