tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34357658056350649872024-03-18T02:03:18.233-05:00ThoughtsfromovertherainbowUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-77554432007647736662011-07-10T19:15:00.002-05:002011-07-10T19:27:22.143-05:00Guest Bedroom to Nursery Makover (and my debut as a grandmother :)<p><span style="font-size:130%;">I’ve been telling you how busy things are around here, but the <strong>little one is finally here!!!!! </strong>Both he and the nursery are finally ready to make their debut!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DN5FkwWs-_w/ThpAnZRPZpI/AAAAAAAADQk/lL3naUuIXFE/s1600-h/before%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="before" border="0" alt="before" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5JPkIEvHm1Q/ThpAnyckgVI/AAAAAAAADQo/YGW_CUBpxQc/before_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="484" /></a> </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You might remember when our daughter got married I helped her redo two guest rooms in their 1940’s bungalow. You can see that full post <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2009/11/lucy-and-ethel-do-wheat-grass-and.html">here</a>. But two years later this room needed another makeover….it needed to become a nursery!!!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5QYsxfrTRTM/ThpAoWoZpFI/AAAAAAAADQs/pZ3bV20lvXE/s1600-h/CIMG3634%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3634" border="0" alt="CIMG3634" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-58T3b6N7rbI/ThpAojI_0hI/AAAAAAAADQw/Mk5V7_wChk4/CIMG3634_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Same wall-different bed and art :). She knew she wanted a room that truly said “baby”and nothing but pastels would do! She chose complementary fabrics in blue, green, and yellow. The walls were painted Gold Buttercup by Behr. </span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4sZX8eUv4KY/ThpApHS1vFI/AAAAAAAADQ0/IPAayuzqp9s/s1600-h/CIMG3635%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3635" border="0" alt="CIMG3635" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7w2rUVrLi3Y/ThpApfN4mVI/AAAAAAAADQ4/tgz_tLW5_js/CIMG3635_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The bed is antique white in the Venetian series by Bratt. It actually can be a four-poster, but she elected not to use them this time (maybe for a girl someday :). She was extremely lucky and found it on sale! The bumpers are paisley trimmed in the stripe of the bed skirt. The rug is from the Pottery Barn Outlet.</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pf6kvYiEhrg/ThpApt5lhDI/AAAAAAAADQ8/Hz1ohRCe2MY/s1600-h/CIMG3637%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3637" border="0" alt="CIMG3637" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-adzhMUjdK-4/ThpAqL3-MMI/AAAAAAAADRA/JBBJfVNPSKw/CIMG3637_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The next major hurdle was finding just the right chair. This is a swivel rocker in the pale green of the crib fabric. It is truly comfortable---I’ve always wanted a chair with something similar to an odometer. I know I have already put some “miles” on this one! We found the little side table at a thrift shop. I “shabby chicced” it and spray painted the lamp.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wwm8-a4Hxv4/ThpAqQQKH7I/AAAAAAAADRE/QUQCRpNDICA/s1600-h/CIMG3654%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3654" border="0" alt="CIMG3654" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OxS8z2KMNtA/ThpAqvDLT0I/AAAAAAAADRI/w7MwSXd5zOs/CIMG3654_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We also found an old oak dresser to serve as a changing table and to use for storage. The kind people in the paint department at Lowe’s walked me through the painting and glazing process. </span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_vdhBpB6Cgg/ThpAq2nGORI/AAAAAAAADRM/JWFFkGsM_r8/s1600-h/CIMG3645%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3645" border="0" alt="CIMG3645" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DNdlqtA0C4s/ThpArSDoapI/AAAAAAAADRQ/Vmic_l8EhGY/CIMG3645_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">There is room on top for diaper changing necessities in the basket and lots of drawers to hold all those adorable sacks and onsies!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7I8pK5MkGQ4/ThpAr1JnM3I/AAAAAAAADRU/AXUU3o1xLH8/s1600-h/CIMG3641%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3641" border="0" alt="CIMG3641" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VW6qrKJKyE8/ThpAsGF3EII/AAAAAAAADRY/5b8XkX21BzQ/CIMG3641_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The final necessity was a window treatment. She had box pleat balloon shades made in a complementary polka dot. The knotted trim is in the bed skirt fabric. She left the room darkening shades behind for nap time!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j_2H5GKlHQw/ThpAsRP470I/AAAAAAAADRc/CaS5IFJn2Sw/s1600-h/CIMG3639%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3639" border="0" alt="CIMG3639" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_bvRxmVpedM/ThpAsq6QN4I/AAAAAAAADRg/QxPUOdQnQZY/CIMG3639_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Now the fun begins…accessorizing! Dad made the shelf. The picture on the easel is a thread count piece my mother made over thirty years ago. I rematted it and painted the frame to match the furniture. It makes me happy to have a little reminder of his great grandmother in his room….I know she’d like it too.</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wAGPR2d3yoI/ThpAszx4X1I/AAAAAAAADRk/UD99yvwFECI/s1600-h/CIMG3642%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3642" border="0" alt="CIMG3642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jvhSywVpF8k/ThpAteAWbVI/AAAAAAAADRo/g96IcCQ6yGc/CIMG3642_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I had this little bench done as a surprise! The bench belonged to my daughter when she was a child. I antiqued it and a local artist painted the name and animals to mimic the canvases over the bed. We LOVE the animals. We both spent days online searching for just the right art. </span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JwEuKy-nwKY/ThpAtr-sLQI/AAAAAAAADRs/Gja6CBSpZr4/s1600-h/smiling%252520henry%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="smiling henry" border="0" alt="smiling henry" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z_8b1t_-XFA/ThpAuBer-PI/AAAAAAAADRw/oJjY2YGna0M/smiling%252520henry_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This is our little guy….well, our guy anyway. He weighed eight pounds and thirteen ounces! One of my daughter’s co-workers from school took this on the day he was one week old. The photographer is a kindergarten teacher and had never photographed a baby before. I think she missed her calling!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Q18N4SUOjs/ThpAuhVCfHI/AAAAAAAADR0/WkW_Y-6pEFM/s1600-h/sock%252520monkey%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="sock monkey" border="0" alt="sock monkey" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pvabX4HHtPg/ThpAuxjyNlI/AAAAAAAADR4/PxFoz5cjCBE/sock%252520monkey_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s official….I’m in love with this wonderful blessing from God!</span></p><br /><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I’m linking to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. You can click on her button on the sidebar for immediate transportation. Thanks for sharing this joy with me!! You’ve been with me through the whole thing! I’d love to hear from you!</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-77689466908925233512011-06-28T09:32:00.006-05:002011-06-30T20:28:22.142-05:00Induction Cupcakes :)<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, our daughter’s due date has come and gone…..Once again I am reminded that God has every detail planned and His timing is perfect even if it is not our timing. BUT the mom-to-be is having last minute cravings—chocolate and peanut butter to be exact. Sooo</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7ffFLYXcOo4/TgnmB7SXflI/AAAAAAAADQU/zMiz0qCYQDw/s1600-h/CIMG3663%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3663" border="0" alt="CIMG3663" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2Gdbw2NkVdA/TgnmCQS2fCI/AAAAAAAADQY/SQmlwJbATEQ/CIMG3663_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I whipped up a quick version of chocolate peanut butter cupcakes using mix for the cupcakes and the Barefoot Contessa’s frosting recipe. I used Betty Crocker’s Chocolate Fudge mix—there’s no such thing as too much chocolate when you are nine plus months pregnant! A few chopped peanuts garnish and add hint of salt to the icing.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KH-F55sufGY/TgnmC7kzF3I/AAAAAAAADQc/96RX9XSfZZg/s1600-h/CIMG3664%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3664" border="0" alt="CIMG3664" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ciD8ovF-oc/TgnmDDcp8YI/AAAAAAAADQg/i8crQbq8ipM/CIMG3664_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This morning I sent her an email and a picture of the cupcakes:</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Medium;font-size:130%;">To the Little One</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Medium;font-size:130%;">You Are Cordially Invited</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Medium;font-size:130%;">to</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Medium;font-size:130%;">A Birthday Celebration</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Medium;font-size:130%;">You supply the birthday; I’ll supply the cupcakes :)</span> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I’m not sure if she was amused, but she’s coming to pick up the cupcakes :)</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ina’s Peanut Butter Frosting</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 cup confectioners’ sugar</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 cup creamy peanut butter</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon kosher salt</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/3 cup heavy cream</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Place confectioners’ sugar, butter, peanut butter and vanilla in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium- low speed until creamy, scraping down scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">note: I love my Kitchen-Aid, but I am sure this could be done with an electric hand mixer as well! These would be great for the 4th of July--what's more American than peanut butter and chocolate?</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am linking to Cupcake Tuesday at <a href="http://hoosierhomemade.com/firecracker-cupcakes-for-the-4th-of-july-cupcake-tuesday/">Hoosier Homemade</a>. Drop by for some great recipes and Fourth of July inspiration! Be sure to join our friend Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday! Click on her button on the sidebar! Thanks ladies! </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thanks for stopping by! I’ll keep you posted on when the Little One arrives!</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-29579981924558223822011-06-22T08:19:00.005-05:002011-06-23T20:41:21.108-05:00You’re Gonna Have a Fit!<p><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s been two months almost to the day since I posted last…I’ve missed you! We have been busy as bees around here with wedding festivities for our youngest son and preparations for our daughter’s baby soon to be born BUT you just have to see this!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XMofcOeJodc/TgHrlubGTrI/AAAAAAAADO4/vtvVR9YSeZw/s1600-h/first%252520one%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="IMG_9730" border="0" alt="IMG_9730" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z99PT5kz0hE/TgHrmKeeABI/AAAAAAAADO8/aUfjprEbhBM/first%252520one_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Here in the South one of the nicest compliments you can give is, “I just had a <strong>fit </strong>over it!”. Recently dear friends of ours gave a seated dinner for ninety for our son and his fiance. I can tell you these ladies did all the work themselves and put endless hours of thought, preparation, and work into this event and I just about had a <strong>fit </strong>when we saw it….I think you will too!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3562" border="0" alt="CIMG3562" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zGxSIkaao9M/TgHro2RgW6I/AAAAAAAADPA/PUj-t2Hj04k/CIMG3562_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I felt as if I had entered a photo shoot for Southern Living and Southern Lady combined. The majority of the tables were set in a woodland theme on long sweeping porches on two sides of the house. Napkins were held by mini flower pots and each guest was provided a fan tied with satin ribbon with the bride and groom’s name on it.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rqvMz-K9eSA/TgHrpZcdcfI/AAAAAAAADPE/nRycrTZjqjs/s1600-h/CIMG3561%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3561" border="0" alt="CIMG3561" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pDniB_zQ_gc/TgHrpsTXcpI/AAAAAAAADPI/754zKBDhdDM/CIMG3561_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The theme was evident from</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">the very beginning when the invitation arrived in what appeared to be a brown paper sack addressed in calligraphy (of course :). The invitation itself was a replica of a vintage seed packet. Each guest received a tiny seedling planted in the mini pots as a favor. As the sun set candles surrounded by parchment paper provided a romantic glow on the tables.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-we89HGFwiRU/TgHrpwftupI/AAAAAAAADPM/8uI_TXGNZ7M/s1600-h/party%252520for%252520l%252520and%252520h%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="party for l and h" border="0" alt="party for l and h" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kNTTJ3U0DLM/TgHrqcdgu5I/AAAAAAAADPQ/ciA40uVSciM/party%252520for%252520l%252520and%252520h_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Long stretches of tables with tulips in galvanized bucket- like containers provided seating for every single guest.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0gK2I3Q6K0/TgHrqnzqUrI/AAAAAAAADPU/jRPFxOgBI3A/s1600-h/tulips%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="tulips" border="0" alt="tulips" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RLqX2UJH_aM/TgHrrPfkApI/AAAAAAAADPY/sLH-IzFBOqs/tulips_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh, and don’t overlook the moss-covered fauna on each table. This little bunny is sitting on a bed of polished stones. Each “placemat” was made of astro turf.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N3bxCclTs20/TgHrrpqIidI/AAAAAAAADPc/TW6OjHn7XVk/s1600-h/CIMG3563%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3563" border="0" alt="CIMG3563" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UFAEVq3_4Tk/TgHrsP6SEII/AAAAAAAADPg/UVmQDg2BZ28/CIMG3563_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The brown tablecloths provided the “earthy” background. Our boys have hunted together since junior high school and the hostesses knew the groom would revel in the theme. His favorites were this duck and a huge wild turkey!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jSlFS-FaXLo/TgHrs1L790I/AAAAAAAADPk/GxFVpQ-GJz4/s1600-h/P1010390%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="P1010390" border="0" alt="P1010390" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4A3q78amKq4/TgHrtWW84iI/AAAAAAAADPo/Ez7JcJSvCjw/P1010390_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A mossy little fox graces this table. The Mason jars were filled with water and garnished with lemon before dinner. </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d4xbZEdEPr0/TgHrtgseoiI/AAAAAAAADPs/TPoNkBKYUcI/s1600-h/P1010393%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="P1010393" border="0" alt="P1010393" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-of_Tuj9CAqg/TgHruCzYvyI/AAAAAAAADPw/TCX5OshVQos/P1010393_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A giant moss butterfly provided the appropriate whimsy for the bar tucked away in a corner! Soft lighting in the surrounding foliage was beautiful after dark. I half-expected woodland fairies to pop out!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5G14JvsyrTA/TgHruap5bBI/AAAAAAAADP0/Gob5BKIvC50/s1600-h/P1010394%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="P1010394" border="0" alt="P1010394" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bJlYHwIw8zE/TgHru5_KwyI/AAAAAAAADP4/B1ixe04Jc3s/P1010394_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Tables of appetizers filled the patio area before dinner. The white Adirondack chair was a gift to the bride and groom. Each guest signed it and it was later covered with a finish to preserve the memories of the night. </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d9jQ05R9utc/TgHrvCBcW0I/AAAAAAAADP8/w3jpI_wAI38/s1600-h/CIMG3571%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3571" border="0" alt="CIMG3571" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EUv2Lqr-v8o/TgHrveZmfhI/AAAAAAAADQA/g0n0Rvg6mRM/CIMG3571_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My personal favorite was the gazpacho served in shot glasses! And finally a feast was served buffet-style…..</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vv5XcHnFeWE/TgHrvwHgEwI/AAAAAAAADQE/d0s_Cjfncgk/s1600-h/CIMG3566%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3566" border="0" alt="CIMG3566" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7iq2eWLsAP4/TgHrwNqNdMI/AAAAAAAADQI/y4SQHALzgLo/CIMG3566_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A tuxedoed buck and veiled doe served as the centerpiece for the buffet table!!!!! </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yk5a8zPTAO8/TgHrwpzh_yI/AAAAAAAADQM/70txiMmXMEM/s1600-h/CIMG3573%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3573" border="0" alt="CIMG3573" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vwABGG-MFwM/TgHrwx-h8EI/AAAAAAAADQQ/MZVjCbOoQjA/CIMG3573_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">It was a magical night none of us will ever forget….well, you know….. I just had a <strong>fit </strong>over it :)!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;"><strong>I’m linking this to Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Between Naps</a> <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">on the Porch</a> for Tablescape Thursday and to Laurie at <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/">Bargain Hunting and</a> <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/">Chatting with Laurie</a> for Saturday’s My Favorite Things. I hope you’ll visit these two ladies and tell ‘em I sent you :) I hope to post the nursery on Sunday and I think you’re gonna have a fit!!! It’s good to be back….:)!!</strong><strong> Thanks for stopping by…leave me a note!</strong></span></p><span style="color:#3366ff;">EDITED--In my absence, Laurie has decided to discontinue her Saturday meme, so I won't be linking BUT still hop over for a visit. You won't be sorry!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-11312735226187150402011-04-21T08:02:00.002-05:002011-04-21T09:10:55.027-05:00Eggceptional Breakfast for Two<p><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq7FRkOvI/AAAAAAAADNw/5wt6mMwkxxo/s1600-h/CIMG3540%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3540" border="0" alt="CIMG3540" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq7kDxwbI/AAAAAAAADN0/1PNMfxJYTbw/CIMG3540_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">About three weeks ago I went to my front door…….the one with freshly planted Kimberly Queen ferns…..</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq7__2PwI/AAAAAAAADN4/ilrNaeZFS2I/s1600-h/CIMG3539%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3539" border="0" alt="CIMG3539" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq8O2YRII/AAAAAAAADN8/W7V8TNzSIG4/CIMG3539_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">the one with the spring and Easter wreath that I have neglected to show you :)…….and there was a surprise!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq8ViXORI/AAAAAAAADOA/SRI5AnuZkR4/s1600-h/envelope%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="envelope" border="0" alt="envelope" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq8pjXVOI/AAAAAAAADOE/EgPyoKbsq4A/envelope_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">My friend Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen fame had sent me a gift. I had won one of her very gracious giveaways! Kathleen and I share a love for the same man…..Bill. You may know him by William Sonoma, but trust me on this one. Kathleen knows him well and calls him by his nickname :)</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq8xW1sTI/AAAAAAAADOI/BXE87ftLCkQ/s1600-h/CIMG3529%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3529" border="0" alt="CIMG3529" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq9DRkYZI/AAAAAAAADOM/8OkviuUpRo0/CIMG3529_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Inside the envelope I found six beautiful napkins!! They were covered in sunny happy barnyard animals and just naturally made me think of pairing them with these happy placemats for a special breakfast for two.</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq9XNXDfI/AAAAAAAADOQ/3s7LwOlgWjg/s1600-h/CIMG3536%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3536" border="0" alt="CIMG3536" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq-edtWzI/AAAAAAAADOU/SKACkwRryew/CIMG3536_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">These placemats are so cute that it’s almost a shame to cover them with a plate….almost.</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq-v_i_eI/AAAAAAAADOY/jxTSS9U1s4c/s1600-h/CIMG3521%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3521" border="0" alt="CIMG3521" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq-wHrIdI/AAAAAAAADOc/665xHBn2LXo/CIMG3521_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Now red and yellow is not a color scheme that I would normally even think of. But some tablescapes just create themselves. This one was just waiting to be born!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq_JyXLLI/AAAAAAAADOg/kBP9EPAc_UM/s1600-h/CIMG3525%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3525" border="0" alt="CIMG3525" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq_cHdWeI/AAAAAAAADOk/yvE5Sqz-ZPI/CIMG3525_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">My cute little egg cups with rosy cheeks and yellow egg-shaped bowls with strawberries cinched the red and yellow theme.</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbAq_0d4NDI/AAAAAAAADOo/Cx-Sd5aKQnw/s1600-h/CIMG3541%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3541" border="0" alt="CIMG3541" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbArALJHQFI/AAAAAAAADOs/6Ilg9dlKQlY/CIMG3541_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">These mini mason jars make perfect bud vases for individual place setting arrangements. They are actually salt and pepper shakers from Walmart. An unusual container makes a floral arrangement easy!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbArAfU-T0I/AAAAAAAADOw/ehv13PDwOlE/s1600-h/CIMG3534%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3534" border="0" alt="CIMG3534" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TbArAh0MBnI/AAAAAAAADO0/pMfbDgBWC1g/CIMG3534_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And of course, the bunny and carrot salt and pepper shaker had to make its appearance no matter what the color scheme is :)</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I’m joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Please visit her by clicking on her button on my sidebar. And be sure to visit my benefactor Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen <a href="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/">here</a>! She is a master of food and its presentation!</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;"><strong>Thanks so much for stopping by for breakfast :) I wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Easter! I hope you’ll drop me a note!~~Susan</strong></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-59025272954948961522011-03-31T21:38:00.003-05:002011-04-17T20:50:43.900-05:00Layers of Goodness<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6k_EPjGI/AAAAAAAADNI/q6SFHLmwMLY/s1600-h/CIMG34672.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3467" border="0" alt="CIMG3467" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6lAWEZ-I/AAAAAAAADNM/1O7pLGn3UgA/CIMG3467_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Last weekend friends of ours invited us to a cookout. It was an informal B.Y.O.M.—bring your own meat affair. Most people showed up with steaks, but there was chicken for some and hotdogs for a couple of little ones. The host and hostess provided the best part—this idyllic little piece of heaven that they call home. The evening was layers upon layers of goodness!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6lhjCQOI/AAAAAAAADNQ/Stbq5rFeSAw/s1600-h/CIMG34884.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3488" border="0" alt="CIMG3488" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6l0QNRbI/AAAAAAAADNU/ImqPEk1VPbY/CIMG3488_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> <span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p><br /><p></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My contribution was to be dessert and I immediately turned to my latest issue of Southern Lady for a recipe to try out. I am in love with this magazine! The pictures are breathtaking and the recipes are inspiring and “do-able”. The tablescapes alone are worth the price of magazine. If you live above the Mason Dixon line, no need to worry—it’s geographically inclusive :)</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6mGkwpvI/AAAAAAAADNY/tPP9sSkVBO4/s1600-h/CIMG34634.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3463" border="0" alt="CIMG3463" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6mXYfvCI/AAAAAAAADNc/VGhxZKQk3nk/CIMG3463_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I often use my friends as guinea pigs to try new recipes. Over the years they have shared both successes and total flops. The fun is in the trying. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">This recipe is from an entire article on Neopolitan desserts. Doesn’t that bring back memories of the three-layered pastel ice cream from your childhood? </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6myplOJI/AAAAAAAADNg/RH2XoPoAVa4/s1600-h/CIMG34696.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3469" border="0" alt="CIMG3469" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6nLSn1II/AAAAAAAADNk/FKJa3_IHJZ8/CIMG3469_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">When I saw that the frosting contained strawberry extract, I knew I had to try it! Strawberries just “say” spring to me! I used my cute little gingham cupcake liners from Bridget at<a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/"> Bake at 350</a>---perfect for a picnic. I’ve had them a while and have been saving them for just the right occasion. Thanks Bridget!</span></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6nZesKYI/AAAAAAAADNo/XESmgCVcjuw/s1600-h/neocupcake6.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="neocupcake" border="0" alt="neocupcake" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TZU6nk3eexI/AAAAAAAADNs/3MCH9wuVuJo/neocupcake_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The perfect cupcake! —three layers of goodness-- chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry for an evening with three layers of goodness—friends, fellowship, and food! This one goes in the “success” column. If you don’t have or can’t buy a copy of Southern Lady (and I highly recommend it), here’s the recipe! This one earned a spot in the “success” column!</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Neopolitan Cupcakes</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 cups sugar</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">4 large eggs</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">3 cups cake flour</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/4 cups milk</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Strawberry frosting (recipe follows)</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Preheat oven to 35o degrees. Line 2 (12 cup) muffing pans with paper liners; set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, and sugar. Beat at a high speed until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter in half, and beat cocoa powder into half the mixture. Spoon chocolate batter into muffin cups, filling about 1/3 full. Spoon vanilla batter evenly over the chocolate batter, filling about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely. Pipe strawberry frosting on tops of cupcakes.</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Strawberry Frosting</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 cup butter softened</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 cup strawberry jam</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 teaspoons strawberry extract</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 cup confectioners’ sugar</span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in strawberry jam and strawberry extract until smooth. Beat in whipped topping and confectioners’ sugar. </span></p><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I’m joining our favorite author Michael Lee West @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on the sidebar for immediate transportation. I know posts have been sporadic. Thanks for hanging in with me while I work on both weddings, one couple’s new house, and a nursery….whewww :) I hope you’ll leave a note!! </span></strong></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-42369676744810069712011-03-10T08:43:00.002-06:002011-03-10T08:52:29.591-06:00In Love with the Mudbug<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Crayfish, crawfish, crawdad….call it what you want, but call me when you serve it! When daffodils start popping up and the pear trees bloom this southern girl starts thinking about delicious little mudbugs!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjpfy1e6I/AAAAAAAADMk/mMzJN_W7S-I/s1600-h/thumbnail4.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="thumbnail" border="0" alt="thumbnail" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjplqNt5I/AAAAAAAADMo/jIzquVtrbxY/thumbnail_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Don’t turn up your nose! They’re related to the lobster---the kissing country cousin. Crawfish boils are the easiest and most fun way to entertain in the spring. All you need is a big pot, a yard, and a roll of paper towels :) ! </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjp9VgCkI/AAAAAAAADMs/Q3YdU0q6dQQ/s1600-h/Crawfish4.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="Crawfish" border="0" alt="Crawfish" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjqRS5pUI/AAAAAAAADMw/cwqfLKZ7xAY/Crawfish_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">THIS is my favorite way to eat crawfish—seasoned and boiled in a huge pot with lots of corn and potatoes. However, it’s still just a bit early for my cravings so I made an easy and delicious alternative until the real thing arrives.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjqroH64I/AAAAAAAADM0/4PHIU-Irpms/s1600-h/CIMG34185.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3418" border="0" alt="CIMG3418" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjq69Uq0I/AAAAAAAADM4/8JOr1j304XY/CIMG3418_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And it’s made completely in the microwave….you read it right! I confess I am something of a snob about microwaves….great for reheating or thawing. But COOKING…..a REAL meal…..no way. But this works and no one will ever suspect :). I’ve been making it so long that I have no idea where I got the recipe, but I have given out by request lots! </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Crayfish Delicacy</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup vegetable oil</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1 small onion, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1 stalk celery, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1 pound frozen crayfish tails, thawed and chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">3 tablespoons flour</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1 envelope prepared beef stew seasoning mix</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">4 green onions, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 chopped fresh parsley</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">3 cups hot water</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon red pepper</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon black pepper</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Microwave first 5 ingredients in a casserole dish on high for 6-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in flour and remaining ingredients. Microwave uncovered on high for 15 minutes, stirring twice. Cover and continue to cook at 50 % power for 15 minutes stirring twice. Serve over hot rice.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">EASY!!! You can cook and serve in the same dish. Buy a bag of salad and a loaf of French bread and dinner is served! </span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjrGiF8LI/AAAAAAAADM8/Ow_pIacoPgs/s1600-h/CIMG3435%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3435" border="0" alt="CIMG3435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TXjjrfbVOCI/AAAAAAAADNA/9yozIWJ33D8/CIMG3435_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The food stylist had the day off :) so this picture may not do the taste justice! I am joining our dear Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday! Michael’s latest book <em>Gone With a Handsomer Man </em>will be out in April. Check out your invitation to a launch party given by Laurie at <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/">Chatting and Bargain Hunting with </a>Laurie by clicking on the Foodie Friday button on the sidebar! I can’t wait!!!!</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thanks to all of you who shared their “Grandma” names with me. You are, as always, a creative and gracious bunch! Leave me note :)~~Susan </span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-81839096217737351732011-02-17T09:09:00.004-06:002011-02-18T17:10:27.064-06:00Pink or Blue?---The Big Reveal!<p><span style="font-size:130%;">All week long, I’ve been teasing you…building the suspense. Is “our” little one a boy or is it a girl? You know we gathered family and had a reveal party. We each wore the color indicating our prediction. The tide seemed to be turning towards pink---even Jessie wore her pink sweater. :) </span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06DYMYApI/AAAAAAAADLI/yfoFljRzVHk/s1600-h/CIMG3398%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3398" border="0" alt="CIMG3398" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06D6xSsrI/AAAAAAAADLQ/Q2YJDzHjiVQ/CIMG3398_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You’ve seen the cake that holds the answer. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06EMAqaeI/AAAAAAAADLU/1rEDzo43Aaw/s1600-h/CIMG3396%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3396" border="0" alt="CIMG3396" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06EfmDMrI/AAAAAAAADLY/j1l03eqdqFI/CIMG3396_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">But since I had to order two cakes, the bakery made a note to avoid even a hint of confusion. It reminds me of Alice down the rabbit hole. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06EqU1thI/AAAAAAAADLc/t_JGTNAFrwU/s1600-h/CIMG3384%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3384" border="0" alt="CIMG3384" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06E6LW3tI/AAAAAAAADLg/xUJRhttJe5k/CIMG3384_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We had the envelope from the sonogram technician to verify the results…..so much planning….. so it would all come off without a hitch. Careful planning ensures perfection….right?</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06FHg_3SI/AAAAAAAADLk/o1JUOZhYrwo/s1600-h/CIMG3403%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3403" border="0" alt="CIMG3403" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06FogebII/AAAAAAAADLo/Ds-R7sHwpIA/CIMG3403_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">WHAT?????? Insert here the sound you hear when the figure skater falls at the Olympics, the sound from the stands when the kicker misses the winning field goal at the Super Bowl, the sound from the crowd when Evel Knieval lands on the cars . :) ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????? Is now a good time to pi<span style="color:#000000;">tch a hissy fit?</span></span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06F6aaJhI/AAAAAAAADLs/05ggON7DHWs/s1600-h/GetAttachmentCA5V1YKE%5B2%5D.jpg"> </a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06F6aaJhI/AAAAAAAADLw/mrvX-x6G_Xw/s1600-h/GetAttachmentCA5V1YKE%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="GetAttachmentCA5V1YKE" border="0" alt="GetAttachmentCA5V1YKE" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06GZVNdcI/AAAAAAAADL0/IvHUEW0uaWI/GetAttachmentCA5V1YKE_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="484" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Fortunately, we did have the results in the envelope—It’s a </span><span style="font-size:6;color:#0000ff;">BOY!!! <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">And it’s just as well that he learn early on that we are family prone to mistakes, misunderstanding, and generalized fumbling and bumbling…..and laughter at all of it….lots and lots of laughter :) We are thrilled and thankful for this blessing...and both families know how to “do” the boy thing!</span></span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06GgS-awI/AAAAAAAADL4/VVlmL2X1Fo4/s1600-h/DLrLasagna_0%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DLrLasagna_0" border="0" alt="DLrLasagna_0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06G4wqQjI/AAAAAAAADL8/b9hCf_Dk-ew/DLrLasagna_0_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:6;color:#0000ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">So we all sat down to eat anticlimactic lasagna. It’s delicious and could be warming in the oven during the reveal. The recipe is served at a fundraiser each year by the oldest church (1828) in my hometown. It’s been a town highlight and tradition for many years. </span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:6;color:#0000ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Episcopal Anticlimactic Lasagna</span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">(renamed by me :)</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Saute’ l clove of minced garlic and 1 cup of minced onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy skillet. Add about a pound and a half of ground chuck and brown. Drain and transfer to a heavy Dutch oven or large saucepan. Add 2 cans tomato sauce, 2 cans tomato paste, 1 1/2 cups of water and two teaspoons of Italian seasoning. I also add a bay leaf. Simmer about 2 hours.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06HA2wA3I/AAAAAAAADME/VxFIVqkWNeg/s1600-h/CIMG3363%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3363" border="0" alt="CIMG3363" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06HUHOzwI/AAAAAAAADMI/aLWF8j29mY0/CIMG3363_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">To assemble. Cook one package of lasagna noodles according to directions. Rinse and separate on a towel to dry. Spoon enough sauce to cover the bottom into a 9x13 casserole dish (don’t forget to spray it!). Layer noodles lengthwise, then mozarella cheese, then dollops of ricotta or cottage cheese (I used both). Cut noodles to appropriate size and layer crosswise. Cover with sauce, mozarella, and ricotta or cottage cheese. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. I think the key is to using lots of cheese. This is a great “do-ahead” meal!</span></p><p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06HuArPCI/AAAAAAAADMM/uagioccQ2VM/s1600-h/gram1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="gram1" border="0" alt="gram1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TV06H6v2q3I/AAAAAAAADMQ/2H8DKTExL4g/gram1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;">Now I need your help! </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t have a grandmother name picked out! I’d love to hear the names in your family!!! Even if you have <strong>never </strong>left a comment before, please share your names with me today. I’d hate to end up as Mrs. Rainbow :) I am also linking to Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Click <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/02/pink-saturday-february-19-2011.html">here </a>for an all pink party!!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;"><strong>Thanks so much for visiting and playing along with me this week. I am linking to Foodie Friday with Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum. Click on her button on the sidebar to join the party. Don’t forget---<span style="font-size:6;">I want to hear from you!!!</span><span style="font-size:180%;">~~Susan</span></strong></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-16707686441921745982011-02-16T10:40:00.002-06:002011-02-16T21:28:11.490-06:00Pink and Blue Extravaganza<p><span style="font-size:130%;">I’ve been thinking, planning, and dreaming in <span style="color:#ff00ff;">pink </span><span style="color:#000000;">and </span><span style="color:#0000ff;">blue </span><span style="color:#000000;">for over a month now. I’ve been teasing you for almost a week. Last Friday our daughter had her first sonogram. On Saturday we had our Him or Her party to reveal the gender of our coming little one----No one knew but the sonogram technician and the bakery!</span></span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv97dqpZ3I/AAAAAAAADKI/Pyv6Vm2vtVI/s1600-h/CIMG3369%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3369" border="0" alt="CIMG3369" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv98McUtjI/AAAAAAAADKM/QsfGwxHt7B4/CIMG3369_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The dining room table was a sea of pink and blue for a big family dinner. The paternal grandparents traveled from five hours away to witness the announcement. My oldest son was on speaker phone from Delaware to witness the breaking news.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv98VSv7pI/AAAAAAAADKQ/QRj-IhL7wpc/s1600-h/CIMG3376%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3376" border="0" alt="CIMG3376" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv983Ov2KI/AAAAAAAADKU/nNZk2jWcPWI/CIMG3376_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course, you know by now, I always start with flowers and a centerpiece. I found these gigantic <span style="color:#ff00ff;">pink</span> and <span style="color:#0000ff;">blue</span> hydrangeas in the Kroger floral department. I arranged them with baby’s breath (gysophila) in a small wicker bassinet I found online. I have used this bassinet countless times for baby showers.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv99JoH31I/AAAAAAAADKY/yixdZAZ5tf0/s1600-h/CIMG3373%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3373" border="0" alt="CIMG3373" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv99UVguBI/AAAAAAAADKc/1ZufGarxDkc/CIMG3373_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p> <span style="font-size:130%;">These large stemmed candle holders are one of my favorite tablescaping staples. By changing the candle color or adding ribbons, I can adapt to almost any theme or holiday. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv99iE1SZI/AAAAAAAADKg/-tollrkx_bI/s1600-h/CIMG3374%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3374" border="0" alt="CIMG3374" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9-PHuotI/AAAAAAAADKk/uN8DJ0ChO8g/CIMG3374_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I scattered <span style="color:#ff00ff;">pink</span> and <span style="color:#0000ff;">blue</span> trinkets from Dollar Tree around the table.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9-_i4L0I/AAAAAAAADKo/XB6y6WeyAdc/s1600-h/CIMG3372%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3372" border="0" alt="CIMG3372" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9_IikKoI/AAAAAAAADKs/IlKhrnNrvuU/CIMG3372_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I must tell you I searched relentlessly online and locally for pink and blue salad bowls or plates and had no luck. In the end, I had to settle for paper (OH NO!!!). I did like the way the square plate looked on the now-famous Big Lots white china. The napkins are bunched in <span style="color:#ff00ff;">pink </span><span style="color:#000000;">and </span><span style="color:#0000ff;">blue </span><span style="color:#000000;">polka dot favor buckets. </span></span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9_SDnUCI/AAAAAAAADKw/jRnI1HyvKAM/s1600-h/CIMG3381%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3381" border="0" alt="CIMG3381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9_iRVlTI/AAAAAAAADK0/XUSHr2HrdG4/CIMG3381_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Our friend Marty from A Stroll Thru Life introduced me to the versatility of cloches. This made a perfect centerpiece for the sideboard.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv9_2IpZEI/AAAAAAAADK4/BDMBsubwvws/s1600-h/CIMG3382%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3382" border="0" alt="CIMG3382" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv-ACemKMI/AAAAAAAADK8/WvgNoAmMw88/CIMG3382_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I used silver mementos that belonged to the mother-to-be under the cloche and, of course, more baby’s breath. But the main attraction on this sideboard was this</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv-AXNEdgI/AAAAAAAADLA/u88uIHbXHyY/s1600-h/CIMG3385%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3385" border="0" alt="CIMG3385" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVv-Amn6LZI/AAAAAAAADLE/eyUWp9crtyE/CIMG3385_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The inside of this cake holds the answer: </span><span style="font-size:6;color:#ff00ff;">Pink <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">or <span style="font-size:6;color:#0000ff;">Blue <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">????????</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;color:#000000;">Thanks for sharing in the joy with me! Hope you’ll come back tomorrow for the menu, a recipe, and the <span style="font-size:6;">answer!!! </span><span style="font-size:180%;">I’d love to hear from you! :)~~Susan</span></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescapes by clicking on her button on my sidebar!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-34952477215488030052011-02-13T20:02:00.002-06:002011-02-13T20:06:55.597-06:00Him or Her Party!<p><span style="font-size:130%;">This is a post about a wreath that is really so much more than a wreath. It’s a wreath that represents a whole new chapter in our lives! </span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNDxdIK2I/AAAAAAAADJU/csScds1l4ws/s1600-h/wreath%5B4%5D.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="wreath" border="0" alt="wreath" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNEZdYmBI/AAAAAAAADJY/Ujz7Ij3qpxM/wreath_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">By definition a metamorphosis is a “change in appearance, character, or condition”. I believe this counts! You may remember I told you that 2011 is going to be a big one for this family---both sons are getting married---big changes, BUT I alluded to another change and some of you guessed. The happy bride (our daughter) and gr<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNEtoBxsI/AAAAAAAADJc/TKMFGTBec8A/s1600-h/CIMG3399%5B5%5D.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;">oom </span></a> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNEy0I1aI/AAAAAAAADJg/4as96IlL8WQ/s1600-h/CIMG3399%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3399" border="0" alt="CIMG3399" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNFHOR0GI/AAAAAAAADJk/Wy-ietNMnCw/CIMG3399_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">will be parents in June…hopefully about two weeks after the first wedding :). WE ARE FINALLY GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!!!!!</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNFUXoTVI/AAAAAAAADJo/5MKBc4reFc4/s1600-h/baby%20tuck%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="baby tuck" border="0" alt="baby tuck" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNFm7SyLI/AAAAAAAADJs/XNOU5BR7ZGQ/baby%20tuck_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The baby bump is small, but it’s there! This past Friday I was grateful to attend the first photo session….I mean sonogram :)…the one that reveals the gender of the baby! The technician sealed the answer in an envelope and gave….it….to….me!!!! I could hardly stand the temptation! BUT we had been planning a party for a month. Some people call it a gender reveal party. That sounds a little cold to me. I called it the Him or Her party! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNF2tSfYI/AAAAAAAADJw/_GgIfS7CfgE/s1600-h/CIMG3347%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3347" border="0" alt="CIMG3347" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNGLLAs2I/AAAAAAAADJ0/7XUenN6ni8c/CIMG3347_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This wreath greeted the parents-to-be, family, and friends for the party.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNGSKBbhI/AAAAAAAADJ4/DQEe3CVHXkI/s1600-h/CIMG3350%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3350" border="0" alt="CIMG3350" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNGjFoc0I/AAAAAAAADJ8/SusDATY9ajc/CIMG3350_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Will we be decorating in pink or blue?</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNG31xaZI/AAAAAAAADKA/Uw5VypByWGs/s1600-h/CIMG3349%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3349" border="0" alt="CIMG3349" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TViNHR_MJZI/AAAAAAAADKE/sHoEqvUuz-4/CIMG3349_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Him or Her???</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this joy with me!!!! I hope you’ll come back. I’ll be sharing all this week….the table, the decorations, the menu and recipes….and of course if it’s a HIM or Her!!!!~~Susan</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I am linking to Susan @Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Click <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">here </a>to join the party. Thanks Susan!</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;"></span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-5564022353150672452011-02-12T13:58:00.001-06:002011-02-12T13:58:14.748-06:00The Secret in the Envelope<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVbmVMjNWLI/AAAAAAAADJM/-ozlZYJA19c/s1600-h/CIMG3365%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3365" border="0" alt="CIMG3365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TVbmVsQDX3I/AAAAAAAADJQ/cRP96UEz03U/CIMG3365_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Is it a love letter?  After all, Valentine’s Day is very very soon……No sensual aromas or romantic fragrances waft from it….not sealed with a kiss……It’s not even a pretty color……just a plain white envelope……but it is full….it  holds the answer to the future…….</font></p> <p><font size="4"><strong><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you’ll come back tomorrow.  I’ll be sharing the secret of the envelope all this week.  ~~Susan </font></strong> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-17652488329415129352011-02-04T22:27:00.003-06:002011-02-04T22:52:40.901-06:00Lotta Bang for the Buck Dessert—Peanut Butter Parfait<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I shared a special dinner menu and recipes. I promised dessert today and here it is…compliments of two bloggers. Inside BruCrew Life is new to me. When I ran across this recipe on Jocelyn’s site recently I bookmarked it for later perusal.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUzRoUg89DI/AAAAAAAADI0/4rKplVTmIdM/s1600-h/CIMG3323%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3323" border="0" alt="CIMG3323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUzRo7qTqPI/AAAAAAAADI4/MuU8lIgz1JQ/CIMG3323_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Peanut Butter Parfaits! The peanut butter pie filling portion is a recipe from Pioneer Woman (<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/another-pie/">here</a>) who seems to be all over the place. Did you see her on the Today Show last week? Jocelyn at Inside BruCrew Life created the parfait and you can find the recipe <a href="http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/peanut-butter-pie-parfaits.html">here</a>. These were easy to do and, best of all, can be done ahead of time. They were perfect for Beloved who is Reese’s Peanut Butter fiend :) In fact, we loved them so much…..</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUzRpAgSj3I/AAAAAAAADI8/dE7Pn4U5-3M/s1600-h/CIMG3329%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3329" border="0" alt="CIMG3329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUzRpsIo90I/AAAAAAAADJA/jZ--F_7wcnU/CIMG3329_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I made ten of them and took them to a dinner party tonight. They traveled beautifully in a wine box with dividers! :) Since this is one of our new </span><span style="font-size:180%;">Favorite Things </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I am linking to <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/2011/02/im-in-love-with-tom-and-thats-not-my.html">Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie </a>for her Favorite Things party. Thanks Laurie—you’d love them too :) PS-I'm going to forgive you for that picture :)...soon, maybe... :) I am also linking to <a href="http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/">Sweets for a Saturday </a>at Sweet as Sugar Cookies. If you love dessert, you will be in heaven!</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thanks for dropping by. Have a great weekend!~~Susan</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-15205153159586429462011-02-03T09:03:00.006-06:002011-02-03T09:18:43.356-06:00A Special Dinner for Your Honey!<p><span style="font-size:130%;">I ‘m pretty sure the Lord knew what he was doing when he made me a southern girl who lives for most of the year in a comfortable and temperate climate. Because when the weather turns to this</span></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDutFWs-I/AAAAAAAADH4/h0qjc9Wow8Y/s1600-h/CIMG3254%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3254" border="0" alt="CIMG3254" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDu5U0rnI/AAAAAAAADH8/pPdIH9hWv2s/CIMG3254_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">(And yes, Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen—we call this snow—even THIS is snow to us :) Check out her lively and beautiful posts <a href="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2011/02/year-of-rabbiti-am-snow-mad.html">here</a>. But back to my original thought—when the weather turns to this, my thoughts turn to this</span></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDvAN0ykI/AAAAAAAADIA/l8aPu5n9fMM/s1600-h/CIMG3257%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3257" border="0" alt="CIMG3257" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDvlY00LI/AAAAAAAADII/QCxwOYa72dk/CIMG3257_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My mind turns to warmer places, cookbooks, new recipes, food, eating, and pants with elastic waistbands—”buffet pants”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> as we call them :) A couple of weekends ago, I called Beloved and told him to stop and pick up some crabmeat at Sam’s or Costco on his way home. Both places carry incredibly good and affordable lump crabmeat and I had a plan .</span></p><p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDv-cvUNI/AAAAAAAADIM/3tlNOIm70TY/s1600-h/CIMG3261%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3261" border="0" alt="CIMG3261" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDwUcs-4I/AAAAAAAADIQ/Rw8xgL4k7HE/CIMG3261_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been told that for a land-locked girl, I make a mean crab cake :) I have been making this recipe and the accompanying sauce for years. The recipe comes from <em>Come On In </em>a Jackson, MS Junior League cookbook. I almost always “tweak” a recipe, but this one is perfect just as it is printed!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDw-ZsP9I/AAAAAAAADIU/H7WMT7ohEoc/s1600-h/CIMG3263%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3263" border="0" alt="CIMG3263" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDxFjvjCI/AAAAAAAADIY/MKy1dKA5IeM/CIMG3263_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I love that the the crab cake is almost pure—not a lot of filler—just enough to keep it on the fork long enough to get it into your mouth.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDxaScFSI/AAAAAAAADIc/u5ID5trs98c/s1600-h/CIMG3265%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3265" border="0" alt="CIMG3265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDxoHC3vI/AAAAAAAADIg/ygITqbuvzd8/CIMG3265_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Yvonne, over at Stonegable, reminded me that I had also been craving artichokes. She has a great tutorial on how to cook and eat them <a href="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-eat-artichoke.html">here</a>. I never have any trouble with the "eating" part :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDyGCR89I/AAAAAAAADIk/DbwNti4TFO8/s1600-h/CIMG3268%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3268" border="0" alt="CIMG3268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDyl2jt5I/AAAAAAAADIo/Fe2QrtYNe0E/CIMG3268_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The beginnings of Shrimp Portofino—a dish of shrimp, pasta, and spinach in a heavenly sauce. You can find that recipe <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/search?q=macaroni+grill">here.</a></span> </p><p><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDy9WsU9I/AAAAAAAADIs/m1OB5hJLRt8/s1600-h/CIMG3272%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3272" border="0" alt="CIMG3272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TUrDzb0_R-I/AAAAAAAADIw/tcT9sjq_120/CIMG3272_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Wouldn’t this make a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner for YOUR beloved?</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Crab Cakes Dijon</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tablespoon chopped green pepper</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">4 tablespoons chopped green onion</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, picked</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 large egg, beaten</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tablespoon mayonnaise</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">6 tablespoons dry bread crumbs</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 teaspoon dry mustard</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon black pepper</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 teaspoon seasoned salt</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Saute pepper and onion in 2 tablspoons oil until wilted. Drain and mix with remaining ingredients. Chill mixture 20 minutes. Form into flat cakes—about 6 medium or 8 small. Chill about 15 minutes. Saute’ in remaining oil until golden brown, 5-8 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with Dijon Sauce.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">DON’T SKIP THE SAUCE!!! This is absolutely one of the best and is also good on boiled shrimp.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dijon Sauce</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 plain yogurt</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">3 tablespoons Dijon mustard</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/4 cup mayonnaise</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 tablespoon chopped onion</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 tablespoons dill relish</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Whisk together and server at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thanks for stopping by! Please take time to say hello! I so very much love hearing from you. Come back tomorrow for dessert---you knew I’d have one :) I am linking to our friend Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on the sidebar to join the party on Friday! Thanks~~Susan </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-87154556435986329942011-01-24T16:39:00.002-06:002011-01-24T16:42:51.774-06:00The Most Depressing Day-Embrace It!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_g6p0reI/AAAAAAAADG8/RlXYKOdt-ZI/s1600-h/CIMG3307%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3307" border="0" alt="CIMG3307" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_hP9qLOI/AAAAAAAADHA/AQRxCCT0pHg/CIMG3307_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Gray skies got you down? Are you having a blue Monday? Well if you are, it turns out you are right on schedule! It turns out Somebody somewhere determined that January 24, 2011 is the most depressing day of this year. Christmas bills in the mail, broken resolutions, blah, blah, blah. Somebody has forgotten the resilience of the human spirit. Someone doesn’t know us!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_hgb6VqI/AAAAAAAADHE/LQNIGRsKzcc/s1600-h/CIMG3291%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3291" border="0" alt="CIMG3291" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_h-NLY0I/AAAAAAAADHI/4HjnaJvGHnk/CIMG3291_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">It looks like a good day to retreat to me. So much attention is given to the Man Cave. All I need is this one little corner to nest in….a Nester’s Nook :). This is a corner in my formal living room—seldom used, but always tidy and inviting, and just perfect for me.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_iNs3eqI/AAAAAAAADHM/kW1SCVVlvvM/s1600-h/CIMG0347%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0347" border="0" alt="CIMG0347" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_iQ32CVI/AAAAAAAADHQ/UDe_aK4ROcg/CIMG0347_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is picture of that corner of the room that my husband calls a huge waste of space. He may be right, but on days like this it doesn’t feel that way.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_ih1C3OI/AAAAAAAADHU/ZS33m8K4r7s/s1600-h/CIMG3300%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3300" border="0" alt="CIMG3300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_i4-RIcI/AAAAAAAADHY/uNbhBKsoRow/CIMG3300_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Whenever I’m feeling just a little down, it helps me to remember the many things for which I am grateful. My sweet daughter always makes sure I have cute journal to record them in. It also helps me to take the focus off myself—a good time to use pretty stationary to write someone a note just to say “I’m thinking of you”.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_jPoHE1I/AAAAAAAADHc/ts6GHyJBxAU/s1600-h/CIMG3276%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3276" border="0" alt="CIMG3276" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_jjZh-rI/AAAAAAAADHg/vr3JldEDUqY/CIMG3276_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Who says hot cocoa has to be served in a chunky mug? I much prefer my “pinky-out” cup and saucer :) One painted in beautiful spring flowers is even better.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_j_ThoHI/AAAAAAAADHk/_hYf6zVLqGg/s1600-h/CIMG3301%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3301" border="0" alt="CIMG3301" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_kD0fXaI/AAAAAAAADHo/_5IZBFmdvR0/CIMG3301_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">These belonged to my MIL. I have a set of eight with four different set of flowers. There is not a mark on the bottom of either the cup or saucer. I would love to know their history. Do any of you have ideas?</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_kcxvS4I/AAAAAAAADHs/sDthBXymbMo/s1600-h/jt%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="jt" border="0" alt="jt" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TT3_kqMygrI/AAAAAAAADHw/lSz9nJfKsQA/jt_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="476" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I’m listening to a little James Taylor and Carol King—Live at the Troubadour. Depressing? Chocolate, books, music, a snug corner. Sounds like a good Monday to me :)</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I am linking to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. Click <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/01/49th-table-top-tuesday.html">here</a> to join the party. Thanks for visiting!~~Susan</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-88514464994687539072011-01-12T15:29:00.004-06:002011-01-13T18:37:29.840-06:00Recipe for the Perfect Storm<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Sometimes the stars align just right, conditions all come together, and the stage is set for the perfect storm. No, not the kind that produces torrential rain or snow….but, that’s part of it. On Monday morning, I awoke to this</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dBzXgvCI/AAAAAAAADGE/xUsg7xgZW1s/s1600-h/CIMG1330%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG1330" border="0" alt="CIMG1330" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dCbwpnVI/AAAAAAAADGI/6Xk22OOR5P8/CIMG1330_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A beautiful winter wonderland in a place more accustomed to power-threatening sleet than pretty white soft stuff.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dDC10ZcI/AAAAAAAADGM/9-ip3BfJAJA/s1600-h/empty-nest%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="empty-nest" border="0" alt="empty-nest" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dDZ50W7I/AAAAAAAADGQ/ev3ALGNwXnQ/empty-nest_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Our house which lately has resembled the “Do Drop Inn” looked like this… not just empty….peacefully, joyfully quiet :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dD18TffI/AAAAAAAADGU/H61Ia2WfeNM/s1600-h/football%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="football" border="0" alt="football" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dEN6KvHI/AAAAAAAADGY/EXeaeA748mk/football_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Beloved closed up early and came home with plans to rest up for the big game. And while we are not Auburn fans, I always root for the SEC.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dErF-m6I/AAAAAAAADGc/YtXN7UWQl5g/s1600-h/CIMG3191%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3191" border="0" alt="CIMG3191" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dFVUctOI/AAAAAAAADGg/ODV4dmPqmNE/CIMG3191_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">After a quick kitchen inventory, I knew I had the ingredients to complete both the recipe for a perfect evening and a perfect-for- the-occasion soup.</span> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dF9cK60I/AAAAAAAADGk/UplgRKJL97U/s1600-h/CIMG3212%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3212" border="0" alt="CIMG3212" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dGEgXZoI/AAAAAAAADGo/l3cpuy3JunY/CIMG3212_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Dinner for two in front of the fire….and the flat screen tv :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dGROHoNI/AAAAAAAADGs/bkk-ImMGR4E/s1600-h/CIMG3205%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3205" border="0" alt="CIMG3205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dGk3fTnI/AAAAAAAADGw/iJ-dpRhF4mg/CIMG3205_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The fire’s reflection caught in mom’s old Community silverplate—White Orchid.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dHKtZGNI/AAAAAAAADG0/wlK61fNVrpQ/s1600-h/CIMG3198%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3198" border="0" alt="CIMG3198" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TS4dHXGyuuI/AAAAAAAADG4/y9v2pqppj1k/CIMG3198_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Is there anything better than a warm fire, warm soup, and a warm hand to hold?</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Beef and Cabbage Soup</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 pound ground chuck</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 small head cabbage, cut into large pieces</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 large onion, chopped</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">28 ounces water (use the tomato can)</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 cans red kidney beans (dark or light)</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 teaspoon garlic powder</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">3 stalks celery, chopped</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">3 tablespoons beef soup base</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 teaspoon dried parsley</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 teaspoon black pepper</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">28 ounces stewed or crushed tomatoes (we prefer the larger stewed)</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Brown beef with onions and celery. Add all other ingredients and extra water if needed. Simmer covered for at least one hour. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Serve with the best-ever cornbread recipe <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2009/07/foodie-fridayreal-southern-cornbread.html">here</a>.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Simple, huh?</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am joining my friends Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday. You can find them by clicking on their buttons on the sidebar!</span></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I know I have been sporadic in my posting and even more so in my visiting. Both sets of wedding plans are well under way. I am working on a whole new room and a surpise I hope to share with you soon :) Thanks for hanging in there with me!~~Susan</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-39425618286697952042010-12-22T09:28:00.001-06:002010-12-22T09:28:55.627-06:00Adorable, Personalized, and Cheap!<p><font size="4">Last year our daughter gave us an adorable personalized ornament for Christmas.   And ,I, the self-professed non-crafter thought, “I can do that”…”maybe”.  Today is DELIVERY Day!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZKgXbMNI/AAAAAAAADFY/BiIOeVsI_MU/s1600-h/CIMG3172%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3172" border="0" alt="CIMG3172" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZLO9gtfI/AAAAAAAADFc/kUngDQ8V-8c/CIMG3172_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I have a small group of friends I call the “ lunch bunch”.  We’re meeting today and I wanted to give them all a “happy”.  We’re all trying to conserve and besides, I wanted these to be personal.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZLZOvhYI/AAAAAAAADFg/cx-G3q9yoMc/s1600-h/CIMG3159%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3159" border="0" alt="CIMG3159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZL7FGAVI/AAAAAAAADFk/52-UwQC__3E/CIMG3159_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">I’ve been working for a few mornings and evenings after dinner.  Once I did the first couple and perfected “my craft” :), the process went quickly!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZMf_Y-cI/AAAAAAAADFo/3JrdB1Fai9Q/s1600-h/CIMG3165%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3165" border="0" alt="CIMG3165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZMrZ2v_I/AAAAAAAADFs/_dccuH_rZKQ/CIMG3165_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4">I used some large and some small non-breakable ornaments, paint pens, and acrylic paint.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZM_sCfgI/AAAAAAAADFw/kvW2bwKRc9Y/s1600-h/CIMG3163%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3163" border="0" alt="CIMG3163" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZNBvKi7I/AAAAAAAADF0/xvTic7VNpFQ/CIMG3163_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Each family member’s name and the date were put on with a thin tip paint pen and a ribbon was attached to the top.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZNQI1-jI/AAAAAAAADF4/Qzrlbi9vWBw/s1600-h/CIMG3173%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG3173" border="0" alt="CIMG3173" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TRIZNjcxMTI/AAAAAAAADF8/ihg2NiOlbEw/CIMG3173_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4">Each one was wrapped in a clear snack or gift bag with “grass” to protect it and tied up with left over ribbon.  Cute and best yet…almost no expense at all!  It might be a little late for this year, but remember this one!</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC"><strong>Merry Christmas….Don’t forget to take time to enjoy the miracle!~~Susan</strong></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-71200280163472142892010-12-19T05:40:00.001-06:002010-12-19T05:40:48.879-06:00Christmas…Another Perspective<p><font size="4">The last week before Christmas is upon those of us await the celebration of our Saviour’s birth.  So much to do; so little time to do it.  I read something last week that really made me stop and think….made me want to put it all into perspective.  I thought you might enjoy it too.</font></p> <p><font size="4"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQ3vPDIc5cI/AAAAAAAADFE/IPe2OZ6tTZk/s1600-h/CIMG0941%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0941" border="0" alt="CIMG0941" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQ3vPsIpiFI/AAAAAAAADFM/nKSsGI2CxGI/CIMG0941_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </font></p> <p><font size="4">Inspired by Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Dr. Charles Webster wrote:</font></p> <p><font size="4">If I decorate my house perfectly with bows and strands of light, but do not show love, I am just another decorator.</font></p> <p><font size="4">If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table, but do not show love, I am just another cook.</font></p> <p><font size="4">If I volunteer at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing homes and give away a lot to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.</font></p> <p><font size="4">If I trim the spruce with golden angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend holiday parties and sing in the church choir concert, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love sets aside the decorating to kiss one’s partner.  Love stops the cooking to hug the child.  Love is kind, though harried and tired.  Love does not envy another’s home with coordinated Christmas china and table linens.  Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.  Love does not give to only those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.   Love never fails.</font></p> <p><font size="4">Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust….but the gift of love will endure.     </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQ3vPw2xnfI/AAAAAAAADFQ/tYpnKI6jWlQ/s1600-h/CIMG1015%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG1015" border="0" alt="CIMG1015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQ3vQGK3afI/AAAAAAAADFU/Cp7K2mUV8hw/CIMG1015_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Bradley Hand ITC">I think Dr. Webster has been peeking in my windows :)  Give yourself a break…take time to enjoy the miracle!~~Susan</font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-19495035125889542932010-12-16T08:22:00.002-06:002010-12-16T08:30:37.882-06:00Comfort to Celebrate Joy<p><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s not that I don’t love you any more. I do. Really. I do. It’s just that life has bumped up a notch around here. Several notches really….but all very happy notches :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogkN8sbHI/AAAAAAAADEU/d-60jze7YWU/s1600-h/CIMG3147%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3147" border="0" alt="CIMG3147" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogkfFO5sI/AAAAAAAADEY/BYgg_lyhRho/CIMG3147_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You may remember I told you back at the end of October that our<a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkins-and-surprises.html"> youngest son </a>proposed to his high school sweetie. Well, This past Sunday called for another celebration! I broke my own “no-Sunday-cooking-except-on- the- grill” rule, set the table, arranged flowers, and COOKED for the entire clan.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogk_6YdHI/AAAAAAAADEc/0eipQVXGIdQ/s1600-h/CIMG3151%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3151" border="0" alt="CIMG3151" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQoglMpg2rI/AAAAAAAADEg/2d_gZd6fFlA/CIMG3151_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">It gave me a chance to use the cute salad plates I bought from Walmart….the ones that go in the dishwasher :) I even used jingle bell ornaments from Walmart as napkin rings.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQoglXOyovI/AAAAAAAADEk/77t7SkBvT54/s1600-h/CIMG3156%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3156" border="0" alt="CIMG3156" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQoglgOId3I/AAAAAAAADEo/ZQhJQDX_6gM/CIMG3156_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">No time for a fussy arrangement….one Kroger bouquet split between three Dollar Tree candle holders. I love doing several low arrangements instead of one big one. Odd numbers work well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogl6wrfDI/AAAAAAAADEs/BwSP0zMiMDo/s1600-h/CIMG3155%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3155" border="0" alt="CIMG3155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogmI7KNRI/AAAAAAAADEw/6Is3TUsTAe8/CIMG3155_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A little holly from the yard makes it an instant “Christmas arrangement”.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogmRNsb9I/AAAAAAAADE0/0fGQWQZ0GT8/s1600-h/waldorf%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="waldorf" border="0" alt="waldorf" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogmtLTppI/AAAAAAAADE4/h7UMn9Gk5qU/waldorf_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The meal was simple southern food—favorites requested by the guests of honor.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2010/01/magic-of-meal.html">Waldorf Salad</a></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Homemade Chicken and Dumplings</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Crowder Peas</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hot <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2009/07/foodie-fridayreal-southern-cornbread.html">Cornbread</a></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hot Fudge Pie with Peppermint Ice Cream</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">And what was the occasion for this celebration? Another wedding!!!!</span></p><p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQogm8iqmuI/AAAAAAAADE8/Feqj4uXYDeg/s1600-h/jeff%20and%20tricia%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="jeff and tricia" border="0" alt="jeff and tricia" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TQognBKIWxI/AAAAAAAADFA/KqugvaLn6GA/jeff%20and%20tricia_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="484" /></a> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Firstborn has proposed and we could not be happier!!! God has truly answered my prayers with these two young women who will soon join our family! So—big news for two of the three children and even more for the third one (more on that soon :). Let’s just say 2011 is going to be a <span style="color:#ff00ff;">BIG </span><span style="color:#0000ff;">YEAR </span><span style="color:#000000;">for this family!</span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Happy news and good food---truly <span style="color:#ff0000;">Comfort </span><span style="color:#000000;">and </span><span style="color:#008000;">Joy!</span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;color:#000000;">Thanks for stopping by and mostly for not forgetting about me! I’ve left links for the cornbread and Waldorf salad recipes:) Stay calm and remember the reason for the season!</span><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;color:#000000;">~~Susan</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday by clicking on her button on the sidebar!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-30768418624107273942010-11-30T22:07:00.002-06:002010-11-30T22:10:34.488-06:00The Very Last Pumpkin Recipe This Year…And Worth It<p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Technically, I know we are past “pumpkin season”, but since this is the last day of November I thought I would push my luck. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I tried this recipe for the first time and it is just too <span style="color:#ff0000;">delicious <span style="color:#000000;">and </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;">too easy <span style="color:#000000;">not to share.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPXKB70rNpI/AAAAAAAADEM/VMqPJ15vJ8Q/s1600-h/CIMG3046%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3046" border="0" alt="CIMG3046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPXKCk2faRI/AAAAAAAADEQ/60cThwyZi68/CIMG3046_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanksgiving also happened to be my son in law’s birthday. He is a pumpkin lover so I made this in his honor. I found this recipe in one of those handy dandy Kroger brochures that come in the mail. After lunch, I moved the recipe straight to the “keeper” file!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pumpkin Trifle</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Bake one (14 ounce) ginger or spice cake mix. (I used spice cake). Let cool completely. Prepare one large box of instant vanilla pudding as directed. Stir into the prepared pudding one can of pumpkin pie filling, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice. I used a little cinnamon and ginger. Prepare whipped cream. I whipped about two cups---I never want to skimp on whipped cream :). Crumble in large pieces part of the spice cake in a glass bowl or trifle dish. Layer half of the pudding mixture followed by a layer of whipped cream. Repeat ending with whipped cream. Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Note—I might even try Cool Whip next time instead of whipped cream to make it even easier and faster. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">It may be too late for this year, but save this one! Easy, delicious, pretty—A lot of bang for the buck!!! Now on to Christmas recipes…I promise :)</span></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be linking to Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday! Click on her button to fatten up for the holidays :)</span> </span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-29878080318828234852010-11-28T20:52:00.003-06:002010-11-28T21:11:32.964-06:00First Things First<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Christmas music on my favorite radio station 24/7, white twinkle lights appearing in yards around me, and the calendar is filling up….and not a twinkle light, shiny ornament, or fluffy bow in sight at my house….sigh. BUT</span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVP1Fmn0I/AAAAAAAADDE/SYPzBrQwNHo/s1600-h/PICT0078%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="PICT0078" border="0" alt="PICT0078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVRrSSdWI/AAAAAAAADDI/6E67Fm2tQeg/PICT0078_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">this year I was asked to be on my church’s flower committee. Now, for me, that ranked right under being asked to take a presidential cabinet position! This is such a talented group of ladies who are master gardeners and flower show judges. I have learned so much from them.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVR885azI/AAAAAAAADDM/StY3d_clLUg/s1600-h/CIMG3070%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3070" border="0" alt="CIMG3070" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVSM6Qk1I/AAAAAAAADDQ/ppumrIi7r4U/CIMG3070_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I spent part of Saturday getting the church ready for the first Sunday in Advent. In a couple of weeks a bank of poinsettias will take the place of the fresh flower arrangement.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVSdqufoI/AAAAAAAADDU/_xqDyUGPqh8/s1600-h/CIMG3074%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3074" border="0" alt="CIMG3074" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVS8h7PCI/AAAAAAAADDY/pJG3PQWrD94/CIMG3074_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This year we added swags to the pews for the first time. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVTZQQTxI/AAAAAAAADDc/pzoWVWqco5A/s1600-h/CIMG3073%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3073" border="0" alt="CIMG3073" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVTh-3pHI/AAAAAAAADDg/z4utAr6corc/CIMG3073_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The balcony was draped with garlands, bow, and a wreath.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVUGCEehI/AAAAAAAADDk/qkhT4rJ1qPk/s1600-h/CIMG3078%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3078" border="0" alt="CIMG3078" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVUebtucI/AAAAAAAADDo/x23Z1KZVSJo/CIMG3078_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The advent candles were arranged with faux greenery and berries.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVVG7_uLI/AAAAAAAADDs/CxUvUm7qb5k/s1600-h/CIMG3081%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3081" border="0" alt="CIMG3081" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVVb3f7PI/AAAAAAAADDw/whbqgcEvlto/CIMG3081_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Every window was adorned with a hurricane globe, candle, and greenery. These will be lit at the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVVxLBBxI/AAAAAAAADD0/XU43R8r1lB8/s1600-h/CIMG3084%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3084" border="0" alt="CIMG3084" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVWChz21I/AAAAAAAADD4/U4o_HlDsZhw/CIMG3084_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And finally, the arrangement was made. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVWUoAzCI/AAAAAAAADD8/fdtm0q7IK48/s1600-h/CIMG3086%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3086" border="0" alt="CIMG3086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVW6aqFSI/AAAAAAAADEA/XKgSu4P9lZ4/CIMG3086_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">All white with fresh greenery and holly. These ladies have been teaching me the art of using floral oasis and I thought I’d pass them along to you. Oasis makes it much easier to put your flowers where you want them and KEEP them there. In addition, the water will help preserve the fresh cut flowers.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVXKFuBNI/AAAAAAAADEE/CBcP2Pj-ZF8/s1600-h/oasis%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="oasis" border="0" alt="oasis" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TPMVXr4VWTI/AAAAAAAADEI/ZpU9caCidOg/oasis_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Oasis can be bought at lots of places—Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, Michael’s, Walmart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Use a knife to cut your oasis to fit the container. Sometimes it may take more than one piece and some creative cutting. Be sure that you leave the oasis one inch higher than the depth of the container.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">2. Place the oasis in a sink or bucket of fresh cool water with the small holes facing up. These hole are already there for you. Don’t weight it down or leave it under running water.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">3. Let the oasis soak for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the water and allow it to drain for just a minute or two.</span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">4. Now you are ready to place the saturated oasis in the floral container. At this point it will be fairly soft and pliable.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">5. Secure with floral tape if desired.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, most of you may already know all this. I did not so I am passing it along just in case! I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Just click on her button on my sidebar for transportation!</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">I’m so glad to be back after a short hiatus! I missed you more than you can imagine. I hope you’ll be back…I’ve been cooking and have lots to share! Thanks for stopping by… leave me a note :) ~~Susan</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-17338710924082325312010-11-27T20:53:00.003-06:002010-11-27T21:09:07.615-06:00Play It Again...With Apologies to Robert Frost<p><span style="color:#ff0000;">Edited: Hi gang! I have missed you! I am back from a short unplanned hiatus--renewed, refreshed and revived! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are cranking up for the holiday season! I first posted this last November and thought I would share it again with Chari at <a href="http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/">Happy to Design </a>for Sunday Favorites and with <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/">The Tablescaper </a>for Seasonal Sundays. I hope you will join both of these lovely ladies by clicking on their link! I hope you'll come back next week--I have some goodies planned! </span></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/SvCWPGdgwAI/AAAAAAAABRs/xHYqMwPRjs8/s1600-h/CIMG0548%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0548" border="0" alt="CIMG0548" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/SvCWPokMzCI/AAAAAAAABRw/cwF6se_Zu-w/CIMG0548_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Raking Up Leaves on an Autumn Evening</span><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">With Apologies to</span><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Robert Frost</span> </p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Whose leaves these are I think I know.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">The tree is not my yard though.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">It seems all wrong to yell and hiss</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">To treat the leaves as if a foe.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">My little dogs are full of fear</span><br /><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">For they can hardly walk in here.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">The crunch and crackle frightens them.</span><br /><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">They do not like this time of year.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">My husband fumes and stomps his feet.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">It seems he can’t admit defeat.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Leaves cover up his perfect path,</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Swirl and fall and then repeat.</span></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">The leaves are yellow, brown, and deep.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">So I will rake without a peep,</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">With leaves to rake before I sleep,</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">With leaves to rake before I sleep.</span></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/SvCWPzqrq0I/AAAAAAAABR0/6kNntJGD70c/s1600-h/OutdoorWednesdaylogo5454%5B4%5D%5B3%5D.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="OutdoorWednesdaylogo5454[4]" border="0" alt="OutdoorWednesdaylogo5454[4]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/SvCWQWiLWqI/AAAAAAAABR4/R_EP0ftno1U/OutdoorWednesdaylogo5454%5B4%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="203" /></a> </span></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am joining our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Please join her <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/">here</a> for more outdoor fun. Robert Frost has long been my favorite poet. If you would like to read his poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, click <a href="http://www.ketzle.com/frost/snowyeve.htm">here</a>. I hope you will come back on Thursday for my 100th post, an invitation, and a giveaway! </span></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-31507833494019921252010-11-14T21:03:00.002-06:002010-11-14T21:05:40.394-06:00In His Hands<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TOCjE3OQ-SI/AAAAAAAADC8/3PLqJey4Y9M/s1600-h/serving-hands%5B4%5D.jpg"></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My morning prayer time was different today. I have been praying on my knees for a sweet baby boy. I know some of you have been too. Born too soon and with a serious heart defect, this little one has been fighting with the valor and strength of a warrior. On Friday the battle was over…and I believe in my heart that it ended in victory. </span></p><p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="serving-hands" border="0" alt="serving-hands" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TOCjFaTa51I/AAAAAAAADDA/yiNWK-xvCQ0/serving-hands_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="354" /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">There have been times in my life when I cried out for answers and cursed what I believed to be injustice. I needed to know why. I needed to know the plan. I like things neat and tidy. But as I grow in faith, I am coming to realize that there are answers I am not meant to have right now…plans bigger and more glorious than the ones I can make or dare to dream. I am just looking through a tiny crack. So today I prayed for his parents—his father who played in my back yard, his mother whose bridesmaid luncheon I gave, his sister who can’t comprehend the tears…I had questions once again. And then I remembered that I already had the answer. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”-II Corinthians 12:9. Thank you for your prayers; I hope you will continue to remember his family in your prayers. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-30695220897004698532010-11-10T15:43:00.002-06:002010-11-10T15:46:35.295-06:00Harvesting Lunch...The Perfect Pair<p><span style="font-size:130%;">I have always half-joked with Beloved that our marriage vows say, “for better, for worse, but not for lunch”:). I just thought having a man at home in the middle of the day would interfere with my routine---not to mention messing up the kitchen again.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsR-WF2xuI/AAAAAAAADCc/FygHmj-m4cA/s1600-h/CIMG29975.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG2997" border="0" alt="CIMG2997" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsR-il5FmI/AAAAAAAADCg/LcVJ_kiGk7I/CIMG2997_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">However…(don’t you love that word? It opens the door to so many possibilities :) Firstborn’s schedule now brings him to my neck of the woods a couple of times a week. What’s a mother to do? Feed him of course! One of his favorites after the weather begins to change is soup and sandwich, the soul-warming lunch classic …the stuff tv commercials are made of :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsR-7Es_NI/AAAAAAAADCk/1H5sufzo1Vo/s1600-h/CIMG30034.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3003" border="0" alt="CIMG3003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsR_MCfMvI/AAAAAAAADCo/ZenMZ-39Utg/CIMG3003_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I’ve taken the candy corns out of the stemmed pillar holder and substituted fall berries, nuts, and candles called “harvest home”. The smell is divine and makes me want to stay in and “nest”!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsR_X-RbeI/AAAAAAAADCs/6xIl9DJRWyk/s1600-h/CIMG30054.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3005" border="0" alt="CIMG3005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsSABDA4TI/AAAAAAAADCw/MkxC5fjjn_A/CIMG3005_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"> Firstborn appreciates a little pampering, and setting the table encourages conversation rather than ESPN watching :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsSAaspRMI/AAAAAAAADC0/37s-RkdUEaQ/s1600-h/CIMG30045.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="CIMG3004" border="0" alt="CIMG3004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNsSAvX_RSI/AAAAAAAADC4/WlQXjtfVucg/CIMG3004_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I might even let Beloved come home for lunch :)</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">One slice each of cheddar, Swiss, Colby-Jack, and Muenster cheeses, or any combination you like.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 slices of Texas toast—I used thickly sliced homemade sour dough</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 package garlic and fine herb-flavored Boursin cheese, softened</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Butter, softened</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Place cheeses on one side of bread. Spread about 2 tablespoons of Boursin cheese on the other slice. Put the two sides together :) Spread butter on both sides. Cook in a skillet, (I like my black iron one for this), covered, over medium low heat for 6-7 minutes per side until lightly browned and the cheese has melted. ***Covering the skillet ensures that the cheese melts! Enjoy!—adapted from Southern Lady magazine.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Tuesday and to Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Thanks to our hostesses Susan and Michael Lee West! You can get to the parties by clicking their buttons on my sidebar!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Thanks for stopping by—come back for lunch anytime! Don’t forget to say hello!~~Susan</span></strong> </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><p align="left"></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-54758008451285043582010-11-08T22:16:00.004-06:002010-11-08T22:24:39.698-06:00THE Cupcake of Cupcakes<p><span style="font-size:130%;">I have absolutely missed you! Life has been busier than a swarm of bees around here! Wedding plans are already in full swing. The bride-to-be invited me on a road trip with her and her mother to choose the gown! The mission was accomplished, the gown is beautiful and I loved being part of the process. However, I had also promised firstborn’s girlfriend cupcakes for a baby shower and I could not, would not renege. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLJCkqdZI/AAAAAAAADB8/a625ohDvWpA/s1600-h/CIMG3020%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3020" border="0" alt="CIMG3020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLKCez8VI/AAAAAAAADCA/jJTkL-AnNUE/CIMG3020_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Although she loved the cupcakes with fondant flowers that I made for my baby shower (<a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2010/10/bundle-of-joy-buffet.html">here</a>), I knew this baby shower would not be all about finger sandwiches and sterling trays….a little more nontraditional. This mom-to-be is always on the cutting edge of fashion! SO….I gave the hostess this book I bought at Joann’s a while back and let her pick out the recipe and picture of what she wanted. This book is filled with both classic and unique recipes. The pictures are inspiring!</span></p><p><u><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span></u><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLKV7cuZI/AAAAAAAADCE/S2f6qnVYNfU/s1600-h/CIMG3011%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3011" border="0" alt="CIMG3011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLLDDJSOI/AAAAAAAADCI/YmRlK8DjZCI/CIMG3011_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Her choice was a recipe the book calls “Sweet Sixteen” cupcakes. I refer to them as “Two-Day-Lots-of-Trouble-But Oh-So-Worth-It” cupcakes :). She wanted them to complement her pink and purple color themed shower.</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLLaAtEgI/AAAAAAAADCM/lRK4GhyEqvM/s1600-h/CIMG3010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG3010" border="0" alt="CIMG3010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLLvEJUNI/AAAAAAAADCQ/EIgbW7oshXs/CIMG3010_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">We had the advantage of knowing that this baby will be a girl! The result was this pink confection with edible purple and pink glitter. I put the cupcakes in hot pink and silver foil liners to match her table. </span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLL0og3VI/AAAAAAAADCU/IZjwLpFnL5U/s1600-h/Tricia%27s%20cupcake%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Tricia's cupcake" border="0" alt="Tricia's cupcake" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TNjLMLxfC-I/AAAAAAAADCY/FR6iKGuQNiA/Tricia%27s%20cupcake_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Truthfully, the cupcakes will be much easier the next time (and there will be one) I make them. I learned a few tricks in the process. I am passing them along at the end of the recipe. I am joining Hoosier Homemade for Cupcake Tuesday! You can find the party <a href="http://hoosierhomemade.com/">here!</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Golden Sour Cream Cupcakes</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 stick of unsalted butter, softened</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 cup sugar</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/8 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 large eggs</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pinch of salt</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">1/2 cup sour cream or buttermilk</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake pan with liners. Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour gradually , alternating with sour cream and beating on very low speed until just blended. Do not overmix. Spoon batter into into cupcake cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool cupcakes to room temperature. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Note: I used sour cream and this recipe made only eight cupcakes filled as directed. The results might vary with the use of buttermilk. </span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Custard Filling</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">1 whole egg</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">2 large egg yolks</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">4 tablespoons sugar</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">3 tablespoons cornstarch</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">1 cup whole milk</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">In a small heatproof bowl, vigorously whisk egg, yolks, and sugar until mixture is pale in color. Add cornstarch and mix until fully blended. In a small saucepan, heat milk and vanilla over medium-high heat until it just comes to a boil. Add half the milk to the egg mixture and mix until smooth. Pour egg mixture through a fine metal sieve back into the saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until cream thickens. Continue to cook for another two minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and pour into a shallow flat pan. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic touches the surface of the custard to prevent a crust from forming.</span></span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Note: I made this a day before assembling the cupcakes. After filling a pastry bag with the custard I rolled the bag in my hands to warm it up and soften the chilled custard. This made it much easier to pipe into the cupcake. I tried using just a pastry tip to fill the cupcake once again. I find that I am able to get very little into the cupcake. I went back to my tried and true method using the apple corer. You can find that method <a href="http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/2010/07/camp-susu-snackspeanut-butter-and.html">here</a>. This recipe makes more than enough to fill the cupcakes. Eat the rest with a spoon :)</span></span></span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Buttercream Frosting</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">1 stick unsalted butter, softened</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">2 cups confectioners’ sugar</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">2 tablespoons whole milk</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Pinch of salt</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Gel food coloring, optional</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Cream butter and one cup confectioners’ sugar with an electric mixer </span><span style="font-size:130%;">until smooth and fluffy. Add remaining sugar and mix until smooth. Add milk, salt, vanilla, and food coloring. Beat until creamy. Use immediately or refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days. If using chilled frosting, allow it to come to room temperature and beat until creamy.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Note: I doubled this recipe to frost 2 dozen cupcakes.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Assembly: I made the cupcakes and custard filling on one day. I made the frosting and assembed the cupcakes on the second day. I used a medium star tip to pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes. I sprinkled with edible glitter!</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">All recipes adapted slightly from <em>Celebrating Cupcakes and Muffins </em>by Michal Moses</span></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;color:#000000;">If you have hung in for the entire post, thank you!!! You won’t be sorry! The recipe is long, but not difficult….I made it :) Drop me note!~~Susan</span></strong></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-62890175095960667222010-10-30T21:54:00.003-05:002010-10-30T22:12:53.821-05:00I am so happy to be joing Chari at <a href="http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/">Happy to Design </a>for Sunday Favorites! I posted this last October. I hope you enjoy it and have a safe and happy Halloween!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMzc6d_WbUI/AAAAAAAADB0/spwRI0neSZo/s1600/SundayFavoriteslogobutton.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMzc6d_WbUI/AAAAAAAADB0/spwRI0neSZo/s400/SundayFavoriteslogobutton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534040939172359490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">What goes together better than “trick” and “treat”? Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday of course! Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Michael at Designs by Gollum are our gracious hostesses once again. Their buttons are on my sidebar for easy transportation. Thank you ladies for our weekly feast for the eyes and palate! </span></p><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0490" border="0" alt="CIMG0490" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91dWAwJsI/AAAAAAAABPE/QOBXEtp80J8/CIMG0490_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">There is nothing better for a crisp October night than sharing a casual meal with good friends. Tonight we are having green salad, chili, and Mexican cornbread muffins. It’s all casual from the menu to the fun and easy table setting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91d76rFRI/AAAAAAAABPI/-QZGTfUq1Ss/s1600-h/CIMG0493%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0493" border="0" alt="CIMG0493" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91ebB4T1I/AAAAAAAABPM/FbA4iMQrhpk/CIMG0493_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">No sissy sized bowls for Beloved. He likes a big bowl of chili and these large hand painted bowls from Corsica will do the trick. The soup tureen was found at a garage sale by Lauralu at Hidden Promise. She did not want it and sold it to me-- garage sale prices without the early Saturday morning shopping! The “napkins” are cotton tea towels from Dollar Tree.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91ea8ktYI/AAAAAAAABPQ/VqDRsumqMg4/s1600-h/CIMG0494%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0494" border="0" alt="CIMG0494" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91ez_0DJI/AAAAAAAABPU/x0ymQfDwzzs/CIMG0494_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Mexican cornbread muffins “shrouded” in a cute wire basket. Stemmed black cauldrons for witches’ brew.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91fP8OeYI/AAAAAAAABPY/0AZeqE0hHVo/s1600-h/CIMG0498%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0498" border="0" alt="CIMG0498" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91fkeCMCI/AAAAAAAABPc/FWLTr3Anj-E/CIMG0498_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Cupcakes make an easy and fun dessert. Mary at One Perfect Bite recently posted a recipe for these delicious pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream frosting <a href="http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2009/09/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-maple-cream.html">here</a>. I think they might be one of our new favorites. And now, I am going to share with you what Oprah calls an “Aha! moment”. See those cute spider webs on the cupcakes?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91gP-4ZSI/AAAAAAAABPg/ix6vdqvhMzw/s1600-h/CIMG0482%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG0482" border="0" alt="CIMG0482" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91gdYU6vI/AAAAAAAABPk/vVaP0k-wz6w/CIMG0482_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This is how that spider web starts out—three circles made with black Wilton Sparkle Gel. Next, start at the center and drag a toothpick through to the last circle—instant spider web! Top with the plastic critter of your choice! </span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91grg0-TI/AAAAAAAABPo/saAlHxJb1fA/s1600-h/Recipe%20Party%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Recipe%20Party" border="0" alt="Recipe%20Party" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/St91hBwppRI/AAAAAAAABPs/5gv94n3xll0/Recipe%20Party_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="179" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I am also joining Rhoda at <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/">Southern Hospitality</a> for her Recipe Party. Here’s how I make Mexican Cornbread Muffins:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Mix one and 1/2 cups self rising corn meal, one medium onion,chopped; one half green pepper, chopped; one jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped; one (15 1/4 can whole kernel corn, drained; one teaspoon sugar; 3/4 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese; two eggs, and one cup of buttermilk. Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for about twenty minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you Susan, Michael, and Rhoda! Bone Appetit!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435765805635064987.post-12295826701663915632010-10-29T21:37:00.003-05:002010-10-29T21:45:04.406-05:00Pumpkins and Surprises!<p><span style="font-size:130%;">Our friend Laurie @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Lauries is hosting My Favorite Things and I’ve got LOTS of favorite things going on here!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE6kFSSII/AAAAAAAADAs/rLiZTkafSNY/s1600-h/CIMG2963%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2963" border="0" alt="CIMG2963" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE62foemI/AAAAAAAADAw/JZtJNo8tTR0/CIMG2963_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This pumpkin is going to the Grove tomorrow with a bouquet of fall flowers to tailgate at the Ole Miss Auburn game. As I’ve told you before—the Rebels DO know how to tailgate in high style! But this is just fun and not nearly “Halloweeny” enough :) On to Pumpkin # 2!</span></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE7NwS0GI/AAAAAAAADA0/Vyusu2qkA7s/s1600-h/CIMG2974%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2974" border="0" alt="CIMG2974" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE7iiPwzI/AAAAAAAADA4/h5IEIAsebt8/CIMG2974_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You’ve heard of roach motels? It seems we’re having a bit of a rodent problem here.. :)</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE70l1H2I/AAAAAAAADA8/oQWrGC5EPlM/s1600-h/CIMG2971%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2971" border="0" alt="CIMG2971" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE8MIAH_I/AAAAAAAADBA/DzgEyc_4Xvg/CIMG2971_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Cinderella’s coachmen run amuck!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE8y9bD6I/AAAAAAAADBE/5BP_C1a9OWI/s1600-h/CIMG2973%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2973" border="0" alt="CIMG2973" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE9BqzQ8I/AAAAAAAADBI/3nEIrrzevWw/CIMG2973_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And what is this? The “baby left this for his girlfriend in the kitchen tonight. A bucket of spiders? A vat of witch’s brew?</span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE9hdFWaI/AAAAAAAADBQ/2CaV_d99fJQ/s1600-h/CIMG2989%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2989" border="0" alt="CIMG2989" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE9wkhvBI/AAAAAAAADBU/CtNLvDVChrE/CIMG2989_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh wait…there is something in the bottom…..a spider ring in a velvet lined box? Is this a joke?</span></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE-IzQvfI/AAAAAAAADBY/CyeXpaE-MaM/s1600-h/CIMG2978%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2978" border="0" alt="CIMG2978" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE-6IrCBI/AAAAAAAADBc/qnDQlySJ1-4/CIMG2978_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And there he was….her boyfriend….my baby…. down on one knee with the real thing in his hand. She said YES!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">`</span><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuE_myG3eI/AAAAAAAADBg/wGTz8wZnO8o/s1600-h/CIMG2985%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="CIMG2985" border="0" alt="CIMG2985" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b4a9ImZSJpk/TMuFAZ4J4UI/AAAAAAAADBk/2C_MK-OOnjU/CIMG2985_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family:Bradley Hand ITC;font-size:180%;">Happy Halloween from a very tired, very emotional mother of the groom-to-be! This has been one of my FAVORITE days :) You can join Laurie and the party <a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-bout-little-porch-hoppin.html">here</a>! I am also joining The Tablscaper for Seasonal Sundays. You can find this fun party <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/">here</a>. Thanks for sharing this with me!</span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18