cookie adventures, continued

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  I always love the day after when we have absolutely zero plans and get to just lounge around the house and recuperate from the flurry of holiday activities.  Yesterday's snow storm also helped in that department!    Here are some more shots of this year's 'cookie collection'...

are these Raspberry French Macaroons not to-die-for? 

tender, crumbly and not-too-sweet Mexican Tea Cakes.  I like a good classic.

Chocolate Thin Mints, step one...

thank goodness for wax paper...it makes such an easy job of rolling the dough

thin mints with their final sprinkle of crushed candy canes...

the finished product...all packaged up and ready to go.  I think I am all baked out..that is, until Valentine's day rolls around.

on your mark...get set...B A K E !!!

Every year I block out 2 days to bake an assortment of gourmet cookies.  Most of them end up in a basket to be delivered by me to my various service providers: Philadelphia Photographics, Missing Element...and the friendly faces over at the UPS store.  Today I've got my work cut out for me...

fairy fingers...an old family recipe.  These were made last night.

Orange-coconut macaroons, made with lots of zest (or 'orange scrapes' as John likes to call  them)  These were made last week to send to my sister in Florida.

ps - thanks to my husband for finally showing me how to watermark :)

Kuang & Adam, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart

Here are some shots from Kuang & Adam's wedding on October 9th, photographed by me and one of my wonderful second shooters, Kris Mendoza. It was one of those days when the weather is gorgeous and you're just happy to be alive...

 

Christmas Dinner Party

Just winding down from a super fun and very yummy dinner party with the in-laws.  John is one of eleven and we consider ourselves very lucky to have a family that we actually enjoy hanging out with.  Unfortunately, we couldn't pack the whole Taglianetti clan in our little downstairs, so we decided to throw a smaller, more intimate gathering this time around.  I live for entertaining - my favorite part is the last half hour before our guests arrive when I can walk around, light the candles and try to capture the warm and glowy ambiance of the moment with the camera.

table for 8.

summoning my inner floral designer...with help from my friend, Produce Junction.

Vincent stands guard while the champagne chills...

I couldn't wait to use my handmade velvet stocking favors for the first time, given to me on Thanksgiving  by my wonderful stepmom, Kathy

found this cute little candle set at the thrift store yesterday for $5, score!

The candles are lit, the dishwasher emptied, the champagne opened...let the fun begin!

John shares a laugh with his brother, Steve.  Main course is served: beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes and french beans, yummm!

two of my go-to party staples: jelly jars and cake stands

a smokey, fruity 2003 Rutherford red...when it comes to wine, Carmen does not mess around.

my favorite time of day: time for dessert...Nigella Lawson's chocolate pots did not disappoint...

the lovely Paulana featuring another dessert...

...strawberries with lemon & mint, served in vintage red glass candy dish

some silly pix before heading out to see The Tourist.  Good thing our dinner party was better than the movie!  Thanks everyone for coming to our Christmas Dinner Party 2010.  We love you guys!