Shopping for those Less Fortunate…

It always happens this time of year-signing up for sponsoring families at various nonprofits always seems like a great idea in OCTOBER…but, then December rolls around and there you are….the items are due on Monday!! Decided to sponsor different things for different families at various groups…again…seemed like a good idea AT THE TIME! Toys for one family, Books for another, Clothes for another and Food for another…Who can say no to an email-just click yes! I think I did less of this when I had to call people or ask at a meeting! It could also be that I feel guilty that I don't have the TIME to give to these organizations like I used to-so just signed on to help! There I was at 8:00 a.m. the other morning, in front of TarJay Desperate to get it-(It should be a commercial – woman pacing with lists in hand….can't wait to get into TarJAY!) I had an hour before I had to get to work-so it was Power Shopping to the Max!!!! Toys, who knew so many different Barbies…..started to ponder each one and OMGosh! All the accessories!! Time was wasting…I felt like I was on one of those TV shows where they give you 15 minutes to get everything you want at Toys R Us or someplace-I think Oprah does this?? I wish it was Neimans!!! Then headed over to the boys aisle! Brought back some memories!!! Everyone in the family needed coats-clothing! Lots of sizes to figure our and one group had very specific needs…OOPPPPSSSS the clothes are sized S M L…what does a three year old wear???? This is not so easy..OOPPSSSS somehow lost one of those lists…GOOD GRIEF…where is it??? Stop..do not pass GO…Lose one turn! Spent a few moments looking for the list, but decided…the family would be happy with anything! Another family needed a microwave…OMG..haven't purchased one of those in years!!! Headed over to Appliances and found one for $100!! Microwaves are still big and heavy! Not so many folks to help you at TarJay like Neimans!!

HMMMMMM….maybe I should get one for myself!! But, NO saving myself for the Shoe Dept.!!!

Headed over to the shoes and VOILA! The Sigerson Morrison Silver pointy toed heels with Jewel detail were ON SALE!! OMG! $31 a pair! Into the cart!! Are there more???? And some very cute booties by Mossimo!!!! Then over to see the IN STORE selection of Anya Hindmarch handbags! Bought all of them!! SO GORGEOUS!! Just a note-several say Anya Hindmarch for TarJay-but, the print is small (and at our age, who can read it without glasses??) and the bag is so cute! GO FOR IT!!! Plus, it has a bit of "being responsible in these difficult economic times" feel about it!! By now, it was 8:52 a.m. Headed to check out!! Even the check out clerk liked my bags!! We had a lovely little chat about them!! Swiped that Visa and out the door in One Hour! Of course, then had to sort out what went where-but, it does make one feel that they are making a difference for some! Wish I could play Barbies with that little girl!!!!

Of course, so glad to help others and realizing that I haven't done anything for those I love!! Thank goodness for FedEx!!!!

Dear friend, Mimi has a request if anyone is a 'member" of Rue La La-an online shopping website that you have be invited to join! LMK and we can all join!!!!!!
Today was the last day of our Winter Sale! So glad to have my weekends back again!! I am so behind on all my SPA appointments! MAINTENANCE is always a No. 1 priority!!!!
Hope you all are enjoying this holiday season! It is so special and goes by so quickly!!!!
I have included some treats for all of you!!!

Enjoy!!

Going to take a few weeks off! Heading to Jeff's Mom for the Christmas Holiday! Will be back writing again in the New Year on January 4th!!!
Merry Merry!
Love, P


Costume Jewels at www.neimanmarcus.com
Click on Costume Jewelry-Stephen Dweck shows some FAB rings! But, lots of bling for not so many $$$$!! We could all be happy!

And Jeff sends this NYTimes link for street fashion!! Love, Love, Love the coats and MUST HAVE those Burberry gloves!!!!!!

Street Fashion

And a little something for the gardeners! Love those orchids!! CostCo had tons last weekend!!!!

Expert advice from Chicago growers gets your plant reblooming

By Nina A. Koziol | Special to the Tribune
December 14, 2008

Pondering a few red poinsettias to deck your halls this month? Sure, those big, beefy, look-at-me plants are the holiday workhorses of the horticultural world. But if you're looking for something a little different, even exotic, you might find yourself buying an orchid.

"There's something very mysterious about them," says Jim Sandrik of Park Ridge. "Maybe it's their beauty or maybe it's knowing that they're a challenge."

But if you've chosen an orchid to glam up the living room—or were the lucky recipient of an orchid gift—only to find yourself frustrated when your new plant refused to ever bloom again, take heart: The mystery of orchids, and the skills it takes to keep them blooming, are easy to unlock with a little expert advice.

Sandrik coddles a collection of 100 orchids, some that are nearly 30 years old, in a small spare bedroom equipped with special lights and fans. And, he spends an hour or two each Sunday watering and feeding all of them. But you don't need plant lights or a conservatory or a big block of time to keep an orchid or two healthy and happy enough to bloom more than once.

"The phalaenopsis orchid is one of the easiest to grow," says Adam Hausermann of Orchids by Hausermann, a specialty greenhouse in Villa Park. Also known as the "moth" orchid, phalaenopsis is one of the longest bloomers, sometimes flowering for two months or more. It can bloom two to three times a year under the right conditions.

Potted orchids have become so popular that they can be found in the floral section of local food stores and big-box stores, as well as garden centers and florists. Expect to pay anywhere from $12 to $40 or more depending on the size and variety of plant.

"Orchids are a great hobby," Hausermann says. "It's such a large plant family, there's something for everyone." Their names—cattleya, dendrobium, paphiopedilum, cymbidium—are tongue-twisters, to be sure. The flowers range from dangling spidery little blossoms to long stems of large waxy blooms. And some, like oncidium orchids, have delicate flowers that smell like chocolate or spice. Perhaps the best known are the cattleyas, the large flowers used as corsages, and the dendrobiums, used in the Hawaiian lei.

Here are some tips for helping your orchid through the winter and into another year of bloom:
Light: Different orchids have different cultural requirements, but in general, an east-, south- or west-facing window unobstructed by trees, drapes or curtains, with the pot out of direct sunlight, is a good start.

Watering: The fastest way to kill an orchid is to let it sit in a saucer of water. Better to take the plant to the sink once a week, give it a thorough soak until water runs out the bottom and then place it on the saucer.

Feeding: For one or two plants, Sandrik says, "purchase the smallest size water-soluble orchid fertilizer available and mix 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water, making sure it dissolves. Pour half of it into each plant when watering."

Temperature: Orchids tend to like daytime temps that range from about 65 to 75 degrees and evening temperatures from 55 to 65.
Humidity: Orchids prefer humidity in the 40 percent to 60 percent range. A furnace or room humidifier can help as well as placing the pots on saucers that sit over a bed of wet gravel.

Flowering stems: After it has flowered the first time, cut a phalaenopsis stem about half the way down just above a node (looks like a slight bulge). From this node a new flower stem should emerge and flower in about 120 days.

Things that bust their blooms: The air is too hot, especially at night. The soil is too dry or too wet. The plant is getting too much or too little light. Don't repot the plant while it has buds or blooms. Wait until it is done flowering and then repot in about the same size pot using special orchid mix from the garden center.

Yellow leaves: It's natural to have a few yellow older leaves at the base of the plant. If the newer leaves are turning yellow, it may indicate too much or too little water.

And found this FAB Truffle Bars recipe! Made it for the work folks and they were very happy!!!
YUM!!!

Truffle Bar Base
unsalted butter
8 oz (2 sticks)
unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
7 oz (7 squares)
granulated sugar
2 cups
large eggs
4
all purpose flour, not sifted
1 cup
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
walnuts, chopped
1 cup


Preheat the oven to 350_F.
Lightly spray a 9" x 13" cake pan with some pan spray. Set aside.
Place the butter in a heavy saucepan.
Melt the butter over low heat.
Remove the pan from the heat.
Add the unsweetened chocolate to the melted butter, stirring constantly with a wooden or nylon spoon until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the sugar and stir to completely combine.
Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition to thoroughly combine the egg into the batter.
Add the flour and stir to combine.
Add the Vanilla extract and walnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes only. The brownie may still look soft and shiny. Care must be taken not to over bake the base or it will end up being dry and crumbly.
Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
Cool completely.

Truffle Topping
Dark Chocolate Bars (2 oz each)
4 each
heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup
light corn syrup
1 Tablespoon
unsalted butter, softened
1 Tablespoon


Chop the chocolate and place in a stainless steel or glass bowl.
Place one inch of water in a small heavy saucepan.
Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the water to a simmer.
Remove the saucepan from the stove.
Place the bowl containing the chopped chocolate on top of the pan of simmering water.
Stir the chocolate until it is completely melted.
Remove the bowl from the top of the pan and dump the water out.
Place the cream and light corn syrup into the sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Pour the hot liquid over the melted chocolate.
Whisk the hot liquid and the chocolate together to completely combine.
Set the chocolate mixture aside and allow the Ganache to cool for five minutes.
Whisk the softened butter into the chocolate mixture.
Allow the Ganache to cool to room temperature. The mixture will be a thick, custard-like consistency.
Whisk the Ganache just until it begins to lighten in color slightly.
Spread the whipped Ganache evenly over the brownie base.
If desired, cover the top of the bars with shaved dark chocolate.
Allow the bars to sit at room temperature until the Ganache firms up.
Dust lightly with cocoa powder.
Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.
Store the finished bars in an airtight container to prevent from drying out.
These have a better eating quality if eaten at room temperature.
Yield: approximately 6 dozen squares

ENJOY!

And last but not least!
This is simply DIVINE!!

French Pear Martini
Mix together:
1.5 oz dry white wine
1.5 oz Grey Goose La Poire (YUM!)

Top with Champagne
Sugar to rim glass!
Cheers!!