Sights of the Season
Posted by Andrea
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here and that’s terrific because The 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes is being held today! Our wonderful hostess has given us the opportunity to show off our Christmas finery through photos and food. If you have a moment, I’d be thrilled to share some of my favorite Christmas decorations and offer you a fabulous recipe as well. Come on in!
Right outside our front door, we have the most adorable little seat. Most of the time, it remains empty except when our mailman props a package on it. Now that the Christmas season is here, the seat now features a beautiful poinsettia that cheerfully welcomes family and friends.
Once inside our home, guests are greeted by the sweet faces of two adorable carolers. These precious darlings don warm, bright, Christmas clothes and are prominently featured on the long accent table in our foyer along with a series of miniature poinsettias. In the dining room, a festive Christmas angel adorns the server amid another row of bright miniature poinsettias.
We have two Christmas trees, one is artificial and the other is live. The artificial tree is special to me because it is the first tree JT and I purchased after we were married. It is a lovely little tree and is showcased in our living room. Meanwhile, the live tree, a Fraser Fir, has made its holiday home in our sunroom. This tree is a large fragrant one hand picked by JT. The girls helped decorate it and now they enjoy gazing at its lights.
This year I’m striving to make delicious yet simple desserts. One of the many Christmas desserts I’ll be serving is Black Forest Delight. It has all the components of a traditional Black Forest Cake, but I’ve deconstructed it to make pretty individual servings.
Black Forest Delight:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 package instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chocolate chips
1 (20 ounce) can cherry pie filling
whipped topping or freshly whipped cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, oil, and water. Using a hand mixer, combine until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Generously grease and flour a bundt or tube pan. Pour batter into pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Once baked, turn cake out onto a cooling rack. When cooled dust with powdered sugar.
To serve, place a slice of cake onto a dessert plate. Spoon cherries on the slice of cake and garnish with whipped cream.
I thank you for spending some time with me today and I encourage you to visit The 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes. Since hundreds of bloggers participate, I guarantee you’ll find Christmas decorations that will inspire and amaze you and recipes you’ll want to try!
Tags: Black Forest Cake, Black Forest Delight, Christmas decorations, Christmas Tour of Homes, recipe
Thank you so much for such a delightful tour of your home, everything looks so beautifully decorated for Christmas:-)I put up a real tree this year and I just love it also!! That recipe sounds very yummy, thank you for sharing it. Merry Christmas to you and yours! xo
Thank you for the visit! I hope you enjoy the recipe. I have a family full of chocolate lovers, so this recipe is a must have at our family gatherings. May your Christmas be merry and blessed as well!
Andrea, Your home looks lovely. Your Christmas decorations are beauiful. Everything is so inviting and warm! I love the carolers. I am really looking forward to trying this delicious looking recipe. Thank you for inviting me in!
As always, I’m glad you were able to stop by!
Your home is so welcoming! Thanks for inviting us in. I like your two carollers w/ mini poinsettas.
And the individual Black Forest desserts look divine. I can almost taste it.
Have a blessed Christmas, Andrea. :~D
e-Mom, thanks for visiting! I hope you have a joyful and blessed Christmas too!
Thanks for the comments on my blog. I love your decor, also. Have a Merry Christmas.
Pam
Your house is decorated beautifull! Love the trees and the carolers.
Thank you for the recipe.
Have a blessed day!
Thanks for visiting me! I always love to “see” you! Enjoy the recipe!