November 30, 2016

HOLIDAY TRANSITION



November in Atlanta offers some stunning fall color!
It's odd that New England can be about one month ahead,
weather wise, from the south!
While it may be a blanket of snow outside in Maine,
Atlanta is still romping in the leaves.......


The Divine Miss M is way ahead of me as 
far as welcoming in December.
The weekend after Thanksgiving,
they rode out to the tree farm to choose
their Christmas tree and have Luke the Duke
enjoy a visit to Santa.


This will most likely be the very last year
that he enjoys doing this.
This Santa has been THE Santa for the past five years.
Isn't he just magnificent?


I'm not in the mood.....
The fall decor is still not packed away
so here is the extent of my Christmas decorating.
Pitiful, I know.

November 28, 2016

A GIFT FOR THE BAKER IN YOUR LIFE



This is a beautiful baking pan!
I bought this back in the summer
and found it on clearance
at Victorian Trading Company!
It is a gorgeous bronze color
and the patterns are just perfect for the holiday season!


I mentioned in a previous post
that I was baking gingerbread for the darling
and oh my....the kitchen smelled amazing!


They turned out perfect!
Popped right our of the pan all in one piece!


They might look better in person,
but I was beyond pleased at their appearance!


These are going to be on the table for the holidays..


Do you know what it feels like to have your
first taste of warm gingerbread with a warm, buttery lemon sauce?


Heaven...a taste of the holiday season!

November 27, 2016

THANKSGIVING 2016...THE FOOD, THE GAMES AND THE LAUGHTER!


THIS was Thanksgiving Day of 2016.
Our Thanksgiving celebration was going to wait
until Saturday, so that Rob could arrive from Austin
to have dinner with the family!
So......we bundled up in throws
and enjoyed the evening outdoors
watching football and having cocktails.
There was a big pan of Chilighetti in the oven!


The Cowboys took yet another WIN!
What is it about watching the big game outdoors?
As always, a perfect Thanksgiving Day in Texas!, weather wise!


Poor Mae....she spent about four days
in our bedroom,
as Bo came to visit and he can be a handful
when behaving himself around our beautiful girl!


Oh honey..
the kitchen as bustling with cooks!
Greg made some fantastic Queso!


Our appetizers for Thanksgiving were amazing!
Everyone "noshed" for most of the day! 



Tea Time Tessies are one of our traditions!


Yum-OH!


This year Greg wanted to try his hand at 
Smoking a turkey....
the preparation began at 5:00 AM!
Here are the Pitmasters at work!


So...we SMOKED a turkey
and
FRIED a turkey!
Let me tell you.....
his SMOKED turkey was to die for!


The bar was well stocked.......
Hey! It's the holidays!!!


Siblings!


These are a wild bunch....
they make me die laughing just observing and
being the major picture taker!


Our grandbabies...
who are hardly babies any longer!
Sweetest kiddos ever!


Time for cocktails!


Dinner began around 5:30 PM!
We were SO hungry and EVERYTHING
WAS DELICIOUS!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING DINNER!


Even the dogs had a photo shoot!
Honey, y'all would not believe the circus
it was capturing this pose!
Now on to Christmas....
Hope you all had a very blessed holiday!

November 23, 2016

THANKSGIVING DAY 2016

Wishing Each of You a Happy Thanksgiving


May Rich Blessings, Plenty, Peace
 and 
Prosperity
Be Yours This Thanksgiving Day

November 22, 2016

APPLE BLONDIES

I have wanted to try this recipe for some time now
and
I am SO glad I finally did!
It is divine!
I always try to introduce a new recipe
onto the holiday table and these apple brownies
are going to be a marvelous sweet treat
for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
They are easy to mix up
and 
would be perfect in the afternoon
with tea or coffee.


APPLE BLONDIES
1 cup flour
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 large granny smith apple - peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9” x 9” baking dish.
In a large bowl, beat together the melted butter, sugar, and egg until fluffy. Fold in the apples and walnuts. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture until just blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Bake 3o minutes in the preheated oven. Do not overbake. Lovely when served warm.

November 21, 2016

THE LOOK OF THANKSGIVING IN THE DINING ROOM



The table is different every year.
I rather like to see how it comes together.


 I was so pleased with the new tablecloth this year.
This was a special on Amazon
and I simply adore this!


I like to create the centerpiece to evoke a feeling
of everything autumn.
It must be the right height to provide
a clear view of the dinner guests.


Then it was time to begin the layering....
a fall garland, a few added fall picks,
candle holders and the mercury glass pumpkins.
I also layered in the velvet pumpkins
for added softness and richness.


These are on an automatic timer that comes on
during the evening hours.


The velvet pumpkins have made the rounds this year
and
I simply adore them!


Always a touch of glam and sparkle!


So, the tablescape is ready....

Now for the chargers, dinnerware, silver and crystal.
I so adore Thanksgiving day, don't you?


When I decorate the sideboard,
I always do this with Mother and Daddy in mind.
If my wish came true,
and they walked through the front door for Thanksgiving,
I would want them to look at their belongings and 
have a big smile on their face knowing
that I always honor them so beautifully.


The Heirlooms
The Johnson Brothers platter belonged to my Grandmother Estelle.
The silver bowl was a wedding gift to the darling and me.
The condiment Turret was purchased by my parents 
from a Mississippi Delta plantation.
The green glass bowl and crystal ashtray belonged to my parents.


Thanksgiving is for family...
a gathering for feeling grateful and oh so blessed.


"I heard we are having Turkey!
I love turkey you know.......
however, I tend to SMACK when
I eat turkey......
is that considered socially acceptable.......
to smack?"

November 20, 2016

TURKEY CHILI



Well loves....
we are working our way toward
the Thanksgiving Day of 2016.
How the autumn sailed by, didn't it?
The Thanksgiving menu shopping will be underway

along with sprucing up the outdoors!
I am going to have this spicy Turkey Chili
in the crockpot to welcome
everyone home!
I wish you all a beautiful November weekend! 

TURKEY CHILI
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 pound ground turkey        
1 medium sized onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium sized green bell pepper, chopped
5 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 (16 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles, undrained
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Sea Salt to taste
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
Enjoy!



In a large skillet, sauté onions, garlic, chopped plum tomatoes and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Garnish with cheddar cheese and sour cream and don’t forget the cornbread!

November 18, 2016

THANKSGIVING MANTEL 2016


If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 
thank you," 
that would suffice. ~


We are keeping it simple.
A rosehip wreath (yes, I have two) to symbolize the
togetherness of family.
Grandmother Estelle's little Hummel
that sings with grateful hearts,
as we remember those we love
that are no longer with us.


Autumn blessings


Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.

~Wilbur D. Nesbit