how to make a pandoro Christmas tree cake! Every year I see the big boxes of Panettone and Pandoro cakes in their pretty boxes stacked up high at all the grocery stores at Christmastime. For years, I was vaguely curious because I confused all of the cakes in boxes with Panettone which has nuts and fruit. That's not my thing unless maybe it's a traditional fruit cake. Pandoro vs. ...
The easy way to create a festive coffee station
Updated Post: A few days after I posted this last year, I was contacted by the Deputy Editor at Better Homes & Gardens about doing a shoot for this year's December issue! The coffee bar made it into the 10-page spread, and I could not be more thrilled! This year I switched things up by adding a simple brass rail with S hooks to hold a few mugs. Patrick's darling girlfriend, Kate gave ...
a make-ahead dessert that you will love!
A make-ahead dessert that you will love! It's one of my Sunday favorites with Cindy and Mary Ann this week. Because isn't this something you need to make your life a little easier during the holiday season? I may have shared this recipe before, but we decided a video was in order to show how easy it is to make! I've been making this exact recipe for years. It was originally in Gourmet magazine and ...
How to build a coffee table bench in 10 easy steps
How to build a coffee table bench in 10 easy steps. We rearranged our living room to have more seating and that meant we needed a small (more narrow) coffee table. In the past, we've used a bench, but when we moved from New Canaan I gave it away! So we designed and built a pretty simple bench that I like even better! It didn't take Brent long at all and now our room is ready for the holidays! ...
Easy Semi-Homemade Gifts to Give This Year
Easy semi-homemade gifts to give this year including a favorite that I make every year. Christmas stovetop potpourri in jars is so pretty and colorful, making the whole house smell good! It’s as easy to put a few together as it is to open the jar, slice the orange, and toss the rest of the jar into a simmer pot or sauce pan over low heat. Your house will smell soooo Christmassy! The aroma will put ...
A shop tour of Elsie Green that you will love!
A shop tour of Elsie Green that you will love! In October, Mary Ann picked me up at the airport in San Francisco and we drove to Elsie Green in Concord. I have been following Elsie Green on Instagram for a long time and am constantly inspired by their beautiful photos. Their Instagram bio says, "Come see what all the fuss is about." I would say that is quite appropriate and perfect! What and ...