Wishing you a Happy New Year, plus a NeatDesk Desktop Scanner & Digital Filing System giveaway to keep you organized going into 2012! We had a highly disorganized, hectic, fun-filled Christmas weekend this year. We ran from one place to the next starting Christmas Eve morning, baked cookies in between, showed up late once because Ole decided the odd warm weather required a Christmas Day motorcycle ride (worth it) and stuffed ourselves silly on prime rib, shrimp dip, Christmas cookies and more.... more

A warm and spiced breakfast just waiting to awaken your senses Christmas morning, with you surrounded by family and a plate piled high with cardamom cream stuffed French toast swimming in gingerbread praline sauce. The gifts already sit under the tree, wrapped and calling to the kids. Only the stockings have yet to be filled. For the first three days they squealed and sorted the piles into the ones with their names. They added bows to the tops from the stash in the wrapping box. Then they wrapped... more

For the Gingerbread Praline Sauce: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 2/3 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon lime juice 1/3 cup chopped pecans For the French Toast: 1 loaf crusty, day-old bread (like challah, a crusty french loaf or brioche) 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 4... more

This month in the Eat Well, Spend Less series we’re taking a look at the holiday season and keeping the budget under control. Here you’ll find advice for getting ready for the next week by stocking up this weekend. So, Christmas is now exactly one week away. If you’re like me, it has suddenly hit you that this is the last weekend to prepare before the big to-do of the holiday hits. So, it’s time to hit the grocery store, stock up and make it worth your while in the stress... more

Enter to win a Le Creuset Cast Iron Enameled Crêpe Pan and start flipping and filling them in style. Last week in San Francisco Ole took me to his favorite breakfast place in Nob Hill. It’s just a bit off the beaten path, and they have just a lovely chalkboard menu that boasts a full selection of both sweet and savory crêpes, including specials of the day for both. There was the crêpe Suzette (which is to be twisted and replicated later this week), and then there were crêpes filled with... more

Give the gift of cookies that they can enjoy whenever the mood strikes them. An easy gingerbread cookie mix in a jar makes a great teacher gift this Christmas and holiday season. Christmas is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: Run through the mall scanning the shelves for random gifts to throw into your cart for all those people you still have left to buy for, right? Okay, so I try to avoid the mall at all cost this time of year. I haven’t even stepped foot inside one... more

1 quart-sized glass jar with a lid 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1 tablespoon ground ginger 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup packed muscovado or dark brown sugar Additions: small containers of sprinkles cookie cutter In a small bowl, mix together 1 3/4 cups flour and the ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and nutmeg. Add in an even layer to the jar. Layer the brown sugar, followed... more