<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-006.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-538" title="rustic christmas tablescape" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-006.jpg" alt="holiday flowers" width="331" height="500" /></a>

This was an extra special Christmas since it was the first for our little girl.  In honor of her big holiday, we decided to host the family event on Christmas day with her grandparents and even one great grandmother!  The tablescapes were rustic -- as we have only an eclectic collection of Mason jars and china, most of which do not match!

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-012.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-539" title="chocolate bouche de noel" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-012.jpg" alt="yule log" width="500" height="331" /></a>

As a baker at Flour Bakery in Boston, I made hundreds of yule log cakes (bouche de noel).  After I left, it took a few years to get past my hatred for creating so many, but it has now become an essential part of our holiday table.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-014.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-540" title="bouche de noel" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-014.jpg" alt="buttercream holly" width="500" height="331" /></a>

The cake is a flourless chocolate cake which rolls up quite nicely and stays moist.  The log is filled with white chocolate mousse and frosted with chocolate buttercream.  I used a comb to create a bark-like texture.  This year, I decided to forgo my usual real holly and evergreens to pipe my own.  I was fairly pleased with the results.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-024.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-541" title="holiday tablescape" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-024.jpg" alt="rustic christmas table" width="331" height="500" /></a>

I found this candle holder at a resale shop in Hinsdale.  It was the starting piece, around which I built the tablescape.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-026.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-542" title="vintage ornaments" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas-2012-026.jpg" alt="holiday tablescape" width="500" height="331" /></a>

While the candle holder wasn't vintage (though someone in India made it to look that way), the ornaments were.  My mom saved as many as she could - handed down from both of my grandmothers.

<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-543" title="christmas sugar cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xmas2.jpg" alt="christmas tree cookies with royal icing" width="447" height="500" /></a>

I pulled a hunk of extra shortbread out of the freezer - leftover from an earlier project -- and quickly threw together these holiday trees.  I love when leftovers make it look like you spent days slaving over a project that instead came together in a jiffy!  These were special for Ben, who "sure do[es] like those Christmas cookies, sugar."

Hope your holiday was merry and your new year bright.