May Your Holidays Be Bright

"May Your Holidays Be Bright with Peace, Love, and Harmony"

This year Christmas and the first night of Chanukah fall on the same day! Why do the dates of Jewish holidays vary from year to year? 

 

 

Jewish Holidays follow the original Hebrew Biblical calendar which is lunisolar and is based on the cycles of the moon and the sun. The American calendar which is called the Gregorian calendar is based only on the sun. Therefore Jewish holidays will fall on the same dates each year on the Hebrew calendar, but the date will vary each year on the Gregorian calendar. 

This year, the dates of the holidays coincide- both falling on December 25. 

Wishing all of my readers peace, love, and light, whether you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah ... 

Don't miss my post on hot chocolate holiday whipped cream toppers- easy to make, wonderful to enjoy on hot chocolate!!!

Kwanaza - is a cultural holiday, not religious holiday, which begins Dec 26-

Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural celebration observed from December 26 to January 1, honoring African heritage and values. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way to strengthen the Black community and promote unity, self-determination, and cultural pride. Happy Kwanza to anyone who celebrates! 

"Whip Up Some Fun: Festive Frozen Whipped Cream Toppers for Hot Chocolate"

A steaming mug of hot chocolate is the perfect cold weather treat, and adding frozen whipped cream toppers is fun, festive, and delicious. Perfect for holiday entertaining. 

The frozen whipped cream slowly melts into the warm cocoa, creating a creamy swirl that’s delicious and visually delightful. 

Whether you are celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, these frozen whipped cream toppers can be customized for any occasion. 

Just grab a can of refrigerated aerosol whipped cream, spray some onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet, decorate, and freeze - now you’re all set! This easy recipe is a perfect project to make with younger kids because it is so easy to make and they can have lots of fun with the decorations. 

Use Non-Dairy Alternatives To Make It Vegan

It can also be made with non-dairy almond milk whipped cream (available at most supermarkets) and I've included an easy homemade hot chocolate recipe (link to recipe) which can also be made with non-dairy milk substitutes such as almond or oat milk. 

 How To Make Frozen Whipped Cream Toppers Using Refrigerated Aerosol Canned Whipped Cream 

This no-fuss method will have you and your family enjoying festive whipped cream-topped cocoa in no time.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of refrigerated aerosol whipped cream (make sure it's kept in the fridge until you're ready to use it)
• Optional decorations: Holiday sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, or colored sugar (for extra festive flair)
• Parchment paper or a baking sheet (to freeze the whipped cream shapes)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Freezing Tray

• Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper. This will be where you will spray your whipped cream shapes.

Step 2: Spray the Whipped Cream

• Hold your can of refrigerated whipped cream upside down and gently spray the whipped cream onto the parchment paper. You can create any shape you like! Small dollops or larger swirls both work well. 

Step 3: Decorate

• Once you’ve sprayed your whipped cream shapes, it’s time to make them festive! Let your kids (or yourself!) go wild with colorful sprinkles, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, or even a dusting of cocoa powder. These little additions make the whipped cream look extra special and festive on top of your hot cocoa.

Step 4: Freeze

• Place the tray in the freezer for at least 4 hours or until the whipped cream is completely frozen. You want it to be firm enough to hold its shape when you place it in your hot chocolate. Use a spatula to easily remove them.

Step 5: Serve with Hot Chocolate

• Once your whipped cream toppers are frozen, it’s time to enjoy them! Pour your favorite hot chocolate into mugs and place one or two frozen whipped cream toppers on top. Watch in delight as the whipped cream slowly melts into your cocoa, creating a rich, creamy swirl in every sip.

Why Kids Will Love Making These Whipped Cream Toppers

Making frozen whipped cream toppers with kids is a great way to get everyone involved in the kitchen. Here’s why this activity is so much fun for kids:

1. No Mess, No Fuss: Since you’re using canned aerosol whipped cream, there’s no need for mixing or whipping—just spray and freeze! It’s super easy for kids to do with minimal adult supervision.

2. Creative Decor: Let kids go wild with the toppings! They can add sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or crushed candy canes to their heart’s content. It’s like making edible art!

3. Instant Gratification: Unlike some baking projects that take hours to prepare, these whipped cream toppers only take a few minutes to create, and the waiting time (for freezing) is well worth it. Kids will be thrilled when they finally get to see their creation melt into the cocoa.

4. Festive Family Fun: Making these toppers can become a new holiday tradition. It’s the perfect way to add some extra cheer to a family hot chocolate night or a holiday movie marathon.

The Magic of Hot Chocolate After Playing in the Snow

There’s something wonderfully comforting about sipping a warm mug of hot chocolate, especially with one of these festive toppers. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would always greet me with a mug of hot cocoa when I came in from playing in the snow (when I was growing up in New Jersey, we had lots of snow and blizzards all winter). I would be out for hours. Hot chocolate would be a staple in those cold winter months. 

Let me know if you try them... they are so much fun to make...

Whether you’re having a cozy family night, enjoying some quiet time by the fire, or hosting a holiday gathering, hot chocolate with these fun toppers is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

Wishing everyone peace, joy, and happiness as you enjoy this holiday season. 

My neighbor sent me a picture of my house in this week's light snow 

A Brief Vacation

I'll be taking a brief vacation from our vacation home in Miami.

We are joining friends for a week long cruise on the Celebrity Apex Cruise Ship. We are four couples all from the neighborhood back home in Pennsylvania originally. 

The Secret To My 4 easiest Homemade Soups: Use Salsa as Your Base

It's soup season 🍅🥕🥔🍠 and a hot nourishing bowl of homemade soup may be just what you are craving to warm up and get cozy on a cold winter night. 

I'm reposting 4 of my easiest homemade soup recipes which use a jar of salsa as my soup base. Using salsa as a soup base is a great kitchen hack. 

3 Simple Healthy Holiday Recipes to Impress Without the Stress

Although the holiday season is frequently laden with sweet and rich indulgences, it doesn’t mean we can't find snacks and sides that are light, healthy, or uncomplicated. 

On this post today, I'm sharing 3 interesting recipes that I found on other blogs that I thought were perfect for entertaining now and during the holidays. 

I had a dinner party last night with 15 guests. I tried two different recipes that I found on Pattie's blog ( A blog that I follow) called Olla-Podrida.  Both recipes were well received.

Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive (vegan) calls for just a handful of healthy ingredients. The dip is savory and creamy with the delicious taste of olives. It's perfect for scooping with crisp veggies or your favorite chips or crackers (all gluten-free of course). It's an easy recipe to keep on hand. Follow the link to find her recipe. Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive

Next, an interesting Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm features hearts of palm, marinated artichokes, a variety of olives, and cherry tomatoes- a delightful mix of textures and delicious flavors. Light, refreshing, and festive, it’s perfect for balancing out all those rich holiday meals. Follow the link to see her recipe. I did make some personal taste changes. See my notes at the bottom of the post for my personal changes.Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm

The third recipe I found on another blog that I follow, Jeff the Chef's blog - Make it Like a Man. I have not made this incredible looking food design recipe yet, so I don't have a photo to share with you - but click over to his blog to see this beautiful Caprese holiday wreath made of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls,  (vegans can substitute vegan feta cheese) and edible greens. So creative, and definitely is cheerful, festive, and makes a great presentation during the holidays. I think it's a show stopper!! 

 Whether you're wanting a festive appetizer or a light, colorful salad, these simple dishes are the perfect balance of healthful ingredients and holiday cheer.

My Notes: 

Re: Artichoke Salad with Hearts of Palm. 

I made a few changes when I made the recipe. 

First, I used a jar of marinated artichoke quarters. I used some of the marinade from the jar in place of the suggested dressing for the recipe.

Re;Cannellini Bean Dip with Black Olive . I left out the oil and I thought it was still very creamy. Next time, I might try using green olives or Kalamata olives in this easy bean dip recipe. 

No Fuss Red Lentil Patties : Quick, Easy, and Protein-Rich

 

If your cholesterol is high and your doctor has suggested cutting back on meat, including more high fiber plant-based foods in your diet, such as these easy red lentil patties, may be something you and your doctor may like. 

Home For Thanksgiving - and Back

We flew home from Florida to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving to be with our kids, grandkids, and family.  The weather was relatively mild (40' and 50's) until the last day when it was 28 degrees in the morning.

My husband took a picture with the Eagles display at the
Philly airport

I loved the crisper weather ( for the week) but most of all I enjoyed the lights and festive decorations on all the houses. In South Florida, there are mostly condos where I live and the personal decorating is at a minimum. However, the streets and condo building are highly decorated. Maybe it just doesn't feel like the holiday season in South Florida because it' still so warm (70's and 80's).