Move Over, Martha

Last weekend, I attended a delightful party, a Christmas tree ornament exchange disguised as a White Elephant party. The idea was that everyone brings a wrapped ornament and unwraps one from under the tree. Each successive unwrapper gets to "steal" a previously unwrapped ornament if she likes that one better. Hilarity ensues, needless to say. Bring a dish to share and you've got the makings of a really fun party.

One of the women who came to this party (it was a hen party - the hostess thought the guys would prefer to stay home and watch football) had made these amazing penguin appetizers. The feet and beaks are made of carefully sculpted carrot, the olives must be meticulously cut out to receive the beaks and the cream cheese-and-horseradish filling is piped in with a pastry bag, then carefully shaped. Everyone marveled at the patience and the tweeness. Move over, Martha. You have serious competition in Novato, California.