Cranberry-Pomegranate Marshmallows

As the New Year’s Eve Night approaches I find myself reflecting on the past 12 months and realizing even through the toughest times there was joy. I’ve written only one line and my phone started ringing..It was my 98 year old grandma wishing me and my family a Happy New Year. What a wonderful blessing to have my grandma still with us and willing to share her rich history; she watched the stock market on the 3rd of September reach a record high only to come crashing down on Thursday the 24th of October with a decline of 21%. She helped her family during the toughest times in the 1930’s and watched as our country entered Word War 11; one would think she would be a hard negative women she is just the opposite; positive and upbeat. The glass is not just half full, but on it’s way to becoming full. I can only hope to be the woman she is ” A Woman of Substance”.  I can’t help but wonder how she celebrated the last 97 (approach 98) New Years; I know this year she will be with her friends at the retirement village (not nursing home, she lives in  a community of active wonderful people). I wish she was with my family; alas she lives in Chicago.

I surprised DF with his favorite cake: Boston Cream Pie

DF's birthday cake

You might think I have completely gone off topic, but I haven’t who other than my grandma to help me see what a special year 2011 was. It started out with Sydney and I designing Jocondes the entire month of January. February  we created a plethora of macarons.

Fraise-Vanille Macaron

March approached with spring nibbling on the heels of winter; I myself couldn’t wait for the snow to melt. As each month past, Sydney and I took on more challenges and jumped into gluten free baking and mousses were very popular too.

Sydney’s Pâte d’Amande Gâteau Mousse Blanc

Sydney's Pâte d’Amande Gâteau Mousse Blanc

 Charlotte Berry Vanille

With the peaking of tulips came Springtime Charlotte

This past summer my husband and I  renewed our wedding vows of twenty years; The song Turn, Turn, Turn ( Yes this song is prior to my birth) comes to mind. My husband surprised us with an amazing trip to renew our vows. Sydney and I were invited to enter the hotel’s kitchen to make our anniversary cake

A Fraisier Cake.

Sydney and I designed, prepared, and baked this delicious Fraisier Cake

Summer, my  favorite season seemed to fly by, Sydney and I found cakes and petit fours to be the fashion this past summer. Towards the end Sydney turned 19.

Framboise Marshmallows and Petit Fours for her birthday celebration.

Pink is her signature color

Petit fours of love

The air begin to turn crisp and cool, September was quite, a nice change. October began and Halloween candying making along with cookies, pumpkin macaroons and new techniques were learned.

Pumpkin-Orange Macaron

Orange you glad I am a orange-Pumkin Macaron

From  October to the first of January we found ourselves on super speed…I love the Christmas Season, but it goes too fast. I promise myself every year I will slow down and enjoy the festivities; I realize I have not kept my own promise.

Christmas Bûche de Nöel

Bûche de Nöel

The ultimate Holiday food gift Glacé Citron/Orange.

Glacé Whole Orange

I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy  New Year. I began this article with my grandmother’s phone call, she is the epitome of a full life filled with optimism and hope. So with my grandma in mind I leave you with the poetic chorus from the birds and a photo of how fast time flies.

 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

“A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

Voila!


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