Joy Lives in the Simple Things

DaySpring's Joy Pillow - Sale $8.25

Joy.
The older I get the more I begin to understand that joy is a choice.

(For the record, how old do I sound right now? Ancient, right?)

I'm beginning to let go.
I'm starting to really hold on tight to the realization that:

"You cannot control what someone else will say or do.
You can only control your actions and reactions."

And, somehow...that's making life just a bit easier. Are you taking the Faith Barista Challenge? Bonnie doesn't know I'm writing about her. Her post today touched my heart. "Unwrapping Jesus - A Celebration of Simplicity."

As we enter the holiday season we have an opportunity to decide what our Christmas will look like. On the inside. What do I mean?

Well, we just passed Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And, sure, I have a vintage shop and a rustic home decor shop, but that doesn't mean I'm not overwhelmed - already - by the media's talk about the 4th quarter.

Sure, we like getting gifts for the ones we love. But, when we give up time with family so we can sleep early to go out shopping for a Midnight sale...well, I guess I should stop judging.

DaySpring's Shadow of His Wings Jewelry Set - Sale $32.99

Back on track...
We really can decide what our holiday will feel like on the inside. We can decide to be joy-filled. We can decide to do our best to stop when we are midstream in a river of judgment. No, we can't decide who will or won't accept our invitation for dinner on Christmas. And, we can't control other people's emotions. But, we can be supportive and encouraging. We can try to help meet some simple basic needs. And, if we really need to self-preserve, we can choose to step away - whether it's the next room or simply stepping away emotionally for a day or two to re-fill our joy.

We can't make people cheery.
But, we CAN choose to make make our holiday family-centric rather than gift-focused. We can do our best each day to give gifts of kindness and patience to each other. To bring goodness, and peace where we can. To maintain self-control.

DaySpring's Bircage Card Holder - Sale $16.99

I think that joy...like love...is a verb.
It's a choice.
This Christmas season - I'm choosing joy.

In case anyone is wondering,
Nope, I'm not affiliated with DaySpring - but I sure would like to be. They have very pretty home decor, jewelery - and even Christmas cards - to fill your day with a gentle spirit. I simply appreciate them and want to share them with you today.

What makes this season different from last year for you?
What are you choosing for this season to look like?
Tell us!

Linking up to:
Faith Barista

Kalamata Olive & Feta Cheese Pinwheels with recipe

We recently had a request for a recipe for the Kalamata-Feta Pinwheels - one of the many treats we featured in our Christmas, Yeah I'm a Little Behind post.

Sure, we can share the recipe.
It's actually straight from Pillsbury.

Kalamata-Feta Pinwheels

INGREDIENTS
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

2 tablespoons cream cheese spread (from 8-oz container)

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (1 oz)

1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or parsley

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. (I use a Silpat.)

2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle.

3. Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese spread over each rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with feta cheese, olives and oregano.

4. Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on cookie sheet. 5 Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Dana's Notes:
a) I actually find that while these are super warm, they are even better room temp or chilled.

b) These are truly wonderful little bites. But, I take extra care to give folks a heads up on what to expect - Kalamata olives and salty goat's cheese. The colors - especially around Christmastime - can make some people think they are "cinnamon swirls." Trust me, my friend (who LOVES Kalamatas and feta) did not appreciate the salty bite when her mouth expected sweet cinnamon.

If you try them, be sure to let us know what you think!

Linking up to:
A Southern Fairy Tale

Pomegranate Granita - A Lovely Winter Dessert

Today's post is a tasty re-run while I spend a little time with family. I really think this pomegranate granita is fabulous - I hop you do, too. If you try it, please be sure to let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter or on Pinterest. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~

One day, outta nowhere, the POM Wonderful company offered to send this little blog writer a case of pomegranate juice. I accepted. Soon after, a full case of 100% pomegranate juice arrived to my door. (And, it was packed nicely with freezer packs, since it's perishable.)

We drank some. Wow, that's tart - but good, I thought. Tim liked it straight. I thought perhaps I should use it in cooking. I'd like to report that I made a fabulous pomegranate reduction for pork. (I'd like to, but I can't. The holidays are rapidly approaching and there are oh so many things at the top of the list.)

Since I needed something fast, I tried the Alice Water's Chez Panisse POM Grantia recipe found on the POM Wonderful site.

Well, sorta.
I added some white wine that I just happened to have laying around.
And, some additional water, to offset the alcohol - so it would freeze.
My granita did improve with the addition of a hint of fresh lime juice, too.
It was very...very...nice.
And, I think the color and flavor is perfect for the Christmas season.

POM Granita

Ingredients

* Juice from 4 to 6 large POM Wonderful pomegranates or 2 cups pomegranate juice
* 1 cup water 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup pomegranate arils

Directions

1. Place pomegranate juice in a large bowl. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Pour sugar syrup into pomegranate juice. Taste and adjust the acidity with a squeeze of lime, if needed.
2. Freeze pomegranate mixture for 1 hour. Stir so that it doesn't separate into juice and syrup. Once frozen, chop it up with a knife or ice pick. Add arils to granita mixture and serve or transfer to an airtight container and freeze until ready to serve.

I have a flat Tupperware that I use for all of my granitas.
(Yep, I make a lot of them.)


Now, my sis asked whether I felt beholden to the POM Wonderful company to put in a positive word. Nope. I told her I would report the not-so-good stuff, too.

Like...the bottle caps.
Seriously- the bottles are adorable! But, I could NOT them open. Asked the boyfriend. He couldn't open them either. He literally got out the wrench - which worked great - thankyouverymuch! (Note to self: never hurts to keep a wrench in the junk drawer.) So, I really hope that either POM Wonderful decides to make an easy open cap - or that perhaps I just received a uniquely tough cap lot.

Now, I mentioned the cute little bottles. Well...
Wouldn't they make the most adorable little snowmen?
You crafty folks out there - you can see it, yes?

So, here's the scorecard:
Flavor - Tim and I both gave it thumbs up.
Health - Big ol' antioxidant. Read more here.
Flexibility - There are lots of recipes available - many at the . I think having another juice in the arsenal, er, fridge is a good thing.
Easy open - Um, no.
Handy - Yes, the bottles are. While you might want to go old school and immerse a pomegranate in water and fish out the arils, then squeeze them - I'll simply use the juice available at most grocers.

To thanks once again to the POM Wonderful company for providing some tasty options for dinner and dessert. Oh, and crafting. Let's not forget those little snowmen.


Linking up to:

New USDA Recommendations for Turkey And, The President Calls The Turkey Hotline

Were you a fan of The West Wing? Either way, there are a couple of Thanksgiving scenes that just crack our family up. Here they are for your enjoyment.

By the way...
The USDA has changed its standards for turkey.
(It's no longer 165 degrees for part of the bird and 180 for others.

New Recommendations, According to the USDA:
"A whole turkey is safe cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the bird."

President Bartlet Calls the Butterball Turkey Hotline



President Bartlet Pardons the Turkey (and a 2nd one, too.)



Enjoy!
Comment and tell us your turkey tales.

Martini Madness 1: The Perfect Pumpkin Martini

Welcome to Martini Madness!
Our new series on holiday drinks.

Why?
Because my sis decided that this week she would have us taste a mess of martini.
And, you dear reader - you reap the benefits of our hard work and effort.

Or, something like that....
*hick*

The Perfect Pumpkin Martini

1 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. Bailey's
1.5 oz Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice Liqueur

Rim glass with crushed graham crackers and a little sugar and cinnamon.
Drizzle some Hershey's down the side of the glass.
Add the alcohol to a shaker, shake. Add to glass.
Dust with pumpkin spice.
Add a cute gingerbread cookie.


Check out our whole series.

Martini Madness #1 - The Perfect Pumpkin Martini
Martini Madness #2 - The Gingerbread Martini
Martini Madness #3 - The Minty Marshmallow


Linking to:

Where is Your Honey From? You Might Be Surprised!

Are you making baklava or other honey-laden treats this holiday season?
(Need a great baklava recipe?)

There is some interesting news on the presses right now concerning honey.
Honey from China.

Yeah, China.
And, the bottle might not even tell ya.
Makes you want to take a big ol' spoonful of drop it in your tea, right?

Stop by The Chow to get the full scoop on the great honey swindle.

I'm blessed to have a beekeeper in the family.
We are up to our ears in honey.
(Poo bear would be jealous.)
If I didn't, I would surely be getting mine from Trader Joe's.

Linking up to:

Friday FREE-FOR-ALL! (Linky Party!) 11/18/11

Welcome to the Friday FREE-FOR-ALL!

First a public service announcement.

In case you missed it, the Finale has been posted to our 31 Days Series on 31 Minutes to a More Organized Life.

(Yep, it took 18 days to write it. Not really, but it's finally up. Is that why they call it a finale?)

Anyway, it's called 31 Days To a More Organized Life: Day 31 - Creating Your Dream Kitchen and Life!. In case a little more organization in your life is just what the doctor ordered.

Back to our Linky Party!

Well, our FREE-FOR-ALL is starting to take root.
We had 21 links which included the most adorable baby dressed as a football. SO cute!


We had a lot of views last week, but we didn't have a lot of "like" votes. We'll see if that catches on this week. (You can "like" as many links as you...like.)

I'm gonna spread the love around and feature someone who had a lot of views - let's hear it for Becki's Whole Life for her Three Packet Pot Roast which looks amazing!

VickiDesigner offered the cutest little elf gift tag. I will likely be taking advantage of this great download for presents this year.


Lastly, Nancy at Nancy's Daily Dish actually made me cry with her heartfelt words about handwritten recipes and the loved ones who surround us as we cook. It's a very touching post - which just might include a tasty ice cream recipe, too.

Okay, so if you are ready, go ahead and scroll down and link up!

1. What can you link up?
Recipe? Yes! Tutorial? Sure!
Teachable proud moment? You betcha!
Feature of your Etsy store on your blog? Yep!
Direct link to your Etsy Store? Nope.

You get the idea...

2. Be sure to link up to your specific post - not just your blog.
For example:
http://www.cookingatcafed.com - Nope
http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2009/04/grab-our-button.html - Yes!


C. Not really sure what a Linky Party is?
No worries! Donna at Funky Junk has written simple step-by step directions for you!
Check 'em out!
(And, don't miss the rockin' Linky Party she hosts every Friday night-Sun!)


F. Link back to us!
Please put our "Friday Free For All" button or a link to our blog on your post.


AA. If you are a new follower please let me know!
I would love for you to add yourself as a follower(via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Friend Connect, RSS, or Email subscriber...) if you haven't already - I appreciate all your comments, they really make my day.


42. Please drop by some of the others folks who link up - and leave comments!
Is there anyone who DOESN'T like comments?! Speaking of comments - if you leave one, I sure do read it!


Z. Tell the World!
The more people who know about the party...
The more people who see your link!
So, go ahead and Facebook, Twittter, Pinterest - heck announce it via carrier pigeon! The more the merrier! Remember, it's a Free-For-All!