Just Ask Greta

The Viking School in Bryn Mawr

The Best Christmas gift this year was a cooking class with my mom and 4 sisters at the Viking Cooking School in Bryn Mawr, PA. Our Chef, Matt, was awesome and taught us so much about cooking, preparing food, and the inside secrets of the restaurant industry. For 3 hours we cooked, ate and drank wine. Recipes we learned are: Baby Greens with Lobster, Avocado, Pink Grapefruit, and Brown Sugar Bacon (this was phenomenal!), Tuscan-Grilled Veal Chops and Truffled Angel Hair Pasta with Wild Mushrooms (amazing!).

  

Rock Buns

I am looking forward to my family's Christmas Eve Tradition; serving prime rib, twice baked potatoes, green beans almondine and my favorite: rock buns. They are that perfect moist biscuit with that buttery sweetness I love. Here is the family recipe:

4 CUPS FLOUR   

1/4 TSP SALT

1 1/2 STICKS BUTTER

3/4 CUP SUGAR

3 TSP BAKING POWDER

2 EGGS

1/2 CUP MILK

DIRECTIONS: MIX FLOUR, SALT INTO BOWL. CUT THE BUTTER INTO THE FLOUR ADD SUGAR AND BAKING POWDER. MIX WITH MILK AND EGGS INTO STIFF CONSISTENCY. SPOON INTO GREASED CUPCAKE PAN. BAKE AT 425 DEGREES FOR 10-15 MINUTES.

Still need a Xmas gift idea?

Phillyhalfoff.com has discounted gift certificates for local spas and restaurants. I personally want to get myself a 50% off spa gift card!

Vintage Magnetic Dolls by Mudpuppy

     

I stumbled on these Vintage Magnetic Dolls by Mudpuppy in Born Yesterday (1901 Walnut St. Philadelphia) yesterday. My nieces would love these adorable dolls! Winner of the 2007 iParenting Best Products Award, Mudpuppy.com has other magnetic dolls for boys and girls (for $14) as well as tons of other cute gifts!

Comcast Holiday Spectacular

This tops Macy's Light Show any day...The Holiday Spectacular in the Comcast  Building's Lobby is by far the cooler show in town. It has the same "wow" feel as the normal lobby shows, but the simulation of going down a snowy mountain trail was probably the coolest part of the show for me. The oohs and ahhs of the elementary school kids popping in for the hourly show made the experience magical! I found this video coverage on flickr.

   

Save your small boxes

Create tiered entertaining displays by using different sized cardboard boxes tucked underneath a table cloth.  A simple way to spruce up your entertaining spread. Here is one example, although I typically create 3 different tiers on a larger table, but you get the idea.

Hot Toddy!

I made this yummy epicurious.com recipe for Mulled Cider at my holiday open house last night. Like some of the reviews suggested, I too, skipped the brown sugar and made it with Apple Jack Brandy since I could not find Calvados. I increased the quantities and served in a 55 cup hot beverage server (I found at JC Pennys on sale for $49), and used cinnamon sticks as stirrers. It was a huge hit and such a festive signature drink this time of year.

Birthday Candelabra by Fred

I love shopping and getting ideas in museum stores. I found these Birthday Candelabras by Fred & Friends at the Perelman Building museum store in Philadelphia. They are about 5 inches tall, and can be placed on any birthday cake.

Pito Tea Kettle by Frank Gehry

I love the modern architecture by Frank Gehry. The small but cool Frank Gehry exhibit at the Perelman Building in Philadelphia runs through April 2009.  It made me want to travel around the world to see his work. I also love his furniture designs and this Pito Tea Kettle he designed for Alessi. It would look great in my condo! (hint, hint)