Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

I hope that you Nest, with zest, straight into 2008!

See you in the new year! This Bitch is off to celebrate in style with addROC and the rest of my wonderful family!

Take care Nesters!

'Til then....

Ho Ho Ho!!!! Merry Christmas Bitches!!!

A Very Merry Mock-Christmas

With the tree decorated and friends abound there was one thing left to do...

EAT!!!

Yes, another mock-holiday filled Reid, Cliff, addROC and I with much joy.

So, we ate and drank a-plenty, because, well, it's what Jesus would have wanted us to do if he were still chillin' in his little manger.

So, first, addROC mixed up some fancy and tasty drinks, called,
Back Forty:


Then, after we were properly hydrated, it was on to the cheeses:



Then, king of all things pork, Reid, did his thing making some super tasty Bacon Wrapped Scallops for a nice hearty appetizer:

But, there was room for more.

Suddenly, lo and behold, addROC pulled from the oven our Basalmic and Dijion Glazed Christmas Ham.
And it was glorious.

So, like four drunken wise men...we approached, to give it praise:


And then, it was time for a breather.
And BOY-O-BOY did we need one.
Because, I had a special treat in the 'fridge.
Something I had toiled over (not to mention covered the oven in caramel after a slight explosion on the burner, whoops!)...

Yes, I made my FIRST EVER Cheesecake. And, if I do say so myself, it was a triumph. A true gift from heaven and the pastry gods at large.

So here she is, a Caramel Topped Cheesecake with Chopped Praline Chocolate:



It was so fucking fattening that I wanted to explode or die or something after eating it.

But, it was rich and delicious. And though I was near combusting, I was proud.
It was then we all looked at each other and knew, it was time to stop eating.
But, a lovely night it was indeed.

Many thanks to addROC, Reid, and Cliff, as usual, for making my season bright.

Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!

Pimp My Parisian Pletzel

Yesterday was cold and nasty.

I nestled down with my crochet, and decided that I would not leave the apartment for anything; Barring fire and/or life threatening circumstances, of course.

Well, this became a problem when addROC and I got hungry.
Other than some leftovers, which we did perchance to munch, we were kinda stuck.
So, instead of listening to our bellies growl, I pulled out the flour, yeast, eggs, and oil and got to kneading me some special dough.

Yes, Parisian Pletzel, or Jewish Onion Rolls, were suddenly on the menu.

So, I sprinkled the onion like a Christmas (Chanukah?) fairy...and did some badass bakin'.


Oh-so soft, warm, and delicious.


I may be a Goy, but, I can still cook bread for a Kosher occasion.

Praise be to the Gods, whoever they may be, for pimpin' my Pletzel...a yummy snack, without leaving the homestead!

Now, we ALL can say Amen to that!

addROC's Kitchen: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Breakfast: French Toast

Ah...what better way to wake up than to your man-toy cooking you breakfast?

After making several loaves of Crusty French Bread, I discovered that it's hard to finish a whole loaf before it starts going stale. Being the innovator that he is, addROC proposed that the solution to this dilemma was nothing other than French Toast (see above).

So, we went to visit our neighbor, McDonald's, and grabbed a few iced coffees, pulled out the powdered sugar and 100% pure maple syrup, and went to town. Holla!

Lunch: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Homemade 'Slaw, Quick Pickled Relish, and White Shoepeg Corn

The cold days have finally come. And, there's nothing nicer than staying cooped up in the ol' homestead. So, addROC put a pork shoulder in the slow cooker and let that baby rock'n'roll.

Approximately 5 hours later...


Homemade pulled pork...and all the fixin's. So delectable. So southern.
Sooooo worth the wait!

Dinner: Steak Diane, Roasted Potatoes, and Roasted Green Beans and Shallots

Steak Diane, a true classic, was recently featured in Gourmet Magazine, and by one of my most favorite blog hostesses, Pinknest. So, addROC whipped it up, and, man was it tasty.

Three meals.
One awesome chef/boyfriend/man-toy.

Life is good.

Me. Want. Cookie.

Hark!
The tradition of all traditions!
Christmas cookies!

After addROC and I put up our tree, I decided we needed a Christmas snack.
So, I wielded my mixer high in the air, and flung softened butter from the microwave to the mixing bowl.
I pulled out the trusty-dusty x-mas cookie cutters, gave 'em a rinse, and went to town on some HIGHLY caloric dough...

Butter Cookies.
I can already hear the Angels rejoicing!


I rolled out the first batch a bit too thin.
So, they were a little brownish...
Still very edible...

But, I wanted the $$$ shot:


Butter cookie delectable-ness Batman!

I didn't even bother to frost these guys, 'cause, well, I wanted to eat them NOW.

ME. WANT. COOKIE.

Cookie, cookie, cookie.
Mmmyum, mmyum, mmyum.

It's really great being an adult at Christmas.
It's a heartening reminder of how mature we've become, and, how some things never change.

Like, your bratty inner child...and her insatiable appetite for
COOKIES!!!!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

I may have started the season off with a Bah-humbug, but, I've been bitten by the Elf of Christmas Cheer.

Last night, addROC and I headed down to the corner of Nassau Ave. and Diamond St. in Greenpoint to pay a visit to the Christmas tree man. We walked away, happily, with our lovely tree and a new stand.

I put on 106.7 Lite FM, to listen to some x-mas tunes (which, for some reason, are on this station 24/7) and got to work.

First, the lights must be strung (see above).
I can't help but smile like a 4 year old.
There's something about the smell of pine that acts like a hallucinogenic drug, catapulting me into the throes of Christmas glee!

Next, garlands must be made.
What would a tree be without a little cranberry and popcorn on a string!



Then, I got down to business cutting out some snowflakes.
I'm pretty sure that cutting these out increased my chances of getting arthritis 10-fold, but, it's worth it! Look how cute!



And finally, sitting back with a glass of Chianti, and looking at that bad boy.


A little scrappy? Sure.

A Work in progress? Sure.

But, last night, I was reminded of what Nesting is all about, in Brooklyn, Bavaria, Belgium, and beyond. It's about spirit people.

It's hard to hold back screams during the holidays. Everyone is so busy, tired, and spending money they don't have. But, in the end, all that stuff is beside the point. When all's said an done, it's about joy, giving, and sincere thanks for all the good in our lives...

1 Christmas Tree: $25
1 Medium Tree Stand: $10
1 Bag Fresh Cranberries: $2.99
8 Sheets of Uncut Snowflakes: $.08
1 Bowl Freshly Popped Corn: $.15

Finding Myself in the Holiday Spirit: Priceless, bitches!

Go get a tree, or, whatever makes your season bright.

It's all in the small stuff Nesters, it's all in the small stuff.

Let's Get Crafty: DIY Sno-Globes

December 1st has come and gone, and, while I may not have pulled out my reindeer costume just yet, I'm at least trying to be festive.

So, in preparation for The Diamond's tree trimming party, addROC and I nestled down to get to work on ornaments.

I decided to make a sno-globe.

This is VERY easy, and while they do look a teensy-weensy bit more ghetto than, say, a store bought globe, they're still fun and seasonal!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:


1-10 Small Double Sided Pictures or Drawings
Light Corn Syrup
Scotch Tape or Clear Packing Tape
A Globe Shape Jar (Goya Honey Jars, in your ethnic food section, work great)
Sparkles or Glitter
Water

1. Make your pictures waterproof by taping them back to back. Make sure that you get a good seal, and push out any air bubbles that may form. Do this at least twice to ensure that no water gets in and water logs your shit.
2. Place your waterproofed images into your jar.
3. Add an 1/8-1/4 of a TSP of glitter or sparkles. You can always add more if you're one of those crazy glitter people.
4. Fill your jar to the 1/2 way point with corn syrup.
5. Fill remainder of jar with water.
6. Cover tightly, and shake.

Voila.
Your very own ghetto sno-globe.
It costs virtually nothing and they're great for any occasion.

So, go make one. And, if you do...send us your photo!

Email photos to: thebrooklynnester (at) gmail (dot) com.

And I'll post any globe that's sent!

And, join addROC and I tonight for some beer and fun at:

The Tree Lighting @ The Diamond
8PM Tonight!
43 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
nr. Calyer St.
718-383-5030

Remember to bring a weather proof ornament and get a free beer! Woo-hoo!