Book Review: Christmas with the First Ladies

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Jamie

The White House. The capitol of the United States of America. The house we look to for news, for hope, for the future.

So when the opportunity came along to take a look at how the First Ladies decorated this iconic house, I couldn’t wait to read about it.

This book was a fun read.  Starting with the era of Jacqueline Kennedy, who really began the tradition of decorating the White House for Christmas and ending with Michelle Obama.

Each First Lady brought something a little different to the home, and had different traditions they helped to incorporate into the White House.

It was great to see the President’s and the First Ladies.  Reminded me that yes, they are human too, and they have families and traditions, and Christmas is also a special time for them, as well.

And it was uncovered throughout the pages of “Christmas with the First Ladies.”

Pat Nixon displaying a State Flower Ball in front of the White House Christmas Tree

This book was written by Coleen Christian Burke, who was apart of the White House Decorating team, and was the one who dug up the history of the White House Christmas’.

At the end of each chapter there is inclusion of recipes and/or crafts that come straight from the First Ladies.

This is just the book you need to help get you into the Holiday spirit, and what a better way then learning straight from the First Ladies themselves.

For myself, I always wondered how the White House decorated for Christmas.  I was fortunate to be in Washington DC a few years ago for their 4th of July celebrations and was in amazement of their beautiful displays, so to sit down and read through this book was another enjoyment.

To learn more about the First Ladies, and how certain traditions came to be.  It was all in there, and in the end, the feeling of realizing they are very much human too.

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book on behalf of Insight Editions for review.


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Creative Ideas for that Holiday Photo Card!

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Jamie

It’s that time of the year.  The holiday’s are officially underway, and if you’re anything like me, completely unprepared for them.

This past weekend, decorations have gone up around the home, and shopping has gotten underway.  But one thing, I’ve been slacking on is creating my holiday cards.  So I’ve racked my brain thinking of “creative” ideas for holiday photo cards.  Perhaps some ideas will get used?

1) Line up around that Holiday Tree.  Whether you’re put in matching outfits, or favorite footie pajamas, think if of a theme and have fun with it.

2) Head to a favorite part of the city, bring Holiday Hats (Mickey is a favorite theme, or Santa Hats, or everyone wears plaid!)

3) Are you in the midst of baking?  Why not capture some of that magic on your holiday cards?

4) If you live where there is snow, go out and make snow angels.  If you live in a place where there’s sand, go out and make those sand angels!

5) Ornaments. There are some really great photos that can come out of ornaments.  Create it.

6) Holiday Lights.  What can you create with them? 

7) Do a family photo where each person holds a different sign: Joy, Hope, Love, Blessings, Faith, Happy, Holidays, etc.

8) What kind of PROPS can you add into your Holiday Cards? 

9) Do you have a favorite Holiday movie you watch every year?  Is there a scene you can reenact into your holiday cards?

10) Don’t forget the animals!

11) There are few times when you can actually wear costumes.  The holidays are one of those times.  Pull out some costumes and create a lasting memory.

12) Simplicity is often best. 

13) Is there a place in your town that offers a little bit of Holiday magic?  Go out and capture your family in action.  Not only will you create a lasting memory, but it makes for some great photo ops!

14) Do you have a favorite holiday phrase?  What can you create with that phrase in your holiday cards? 

15) Incorporate the entire family.  People like to see the entire family together.  Is there a favorite place your family likes to go?  Create your memory there. 

16) Turn your Photo Card into an Ornament! YES, they have cards like this out there!

17) What can you do with wrapping paper?

18) Do you like to bake?  Is there a way to incorperate a family shot into the kitchen?

19) Sledding!!!! Makes for fun shots.

20) Snowball fight?  Even better. 

21) Hang Ornaments from a tree, and have the family sit underneath.

22) Turn a little Red Wagon into the Little Red Sleigh

23) Do your children like looking out the window?  What can you put on the other side of that window?

24) And my personal favorite are posing behind the signs that have people painted on the front of them, and of course you put your head inside.  Have you ever thought about trying to make your own creation?

25) Make a photo background!  String Lights, Bring out the color RED, or create your own winter wonderland. 

If you don’t have your scene, stop, think a minute, and figure out a way to create it at home.  The possibilities are endless!

Have fun creating, and be sure to share your photo cards with me either on here, in a blog post, or through my facebook page.  I want to see what you’ve come up with!! http://facebook.com/mngirlinla

Happy Holidays!

 


Categories: Fun Stuff, Life, Photography | Tags: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Almond Board Brings some fun THANKSGIVING Leftover Recipes!

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Jamie

On behalf of Minnesota Girl in LA and The Almond Board, we’d like to share some fun Thanksigiving Leftover Recipes to create.

Open Faced Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry Almond Sauce

Created by Almond Board of California

 Makes 4 servings

Make your own homemade cranberry sauce this season and use a handful of almonds to enhance your main course or add crunch to those challenging leftovers! Pair our tangy almond-cranberry sauce with sliced turkey for a quick and tasty sandwich that’s sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp cloves

½ tsp grated orange peel

2 cups cranberries

½ cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted

1 cup chopped fresh spinach

8 slices whole grain bread

¼ lb thinly sliced, roasted turkey breast

Directions

Bring sugar, water, spices and orange peel to a boil in small saucepan.

Add cranberries; cook, stirring frequently, until cranberries begin to pop.

Stir in almonds.  Remove from heat and cool.

Place a nest of spinach on each slice of bread.  Top with turkey slices and cranberry relish.

Nutritional Analysis: Per 1 serving

Calories: 400 Fiber: 8 g
Fat: 12.1 g Cholesterol: 23 mg
Sat Fat: 1.8 g Sodium: 292 mg
Mono Fat: 1.3 g Calcium: 117 mg
Poly Fat: 1.7 g Magnesium: 58 mg
Protein: 18.3 g Potassium: 287 mg
Carb: 57.3 g Vitamin E: 1.1 mg*

* total alpha-tocopherol equivalents

Sweet potato almond chipotle soup

Developed for the Almond Board of California by James Beard cookbook ‘dish entertains’ award winner and party dish TV host Trish Magwood

 

This soup is a perfect balance of sweet from the sweet potato, nutty from the almonds and heat from the smoky chipotle – good for you too!  A great weekend lunch or light dinner with crusty bread and a simple salad or serve in little sake or espresso cups for a cocktail party.

 

Makes 8-10 cups.

 

Active prep time: 40 minutes (including 20 min simmer). 90 minutes with sweet potato roasting time.

Ingredients

4-5 large sweet potatoes

 

3 tbsp canola oil or butter

2 medium cooking onions, diced

½ cup white wine

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely minced, adobo sauce reserved

6 tbsp ground almonds

6-8 cups vegetable or chicken stock (or water)

¼ cup (maple syrup (or honey) or to taste

Slivered almonds, roasted for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Place whole sweet potatoes on baking sheet. Bake until soft when pierced with a knife (over 1 hour). Let cool. Peel and discard skin and roughly chop.

Heat oil or butter over medium heat in large heavy soup pot. Cook onions 7 minutes stirring often or until translucent.

Add white wine. When liquid has evaporated, add chipotle and cook 2-3 minutes.

Add ground almonds. Stir. Add sweet potatoes and stir. Add enough cold stock to cover.

Turn heat up to medium high. Once boiling, reduce, simmer covered for 15 minutes or until soft.

Remove from heat. Using a hand blender, puree soup until smooth. Stir in maple syrup to taste and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with roasted slivered almonds.

Kitchen Notes

Once completely cooled, this soup can be frozen.

Chipotles are smoked jalapenos with a smoky flavor. They can be found in the Mexican section of your grocery store.

Nutritional analysis per serving:

Calories: 243 Fiber: 5 g
Total Fat: 7 g Cholesterol: 0
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g Sodium: 995 mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.1 g Calcium: 62 mg
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.9 g Magnesium: 47 mg
Protein: 4 g Potassium: 583 mg
Carbohydrates: 41 g Vitamin E: 8.2 mg*

* Total alpha tocopherol equivalents

Pumpkin Almond Chip Cookies

Created by Almond Board of California

These airy cookies are the perfect match to a cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Their texture is tender and muffin-like. For a crispier exterior, use all brown sugar and bake a few minutes longer. For a super-fluffy crumb, use pumpkin puree without reducing.

Yields about 6 dozen cookies

 

Ingredients

2 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon or 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

½ cup butter

½ cup almond butter

1 cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup reduced pumpkin puree or pumpkin butter*

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup diced almonds, toasted

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt and spices and set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla and mix until just combined. On medium-low speed, add flour mixture until fully incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and stir in almonds and chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased or lined cookie sheet and flatten slightly with the back of a spatula. Bake at 350˚F degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

 *Reduce pumpkin puree in a pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, for at least an hour, until color becomes a deep brown. Packaged pumpkin butter may contain additional sweeteners and flavors, so adjust recipe to taste.

Nutritional Analysis: 2 cookies per serving

Calories: 151 Fiber: 1 g
Fat: 8 g Cholesterol: 13 mg
Sat Fat: 3 g Sodium: 95 mg
Mono Fat: 3.5  g Calcium: 26 mg
Poly Fat: 1 g Magnesium: 26 mg
Protein: 2.5 g Potassium: 91 mg
Carb: 20 g Vitamin E: 2 mg*

* total alpha-tocopherol equivalents

For more recipes by the Almond Board check out their website here: www.almondboard.com

 


Categories: Cooking, Fun Stuff | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment