Submitted by Venus Diva Magazine Reader Rochelle Bartholomew from Bordentown, NJ

Our family tradition of having orange juice and Cinnamin buns for breakfast, has changed to Mimosas and rolls, now that the children are adults.
 
But they still insist on hanging their stocking by the fireplace every year.  While they open their stocking gifts, we relax with some Christmas Cheer, warm cinnamon buns and laugh over the funny items I find throughout the year that were tucked into their stockings.
 
My secret is that I have a secret Christmas box. Throughout the year, when one of them mentions that they like something, I quickly purchase it and hide it in the box. They compliment me on my wonderful memory!  And smile over the little treasure I had found just for them.
 
Another place for small treasure is in the English Holiday Poppers.  I place poppers at each place setting.  They come in a box of 8 or more, and are wrapped like large pieces of candy. You pull on either end and they "pop" open.  Inside you find a trinket, a paper hat, and a joke or a fortune.  We all take turns reading our joke and sit around the dinner table laughing at the bad jokes while wearing our silly hats.  You don't get to eat, unless you have your official attire on at the table. We do it every year, no matter how ridiculous we look.  We never grow tired of the silly jokes or the ridiculous paper hats.
 
It is these small traditions that make a holiday special.
 
This year I am making red potatoes with sweet potatoes and dried rosemary, one of the herbs Martha Stewart had suggested using on a recent show... and speaking of the show...
 
On Election day I had the pleasure of being a VIP guest in the audience for the Martha Stewart Show!

Her set is impeccably decorated and her staff is polite and accommodating.  Her warm-up man, Joey Cola, gets the audience's energy level up, as we wait for Martha to appear.

The guest for the November 17th show were:
Chef Bryan Sikora, owner of Talula's Table of Kenneth Square, PA  -- an herb specialist
And the Zagats, who spoke of their restaurant guide  
     
Martha showed us how she dries her own fresh herbs.  Try it in this recipe for Christmas.  It is easy, but tastes like you were cooking all day.

Red Potatoes With Sweet Potatoes and Dried Rosemary

Ingredients: 
1 1/2  lbs. small red potatoes
2 large sweet potatoes or yams
2 tsp.  coarse sea salt
1 tsp. coarse black pepper
2 tsp.  dried rosemary leaves
3 T  light olive oil
 
Wash and dry the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into bit size pieces.
Place them in a large plastic bag.
Add the above ingredients and shake.
 
Put on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees
Bake until brown approximately 12 - 15 minutes.  (done when fork tender)