Dec 222014
 

Sweet Potato and Beet Tart via J5MM.com // RV Cooking //

Soon 2015 will be upon us.  A new year with a fresh start, new hopes and new big dreams.  I love this time of year — not only is it the most wonderful time of the year but it’s also the most exciting time.  The Christmas holiday, together with the anticipation of the upcoming new year just makes my heart sing.

My heart has definitely caught the happy spirit of the season and I’m in full on holiday mode.  Baking, cooking, decorating and planning.  It’s all so very exciting.  I’m also happy to share with you some recipes that were born out of my silver kitchen recently.  I hope you will enjoy them as much as we have.

Dream Big and Shoot For the Stars via J5MM.comSweet Potato and Beet Tart via J5MM.com // RV Cooking //Sweet Potato and Beet Tart via J5MM.com // RV Cooking //

Elevate the mood of the season and scent your home or RV with this lovely assortment of pine tree snippings, a star anise pod, a cinnamon stick, one orange sliced and studded with cloves and a small apple.  Place them all into a small pot and fill with water up to the top.  Bring to a simmer and enjoy the sweet smells of the holiday season.  Add more water as needed.

One of my sweet readers commented on my facebook page when I shared this idea that rather than simmering away on the stove, she uses a small slow cooker.  Great idea I say!

Holiday Scents For Your Home or RV via J5MM.com // RV LivingHoliday Airstream via J5MM.comCrunchy Kale Christmas Salad via J5MM.com // RV CookingCrunchy Kale Christmas Salad via J5MM.com // RV CookingLemon Poppyseed Shortbread Christmas Cookies via J5MM.com // Airstream BakingLemon Poppyseed Shortbread Christmas Cookies via J5MM.com // Airstream Baking

Now this recipe I simply adore.  The cookie dough, for me, is like a blank canvas. I added poppy-seeds, lemon zest and almond extract (instead of the traditional vanilla).   The recipe follows below :)

Freshly Baked Christmas Cookies via J5MM.com // Airstream Life // RV Baking

Our bedroom got a little makeover and everytime I walk in here, I can’t help but smile big.  I’ve been in love love love with that duvet set now for a little over two years.  I’ve had a thing for triangles back then and I still do now.  Maybe it’s the graphic designer in me that makes my heart flip for triangle patterns but my love for them still goes strong.

Which brings me to my next point.  No matter how in love I was with that duvet set, there was no way I was paying the amount of $$ that was being asked for it.  It was an insane amount.  So I pinned the duvet set to my Pinterest board that I titled, “Outfitting an Airstream,” and moved on with my life.

Every now and then I would stalk that set and just dream it could be mine.  Well, two weeks ago my dream came true :) When I returned to my Pinterest board for my ritual stalking, I discovered it was on SALE.  Including shipping I paid less than $50!

Airstream Bedroom Makeover via J5MM.comRed Raspberry Thumbprints via J5MM.com // RV Cooking // Holiday Cookies

I want to thank you for being here, it means so much.  Your sweet words to me about J5MM always makes me smile and I hope that your holiday season is full of peace and happiness.

Wherever you are this holiday season, hubby, B, Oliver and I are sending you warm holiday wishes ♥

Safe and happy travels,
With all my heart ~
Monica xoxo

Airstream Merry Christmas via J5MM.com

Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

Bake these up all at once, or keep the log in the freezer for those times when a hankering for a fresh baked cookie strikes.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Zest of one large-ish lemon

2 tablespoons of poppy seeds

1/4 teaspoon salt

optional:  miniature marshmallows

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375° F.

In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, lemon zest, salt and almond extract until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in your flour and poppy seeds until it is well blended.

On a sheet of plastic wrap, place your dough and flatten it into a disc.  Chill in your fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Cut equal size squares in the dough and roll into little balls pressing into the middle with your thumb to make an impression.  Place cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet and place a single miniature marshmallow in the impression, or “print.”

Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges turn a nice light brown.

Remove your cookies from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.  Once cool, add a single raspberry to each cookie and dust with powdered sugar.

They are really cute little cookies that taste so delicious.  I hope you enjoy.

 

  16 Responses to “Merry Christmas”

  1. Tastfully, colorfully pure fun post…you rock!! I need to branch out and get more creative. MERRY christmas…keep the goodness coming!!!

  2. Oh my, I’m going to have to try each and everyone of these recipes ! They look gorgeous and delicious !

  3. Oh and have a Very Merry Christmas ! Love ,Sandy♥

  4. Dear Monica, Merry Christmas! Thank you for bringing us your wonderful blogs and stories of your travels. I especially love the picture of your trailer in this blog showing the entire span of space! I always assumed you had the same trailer as ours, only longer, but seeing Safari on the final AS picture, I realize yours is different. What year do you have? I love the colorfulness of your decor! I have to believe you are one of the most creative, colorful people who love what I love! Hoping you have the most magical holiday season, and am looking forward to your next blog! Happy New Year! Sandi

    • My sweet Sandi, thank you always for your kind words to me. I always love hearing from you! That last picture is of our very first silver girl — she was a 25′ Safari and I loved her so much. We actually sold her to a lovely couple here in the Pacific Northwest that we keep in touch with through Facebook. We now have 27′ International Signature // 2010. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and will have a peaceful, happy and relaxing Merry Christmas XOXO

  5. Merry Christmas Monica. Thank you for the Christmas cheer with the wonderful recipes and “Outfitting the Airstream” on Pinterest. I have been outfitting my Airstream, Serenity Now, with some of your suggestions. Your unique photographic eye to see beauty in simple colorful objects is your talent’ something I can only copy cat. Hope you don’t mind! Merry Christmas and thank you making the world more beautiful!!

    • Thank you so much Louise, your words brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out with your sweet words. Here’s to happy travels in 2015 and hopefully meeting up on the road one day XOXO

  6. I have always enjoyed your blog. This post was especially intriguing with all the holiday spirit you added to it. I’ve copied your vinaigrette recipe and plan on a Kale salad with Cornish Hens for Christmas dinner.

    Happy Holidays and safe travels

    • Hello Pam, I’m SO happy to hear that :) Thank you for following me along these last years, means so much. I hope you have a very, very Merry Christmas :) XOXO

  7. Monica,

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents with us. Your blog is a real inspiration. Wishing you a fantastic 2015.

    Susan

  8. Monica,
    I LOVE your blog – I know it’s after Holidays – but where did you get the ornaments?

    • Hi Laura — thank you !!! The Airstream and the “Happy Camper” are both Hallmark ornaments and I bought them both off eBay. The trailer that has the Santa inside of it I bought at World Market / Cost Plus. I hope that helped you!

 Leave a Reply

(required)

Your Email (required)

CommentLuv badge