After 33 Years….My Ten Favorite Things

Tomorrow is our anniversary. We met in seventh grade homeroom by luck of the alphabet. His friends assured me he had only two interests: hunting and football. I said, “we’ll see”. We started going steady at the class picnic that year :). We shared junior high, high school and college. We listened to Johnny Rivers and the Beegees. We slow danced to a “Whiter Shade of Pale”. He gave me his class ring, his fraternity pin, and finally……

This was taken in college about two weeks before Beloved proposed…..we both had BIG hair. See that smile on my face….I think I knew it was coming. I’d known since forever.

Ring on the finger; beard off the face :). And while a lot has changed over the years, these are the things I love….my favorite things.

Ten Things I Love

1. I love that he knows I hate being given red roses; I think it shows a lack of imagination.

2. I love that he thinks that last eight pounds I’ve gained went to all the right places :)

3. I love that people think we’re second-time-around newlyweds because he always refers to me as “my lovely bride”.

4. I love that he sometimes whispers naughty things in inappropriate places.

5. I love that he knows and has shared my past; that I’m not sure where he stops and I start.

6. I love that he is both a gentleman and a gentle man.

7. I love that he knows when to talk, when to listen, and when silence is enough.

8. I love that he makes me laugh and that I still make him laugh… a lot.

9. I love that he’s seen me at my worst and loved me in spite of it.

10. I love that he made sacred promises, said “I do”, that he did and he does.

I am joining Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things. Her party is on Saturday, but I couldn’t wait. Join her here on Saturday! Thanks for letting me reflect out loud!

Shhh….This is Where I Keep It

The Tablescaper has asked us to bare it all….she wants us to show where we keep it all! Do I even know where I keep it all? :) Well, maybe...sometimes…if it’s where it’s supposed to be…and the stars are aligned right…and I’m having a good day.

The everyday cabinet in the kitchen….straight from the cabinet to the table to the dishwasher and back again. Note-We do not have more than two mugs that match. Beloved is very particular about the size and shape of his mug, so we have an odd conglomeration.

Another kitchen cabinet (I am blessed with good cabinets) holds the set I almost sent to Goodwill. I have a service for 24 of this. My roommate in college also chose it. Her first marriage lasted about two years and she gave hers to me. Thank you to her and the cheating dog her first husband! Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie has this too! Now, let’s get serious.

This is what I assume is supposed to be a coat closet in my dining room. We added shelves…who hangs coats in the dining room? It holds the good china, both mine and my grandmother’s Haviland. Crystal, silver, and odd and ends that I use on a fairly regular basis call this home. You can’t see the bottom (on purpose :).

Now showing you this is truly against my better judgement. This is the deep dark closet under my stairway….good shelves, but no light. And no, I did not clean it up for you as you can tell. I hang tablecloths on hangers in this closet also.

And since I took you to the place of darkness, I’ll show you mirrors and light. I don’t love this spot in my home, but it is a good place to display pretty barware. I also have a small collection of crystal angels here---the children call them my “bar angels” :). Doesn’t everyone have those?

I told The Tablescaper I couldn’t do this….but there, I’ve done it and I feel better. I’ve shown you my untidy secrets. I ‘ve seen the Tablscaper’s collection. Now she has a collection and it is well-organized. Join the party here. Thanks for dropping by---leave me a note!

With Gratitude

Thank you

Memorial Day Revisited

I am joining Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites with one of my very early posts--before I learned to enlarge pictures. Still, it's one of my favorite tablescapes and originally posted for Tablescape Thursday. With Memorial Day on Monday I thought I'd indulge myself. Join Chari here for some classic reruns!

On Monday May 25th, our country will celebrate Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who have given their lives while in military service. Schools will be out, government offices will be closed, and thousands will fire up grills to celebrate the day with friends and family. I started looking in the cabinets and this tablescape almost made itself!

It seems I have a lot of red, white, and blue without even knowing it. When I found these William-Sonoma lookalike placemats at T.J. Maxx, that closed the deal! I started playing and this is what I ended up with!

For me flowers are an important part of any great tablescape. What could be any more American than daisies in a Mason jar? I'll tell you what--daisies from the 1/2 price container! And look-- Savannah Grace and William are back from their honeymoon and already at work. They're very patriotic birds. I've even lit the red and white candles. After all, it is a celebration!

We've all seen these versatile white Gibson dishes from Big Lots. I don't know how I ever lived without them. Now is a good time to share a little secret. You may already know, but if not, you're going to love it! Hobby Lobby has a section with kerchiefs and bandanas in tons of colors and different prints. The best part--they are all under a dollar! I buy these when I need a particlar color napkin or basket liner and don't want to splurge on expensive napkins .

The napkin rings are a Pier One find. I like the way they echo the pattern in the placemat. And that white- handled flatware--? I bought that for my daughter's first apartment so I know it was cheap. I've reclaimed it now that the bride to be has considerabley better flatware coming :).

Red, white, and blue is one theme that is very easy to carry into dessert. Cool Whip, blueberries, and strawberries in a parfait glass make a light and patriotic way to finish the meal.

I hope you and your family get to spend time together doing whatever makes you happy --whether you are visiting friends, taking a hike, or simply enjoying a day of rest. So fire up the grill, hang your flag, and don't forget to say thanks to a veteran!

“Bee” Happy Cupcakes

If you came to the garden party yesterday, thank you! I had fun recreating the Pottery Barn catalogue cover. To show my appreciation, I want to serve dessert. After all, I want my guests to “bee” happy!

We’ve been invaded by bees…the friendly kind…more importantly, the edible kind. And yes, I am shameless once again. This is idea was taken directly from Woman’s Day Magazine. That’s what it’s for…right? :)

Last week I gave you a link to make homemade fondant. The store-bought kind tastes like rubber. This, on the other hand, is made from marshmallows, costs much less, and doesn’t require a trip to the craft or baking store. This was my first time to work with fondant. I was intimidated, but found it surprisingly easy!

I bought a few basic tools at Michael’s. The bands on the edge of the fondant roller help you roll the fondant to the correct thickness. Both the roller and the cutters were made by Wilton and were inexpensive.

Did you play with Play Doh when you were a kid? Yep, you’re qualified!

I made the fondant flowers the day before. They could actually be made several days in advance. I attached the smaller flowers to the larger ones with a drop of Karo syrup. These don’t get as hard as purchased fondant (that’s one of the reasons they taste better). From here, it was smooth sailing and time to make the bees!

You’ll need Tootsie rolls, yellow peanut M&Ms, and clear spice drop candies. I bought several small packs of M&Ms and felt obligated to eat the unneeded colors :). Just tear off a piece of Tootsie Roll and roll a thin string with the palms of your hands. Flatten the spice drop and cut into about a 1/2 inch circle I had to get creative here since I don’t own a 1/2 inch cookie cutter. Just look around the kitchen—I used the clip on a candy thermometer. Cut each circle in half. NOW-wrap the Tootsie Roll strings around the M&M. Attach the “wings” by pressing into the front band of the Tootsie Roll stripes. Make two little eyes with a brown food marker.

These cupcakes have so many possibilities:

For birthdays—It’s great to “bee”__________(fill in the age)

For baby showers-_______is going to “bee” a mom!

For bridal showers—Hoping you’ll “bee” happy!

As a thank you—Thank you for “beeing” a great____(teacher, friend, neighbor, hostess, etc.).

I used a lemon-honey cupcake recipe. They are just right for the theme, but you could use any recipe you like. I’ll be making this one again.

Lemon-Honey Cupcakes

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon each baking powder and baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 tablespoon grated lemon zest

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup sugar

3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Line about 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk first four ingredients together in medium bowl. Whisk sour cream, milk, lemon zest and juice in a small bowl until well mixed. Beat butter, honey, and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy and light. Beat in eggs, one at a time. With mixer on low speed, beat in 1/2 the flour mixture and then the sour cream mixture. Add the remaining flour mixture until just combined. Spoon 1/4 batter into muffin liners. Bake 18-20 minutes. Cool on wire rack completely before frosting.

Lemon-Honey Frosting

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup honey

1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

7-8 teaspoons lemon juice

A few drops of yellow food coloring

Beat butter, honey, and lemon zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer. On low speed, beat in the confectioners’ sugar until blended. Beat in lemon juice and a few drops of yellow food coloring until you have the desired color. Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes.

I am joining Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on the FF button for transportation—I know you’ll “bee” amazed! Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend and remember to fly your flag in honor and memory of those who have served us in the military forces!

ps-Liz over at Hoosier Homemade told me about Cupcake Tuesday at her place--cupcake Heaven for me! You can find this delicious party here!

Garden Party

Some people might call it a form of plagiarism. A harsher person might even call it downright theft. I prefer to think of it as inspired imitation :).

My spring Pottery Barn catalogue arrived in the mail not too long ago. Sometimes I find my catalogues as good a source for ideas as magazines. The moment I saw the front cover, I knew I wanted to duplicate the tablescape. The crisp yellow , white, and green color scheme, the clean lines, and the organic elements appealed to me.

The star of the tablescape was easy to reproduce. I bought 49 cent clay pots at Michael’s and painted them with sunny yellow spray paint—one coat was enough. I had some wheat grass seed and in seven days I was growing grass!! I have lots of plans for these little pots. I think you’ll see them in future tablescapes. For the price, I think they are good investment and the style is limited only by the available spray paint colors and my imagination.

I wanted the centerpiece to echo the plan—the colors, the simplicity, and the organic elements. I used my favorite short and squatty square vase for a variety of monochromatic flowers. The flowers are low enough to allow easy conversation and the drooping tulips draw the color down to the table. I used limes instead of foam or pebbles to anchor them.

By now, we all know that the white Gibson china from Big Lots is a tablescaper’s best friend. I call it the “little black dress” of tablescaping---dress it up or dress it down. I’m thinking of buying another set with a different edge design to mix things up a little. The wine glasses are simple and inexpensive (probably from a sale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond). I use them for everything from lemonade to ice water.

In keeping with the organic theme (and staying true to my southern roots) I used white cotton napkins. I found these in a variety of colors at Steinmart. I loved the simple detail, the ease of care, and the price.

I served ice cold water “spiked” with lime slices, but homemade lemonade or sangria would be perfect too.

I scattered lots of candles in a variety of shapes and heights all over the table. When the sun goes down they will provide a soft glow and the citronella will keep the critters away.

Now this is your place setting---come back tomorrow and I’ll be serving dessert. I’ve made some fun garden party cupcakes with the homemade fondant I told you about last week. I think you’ll “bee” happy if you do :)

I’m joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the TT button on the sidebar for immediate transportation and inspiration!

Falling in Love….With Cupcakes

During the planning of Sunshine’s wedding last year I fell in love too…with cupcakes. This is a picture from the photographer’s blog where she so graciously did a post about the wedding and reception held at the zoo. We served miniature cupcakes in the groom’s choice of flavors instead of groom’s cake. It was a resounding hit with the guests. I decided then and there that I wanted to explore the world of cupcakes when time allowed.

In March, Sunshine whose before-marriage culinary expertise was limited to pouring Raisin Bran, expressed interest in taking a cake decorating class. We found a cupcake and cake bite class that fit our schedule at the Viking Cooking School. Firstborn and I had previously taken a sushi class there, so I knew from experience that the classes are top notch.

There are sixteen Viking Cooking Schools scattered from Alaska to Mississippi home of the Viking Range Corporation. I love the variety of classes scheduled—camps for kids and teens, date night gourmet meals, and girls' night out menus. They offer both demonstration and hands-on classes. You can read more about them or find out if there is one near you here.

The kitchen is a cook’s dream, and, of course, filled with Viking appliances whose headquarters are in Greenwood, Mississippi. The instructor was personable, knowledgeable, and willing to answer any question.

The class was from 9:30-2:30 and, at lunch time, a fabulous salad was served at a table right in the kitchen. We met another mother/ daughter team from Nashville and Memphis. The daughter was a passionate cookie maker and told me about one of her favorite blogs the decorated cookie.

One interesting thing I learned in class is that most fondant tastes like rubber—pretty, but tasteless. Another drawback is that it can be hard to find and expensive. Meaghan Mountford the author of the decorated cookie had a recipe for homemade fondant that promised to be tasty, easy, and made with readily available ingredients. (It’s marshmallows!)

I had a question about adding gum paste to make the fondant stiffer to hold up for making flowers. I emailed Meaghan and quick as a flash she responded with the answer. You can find the recipe here. I made pink, green and blue!

The cooking class was a success! We had a great time, learned lots, and got to come home with some of our creations. In short, I’ve fallen in love with cupcakes! Come back next week for Foodie Friday and I’ll show you some special cupcakes I have since whipped up at home using the homemade fondant!

I am joining Michael Lee West our ever-gracious hostess for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on my sidebar and you’ll be transported to a world of good food and beautiful photographs! I am also linking to Lori at All That Splatters for her Saturday Blog Showcase here. Stop by and visit both places--you'll come away hungry!