Christmas Stockings were hung by the chimney with care!

While there are no written records of the origin of the Christmas Stocking, there are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition. One such legend has several variations, but the following is a good example: Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried what would happen to them after his death.

Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldn't accept charity. He decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept through the chimney.

He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl. As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and off he went. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and were of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.

This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so, St. Nicholas is a gift-giver. We always had an orange in our stocking but until now I never knew why!

A tradition that began in a European country originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. The Christmas stocking custom is derived from Germanic/Scandinavian tradition. Today, stores carry a large variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, and Christmas stockings are also a popular homemade craft.

Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family member's name applied to the stocking so that Santa will know which stocking belongs to which family member.

A 'Square Stocking is a box sent by the charity Uk4u-Thanks! to UK servicemen who are overseas or injured at Christmas. I think that is a wonderful idea.

When I was first married I found some antique lace at a store and made our family's stockings out of green velvet and using the lace as the top cuff. Certainly not as fancy as needlepoint trimmed in fur like we see today but now a family heirloom that our children love!!

In the Kitchen with Chef Ben Ackland

I'm excited to share with you that I will be doing a monthly, original recipe from Chef Ben Ackland who is the Executive Chef at La Fiorentina on Cole Avenue in Dallas. Ben comes to Dallas by way of London, UK and Toronto, Ontario and brings his exciting culinary techniques to the Dallas area. If you are wondering where to go to try some fabulous food in the area head to Knox-Henderson area and enjoy dinner at La Fiorentina!! The menu has just been changed and the pasta and the pork chop Chef Ben is describing in the piece below is amazing.

Cut and paste:

http://www.thrillist.com/DAL/video/2363996

Didn't think Design was Important? Read This!

The end is near for a white can that has many Coke drinkers seeing red.

Coca-Cola Co. is switching back to its time-honored red just one month after rolling out its flagship cola in a snow-white can for the holidays. New seasonal cans in red will start shipping by next week, as white cans—initially expected to be in stores through February—make an exit.

While the company has frequently rung in the holiday with special can designs, this was the first time it put regular Coke in a white can. Some consumers complained that it looked confusingly similar to Diet Coke's silver cans. Others felt that regular Coke tasted different in the white cans. Still others argued that messing with red bordered on sacrilege.

James Ali, who owns Wall Street Deli in an Atlanta food court, said about half a dozen customers have returned opened white cans in recent days after realizing, too late, that they weren't drinking Diet Coke. He lets them take unopened diet cans without charging them again.

Coke regularly tweaks its packaging to create buzz and has a long tradition of holiday marketing, and says it helped shape the image of Santa Claus in his red suit with its 1930s advertising. Other Christmases past have featured snowflakes and polar bears, which appear on this season's cans.

Coke says this year's campaign is part of a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund to highlight global warming's threat to bears' Arctic habitat. Coke is contributing up to $3 million to conservation efforts.

"The white can resonated with us because it was bold, attention-grabbing'' and "reinforced'' the campaign theme, says Scott Williamson, a spokesman for the beverage company. Coke's marketing executives wanted a "disruptive" campaign to get consumers' attention, he says.

The can-color debate pales next to the uproar of 1985, when Coke replaced its flagship cola with New Coke by changing the recipe, only to re-launch "classic'' Coke a few weeks later amid a consumer revolt.

Atlanta-based Coke says that it's happy with the campaign and that critics of the white can represent a minority. "The can has been well received and generated a lot of interest and excitement,'' says Mr. Williamson.

Coke says it will distribute more than one billion white cans and roughly the same number of seasonal red cans, which also include polar-bear images. The special red version is "a way to maintain the excitement'' until the campaign ends in February, added Mr. Williamson.

But the company initially said it would distribute more than 1.4 billion white cans in a press release that did not mention the red cans. The company now says red cans will be in the majority by Christmas and that there likely won't be any white cans on store shelves by the time February rolls around. A spokesman said a red holiday version was always part of its plans but wouldn't comment on whether the timing had changed.

Coke said it became aware of consumer complaints through Internet postings and some telephone calls to the company. Many Internet comments have been critical of the white cans. "PEOPLE! Don't be a victim,'' wrote one consumer on Twitter, warning that mixing up Coke and Diet Coke is "a SHOCK to the palate!''

Another person accused Coke of "trickery,'' and still another called the white cans "blasphemy,'' among hundreds of tweets. Some Coke fans emailed the company's official blog to complain about the company wading into the issue of climate change.

It isn't clear exactly how big the consumer reaction to the white cans was. One couple posted a video on YouTube in which the wife claims to be able to recognize whether Coke is in a white or red can during a blindfolded taste test. "This is the funky one!'' the wife shouts after drinking out of a white can.

Coke says it hasn't tweaked the taste of its cola and that protecting polar bears is a worthwhile initiative. It recently added a "fact sheet'' on its website highlighting how white Coke cans are distinct from silver Diet Coke cans. Among the differences: Regular Coke is labeled "Coca-Cola'' and states the calories at the front of the can, while Diet Coke's holiday can—silver as always—is labeled "Diet Coke'' and features snowflakes.

And there you go...just when we take all the design for granted around us a shock like this happens!!!

Christmas Holiday Retail Windows!!

Right after the Macy's Day Parade when I was a child was when the Christmas Season began. That is when Santa and his Toyland would open at the big department stores. One of the rituals along with visiting Santa was to look at all the windows done up for the season. They would be animated and much detail was put into them as they still are today. They big stores are already planning next years windows. Here are a few from Macy's NYC, Harrods and Fortnum and Mason in London, UK.

December Birthdays!

Those born in December will tell you that they are a forgotten group with all the excitement of the holidays they are lucky to even get a birthday card. Well this weekend I did a birthday party for a 7 year old girl and we wanted to mix the holiday feel with the birthday celebration.
There were 20 seven year olds at the party with the theme of the party being "Santa's Village". We figured why fight the holidays let's work with it. I rented children size tables and chairs and each child had their own gingerbread house to decorate and a Christmas ornament to make. I hired a Santa elf who did face painting and made animal balloons and a Christmas Fairy who did a magic show. Once all the activities were done birthday cake was served. So if you have a child with a December birthday it can be unique as you celebrate the birthday as well as the season!

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Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Decorating the Christmas tree can either be a joyous experience or a dreaded one. I want you to enjoy this holiday tradition so I have a few tips to help make the experience a fun time. If you are using a fresh tree then make sure you make a fresh cut on the trunk and get it into water as soon as possible. Trees absorb the most water in the first week so keep the water reservoir full to keep your tree as fresh as possible. When selecting your tree consider what is going on the tree and how long it will be in the house. Scotch pines hold their needles the best even when they are dry. Look to make sure the tree doesn't have spaces and that it is symmetrical. Many people have gone the way of an artificial tree for convenience and because they now come pre-lit and can be up longer than a fresh tree, with these you must make sure to fluff each branch to give it a great look.
If you are stringing your own lights on the tree a good rule of thumb is to put 150 lights per foot on the tree. Please do not skimp on the lights this is what give your tree the special glow and showcases your garland and ornaments. Make sure to tuck the lights into the tree and start at the base and work your way up."Also test each string of lights before you go to the trouble to hang them on the tree and find out they don't work. After the lights comes the garland. Garland comes in many forms and with this you start from the top and work your way down...tucking into the branches so it adds depth. Hang your ornaments on the ends of branches and inside the tree as well. Vary the sizes and shapes as you hang them. I collect ornaments for all the places I travel to so it is always a treat to pull them out and remember a memory. The lovely ornaments my children made become priceless when they are older. I have laminated my favorites that my children have made and have survived this long. Christmas trees can be in many rooms. Small trees for children or grandchildren delight the little ones.
Have a tree balling party, make your own ornaments and most of all have fun and enjoy it all!

The Great Pumpkin Cocktail

While you are out shopping today don't forget to pick up Fulton's Harvest Pumpkin Cream Liqueur. Caterina Miltenberger from Glazers has sent this delicious recipe for all of us to enjoy over the Holidays.

2.0 oz. Fulton's Harvest Pumpkin Cream Liqueur
1.0 oz. Half and Half
.50 oz. Elijah Craig 12 yr. Bourbon
.25 oz. Dekuyper Light Creme de Cocoa
Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with fresh ice
Shake vigorously
Strain over ice in a rocks glass or straight up in a martini glass
Blend granulated light brown sugar with pumpkin spice for a delightful festive holiday garnish, rim rocks glass or martini with this tasty spiced sugar and cinnamon stick optional or Caterina's favorite is whipped cream with pumpkin spice dusted on top!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day wherever and however you celebrate!!!

Planning your Holiday Open House!

If you have decided to have a Holiday Open House you should have your invitations sent out by the end of this week. This does not have to be an overwhelming endeavour, entertaining is fun and the purpose is to visit with family and friends and share the joy of the season. With an Open House guests arrive at their convenience so it works out that you will have more time to visit with everyone. Let's design a Open House around a dessert and eggnog menu.
The dessert buffet will be the focal point for the party so design a layout that provides easy access from all sides. Plates and platters can be spread out on a one large dining table or you could do several stations. Make the table interesting by filling vases and bowls with flowers, glass balls, cranberries and holly. Choose a range of desserts from cakes, cupcakes, cookies all decorated for the holidays. Eggnog is a classic beverage to accompany desserts but other options are mulled wine, hot cocoa, speciality coffees and wine.
This is the season of giving so another touch is to ask your guests on your invite to bring a toy to donate to a local organization that gathers gifts for less fortunate children. Have a table separate for these gifts.

Holiday Wine Pairing!!

Many thanks go to Master Sommelier Guy Stout, Texas native and wine maker from Blanco, TX for putting together this fantastic reference chart to help with your holiday entertaining. This has wonderful descriptions and assorted price ranges to meet anyone's budget.

Also thank you to Caterina Miltenberger, Corporate Mixologist from Glazer Wholesale Distributors for sharing this with us. Stay tuned for an original Bourbon Milk Punch Recipe from Caterina for your Holiday Parties!!

Last month Caterina gave us a recipe for Fulton's Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur...well I served it at a party with brown sugar rim in a martini glass with Carmel Whipping Cream....What a hit it was....Delicious!!


White Wine Styles

	Varietal	Style	Common Aromas & Flavors	Food Examples
	Chardonnay (Shar-doe-NAY)	Lighter $ Light yellow, lighter body, Emphasis on fresh fruit, crisp - Bogel, Latour Ardeche, Gallo Sonoma, Beaulieu Coastal, Penfolds Rawson’s Chardonnay	Green apple, lemon, orange Citric	Roast Turkey, Green Bean casserole, Oysters/Half Shell, Grilled Shrimp, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Cakes
		Barrel-fermented $$ - Medium yellow, medium-full body, oak influence - Beringer Napa, Edna Valley, Chateau St Jean Sonoma, Concha Y Toro Casillero Diablo	Toasty nose, apple-spice, pineapple-tropical fruit citrus Buttery	Roast Turkey, Baked/broiled fish, Salmon, Roast Chicken. Fried Shrimp, Crawfish, Crab Cakes Fried Turkey
		Reserve/barrel-fermented $$$ Medium yellow, medium-full body, oak influence Far Niente Chardonnay; Patz & Hall, Rombauer, Stags Leap Winery, Edna Valley Chardonnay	Pineapple-tropical fruit, vanilla Nutty, toasty, spicy	Smoked Turkey, Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Blackened Red Fish, Fettuccine Alfredo, Sautéed/grilled Shrimps, scallops of fish with cream, garlic, white wine sauce. Fried Turkey
	Sauvignon Blanc (SOW-veen-yonh BLAHN)	Grassy/herbal $ - Light-medium yellow, medium body, crisp Groth Napa, Ch Bonnet Bordeaux Blanc Sterling VintnersSauv Blanc Domaine Delaporte Sancerre, LaDouchette Sancrre $$	Lemon, grapefruit, smoky, grassy, dill, herbal, green olive	Roast Turkey, Cornbread dressing, Baked goat cheese. Pasta with pesto, Oysters on a Half Shell
	Fumé Blanc (Foo-may Blahn)	Barrel-aged $ - Medium yellow, medium full body, oak influence Dry Creek Fumé Blanc; Ch. St Jean,Petite Etoil	Fig, melon, orange, lemon, vanilla honey	Roast Turkey, cornbread dressing, Veal Piccata, Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, Steamed Clams, Fried Shrimp
	Pinot Grigio & Gris (Pee-No Gree-Joh) (Pee-No Gree)	Dry $ - Medium yellow, medium-full body, varied styles-stainless steel of barrel fermented – Placido Pinot Grigio; King Estate Pinot Gris; MezzaCorona Pinot Grigio; San Angelo Pinot Grigio, Adelsheim Pinot Gris	White floral, peach, apricot, delicate flavors with slight citrus tones with a hint of a rocky mineral character	Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing, Baked Ham, Sweet potato pie, Grilled salmon, Halibut, Roasted light meats, Smoked foods, oyster, crawfish
	Chenin Blanc (SHEH-nin BLAHN)	Off -dry Light straw, light-medium body, hint of sweetness Monmousseau Vouvray (Chenin); Beringer Chenin Blanc, Dry Creek Vineyards	Melon, peach, orange, hint of candied pineapple, with hints of lime citrus	Smoked Turkey, Oyster dressing, Baked Ham, Sweet potato pie, Chinese chicken salad, Chicken Alfredo, curry, Fresh fruit salad
	Gewurztraminer (Ga-VERTZ-trah-ME-neer)	Off-dry Light-medium yellow, light-medium body, hint of sweetness Trimbach; Casillero del Diablo; Natura (organic)	Floral, peach, Oriental spice, tropical fruit, herbal honey, perfumed aromas	Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Prosciutto and melon, Grilled prawns with mango salsa, Soy-ginger glazed lo-mein, Spicy Asian food, BBQ chicken, Pot stickers
	Johannisberg Riesling (REEZ-ling)	Off-dry Light-medium yellow, medium body, hint of sweetness Bogel; Vertikal: Piesporter Michelsberg- Goldtropchen;	Apricot, peach, pear, honey, Floral, fruity wines with long linger finish of fresh ripe fruits	Smoked Turkey, Baked ham, Curried prawns, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie. Sweet and sour chicken
		Dry Light-medium yellow, medium- full body, bone dry, hint of bitterness Wolf Blass; Hugel; Trimbach	Green apple, pear, floral	Shrimp Cocktail, Caviar, Fresh oysters, seafood with light sauces, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, Duck comfit, Pâté, Chicken or seafood with light cream sauce.
	White Zinfandel (White ZIN-fan-del)	Pink-coral Light body, hint of sweetness, lively Beringer White Zin; Twin Valleys White Zin; Ste Genevieve White Zin	Strawberry, orange zest	Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Spicy Asian food, BBQ chicken, Pot stickers Very spicy foods, Blackened fish, Cajun Turducken

CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE STYLES

	Varietal	Style	Common Aromas & Flavors	Menu Examples
	Brut (Brute)	Light-medium yellow, crisp Lively $ Chandon Brut; Freixenet Cordon Negro; LaMarca Prosecco; Ch Moncontour $$$ Roederer Brut Premier; Moet Chandon Imperial Brut,	Yeasty, citrus, apple floral, roasted nuts	Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing, Baked Ham, Sweet potato pie, Chinese chicken salad, Chicken Alfredo, curry, Fresh fruit salad Shrimp Cocktail, Caviar, Fresh oysters, seafood with light sauces, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail
	Blanc de Noir (Blahn duh Nwah)	Cherry-pink color Medium-full body, rich $ Chandon Blanc de Noir; Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee; Gruet Blanc de Noir $$$ Veuve Clicquot Rose,	Toasty, nutty, cherry, Red floral aromas	Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing, Sweet potato pie, Turkey Alfredo, curry, Fresh fruit salad Seafood or poultry with richer sauces, Grilled meats, Fried crawfish

CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE STYLES

	Varietal	Style	Common Aromas & Flavors	Menu Examples
	Brut (Brute)	Light-medium yellow, crisp Lively $ Chandon Brut; Freixenet Cordon Negro; LaMarca Prosecco; Ch Moncontour $$$ Roederer Brut Premier; Moet Chandon Imperial Brut,	Yeasty, citrus, apple floral, roasted nuts	Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing, Baked Ham, Sweet potato pie, Chinese chicken salad, Chicken Alfredo, curry, Fresh fruit salad Shrimp Cocktail, Caviar, Fresh oysters, seafood with light sauces, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail
	Blanc de Noir (Blahn duh Nwah)	Cherry-pink color Medium-full body, rich $ Chandon Blanc de Noir; Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee; Gruet Blanc de Noir $$$ Veuve Clicquot Rose,	Toasty, nutty, cherry, Red floral aromas	Roast Turkey, Oyster dressing, Sweet potato pie, Turkey Alfredo, curry, Fresh fruit salad Seafood or poultry with richer sauces, Grilled meats, Fried crawfish

RED VARIETAL WINE STYLES

	Varietal	Style	Common Aromas & Flavors	Menu Examples
	Cabernet Sauvignon (Cah-bear-NAY So-veen-YONH)	Lighter $ Crimson-medium red, medium body, smooth, fruity, soft FineLine Cab Sauv; Bogel, Beringer Nights Valley; Castle Rock Cab Sauv, Beaulieu Coastal,	Black berry, black plum, Bing cherry, peppery, spice	Roast Beef, Smoked Turkey , Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Pork rack, grilled steaks, beef or lamb stew, pasta with tomato sauce
		Barrel-aged $$ Medium-dark red, medium-full body, oak influence, more complex Sterling Napa Cab Sauv; J. Lohr Cab Sauv; Slingshot Napa Cab Sauv	Cherry, currant, chocolate, cedar, mint, vanilla	Roast Beef, Smoked Turkey , Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Pork ribs, grilled steaks, beef or lamb stew, Rack of Lamb with Dijon mustard, Grilled meats, Roast pork tenderloin
		Barrel-aged/reserve $$$ Dark red-purple, full bodied, strong oak influence, tannic, requires aging Beaulieu Rutherford; Charles Krug Reserve; Rombauer Napa Cab Sauv; Nickel & Nickel Cab Sauv; Jordan	Currant, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, mint, vanilla, pepper	Rack of Lamb, Roast Beef, Smoked Turkey , Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Pork ribs, grilled steaks, Prime Rib, grilled meats with peppercorn crust, loin of venison Aged cheeses
	Merlot (Mare-LOW)	Lighter $ Medium-dark red, medium body, soft, round mouthfeel Cocha Y Toro Casirillero Diabvlo; FineLine Merlot; Sterling Vintners Merlot; Turning Leaf Merlot	Blackberry, bing cherry, orange zest, tea, vanilla	Baked Ham, Prime rib, pork tender, Comino beef tender, etouffee
		Barrel-aged $ Medium dark red, medium body, soft round texture with oak influences Red Rock Merlot; Greg Norman California Merlot; Casillero Diablo, Merlot	Currant, blackberry, bing cherry, orange zest, chocolate, cedar, mint, and strong vanilla	Rib Rib, Rack of Lamb, venison, cheeses, and smoked meats, Comino beef tender
		Barrel-aged/reserve $$$ Dark red with blue hue, full bodied with heavy oak influences Nickel & Nickel “Harris” Merlot; Dry Creek “Mariner”; Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot	Currant, blackberry, bing cherry, blackpepper, chocolate, cedar, mint, and strong vanilla	Rib eye steak, leg of lamb, prime rib, venison, Smoked cheeses, smoked meats, and strong spicy foods

	Varietal	Style	Common Aromas & Flavors	Menu Examples
	Pinot Noir (PEE-no NWAH)	Lighter $ Ruby-medium red color, light-medium body, soft, fruity Castle Rock; A by Acacia; BV Coastal, Arancio, Beringer, Cline,Cono Sur, Pinot Noir	Cherry, spice, cedar, coffee, earthy, mushrooms	Roast Turkey, chicken in berry sauce, Thai/curry soup or grilled salmon or sesame tuna, grillled squab or quail
		Barrel-aged $$ Ruby medium red color, medium to full, body, oak influences, more complex King Estate; Louis Latour; Lange Williamette; Adelsheim, MacMurray, Edna Valley, Pinot Noir	Bing cherry, cedar, earthy, violets, vanilla, and spices	Roast Turkey,Grilled salmon or tuna, roasted chicken Ajillo, light to spicy red sauces, game birds, duck, tenderloin, and pork
		Barrel-aged/reserve $$$ Medium to darker ruby, medium to full body, oak influences, very complex - Chalone, Iron Horse Sonoma; Morgan SLH; Beaux Freres; Orogeny, Etude, Laetitia, Patz & Hall; Pinot Noir	Strawberry, vanilla bean, bing cherry, earthy mushrooms, violets, and spices	Blackened fish or chicken , grilled salmon, squab or quail, venison, lamb, grilled pork, tenderloin, gumbo, and smoked meats
	Syrah or Shiraz (see-rah or sheer az)	Lighter Crimson-medium red, medium body, smooth, fruity, soft Yellow Tail; Wolf Blass, Lindeman Bin 50, Barefoot, Shiraz	Cherry, berry, spice	Pork rack spice,Grilled meats, beef of lamb stew,pasta with olives and tomato sauce, blackened fish
		Barrel-aged Medium-dark red, medium-full body, oak influence, more complex Alexanader ValleyVineyards, Bridlewood, Archetype; Paringa; St Hallett Shiraz, Yellow Tail Reserve	Cherry, currant, chocolate, Leather, cedar, pepper, vanilla	Smoked Turkey, Grilled meats, Chicken Ajillo, rack of lamb with Dijon mustard, Roast pork with prunes
		Barrel-aged/reserve Dark red-purple, full bodied, strong oak influence, tannic, requires aging Wolf Blass Presidents; Jade Mtn Napa; Lapastolle “Cuvée Alexander”	Pepper, currant, cedar, Leather, smokey, vanilla, pepper	Rack of Lamb, Roast Beef, Smoked Turkey , Baked Ham, Cornbread dressing, Pork ribs, grilled steaks, Prime Rib with peppercorn crust, loin of venison Aged cheeses Prime Rib