Charcuterie Wreath
Making a Christmas Charcuterie Wreath is an easy and fun holiday appetizer idea. Antipasto skewers arranged into a festive wreath shape then decorated with rosemary will be a show stopping dish for all of your parties and feasts.
Christmas Charcuterie Board
This is less a recipe and more of a basic how-to. Gather all of your favorite antipasto foods, skewer them on large toothpicks then arrange into a wreath shape.
It is so, so easy but makes a big impact on that holiday appetizer table. Plus it is a great way to serve antipasto. Folks can just grab a few skewers instead of touching and pawing at everything on the platter. . .I’m talking to you, Aunt Betty!
This Antipasto Wreath is perfect for bringing to a party or dinner. It travels well and can be prepped ahead of time.
Ingredients Needed For Christmas Charcuterie – use all or just your favorites
Salami
Pepperoni
Prosciutto
Mozzarella Pearls
Fontina
Havarti
Manchego
Green Olives
Black Olives
Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Mini Pickles
Roasted Red Peppers
Peperoncini
Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Grapes
Rosemary
Thyme
Basil
Micro Greens
Large Toothpicks
For my wreath I used: Salami, Mozzarella, Fontina, Dill Havarti, Green Olives, Black Olives, Marinated Artichokes, Roasted Red Peppers, Mini Pickles, Tomatoes, Rosemary Sprigs and Micro Greens.
Stick with white cheese as well as using green and red ingredients. The white, green and red makes for the prettiest antipasto wreath.
How To Make A Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
Gather your antipasto ingredients. Prep any that require chopping, slicing or cubing.
Skewer ingredients onto large toothpicks. Arrange in a wreath shape on a large round platter or serving board.
Transfer to refrigerator until ready to serve.
More by NICOLE HARRIS recipes at link below.
New Shows on Peacock: December 2022
I’m sorry, but a holiday baking show hosted by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg is catnip for me. It’s also a big plus that the series doesn’t even seem cutthroat — competitive cooking shows stress me out. Instead, these contestants are just cooking in a cozy cabin for four baker grandmas and the two hosts. It seems delightful! (Streaming December 12.)
Baking It Photo: Jordin Althaus/Peacock
What’s New on Peacock
Noteworthy selections in bold.
Available December 1
12 Dates of Christmas
Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Annie, 1982
Bring It On
Cry Freedom
The Day After Tomorrow
Deja Vu
Everest
First Cow
The Goonies
Green Lantern
The Happy Elf
Just Go With It
Kicking & Screaming, 2005
Kill Bill: Volume 1
Kill Bill: Volume 2
Miracle one 34th Street, 1947
Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
The Mistle-Tones
Mixed Nuts
Mo’ Better Blues
Mo’ Money
Monster Trucks
Moonrise Kingdom
Night at the Musuem
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Out of Sight
The Peanuts Movie
The Pirates! Band of the Misfits
Pretty Woman
Puss in Boots
Safe House
Sisters
Sweet Navidad
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Tombstone
The Smurfs
The Smurfs 2
The Space Jam
Speed
Spy Game
True Lies
Unbreakable
XXX
XXX: The State of the Union
Survivor’s Remorse, seasons 1–4
Available December 2
A Big Fat Family Christmas (Hallmark)
Dolly Parton’s Magic Mountain Christmas (NBC)
Sean Patton: Number One (Peacock Original)
Available December 3
A Fabled Holiday (Hallmark)
The Holiday Stocking (Hallmark)
2022 NASCAR Awards
Available December 4
Undercover Holiday (Hallmark)
Available December 8
The Real Housewives of Miami, season 5, episodes 1–4 (Peacock Original)
Available December 9
The Most Colorful Time of the Year (Hallmark)
The Mighty Ones, season 4
Available December 10
Christmas Class Reunion (Hallmark)
The Gift of Peace (Hallmark)
Available December 11
The Holiday Sitter (Hallmark)
Available December 12
Alguien Te Mira, season 1
Baking It, season 2, episode 1 (Peacock Original)
Available December 13
Baking It, NBC holiday special episode (Peacock Original)
Available December 15
Love for the Ages, season 1, episodes 1–4 (Peacock Original)
A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (NBC)
Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas
Available December 16
Holiday Heritage (Hallmark)
Available December 17
Five More Minutes: Moments Like These (Hallmark)
’Twas the Night Before Christmas (Hallmark)
Available December 18
Hanukkah on Rye (Hallmark)
The Legend of Tarzan
Available December 19
Growing Up Chrisley, season 4 (E!)
Available December 20
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Available December 22
The Best Man: The Final Chapters, limited series, episodes 1–8 (Peacock Original)
The Intern
Available December 26
Chasing Gold: Paris 2024 (NBC)
Raising A F-ing Star, season 1 (E!)
Available December 27
Sleeping with Death, season 1 (Oxygen)
Source: vulture.com/article/new-on-peacock-movies-shows-originals.html
omg, Hallmark heaven!
Peacock is a streaming service from NBCUniversal. With full seasons of exclusive originals; next-day airings of current NBC, Bravo, and Telemundo hits; can’t-miss live sports; plus thousands of hours of TV shows and movies available; there is always something new to discover. Sign up for a Peacock Premium plan to start streaming.
December Holidays and Observances
Mark your calendar with celebratory dates for the week of December 5-10.
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Monday, Dec. 5
- International Ninja Day
- International Volunteer Day
- National Repeal Day
- World Soil Day
- Sacher-Torte Day
- Bathtub Party Day
Tuesday, Dec. 6
- National Gazpacho Day
- National Miners Day
- St. Nicholas Day
- Walt Disney Day
- Put on Your Own Shoes Day
- National Pawnbrokers Day
- Mitten Tree Day
- National Microwave Oven Day
- National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Wednesday, Dec. 7
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- International Civil Aviation Day
- National Letter Writing Day
- World Trick Shot Day
- National Cotton Candy Day
Lucy Lambriex//Getty Images
Thursday, Dec. 8
- Latina Equal Pay Day
- National Brownie Day
- Christmas Jumper Day
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
- Bodhi Day
Friday, Dec. 9
- National Llama Day
- International Anti-Corruption Day
- International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
- Christmas Card Day
- International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- National Pastry Day
- Techno Day
- Weary Willie Day
Saturday, Dec. 10
- Human Rights Day
- Dewey Decimal System Day
- National Salesperson Day
- Nobel Prize Day
- International Animal Rights Day
- Jane Addams Day
- National Lager Day
Source: womansday.com/life/a38346909/december-holidays-and-observances/
Freevee: What’s on in December 2022
Grab some hot chocolate, curl around an open fire and get ready to watch all the great new content on Amazon’s Freevee.
Dec. 1
Everwood S1-4 (2002)
In Plain Sight S1-5 (2008)
Head of the Class S1-5 (1986)
Person of Interest S1-5 (2011)
A Christmas Movie Christmas (2019)
A Christmas Switch (2018)
A Cinderella Christmas (2016)
A Dogwalker’s Christmas Tale (2015)
A Furry Little Christmas (2021)
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
A Puppy for Christmas (2016)
A Snow White Christmas (2018)
Admission (2013)
All is True (2018)
All the President’s Men (1976)
An En Vogue Christmas (2014)
Annie (2014)
Balto (1995)
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Christmas Belle (2013)
Christmas Comes Home (2020)
Christmas Mail (2010)
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Destroyer (2018)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Hairspray (2007)
Hook (1991)
House Party (1990)
House Party 2 (1991)
Kajillionaire (2020)
Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Kindergarten Cop 2 (2016)
Layer Cake (2004)
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Monster Trucks (2016)
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
Mother! (2017)
Only the Brave (2017)
Our Idiot Brother (2011)
Puss in Boots (2011)
She’s the Man (2006)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
The Back-up Plan (2010)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Christmas Calendar (2017)
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
The Flintstones (1994)
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)
The Island (2005)
The Shallows (2016)
The Spruces and the Pines (2017)
The Watch (2012)
The Way Way Back (2013)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story (1993)
Dec. 2
Hotel for the Holidays (2022)
Dec. 5
Killers Anonymous (2019)
Dec. 9
America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation S1 (2022)
Dec. 15
Mr. Mayor (2021)
Dec. 16
The Night Before (2015)
Dec. 29
Passengers (2016)
Source: © 2022 Adweek, LLC
Prince William and Princess Kate’s 3-day royal visit to Boston
The Royals toured the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on Dec. 2, 2022, the final day of the Prince of Wales’ three-day visit with wife Princess Kate for his Earthshot Prize Awards.
Princess Kate — wearing a bright green dress by Solace London that was rented from HURR for less than $100 — and Prince William arrived at the future king’s second annual Earthshot Prize Awards at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston on Dec. 2, 2022. She accessorized with emerald earrings and an emerald and diamond necklace that belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Earthshot guests were asked to focus on sustainability by wearing something recycled or vintage on the big night. The couple arrived in an electric vehicle, served plant-based food, reused the green carpet from the previous year’s event and ensured no single-use plastics were used at the event
Princess Kate attended husband Prince William’s second annual Earthshot Prize Awards at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston on Dec. 2, 2022, wearing an emerald and diamond choker that previously belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, with matching emerald and diamond earrings. The necklace was initially worn by Queen Mary in the early 1900s.
Princess Kate and Prince William visited Greentown Labs, North America’s largest clean-tech incubator, in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Dec. 1, 2022.
Prince William and Princess Kate watched an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden in Boston. During the game, “both times William and Kate appeared on the @tdgarden big screen there were cheers but also some boos. Along with chants of ‘USA, USA,'” ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship tweeted alongside videos of the pair on the screen. “Some say it was expected at the Boston team @celtics with such strong Irish roots. But, still, not something the Royals get very often.”
The Prince and Princess kicked off Earthshot celebrations by lighting up Boston green at Speaker’s Corner by City Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, on Nov. 30, 2022. The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Boston to attend an event that celebrates those whose work is helping to repair the planet.
Story by Marisa Laudadio
Photo credit: ©Chris Jackson / Getty Images;©Samir Hussein – Pool/WireImage;©Karwai Tang / WireImage
Astrologically Speaking, 2023 Is Going To Be an Intense Time of Change
Here’s What’s in Store for Your Sign Next Year
As we wrestle with this massive collective change, we could also find ourselves re-evaluating relationships throughout 2023. In July, the north and south lunar nodes (aka fated points in the sky where the moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s orbit around the sun) will shift into the opposite signs of Aries and Libra, respectively, which astrologer Stephanie Campos calls a relationships axis.
“The focus is on balancing our life path between ourselves and others,” she says of this transit. Specifically, we’ll be calling in the positive elements of Aries, like self-confidence and self-prioritization, and letting go of the shadow sides of Libra, like codependency and compensation. “We’ll be pushed to better assert our own needs and put ourselves first, while also figuring out how to work well with others,” she says.
Photo: Getty Images/OR Images
Below, astrologer Stephanie Campos shares her 2023 horoscopes for every zodiac sign
Aries: Self-reflection
Taurus: Abundance
Gemini: Community
Cancer: Reputation
Leo: Relationships
Virgo: Vulnerability
Libra: Balance
Scorpio: Collaboration
Sagittarius: Fun and joy
Capricorn: Home and family
Aquarius: Personal growth
Pisces: Financial change
How these collective and personal shifts are star-sanctioned to affect individual 2023 horoscopes will depend on the astrological houses they fall in for each sign.
Click below to learn more of Campos’s exclusive 2023 horoscope for your sign, so you can embrace the year in cosmic alignment.
Our 35 Easiest Ever Christmas Cookie Recipes
Christmas means cookies. Lots of cookies. When the season is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what cookies to bake for our family, fill up our cookie tins for gifts, serve at our potlucks, and munch on as we start wrapping yet another present. Are you going for a festive cookie to decorate with icing and candies or a more subdued cookie that evokes the season with flavors like cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, and—of course—chocolate? Well, sometimes, our schedules dictate what treats we’re baking.
We don’t always have the time to make batches of complicated masterpieces. Occasionally, we want a delicious, simple cookie that, if we’re being honest, tastes just as good but with half the hassle. That’s where these delicious yet easy holiday cookie recipes come in—they give you Christmas cheer with little effort. (And we are all for it). Check out these easy Christmas cookies you’ll be making all season long.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
photo by micah a leal
These vibrant cookies start with a box of red velvet cake mix. It can be our little secret. Pops of white chocolate makes this cake-inspired cookie one of our all-time favorites.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
PHOTOGRAPHER: ISAAC NUNN, PROP STYLIST: JULIA BAYLESS, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN
Snickerdoodles highlight the spice of the season: cinnamon. You won’t be able to resist a taste after smelling these cinnamon-sugar cookies baking. The trick to making these cookies is browning the butter.
No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS
These cookies take just 30 minutes to pull together. Store them in an airtight container for up to five days, but we doubt they’ll last that long. Store-bought chocolate wafers make this dessert look fancy, even though it does not require any baking.
Ready to view 32 more recipes? Click on link below.
Source: https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/christmas/recipes/easy-christmas-cookies
December Writing Prompts
Better late than never right? So here are your writing prompts to have some fun with. Let me know if they are to easy, hard or just right. So just write!
Your Christmas Do-it-Yourself Wreath Story
Gather family and friends for a wreath-making workshop. You’ll need greens, wire, bows and don’t forget the herbs!
Whatever your family traditions are, a wreath celebrates the cyclical nature of life.
theoldfarmersalmanac
Rail strike averted: Biden signs measure preventing shutdown of U.S. freight system
President Joe Biden signed legislation Friday to prevent a strike that he warned would cripple the economy and put millions out Americans out of work heading into the holidays. (This would also prevent Amtrak rail disruption.)
At Biden’s urging, Congress voted earlier this week to intervene in a labor dispute between rail unions and operators of the nation’s freight railways. Lawmakers voted to adopt a tentative agreement that the White House brokered in September between union leaders and rail operators despite the opposition of some rank-and-file workers.
Four of the 12 unions representing rail workers rejected the deal, setting the stage for a work stoppage that would have begun Dec. 9. The unions wanted more than the one day of paid sick leave provided in the agreement.
A rail strike would cost the economy about $2 billion each day and claim 765,000 jobs within the first two weeks of a strike.
Article by Michael Collins, USA TODAY