DECADENT CHOCOLATE DESSERT SALAMI

Welcome to Foodie Friday my friends!

Today I'm sharing a "sweet" recipe that would make a great holiday gift and be fantastic served at a party.

Since I've joined INSTAGRAM one of my favorites to follow is GIADAWEEKLY. You guessed it--Giada De Laurentiis.

Giada recently had a posting for Chocolate Dessert Salami. At first I thought, ewww.......that sounds a bit strange. My thoughts went to salami and chocolate.....really?? But then I read the recipe. So before you judge my choice today, here's a peek at the final product....

Do I have your attention now? You'll be amazed at how easy this is to make.

CHOCOLATE DESSERT SALAMI
Serves 6-8

1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) slivered almonds toasted
1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) chopped walnuts, toasted
2 (5-inch long) plain biscotti, coarsely crushed
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces,
at room temperature
1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, such as 
Ghirardelli
1/4 cup brewed coffee, at room temperature
1 teaspoon orange zest (about 1/2 medium orange)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Arrange
the almonds, walnuts, and crushed biscotti in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the nuts are lightly toasted. Cool completely before
using.

Place the butter and chocolate in a medium bowl and place over a pan of barely 
simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth,
about 6 minutes. Stir in the coffee until smooth. Add the almonds, walnuts, biscotti
and orange zest and stir until combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hrs. 
until firm but moldable.

Divide the mixture in half. Place half of the mixture in the center of an 18-inch-long
piece of plastic wrap. Using a spatula, mold the mixture into a log, about 7 inches
long and 2 inches wide. Roll up the log in the plastic and twist the ends together
to seal. Roll on a work surface a few times to make the log evenly round. Repeat 
with the remaining chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Place the confectioners' sugar on a dinner plate. Remove the plastic wrap and roll
each log in the sugar until coated. Using a pastry brush, brush away the excess
sugar. Allow the logs to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Using a sharp 
serrated knife, slice into 1/2 inch-thick slices and serve.

COOKS NOTE:  The salami can be frozen for up to 1 month.  Defrost at room 
temperature for 25 minutes before slicing.

*****http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-dessert-salami-recipe.html

Now wasn't that easy? And look at the lovely presentation. Who wouldn't want to sample this delectable delight?

Whatever your plans are for the weekend I hope that you are able to stop and enjoy the season unfolding around you. It is the best time of the year!

Kathleen

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HOLIDAY HOME TOUR PART 2

I love this joyous season! The air is filled with Christmas carols from Sunday mass to the department stores. It's officially arrived....'tis the season to be jolly! 

Now grab your cup of coffee, sit back and stop over to my house.......let's get in the holiday spirit!

Welcome to our Woodsy Winter Wonderland.......

Complete with Mr. Porcupine.........

It won't be long and the staircase will no longer be quiet. Three sets of feet and the pitter patter of our grand doggy....we just can't wait!

The dining room is gleaming with all that is shiny and bright....

And the kitchen is really a beautiful sight........

A touch of snow.........

The fragrance of Rosemary........

And the count down until Christmas begins!

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care......

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here....

As we wait for St. Nicholas to arrive........I'd like to thank all of "THE LAVENDER BOUQUET" friends this year for all of your support. It's been my pleasure to share what I enjoy most with all of you, and I look forward to our continued growth in 2015!

WISHING YOU A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON!

Kathleen

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HOLIDAY WREATH DECORATING WITH DEER

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my house!

We live in the Northeast where at any one point in time we may have a herd of 12 deer in our yard. I felt it was only appropriate to get on the "decorating with deer" bandwagon this year, because we're surrounded by these beautiful creatures everyday. 

Did you know that there is a "Decor with Deer Ideas" section on Pinterest? Oh yes there is!

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/apartment/cardboard-mounted-deer

Last year our daughter gifted my husband a cardboard cut-out of a deer head complete with antlers. (above) It's been on a shelf in my husband's study. When all of the photos started popping up featuring deer heads, I thought I'd ask my husband if he minded if I "borrowed" his gift. Luckily, he was more than happy to share it with me, he even spray painted it white for me. 

Take a look at my holiday wreath that hangs over our fireplace using my husband's deer head........

If you are looking for a simple change in your holiday decor, it's as easy as placing your order online,  and buying one spray can of paint. Place the deer in the center of a woodsy themed wreath for the perfect effect.

Are you going to the join in and decorate with deer this year too? How do you decorate your holiday wreath? Share your ideas with us.......we'd love to see them! 

Wishing you a wonderful Monday!

Kathleen

IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY HOSTESS GIFTS

Good Morning Monday!

It's that time of year when the party invitations are arriving and there's always that question, "What gift should we bring for the host/hostess?

Having been on receiving end from our yearly parties I can tell you how much fun my husband and I have at the end of the evening. We typically can finally have that glass of wine and sample the food of the evening and while doing so, grab all of the hostess gifts, sit down and open them one by one. 

The note cards or tags attached range from gracious words of thanks to some not having any tag on them at all. At that point we try to recall who handed which one of us the gift. It's a great way for my husband and I to reminisce about the evening and it's almost like Santa came when it comes to opening the gifts. This is why we try to personalize our gifts when we reciprocate.
 Never fear this doesn't have to be a daunting experience and it doesn't have to be one that will break the bank. I've compiled some ideas for you to peruse to get your creative juices flowing. Above all, it's always a gracious act of kindness to thank your host with a gift, no matter what the size or cost; it is the thought that counts.

Come take a look and see what I found you....

1.  NEST candles--Holiday scent on Amazon- $32.00

http://www.amazon.com/NEST-Fragrances-NEST01-HL-

Holiday-Scented/dp/B0043R48Z4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416086205&sr=8-1&keywords=nest+candle

2.  Monogram Border Flat Note Cards--$47.95 for #50

http://www.thestationerystudio.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/catalog.viewproduct/productid/13683/catid/2928/classic-monogram-border-flat-note-cards.html

3.  Bottle of wine, champagne or Prosecco-$15-$50
Any wine/liquor store.

4. Red Envelope--Personalized Red Wine Bucket--$47.99

http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/personalized-leather-wine-bucket-30116126?REF=REDSRCHgoog_recip_20_hostess_kwd_%2bhostess+%2bgifts_b&prid=RDPS1420&viewpos=9&trackingpgroup=RHOST

5. Pottery Barn Winter Village Kitchen towel--$11.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/winter-village-kitchen-towel/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

6. Pottery Barn Monogram Bottle Stopper--$15.50

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/blacksmith-metal-wood-bottle-stoppers/?pkey=cgifts-for-host&

7.  Marsha's Buckeyes--#4--8 oz. containers--$17.00
(some of my favorite Midwest candy--you can break these up for a couple of gifts)

http://store.marshashomemadebuckeyes.com/new-8-oz-deli-container-p2.aspx

8.  Stylish Silver Ceramic Vase with Premium Large Red Lion Amaryllis Bulb--$34.99

http://www.amazon.com/Stylish-Ceramic-Premium-Amaryllis-Bulb/dp/B00G28LIAU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1416089350&sr=8-11&keywords=amaryllis+bulb+kit

9. Garrett Popcorn Shops--Garrett Mix--1 gallon-Garrett Signature Skyline container--$33.00
(Everyone's favorite from Chicago)

http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/flavors/cp-garrettmix.html

10.  American Spoon--Four Star Preserves--$42.00

(I love these preserves,they are excellent quality. This may be broken up into two gifts also)

https://www.spoon.com/four-stars.html

11. DIY Homemade Christmas jam--

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/christmas-jam

I hope this gives you some ideas and takes some of the stress out of the holiday season for you!

Now go ahead and and have a wonderful time at that holiday party!!

Kathleen

THE LAVENDER BOUQUET HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

I've been busy getting the house ready for the most beautiful holiday of the year!  Come take a peek into a little bit of Christmas magic at our house.......

WELCOME--

Step inside our foyer.....

I decided to use a black and white gingham check woven ribbon for my foyer bows this year. I love adding a touch of red to the mix for a pop of color.

Thanks for stopping by my house today. Stay tuned for more holiday decor next week!

Have a wonderful day.....

Kathleen

HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT TABLESCAPE

Good Morning Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My family all traveled back to WNY and we spent a few days with family. It's always a few jam packed days! 

I've been busy as a Christmas elf putting together ideas for the closely approaching Christmas holiday season. Today's blog is a Holiday Peppermint Tablescape.

I love carnations! Martha Stewart says that carnations today get a bad rap, but that wasn't so centuries ago. They were used in royal weddings because they were considered a very sought after flower.

My thoughts about carnations......they are easily accessible all year long from florists to supermarkets. They pack a powerful burst of color when grouped into a tight bouquet. They are cost effective when decorating and "in my opinion" should not be snubbed!

The centerpiece for my Peppermint Tablescape is topped with a large round ball of Red Carnations. It sits on a glass vessel filled with candy canes. What could be more powerful. The deep red is shouting Merry Christmas!

Take a closer look......gorgeous!!

To make the topiary you will need...

1.  Red carnations--how many you will need depends on the size of the foam ball you are covering.
2.  One Styrofoam ball--size appropriate to your vase.

Instructions:
1.  Cut each carnation so that you have a small tiny stem to poke into the foam. Start in rows and work around the ball.

****Make this in the morning for an evening dinner or event.

A little red and white makes a fun Christmas tablescape and it all started with my love for carnations!

Wishing you all a colorful holiday!

Kathleen