The Parlor PI's discussion

Grinch is trying to infiltrate this holiday. I'll give him very little time then will show him the door! lol Starting with Pghfan, PI's, you lot must be baking all manner of Christmas goodies. Do tell.

Former PI & pal sent me a greeting. Seems I still might be in line for one of her luscious Christmas cakes w/brandy icing. I hope, I hope! One of the most yum-cious holiday treats I've ever experienced!

I've already make cashew snowballs (Mexican teacakes with cashews), and brownies. Next up are the sugar cookie cutouts.

I have a huge holiday dinner party coming up on the 23rd. 18 people. I don't know how they all will fit in the house!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I've already make cashew snowballs (Mexican teacakes with cashews), and brownies. Next up are the sugar cookie cutouts.

I have a huge holiday dinner party coming up on the 23rd. 18 people. I don'..."

I'm envious of your sugar cutouts, Pghfan as my dough always sticks to rolling pin so I tossed the faulty device. lol Not really. It's around here some place. My cookie press cookies aren't too bad. ;-)

Best hot cocoa mix you've found and tried? I've had Williams-Sonoma and liked it but I just found some Droste and that's the brand in my cupboard this time around. Probably my favorite is Mr. Chocolate's of NYC. Must make it exactly as noted otherwise full flavor isn't realized. However, it's quite expensive once S&H is added. Get the stuff right from official website for other merchants may stock the stuff too long.

The other Nicole is an expert in this area!!

NicoleG wrote: "The other Nicole is an expert in this area!!"

I sure am, lol! The best I've found is Dagoba Organic Authentic Drinking Chocolate. This is a crazy price on their site, I only pay $8 at my local market. It's delish!

https://shop.dagobachocolate.com/DAGO...

I went to a cookie swap Sunday afternoon. Normally I would make traditional Scottish shortbread, but this year I made toffee cranberry crisps. I am still so full of cookies, lol. Someone brought a Nutella thumbprint cookies - sooooo rich! I sampled biscotti, pecan tassies, cranberry orange shortbread rounds, oatmeal raisin cookies, cake mix cookies, sugar cookies, and a nutmeg roll cookie. Plus, there were savory appetizers as well!

I'm going to try and make the shortbread before Christmas, and also make a batch of Christmas jam.

Nicole wrote: "I went to a cookie swap Sunday afternoon. Normally I would make traditional Scottish shortbread, but this year I made toffee cranberry crisps. I am still so full of cookies, lol. Someone brought a ..."

I would've been escorted out, Nicole for cookies are my...one of my weaknesses. :-/

Nicole wrote: "NicoleG wrote: "The other Nicole is an expert in this area!!"

I sure am, lol! The best I've found is Dagoba Organic Authentic Drinking Chocolate. This is a crazy price on their site, I only pay $8..."

I've seen this brand but never tried it. Try it I must! Thanks for the 411!

NicoleG wrote: "The other Nicole is an expert in this area!!"

Not a baker, NicoleG? I try but-- lol Well, some things come out okay. It helps to repeat bake for then you have kinks worked out. When a recipe's done but rarely, one forgets what worked or didn't in a recipe.

I bake! My specialty is cake balls!!
I just meant the other Nicole is an expert in hot chocolate!

Well, we are all getting into the Christmas eating spirit, at least! For cocoa, I just use the Droste, like Tina. Hot milk and some sugar.

The cutouts are done. I roll the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment. That saves the sticking problem. The decorating of them happens today!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Well, we are all getting into the Christmas eating spirit, at least! For cocoa, I just use the Droste, like Tina. Hot milk and some sugar.

The cutouts are done. I roll the dough between two sheets..."

Droste isn't bad, Pghfan. I don't feel I'm sacrificing anything with it. I think my high priced brand is great but also has a bit of head trip to go with it...doncha know. ;-) Other than that, Droste is good stuff.

Ah, ha! Mom never used parchment (was very Old School) but it does make a lot of sense, Mark. Thanks for the tip!

NicoleG wrote: "I bake! My specialty is cake balls!!
I just meant the other Nicole is an expert in hot chocolate!"

Yum, what flavor(s), NicoleG? Easy to make? Do you use a tin or hand fashion the cake-ettes?

Tina wrote: "Grinch is trying to infiltrate this holiday. I'll give him very little time then will show him the door...


So, as me thinks I've been pretty good this year (and I'm lost without a Christmas mystery going on), I'd a little credit left on Ammy so I went all out a bought hardcover Toy Soldier mystery to enjoy o'r the holidays. Story takes place in my home town just outside of Bflo., New York. Love the touches of things and places I remember of home. And the story is good so far (sample pages). Has anyone else read it?

Did I know you were from a place near Buffalo? I was born and raised in Erie, though I've been in Pittsburgh for 30 years, now.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Did I know you were from a place near Buffalo? I was born and raised in Erie, though I've been in Pittsburgh for 30 years, now."

Wow, not sure, Mark. I recall visiting Erie Barge Canal (that Erie or Erie, PA?) and nearby was a neat restaurant in a cellar location and another restaurant on main floor. Think it was run by the Sturgeon Brothers. Are you familiar with it?

I knew the book was set in Erie county so I wanted to read it even more. Last year there didn't seem much interest in it so I thought I'd save it for this year. Only so many books one can read in a season. Sample pages were good though.

I think there may be a fresh cut tree in that box brought down from the attic. Hope so. ;-)

Erie, PA, Tina. I think the barge must be in the Buffalo area.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Erie, PA, Tina. I think the barge must be in the Buffalo area."

It is, Pghfan. :-)

Note to PI's: If you plan on getting online gifts to your loved ones by Christmas, well, just today I placed an order and it barely gets to them by Dec. 21st (and then it's the weekend). Yikes! Glad I didn't wait. Another order was placed over weekend and they'll get theirs about the 18th. Seems merchants are running a bit behind this year. With postal rates going crazy, it's no wonder people are just placing online orders, hoping to get free shipping and no standing in PO line.

All my on-line stuff is set up already, and mostly delivered already.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "All my on-line stuff is set up already, and mostly delivered already."

Monsieur Hercule is highly pleased with your propensity for proper proceedings, PI Pghfan. He raises his tempered to perfection tisane to you.

Cheers, Pghfan and The PI's!

I have one trip to make to the post office, and that'll be tomorrow. I think it's their busiest day of the year - yikes!!!

Yikes is right. And I still have to get some things done! Feels like all of a sudden it's bearing down on us!! Yet we had plenty of time but it feels like Halloween was just a few weeks ago. I'm not getting the passage of time lately. Accelerating? lol? :-/

I took a bus tour Sunday through last night, Tuesday, to NYC. I always wanted to see the city for Christmas!

I have a wonderful, though short, time. The city is all dolled up for the holiday, but unfortunately, one cannot have snow on demand. (Though that would have made the travel difficult--I guess I can't have it both ways!)

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I took a bus tour Sunday through last night, Tuesday, to NYC. I always wanted to see the city for Christmas!

I have a wonderful, though short, time. The city is all dolled up for the holiday, but ..."

That sounds lovely - just like what Molly Murphy is viewing in our book!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I took a bus tour Sunday through last night, Tuesday, to NYC. I always wanted to see the city for Christmas!

I have a wonderful, though short, time. The city is all dolled up for the holiday, but ..."

I've always wanted to see NYC at Christmas too, Pghfan. Maybe next year. Glad you had a great time. Memorable, huh? :-)

Nicole wrote: "Mark Pghfan wrote: "I took a bus tour Sunday through last night, Tuesday, to NYC. I always wanted to see the city for Christmas!

I have a wonderful, though short, time. The city is all dolled up f..."

It is, Nicole. Love a NYC mystery.

Hey, PI's, any of you proficient in creating a PDF file? I need a typed out doc of mine in PDF and can't figure out how to do that. And that's all my source will accept. I can easily C&P into a field but "No-o" that's not what they'll accept. It'll be just a one page cover letter which I need to complete. I'd have it ready probably late tomorrow. Help.

I'm not particularly good at computer things, but if, in the doc, you go to "save as", there may be a menu under the name you choose where you can select "pdf". Have a look.

Thanks for that, Pghfan. Any guidance is a step in right direction. Thanks!

:-( Christmas and New Year's over. :-( ! And the tree and decorations are coming down, getting put away readying The Parlor for a winter cozy theme. Out of my Christmas gift cards I (yikes) stopped by B&N and bought stuff. You don't understand...they were 50% off. lol Bought a new magazine-type paperback re: all things cozy. Maybe there'll be some ideas in it. A new B&B, Inn magazine launched and I didn't even know about it!! I am slipping. And some other stuff. The Parlor will be freshened up ala New Year and we can tuck in with cocoa, new reads, resolutions and enjoy it!

What did you PI's buy from your gift cards? Mine are about gone while SO didn't even break into his yet! Sheesh. lol

Not much in the present exchange here. Most of the time, my friends and I go out to a special dinner with one another. Works every time!

Tina wrote: ":-( Christmas and New Year's over. :-( ! And the tree and decorations are coming down, getting put away readying The Parlor for a winter cozy theme. Out of my Christmas gift cards I (yikes) stopped..."

Gift cards contributed to a pedi for this gal!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Not much in the present exchange here. Most of the time, my friends and I go out to a special dinner with one another. Works every time!"

Memories over merchandise, Pghfan. The Best!!

Nicole wrote: "Tina wrote: ":-( Christmas and New Year's over. :-( ! And the tree and decorations are coming down, getting put away readying The Parlor for a winter cozy theme. Out of my Christmas gift cards I (y..."

Oooo, Nicole. Cozy and relaxing. Can't beat that! ;-)