Monthly Archives: December 2012

Happy New Year, a Postcard

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Maureen at Baalbek POST

Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion. It has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration. ~Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese poet (Thank you, 2012, for your abundant gifts. You gave … Continue reading →

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New Year’s, with Bubbly, Gougères, and other Nice Nibbles

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Gougeres one missing POST

Are you in, or are you out, on New Year’s Eve? I like a little of both, having some bubbly and an app at home, then out for a while, and ideally back in before the clock strikes midnight, safe … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North, Merry Christmas to you

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Santa tree POST

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. ~ Romans 15 (Norman Rockwell scene, Harbor Springs. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,and Joy to the World.)

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A Christmas Eve Menu, with ideas and tips

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Christmastree Sunroom POST

Somewhere along the line, our Christmas feast shifted from Christmas day to Christmas Eve. Our Eve used to be the seven of us, along with Sitto, Aunt Hilda and everyone’s favorite cousin, Alberta. Hilda liked a screwdriver to kick off … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North, A Moment of Silence

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Winter pink sunrise 12-12 POST

He who learns must suffer; and even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom by the awful grace of God. ~Aeschylus (In broken-hearted … Continue reading →

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Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies with Royal Icing

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Cookie plate POST

I had never really imagined a Christmas cut-out cookie in chocolate until last year at this time, when Cindy gave me a little bag of them. Instead of saving the cookies and taking them home to share, I ate every … Continue reading →

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Date-Crisp Balls

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Date ball platter 2 POST

Is this a cookie? Or a candy? How about simply: a treat. An incredibly good treat that comes down to us from my grandmother, Alice Abowd (wife of Richard, confectioner). I don’t know how long Rice Krispie treats have been … Continue reading →

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Favorite Kitchen Things for Gift-Giving

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Wrapping paper POST

Pretty much everything in my kitchen is a favorite, right down to the red and white twine I use not in the kitchen so much as on the front porch, to tie up garland for Christmas or 4th of July … Continue reading →

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Lebanese Butter Cookies, or Ghraybeh

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Ghraybeh POST

When a cookie is as white and unadorned as this, it’s a wonder to me that I love it so much. I’m such a devotee of the toasty, of all that is DGB (deep golden brown), that it takes significant … Continue reading →

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Favorite Cookbooks for Gift-Giving

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Stacks on the table POST

This isn’t so much a book review as it is simply a good list, a list of beautiful, special cookbooks to give to yourself or someone you love. One of the great pleasures I take in making this list is … Continue reading →

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