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Christmas in Tokyo is a commercial affair. Tinseltown LA is similar. Last Christmas, I was touched to see true reverence for the season in Medina, Ohio. Snowy churchyards cradled full-size crèches. Never had I seen so many Nativity scenes or churches in one location. My heart still warms at the memory.
Japanese Midori Melon liquor infused vegan cupcakes...designed to keep you in good spirits!
Yet I confess I also smile when seeing... Read More |
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December days bring a frenzy of indulging in holiday shopping and sweets. It's fun! Sometimes taking a break to savor life's simple pleasures is equally pleasing. Like baking bread. Like biting into a slice of wholesome wheat bread studded with fresh orange, raw walnuts and dried cranberries…
Whole Wheat Cranberry and Walnut Bread
On the rare occasions when the Tokyo skies sprinkled snow onto the train tracks, school would... Read More |
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‘Tis the season to hang holiday wreaths again. Time, also, to fill the home with the aroma of baking Christmas cookies. And hopefully have many reasons to be of good cheer!
If nothing else my Matcha Green Tea Holiday Wreath Cookies will put a smile in your stomach. Extra fuss is required to make the cookies. But, the experience is a joyful one. Especially with Christmas carols blasting in the background. (An added bonus: Matcha Green Tea... Read More |
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Japanese bento boxes are traditionally packed with lunch goodies. But with many of us juggle must-dos the moment our eyes flutter open. A to-go breakfast bento delivers a healthy solution to the morning rush....Especially when sweetened with Wish Farms strawberries and blueberries.
Do you suffer from boring breakfast blues? As the popular songstress, Taylor Swift says, "Shake it off!" And visit Misty'... Read More |
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The Cake Slice Bakers are a group of bakers from around the world. Every month a new challenge arrives...Currently, we are presented with the opportunity to bake one of four preselected from Southern Living’s The Southern Cake Book.
This Ninja Baker’s winning choice? White Chocolate Sweet Potato Pecan Topped Cakes (adapted from the Rum Glazed Sweet Potato Cakes recipe.)
Little girls are made of, “Sugar,... Read More |
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Japanese ninja are skilled in the art of stealth, secrecy and surprise. I’m wondering if Father Time is the original ninja. The arrival of the holiday season has caught me off guard. Thanksgiving is next week! AND Christmas trees sporting ornaments and tinsel line Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive.
Thanksgiving may have to be a fend for yourself sort of affair. But, I did stop reeling from the dizzying blow and realization that... Read More |
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“We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams.”
~Poet, Arthur O’Shaughnessy quoted by chocolatier Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Are you a bonafide foodie? If you answered yes, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a must-see movie.
Just in case you haven’t seen the classic film, here’s a brief intro: Tucked into five Willy Wonka chocolate bars are golden admission... Read More |
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Dedicated to family like Tony Soprano, quick-witted as Dean Martin; fourth generation baker Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss, keeps reinventing himself like crooner Tony Bennett. Even as the Cake Boss expands his sweet Carlo’s Bakery empire, the cakes, cookies, cannoli and lobster claws sold remain as classic as the tunes of Frank Sinatra.
Even before this Italian-American baker landed his own show on the TLC channel, I was a Cake Boss fan.... Read More |
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With a wave of a wand and an exclamation of “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo”, a pumpkin is enchanted and Cinderella’s carriage appears. Cinderella is swept off to a ball and swept off her feet by Prince Charming. At the stroke of midnight, all the riches disappear. Cinderella appears fated to sweep cinders from the hearth for the rest of her life. But, our soon-to-be princess is sure that, “Even if your heart is grieving, if you... Read More |
