Holiday by Sarah Elpayaa

Winter Care Tips for Your Dog

1. Protect Their Paws
Use paw balm or booties: Protect their paws from salt, ice, and cold. If booties aren’t an option, use a paw wax like Musher’s Secret before walks.
Clean and check paws after walks: Salt is irritating. Keep a towel by the door to wipe their paws when you get home.

2. Limit Time Outdoors & Bundle Up Short-hared or Smaller Breeds
Shorter walks in extreme cold: When temps dip below freezing (especially below 20°F), limit your dog’s time outside.
Watch for cold weather signs: Lifting their paws, shivering, or whining may signal they are too cold.
Dog coats or sweaters: Dogs with short coats, smaller breeds, or senior dogs often need a little help staying warm. They can benefit from extra insulation plus they look adorable in their winter gear!

3. Watch for Ice Melt and Antifreeze
Use pet-safe de-icers: If you’re salting your walkway or driveway, opt for a pet-safe ice melt product.
Keep them away from driveways and garage spills: Antifreeze smells sweet but is highly toxic.

Favorite Holiday (and non-holiday) Sweet: Basbousa

Growing up, our family always loved cooking together. Basbousa, which originated in Egypt (where my father was from), was his signature dessert. He loved to make and proudly share it with everyone. Basbousa translates to “just a kiss”. It’s basically a syrupy semolina cake with a prominent buttery flavor and a sandy, melt-in-your mouth texture. Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

Light Soaking Syrup:

1¼ cup sugar

1½ cup water

Small squeeze lemon juice

Basbousa Base:

3 cups medium grind semolina (not basbousa mix)

⅔ cup + 1 tbsp melted ghee

⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional, but so good!)

⅔ cup whole milk

⅓ cup heavy sugar syrup (see below)

1¼ cup sugar

2 tbsp ghee (for brushing, optional)

1 cup chopped raw nuts (optional)

Heavy Sugar Syrup (for base):

⅓ cup sugar

2½ tbsp water

Small drop lemon juice

Instructions

Make the Light Syrup:

Combine syrup ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved, bring to boil, then remove from heat. Cool completely.

Prepare the Base:

Preheat oven to 410°F. Grease a 13" round pan with ghee.
Mix semolina + ghee until grains are well coated.
Stir in finely ground coconut.
Heat milk, heavy syrup, and sugar until warm; stir until sugar dissolves.
Gently fold milk mixture into semolina—don’t overmix.
Pour into pan, smooth out, and chill 15–20 mins until set.
Top with nuts, if using.

Bake & Finish:

Bake 25 mins until golden. Immediately pour cooled light syrup over hot basbousa. Brush with 2 tbsp ghee. Cool 30 mins, then cut into squares and serve.

Selling or Showing During the Holidays? Here's How to Keep it Merry & Marketable...

The holidays can be a magical time to sell—if you strike the right balance between seasonal charm and broad appeal. Here are a few tips to stage your home so it feels festive, not cluttered, and shows at its absolute best.

1. Make Buyers Feel Home the Moment They Step In
- Think of your entryway as your home’s first hug. Warm it up with soft ambient lighting, a subtle scent (like cedar or cinnamon), and a textured moment like a new entryway rug or mat. And yes, if you have a fireplace, light it — or fake it with pillar candles for the glow.
- Pro Tip: Turn on ambient music at low volume — think instrumental or acoustic playlists. It shifts the mood instantly.
2. Use Seasonal Style to Tell a Story — Not Scream the Holidays
- Skip the inflatable snowman and aim for intentional minimalism. Style your mantle or dining table with fresh greenery, a bowl of pomegranates, or a single strand of twinkle lights tucked into a garland. You're not decorating — you're curating an experience.
- Rule of thumb: Every room gets only one seasonal nod. Think of it as a gentle whisper, not a shout.
3. Reframe “Winter” as a Feature — Not a Flaw
- Help buyers imagine living well through winter. Stage the mudroom with stylish boots and a warm coat. Add a mug and tea towel to the kitchen counter so they can envision themselves there.
- If your garage is heated, show it off — buyers rarely expect it, and it makes a big impact.

Take me back to the Holiday Handbook

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