Hi everyone. Beth and the team just returned from visiting our factories in Bangkok, Thailand.

Whenever you travel, it’s always good to immerse yourself in the culture. Beth and the team experienced Thai culture by visiting this restaurant and saw these Thai dancers in their elegant, traditional outfits while having dinner.

During Beth’s trip, she worked with our master carvers and was able to get a hands-on look at how our TSV tennis bracelet is made.

In the photos, you’ll see how our jewelry is first carved in wax, a process done completely by hand. You can even see the wax models for each section on the December TSV bracelet and see how the silver model is attached.

What most people don’t realize about jewelry, especially my jewelry, is how many hands it takes to create a piece at the level of detail we expect. There’s an artisan for each step of the process—a model maker, a jeweler, a mold cutter, an assembly technician, someone to polish all of the pieces and experts that do quality control on the finished pieces.

 It doesn’t take a village to create each piece– it takes a town! We’re very proud of the results and I am so honored to be working with these craftsman and women.

Because they are so talented, they are able to translate my vision and bring them to you. I hope you enjoy seeing my vision come to life on our shows!

See you soon!

Hi, everyone!

There are only two weeks left until Christmas! Have you decorated your home for the holiday yet? Do you make any of your own decorations?

Homemade decorations really add a special touch to your home, don’t you think? We’ve made some really special holiday crafts on You’re Home with Jill that I wanted to share with you that you can make this weekend. 

Advent Calendar

Card Holder

Christmas Card Gift Tags

Cinnamon Applesauce Christmas Ornaments

Decoupage Candles

Homemade Hand Warmers

Homemade Christmas Cards

Noel Mantle Piece

Cookie Ornaments

Yarn Ball Wreaths

You can find all of these DIY crafts on my DIY page. And, all of these holiday crafts you can make this weekend on Pinterest. Send me pictures of your holiday home or your holiday crafts. I would love to see them!

P.S. Here is another holiday craft that you can grow on. I shared the Christmas Terrarium in my blog on Tuesday but I wanted to share it with you again because I love it so much.

XOXO,

- Jill

I can't even remember when my mom gave it to me. It’s one of those things a grown up gives you that mean so much to them, but in the self-centered haze of youth, means a forced "thanks" to you.

I didn't think about it much, but it made it through eight moves in ten years. It survived every time I cleaned out and got rid of things that didn't mean enough to pack up and move on to the new chapter; but it didn't get worn regularly until I started working at QVC.

Part of that is because my faith became even more important to me when I got to the east coast. I had a great church in San Diego, and an awesome mentor in both news and in Christianity while I was at ABC those six years before the Q. But, in every workplace leading up to the Q, my beliefs were more of an “after work activity.” 

That sounds awful, because I know that back then, God yearned to be the center of every second of my life, with the intensity that I yearn to be with my children every moment. However, I was "doing news" without him. I prayed…I didn't hide my Christianity. But I would never, ever, ever talk about it on TV. Not that I should have. It wasn't the place. But when you spend so much time focusing on something like a high paced career in broadcast news, and don't make God a part of the minute-to-minute workings, there can be times when you get so wrapped up you forget about him.

Next to the faith it took to make it though the months of waiting for our birth mom to sign the papers and give us Grace; choosing to leave news and our family on the west coast and work at QVC was the most faith-testing time of my life. There were other options…easier options. But for the first and only time in my life, I really felt the Lord (after months on my knees not hearing him) tell me to get to the east coast. It brought me closer to him. My faith intensified with the trust it took to change my life. God wanted me here, and I’m convinced there are at least two core reasons why.

1.) QVC allows me a platform to share my story with women who need to hear it.

I’m not quiet about my years of infertility and the adoption process. And sadly, I’m still going through the heartbreak of miscarriage, infertility and loss every day. But, my struggle has helped so many women talk about their own. And talking is where we all start to heal.

2.) QVC doesn't make me hide my Lord.

I wouldn't have made it through any of the pain I’ve endured without Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be here. My kids wouldn't be here. My husband wouldn't be here. All the things that make me me, that give me the stories I tell when I’m presenting products on QVC, wouldn't be here without him. These days, I talk about him and share him every day multiple times a day. I’m not a preacher, I’m not forcing people to change who they are, or unaccepting of those who don’t love Jesus, I just talk. And naturally, what He has done in my life comes through.  

So I don't think it was a coincidence that my old cross from my mom made its way into my locker at work when I first started at QVC. And it’s not by chance that in my first few months on the air a stylist pulled it out and layered it with a couple other chains to help me create a look. And it’s more than happenstance that hundreds of you asked about that cross on Facebook and QVC buyers took notice.

And so I feel like the fact that you will be able to buy my cross is truly heaven sent. We worked hard to make sure the cross is almost identical to the old one my mom gave me, likely more than two decades ago. Of course this one is newer and shinier and crafted in Italy out of yellow, white or rose bronze. The chain is a bit longer-- 30 inches, which is perfect for me, and something you asked for. I’ve been excited since I saw the prototypes three months ago. I couldn't wait to wear them myself!  

I know people are drawn to crosses for many reasons other than faith. They are pretty, simple, flattering. You don't have to be a Christian to admire the look of a slimming piece of precious metal against your chest. But, of course for me, there is more. These crosses mean so much to me personally. Each one is a tangible reminder that I am right where I belong.  

I pray, truly pray, that you will love your cross as much as I love mine. I hope whomever you gift it to will feel joy when they put it on and remember you every time they wear it. Maybe you’ll pass it down to your daughter or hang it prominently in your bathroom to give you strength each day. Perhaps you will wear it to work to remind you to stay centered, or just use the length to layer with other pieces. Whatever you do with it I pray that your cross will have its own story. And one day, you will share it with the world.

A huge thank you to all of my Facebook friends who kept asking for this. Without you, it wouldn't have happened! So to say thank you, you will be the first in line to get it, before it airs, with special pricing just for YOU! Be sure to check on my Facebook page at 8:00AM on Saturday 12/13 to get yours.

Your friend in faith,

Kerstin

Christmas is about family and traditions to me and this recipe takes me back to my childhood when my sisters and I all helped our mom make these delicious sandtarts.  

Ma's Drop Sandtarts

3/4 lb. butter
2 cups sugar (Ma uses 1 cup)
1 egg
2 1/3 cups flour
3 tsps. baking powder
Mix with mixer well, drop 1/2 tsp. on cookie sheet, leave 3" between cookies.
Bake @ 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
Press nut on cookie before baking (I use walnuts) and sprinkle with cinnamon. 

Hope you all enjoy them and have a very Merry Christmas!  

XOXO,

A

I feel so blessed during the year, but especially at the holiday time.  A few weeks ago, I shared with you some hand crafted ornaments which I created with my favorite Aunt Joan Marie.  So we decided to go ahead and create some other “gifty” type things that anyone can create. 

I often want to share a little something with those I work with, or my nail tech or our mailman.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and just fell in love with it.  So I thought this would be a great idea to make & to have on hand to offer a small gesture of thanks during this holiday season.

The Mason Jar Snowman

You will need, a mason jar, white chocolate covered pretzels, ribbon, black buttons, glue gun, string & tags printed onto cardstock, scissors & a hole punch.

Clean the jars, plug in your glue gun, gather three black buttons.  Using the glue gun, place three buttons down one side of the jar.  Let the glue dry.

Cut a small piece of ribbon to wrap around the neck of the jar as a scarf.  Cut the string to wrap around the neck of the jar as well.  Cut out a tag (I got mine on Pinterest). 

Attach the tag with the string, then the scarf, fill the jar with the white chocolate pretzels.  WHOLA!!   

Another option—Santa Mason Jar!!

Supplies needed—glue gun, clean mason jars, black ribbon, buckles (or you can use the silver tabs from soda cans), string, tags, scissors, hole punch, red licorice bites (you could also use red foil Hershey kisses or any red Christmas candy).

Simply take one piece of ribbon, place the “buckle” onto the black ribbon.  Then adhere the ribbon to the jar by using the glue gun.

Fill the jar with the bites & then wrap the tag around the neck of the jar.  DONE!

I hope you enjoyed our crafts!!  We had so much fun being together and being creative!  Even Lucy got in on the fun!! 

From myself, my Aunt, Lucy and the entire Quacker Factory team—Merry Christmas!!!

To see these tops & other Quacker holiday favorites, please click here--  A258392& A259322  

Sign up to receive Quacker Factory emails and be up to date - http://bit.ly/Join_QF

To follow Angel on Facebook, click here:  http://bit.ly/A_Facebook

To follow Patrick on Facebook, click here:  http://bit.ly/P_Facebook

To follow Quacker Factory on Facebook, click here:  http://bit.ly/QF_Facebook

As stressful as the holidays can be, we always make time for the traditions that mean the most to us. Some of us spend hours decorating our homes and trees, while others invest creativity into the perfect gift and the prettiest packaging to go along with it.

Baking cookies around the holidays is one of my favorite traditions that brings all of us together. (My mom, sisters, and our kids)

(This is my nephew and the newest member of our family!)

We use the same recipes each year and like to add in a new one here and there. What hasn't changed for as long as I can remember is my Mom's mixer. It was pretty ironic, as I was ordering myself our KitchenAid TSV offered last Sunday, I was at my Mom’s house baking Christmas cookies with her 55 year old mixer!

My mom received her mixer as a wedding gift and has used it ever since. When I posted the photo to my Facebook page, so many of you commented and shared stories about your own mixer. Isn’t it funny that something as simple as a hand mixer becomes part of our lives and our traditions? One of my Facebook friends, Peggy, said “it would be like giving up a friend,” in regards to parting with hers. Another Facebook friend said that her parents also received a mixer as one of their wedding presents 54 years ago. Her mother then passed it on to her and she STILL uses it!

Needless to say, there is a lot of tradition involved when it comes to baking cookies around the holidays and it is something that we look forward to each year! Now I want to share the final product with you! 

This year we made Heath Bar Crunch Cookies! They are delicious and very easy. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

½ cup butter

¾ cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped heath bar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets

2. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Beat egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture.

3. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl; stir into the butter mixture. Fold chopped heath bar into the mixture. Drop batter by the teaspoonful onto prepared baking sheets.

4. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to cool completely.

5. Enjoy 

Meredith Laurence

2011. Sadie’s only visit to Santa…ever! It’s not just kids that are scared of Santa!

Sadie in her Christmas collar - December 2012

Lori Goldstein

The holidays are always such a great time for family….and for clothes!!! Look at my little green and white dress and those saddle shoes!

Dennis Basso

This is a picture of Michael, Lily and I that we took in 2012 outside of our house in the Hamptons on Christmas Eve!  We don’t send cards….but we did send this as an email to all of our friends and family that year!

Jill Martin

Here is my family in 2011: Georgette, Marty & my brother Jonathan. They are my everything. I see my parents (who live on Long Island in the house I grew up in) and my bro a few times a week. They are my best friends and I count my blessings EVERY day. 

Judith Ripka

Cookies, cakes, brownies, tarts, YOU NAME IT and I am all ears. While my sweet tooth is hard to tame all year around, it gets a mind of its own around the holidays. This is the time of the year when I surrender the will power and splurge on sweets.

This year the QVC hosts are having a “virtual” cookie exchange where we can swap recipes and share them with you along the way. Shout out to Sandra Bennett for nominating me next on the list of cookie recipes… Now… I really mean it when I say you can’t judge these cookies by the way they look. They are dark (from the hershey’s chocolate) and therefore extremely hard to photograph.. but once you try them you will know why I’m hooked.

Also did I mention they are REESE’S CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! See if you’re going to judge a book by its cover (which hey you should never do!) can you at least take into consideration the title and perhaps the credibility of the author (I am a seasoned vet when it comes to sweets LOL). 

Here’s how you make them –

Ingridients:

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1-1/4 cups (2 and ½ sticks) of butter or margarine, softened

2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 and 2/3 cups (10 oz. package) of REESE’S Peanut Butter Chips

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 9 minutes (Do not overbake; cookies will be soft. They will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

 Almost Lasagna

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• dash of pepper
• 24 oz. tomato sauce 
• 12 oz. egg noodles
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 8 oz. cottage cheese
• 8 oz. whipped cream cheese 
• 3-5 green onion (shallots), chopped

This recipe came from the Loring Air Force Base Officer's Wives Club Cookbook (1975.) For as long as I can remember, these have been a part of our Holiday baking tradition. No matter where we moved – and we moved a lot – we always kept these cookies as part of our tradition. 

Every plate of homemade fudge and peanut brittle we made was "garnished" with these edible Holly Cookies – and they still are to this day! Plus - they are super easy to make and always leave a lasting impression. I hope your family and friends love them as much as mine do! 

Holly Cookies:

1 stick butter
30 large marshmallows (3.5 cups small) 
3 Tlbs milk (or egg nog)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp green coloring (use as much as needed for dark green color) 
3.5 cups cornflakes (frosted are the best)
Round Red Cinnamon candies

Carefully melt first 4 ingredients on very low heat in extra large skillet. Stir in cornflakes. Combine well. 
Keep heat on lowest setting. 

Working quickly, drop cornflake mix on to parchment paper. 
Drop 3 red cinnamon candies on each one.
Assembly best done with at least 2 people. :-)

So many of our friends from the QVC addicts page shared photos of their Christmas trees—so we just had to post more! These lovely ladies (& gents!) are so passionate about our Q family, and we can't express our love for them enough! We wish all of you a beautiful holiday season, and a Christmas full of love & joy!

You can take a peek at the first two blogs here  & here!

Bonnie Cassagne - "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Tammy Holt Boyd - "Merry Christmas"

Skittles Kaufman

Barb Foley

Vickie Bardo

Bronwen Llewellyn - "The fur kids waiting for Santa."

Denise Lorson - "QVC Bethlehem Lights tree, QVC cedar branches, QVC White Poinsettias, and QVC owl peeking thru."

Sonja Michele - "My unconventional tree. I like that it's unique and different."

Martha Soto-Reyes - "Happy holidays from NYC."

Eberle Darnell - "My pink tree in my bathroom."

Michele Tomera

Shelly Thompson - "My Kringle express tree."

Ann Marie DiPietro - "there's no place like...QVC. Our wizard of oz themed color changing TSV tree that I've had up since it arrived in September!!"

 Janice Paige - "This is my tree with some QVC ornaments."

Karin Vandawalker - "With my Joan Rivers decorations and my QVC Christmas tree."

Genna Farr

Tracey Ayres Royston - "My Tree from Qvc!"

Maria Rhodes - "Merry Christmas"

Cassandra Travis Smith

Angela Sortino Morrissey - "My tree next to the fireplace with a Duraflame insert."

LeNore Murovic - "My tree and 'reindeer'."

Barbra O'Brien - "Love an old fashion tree."

Diedre Piff

Amelia Shubin

Debbie PisarczykWard - "Lisa's red and silver birds."

Kim Taylor - "Our kitchen tree."

Carolyn Morse Pierse

Lisa Sansevere

Linda L McConnell Zunner - "Have a Blessed Holiday Season!!!"

Christi Abel

Brandi Bach Hughes

Diana Pudlish Hauser - "Merry Christmas"

Patricia McGuire - "Here's ours we are so proud of it a lot of QVC presents will go underneath!! Woohoo"

Rebecca George Kemper - "My little Bethlehem Lights table topper -- so pretty!"

Diana Berner - "My daughter calls this our cherry limeade tree. We changed our colors this year to red and lime."

Wendy Skinner Dyer

Jennifer Agee Laurentz - "Bethlehem lights. Several years old but still a beauty."

Lisa R. Lerch - "Merry Christmas, 2014!!"

Debbie McCray - "My little tree!"

Lynzee Navarria

Susan Wood - "Merry Christmas from Hawaii!"

Shauna Franklin Patton

Kay Byrn Jones - "Mine from my home in Mt. Juliet, Tn just outside of Nashville. Note the mercury glass spheres purchased from the Q last year on the hearth. I have a red set and a silver set, mixing the two sets together on both sides."

Debbie Mercado 

Pamela Ryan

Trinity Mendenhall

Stacy Barber Oeming - "My traditional tree"

Shelia Long Brooks

Well, it’s been such an amazing holiday season already, and the experience of decorating my first Christmas tree this year has really made it so special.  I wanted to share the final images of my star, nativity and the stockings! So many of you chimed in on my Facebook page and I loved hearing your ideas. Thank you!! 

I decided to go with a traditional star to top off the tree.  I looked at many options, and this one caught my eye.  I love the glisten that it gives off, and I felt it complimented the tree overall.  

I went with a nativity from Valerie Par Hill and am so in love with it.  The figurines are so substantial in size, the colors are brilliant, and you really see the detail that went into each hand-painted figure.  Instead of laying them at the bottom of the tree, I placed them on a vintage side table.  I felt the nativity was too beautiful to not keep near eye level.  

I love having presents under the tree – and LOTS of them! Even if they are not for me, I leave the presents for my family and friends under the tree so that when they come over, they have a surprise too!!

The Stockings are hung and the puppies are waiting to see what Santa will leave for them this year.  I made these stockings for their first Christmas, and love the way they turned out.  Prince Charming and Coco even know which stocking belongs to them! I often see them on their hind legs trying to catch a whiff of a doggy bone or ball that might be tucked in the stocking!  

Now the last thing to do is name the tree! This one has its own personality with the owls, birds and bees! It feels so alive to me!! I also love the crystal ornaments and the sparkle they make.  

So, I'm thinking "Heaven and Nature" is appropriate.  :)  

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me!! I am grateful for your ideas and hope that you were inspired to try something new in your holiday décor! 

Merry Christmas! 

Love,

Alberti (Prince Charming and Coco Too!)

Hello, foodies…

What do you give to the person who has everything? How can you stretch your budget so that everyone on your list gets a present? You give gifts of food. From coffee cakes to homemade marinara sauce, here are 9 recipes that any recipient would love to receive.

Pepper Jam

Crunchy Buckeyes

Four Way Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Fudgy Brownie Gift Mix

Marinara Sauce

Not-Your-Grandma’s Fruitcake

Orange and Pineapple Ham Glaze

Pizzelles

Holiday Cranberry Relish

Go to my Pinterest page and you’ll find all of these recipes--and many more. Take them, re-pin them, and you’ll always have them handy.

Keep it flavorful!
—David

We have gone to two funerals and a wedding together in less than one year.  Those experiences bring friends even closer! I'm talking about Lisa Robertson and me.

It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to Lisa at the Q. We will definitely miss her, but she has worked tirelessly day and night, day after day for years, and does she deserve a little 'me' time? Absolutely!!! She has poured her heart and soul into the Q, as well as blood, sweat, and tears for 20 years and has put up with sore feet, meals on the rush, very little sleep, long 14 hour days sometimes, and no time for much of a social life!

Lisa deserves to sleep in, have lunch with friends, go on a date on a Friday night, and just put her feet up when she wants to! When she announced she was leaving, I told her to just focus on herself for a few months. Even though I admire her tenacity and ambition and hard work ethic, life is short, and it's okay to take a break. It's also okay to change directions if you are so led.

Lisa is multi-talented, so smart, so beautiful, so funny and I have no doubt she will dive into exciting work again, but in the meantime, she deserves to focus on home, family and friends.

I've known Lisa for 20 years, and she has been a true blessing in my life! She has a generous heart and she truly cares for others. I love her and will miss her, but I know we will be friends for life!

God bless you, Lisa! I can't wait to see what God has set aside for your future!

Love, MB

Looking at a blank page, its hard to conceptualize writing a sentence, paragraph or even book to describe Lisa Robertson.  The truth of the matter is that for me, Lisa is so much more than a colleague that I got along with – she is a friend, an inspiration, a mentor…I can go on and on…

I’ve known Lisa for some time now.  Like many of us, she was first my friend on the television.  I got to see her whenever I wanted, no matter what mood I was in and no matter what outfit I was wearing!!!  I didn’t have to put any effort in beyond turning on the television and enjoying her charming demeanor, her candid and funny comments, her impeccable sense of style, her wisdom, and the honesty in her eyes and voice.  What a beauty, what a find and what a friend!

Through the years I have been able to live vicariously through Lisa and all of her amazing adventures! Whether she was sitting on an Italian hillside overlooking an ancient villa, on a red carpet, in the Hamptons, at the gym (I loved following her workout routines on Facebook), or watching her joke around with Joan Rivers and Dennis Basso – I felt connected, I felt like I was right there. 

Well, I can honestly say that when I met Lisa in person (shy, timid and scared as I was), I was not disappointed with “the real thing.”  In fact, she was better than I imagined!  Twice the fun and none of the drama! With Lisa, “what you see is what you get” and that’s why we find it so easy to love her.  I think that’s why it’s so bittersweet for many of us in saying “goodbye” to such a dear friend.  Because this 20 year chapter has been so enticing!!

After day spent at Six Flags together and going on countless roller coasters, I said I never wanted to go on one again because I had “Laughed, screamed and cried way too much and all at once!” Lisa’s response was “That’s how you know it was SO GOOD and SO WORTH IT!” Well, Lisa, my friend and one of the people I love most on this planet; those words hold true for this chapter in your life.  For 20 years, you have kept us captivated, entertained, and inspired! On every loop and turn we were all in it together.  You took us on an unimaginable ride filled with magic, laughs, tears, and excitement.  And in the end “It was SO GOOD and SO WORTH IT.”

We appreciate you.  We are proud of you. We love you…And we can’t wait for this next chapter, so that we can be there with you. 

Love Always,

Alberti 

Hi, everyone!

I’m going to keep the DIY gift idea topic going for today’s Flashback Friday blog. Here’s a closer look at how you make my Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments:

Now, how about a gift box to put those in?

You can find the recipe for my Macadamia Chile Brittle recipe is on our You’re Home with Jill recipe page. I also shared a list of my favorite “Make and Take” recipes in a special blog on Monday. Box any of those up and they’ll be well received.

Have a great weekend—I’ve got a few last minute gifts to buy so I’ll be shopping and singing Christmas carols the whole time…much to my kids’ dismay!

From my home to yours,
—Jill

Today is a sad day for me. I put off writing this post for as long as possible, because I haven't been able to wrap my mind around it. As we all say good bye to Lisa Robertson, I reflect on all the great things we have done together, her support, her friendship and the kind of person she is. 

A little history ...  I was a long time viewer, before joining the Host team. I loved watching her on QVC and simply couldn't believe I would actually get to work with her. I remember avoiding Lisa like the plague when I first started, because I was such a big fan and didn't want to say something stupid to her. Lisa felt the distance I would always put between us and finally, one day, asked if we could have a private word together. I will never forget this. I walked into her dressing room and she said, "Have I done something to offend you? You seem like you are avoiding me all the time." My mind was racing, as I realized that I had made someone I adore so much feel awful. The jig was up and I had to come clean and tell her what a goof-ball I really am. I apologized and told her how much of a fan I am and that she did absolutely nothing wrong to me ... that I was the one with a strange problem.    She laughed and our friendship started. Lisa is humble and kind. She is very insightful and cares about others. 

Deep into the overnight shift is where all new show hosts start. At the time, we did not have hair and makeup stylist to help us, we did our own. I came from a medical background, not a beauty background or TV, or news or anything remotely close. I went to catholic school for 12 years, wore the same uniform everyday and had no sense of how to dress in normal clothes or do my hair and makeup. I remember sitting in my dressing room at 1:00am desperately trying to look as close as possible to the other girls, when I heard Lisa come in. She just finished her 11:00pm-1:00am shift. I was so frustrated, so embarrassed and so sad about not being able to fit in and look "right for TV". 

As I stared at myself in the mirror, with tears in my eyes, I called out to her, "Lisa.... How do you get that hump on the back of your head? I don't know how to get my hair to do that!!!"

Lisa walks into my dressing room, fully armed with her makeup and hair arsenal and smiles, "let me help you out".... And boy did she ever. Every night I had to go on the air,  she would stay after her shift and help me with my hair, my makeup, she showed me how to understand clothing and even how to cross your legs a pretty way. Her shift would be over at 1:00am, but she would stay with me far into the night and help me. Sometime, she even sat with the producer during my late night shows and coached me from there. That girl is all heart. Lisa would be tired and sometimes sick, but she always put herself last and helped me, first. 

Italy, Italy, Italy... it was one thing to dream of one day becoming a QVC show host, but I NEVER even allowed myself to even think for one minute, that someday I could do the Italy show with Lisa.. Are you kidding me??   Even a crazy person like me has limits to their delusional dreams.  But then again...as I sat on the set in Italy, looking at the castle and all the beautiful jewelry, I kept worrying, "They're going to hate me", "What am I doing here?", "I must be crazy"... Lisa would guide me, calm me, help me and encourage me. She made everything all right. That's the kind of person she is. Lisa will reach out and help anyone with anything. Lisa helped me with the show, the set, my blue cards, gown..etc..........She made sure I was going to be ok, and because of her, I was. However, as hard as she tried to coach me on the delay during phone calls on air, I still kept messing those up.  LOL

At the end of our very long week and believe me, it's not what you might imagine. There isn't any "down time" (you prep, get hair/makeup, go to the set, do your show, go back to you hotel room, sleep and do it all again the next day. You see nothing, you see no one, you're there to work). Lisa came off of her last show and had not slept for 24 hours. I was just waking up, as I had finished my last show the day before. I knew she would be tired, but she surprised me (yet again). Lisa says, "Come on, we are going to Venice for the day, before we have to fly back tomorrow". I was shocked, I knew she was dead tired, but I also know how determined she is. Off to Venice we go!

Everyone knows what a history buff she is. Lisa walked me all around Venice, telling me every bit of history about the bridges, the palace, Saint Marks, the clock tower .... everything. Lisa is scary smart.  She made sure we took a speed boat and toured the canals. During which, I made her sing the song from Beauty and the Beast "there goes the baker, with his tray, like always"... She sounded just like Bell. That's why I call her that. The funniest thing was all the men that were literally tripping over themselves when they would see her. They would say things about how beautiful she is in Italian, not knowing that I understood every word. Lisa never noticed. She never saw all the men looking at her, she never acted like she was any big deal. Lisa was just a regular girl walking around a town surrounded by water. This is one of the many things that make her even more beautiful...she doesn't really know it. 

The countless lunches we've had, the movies we've gone to, the mani/pedi episode, dancing in Vicenza, our early morning walks that she made me do...    There are so many other memories that I could take your time up with, but I will be respectful. 

Through the last ten years, I have tried so hard to give her back at least a little of what she has given me, I have failed at that. But I want everyone to know that Lisa is full of goodness, kindness, generosity and beauty beyond physical appearance. She is funny and scary smart. Lisa is loyal, caring and loving. Once she touches your heart, you just love her forever. I can't even tell you how much I will miss being with her in the host lounge. Hearing her say, "Hey Girl". 

So to Lisa Robertson, I say... HEY BELL, I LOVE YOU FOR ALWAYS!!

Xoxo

A

Hello, foodies…

It has been a busy couple of days! Mary, our girl Rachel from PR, and I also just returned from a cookbook-signing adventure down at QVC Suffolk and Chesapeake and then Books-a-Million in Virginia Beach. We had an AWESOME trip! A great big thank you to the QVC folks who are taking calls and working hard to get you your holiday packages on time...it is hard work. And, a big thanks to you, foodies, for coming out to the book signing in Virginia!

The countdown to Christmas is ON! We’ve got a few short days left so it’s time we tantalized you with another “Holiday Sweet” treat. This Sunday, that treat is Gingerbread Dip!

Gingerbread Dip
Makes 2 Cups

This recipe is prepared with the KitchenAid 9-Cup Exact Slice Food Processor with French Fry & Dough Attachment (K41122).

Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, cut in four pieces and brought to room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup whipped topping

Preparation:

1. Place the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, molasses, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth. Scrape the mixture into a medium-size bowl and fold in the whipped topping. Place in a serving dish.

There isn’t a more perfect potluck or office party recipe out there, foodies. This takes seconds, needn’t be cooked or kept warm, and uses foods you probably already have on hand. Strawberries, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or pretzels make great dippers.

Time for your blog question! What’s your signature party dip? Do you make spinach and artichoke dip? A cheesy crab dip? Hummus? I’ll see you Sunday for In the Kitchen with David at Noon ET. I’m off to take a NAP!

Keep it flavorful!
—David

Maggie (who already has a couple of nicknames, which always happens at our house...Mags, Maggie Sue, Miss Maggins Waggins) is our newest rescue dog!  My friends who run Main Line Animal Rescue (www.mlar.org) where I am a volunteer, had been telling me about this little girl for quite a while, because they thought she would fit in very well at our house…but a year ago, Johnnie (who we lost in March to cancer) had just had surgery and needed lots of extra attention, and it was just not the right time to consider adopting a new pet. Then, when Johnnie passed, we were so heart broken, we were not ready for a while after that. Meanwhile, Maggie was adopted....twice....and it did not work out for her either time. The same thing happened with our rescue, Daffodil, a couple of years ago. I adored her at the shelter, but others were ahead of me in line to adopt her...but after she came back the second time, I scooped her up and we never looked back.

So, a few weeks ago, we decided to bring Maggie home. Both Daffodil and Maggie had "doggie baggage" from being mistreated by previous owners. They are both so sweet, one could not imagine anyone being mean to them...but unfortunately there are "those" people in the world. Both dogs were returned by prospective adopters because of these behavior issues. However, at our house, we are very patient and also have a group of VERY well adjusted dogs who are great teachers.

Cesar Millan commented to me one time after meeting Johnnie and Jimmie that he was very impressed with how well adjusted they both were. Maggie, who is 8 years old and has spent the last several years of her life in shelters, has quickly become a welcome member of our "pack" and acts as if she has lived here all along. She is thrilled with her bed, all of her toys, and her new brothers and sisters...both canine and feline. She is VERY smart, being a poodle mix, and has very good manners, always sitting for her treats without even being asked to. We are so happy to have her at home for the holidays and for forever. Welcome Maggie!! We've been waiting for you!

Love,

Carolyn and our little Zoo

Maggie Q and A

Name: Maggie

Age: 8 years old

Breed: Poodle mix

Favorite past time: Gosh, EVERYTHING!! I am a very happy girl now!! I especially love having a soft bed and lots of toys!

Favorite adventure: Going for car rides and looking out the window at everything!

Recent opportunity to show off: When my new mom took me back to Main Line Animal Shelter to get my picture taken with Santa Paws! I knew I was "just visiting" and pranced around proudly, even though it was a rainy day and I was getting super muddy paws!!

Favorite QVC item: Berkshire Mega Fluffie Throws!! They are the best for snuggling!!

Maggie's Message: Please don't forget about the senior pets like me who are waiting for a forever home at your local animal shelter! I waited till I was 8 years old to find my new family, and I had just about given up hope! I am so glad I didn't! I know there are so many others like me that would be the BEST pets in the world if given a second chance by someone who has room in their heart and their home.

Meowy Christmas and Happy Howl-i-days!! GodBless us pets...every one. XOXO

Every family has them: traditions that you follow regardless of what holiday you commemorate this time of year. My daughter and I are no exception. Over her 14 years we have kept alive some of the traditions my parents created with me, and have started a few new ones as well! I’d love to share a few with you, and hear about yours:

Every year of course the tree goes up! It’s Gabby’s job to put the star (or in this case, a thrift shop Santa that has seen better days, but we don’t care) on top of the tree. The rule is once an ornament goes on the tree it stays there every year even if it gets worn out and faded. There are ornaments on there that are over 40 years old.

I bought an advent calendar when Gabby was old enough to understand it…every year I hide clues in each of the days and Gabby searches for her mini-prizes!

There are a couple of new traditions we’ve started since moving up north: one is to make a daytrip to NYC! We visit the Rockefeller tree, FAO Schwarz, and Times Square. Oh, and grab pizza of course!

There is a beautiful botanical garden here called Longwood Gardens that gets all decked out in lights and decorations for the holidays. We bundle up and spend an evening there every year since we’ve become PA citizens!

On Christmas Eve we get to open one gift: jammies!! Then we all get in our jammies and pretend to fall asleep while waiting for Santa…

And Gabby has created her own tradition, handcrafting presents for her best friends and for her momma. I’ve shared the story about one of those in a video below, called “My Best Gift Ever.”

Traditions are just one of the many reasons Gabby and I look forward to this time of year so eagerly…it brings us closer and reminds us what the season is all about: love. What traditions do you and your family share? Please comment below or share with me on my Facebook page. Happy Holidays!

Jen