Holiday Appetizer

I will not be hosting any holiday parties this year but if I was this would be on my list of appetizers to serve. I love the fact that this fresh mozzarella comes in sheets.


You must check out the online recipes here, the possibilities are endless.

Holiday Decorations

This weekend was all about making the house feel festive. I was inspired by a table display in Macy's and thought I could do that. With a can of spray paint and a few twigs from the yard, the dining room now has some holiday flare.

The other DIY project for the weekend was a tree topper. I don't know about you but I have never liked the selection of tree toppers on the market. This year my husband and I created our own signature star.

Confession

I have to admit....I love Black Friday. I look forward to getting up before the sun waiting in line...in the cold just to snatch up the door buster deals. Call me crazy but there is something exciting about the day after Thanksgiving. It is also entertaining to see people get so excited over socks while in their pajamas.

No I do not wear my pajamas shopping!

Before and After

Inspired by Design*Sponge weekly before and after pics. Here is my own before and after. Keep in mind there was zero budget and I would still like to fix a few things. For now half of the unfinished basement is much more user friendly.

BEFORE

AFTER

Saturday Afternoon

We are currently in the process of organizing a part of the basement into separate working zones. Laundry, drafting, wrapping/craft areas. It is a slow process as there seems to be less energy during the week to finish this project. Today I did find time to organize my mess of ribbon, wrapping paper, boxes and tissue. Since all my ribbon is loose I used old boxes and cut small holes on the side to thread the ribbon through. Keeping all the colors organized and with in easy reach.

Center of Attention

Images from Sunset Magazine

With Thanksgiving approaching I thought I would share a few center piece ideas. I really like the idea of taking things right from the garden and using them on the table.

Hello November

The Halloween Party was a success except that I forgot to snap photos of the set up. I leave you with the first sunset of November. Wow November already.....let the Holiday Madness begin.

Trick or Treat

Stay tuned for post Halloween Party photos.

Dinner For Two

After last weeks busy schedule and this week not looking any less hectic. It is time to set aside some time for a candle light dinner for two. I don't always take the time to light candles and sit down for a long dinner with my husband. We seem to always be moving quickly onto the next task. Now that fall has arrived I think it is the perfect time to pull the candles out of the cupboard and set aside some additional time to reconnect with your significant other.

VIP Room

Loved the chandelier

If one must go out dancing then you need to be in the VIP room. Your own security guard, table service, birds eye view......need I say more.

KitchenAid

I am not a huge fan of kitchen gadgets or accessories. Maybe it's because I am not a big cook. I do enjoy baking but don't really have a lot of baking accessories just the necessities, but the one accessory I can't live without would be my KitchenAid. I love that I can throw in some ingredients turn it on walk to the fridge grab some eggs, slowly throw them in all while the KitchenAid continues to do all the work. It is a fantastic baking sidekick and it came in my favorite color! It is a little bit of an investment but worth every penny. I was lucky enough to receive it as a wedding gift. Which brings me to a quick tip.

When it's your turn to register for your big day make sure you click as many things as possible even if you start to think you have gone mad. Two reasons A: people like choices when shopping for gifts B: most stores give great incentives on products you register for after your big day.

Birthday Dinner

Today Pugnacious turned 5 or in dog years 33. Yes, we are one of those couples who celebrate our dog's birthday. There was no party but he did get to take a trip to his favorite pet store and pick up a special treat.

North for the Weekend Continued

After the crazy small town fun we had on Saturday we headed south Saturday night to an art opening in Edison. The opening was at the Smith & Vallee Gallery. I don't know what I liked better the artwork or gallery space. The gallery is in a restored school house. There was beautiful wood detailing, exposed beams, original windows. Ah to have a place like that would be lovely!

North for the Weekend

he did manage to stop while he pressed the cross walk signal

raspberry swirl

I spent the weekend on the border visting the in-laws. My husband grew up in the small town of Blaine. Which if anyone has been to this small town knows there is not a lot to do.

You could how ever hula hoop while crossing the street or perhaps drive your lawn mower to the corner store. But the one thing we always do when in Blaine is drive to Edaleen's dairy for some soft serve ice cream.

Fall Has Arrived

Time to starting thinking about how I want to decorate my entry way for the upcoming holidays. Perhaps something other then just pumpkins.

Images from Sunset Magazine

Holiday Happy Hour

This week I kicked off the holiday season early with a little food, drinks and some shopping. Thanks Mindy, for showcasing Arbonne's finest holiday items and thanks to everyone who was able to make time in their busy schedules to attend the event.

What party is complete with out a fun dessert? As many know these are my new favorite cookies. I found this recipe in Taste of Home Magazine but put my own spin on them by sandwiching two cookies together with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

Gooey Chocolate Cookies

8oz cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1tsp vanilla

1 pkg chocolate cake mix

mix together and refrigerator for 1 hour.

when ready roll d0ugh into balls and place on cookie sheet

bake at 350 for 9-11mins

Party Prep 101

With an upcoming party I thought it would be fun to share some of my party planning tips.

Regardless of how large or small your party is. I find it beneficial to start all prep work a few days in advance. This allows for an easy set up come the big event.

I recommend menu planning and grocery shopping at least three days in advance. If you work a 40 hour work week like me the shopping is much easier on the weekends.

Two days before; I always dust, vacuum and clean the bathrooms. If I really have energy after all this I will set the table and put out the necessary table linens.

The day before; I recommend preparing any food that is okay to sit over night in the refrigerator. Set all the serving ware, table accessories and any decorations you might have.

The day of the event; finish the final food preparation, set table, chill drinks and wait for the guest to arrive.

Fun Find

I typically don't have luck finding things in antique stores. Recently while back in my hometown I came across this fantastic teapot. It was just sitting there on a dusty old shelf waiting for me. Why was it the perfect teapot you might ask. For our wedding we had received these hand embroidered strawberry tea towels. I suppose subconsicously I was on the look out for a complementing teapot. Who knew I would find the perfect one.

Now it's time to plan an afternoon tea with friends.

Cake Complete

The recipe is simple and easy to follow. The interesting thing about using an old family recipe is the lack of information that gets noted. Like how long do you cook it and at what temperature? Side note the cake taste's better with chocolate frosting. Thanks Mom!

Great Grandma Wolfe's Prune Cake

(revised recipe)

1/2 cup shortening 1/3 tsp salt

1 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon

2 eggs 1/2tsp clover

1 1/2 cup flour 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup sour milk

1 tsp soda 1 cup pitted cooked plums

bake at 350 for 30min or until cake is done

Add chocolate frosting after cake has cooled

Picnic + Plums = Grandma Wolfe's Prune cake

My Husband and I have an Italian Plum tree that has produced an overwhelming number of plums this year. We have given bags of them away as well as froze enough to last all year. Yet I still have lots of plums left. With an upcoming potluck picnic coming up I thought why not try and make my Great Grandmothers Famous Prune cake.

I reviewed the recipe and conversed with my mom this cake has turned into a two day process!

First who has sour milk in their fridge and secondly the plums have to be cooked down to bring out their natural flavors.

While the plums are cooking I am blogging. Stay tuned for a final photo of the cake.

Tip for the day milk can be soured by just adding a little vinegar.

Favorite Things

For Christmas last year I received the Iousen Pot water pitcher. I love not only the sleek design of the pitcher but the use of natural charcoal for purifying the water. No more plastic filters in my house. It is the perfect table accessory for all my dinner parties.
You can get own Iousen Pot here.

The Beginning

Inspired by my friends and encouraged by my husband, I bring you my blog.
As someone who enjoys hosting parties may you find inspiration for your next event.