Holiday Baking - The Easy Way

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur


Baking to many of us is fun and form of therapy. Many frustrations have been worked out kneading and pushing that dough around. But to others, it may be difficult, or they are not sure of themselves around cookies, cakes, breads, rolls, etc. One quick-word of advice - just dive right in - its fun, andrepparttar more you bake,repparttar 111500 better you become at it. With Christmas and get-togethers coming in bloom, sharing baking can be a fun event. Early inrepparttar 111501 Seaon, family, friends, neighbors, and offices and factories everywhere should have a Cookie Exchange - its not a lot of work - in fact, you only have to bake one kind of cookie - if there are ten guests, you will have an assortment of ten delicious treats to use forrepparttar 111502 Holidays. The more guests,repparttar 111503 more of an assortment. There will be a lot of laughter, and no one will be counting calories. Ask each guest to bake one type of Christmas cookie - a family favorite, or one that they found while surfingrepparttar 111504 net, or reading their favorite magazine. They can be drop cookies, filled cookies, or special ethnic treasures.

Your invitations should be small index-size bookets, with several blank cards inside, tied together with a festive ribbon. This way if your guests write out their recipes on - say six to eight cards, depending on how many guests you are inviting, everyone can get a recipe and keep it in their booklet not only to check back when they want to bake, but as a wonderful memento of a fun time.

Decorating with Flowers During the Holidays

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur


Using fresh flowers for your Holiday tables can be a truly inspiring accent. A few tips and suggestions to let your blooms last longer and their fragrance permeate your home and hearth. If an arrangement will be made in advance, select compact blossoms that will open to full beauty byrepparttar day of your party. Sprigs of pine, spruce, and evergreen, also juniper, are appropriate accents. Canella berries, decorative pods, pepper berries, pinecones, feathers, and eucalyptus are very festive.

Cut rose stems diagonally under water at least 2" fromrepparttar 111499 end using a very sharp knife. Wehn stems are not cut underwater, air bubbles form and prevent proper water absorption. Snaprepparttar 111500 stems for mums. Remove all leaves that will be under water or in floral foam. This will lengthenrepparttar 111501 life of your flowers. Mist blossoms gently to keep them fresh longer.

Flowers in three sizes make beautiful and symmetrical arrangements. Adding greenery, berries, twigs, etc. add beauty and delight. Space flowers evenly insertingrepparttar 111502 largest variety first. Keep balance on all sides. Fill bare areas with small flowers. If using floral foam, soak foam in water containing flower food for 30 mins. Securerepparttar 111503 foam with floral tape.

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