12 Heartfelt Wonderful Things For The Holidays
Did you know that Annie (in Connecticut), Cindy (in California) and I (in Florida) talk by phone once or twice a month to catch up on our lives and then about “content creation?” We came up with the idea of Twelve Days Of Christmas…that turned into Twelve Holiday Things…that turned into this post!
I’m covering everything from a side dish recipe, animal print skirt 70% off, volunteer ideas, tummy-ache remedy, great gifts, praying for unlikeable people, and a free, sweet family tradition.
1. A Yummy Side Dish: Layered Potato Stacks With Sea Salt
These Roasted Potato Stacks with rosemary and garlic make the house smell homey. They are a nice side dish with chicken, fish or meat. I made them again last week at our daughter’s house. She had a mandolin and it was easy.
This was adapted from the Salt n Pepper blog.
Stacked Roasted Rosemary Parmesan Potatoes
Ingredients
Garlic Rosemary Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp finely chopped rosemary
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- black pepper to tast
Potato Stacks
- 3 lbs small yellow potatoes, sliced 1/16" thick
- 12-24 rosemary leaves
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- olive oil or spray for muffin tins
To Finish
- pinches of flakey sea salt like Maldon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush the cups of a 12-cup muffin tin with oil. Pile stacks up high for 12 slightly heaped stacks, keeping in mind the potatoes sink down as they cook.
- Melt butter and stir in garlic, parsley, chopped thyme, salt and black pepper. Set aside to cool
- Slice potatoes with skin on, very thinly about 1/16”. I highly recommend using a mandolin to get super thin slices of potatoes in relatively little time. Evenly-thick slices are important for even cooking. If you don’t have a mandolin, slice carefully with a sharp knife. Place sliced potatoes in a large mixing bowl and toss with cooled garlic herb butter.
- Assemble potato stacks. In each oiled muffin cup, place a couple rosemary leaves followed by slices of potatoes starting with smaller pieces and ending with the larger pieces. About 1/3 and 2/3 of the way up the stack, sprinkle a bit of grated parmesan. For the prettiest stacks, stagger potato slices a little rather than matching them up in a neat column. Divide evenly among the 12 cups.
- Cover muffin tin tightly with foil. Bake in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 25 minutes or whenever potatoes are tender (use a wooden skewer to poke one stack to check – the skewer should easily slide all the way through and back out). Increase oven heat to 425°F (220°C). Remove foil and return to bake uncovered for 13-15 minutes more, or whenever edges are browned and crispy, and tops are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them during the final few minutes of browning.
- Dislodge the stacks from the muffin tin with a fork. Serve upside down with a sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.
2. What’s Fun At Trader Joe’s
It’s time for these iced ginger cookies…I surprised Louisa with some in her toy oven last year. And they are cute to serve with a scoop of ice cream.
Here are 29 TJ Faves according to Parade magazine.
When we have overnight guests, I’d like to try Kouign Amann, frozen French pastries (pronounced “queen-uh-mahn”). You proof them overnight, bake and end up with four caramelized, buttery, croissant-like pastries.
3. Animal Print Slip Skirt From Ann Taylor On Super Sale (close to 70% off)
This skirt will sell out and it comes in petite and classic sizes. $39.95 Price reduced from $129.00 and free shipping. I like it with a loose sweater top better than how I am showing it (Thanksgiving was warm at my cousin’s house in Redlands, CA). The boots are sold out in dark brown but there are some sizes in black.
4. Fresh Herbal Mint Tea With Lemon Remedy
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I had some sort of short-lived stomach bug that hit me in the afternoon…hard, until the following afternoon.
My friend, Rosalba, made me a large cup of fresh mint and lemon tea (you just add boiling water and let it steep). It really settled my stomach along with being hydrating. You could add honey or sugar if you want.
5. Thee Best Cooking Sheet Pans Ever!
OvenBond Tri-ply 3-Piece Set This starter set comprised of a Half Sheet Pan with Rack and Quarter Sheet Pan will seriously level up your oven-roasting and baking equipment. We loved ours.
Try this Recipe: Cheesy Chorizo Quesadillas
And after Howard had the starter set he wanted this bigger set last Christmas: OvenBond Tri-ply 5-Piece Set.
6. Volunteer Opportunities
These Online platforms
make it simple to browse opportunities by your interests, schedule, and location:
- AllForGood.org – Filters by skills, causes, and distance.
- Idealist.org – Includes in-person and virtual volunteer roles.
Check With Your City or Town
Many cities have a volunteer page on their official website where they list:
- Park or beach cleanups
- Special events
- Community boards and committees
- Emergency preparedness teams
Connect Through Your Place of Worship
Churches, temples, and other faith communities frequently run:
- Meal programs
- Clothing drives
- Outreach events
- Refugee support
7. Wish List For Her (or Me)
I love everything here…
I’ve been coveting the cream and chocolate Sezane loafers for a while and with our recent travel, I could use eye bag help with these jet lag patches. These pearl earrings feel modern yet classic. I have the see through makeup case and love my three or four year old On Cloud sneakers…I might see about getting new inserts or buy these new. This is a great band for your Apple watch.
8. Wish List For Him (grown son or husband)
Most of these are on sale now…
Our son, Tommy likes the Marine Layer long-sleeved shirt and good Persol sunglasses (this is basically his list). He also swears by the Madewell tee-shirts. This is the latest generation of Apple Air pods that have better noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life. They can even translate foreign languages live (I want these, too). These are good-looking dressy sneakers from Nordstrom Rack. If your guy likes a slim wallet…this is the slimmest!
9. See’s Candies For Everyone
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate? Chewy, nutty or creamy? There is a box for that! We grew up having a box of this Southern California fave around the holidays.
Our family likes Dark Chocolate Nuts and Chews. And the Traditional Assorted box is always a hit. Nice that they come wrapped and they are easy to send to out-of-town friends.
10. Pray For People Who Are Hard To Pray For
On the recent blog post: 6 Simple Fun Things To Do Over The Thanksgiving Weekend, I received a very long comment with lots of profanity and telling me one by one what bad ideas they were. At first I was shocked, then I felt bad for him/her for having nothing better to do during a time that should be happy.
So I blocked/deleted the comment and then I prayed for the poor person. Usually, I pray for people going through hard times but how do you feel about praying for people who might be evil?
11. For The Toddler Makeup Artist
Our daughter was frustrated with Louisa getting into her makeup so she bought her her own play kit. She gave me a makeover!
This pretend makeup kit is so realistic but doesn’t make a mess. So good for the imagination.
12. Around The Table: Share What You Like About Each Person
Who doesn’t love a compliment?
We always make “toasts” to someone on their birthday but the other night after dinner, our son-in-law asked Louisa to say something special about each of us sitting there (five of us). She did a great job and then each of us said what we like about Louisa. She loved it so much, she wanted us to do it again!
Would your family do this? It’s sweet, free and feels good.
Hi Maryann, I have two young granddaughters so I know how much they love to imitate the grownups, especially with makeup. Please be very very careful with these pretend products. They are almost always imported with dubious ingredients. IMO, not worth the risk on little faces. Sad, but true how much we now have to evaluate safety of everything we encounter. Merry Christmas!
I look forward to your posts each week. Matthew 5:44 says: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..” A hard teaching but it differentiates us from the rest of the world.
Thank you, Cynthia for this quote. It IS a hard teaching but I personally will try.
Mary Ann,
Your posts always have wonderful ideas and recipes! Thanks for your weekly inspirations! The compliment discussion idea is one I will definitely use at Christmas around the family table. Love the character and confidence building aspect for the littles gathered with us!
Growing up, we had to make “short and sweet” toasts and I do think it helps with confidence!
Yes, I love the idea of praying for your enemies. Jesus gave that advice, so you are in good company! Thanks for reminding us to give grace. I find it is helpful to consider the “prequel”, as you mentioned I think…What happened in their past or this morning that has led them to act the way they act. And I like the advice from Brene Brown to assume that people are doing the best they can. It helps us have empathy, realizing that if THAT is doing the best they can, they must be having a very hard time.
Very good message to all of us, Ruth Ann.
Mary Ann! What lovely and thoughtful things on your list! You are genuinely the kindest person! And I always look forward to our chats!
Xx
I think YOU are so kind, Annie.
Your work is exceptional, and the generosity you bring to everything you share means more than you know.
Thanks so much, Pam!!!
This was a great post! Always love a good potato recipe, Thanksgiving reminded me of how bad my sheet pans are, a box of See’s candy reminds me of my dad (he would always receive a few at Christmas and bring them home), and Tommy’s lists always seem applicable to my son, as well (tell him thank you!). Merry Christmas to you and your family, and to all of your readers.
You will want to get rid of all the old sheet pans if you get these new, really good ones. Sorry, Catherine!
Hi Mary Ann – Long time follower, rarely comment. I love the ideas pose, fashion links you share, and kindness you exude. I’m sorry you got roasted in the comments. “Yes”, I try to ‘turn the other cheek’, and it’s sometimes very difficult. My prayer is, “Bless them, change me”…often when there are aggressive drivers around me…I don’t know why they’re riding my bumper or speeding past…’Bless them” – perhaps they are heading to the hospital to get to a sick relative? IDK. “Change me” – let me be peace-filled during these trials when my reflex is to get very annoyed. Thank you for this lovely blog
I like that, Téa…”change me” or give me patience. Merry Christmas.
Hi Mary Ann,
The make up kit for Louisa is so cute, and it’s such a good idea on your daughter’s part. Great pic of you together.
The Potato Stacks look very good.
I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s thanks for sharing the list. We buy lots from TJ’s. The gingerbread cookies are cute.
Too bad you picked up a stomach bug, that is no fun.
Gee, too bad you received a mean and hateful response to your Thanksgiving blog. All I can say is that this person does not have a song to sing in their heart. I hope it did not disturb your peace of mind. Praying for that person is all you can do.
You and your family are such good people, you deserve better.
Have a beautiful day.
Katherine, you are always so kind. Thank you! Imagine “does not have a song to sing in their heart”…great saying.
Hello Mary Ann,
Love this post; thank you for creating it during such a busy time. The make up kit looks fabulous for little ones! I loved your skirt, but already have two animal prints ones, but then I bagged the Ann Taylor corduroy animal print pants on sale, so good! Thanks for the direction. How nice!! Have a lovely week!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Francesca!
Thank you for another great post! Do you by chance have the link for the pearl earrings that you show under “Gifts for Her,” they look so pretty and I would like to buy them. Thanks!
I just fixed that! Sorry Annette. Thanks for telling me.
I really liked the Stacked Roasted Rosemary Parmesan Potatoes (that’s quite a long name- ha) recipe. I’ll try it soon. Your ideas on 6 Simple Fun Things To Do Over Thanksgiving weekend were great. I pray that “dark” people will see the goodness of the light of Jesus Christ.
Hope you will have continued blessings in the season!
TJ, a very merry Christmas to you!
: Love your post
Thanks Lillian!
Thank you for another wonderful post! I have followed you for quite some time and truly enjoy all that you have to offer! I am sorry that you received such a negative comment last week. Yes, I agree we should pray for those who are most challenging and troubled souls. We will find that prayer transformative in our own lives as well as theirs. May you and your family enjoy many blessings this Christmas and all year long.
Kris, I need to pray more!!
Dear Mary Ann, very sorry for those negative comments. Prayer is everything! This world needs prayers, so keep on praying. Prayer changes everything! Love your blog. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas .
Thanks, Rebecca. Not everyone believes in prayer but even positive thoughts have to be good for those.