Good Things by David

An Igloo Cake is a beautiful thing to make during the winter.  Bake and embellish an icy cake in the familiar half dome shape of these structures, found in the frigid polar regions of the world, using the collectible mold from Martha by Mail.  The cake can be made for many special occasions throughout the winter, but it can also be made during the summer for an unexpected surprise.  Create one for a small birthday party or an intimate dinner with a few friends and add a few marzipan penguins to make the cake even more special.  Everyone is going to want a slice of igloo cake.   The decorating instruction card that came with the mold gives the easiest of all suggestions for any cake.  However, if you want to get a bit fancier with your decorations and embellishments, you can most definitely use a good buttercream to pipe in the blocks of 'ice'.  Bake a few penguin cookies to serve alongsi...

Going to the Farmers Market in Los Angeles on 3rd St. & Fairfax is something I like to do when I visit the area.  It's always nice walking through the aisles of vendors, cafes, restaurants and various shops, because I get inspired by everything.  One thing that remains constant and somewhat of a tradition for me, is having lunch at  Monsieur Marcel , which is located right in the middle of the market.  This gourmet food store also runs a small brasserie-style restaurant described as: " an authentic petit bistro, where we embody the idea of leisure time spent with friends, nibbling on cheese, charcuterie and a glass of wine."  I think that enjoying a leisurely lunch over something delicious (and people watching) is one of the reasons I like coming here so much.  It reminds me a bit of my time spent in Paris where I had a cafe au lait or cappuccino every single day at one of the many cafes throughout the city.  One can relax, enjoy the view and chat...

Doesn't it seem as if the holidays come and go in the flash of an eye every year?  Everyone is busy with countless decorating projects, festive parties, cooking & baking, gift giving and what not, that we sometimes forget to take a moment and reflect on what we did and didn't do.  Although the month of December is a thing of the past and the new year is already at our doorstep, I still want to look back at the month here on the blog.  It was a busy time for me as I was baking and giving away my treats throughout the month to various friends and family.  There were several projects which I wasn't able to get to because of a lack of time, but nevertheless I did manage to create some wonderful goodies. I try not to dwell on what I didn't get to do for a particular month, because I much prefer to look at what I actually managed to accomplish.  Those things I don't cover get put on the "to-do list" for the coming year with the hope of getting to them.  E...

  This past year on the blog has been a lot of fun for me, because I have shared, created and explored so many of my favorite Good Things.  The feedback I've received from readers across the world has been wonderful to say the least.  In all sincerity, I appreciate every single one of you who has taken the time to read & learn from my posts.   Some of you, whom I've gotten to know a bit more through correspondence, have in turn shared and taught me a thing or two (or more!) and have inspired me in more ways than one.  Thank You!    It has always been my intention to present good content that is informative, delicious for the eyes & palate, and perhaps a bit inspirational for everyone tuning in.  Let's make 2013 a year filled with even more Good Things for all of us. ✵ Happy New Year! Best Wishes, David

I've just arrived safely at my destination and am looking forward to spending some quality time with my extended family in the coming days.  I will be taking a short break from blogging this week, but don't worry it won't be too long!  While in Southern California I do plan on visiting some exciting places that I will share with all of you, so expect to see more good things shortly.  In the meantime I hope every one of you had a safe & Merry Christmas.   ~David   

With its rich consistency and sweet flavor, so many people enjoy a glass of eggnog during Christmas.  Yes, it is a rich drink made with cream, milk and eggs, but it is only a once-a-year treat after all.  There should be no reason why one should avoid a sip or two on Christmas day, at least in my opinion.  The Joy of Cooking which graces so many of our homes (it was one of the first cookbooks I ever purchased) has wonderful recipes that are go-tos, traditional and downright delicious.  I still cook from it and probably always will.  Their recipe for cooked eggnog is a nice alternative for those of you who fear consuming uncooked eggs.  The technique is very simple and it takes no time to make it.  The base is essentially a creme anglaise, which is nothing more than eggs that have been tempered with scalding milk and then cooked over medium-low heat until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.  Creme anglaise can be served as a dessert sauce t...

Do you decorate your Christmas tree with glass ornaments every single year?  There is nothing quite like these vintage style ornaments to spruce up one's tree with their colorful sparkle and their spherical shapes.  You can mimic a set of ornaments in cookie form if you happen to own the ones that were produced for the Martha by Mail catalog several years ago.  The Victorian Glass Ornament Cutters were introduced after the catalog had transitioned into The Catalog for Living and were produced by the Boston Mountain Copper Company.  Made of solid copper with two rivets that hold each cutter together, these heirloom quality cutters will last you a lifetime.  I've seen them come up for auction every now and then, so it's still possible to purchase a set from a seller. Pull out these cutters out of storage if you own them and cut out your favorite cookie dough for the holidays.   Ice them according to the decorating card & suggestions below or use your...