From Skeptic to Superfan: How Glass Straws Completely Won Me Over (And Why They’re the Perfect Stocking Stuffer!)

I have a confession to make: I was once the person who rolled my eyes at glass straws. “Too fussy,” I thought. “Probably tastes like drinking through a thermometer.” I swore I’d never be that person. Then a gorgeous new set of glassware arrived at my door—four bottom-heavy tumblers (two smooth, two delightfully ridged)—and tucked inside the box were four crystal-clear glass straws. I promptly exiled them to the junk drawer, convinced they’d live there forever.

Fast-forward a few weeks. I ran out of my usual plastic straws (yes, I’m a straw person—wrinkle warnings from my aunt be damned), and there sat those glass beauties, freshly washed in the dishwasher. Desperate for my 3 p.m. cold-brew fix, I gave one a try.

First sip: weird. It felt… bony. Like sipping through a very elegant icicle. Second sip: hmm, not terrible. By the end of the glass: I was officially smitten.That’s why I chose glass straws as my final product recommendation of the week leading up to Christmas. 

Here’s why:

  - They never collapse or turn into soggy paper mâché (looking at you, eco-friendly paper straws). 
- The thick borosilicate glass keeps drinks colder longer—perfect for iced coffee or sweet tea. 
- They’re ridiculously pretty glinting in the sunlight on my table. 
- Dishwasher-safe = zero effort. Just drop them in the utensil basket and done.

If you’re still hunting for the perfect little Christmas gift or stocking stuffer, grab a set of glass straws. They’re unexpected, eco-friendly, and genuinely delightful. Trust the former hater turned evangelist: whoever finds one of these in their stocking on Christmas morning is going to be delighted.

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we never knew we needed… until we can’t live without them.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Coconut Almond Granola with Four Fruits

 

I know I'm dating myself here, but to the younger generation, let me tell you that Kate Hudson has a mom named Goldie Hawn. Back in the day she made some very funny movies, among them a breakout film called “Private Benjamin.” I'll never forget when she joined the army how surprised she was that it was not at ALL as depicted in the commercials -- no condos, no great meals, no beach vacations. Nope, just marching around in the rain, during which time she recited a rather funny monologue about what she wanted to do, and how she was a “nice person” and shouldn't have to endure such torture. To illustrate her remark she said she never “…went to anyone's house empty-handed.”

Well, I'm pretty much the same. I’m going to dinner tonight and, like Private Benjamin, I never go any place empty-handed, so thought I'd make up some Coconut Almond Granola and take a large jar to the hostess, and two smaller bags to the other couples who will be in attendance. It is so delicious that you can pretty much skip the bananas, milk, yogurt, and spoon, and just dig in!

This is my own personal recipe, a mishmash of a variety of others I've run across over the years. I've found you can pretty much toss in what you like according to what happens to be in your pantry at the time.

Coconut Almond Granola with Four Fruits

4 c. old-fashioned oats

¾ c. sliced almonds

½ c. sweetened flaked coconut
½ c. sunflower, pumpkin, or flax seeds

2/3 c. (packed) brown sugar

1½ t. ground allspice

½ t. kosher salt

1 t. ground cinnamon

1 stick unsalted butter

4 T. honey

½ c. pitted, chopped dates

½ c. dried apricots, quartered

½ c. golden raisins

½ c. raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, or cherries

Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix first 8 ingredients in large bowl. Melt butter with honey in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Pour over granola mixture and toss well. Spread out mixture on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add dried fruits; mix to separate any clumps. Continue to bake until granola is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes longer. Cool. Do ahead. Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Meaty Slow Cooked Pasta Sauce

Prior to this week, I generally purchased pasta sauce, my favorite being Paul Newman's Sockarooni, and it has served me well for many years. The late Mr. O-P used to make a bang-up pasta sauce, but it took him all day long, he used every pot and pan in the house, and made a colossal mess that he left for me to clean up. (The rule in our household was: One cooks, the other cleans; I hated that rule.) Inasmuch as I do like homemade pasta sauce, I hate the time, the effort, and most of all the mess involved in doing so.

But today I found myself with meatballs and no pasta sauce, and had no choice but to make my own. Sure, I could have run out to get a jar, but I was in the midst of holiday decorating (truth be told washing dishes and filling my new hutch) and didn't feel like going anywhere. Did I mention I was also in my jammies? Yeah, there was that. So, I pulled various cans from the pantry, and spices from the spice rack, cooked up some ground chuck and diced onion, and tossed everything into the crockpot. I let it hang out all day, giving the house a real Italian restaurant vibe, and when it was finished, I tossed it all into the food processor to get the smooth texture that I desired. It was delicious!

This sauce would not have pleased the mister, because he didn't like pasta sauce that had any hint of sweetness. I do like a pasta sauce with a bit of sweetness, otherwise it's just too bitter for my tastes. If you feel the same, you're going to love this one. You're also going to love how easy it is, and how, with very little effort, you’ll get the taste of a sauce that has been labored over all day long. Consider giving a jar of this as a hostess gift during the holiday season. Who doesn't love a good pasta sauce?

Meaty Slow Cooked Pasta Sauce

1/2 pound ground chuck
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 14.5-ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup red wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the meat with the onion. Drain any accumulated grease on a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Place remaining ingredients into a 4-quart crockpot, give it a stir, and add the beef and onion mixture, stirring once more. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. When cooking is finished, remove the lid and allow it to cool for 30 minutes. Pour the sauce, in two batches, into a food processor, and process until smooth. Serve with meatballs, ravioli, or your favorite pasta. Poured into an attractive jar, labeled, and tied with a colorful ribbon, it makes a lovely and welcome hostess gift.

PRINT RECIPE

This post is linked to:

Inspire Me Tuesday

Reader Tip Tuesday

Tuesdays with a Twist

The Scoop

Dream, Create, Inspire

Full Plate Thursday

Foodie Friday & Everything Else

This post contains affiliate links.

Cookie Dough for Gifting

If you tend to not think about hostess gifts until you're walking out the door on your way to the party, only to have to stop at the liquor store or flower market along the way, you can now relax. Here is something you can make way ahead, and that will be more appreciated than any bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers.

The next time you make up a batch of cookies for yourself or your family, make a double batch. Bake up the one for you, and then roll the remaining dough into 1-1¼" balls, place them on a foil or parchment-lined cookie sheet, and pop them into the freezer for 30 minutes.

At the same time, grab one of those apothecary jars that you always seem to have in the back of your pantry taking up space, and place it into the freezer as well. 

When the cookie dough balls have frozen, place them into the chilled jar, put the lid on the jar (and top this with foil or plastic wrap if the seal is not a tight one), attach baking instructions (bearing in mind when you do that frozen dough is going to take a minute or two longer to bake than dough that is simply chilled), and return it to the freezer to lie in wait.

When you're heading out the door to your next party, simply grab a jar of cookie dough and be on your way. Who wouldn't love a gift like this?

For the recipe for these delicious chocolate chip cookies, go here.

This post is linked to:

Metamorphosis Monday

The Scoop

Inspire Me Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Home Sweet Home

 Feathered Nest Friday

Foodie Friday and Everything Else Link Party

Pattie's Pickled Padrons & Pearls

Picture it: You’re into the holiday home stretch. Everything, and I mean everything, is under control. You are ticking things off of your “To Do” list: one, two, three. You are feeling so proud and so smug about sailing through such a successful holiday that you’re all ready to kick off your shoes and celebrate. And then, as you roast your toes by the fire while sipping some mulled cider, the lights sparkling on the tree, it hits you! You’ve forgotten one gift. Before you put on your track shoes and beat it down to Walgreen’s to sift through the detritus of holiday remnants, here is a gift that is so quick and easy to put together that it is almost instant. Enter Pattie’s Pickled Padrons & Pearls (or whatever combination of onions and peppers that you happen to have on hand, seriously, you can use almost any kind.)

Grab yourself a bowl, toss in some peppers and onions, boil up some pickling solution, stir it all together, and artfully arrange it in a jar. That’s pretty much it. A jute, raffia, or colorful ribbon along with a tag makes this look as though it had been planned for ages.

Here is the recipe that I used, but feel free to substitute. If you saw my post about How to Peel Pearl Onions, then you should already have some in your freezer or fridge. Good! While you can use quartered shallots or cipollini onions, pearl onions, particularly a variety of them, make this look really special.

For peppers, I chose Melissa’s Padrons because, like Shishitos, they are fun little peppers that are largely mild, but every once in a while you get a hot one. Think of it as pickled pepper roulette.

Both peppers and onions make an excellent addition to a hero or sub sandwich, a spicy addition to a salad, or a welcome addition to antipasto or cheese plates.

Pattie's Pickled Padrons & Pearls

1/2 pound Melissa’s Padron Chiles or Shishito Peppers
6-8 pearl onions, blanched and peeled

½ cup white wine vinegar

½ cup cider vinegar
 1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
3 fresh thyme sprigs
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
Pinch of dried crushed red pepper
Pinch of coarse kosher salt

Place peppers and onions into a medium bowl.

In medium saucepan place vinegars, sugar, water, fresh thyme, garlic, dried peppers, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat and allow to simmer until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and slowly pour over peppers and onions. Cover bowl with a towel and allow to stand until the mixture reaches room temperature. Transfer to pint-size jars, pressing peppers and onions into liquid to cover. Screw jar lids on tightly and chill at least 4 hours or up to a week.

PRINT RECIPE

This post is linked to:

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday

Homemaking Party Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Work It Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday

Wine’d Down Wednesday

Wake up Wednesday

Full Plate Thursday

Crafty & Delicious

Create It Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Simple and Sweet Fridays

Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Fridays Flash Blog
Friday Frenzy

Time for a libation!

Well, I've gotta tell you, last week was not a good one. I was so far under the weather that I was almost underground.  I mean, you know you're in trouble when you walk into the ER (for the 4th time in five days) and everyone greets you like an old friend. But, I appear to have survived my injury, and am ready to get back on the blogging horse, as it were.

A replenishing of supplies was certainly in order after this past week, so we stopped at Sam's on the way home from what I hope was my final view of the ER...ever!  It's no coincidence that I headed straight for the liquor department.  In the going, look what I found!  Is this adorable, or what?

I'm not sure if this is a holdover from the holidays or what, but one went into the cart immediately.  I'm a fan of small, cute bottles of anything, so this appealed on that level, but I also appreciated the great assortment, in some cases of liqueurs that I had wanted to try anyway, but didn't want to buy a full-size bottle. I also love the little recipe suggestions on the side.  This is not a sponsored post, these are just the words of a half-crazed woman ready for a warm and satisfying cocktail.  I'll let you know which ones I make and like the best.

In the meantime, tell me what you all have been doing, and which of these drinks that you would make?

Did anybody miss me?!

This post is linked to:

Inspire Me Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

Try a New Recipe Tuesday

Tasty Tuesdays

Thursday Favorite Things

Make Party Favors in Less Than an Hour

If you, like me, enjoy setting a tasty little morsel at each place setting for your dinner guests to take home and enjoy later, then this project is definitely for you.  If you also, again, like me (obviously we are soul mates), like to have something in hand when you go to holiday parties, this is also for you.  There is just one tiny problem.  It requires the buying of a candy mold.  Now, this is not a sponsored post, no one asked me to write this, or sent me this wonderful candy mold although, people at Wilton! if you are listening, I LOVE stuff like this!!  But I digress…

Christmas Eve Day I took dinner to my dad, accompanied by my number two son and daughter-in-law.  I’m not gonna lie here, this has been a tough year and a difficult Christmas.  Despite the fact that this is the second one without my mom, there is still a giant void in both our lives and our celebrations.  To add to the angst, this year Mr. O-P is in the hospital as well.  I tried to make the dinner as festive as possible serving comfort food of Honey Baked Ham, Party Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, salad, rolls, with luscious cupcakes for dessert provided by Andrew and Emma. 

As I was getting everything together that morning I knew something was lacking and that was in providing my usual favor.  Remembering that I had bought this mold, I grabbed it, washed it up, and followed the simple instructions. How cute are these?  And they are tasty, and they are so fast and easy that you will not believe it.

After the mold has been cleaned and thoroughly dried, place 30 candy melts in each section; I used both dark and light chocolate melts.

Pop the mold into the microwave and microwave for a minute at half power, then open the door of the microwave, give it a jiggle and microwave for an additional 30 seconds at half power.  Continue this process until the candy is melted and smooth.

Carefully remove to a flat surface and sprinkle the tops with colored sugar, toffee bits, nuts, coconut, dried fruit, or crushed peppermint (as I have done here).

Put it into the fridge, set the timer for 25 minutes and get something done.  When the 25 minutes are up, invert the mold and each candy will pop right out, resulting in crunchy peppermint on one side, and holiday greetings on the other.

Package them in clear cello bags, tie with a ribbon, and you have a cute, tasty favor in no time.  It’s too late for this year, but pin this to your “Christmas 2015” Pinterest board so you’ll be ready well in advance next year.  Now don’t you feel organized?  You’re welcome!

Merry Christmas everybody!!

This post is linked to:

Show and Tell Friday 

Friday Unfolded
Fridays Flash Blog
Simple and Sweet Fridays