Happy to be back again this Sunday with Mary Ann, and Cindy to bring you our favorites for the week that includes a recipe for festive focaccia bread you can make in less than 2 hours!
1. A few gift ideas we have or would like to have this Christmas!
- Bocce Ball Set from Serena & Lily // 2. AArk Sparkling Water Maker // 3. Olive Wood Spreaders // 4. Set of 3 Design Books // 5. Serrated Red Paring Knife //6. Dansk Kobenstyle Sauce Pan // 7. Jute Twine 24 Pack // 8. Wood Cake Stand // 9. Nesting Measuring Cups // 10. Rattan Magazine Holder // 11. Ceramic Lantern // 12. Teak Stools
1. A very pretty Bocce Ball set that comes in a wood box from Serena & Lily to use at home or take to the beach.
2. For anyone that drinks sparkling water: we’ve had our AArke Carbonator for about 2 years and I love that we don’t have to buy and lug home cases of sparkling water. We use Soda Sense which makes it easy to exchange containers. You send back your empty containers, they send you 2 new ones and a return label.
3. A pretty olive wood spreader for around $4 and a jar of Sweet & Savory Tomato spread from Trader Joe’s for a stocking stuffer or hostess gift.
4. A stack of design books. Pinterest is great, but there is nothing like pouring over a beautiful book like Travel Home, Live Beautiful, and Holiday.
5. A serrated knife that’s dishwasher safe and slices a tomato in half or perfect for slicing bread and it comes with a cover making it perfect for picnics.
6. A Dansk sauce pot that’s pretty enough to leave on the stove…forever.
7. A wood bin with twine in every color for every occasion.
8. A wood cake stand. I love a cake stand for serving cake, naturally, but I also love to display small groupings of things. Currently, on this one, I have my Desert Mist diffuser inside a lantern, a little bowl of essential oils, and a couple of old fashioned bottle trees.
9. I saw these at the Nordstrom store in the city and for those that have limited storage space, these measuring cups take up very little space, and yet cool enough for a gift…at least for my adult kids.
10. Love this rattan magazine holder. It’s one of those things I look for while thrifting. I’ll probably never find one.
11. A ceramic lantern that works with a candle or a diffuser. I am always in search of lanterns that accommodate the cord and this one is the right size for the Desert Mist Diffuser and has the openings for the cord.
12. I have the dip-dyed stools all over the house and at Madeline’s apartment. I adore these all teak stools that are perfect for a drink table, a plant, or for a night table when space is tight.
2. A trip down memory lane
Christmas is always a time for nostalgia, and so when I saw this article pop into my inbox from Lonny, I had to click over and read it! It may answer a few questions about some holiday traditions.
3. Stovetop Citrus Potpourri
When I meet up with my friend Sheri Silver, I’m always in for a treat! Today I left with a box of the most delicious cookies in hand and a jar of her famous Stovetop Citrus Potpourri that you’ve probably seen all over Pinterest! Sheri is a blogger, food photographer, and like me, an oil lover! She makes everything she touches beautiful! I can’t wait to use this on Christmas Day! Head to Sheri’s blog for the recipe and the shopping list so you can make it and enjoy it too!
4. Fast (easy) & Festive Focaccia Bread
I love this recipe for focaccia bread because when I read a recipe that says…and let it rise for 8 hours or even better, overnight…you’ve lost me. I didn’t know I wanted bread for dinner until an hour ago. So this recipe is perfect if you want yummy homemade focaccia bread in like an hour and a half. Who is with me on this?
Printfestive focaccia bread
Make this bread for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil, plus extra for bowl and pan
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (equivalent to one packet)
- 2–4 drops Rosemary Vitality Essential Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Maldon Sea Salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Whisk together and let stand for 5 minutes. Add in the rosemary essential oil drops.
- Add one cup of the flour and 1/4 cup of the olive oil to the bowl with the yeast and honey. Let stand for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining flour and salt. When the dough comes together, transfer to a marble board or counter dusted with flour and knead about 15 times. It comes together very quickly! I counted and it was exactly 15 kneads with the palm of my hand.
- Transfer the dough to a bowl that is coated in olive oil and cover with a clean dishcloth. Place in a warm location in the kitchen and allow to rise for an hour.
- Transfer the dough to your pan that has been coated with oil and press it into the pan. Use your fingers to create dimples in the dough. Drizzle with olive oil and decorate with a few grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to create a simple wreath.
- Bake in a 450° oven for about 20 minutes.
Notes
This bread is wonderful and it comes together in about 1 1/2 hours!
5. Christmas in New York
washington square park
A sidewalk christmas tree stand on third avenue
Manhattan’s Upper Westside
A Brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper westside with cozy lighting a wreath on the door
A Brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper westside with cozy lighting a wreath on the door
Last week New York City had a snowfall like they had not had in almost five years. It was magical. I mean Christmas in New York is always magical, but this year so many are struggling, businesses and restaurants are closing, and then on top of all the restrictions, snow and cold weather blew in and forced everything to close down for snow removal. With the daunting winter ahead, many are doing what they can to support restaurants. I heard about ROAR- Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants. You can make a donation here or I’m sure there are similar programs in your area.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday! xo Annie
Cindy Hattersley Design
Classic Casual Home
I am making the bread and the recipe calls for 1/2 cup olive oil and then in the directions you only add 1/4 cup olive oil. Do you add the remaining oil at some point or it is used for the pan and bowl? Thank you for clarifying. Mine is proofing now and I hope I made it right!
Hi Susan,
Ultimately you use all of the olive oil by putting it in the bottom of the pan. Did yours work?…I’ve made it several times and have never had any trouble! But I do worry about putting recipes out there, please let me know!
Annie
LOOKS LOVELY I CAN PUT ON MY WREATH INSTAGRAM FEED FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
ANY ITALIAN IN YOUR BLOOD ANNIE?
WISH I COULD EAT IT……………YOU EAT FOR ME!!!
XX
No Italian blood whatsoever, but I sure do love Italy! You would make this so beautiful Elizabeth!
The bread was amazing and I highly recommend the recipe!! I did add a little more of the olive oil than the 1/4 cup, but it turned out. A very forgiving recipe. I added fresh rosemary and olives to the top before baking. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Hi Annie
Hmmmm maybe I could make that focaccia bread, or maybe not?!! Now that I made toffee I am getting a big head. I better not get ahead of myself. New York is so gorgeous in the winter. I am so happy to hear about ROAR I am going to make a donation. As you know my son and daughter in law’s craft beer and wine tasting bar has been closed since last April. It is doubtful that it will be open anytime soon either.
Loving all your gift ideas … especially the wooden cake stand. I might have to buy myself a little gift! Thanks for sharing these enchanting pictures of New York. We really missed our annual December weekend in San Francisco and every other year holiday weekend in Manhattan. Not much of a sacrifice compared to the hardships being experienced by so many. xo
Once again, thank you for your captivating NYC photographs. The sidewalk Christmas tree stand is my favorite.
A blessed New Year,
Diney on Camano Island
Happy New Year Diney! I’ll bet Christmas is magical on Camano Island!!