http://christmastips.org/christmas-with-southern-living-2009/ Tips & Ideas For An Enjoyable Merry Christmas Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:06:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://christmastips.org/christmas-with-southern-living-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-278 Nathalie G. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:31:12 +0000 http://christmastips.org/?p=501#comment-278 If you're the type who anxiously awaits this each year (I have every year since 1993), then the book is worth the buy. However, it is definitely not one of SL's best years - if you don't buy this every year, or you're tight on cash, I'd find a copy to view before purchasing. Several decorating ideas are silly looking (example - hanging forks and upside-down wine glasses, via ribbon, off of a chandelier). However, there is an adorable idea where plates are hung, on the wall, to resemble a Christmas tree design (although I don't know what one would do with the nail holes through the rest of the year). There is also a beautiful guide to decorating a mantle with greenery and silver ornaments. Some of the cake mix recipes, featured as an item in the book's description, seem as though they'd be good (but be warned they appear to be as involved as any other SL cake recipe - the cake mix doesn't appear to be a time saver, just an ingredient). There aren't as many good recipes as last year, but there appear to be some good recipes such as Holiday potato bake, caramelized vidalia onion dip, red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin spice bars, chocolate bourbon pecan cake, and triple layer peanut butter brownie bars. It's not the best year but it's also not the worst - one good thing is that I didn't see any ideas recycled from past magazine or book issues (which is a common trick you'll find, when you follow SL for any length of time). Rating: 3 / 5 If you’re the type who anxiously awaits this each year (I have every year since 1993), then the book is worth the buy. However, it is definitely not one of SL’s best years – if you don’t buy this every year, or you’re tight on cash, I’d find a copy to view before purchasing. Several decorating ideas are silly looking (example – hanging forks and upside-down wine glasses, via ribbon, off of a chandelier). However, there is an adorable idea where plates are hung, on the wall, to resemble a Christmas tree design (although I don’t know what one would do with the nail holes through the rest of the year). There is also a beautiful guide to decorating a mantle with greenery and silver ornaments. Some of the cake mix recipes, featured as an item in the book’s description, seem as though they’d be good (but be warned they appear to be as involved as any other SL cake recipe – the cake mix doesn’t appear to be a time saver, just an ingredient). There aren’t as many good recipes as last year, but there appear to be some good recipes such as Holiday potato bake, caramelized vidalia onion dip, red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin spice bars, chocolate bourbon pecan cake, and triple layer peanut butter brownie bars. It’s not the best year but it’s also not the worst – one good thing is that I didn’t see any ideas recycled from past magazine or book issues (which is a common trick you’ll find, when you follow SL for any length of time).
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> http://christmastips.org/christmas-with-southern-living-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-277 Alycia Nichols Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:40:18 +0000 http://christmastips.org/?p=501#comment-277 I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I am SO glad they included so many decorating ideas this year! Along with the incredible recipes, (I plan to try several for the many holiday gatherings we're hosting this season), this is the best ever! The only three things that could have made this book better would be if it was free (although this is a very good price point), 100 times bigger (with fabulous photos and ideas like this, you can never have too much!), and had a resource directory for the beautiful decorative elements pictured. Love it! Rating: 5 / 5 I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I am SO glad they included so many decorating ideas this year! Along with the incredible recipes, (I plan to try several for the many holiday gatherings we’re hosting this season), this is the best ever! The only three things that could have made this book better would be if it was free (although this is a very good price point), 100 times bigger (with fabulous photos and ideas like this, you can never have too much!), and had a resource directory for the beautiful decorative elements pictured. Love it!
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> http://christmastips.org/christmas-with-southern-living-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-276 Thomas A. Sneed Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:21:32 +0000 http://christmastips.org/?p=501#comment-276 I actually ordered this book for my wife. Turns out I'm enjoying it as much as she is. The pictures, the recipes and comments are great! Rating: 5 / 5 I actually ordered this book for my wife. Turns out I’m enjoying it as much as she is. The pictures, the recipes and comments are great!
Rating: 5 / 5

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