It’s the most FabuLyss, wonderful time of the year in New York — our magical wonderland filled with the best of the best! Hopefully we will get some snow in Central Park this month and the kids can go out and sled, make snow angels, and, of course, build a snowman or two. There are many wonderful family events and happenings to explore this month all around the city.
Did you purchase your tickets yet to see the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”? This is always a family favorite of ours.
My boys are already asking when they can go ice skating and have DeLysscious hot chocolate. We love ice-skating at the Bryant Park Winter Village Rink and the Standard Hotel rink in the Meatpacking district.
I will be taking my boys to see “School Of Rock” musical at the Winter Garden Theatre over the break. “Elf” will be at Madison Square Garden throughout the month of December.
Did you know that you can have tea with Santa? The Plaza Hotel has a yummy tea at the Eloise at the Plaza shop. You can have tea sandwiches, desserts, story time, and, of course, photos with Santa.
We love the magical holiday windows at all of the big department stores. I cannot wait to see the beautiful Bergdorf Goodman windows, and I know my boys just love the holiday windows at Bloomingdales.
If you and your husband are looking for a night out during the holidays, so you can see a show, take a selfie in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, or have a wonderful meal, make sure to check out Sitterycity’s new app Hello Chime (www.hellochime.com). Babysitters on demand will engage and play with your children.
Visit the FabuLyss Chord Club with the kids over winter break. They can take a DJ class, a music lesson, or record a song. Your kids will never want to leave this beautiful, new, state-of-the-art recording studio. Parents can also enjoy this facility (www.thechordclub.com).
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year! Hug your loved ones closely and enjoy the beautiful holiday season!
Lyss Stern is the founder of DivaLysscious Moms (www.divam
DeLysscious Gingerbread Recipe
via Food Netwo
www.foodn
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light molasses or dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
For assemblage and decoration:
Melted white chocolate or Royal Icing (recipe follows)
Gumdrops, licorice, and peppermints, as desired
Royal icing:
1 pound (3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
1 to 2 large egg whites, or substitute 4 teaspoons packaged egg whites and 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon almond extract, vanilla or lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
Gingerbread House:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.
Preheat oven to 375-degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template: two rectangles, 3-by-5 inches, to make the front and back of the house; two rectangles, 3-by-5 1/2 inches for the roof; two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom; four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2-by-1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway; and one piece, 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway.
Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight-edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place.
Bake at 375-degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.
Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet.
Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened.
Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry. (It only takes a few minutes.)
Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house.
Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice, and peppermints, as desired.
Royal Icing:
Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip. Add more lemon juice, if necessary.
