Christmas Pop-Up: Jingle at Ale Mary’s Beer Hall
It\’s that time of year again, holiday bars are popping up all over Metro-Detroit to get you into the holiday spirit. These pop-ups are packed full of Christmas decor, Christmas themed and the perfect place to spread holiday cheer. Even though I do not drink, I can definitely enjoy a good holiday pop-up. I recently went to Ale Mary\’s Beer Hall where they have their Jingle pop-up going on. With yuletide decor, cocktails served in holiday cups and plates of Christmas cookies – Ale Mary\’s Beer Hall has definitely decked the halls this holiday season. Besides holiday-themed cocktails, you will also find seasonal milkshakes (vegan) and Christmas cookies. Their regular food menus including their vegan menu are still available.
You can find Ale Mary\’s Beer Hall at: 316 S Main Street, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067.
Chocolate Peppermint Roll Cake
Impress your guests this holiday season with a homemade chocolate peppermint roll cake. No matter what your skill level in the kitchen is, you can easily make a roll cake. Trust me, this cake may look tricky to make – but it\’s actually really simple (we will keep that our little secret). Instead of using a traditional cake recipe, you will be making a sponge cake. I bet you\’re wondering what the difference between a regular cake and a sponge cake is, right? Well, a sponge cake is made up of flour, sugar, and eggs – no oil or butter. You\’ll want to cook the sponge cake in a jelly roll pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Once the sponge cake has finished cooking you will immediately turn the cake out onto a flour sack towel, that has been heavily coated in powder sugar (this will make sure it does not stick). You\’ll roll the cake up in the towel, starting at the short side. Then you will want to allow it to cool completely before you unroll it. Now let\’s talk about the filling, I used Hudsonville Peppermint Stick Ice Cream… because yum! You can use any ice cream that you desire though.
Chocolate Peppermint Roll Cake
For the batter:
4 eggs, divided
1/2 cup + 1/3 cup sugar divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup water
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
3. Grease the parchment paper with cooking spray.
4. In a mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the egg whites until soft peaks (peaks will fall when you lift the beaters).
5. While mixing, slowly add in the 1/2 cup of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
6. In a bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat egg yolks on medium speed for 3 minutes.
7. Add 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla.
8. Beat for 2 more minutes.
9. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
10. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the 1/3 cup water to the egg yolk mixture in the stand mixer.
11. When thoroughly combined, fold the chocolate batter into the egg whites a little at a time.
12. Stir until completely combined.
13. Spread the batter onto the prepared baking sheet.
14. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
15. While the cake bakes coat your bowl with powdered sugar.
16. When the cake is complete, immediately turn it onto the towel.
17. Remove the parchment paper from the cake.
18. Starting at the narrow end begin to roll the cake up in the towel.
19. Let the cake completely cool.
20. Carefully unroll the cooled cake.
21. Spread the ice cream evenly over the entire surface.
22. Roll the cake back up in the same way you did before, but this time without the towel.
23. Cover the cake in plastic wrap.
24. Place it in the freezer for at least 3 hours.
25. When ready to serve add a chocolate ganache.
26. Enjoy!
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo is back to brighten up the holidays with Wild Lights. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo will take place on select dates from November 16, 2019, through January 5, 2020. For 29 nights, more than five million LED lights will illuminate trees, buildings and 280 sculptures with more than 230 of the sculptures being animals. Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is one magical experience you won’t want to miss this holiday season.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is perfect for children and adults alike. While walking around Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo you will see anyone and everyone from newborns to 80+-year-olds. I love to go to Wild Lights with girlfriends and try to make a trip every year. This year one of my friends was in town, and since I haven’t been feeling the magic of Christmas he decided to drag me to Wild Lights. Once I was at the zoo I remember how much I love being at the Detroit Zoo during the holiday season.
While Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo is going on you can choose to purchase packages with a couple of other fun options. There is the Rudolph Package which includes admission into Wild Lights and one untimed ticket to the 4-D Theater to see “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Let me tell you seeing Rudolph in 4-D is definitely a lot of fun! Of course, you can also skate around the Winter Rink or take a ride on the carousel.
If you’re looking for something fun and gorgeous to do this holiday season, I highly recommend grabbing tickets to see Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. One of my favorite things about Wild Lights is the interactive section – you’ll definitely want to check it out.
Grab your family, friends or significant other and head to the Detroit Zoo for Wild Lights! Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.
31 Things to Do in December
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1. Shop small all month long. I am a huge advocate in supporting local businesses, not only are you supporting someone in your community, but you’ll be able to find some of the most unique gifts.
2. Hello Cyber Monday! I hope you’re snagging all the best deals of the season and getting everything you want for yourself and others.
3. Check out shows that are performing in your city. I am super excited to see Cirque Holidaze.
4. Make a wreath for your front door. When I lived in Pittsburgh most homeowners would put a green wreath with a red bow on each window of their home, and I absolutely fell in love with the look and feel of it.
5. Volunteer at a food bank, they always need extra help this time of year.
6. Take a trip through local subdivisions and check out all the gorgeous light displays.
7. Host an ugly Christmas sweater party – seriously I am so obsessed with ugly sweaters! One of my friends is hosting an ugly sweater party this year and I cannot wait.
8. Find a festival of lights. I am a huge fan of Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights in West Virginia and Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo.
9. Who doesn’t love receiving mail? Why not send out Christmas cards to your friends and family.
10. Donate food, blankets and more to a local shelter. I am a huge fan of Heart 2 Hart, they’re out of Farmington Hills – but drive around Detroit giving food, clothing, feminine hygiene products and more to those in need.
11. Head to the movies! Temperatures are chilly outside, but nothing is better than a big bucket of popcorn and holiday movie. I highly recommend checking out Frozen 2.
12. Buy a new pair of pajamas and curl up with some popcorn on the couch and watch a Hallmark movie. This year I am going to order Jack and I matching pajamas.
13. Head downtown and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city during the holiday season.
14. Make a gingerbread house. I like to buy a kit to make things easier, but if you want to go all out, make one from scratch.
15. Go ice skating.
16. Get romantic, and find somewhere that does horse-drawn carriage rides.
17. Learn how to make the perfect charcuterie board.
18. If you haven’t baked holiday cookies yet, now is the perfect opportunity to do it. Share them with your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
19. Frost and decorate some cutout cookies. This year I want to make plaid mittens.
21. It’s the first day of winter, and also the shortest day of the year. Make the most of your evening and enjoy a chili bar and games with friends.
23. Start a new holiday tradition. Maybe give friends, family or significant other pajamas, an ornament or pair of socks every year.
25. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! My family\’s tradition is to open stockings, eat overnight French toast and then open gifts.
26. Take some time for self-reflection, and begin to plan ahead for 2020. I personally do not believe in resolutions – I am a huge fan of goals.
27. Make a travel bucket list of places you’d like to visit in the new year.
28. As you clean up from Christmas and put away the gifts you have received take a few moments to sit down and write thank-you notes. Instead of saying thank you for your gift, let them know what you will use it for and what it means to you. My grandma typically gives money, and I always try to write her a thank-you note that states what I will do with that money.
29. Make a list of all the things you were grateful for in 2019. One of mine is the fact that I was able to spend time with my papa before he passed away.
30. Buy yourself a house plant to bring a little cheer into your home to start the new year.
Detroit\’s 93rd America\’s Thanksgiving Parade
I\’ve always loved Thanksgiving, really I love fall in general. To me, it signifies a shift, the days become shorter and friends and family are constantly around. Not to mention I have the time to think about all the things I am grateful for. This year came with many changes, including the recent loss of Papa – who brought fun into the family. This is the first Thanksgiving with both my grandparents being gone, and it hit me really hard. My Thanksgiving day plan was to stay at home (and sulk in self-pity – not really but probably), but my friend Betsy had something else in mind for me. She invited me to attend America\’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.
For the past few years, Betsy and her family have been heading down to Detroit to watch America\’s Thanksgiving Parade. While I have watched the parade many times on television, and have seen a few floats and balloons when I would run past them during Detroit\’s Turkey Trot – I have never physically been to the parade. I met Betsy at her family\’s home bright and early this morning to head down to Detroit. First, we grabbed breakfast at Hudson Cafe in downtown Detroit along Woodward Avenue. I ordered the Strawberry Shortcake French Toast and let me tell you it was incredible. After breakfast, we walked along Woodward Avenue to find the perfect spot to watch America\’s Thanksgiving Parade.
For the ninety-third year, Santa Claus returned to downtown Detroit during America\’s Thanksgiving Parade. It wasn\’t just kids from one to ninety-two who got to sit curbside along Woodward Avenue that got to see him – America\’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van is shared with over 185 television markets nationwide.
If you have never been to America\’s Thanksgiving Parade I highly recommend going. It is so much fun, and really seeing the balloons up close is really something I cannot even begin to explain. What is your Thanksgiving tradition?
Fashion meets Food 