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Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

25 December 2014

Dennys World of Quotes: Christmas: Funny and Thoughtful Christmas Quotes and Short Poems





Dennys World of Quotes: Christmas: Funny and Thoughtful Christmas Quotes and Short Poems: From Denny:  Well, now that we have finished Christmas breakfast at our house it's time to roll out these fun Christmas quotes and Christmas poems for you and yours to enjoy!

Oh, how rude of me not to give you the Christmas breakfast menu:  a Dutch Baby Oven Pancake with spiced cooked apples and a side of Honeysuckle Italian style ground Turkey made into a sausage which I spiced up extra with some seasoned brown rice, smokey paprika, garlic and extra virgin olive oil before shaping into small patties and cooking on the stovetop.  Yeah, it's a tough day at our house all right. :)

And, yes, I made the roast turkey yesterday since we like to celebrate Christmas Eve as well so that pressure is non-existent.  Made a wonderful wet rub for the turkey that sat a day uncovered in the fridge to marinate:  rubbed under the skin and on top with a mixture of red moscato wine, extra virgin oil, and lovely spices and herbs like marjoram, rosemary, sage, ginger, sea salt, black pepper, smokey paprika, garlic powder, a touch of lite soy sauce and more.  Blanched the green beans earlier in the week so all that needs to be done today is to heat them up in clarified butter and some spices as a side dish.  All the cooking left is to bake the Louisiana sweet potatoes which are a divine dish in themselves they are so sweet! .... Click on the title link above to view the funny quotes at my quotes blog...

For plenty of holiday recipes and recipes for the entire year you can check out my four food blogs where I collect the best of our local cooks, my own recipes and variations, as well as the news and food networks:







Joyful X 2 Rectangular Canvas Pillow

Inspire: Keep your Joy up and flowing to attract order and harmony into your life all year long!  Available in t-shirts for men, women, kids and baby along with bedding, pillows, dining, entertaining and technology like for your latest phone case!  Phone cases listed here.

Oh, and the ads are for my Cafe Press store, Denny Lyon Gifts, where the proceeds go to the local food bank, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank - and to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital



16 November 2014

Holiday Recipe: Easy Caramel Pumpkin Cake



Advocate staff photo by CATHERINE THRELKELD  --  Caramel Pumpkin Cake is an easy dessert perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
2TheAdvocate photo: Catherine Threlkeld 


From Denny:  Want a simple dessert that simplifies your life while cooking the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner?  Even if family and friends help bring their favorite dishes to contribute to the holiday feast it's always a good idea to have a dessert that is simple to put together and cooks itself while you are distracted by other preparations, waiting to go on stage and show off. :)  

This cake is full of melted caramel candy and Heath toffee brickle bits complementing the autumnal pumpkin flavor.  This dessert texture is a moist pudding cake that friends well with a happy dollop of freshly whipped heavy cream or whipped topping or just a sprinkle of the toffee brickle bits - you decide.  

When I serve desserts like this I offer my guests their choice of toppings as they enjoy getting involved.  Holidays are often when I try out new recipes.  Since I value their opinions my guests enjoy morphing into the all important taste tasters to evaluate the recipes, determining if  the new ideas survive to see another holiday gathering.  It's all great fun and gets everyone involved to express their likes and dislikes, helping to perfect a recipe.  Sometimes, all a recipe needs is a better way to serve it, like a good topping.

This little pudding cake dessert gem cooks in a slow cooker on High for two hours, giving you plenty of time to serve the dinner before the crowd starts breaking into the table of desserts.  This dessert is assembled at the last minute into individual dessert dishes so you can serve as little or as much as your guest prefers.  Besides, this dessert cake gives you a chance to use those tiny custard or individual flan dishes some older relative gave you but you just didn't know what to do with them.  Enjoy!...

Santa Diva Cat Round Ornament

Get a laugh and make sure your family kitty has her own Christmas ornament to grace the tree with her awesome presence! Check out Diva Cat adorned with her Santa hat just in time for the season.  Design also available: in other styles of ornaments, phone cases, makeup mirrors and greeting cards!  Santa Diva Cat sports her divine image: on plenty of mugs, teapots, cocktail plates and platters.

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  


15 November 2014

Holiday Recipe: Appetizer Crabmeat Cheesecake With Gruyere and Mascarpone

Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND --  Gourmet Galley, crabmeat cheesecake
2TheAdvocate photo: HEATHER MCCLELLAND 

From Denny:  This easy recipe is a big hit during the holidays or any big gathering!  Crabmeat is expensive, especially fresh.  What is great about this recipe is that a mere one pound of fresh crabmeat can feed a crowd because this rich recipe is set up as an appetizer.  

Fresh crabmeat is always the most tasty but if all you can procure is frozen then go ahead and use it.  Just know that if you use frozen crabmeat it may get a bit watery on the top of the cheesecake near the end of the baking time.  So, if that should happen then just pour off any of the clear liquid that might form.  

If you happen to have any leftover crabmeat cheesecake you can warm it the next day, serving a small piece with a large green salad on the side!  Bon Appetit!


Santa Music Earring Circle Charm

Santa Music Earring Circle Charm

Santa loves the music of the season!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  



03 November 2014

A Christmas Post: Holiday Recipe: Fig and Toasted Almond Scones


Recipe photo
Photo: King Arthur Flour

A Christmas Post: Holiday Recipe: Fig and Toasted Almond Scones: From Denny:  Autumn is here - and so is daylight savings time this Sunday when we "fall backward" one hour - so don't forget to set your clocks back one hour!

For some reason I've been enjoying the vegan scones over at Whole Foods the past couple of weeks now that the weather has cooled.  So, that sent me on The Scone Recipe Chase to see what is out there in recipe database land.  Found these little autumnal gems over at King Arthur Flour.

Figs are quite popular here in Louisiana where many a backyard grows a fig tree.  Almonds are popular in California where they supply the nation! This is the time of year when the nation's nut orchards are releasing their bountiful harvest of pecans (Louisiana and Texas), almonds, walnuts and macadamias so we are all tempted to start our holiday baking early! At least I believe that's their marketing strategy to sell more nuts. :)

Scones are an easy way to try out some fruit and nut combinations to see how the family and friends enjoy the idea.  While I love my blueberry and lemon scones of the summer it's time for something different for the fall season so we wanted to try these fig and almond scones at our house.  Of course, if figs or almonds are not your preference, know that you can always try figs and walnuts or cranberries and almonds or whatever grabs your fancy this baking season.

Don't feel like the extra effort and time of slicing the scone dough into proper triangles?  Try the method the King Arthur Flour bakers suggest:  bake them into rounds just using 1/4 cup of dough for each scone, leaving 2 inches between them.  That amounts to the idea of a drop scone, much like a drop biscuit...

Holiday Message Potholder

Holiday Message Potholder

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!

Holiday Message Dinner Placemats

Holiday Message Dinner Placemats - design also available in cloth napkins, teapots, mugs, coffee travel mugs, aprons, serving trays, wine chillers, cocktail shakers, cocktail plates, cutting boards, cookie jars, flour and sugar canisters, dog food bowls, dog t-shirts, dog hoodies and much more! Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!


Holiday Message Large Serving Tray

Holiday Message Large Serving Tray

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!




* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my other 24 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place.  A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 


15 October 2014

Thanksgiving: Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake


Photo provided by Betty Crocker  --  Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake will be a welcome treat any time during the holidays.



From Denny:  This is the perfect holiday table dessert!  It's so showy it's sure to impress.  Three layers of tasty goodness are the gingersnap cookie crust as it's sturdy foundation to hold the spiced pumpkin cheese layer that is marbled with a vanilla layer.

Like most big cheesecakes, this one should be baked in a springform pan, where the cake cools in the pan for several hours before you remove the sides of the pan.  If you have never used a springform pan, it's so easy it will make you laugh, definitely nothing to be intimidated about at all. 

Like any tasty cheesecake, this one is rich in calories too, so a small serving would be welcomed by most.  At a dinner party I like to cut a normal to small sized slice, placing it on one plate and then encourage couples to share so people don't have to feel guilty about busting their diet plan.  After all, the whole point of entertaining is for people to enjoy their tasty treats!...

Floral Blush Woven Blanket


Floral Blush: Enjoy wrapping up in Spring's first blush of azalea blooms to chase away the winter blues!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Currently giving proceeds to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.


11 October 2014

Easy Fall Recipe: Sauteed Red Cabbage With Apples


Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND -- Now is the perfect time to try October Red Cabbage and Apple Sauté.
Photo: Heather McClelland @ 2TheAdvocate.com
From Denny:  Red cabbage is both a pretty color for the table and an easy vegetable to cook up quickly.  Red cabbage, like regular green cabbage, is great for your skin, an added health benefit!  Who wants wrinkles?  Dine regularly on chicken and cabbage and you sure won't need to bother with silly botox injections or face lifts.  We really are what we eat.  It helps when it tastes good too!

Now that many varieties of apples are in season you can enjoy your favorite apple paired with red cabbage.  All you do is first steam the cabbage. Then saute the apples with some onions in butter, adding the steamed cabbage.

Ahead of time I like to clarify the butter to remove the artery clogging milk fats and it also makes it easier to store at room temperature if you desire, once filtered of the milk fats.  I use a small tea strainer once it's cooled enough to go into a storage container.  I also prefer cooking with Vidalia sweet onions or red onions, sometimes called purple onions or Bermudas, but that's just my personal preference.  This recipe calls for yellow onions.  You decide what your family enjoys best.  Once the cabbage is just cooked through then stir in the cider vinegar and brown sugar mixture.

By the way, be sure not to use an iron skillet for this recipe as it tends to darken the cabbage and apples.  Yeah, it's the vinegar that creates that reaction.  (You could use an iron skillet that is coated with enamel so you wouldn't get that chemical reaction.)

Red Cabbage differs a bit from the common green cabbage.  How?  Well, the leaves are crunchier and the flavor a little bolder.  Some people cook down this cabbage until soft as it tends to get sweeter like in German cuisine.  It's really more healthy if you choose to saute it quickly or lightly steam it just until it's properly cooked through.  Again, it's all about your family's personal taste.  After all, the whole point of cooking is to enjoy the eating, right!? :)

Also, please remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, keeping these women in your thoughts and prayers.  Here's my latest Denny Lyon Gifts design (at Cafe Press) to honor all the fabulous women and their supporters fighting this disease.

This design first started off as one of my photos of those favorite hot pink azalea blooms, in addition to many other filters, employing a kaleidoscope filter to create this abstract medallion effect. This design reminds me of how our beauty is always there, no matter what form it takes.  Of course, here in Louisiana, we take creative "French" license with English spellings. :)  The thought bubble is to remind others to support these women on their journey to wellness.  Lots of other styles of t-shirts and other products to enjoy too.  The link takes you to the page of all the products featuring this design.  Thanks for visiting!


Geaux Wear Pink! Women's All Over Print T-Shirt

Help support breast cancer awareness and hope for the cure!



24 July 2014

Summer Recipe: Cool Fake Watermelon Cheesecake

Photo provided by Family Features --  Serve up a hot Fourth of July with fun treats, clockwise, from left, Cool Watermelon Cheesecake; Red, White and Blue Treat Pops and Sweet Sliders.
Photo: Family Features 

From Denny:  This is such a fun colorful cheesecake to make that is sure to impress for any special holiday or occasion!  While it looks like watermelon it's really a strawberry flavored cheesecake supported by a delicious coconut and pistachio crumble crust that imitates the watermelon rind.  How clever is that?  And you know it sure tastes better than the rind. :) To imitate the look of the watermelon seeds you garnish the cheesecake with mini chocolate chips.  

The beauty of this cheesecake is that you don't have to bake it.  Everything is done on the stove top and then chilled.  Well, I'm sold; ready to start cooking?  

With some extra effort - on a slow lazy weekend when you have some time - this might be fun to make in small mini cheesecakes.  It could be one of those special treats you can pull out at the last minute when unexpected company shows up for a visit and you don't have the time to stop and shop. 

You could probably freeze this cheesecake (the large or the mini versions) before garnishing with the mini chocolate chips, especially if you are only cooking for two and just can't eat an entire cheesecake.  I wouldn't freeze it with the chocolate chips as chocolate tends to get an unattractive bloom on it when frozen and then thawed.  It's your call.  I often freeze cheesecakes I make as we like smaller portions at our house  to control the calories and because we find cheesecake so rich a dessert.  Sometimes I freeze cheesecake in well wrapped slices or take the time to make the smaller tart size.

Kid Friendly Recipe:  This recipe would be fun to do with older children to help teach them more about cooking.  They could easily help make the crust and help mix the cream cheese mixture.  You would have to supervise the stove top cooking of the frozen strawberries and dealing with the red food coloring as that could get quite messy. :)  But kids could help sprinkle the gelatin over the pan of cooked strawberries and help you stir until dissolved.  You might want to be the one to add the red food coloring and let them stir it into the mixture.  Kids are definitely up to helping decorate with the mini chocolate chips - though you may find quite a few missing before they land on the cheesecake!



Retro Sunburst 17" Laptop Sleeve
Check out this happy design and a blast from the retro past - Available in other sizes, also in bedding and much more!
From Louisiana artist Denny Lyon
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new! 

23 July 2014

Summer Slow Cooker: Strawberry Shortcake

Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNIS -- Have a red, white and blue treat with Slow Cooker Strawberry Shortcake.
Photo/Patrick Dennis @ The Advocate
From Denny:  Summer heat.  Bring on the berries!  If you enjoy fresh strawberries and blueberries - along with a side dish of easy to make dessert - then this recipe is for you.  Our local food columnist is a master at kid friendly recipes, quick recipes and less effort recipes for the working or busy parent.  So, when the summer heat gets you tired, think: what can the slow cooker do for me so I don't have to stand over the stove?  

Julie Kay recommends this slow cooker recipe is best if you are home to make sure it does not over cook. In fact, it's one of those desserts that can be cooking while you serve dinner.  If you have any extra fresh blueberries in the fridge then feel free to add them after the shortcake has cooked.  This pretty dessert would be perfect for the Fourth of July holiday celebration too.

Remember:  Cook this dessert on High so that the dough topping will get a chance to brown a bit.

Serve:  Be sure to reserve a cup or two of fresh strawberries to add as a colorful garnish when serving this dessert and you also get those layered tastes of both cooked and fresh strawberry!


Floral Blush Clutch Bag

Made of elegant and durable microfiber, this pretty women's clutch bag is super cute. The women's wristlet wallet includes unique designs sure to impress. Take this small clutch purse out on the town!
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  


25 June 2014

Fourth of July Recipe: Raspberry and Blueberry Creme Tart

Photo provided by King Arthur Flour  --  The festive Berries and Creme Tart is a red, white and blueberry addition to a Fourth of July -- or any summer -- gathering.
Photo: King Arthur Flour. This festive Berries and Creme Tart is a red, white and blueberry addition 
to a Fourth of July -- or any summer -- gathering.

19 February 2014

A Truth Journal: Presidents Day: Weird Presidents and Fun Trivia







A Truth Journal: Presidents Day: Weird Presidents and Fun Trivia:

From Denny:  Presidents' Day comes and goes in a flash.  Some years it's wildly popular generating interesting articles and other years, well, no one cares.  Seems like this year is one of those off years for interest, especially with the winter Olympics in full swing in Sochi, Russia, garnering so much attention.

Poking around online I found some amusing - and downright weird - facts about the U. S. Presidents you may not know - just when you thought you heard it all.  Yeah, trivia kings and queens live at our house.


Let Good Times Roll 17 Inch Laptop Sleeve

Let Good Times Roll celebrates Mardi Gras all year long!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

Vintage Bicycle 17 Inch Laptop Sleeve

Vintage Bicycle, a curious blast from the past, to warmly decorate the present.

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!






02 January 2014

A Truth Journal: 10 Funny New Years Posts: Trivia, Quotes, Recipes, Poetry, Animated Clip Art






A Truth Journal: 10 Funny New Years Posts: Trivia, Quotes, Recipes, Poetry, Animated Clip Art: From Denny:  Start your New Year off right with lots of laughter and some smart advice on meeting those New Year resolutions.  And, hey, thanks for visiting all these blogs this past year, much appreciated! ...


Let Good Times Roll Large Mug


Let Good Times Roll Large Mug - Mardi Gras celebration


* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!


23 December 2013

A Christmas Post: Christmas Music: Check Out This 2 Hour Jazz and Classical Mashup For Holidays


English: Fireplace made entirely of living pla...
English: Fireplace made entirely of living plants at the Centennial Park Christmas Show 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)





A Christmas Post: Christmas Music: Check Out This 2 Hour Jazz and Classical Mashup For Holidays: From Denny:  Looking for the perfect Christmas music for background during your holiday gatherings?  This music video is great for setting a comfortable and relaxed mood while everyone gathers to visit.  Listed below is the song list from the author tonyclem too.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas to All!


Joy LOVE Peace Woven Throw Pillow




Spread some happiness all during the holiday season and beyond!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!


22 December 2013

A Christmas Post: Funny Charlie Brown Christmas Flash Mob: NYC Snoopy Boogie



Snoopy hit the streets of New York in this flash mob.

A Christmas Post: Funny Charlie Brown Christmas Flash Mob: NYC Snoopy Boogie: From Denny:  Ready for some holiday fun?  Nothing like a Christmas themed flash mob to make you smile.  Dancing to the famous Peanuts comic strip tune, "It's A Charlie Brown Christmas" a flash mob entertained New York City this week, recreating the animated original.  Schroeder banged away on his famous piano.  Linus danced with his security blanket.  Snoopy was truly larger than life and danced his doggy boogie, stealing the show.  Get a grin and enjoy this cute video, guaranteed to melt away all that holiday shopping stress!



Joy LOVE Peace Journal





Spread some happiness all during the holiday season and beyond!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!




29 November 2013

Turkey Cooking Tips: How Good Is Your Holiday Roast Turkey?


U.S. President Barack Obama pardons "Popcorn" with his daughters Sasha and Malia at the White House, Nov. 27, 2013.
President Obama, daughters, pardoning Popcorn from becoming
White House Thanksgiving dinner.  Caramel pardoned too.
He's a nice man. Two 40-pound turkeys get retirement.
Update follows post.
Update: 2013 White House
Gingerbread House video.
From Denny:  Roasted my Thanksgiving turkey a day early.  Sure beats stressing on the Big Day.  Also, my husband, affectionately known as "Satan" misses out on trying to micro-manage the cooking, driving me absolutely crazy.

"Satan" never did learn to cook but thinks he knows how to tell you all about how to do it anyway.  Getting the Big Bird done a day early is a win-win for everyone as he was less stressed just as much as me!

Though he did try only twice this season to be ever so irritating:  once, when taste testing the fabulous gravy he made The Yuck! Face but could not keep his composure for long, laughed, and then raved about it as one of the best yet.  Later he decided he just had to tell me how to cut the French bread for sandwiches his way rather than the normal slices I was doing for hot garlic bread, his favorite.  Since I'm basically The Spatial Engineer in this house (just ask me to pack a car for travel and I am The Expert on finding every nook and cranny to fill) I explained to him how his way made no sense but cut a few slices for him anyway.  He was so disappointed to realize I was right after all.  "Satan" lost that round.  Never a dull moment at our house, that's for sure!

Hey, we should all be challenging the White House chef to a Roast Turkey Cook Off.  Bet mine is one of  The Best!  We love spices at our house and every year I create something different.  This year's wet rub spices were swimming in clarified butter:  sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smokey paprika, cumin, curry powder, marjoram leaves, lite sodium soy sauce, Moscato wine and Remy Martin cognac...


Santa Jingle Kid's All Over Print T-Shirt

Make some merry this holiday season! Jingle Jingle!


16 August 2013

Apple Cobbler Cinnamon Roll Style


Mom's Apple Cobbler



From Denny:  This is an interesting twist to the old-fashioned apple cobbler.  The dough is rolled out into a rectangle like for a jelly roll sheet cake, then the apple-cinnamon filling is spread on top.  You roll up the rectangle lengthwise and then slice into rounds.  After placing the slices into the baking dish - they look like spirals - a sugar syrup is poured over the entire pan.

This recipe is based off of the idea of how to make a Swedish tea ring.  The beauty of it is that you don't work with yeast dough or have to wait for it to rise before baking!

The sugar syrup is absorbed by the dough while baking.  Fair warning: this is a sweet dish! :)  It's definitely eye candy to match the sweet taste and would make a special dish for a holiday brunch or breakfast for the Christmas season or just when family and friends visit. For the holidays you could be really decadent and offer up a small dollop of some fresh whipped cream to top it at the table or on the side for individual servings...


Celebrate Chocolate Rectangular Canvas Pillow


Celebrate Chocolate every day as a holiday!  Many more products available in this fun design!


17 June 2013

A Truth Journal: Funny Fathers Day Story: Happy Fathers Day Everyone!

kraft zesty dressing



A Truth Journal: Funny Fathers Day Story: Happy Fathers Day Everyone!: From Denny:  Well, it's Father's Day and a hearty congrats to all the Dads and just regular non-Dads out there around the globe.  There really are some cool men who are supportive of women every day in quiet ways and you deserve some serious kudos!...



World's Greatest DAD iPod Touch 5 Case


World's Greatest DAD iPod Touch 5 Case


* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!


30 March 2013

8 Easter Posts To Enjoy: Food, Funny, Poems, Photos



Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 8 Easter Posts To Enjoy: Food, Funny, Poems, Photos: From Denny:  Check out the fun facts posted about Easter on my blogs from traditions, origins of the holiday, a photography post of awesome sunrises by many good photographers, a funny Easter Bunny Rap music video, recipes and Spring renewal Easter poems.

May you enjoy your renewal this Spring!



mainImg


Funny Easter Bunny Abby the Bunny


* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  

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