Foodie Friday and Everything Else Link Party--Special Holiday Edition

Happy Holidays!

This week, Foodie Friday is a little early. The link-up will be available all week, closing Saturday, December 27th. You may contribute any day--no limit--and with any kind of post.

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Tour of Christmas Doors -- Winter Solstice 2014

   

Our "Christmas Tour of Doors" begins on the Winter Equinox, 

the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. If you blink, you'll miss the sun as it races across the sky. Like a magical creature from Alice's Wonderland, daylight is "late for a very important date." 

And that date is December 21st, the first day of winter, when dawn takes its own sweet time, and dusk falls swiftly, like a knife cutting through warm cheese. Incidentally, if you go outside at noon, your shadow will be the longest one you've cast in 2014. So, there's that, at least.

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A Tour of Christmas Lights

You're Cordially Invited 
to a 
Tour of Christmas Lights. 

Christmas is the most spectacular time of the year. When I was a child, it was a family tradition to drive around town and admire everyone's decorations. On those short, dark days of December, the dazzling lights seem to push back the darkness and create a cozy glow behind my eyes. I would kneel in the backseat, pressing my nose against the window, my breath fogging the glass, trying to memorize every detail. 

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Foodie Friday -- November 30

Welcome to the November 30th
Foodie Friday.

Thanksgiving is over, and my thoughts are turning to
holiday baking and gift ideas.
We spent the holidays in London one year, and I fell in love
with the British tradition of Christmas Crackers. (Click for tutorial.)
We had dinner at an old country house on the Thames,
and each diner received a "cracker"--a gift-wrapped tube
that's filled with candy and tiny goodies. As we opened our crackers,
the air filled with festive popping sounds. We put on paper crowns
and plastic rings. It was the best time ever.

Now I make my own "crackers" or "poppers."

 

 

I'm always looking for new and interesting

ideas for Christmas food, and I'm sure you are, too.

This week, I'm showcasing an array of talented bloggers

who have contributed holiday recipes

to the last few Foodie Friday events.

You can find more great recipes at

last week's Foodie Friday.

 

Hope you will be inspired!

 

 Let's begin with a trip across the Pond to England...

I loved the cheese scones at Lemon and Lime Thyme. Can you just imagine sitting down to a tea table
and finding these savory scones? Heaven!
 

 

Now, let's fly back home...

Aunt B on a Budget shows us how to make
Left Coast Crackers.
They look fabulous!

My Carolina Kitchen included three cranberry sauces.
And just look at that delicate arrangement of the orange zest! It resembles a bow.
Sam, it's beautiful.

 

Posed Perfection's creamy potato soup
is a warmer-upper, a sit-by-the-fire and-eat-dinner meal.
I'm adding this to my holiday menu.

 

I was drawn the Poppy Sesame Vinaigrette
at Nancy's Daily Dish.
As a bonus, we get to see her beautiful purple transferware in the photo.
Both the food and the ironstone are stunning.

 

Barnes and Noodles' Texas Taco Salad looks fresh and festive,
a welcome change from heavy traditional holiday fare.

Half-Baked Harvest included a recipe for Broccoli Cobbler.
This dish would be at home in any kitchen.
It speaks of good times and good food.

 

 

Sidewalk Shoes offers Pasta Bolognese for a heartwarming entree.
The rising steam is enticing,
and I love how the light shines
through the wine glass.
This is a meal that says, "I'm taking a moment to rest
and to celebrate life." 

Domesblissity's 4-Ingredient Apricot Chicken is a winner.
It looks as if it has dozens of ingredients!

 

 

  If you're like me, you're always looking for side dishes.

Cath's Cookery Creations offered a savory casserole called "Zucchini Slice."

 

 

 

Komali Numma shared a recipe from her book,
Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen.
The Pumpkin Parfait looks delicious, and so does her book.
I love this photograph, with the layered parfait
on the green Majolica plate.

 

      

I loved Happier Than a Pig in Mud's  recipe and presentation

 for colored popcorn. What a great gift idea!

Spicy peach jam makes a scrumptious topper for biscuits and bread.
Find the recipe at What Smells So Good/Yummy smells.

 

The Charm of Home made Cranberry Orange Bread--perfect for dessert,

breakfast, or an afternoon pick-me-up with hot tea.

I love the drizzled icing in this photo.

 

 The Painted Apron's Pumpkin and Pecan Apple Bundt Cake

with Chocolate-covered Cranberries and Pepitas
offers a little twist on the beloved Bund. It looks dense and delicious.
I wish I had a slice right now!

 



21st Century Housewife's Apple-Cinnamon-Yogurt Cake
is so pretty it could be a centerpiece--and it looks absolutely delicious.
April's recipes are always wonderful.

The Holiday Red Velvet Cake at Susannah's Kitchen looks ambrosial.
And the presentation is gorgeous. This dessert would be the hit of any holiday dinner!

 

During the holidays, I'll be showcasing your Foodie Friday recipes.
If you'd like to have your photo spotlighted in upcoming posts,
just leave a comment.
 

Thanks so much for reading and visiting Rattlebridge. I can't wait to see what you've cooked up this week.
Have a great time visiting the blogs who have contributed recipes.

**If you're visiting from Pinterest, please do not "pin" images from this post;
go to the source blog.  You can do that by clicking on the name beneath the photo. Thanks!


If you'd like to add your recipe to the Foodie Friday linky party, locate the blue Inlinkz frog (below). Add your permalink and select an image. It may take a few seconds for the entry to process. A red X on your photo allows you to delete your entry if you make an error. The Foodie Friday badge is located on the right-hand sidebar if you wish to add it to your FF post.

If this is your first time to participate in Foodie Friday, a tutorial is available.

 

 



A Foodie Friday Christmas

Twas the night before Foodie Friday,

and all through blogland, 
cooks set their tables with care.

The dishes were placed on tables with a plan,
in hopes that none would show dust, thumbprints
or even wild cat hairs.

The napkins were all nestled in bows and beads . . .
while dust motes danced and dazzled over their heads.

I love any kind of Christmas dish--edible or otherwise--but I especially love the ones that tell a story. The dishes in today's tablescape illustrate "The Christmas Poem." The pattern is "A Christmas Story" by Portmeirion, and each plate is embellished with artist Susan Winget's inimitable flair.

I've gathered a few festive ideas for you today:

Beribboned sugar cookies 

 

Be sure to leave a message and tell us what you cooked today for Foodie Friday. Don't forget to describe your recipe! What did you love about your dish? To add your link, click on the blue Inlinkz icon. Please not that it can take a little while for your image to process. If you've come to peruse the holiday dishes, I wish you happy recipe hunting and Happy Holidays!