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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

a sparkling christmas

with so much inspiration in this big beautiful book, the novel bakers continue with one more day sharing a christmas all through the south.
now that the santa boat parade is behind us, the lighthouse is lit and the chocolate martini is nothing but a fond memory, its time to make more memories for the season. like taking in ...
living so close to wine country we decided to go on the 9th annual gingerbread house winery contest, where 6 wineries compete with their own gingerbread houses.


oh it sounded so fun, i have seen some stunning gingerbread houses in my lifetime, like the grand floridian hotel in disney world...

face it, wine country is rich, i thought oh what marvelous sites we will see!
are you catching my bah humbug...
it was a total grinch of xmas idea...
only one even used real gingerbread!
 
as a native cal gal i know exactly what they are trying to share here, the vines climbing the rolling green hills, but all I could think about was the volcano we all made in elementary school that looks like its ready to explode!
at least this was made of gingerbread and smelled divine, but rather an odd theme... until you notice the 3 three labs lounging around the vineyards. their dogs are very much a part of this winery!
your could almost think it had been hit by their darling old truck...
 even if the gingerbread houses were not what we were expecting, it is always fun to get out and explore and visit new sights over the holidays ;-)
of course, with all this gingerbread on the brain i could not wait to get home to try...





for this recipe alone, its worth BUYING THIS BOOK!
 



keeping with the lighthouse theme, my holiday table is adorned in nothing but glass with bright lights and silver, the sunlight plays magic all day long dancing beams through the glass, at night, the lights sparkle and shine so bright from the street it looks like a beacon (for nasa)!
 
























time to enjoy our yule time feast, although we pared down the menu, the recipes i tried were ALL excellent! but i am still swooning over the gingerbread soufflé ;-)
 















from coast to coast we wish you the happiest of holiday greetings
and thank you for stopping by today
for more Christmas all through the south visit
visit us on pinterest

8 comments:

  1. Oh my word...all your sparkling table details take my breath away! I'm dazzled by all the silvery shimmering layers, glass orbs, mercury glass trees and finials...the view beyond the table with shining sea takes it over the top! Who needs twinkling Christmas lights when you have sunbeams dancing and reflecting on your table and window?!

    Your menu is mouth-watering and divine! I didn't try it and now I have to...what a perfect Yuletide feast and I loved how you paired down your salad ;) I would love to dig into that gingerbread souffle this morning too. I wish my hubby was a fan of gingerbread, I’d be forced it eat it all myself.

    I had to chuckle at your commentary and disappointment over the gingerbread houses. I'm a wino so I would have been nipping and jingling all the way along with those merry elves ;). I love seeing the dogs and the truck! I picked up a winery dogs book on our first visit to Napa 10+ years ago.

    Thanks for organizing the delicious fun this busy time of year. It's always fun to play with you in the kitchen. I'll be back later to feast again at beautiful table. Merry Christmas Week to you, Scott, pups and kitties!

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  2. Jain, it's a pleasure to visit and see your interpretation of Christmas All Through the South. Your tablescape and menu look amazing. I would be one happy guest to be able to sit and enjoy all that labor of love you created, from the salad to the main course to the dessert (I'll take you word on how good it was, but the pictures sure send the same message!). Merry Christmas to you in CA!
    From the hills of WV,
    Rita C at Panoply

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  3. Your table of sparkling glass is simply breathtaking Jain, and perfect with your view of the sparkling sea! I must admit I wasn't impressed with the gingerbread houses either, except the one with the labs drinking wine was very cute. There is nothing better than a feast at home after traveling about, and the gingerbread souffle sounds divine! Thank you for always giving us a feast for the eyes with all your wonderful photos! Merry Christmas
    Jenna

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  4. I love your California style and enjoy visits to your site Thanks for posting, always
    interesting and beautiful. Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays
    Kathy

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  5. Jain, you created an enchanted tablescape and meal--and the silvery table is a work of art. How I would love to sit down at this table and feast on roasted pork, stacked pear salad, wild rice, and gingerbread souffle. I came thisclose to making the pork, but here in hooterville, I must order "specialty" meat, as hooters call it. (I still have to order short ribs, if you can believe it, and we've only had bow tie pasta on the shelves since 2000. True story.) The trip to faux gingerbread land sounds like wicked fun. If only the NB could have been there with you! If I don't talk to you before Christmas, I wish you a merry season and the very best in 2017.

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  6. I could sit at your table and take in the view alone. No food needed!
    The glass theme sparkles in your sunlight and I assume candle light at night.
    I will definitely be making the gingerbread soufflé, but the entire menu sounds fabulous.

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  7. Love the sparkling glass!! Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  8. As always fabulous!!!!! I'm a little late but, loving it all. Happy New Year!

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welcome~