Happy New Year From Manhattan

Photo: billboard.com from Times Square

I hear people say: the months of 2017 have passed in what feels like dog years. It has been a year of turmoil and divisiveness. Our Congress seems out of step with regular people. High profile men fell from grace, and we worry about our executive branch of government daily. The year has been exhausting for many Americans and the world.

Cloak at Grand Central Sation - right photo: MadeWellCloak.com; left photo: pixicube.com 

But at the stroke of midnight, we began a New Year. And, I am an optimist. The pendulum swings back and forth. I'm happy to be here. Aren't you? Let's celebrate 2018!

Photo: foolsgoldnyc.com

Nobody knows how to ring in a New Year like New York City. From neighborhood parties to the huge one in Times Square. Uptown, downtown  ... corks are popping in bars, restaurants and homes.

Photo: Kelly Hulme via TimeOut

In New York's harbor there are sometimes fireworks, but they are not announced. You just have to catch them. Watch the ball drop on TV if you wish ... while making trips into the kitchen for snacks and champaign. The couch is cozy and an easy commute to bed.😊 

It's the perfect time to join together and move forward. Happy New Year, friends!🎉 

❅❆❄❅❆❅❆❄❅❆❄❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄❅❆❄⛄

Extra Photos: Ahh, sooo New York City. And yes, we have light snow.

Photo: By Belinda Luscombe of The Flatiron Building on West 23rd Street

The snow from my window ....

❄❅❆❄
Uptdate on January 1, 2018: The temperature in Times Square on New Year's Eve was 9 degrees F. This morning, it fell to 8 degrees F. That's cold! Stop falling!!!

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Christmas Greetings To Everyone

The 1st-9-photos taken by Margareta Kessler

Here are recent photos of the elegant Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. The Vanderbilt estate was built during the Gilded Age and is still privately owned by the Vanderbilt family. Luckily, it is open for public tours so we can see an earlier age of American history and great wealth. What beautiful, elaborate Christmas decorations! 

A look into the past informs us of how the world changes and yet manages to stay the same, doesn't it? Once again we turn to a low-born, humble child to remind us of what is truly important.

From the perennial carol: O Holy Night ...
"O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night 
Of the dear Savior's birth''

♬♪♪♫♪♪

''Long lay the world                

In sin and darkness pining

'Til he appeared 
And the soul felt its worth"
♬♪♪♫

''A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and joyous mourning''
♪♪♫♪♪

''Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angels' voices

Oh night divine

O night when Christ was born

O night divine, Ooo night divine."

♬♪♪♫♪♪

The world is a magnificent, challenging, complicated, changing and static place. Always was, always will be! During Christmas, we recall that hope is eternal, and it matters that we keep striving. Never. Stop. Striving.

Thank you, Margareta, for your lovely photography!

Meanwhile from Manhattan, warm wishes for peace, love and harmony. A Merry Christmas ... and goodwill to all! As members of the human family, be kind to one another.



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LUSH: Fresh Homemade Cosmetics

Are you still looking for holiday gifts? Because. I still have ideas you might like. People bath and like to pamper and groom themselves. (And, the small number who don't ... should!) But not everybody likes perfume or harsh chemicals. LUSH makes gentle, fresh smelling personal care items that you could probably eat!

The creators of LUSH began their careers making soap, shampoo, conditioner and body butter for The Body Shop before launching their own company. (Years ago when I first stepped into a LUSH store, my nose picked up the familiar early Body Shop scent, which in time disappeared from the B.S.) All the soaps, shampoos, hair masks, face and body moisturizers, shaving creams, lip and body balms, as well as, the makeup is made fresh by hand using only botanical, 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free ingredients and methods.

Not only are the LUSH beauty elixirs pure, natural and gentle, they are such a pretty presentation to receive. I can't imagine a normal human being on our planet not loving an assorted basket of emollients put together by a caring friend/spouse, offspring, or sibling. Are you out there, you rare person?

Also, I think if you don't know exactly what the giftee might like, you can safely pick out items you like in this shop! Give a basket of LUSH goodies to someone in your household, and perhaps ... just perhaps s/he will let you use some of the products too. But if not, you can return to LUSH after the holidays for yourself. These bath/skin/hair treats are good for you and the environment. 

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Making Springerle

Photo: CookieRecipes.com - This is what store bought Springerle look like.

This Christmas I baked German springerle for the very first time. Easy and inexpensive to make, the cookies originate from Southern Germany. As an adult, I prefer Christmas cookies that are less gooey and sweet. Springerle fits the bill. The taste of anise (a spice also used in candy) is unique. Here is the recipe:

Springerle

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
3 cups confessionary sugar (If out of confessionary sugar, substitute 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.)
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon of anise oil (or 3 teaspoons crushed anise seeds, or 1 1/2 teaspoons of anise extract)
3 cups all-purpose flour

In no way do my springerle look like the pros, but they are as delicious. 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (not in the traditional cookies)

Extra flour to knead and roll the dough.

Directions:

1) Cream together the butter, sugar and eggs.

2) Add the anise (and optional vanilla).

3) Dissolve the baking soda in the milk and add it. Next, combine the flour and salt into the mixture.

4) Form into a ball. Sprinkle with the extra flour to be able to touch and work with the dough. Turn out onto a flat surface and knead until elastic (about 5 minutes). Sprinkle with flour to keep the dough from sticking.

5) Using a rolling pin, roll flat about 1/2 inch thick.

6) With a springerle mold/cutter cut the cookies and press an image into the dough. (You will then get those beautiful cookies on top↑.)

Note: Unfortunately, I don't own real springerle molds, so I use a cookie cutter that has 3 reversible winter templates (i.e. stamps)↗ to press an image into the cookies. If I run across springerle molds, I'll buy them for next year. 

If you lack a mold or stamp, try curving an image (recessive, not a protruding design) into a raw potato half to press an image onto the cookies. Another option is to cut the dough into diamond shaped cookies without the traditional designs. (Some of the charm is lost, but they taste the same. Sprinkle powder sugar on top to dress up the diamonds.)

7) Lay the cookies on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet. Let the unbaked cookies sit and dry for 12 - 24 hours. This is necessary for the image to set and not bake away.

8) Pop the trays into a 250 degree F oven and bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until the dough becomes a cookie. The finished cookies should be white, not golden brown.

I think of a springerle as an adult Christmas cookie. Anise is a sophisticated flavor, and despite the cookie having enough sugar, it doesn't taste super sweet. I like the cookie's moist, soft texture and aromatic, anise spice. Plus, you get a big cookie!🎁



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3 Last Minute Gift Ideas

If I have no idea whatsoever what someone else might like as a gift, I buy them something I would like. Here are 3 more holiday gift ideas for you, dear readers, who are scratching your heads. At this point, you will need to find them in-store, or you could wrap up a little box with an I.O.U. printout of the image and description inside -- while ordering the item online for delivery. Frankly, that's what I would do. Likely it will arrive after Christmas, but you have the I.O.U. gift box to give to your giftee, and I don't think anybody minds when presents keep coming after Christmas. I know I don't! Often you enjoy the anticipation as much as the gift. 

First up is something always near and dear to my heart, beauty products. I mean, who isn't always trying to improve one's appearance or hold on to whatever youth is still left!😏👸🏻

1) Innisfree Hydrating Green Tea Sleeping Pack - (the above photo↑) - Top-notch certified organic skincare from Korea that won't break the bank. Infused with lots of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals extracted from Jeju green tea. Super moisturizing. Slatter the face cream on before bed and wake with a dewy, nourished complexion. Suitable for all skin types. If you know a secure man, I think he might like a little pampering too. Winter is drying on skin, period, male and female alike.

2) Excelvan Frozen Dessert Maker - If I had counter space for this ice cream, frozen yogurt, pureed fruit maker, I'd order one for myself in a heartbeat. Instead, it must go to a friend who has a bigger kitchen with more storage/counter space. Turn any frozen fruit into a creamy ice cream-like dessert. Need I say more? This gadget sells itself!

3) Xenvo Ultra Lens Kit - 4K HD Macro Lens + Wide Angle Lens Kit for iPhone, Android, Samsung Mobile - A fantastic tech gift for a smartphone photographer which these days is everyone!

Three desirable gifts I'd love to receive myself and therefore would be thrilled to see someone else open. What are your gift ideas?🎄


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