2008’s Greatest…
Shocking Moments of 2008- People
Full List of President Bush’s Pardons
People’s 2008 Sexiest Men Alive!
Gluten Free Crab Cakes
Sauce
2 cloves garlic
3 roasted red peppers
Juice of 1 small lemon
2 tsp Worcestershire
Crab Cakes
2 Lb Lump Crab Meat
2 tbs Shredded Onion
¼ cup shredded prosciutto
1 Egg
1 tbs old bay
1 cup gluten free crackers (Glutino or substitute Ritz/ Saltines)
Using a food processor blend the garlic, peppers, lemon juice & Worcestershire until smooth and set aside.
Evenly mix the crab meat, onion, prosciutto in a large bowl. Add the beaten egg and old bay and mix well. Finally fold the crackers into the crab meat mixture.
Next, heat 2 tbs butter & 2 tbs oil in a deep frying pan. Using your hands or a spoon make 1 inch round and ½ inch tall crab cakes. Add to the frying pan and cook on medium- high heat until golden brown on each side, approx 3 minutes.
Favorite T.V. Series
Were you too busy to catch all the prime TV shows this season? Maybe you don’t have Showtime or HBO or have never seen the original series that are stealing Emmy nominations year after year. Take the opportunity this winter to cuddle up and rent a series. If you have the Apple TV or a subscription to Netflix here are some of my most favorite suggestions.
- 30 Rock- NBC - Currently ½ way through Third Season
- Californication- HBO- Second Season just wrapped up
- Deadwood- HBO- Three Seasons Completed, Future Unknown
- Dexter- Showtime - Third Season just wrapped up
- Lost- NBC- New Season begins January 21st
- Mad Men- AMC- Second Season just wrapped up
- Nip/ Tuck- FX New Season Begins January 6th
- Sons of Anarchy- First Season just wrapped up
- Sopranos- HBO- Series Over
- The Office- NBC- Currently ½ way through Fifth Season
- The Wire- HBO - Season Over
- The Shield- FX Series Over
- Weeds- Showtime Fourth Season wrapped up
Ebelskiver – A classic treat in Denmark
I used a classic ebelskiver pan, available at William Sonoma.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tbs sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
4 tbs unsalted butter, melted, + more for greasing the pan
The Fillings: We experimented with three and the most popular is the cinnamon sugar if you opt for one variation.
1. Mom’s Classic Cinnamon Butter- Cinnamon, Sugar and butter
2. Black Cherry Preserves
3. Cream Cheese, Almond extract, shaved almonds
Whisk together the flour baking powder, salt, sugar in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks, add the milk and 4 tbs of melted butter. Whisk the yolk mixture into the flour mixture until well combined, the batter will be lumpy.
In another bowl, beat with an electric mixer the egg whites on high speed until stiff 2 -3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir the whites into the batter in two additions.
Put ¼ tsp of butter in each well of the ebelskiver pan. Set over medium heat and heat until the butter begins to bubble. Pour 1 tbs batter into each well. Put a dollop of the filling in the center of each pancake and top with another 1 tbs of batter. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, approx 2 minutes. Using two chop sticks or wooden skewers flip the pancakes over and cook until golden and crispy on both sides. Transfer to a plate and top with lingonberry preserves, heated in the microwave or pure maple syrup.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Here are some favorite Holiday Tunes & Videos….Enjoy
Mariah Carey, All I want for Christmas
Baby its cold outside - Doris Day & Bing Crosby
Linus Explains The True Meaning of Christmas
Five Favorite Fragrances
Sorry the page isn’t scratch & sniff
Creed
Sold at Neiman Marcus, I have the Spring Flowers and it is wonderful. Silver Mountain Water is another popular aroma.
Bond No9
DNA For Her- I wore this in my wedding, wonderful gardenia smell. *The Scent of Peace is a wonder fragrance too.
Jo Malone
Buy two and MIX & MATCH the scents. They specialize in combination scents so buy two and you get a third scent free!
Le Lebo
The Discovery Set is an easy and (relatively) economical way to discover our scents. You get to chose 3 fragrances from our collection and you will receive them in 3 beautiful 5 ml glass rods (with atomizers and your name printed on the label). A beautiful way to either get addicted to one of them or to use them as fancy mini purse sprays. The Bergamot is amazing!
Isse Miyake
Earth’s most precious element, water, is the central theme of L’eau d’Issey. By blending the sparkling qualities of water with the warm undertones of earth, the fragrance represents purity, serenity, movement, and vivacity-awakening a feeling of total beauty. The fragrance is a pure floral with musky and woody tones, including:A wide range of floral scents including lotus, cyclamen, freesia, carnations, and white lilies. Hints of amber-seed musk.
Tokens of Inspiration
A friend once told me you can tell everything about someone by the books they read. Built-ins, bookshelves and console tables are ideal for showcasing those tokens of inspiration. Add in a mixture of art, plants, curiosities and photos to achieve the perfect display your favorite things.
Left to Right
Cow Horn “Cubo” Bookends
Airedelsur
$875
Impala Bookends
Michael Aram
$195
Porcelain Pineapple
Global Table
$20
Mouse & Rooster Bookends
Kicokids
$74
Bean Bag Esque Bookends
Sophie Nova
$155
Favorite Finds (Undergarments)
SAY NO to lines, rolls or sags! Here are some favorite finds for the ladies of Mellow Mint.
Assets @ Target
Invented my Sara Blakley of SPANX. Her story to inspire you to turn that everyday idea into millions! 
Sassy Bax
Very Bare
Yummie Tummie
Strappy
Hollywood Fashion Tape
Great for the gaps on a button down blouse or to avoid peek-a-boo shots in an evening dress
Nu Bra
They have improved their patterns, no more turkey cutlet.
Commando Underware @ Hipundies
Yoga Panty from Zobha Invisible under yoga pants
Logging in extra T.V. time this holiday?
Do long vacations and holidays have you logging in some extra hours in front of the television? I will be the first to tell you don’t feel bad about it! Over Thanksgiving, I discovered the following three options, one movie and two reality TV series, and encourage you to tune in.
I Want Candy (ADULTS ONLY)
Starring Carmen Electra
An independent film that is a delightful comedic surprise.
Plot: Two hopeful but frustrated college students head to London to sell a porn script they know is great. After numerous dead ends, their luck changes and they find a producer willing to front the film if they can cast the World’s #1 Adult Star, Candy Fiveways. In pursuit of their dreams they set out to make the movie happen.
Whale Wars
Animal Planet
Activists of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society battle Japanese ships, who claim to be research vessels, over the practice of whaling in oceanic territories. The series takes place in the high seas where each countries interpretation of the International Whaling Commission laws contradicts one another.
Friday’s at 9pm
Big Break X- Michigan
Golf Channel
*** (12/21, 12/22 & 12/24)
What?!? Reality TV Golf. Couples compete through various challenges and if you love sports and all the vibrant personalities that go along with sports, you’ll get a kick out of the Big Break. Trust me, it is entertaining and it will make the golfer in your family happy.
Holiday Tips
Is this year any different than years past? Yes and No. Expectations for holiday tipping are still there, but the value doesn’t have to be as high. Everyone understands and would rather you come in and get your hair cut than not to avoid a tip. It is also O.K. to play favorites and give different values to each individual for their service. The suggestions for 2008 aren’t very different from years past, but you are only expected to give what you can. Remember, it is the season of giving.
Dog Walker/ Cat Nanny- Cost of 1 weeks fee
Door Man- $20 - $100 (’07 Average was $50 pp)
Gardener- Up to the cost of 1 service
Hair Stylist/ Colorist- Double your usual tip or the cost of 1 visit
Babysitter- Cash or Gift up to 1-2 nights pay
Assistant- $50 Gift
Boss - Gift value $50 or under
Day Care Staff- Tip or Gift $20 - $80
House Cleaner - Cost of 1 visit
UPS Man- $20 or less Gift Card
Newspaper Carrier - Cost of 1 month subscription
Trainer- Cost of 1 session
