Christmas Interruptus

The items on my list of homemade gifts for the holidays were slowly getting ticked off (there were five more to go) when I got a phone call from one of the big bosses at NBC News telling me that my darling, brave husband was missing in Syria.  I stood over my bowl of freshly melted white chocolate and the bag of crushed candy canes, shaking in shock.  Needless to say, I didn't get any more of my posts written....but the good news is that he's back with me again and safe after five days of captivity.Now, slowly, I'm trying to get myself back on track again.  After sojourns in New York, Washington DC, and Amman, Jordan, visiting family and for him, appearing on various programmes, we are trying to regain some sense of normalcy.  For me that means cooking and writing for all of you.  On the blog this year I plan to add a separate section for recipes and another for restaurants that I love in various cities around the world.  With any luck there will be some more video blogs for today.com and a multitude of little gems that I run into along the way.While I was waiting for some news of my husband's whereabouts, today.com posted three more videos that I'd done for them featuring easy-to-make holiday appetizers.  Normally I would have posted them right away, but honestly, I didn't even know they were up until New Year's Day.  So to start 2013 I am sharing the links for the three videos here.  Please check back often and share your comments with me as I'm eager to know what I can do to make my blog more enjoyable and user-friendly for you! Looking for something that will fill your guests' stomachs but not be too taxing in the kitchen?  Try my tortellini skewers with a lemon garlic aioli or pesto sauce! http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041421/vp/50028222#50028222 Beef bresola crostini with a horseradish cream sauce and diced apples.  A new take on an old favorite.http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041421/vp/50028136#50028136A classic tuna tartare appetizer that won't break any of your new year's resolutions.http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041421/vp/50028043#50028043