Good things for your weekend, two music downloads you can listen to right now, a fantastic recipe and better yet a giveaway of both music and chocolate.
Yum, chocolate but let's start with the music.
Here's a list of favorites over the years and some new ones thanks to Gail. The ones with links you can download and even finish reading the blog post listening to. All of them I highly recommend to cure you from the regular holiday songs they play on the radio...
Carol of the Bells / The Bird and The Bee
All That I Want / The Weepies
Song for a Winter's Night / Sarah McLachlan
Come Thou Frount of Every Blessing / Sufjan Stevens
Joy to The World / Sufjan Stevens
Oiche Chiun-Silent Night / Enya
Skating / Vince Guaraldi Trio
Portuguese Love Theme / Craig Armstrong (the really pretty music from "Love Actually", you're welcome)
Sleigh Ride / Ella Fitzgerald
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve / Diana Krall & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
***Gail's recommendations***
Tiny Tree Christmas / Guster
It's Christmas / Coconut Records
and
That Spirt of Chirstmas / Ray Charles
"I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us"
Can't believe I forgot this one because those are the most perfect words together in a Christmas song, ever. For me anyway...fire, snow, children, Jesus.
Now, Chocolate covered caramels with sea salt. This recipe came together out of necessity. Crate and Barrel has these caramels and they are perfect in every way. Chocolate, caramel, a bit of salt. So good. A few years ago I purchased some (meaning three) boxes to just have around. Let the record show I was 9 months pregnant. The nice sales clerk said I was a "good gift giver" and I smiled because if I opened my mouth "yea, for myself!" would have come out.
So like I was saying this recipe is out of necessity so I don't have lie or have awkward exchanges at Crate and Barrel. The best caramel recipe I found is Mark Bitman's then I simply cover them with chocolate (6 oz) and sprinkle of sea salt.
the ingredients
the best part chocolate and sea salt, both from our CSA. Yes, CSA people.
the candy making process to get those pretty caramel pillows
the chocolate covered caramels getting salt sprinkled
the end product
We wrap them up in parchment squares, place some in our fridge, packed in Hughes' lunches, in a jar on the counter and some out for enjoying on our desk. Such a favorite treat at this time of year.
And I want to give them (C&B version) to you along with some music. The commenter who leaves their favorite holiday treat and guesses the closest number of caramels left sitting on my desk by next Wednesday will get Chocolate covered Caramels from C&B along with an iTunes gift card.
Happy Weekend all!!
Yum, chocolate but let's start with the music.Here's a list of favorites over the years and some new ones thanks to Gail. The ones with links you can download and even finish reading the blog post listening to. All of them I highly recommend to cure you from the regular holiday songs they play on the radio...
Carol of the Bells / The Bird and The Bee
All That I Want / The Weepies
Song for a Winter's Night / Sarah McLachlan
Come Thou Frount of Every Blessing / Sufjan Stevens
Joy to The World / Sufjan Stevens
Oiche Chiun-Silent Night / Enya
Skating / Vince Guaraldi Trio
Portuguese Love Theme / Craig Armstrong (the really pretty music from "Love Actually", you're welcome)
Sleigh Ride / Ella Fitzgerald
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve / Diana Krall & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
***Gail's recommendations***
Tiny Tree Christmas / Guster
It's Christmas / Coconut Records
and
That Spirt of Chirstmas / Ray Charles
"I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us"
Can't believe I forgot this one because those are the most perfect words together in a Christmas song, ever. For me anyway...fire, snow, children, Jesus.
Now, Chocolate covered caramels with sea salt. This recipe came together out of necessity. Crate and Barrel has these caramels and they are perfect in every way. Chocolate, caramel, a bit of salt. So good. A few years ago I purchased some (meaning three) boxes to just have around. Let the record show I was 9 months pregnant. The nice sales clerk said I was a "good gift giver" and I smiled because if I opened my mouth "yea, for myself!" would have come out.
So like I was saying this recipe is out of necessity so I don't have lie or have awkward exchanges at Crate and Barrel. The best caramel recipe I found is Mark Bitman's then I simply cover them with chocolate (6 oz) and sprinkle of sea salt.
the ingredients
the best part chocolate and sea salt, both from our CSA. Yes, CSA people.the candy making process to get those pretty caramel pillowsthe chocolate covered caramels getting salt sprinkledthe end productWe wrap them up in parchment squares, place some in our fridge, packed in Hughes' lunches, in a jar on the counter and some out for enjoying on our desk. Such a favorite treat at this time of year.And I want to give them (C&B version) to you along with some music. The commenter who leaves their favorite holiday treat and guesses the closest number of caramels left sitting on my desk by next Wednesday will get Chocolate covered Caramels from C&B along with an iTunes gift card.
Happy Weekend all!!***Winners***
Yes I said winners:) The morning started out with 3 and then I had one for breakfast to help heal my sore throat. Really the caramel and sea salt ones make your throat feel all better:) Back to the winners for the guess 2 and 3, music to Polly and caramels to Gail! Thanks for playing along!!
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Comments
I'm going to say 0 because that is how many would be left if i had them on MY desk. I love me some carmels. My favorite holiday treat are the candy cane cookies my mom use to make with me!
(12.10.10 @ 04:16 PM)I'm going to guess 3...don't ask why it's just the number I have in my head today :) But my favorite holiday treat is a simple red and white candy cane..brings out the kid in everyone
(12.10.10 @ 05:10 PM)My hands down favorite Christmas treat- my nana's shortbread cookies. she rolls the shortbread paper thin, decorates them with sprinkles, cuts them in christmas shapes.... and no one, I mean NO ONE can make them just like her. i love her and her cookies so much.
My guess: zero are left :)
(12.10.10 @ 05:37 PM)As for the candy, I'm going to say 1. My favorite holiday treat are the snowman cookies that the University Center at SIUE makes each year. Each year, there is a holiday reception for all of the University employees hosted by the Chancellor...people come from all across campus for these cookies!! I seriously dream about them (they are iced sugar cookies shaped like snowmen) all year.
(12.10.10 @ 08:58 PM)I would say 1, just because my mom always told me that ladies should always leave something on their plate (lol). My favorite christmas treat is eschimo cookies (they have coconut in them...I love coconut!) it is my husband's grandma's passed down family recipe!
(12.11.10 @ 11:19 AM)That Ray Charles song is one of my FAVORITES. It plays during Christmas Vacation during one of my favorite parts too. :) I really want to download that Portuguese Love Theme but it's not on itunes! Apple fail. I do have the Glasgow Love Theme but it's kind of depressing. Anyway, my favorite Christmas treat is definitely Chex mix. My mom only makes it during the holidays and, of course, it's delicious. I think you'll have 0 left by Wednesday...they look too delicious not to devour them!
(12.12.10 @ 11:53 AM)1) Why does everything look like so much FUN at your house? I love baking, but my baking is never as clean, neat, and calm as yours looks, especially with a Lucy involved!
2) You are totally convincing me to join your CSA...the chocolate? The sea salt?! I LOVE IT ALL!!!!!
3) I wish I were your neighbor.
4) Favorite Christmas treat--chocolate crackles that my mom makes (it's always better if someone else makes them)-gooey, chewy, chocolatey, and covered in powdered sugar. Love 'em!
Caramels left...that is a tough one. Let's go with 5...it's my favorite number!
(12.13.10 @ 09:03 AM)i think you will have 5 left. my favorite holiday treat is hot chocolate.
(12.14.10 @ 11:13 AM)It sounds unusual, but we have a "cookie" that we make at Christmastime that we call "Chocolate Chip Cheerios". I guess it is kind of a chocolaty-peanut-buttery-fudgy type thing with cheerios cereal in it. Absolutely delicious and only available in our house around Christmas. And as for the caramels, if it were me, there'd be about 2 left. So that's my guess - 2. :)
(12.14.10 @ 02:01 PM)Ooooh...look at that little shout-out on the blog today! You are too dear, friend...You and me, musical sisters in spirit, we are ;) Working on a post about my fave Xmas music too!
As for those caramel culinary confections, I am in AWE and I expect at the MOST for there to be two left in the bottom of that bowl! One for me and you to share if and when that February visit happens! haha
My fave Xmas treat? Peppermint stick ice cream. Yummy!
(12.14.10 @ 03:07 PM)