Thoughtsfromovertherainbow

Guest Bedroom to Nursery Makover (and my debut as a grandmother :)

2011-07-10T19:15:00.002-05:00

I’ve been telling you how busy things are around here, but the little one is finally here!!!!! Both he and the nursery are finally ready to make their debut!

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 here. But two years later this room needed another makeover….it needed to become a nursery!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

There is room on top for diaper changing necessities in the basket and lots of drawers to hold all those adorable sacks and onsies!

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!

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.

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.

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!

It’s official….I’m in love with this wonderful blessing from God!

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!

Induction Cupcakes :)

2011-06-28T09:32:00.006-05:00

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

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.

This morning I sent her an email and a picture of the cupcakes:

To the Little One

You Are Cordially Invited

A Birthday Celebration

You supply the birthday; I’ll supply the cupcakes :)

I’m not sure if she was amused, but she’s coming to pick up the cupcakes :)

Ina’s Peanut Butter Frosting

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 cup creamy peanut butter

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup heavy cream

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.

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?

I am linking to Cupcake Tuesday at Hoosier Homemade. 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!

Thanks for stopping by! I’ll keep you posted on when the Little One arrives!

You’re Gonna Have a Fit!

2011-06-22T08:19:00.005-05:00

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!

Here in the South one of the nicest compliments you can give is, “I just had a fit 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 fit when we saw it….I think you will too!

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.

The theme was evident from 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.

Long stretches of tables with tulips in galvanized bucket- like containers provided seating for every single guest.

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.

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!

A mossy little fox graces this table. The Mason jars were filled with water and garnished with lemon before dinner.

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!

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.

My personal favorite was the gazpacho served in shot glasses! And finally a feast was served buffet-style…..

A tuxedoed buck and veiled doe served as the centerpiece for the buffet table!!!!!

It was a magical night none of us will ever forget….well, you know….. I just had a fit over it :)!

I’m linking this to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and to Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie 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….:)!! Thanks for stopping by…leave me a note!

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!

Eggceptional Breakfast for Two

2011-04-21T08:02:00.002-05:00

About three weeks ago I went to my front door…….the one with freshly planted Kimberly Queen ferns…..

the one with the spring and Easter wreath that I have neglected to show you :)…….and there was a surprise!

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 :)

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.

These placemats are so cute that it’s almost a shame to cover them with a plate….almost.

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!

My cute little egg cups with rosy cheeks and yellow egg-shaped bowls with strawberries cinched the red and yellow theme.

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!

And of course, the bunny and carrot salt and pepper shaker had to make its appearance no matter what the color scheme is :)

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 here! She is a master of food and its presentation!

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

Layers of Goodness

2011-03-31T21:38:00.003-05:00

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!

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 :)

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. 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?

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 Bake at 350---perfect for a picnic. I’ve had them a while and have been saving them for just the right occasion. Thanks Bridget!

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!

Neopolitan Cupcakes

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups cake flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Strawberry frosting (recipe follows)

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.

Strawberry Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter softened

1/4 cup strawberry jam

2 teaspoons strawberry extract

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

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.

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!!

In Love with the Mudbug

2011-03-10T08:43:00.002-06:00

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!

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 :) !

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.

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!

Crayfish Delicacy

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped

1 pound frozen crayfish tails, thawed and chopped

3 tablespoons flour

1 envelope prepared beef stew seasoning mix

4 green onions, chopped

1/4 chopped fresh parsley

3 cups hot water

1/4 teaspoon red pepper

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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.

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!

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 Gone With a Handsomer Man will be out in April. Check out your invitation to a launch party given by Laurie at Chatting and Bargain Hunting with Laurie by clicking on the Foodie Friday button on the sidebar! I can’t wait!!!!

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

Pink or Blue?---The Big Reveal!

2011-02-17T09:09:00.004-06:00

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. :)

You’ve seen the cake that holds the answer.

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.

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?

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 pitch a hissy fit?

Fortunately, we did have the results in the envelope—It’s a BOY!!! 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!

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.

Episcopal Anticlimactic Lasagna

(renamed by me :)

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.

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!

Now I need your help! I don’t have a grandmother name picked out! I’d love to hear the names in your family!!! Even if you have never 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 here for an all pink party!!!!

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---I want to hear from you!!!~~Susan

Pink and Blue Extravaganza

2011-02-16T10:40:00.002-06:00

I’ve been thinking, planning, and dreaming in pink and blue 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!

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.

Of course, you know by now, I always start with flowers and a centerpiece. I found these gigantic pink and blue 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.

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.

I scattered pink and blue trinkets from Dollar Tree around the table.

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 pink and blue polka dot favor buckets.

Our friend Marty from A Stroll Thru Life introduced me to the versatility of cloches. This made a perfect centerpiece for the sideboard.

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

The inside of this cake holds the answer: Pink or Blue ????????

Thanks for sharing in the joy with me! Hope you’ll come back tomorrow for the menu, a recipe, and the answer!!! I’d love to hear from you! :)~~Susan

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescapes by clicking on her button on my sidebar!

Him or Her Party!

2011-02-13T20:02:00.002-06:00

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!

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 groom

will be parents in June…hopefully about two weeks after the first wedding :). WE ARE FINALLY GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!!!!!

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!

This wreath greeted the parents-to-be, family, and friends for the party.

Will we be decorating in pink or blue?

Him or Her???

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

I am linking to Susan @Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Click here to join the party. Thanks Susan!

The Secret in the Envelope

2011-02-12T13:58:00.001-06:00

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…….

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll be sharing the secret of the envelope all this week. ~~Susan

Lotta Bang for the Buck Dessert—Peanut Butter Parfait

2011-02-04T22:27:00.003-06:00

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.

Peanut Butter Parfaits! The peanut butter pie filling portion is a recipe from Pioneer Woman (here) 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 here. 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…..

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 Favorite Things I am linking to Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie 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 Sweets for a Saturday at Sweet as Sugar Cookies. If you love dessert, you will be in heaven!

Thanks for dropping by. Have a great weekend!~~Susan

A Special Dinner for Your Honey!

2011-02-03T09:03:00.006-06:00

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

(And yes, Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen—we call this snow—even THIS is snow to us :) Check out her lively and beautiful posts here. But back to my original thought—when the weather turns to this, my thoughts turn to this

My mind turns to warmer places, cookbooks, new recipes, food, eating, and pants with elastic waistbands—”buffet pants” 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 .

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 Come On In a Jackson, MS Junior League cookbook. I almost always “tweak” a recipe, but this one is perfect just as it is printed!

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.

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 here. I never have any trouble with the "eating" part :)

The beginnings of Shrimp Portofino—a dish of shrimp, pasta, and spinach in a heavenly sauce. You can find that recipe here.

Wouldn’t this make a perfect Valentine’s Day dinner for YOUR beloved?

Crab Cakes Dijon

1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoon chopped green pepper

4 tablespoons chopped green onion

1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, picked

1 large egg, beaten

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

6 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

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.

DON’T SKIP THE SAUCE!!! This is absolutely one of the best and is also good on boiled shrimp.

Dijon Sauce

1/2 plain yogurt

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon chopped onion

2 tablespoons dill relish

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Whisk together and server at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

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

The Most Depressing Day-Embrace It!

2011-01-24T16:39:00.002-06:00

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!

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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?

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 :)

I am linking to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. Click here to join the party. Thanks for visiting!~~Susan

Recipe for the Perfect Storm

2011-01-12T15:29:00.004-06:00

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

A beautiful winter wonderland in a place more accustomed to power-threatening sleet than pretty white soft stuff.

Our house which lately has resembled the “Do Drop Inn” looked like this… not just empty….peacefully, joyfully quiet :)

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.

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.

Dinner for two in front of the fire….and the flat screen tv :)

The fire’s reflection caught in mom’s old Community silverplate—White Orchid.

Is there anything better than a warm fire, warm soup, and a warm hand to hold?

Beef and Cabbage Soup

1 1/2 pound ground chuck

1 small head cabbage, cut into large pieces

1 large onion, chopped

28 ounces water (use the tomato can)

2 cans red kidney beans (dark or light)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3 stalks celery, chopped

3 tablespoons beef soup base

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon black pepper

28 ounces stewed or crushed tomatoes (we prefer the larger stewed)

Brown beef with onions and celery. Add all other ingredients and extra water if needed. Simmer covered for at least one hour.

Serve with the best-ever cornbread recipe here.

Simple, huh?

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!

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

Adorable, Personalized, and Cheap!

2010-12-22T09:28:00.001-06:00

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!

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.

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!

I used some large and some small non-breakable ornaments, paint pens, and acrylic paint.

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.

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!

Merry Christmas….Don’t forget to take time to enjoy the miracle!~~Susan

Christmas…Another Perspective

2010-12-19T05:40:00.001-06:00

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.

Inspired by Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Dr. Charles Webster wrote:

If I decorate my house perfectly with bows and strands of light, but do not show love, I am just another decorator.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust….but the gift of love will endure.

I think Dr. Webster has been peeking in my windows :) Give yourself a break…take time to enjoy the miracle!~~Susan

Comfort to Celebrate Joy

2010-12-16T08:22:00.002-06:00

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 :)

You may remember I told you back at the end of October that our youngest son 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.

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.

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.

A little holly from the yard makes it an instant “Christmas arrangement”.

The meal was simple southern food—favorites requested by the guests of honor.

Waldorf Salad

Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Crowder Peas

Hot Cornbread

Hot Fudge Pie with Peppermint Ice Cream

And what was the occasion for this celebration? Another wedding!!!!

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 BIG YEAR for this family!

Happy news and good food---truly Comfort and Joy!

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!~~Susan

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday by clicking on her button on the sidebar!

The Very Last Pumpkin Recipe This Year…And Worth It

2010-11-30T22:07:00.002-06:00

Technically, I know we are past “pumpkin season”, but since this is the last day of November I thought I would push my luck. I tried this recipe for the first time and it is just too delicious and too easy not to share.

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!

Pumpkin Trifle

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.

Note—I might even try Cool Whip next time instead of whipped cream to make it even easier and faster.

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 :)

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 :)

First Things First

2010-11-28T20:52:00.003-06:00

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

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.

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.

This year we added swags to the pews for the first time.

The balcony was draped with garlands, bow, and a wreath.

The advent candles were arranged with faux greenery and berries.

Every window was adorned with a hurricane globe, candle, and greenery. These will be lit at the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

And finally, the arrangement was made.

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.

Oasis can be bought at lots of places—Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, Michael’s, Walmart.

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.

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.

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.

4. Now you are ready to place the saturated oasis in the floral container. At this point it will be fairly soft and pliable.

5. Secure with floral tape if desired.

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!

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

Play It Again...With Apologies to Robert Frost

2010-11-27T20:53:00.003-06:00

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 Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites and with The Tablescaper 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!

Raking Up Leaves on an Autumn Evening

With Apologies to

Robert Frost

Whose leaves these are I think I know.

The tree is not my yard though.

It seems all wrong to yell and hiss

To treat the leaves as if a foe.

My little dogs are full of fear

For they can hardly walk in here.

The crunch and crackle frightens them.

They do not like this time of year.

My husband fumes and stomps his feet.

It seems he can’t admit defeat.

Leaves cover up his perfect path,

Swirl and fall and then repeat.

The leaves are yellow, brown, and deep.

So I will rake without a peep,

With leaves to rake before I sleep,

With leaves to rake before I sleep.

I am joining our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Please join her here 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 here. I hope you will come back on Thursday for my 100th post, an invitation, and a giveaway!

In His Hands

2010-11-14T21:03:00.002-06:00

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.

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.

Harvesting Lunch...The Perfect Pair

2010-11-10T15:43:00.002-06:00

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.

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 :)

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”!

Firstborn appreciates a little pampering, and setting the table encourages conversation rather than ESPN watching :)

I might even let Beloved come home for lunch :)

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

One slice each of cheddar, Swiss, Colby-Jack, and Muenster cheeses, or any combination you like.

2 slices of Texas toast—I used thickly sliced homemade sour dough

1 package garlic and fine herb-flavored Boursin cheese, softened

Butter, softened

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.

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!

Thanks for stopping by—come back for lunch anytime! Don’t forget to say hello!~~Susan

THE Cupcake of Cupcakes

2010-11-08T22:16:00.004-06:00

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.

Although she loved the cupcakes with fondant flowers that I made for my baby shower (here), 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!

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.

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.

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 here!

Golden Sour Cream Cupcakes

1 stick of unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup sour cream or buttermilk

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.

Note: I used sour cream and this recipe made only eight cupcakes filled as directed. The results might vary with the use of buttermilk.

Custard Filling

1 whole egg

2 large egg yolks

4 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup whole milk

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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.

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 here. This recipe makes more than enough to fill the cupcakes. Eat the rest with a spoon :)

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons whole milk

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Gel food coloring, optional

Cream butter and one cup confectioners’ sugar with an electric mixer 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.

Note: I doubled this recipe to frost 2 dozen cupcakes.

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!

All recipes adapted slightly from Celebrating Cupcakes and Muffins by Michal Moses

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

2010-10-30T21:54:00.003-05:00

I am so happy to be joing Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites! I posted this last October. I hope you enjoy it and have a safe and happy Halloween!

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!

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.

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.

Mexican cornbread muffins “shrouded” in a cute wire basket. Stemmed black cauldrons for witches’ brew.

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 here. 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?

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!

I am also joining Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for her Recipe Party. Here’s how I make Mexican Cornbread Muffins:

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.

Thank you Susan, Michael, and Rhoda! Bone Appetit!

Pumpkins and Surprises!

2010-10-29T21:37:00.003-05:00

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!

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!

You’ve heard of roach motels? It seems we’re having a bit of a rodent problem here.. :)

Cinderella’s coachmen run amuck!

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?

Oh wait…there is something in the bottom…..a spider ring in a velvet lined box? Is this a joke?

And there he was….her boyfriend….my baby…. down on one knee with the real thing in his hand. She said YES!

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 here! I am also joining The Tablscaper for Seasonal Sundays. You can find this fun party here. Thanks for sharing this with me!

Bundle of Joy Buffet

2010-10-27T18:41:00.002-05:00

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for a surprise baby. NO, the baby is not a surprise, but the sex of the bundle of joy will be unknown until the doctor announces it in the delivery room. What fun and excitement! The way we all used to do it!

The color scheme for the shower was completely pastel—pink, blue, yellow, green, and lavender. Cupcakes, mini cheesecakes in pastel liners, pacifier candy favors, and candy-coated almonds lined the sideboard.

I made pastel marshmallow fondant flowers to top the cupcakes and put them together them in every combination I could think of. I didn’t want to influence the outcome :). You can find details on the fondant here and the recipe here.

The favors are made with Lifesavers, icing for glue, pastel jelly beans for the nipple, and LOTS of pastel curling ribbon. They are completely edible!

The centerpiece was a mixture of fresh yellow and green flowers in this adorable bassinet I found online. I truly had hoped to take pictures of the entire table, but this baby shower almost got away from me! I thought it was more important to answer the door rather than keep clicking away!

You can’t have a proper southern tea or shower without homemade pimiento cheese tea sandwiches! I used my acorn and maple leaf cookie cutters.

For me, deciding on a beverage is always hard for afternoon events. I am not a real fan of most punches. However, this Apple Julep was a hit! It’s not too sweet and made a beautiful presentation with apple and lemon slices floating in it. Christy Jordan, who writes A Southern Plate blog, was recently featured in Southern Living and included this recipe. I’ve been reading Christy’s blog for a couple of years and she is as entertaining as she is informative.

Apple Julep

1 quart apple juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix all well and serve chilled or over ice. Makes about six cups and doubles or triples easily.

I am linking to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and to Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on their buttons on the sidebar for immediate inspiration. I’ll let you know what the “surprise” is in about three weeks! :) Thanks for stopping by—leave me a note!!~~Susan

Quothe the Raven “Nevermore”

2010-10-25T16:53:00.002-05:00

Once upon a midnight dreary…. A lifelong admirer of the works of Edgar Allen Poe, I knew that I had to make this raven tree the moment I saw it. I made it last year for the breakfast room, but I decided to put it in the foyer this year.

I used one of those leftover reception urns, floral foam, Spanish moss, a branch from the yard, black spray paint, and Dollar Tree crows and a spider.

And the raven never flitting, still is sitting,

still is sitting…..

Perfect for Halloween and perfect for joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesdays! Click here to join her!

Boo! And thanks for visiting!~~Susan

Mantel Metamorphosis

2010-10-24T18:21:00.003-05:00

I am definitely not a person who believes in waiting for the “perfect” time to entertain. I find that most people are willing to overlook imperfection when it is accompanied by sincere hospitality. But as our good friend Laurie @Bargain Hunting and Chatting says, “howevah” :)….. sometimes I need an event to nudge me. A recent baby shower was my impetus.

This is a rather blurry picture of my mantel as it was about three weeks ago. I’ve been dabbling with the mantel for months now. I just never was satisfied. Something just wasn’t right.

And then it hit me. It was the picture over the mantel that was all wrong. I love and cherish this picture taken at Seaside, but that little guy on the end is 6’ 1” now! Our daughter’s wedding portrait is newly hung and firstborn has changed too! Time to update!

Although I love the library paneling in our family room, it does tend to make it a little dark. I thought a round mirror might help offset the squares of the paneling and bounce a little more light around. Hmmmm…..now that old brass fan shows up too. Isn’t that the way it always is? You start out rearranging the top of the mantel and you end up at Home Depot buying a fan? :)

Next I rattled around in the closet and found this urn leftover from last year’s wedding reception. I am the proud owner of several of these….I thought I was just renting them. :) They needed to be put to use so out came the black spray paint to the rescue.

Then I remembered my stash of pheasant feathers from one of Beloved’s hunting trips and thought they might work. This was a completely no-cost arrangement if you don’t count the cost of the florist for the reception or a trip to Wyoming to hunt pheasants :)

I think I like it! The colors in the feathers play off the colors in the mirror (from Hobby Lobby 1/2 off, of course).

I changed the candles to black and added a couple of baby pumpkins. I think this will work…at least until time to decorate for Christmas!

Also, we just returned from a road trip! We made the long trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Ole Miss/Arkansas game. And while they beat us and we were evacuated from the stadium twice due to lightening, we had a wonderful time! As I said earlier, conditions need not be perfect for your guests to enjoy themselves! The Razorbacks were gracious hosts!

Thanks for visiting! Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch has inspiring makeovers at Metamorphosis Monday!~~Susan

After the Storm….I Meant Shower

2010-10-18T15:25:00.002-05:00

Whewwww….. That’s me breathing a huge sigh of relief. I gave a baby shower Sunday afternoon. I enjoyed every minute, but the last leftover has been shipped out or zip locked, the last dish is in the dishwasher, and the house is quiet again. Beloved and the dogs can come home :) There is contentment in a finished project and the glow of candlelight.

The house is “company” clean and decorated for autumn. I hope you don’t get tired of this particular spot in my house. It’s my favorite place to herald the current holiday or season.

Rose hips and this yellow flower just look like fall to me. I am not sure what the yellow flower is. Does anyone know?

The copper flower bowl was a gift to me from the expectant mother’s mother! It is handmade of hammered copper. I have seen an aging one in a local gift shop. This one will develop a lovely blue-green patina –or I can always polish it. The candle was a gift also. I helped out a friend of mine who is a REAL candlemaker! She run her own successful business. This is one of my favorite scents for the kitchen—sugar cookie.

I love this pumpkin plate made by Kaldun and Bogle. This company is run by the maternal grandsons of Krist Kaldun and John Bogle. They pay particular attention to sculpture and detail. Their pieces remind me of Fitz and Floyd at more affordable prices. I put this pumpkin out at the first hint of fall and take it down the day after Thanksgiving.

Several of you have asked about this oil painting in the breakfast room. I bought this and the companion roosters when a design shop was going out of business. The artist’s name is covered by the frame. When I redid my kitchen the black in the frame was the “leaping off” inspiration for the black and khaki color scheme.

I’m joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. I’ll be in class tonight until 9:30, but I’ll be visiting you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!~~Susan

Breakfast On the Go—Apple Pie Oatmeal

2010-10-14T16:44:00.002-05:00

I love breakfast. Of course, my favorite way to eat it is out or prepared by someone else. But since, no one is calling me to the breakfast table, I recently found a recipe that has a two-step process that is almost as good as hearing “breakfast is ready”!

This recipe provides an easy way to get a jump on five servings of fruits and veggies a day..

Apples and dried cranberries simmered in spices….you can almost smell it, can’t you ? :)

Apple Pie Oatmeal

with

Brulee’d Crust

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins

1 Granny Smith apple, cut in to medium size pieces

Combine water, sugar, cinnnamon, salt, and cranberries in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about one minute. Add the apples and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft but not mushy and the mixture has thickened some ---about 15 minutes. Set aside.

***** At this point I let the fruit cool and then put it in the refrigerator.

To assemble: Heat the fruit ( I did it in the microwave). Make some oatmeal. Instant works just fine---remember, you are about to “gild the lily”. Layer oatmeal and fruit mixture in an ovenproof bowl or ramekin. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on top. Broil until golden brown and bubbly or pull out the torch!

Easy, healthy, mobile---and not bad on vanilla ice cream :)

Here’s a peek at one of the things keeping me busy this week…homemade mints. I am having a baby shower on Sunday and I’ll be sharing all next week!

I am linking to Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum. Click on the FF button on the sidebar for a quick trip to food heaven! Thanks for stopping by---don’t forget to say hello!

Shrimp Portofino My Way

2010-10-07T20:17:00.003-05:00

Years ago I had a wonderful pasta dish at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Its ingredients were all favorites of mine. And while the dish has changed names several times over the years, it’s still on the menu. Since they are not in the habit of sharing recipes, I set about to create my own version. What follows is not so much a “recipe” as a “suggestion”. The picture above is from the restaurant’s website.

This meal was a spur of the moment dinner for a young friend who needed a little pampering. You can see the table here. One of the nice things about this meal is that I usually have all the ingredients on hand.

Saute’ thawed frozen spinach, pine nuts, and minced garlic in butter. Add a little white wine if you like. I threw in some thawed precooked and peeled shrimp at the last minute. Serve tossed with angel hair pasta and freshly grated parmesan cheese! Delicious!

Dessert was leftover cupcakes from a friend’s birthday. The birthday girl’s request was cupcakes as close to wedding cake as I could make them. White cake, white icing, and pearlized sugar pearls sent to me by Bridget at Bake at 350. If you love to bake and have not visited Bridget, you are in for a real treat. Beware—You may be there for hours :)

Join our good friend Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday by clicking the button on the sidebar. Thanks for stopping by~~Susan

When a Dish Is More Than A Dish

2010-10-06T15:09:00.002-05:00

Last week was one of the busiest I remember since the days of wedding planning. But that was not the original plan. Beloved was out of town and I had a total “me” week planned….sushi and ice cream on alternate days for dinner, lots of blogging, lots of reading, lots of blissful nothing. That was not to be. Unplanned events popped up all week.

One of my daughter’s very best friends called me and said she needed a little of my time. I could sense this young working mother of two toddlers needed more than a visit and a latte at Starbucks. So, I put the butter pecan back in the freezer and set the table….for two.

I think all mothers instinctively know when someone they care very much about needs pampering, a hug, or even the wisdom of experience. I knew this busy mother who often lives in a world of chicken nuggets on the run would appreciate a pretty table set just for her. I’ve known her since she was twelve and she likes dishes too :)

Nothing was fancy…no fine china; no good silver.

So I lit the candles for the special occasion of two women caring for and supporting one another. We held hands and said grace together as we have many many times before….. and we talked.

Sometimes a tablescape is more than dishes….

Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll click the TT button on the sidebar to visit Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. I’ll be back tomorrow with the dinner recipe—Shrimp Portofino. See you then!

Fall Tabletops

2010-10-04T18:29:00.003-05:00

Heavenly…..delightful…..invigorating. Fall temperatures have finally reached the deep South. I‘ve been putting a few touches of autumn out, but my heart hasn’t really been in it….til now.

Although I almost always have fresh flowers on our breakfast room table, I filled an old basket with grocery store bounty to serve as a centerpiece for a while. I love using pepper plants, ornamental cabbage, mums, pumpkins and gords this time of year. You can find a large centerpiece I did last year here. The locally made fall harvest pillar candles on their pumpkin topiary bases add fragrance to the whole downstairs.

You may have met this angel here before. She sits in the powder room and is always one the first harbingers of the changing of the seasons at our house. One of the nicest things about decorating for fall is the availability of design elements. A walk in the woods or a trip to the grocery store can provide everything you need!

For fall she is holding dried hydrangeas from our yard. I did a post about drying them here. I added nuts, bits of wood, and potpourri to her bundle. For now it brings out the colors in this “soon-to-be-just-a- memory” wallpaper. Change is on the way!

Last week was a busy, busy week here---two birthday luncheons, one cake, one batch of cupcakes, four hours of class, one day at work, one day helping my friend the candlemaker at a craft fair, dinner guests, and out of town company-----WHEWWWW. So tonight there is a pot of chili on the stove and I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life…..and I am going to make an effort to stroll through Tabletop Tuesday. Thanks Marty

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’ll leave me a message----I love hearing from you :)~~Susan

Hummingbird Cake-The Essence of Sweet

2010-09-30T16:39:00.002-05:00

I grew up eating hummingbird cake and wondered where it came from and how it got its name. A little research tells me the first known published recipe appeared in a 1978 Southern Living magazine and was submitted by a reader from North Carolina. More research tells me that hummingbirds reject the nectar from any flower that does not have at least a 25 % sugar content. Its no wonder then how this sweet delicacy got its name.

When I took this to a recent potluck gathering, nearly everyone there remembered their mother or grandmother making it. Most, however, had forgotten it and were glad to be reminded. Southern Living claims this is their most often requested recipe. Taste this once and you’ll understand both the name and the popularity.

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped pecans

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

2 cups chopped bananas

Combine dry ingredients. Add eggs and oil. Stir until moist. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and nuts. Divide evenly into 3 greased and floured cake pans or a prepared 9X13. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove from pans and cool.

Frosting

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened ***

1 pound powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Combine cream cheese and butter. Cream until smooth. Blend in powdered sugar. Add vanilla and nuts.

***The original recipe included “butter or oleo”. My much younger sister in law called to ask me what oleo was :). Fortunately, she could not see my jaw drop :)

It’s been a busy busy week here! I am glad to be joining our gracious hostess Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on the sidebar to be inspired by beautiful pictures and recipes! Thanks for stopping by !~~Susan

To Market, To Market

2010-09-23T14:30:00.007-05:00

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig

Home again, home again, jiggety jig

That old children’s rhyme popped into my head as I was headed to the grocery store. And while I did not come home with a fat pig, I came home with a pork loin and lots of fruits and vegetables. If you missed my tablescape yesterday, here’s the menu for my family dinner to usher in fall:

Apple-Fennel Salad

Marinated Pork Loin

Fresh Mustard Greens

Wild Rice

Cornbread

Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Ice Cream

I found this recipe in last month’s Southern Living and my husband, the salad connoisseur pronounced it a “keeper”! The slight licorice flavor of the fennel bulb and the parsley give the salad a light and fresh taste, while the walnuts and apples provide the rich hearty flavors of fall. I’ve adapted it slightly.

Apple-Fennel Salad

1/2 cup coarsley chopped walnuts, toasted

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 shallot or green onion, minced

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Gala apple, cored, quartered and sliced thin

1 medium-size fennel bulb, sliced thin

1 celery rib, sliced thin

1 (5 oz. pkg.) arugula

1 cup loosely packed fresh flat Italian parsley leaves

Whisk together olive oil and next four ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange arugula on salad plate or platter. Top with desired amount of vinaigrette. Top with apple, fennel, celery, and parsley mixture which has been tossed with vinagrette. Top with toasted walnuts.

****personal note: Next time I might replace the arugula with mixed baby greens. It did not add that much extra flavor, in my opinion, and arugula is fairly expensive. I also doubled the vinaigrette recipe because my family tends to like a lot of dressing.

The dessert recipe appeared in my local paper yesterday in a column called Recipe Finder. Readers can write in to request or submit recipes. This was an answer to a request for apple dumplings previously served at a now defunct legendary local restaurant. It was offered as a substitute for the original recipe. What caught my attention is the surprise ingredient—Mountain Dew! Easy and delicious, this recipe was promptly added to the file! Once again, I have taken a few liberties with the recipe.

Apple Dumplings

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and quartered

1 (8 ct.) pkg. crescent rolls

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ground cinnamon

8-12 ounces Mountain Dew soft drink

Unroll crescent roll dough. Divide into four sections. Wrap each section around an apple wedge pocket style and pinch edges to seal. Place in a greased baking dish. Mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract and spoon over dumplings. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour Mountain Dew over dumplings. Baked in a preheated 350 degree oven 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

****personal note: The original recipe recommended using 1 crescent roll per apple quarter. I found this to be a bit miserly and used the equivalent of two rolls. I found seamless crescent roll dough and used that cut into quarters. Also, in my opinion, the vanilla ice cream is not optional---it’s a must :)!

I must tell you—my claim to fame is my corn bread. Grown men have been know to whisper in my ear, “this is better than my mother’s. Please don’t tell her I said so” :) If you’d like the recipe, you can find it here. Also, the marinade we use for pork loin is very good. We love it on shish kebab and thick pork chops for grilling. You can find that recipe in one of my very first posts here.

I am joining Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on my sidebar for transportation. I am also linking to our sweet Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for My Favorite Things on Saturday. This menu is truly one of our favorite things. You can join Laurie on Saturday here.

Thanks for stopping by! The good news: I’m over my guilt about not feeding my family. The bad news: I’m still cleaning the kitchen :) Happy Fall!~~Susan

Welcome Fall Tablescape

2010-09-22T14:27:00.002-05:00

Tonight at 10:09 pm my little part of the world will officially usher in the beginning of fall with the autumnal equinox. We will be needing that official proclamation; the weatherman has forecast record-breaking highs of 96-98 degrees. But, no matter. Sometimes seasons are a matter of the heart and not the thermometer.

I’m afraid a busy schedule has made me a little lax in the feeding of my family lately. So I’ve planned a meal to welcome fall and the table is already set.

I bought this set of dishes several years ago at Steinmart. After using it for a while, I tucked it away and had almost forgotten about it. The pattern called Still Life has all the deep, rich jewel tones I associate with fall.

There are four different patterns in both the dinner and the salad plates so I like to mix them up.

The centerpiece is sunflowers I purchased for next to nothing in the last few minutes of a street festival on Saturday. The carafe makes an interesting vase.

Susan’s napkin tutorial last week sparked my interest in playing with napkins. These are “wash and wear” napkins made out of a blend, so they are perfect for a week night family dinner. I’ll show you how to make this easy silverware pocket next week.

The stemware, also from Steinmart several years ago, is sturdy and ready to hold water, milk, or your favorite merlot :)

You can nibble on some hors ‘d, oeuvres and check out the menu while I finish up in the kitchen. I put out some homemade sour dough bread, grapes and cheese.

Apple and Fennel Salad

Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Fresh Mustard Greens

Wild Rice

Cornbread

Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Ice Cream

**I’ll be back for Foodie Friday with the salad and dumpling recipes!

And I couldn’t resist this—Remember the street festival I told you about? I saw this and thought of Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

Aren’t you glad this isn’t Susan’s philosophy? :)

Happy fall and thanks for stopping by. And thank you Susan for not “keeping it on the porch”! :) Click on the Tablescape Thursday button on my sidebar for immediate transportation! See you tomorrow with recipes and pictures ! :)

The Little Engine That Could…A Metamorphosis

2010-09-19T19:04:00.004-05:00

Recently I called a friend who sews over to ask her for a little help. I had recently purchased a very inexpensive ( and with a coupon too!) Sew E Z mini sewing machine from Jo-Ann Fabrics. I had decided to try my hand at pillow making and I couldn’t get the bobbin to work.

And when she saw my mini sewing machine she laughed….

Big…loud…robust…guffaws. But I haven’t made a thing since my eighth grade home ec apron and I couldn’t see investing in a sewing machine until I had tested the waters. But, I am a determined soul…sometimes for better; sometimes for worse…and I needed pillows.

You may remember that I posted here about having chairs in the family room reupholstered. I had looked around for complementary pillows for the sofa. But that seemed a waste when I had fabric left.

So I persevered in spite of my friend’s lukewarm encouragement. I think I can….I think I can :)

First, I tried my hand at a small pillow. Okay….

Then a larger one.

Slipcovers here I come! :)

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Visit her here…you are sure to be inspired!

Thanks for stopping by to see my little makeover! I am so glad you came. Don’t forget to say hello!~~Susan

Tiptoeing into Fall

2010-09-16T20:19:00.004-05:00

Artie and Marty are having a party

Vignettes for Artie

Cloches with Marty

Sounds like an old jump rope rhyme, doesn’t it? But no, two of my favorite bloggers are having parties that complement one another. Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is having one of her now-legendary cloche parties and Artie at Color Outside the Lines has recently launched Vignette Fridays. Cloches don’t seem to be my strong suit, but here’s what’s going on the breakfast room. We’re tiptoeing into fall.

This is the top of a small antique chest I use in my breakfast room. The marble top is handy for serving desserts and coffee. The drawers hold placemats and stationery. I like to change the accessories to suit the season or holiday. Hence, my vignette with a fall cloche :).

My birthday was last week and a friend brought me a bouquet of bittersweet. She knows my love for flowers and arrangements so I have chosen to overlook the possible hidden implications :). I know she bought this at the local florist and I believe it is oriental bittersweet. The berries are perfect shades for autumn.

I added a few curly branches, some dried eucalyptus, and a couple of dried lotus pods. I love the woodsy effect of the pods and the different textures.

S0000, in keeping with the woodsy theme we have going on, I just filled this big ole cloche with dry stuff….huge pine cones I found in our yard at Seaside this summer, faux dried berries, a couple of dried hydrangeas, and a few pods and nuts from the yard. It makes an interesting sprinkling of all things fall.

This is my nod to the men in my family… a family of hunters. This is a Vintage Game plate made by Churchhill China. The banner underneath says cervus elephus—the red deer or elk. I have only a few of these. I like the idea of shopping the china cabinets for display items. I bet you have something “easel worthy” too, if you just look. And finally, the small frame you see in the first picture is is a little camera shy. A permanent resident no matter the season, it says this:

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face shine on you

And be gracious to you

The Lord lift His countenance on you

And give you peace

That is my daily prayer for all those who gather around my table….and for you.

Thanks Artie and Marty! You can join the cloche party here. Hop over to Artie’s Vignette Fridays by clicking here!

Thanks for stopping by to see my little addition to the parties. I hope you’ll take a minute to say hello—I love knowing you’ve been here and would love to visit you!~~Susan

Red Velvet Cake Balls

2010-09-15T16:54:00.002-05:00

You may remember I posted last spring here about a cupcake class my daughter and I took at the Viking Cooking School. The class was loads of fun and provided us with a fresh stock of recipes and the hands-on experience we needed to make the recipes at home.

We made several different types of cupcakes, but we also learned how to make another little confection that seems to be taking the entertaining world by storm----cake balls! Cake balls have all the flavor of a big dessert packed into cute little meatball-sized package. Best of all, they look like a LOT more trouble than they are!

Recently I chose to make Red Velvet Cake Balls for a friend who loves red velvet no matter what the season. They make a beautiful presentation too! You have lots of options and your imagination is your only limit. You can use a commercial cake mix or start from scratch! It’s never to early to start collecting recipes for all the upcoming holiday events.

You can serve them as “balls” or put them sticks as cake “pops”.

Because the balls need to be frozen, you can even spread the preparation out to suit your schedule. I made the cake balls on one day and dipped them in chocolate on the next.

They were a HIT! I have since made mint chocolate chip cake balls and have plans to make coconut cake balls for an upcoming shower. I am including the recipe from the Viking Cooking School. I have shortened and adapted it.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 cup of cream cheese frosting (make your own or buy it!)

1 layer red velvet cake (I used a box)

8 ounces of semisweet chocolate or white chocolate

1 tablespoon zero transfat vegetable shortening (Crisco)

Bake the cake in a single layer and crumble into fine crumbs, discarding any hard edges. You should have about 4 cups of crumbs. Place the crumbs in a large mixing bowl and spoon frosting and mix gently. You may not need all the icing depending on the moistness of the cake crumbs. Clean hands work better than a spatula or spoon for mixing, but it’s messy! The crumbs and frosting should be evenly mixed, but mix gently so as not to compact crumbs any more than necessary. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (about an hour) or freeze about 15-20 minutes.

Using a measuring spoon scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the the cake mixture and roll lightly between the palms of your hands to form round balls. They should hold their shape, but handle them gently to ensure they will be tender. Place the balls on a baking sheet line with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer until very firm, at least 30 minutes.

Place the chocolate of your choice and the vegetable shortening in the top of a double boiler and set aside. Fill the bottom portion of the double boiler 1/4 full with hot water; place over high heat and bring to a boil. As soon as the water boils, remove the pot from the heat; place the upper portion of the double boiler containing the chocolate on top of the hot water. Stir occasionally while the chocolate and shortening melt, then stir until smooth. You may have luck doing this in the microwave; I don’t.

Remove balls from freezer. Use a wooden skewer to dip each of the balls into the melted chocolate. Pause after dipping each cake ball. Hold it over the bowl to allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the chocolate-coated cake balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Allow the the chocolate to set, then serve or store in an airtight container at a cool room temperature. ***The recipe recommends that you do not refrigerate or the chocolate will sweat. I made these in July when even inside temperatures were hot. I refrigerated; they sweated; nobody cared :)

I know this is long, but it is easy –really! I am linking to our favorite foodie hostess Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on my sidebar. Thanks for coming and y’all come back!

Tailgating…An Old Family (wink) Recipe

2010-09-09T09:55:00.002-05:00

September at our house means football and tailgating. For me there is almost nothing better than watching the Ole Miss Rebels or the Pride of the South marching band take the field….almost nothing.

But tailgating in the Grove might be even better. Ask anybody who has ever visited the Grove. Tailgating here has been elevated to an art form—a feast for both the eyes and the palate. I posted last year about the elaborate tablescapes here.

But with busier fall schedules and more demands on time, most of us don’t always have time to concoct a specialty. Here’s where the old family recipe comes in.

You remember the lovely York family? And who could forget those pillars of society the Pillsburys! They’ve loaned us a secret family recipe! I’ll tell you if you promise not to tell anyone else.

Okay, slowly now….Bake the brownies according to directions. During the last three- five minutes of baking remove the pan from the oven and cover with a layer of York peppermint patties. Return to oven to melt. When patties are melted, remove from oven. Swirl with a spatula or knife to blend flavors. Allow to cool and harden before cutting.

People will ask for the recipe. Just tell them it’s an old family recipe and smile. Please join Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday by clicking on the button on the sidebar!

Thanks for stopping by. Grab a brownie and leave me note :) And good luck to your team this weekend….unless you root for Tulane or the MN Vikings :)

Show Stopper Appetizer

2010-09-02T19:53:00.003-05:00

I recently saw an advertisement for fried chicken. “So good it’ll make you slap yo’ mama” it said. Hmph…they didn’t know my mama. The only thing that could have made me slap her was temporary insanity. But this appetizer or first course comes close….very close :)

Many years ago there was a restaurant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast called White Pillars. The Biloxi restaurant was known far and wide for its signature appetizer Eggplant Josephine. The restaurant closed even before Katrina devastated the area. However, with a little bit of research I managed to find what I believe to be the original recipe. It has since become our favorite appetizer or side dish for very special meals or dinner parties. The holidays are right around the corner and this is a real show stopper to serve guests!!

Eggplant Josephine

1 large eggplant

2 tablespoons flour

Olive oil

Shredded mozzarella cheese

1 pound crabmeat

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup dry white wine

Hollandaise

Meat sauce

Peel the eggplant and slice 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. I salt it lightly and let it sit about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. This process called degorging draws out the moisture and any bitter taste sometimes present in eggplant. Flour and saute in olive oil until lightly browned. Drain and set aside. To make the crabmeat topping: Clean and pick crabmeat. Melt butter and add wine. Simmer a few minutes and set aside.

Hollandaise Sauce

Beat two eggs until frothy. Blend in 2 cups mayonnaise and add 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Blend in 2 tablespoons dry mustard, salt, and white pepper to taste.

To assemble: Layer eggplant slices in a shallow baking pan. Top with crabmeat mixture, meat sauce, and shredded cheese. Bake at 450 degrees until bubbly. Top with warm hollandaise and garnish with paprika.

As always, we tweak recipes around here and adapt to suit our own tastes. Personally, I prefer mine without the meat sauce. We also make our own hollandaise or cheat and use a packaged mix with a little lemon juice added. Either way….it’s good….a real show stopper. Just don’t “slap yo’ mama” :)

I hope you enjoyed this “beachy” week with me. I am joining Michael Lee West, our favorite foodie for Foodie Friday. Click on the FF button on the sidebar for immediate transportation! Don’t forget to say hello!

I Must Go Down to the Sea Again….

2010-09-01T16:22:00.003-05:00

John Masefield wrote, “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky…”. I know what he meant. I am a land-locked beach bum at heart. The beach and ocean seep into to your soul and take up residence. I can’t get back to the beach for a while, so dreaming and tablescaping will have to suffice for now.

I am planning a dinner party with seafood as the main course. This table has been sneaking into my dreams for a while, so I thought I’d give it a test run and see how all the elements look together. The table is a mish mash of china patterns and absolutely nothing is new.

You may know by now that I love centerpieces. Quite often it is the “jumping off” point for a tablescape and everything else is built around it. For me, anything has possibilities as a vase or centerpiece container. Try looking at everyday items with a new perspective. This trifle dish works perfectly. The clear glass and depth allow the shells and starfish to take center stage.

All the colors of surf and sand are here—the sugar white and taupes of Gulf shore beaches mixed with the cool blue of the water. I mixed casual and formal pieces on a white matelasse“beach blanket”. The contrast of casual and formal seems to echo both the elegant beauty and the carefree fun of a day at the beach.

The DIY napkin rings are mixed with the crisp linen of hem-stitched napkins. Casual placemats are a backdrop for sterling silver.

The glow of tea lights flicker against crystal.

Layers of muted colors, patterns, and textures remind me of the ever-changing landscape at the beach.

Oh yes, I must go down to the sea again….

placemats-Walmart

dinner plates-Nina Campbell exclusively for Steinmart

salad plates-Gibson at Big Lots

appetizer plates- T.J. Maxx

napkins-Steinmart

crystal-Lismore by Waterford

flatware-Burgundy by Reed and Barton

salt and pepper-Target

tea light holders-Dollar Tree

shells-the sunny beach :)

I'll be joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. You can join the fun here!

Please Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday by clicking on the button on my sidebar. Thank you for visiting. I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for a delicious seafood appetizer—eggplant Josephine!

DIY Napkin Rings….Creatures from the Deep

2010-08-29T18:00:00.003-05:00

Fall is closing in us. Soon memories of the beach and ocean will give way to falling leaves and pumpkins. As much as I look forward to crisp cool days, I can’t quite let go. I’ve got at least one more summer tablescape rolling around in my head! The problem was that I had searched for napkin rings and never could find anything I loved.

You might remember these from last week—stainless steel napkin rings that came with a set of flatware. Lackluster on their own, they got a coat of white spray paint. I spray painted half of them key lime green in this post. The other half is getting an aquatic makeover.

First, the white spray paint went on. These got one more touch up spray after the photo. Next I started going through the shells our family has collected through years and years of vacations at the beach.

If you don’t have your own collection of shells, you can buy them at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Michael’s. I tried super glue with no luck. However, the hot glue gun did the trick!

A sand dollar from the second sand bar in Destin…found by one of children…bleached by me…..saved for just this moment :) Don’t worry if your napkin ring feels “top heavy”. The napkin will stabilize it. The possibilities are limited only by your supply of shells and imagination!

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. You can find her lovely blog full of inspiration here!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will come back for Tablescape Thursday when I will be putting these into action! Don’t forget to say hello :)

Sunday Favorites....Back to School

2010-08-28T13:03:00.003-05:00

Edited--I've always loved "back-to-school" time. And even now, it still signals a fresh beginning. For me it's almost like January 1st...a clean slate and full of promise. I am joining Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites. I first posted this last "fall" and it's still one of my favorites! You can find Chari here!

Labor Day is just around the corner heralding what most of us consider the beginning of fall no matter what the calendar or the weather say. Lots of children are already in school and the rest will begin this week. Although I no longer teach or even have children in school, it always make me a little nostalgic. I've been thinking this weekend...Do you remember....?
When the most important decision you had to make was what to wear on the first day of school?
When you thought you would die if your best friends weren't in your homeroom?
When you thought you'd be friends forever?
When you were shocked to find out your teacher had a first name besides Mrs.? When you thought your teacher was older than dirt...and she was younger than you are now?

When your station in life was determined by the size of your box of crayons?

When your biggest worry was who you would sit with at lunch?

When the school paste smelled like peppermint and the halls smelled like fresh wax?

When you could figure out right from wrong by looking for the red marks on your paper?

Me too....

Beefeater Salad

2010-08-25T15:37:00.003-05:00

I may know my way around a cupcake, but Beloved is definitely the connoisseur in the family when it comes to tomatoes. The man can tell with uncanny accuracy in what part of the state a tomato was grown…and he doesn’t bother with “store-bought” ones. Unfortunately, this year his little garden has produced no tomatoes. The plants are large and produce lovely blooms…which promptly fall off. :( So… we spend Saturday mornings at the farmers’ market

It is a tomato lover’s dream—a smorgasbord of tomato varieties, shapes, colors, and sizes. Beloved prefers a very acidic tasting tomato and our favorite grower has been recommending beefeater tomatoes. Last weekend we experimented to try to reproduce a salad he’d had in a top notch steak restaurant.

The result was a salad that was not only tasty, but easy and colorful! A lot of bang for your buck!

Beefeaters Salad

Salad greens—we used romaine

Beefeater tomatoes, thickly sliced

Crumbled cheese of your choice—blue, feta, gorgonzola

Fresh basil, chopped

Capers, optional

Balsamic vinaigrette-commercial or homemade

My basil crop put his tomato crop to shame :)

Balsamic Vinaigrette

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper

And while we’re on the subject of capers….we are, aren’t we? Beloved asked me exactly what a caper is. Do you know?

A caper, according to my sources, is a pickled flower bud of a usually spiny perennial Mediterranean shrub ( Capparis spinosa) that bears white to pinkish-white flowers. Isn’t it a gorgeous flower? No wonder those little jars are expensive.

I’ll be linking to my favorite foodie/novelist Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. You can get there immediately by clicking on the button on my sidebar. You are sure to leave hungry and inspired!

Thanks for dropping by! If you can enlighten us on our tomato plight, I’d love to hear your advice for next year. Have a good weekend and happy eating….and you thought I just made desserts :) :)

The Cupcake Caper…A Crime of Passion

2010-08-23T14:54:00.003-05:00

Last Friday I made cupcakes to take to a birthday party for Firstborn’s girlfriend. They were a little labor intensive, but I wanted them to be special. I had been wanting to try ice cream cone cupcakes for a long time and had recently seen a photo that “one-upped” the basic sprinkle decoration. So I bit the bullet and turned on the oven in this miserably hot weather we are experiencing….a labor of love.

I just used a basic white cake mix. They baked up perfectly—cake all the way to the bottom with perfect little round tops. I melted chocolate; I chopped nuts; I drained cherries; I made cream cheesing icing…..now for the fun part.

The result is darling cupcakes that resemble soft serve ice cream cones and sundaes.

Pretty cute, huh? Alas, that is not the end of the story….and it doesn’t have a pretty ending. It seems in my jubilation I forgot certain laws of physics. Ice cream cone cupcakes ( I seem to have forgotten) are TOP HEAVY and are sitting on a base a little larger than a quarter. In moving them, the ENTIRE pan fell to the floor.

Now, you may remember Charlie—seen here in much happier times…before he em”bark”ed on a life of crime….before he swooped in and ate the cupcakes.

Mug shot

Charles Rainbow

I hear he’s pleading insanity….me too :)

I am joining Hoosier Homemade for Cupcake Tuesday (if she doesn’t kick me and Charlie out). You can find her here for delicious cupcakes that people actually got to eat!

Thanks for sharing my tale of woe. Don’t forget to say hello and send Charlie a little support. Don’t worry— he didn’t get sick and he’s been released on his own recognizance :)~~Susan

Over the Rainbow….The Tablescape

2010-08-18T14:39:00.003-05:00

This tablescape started innocently enough. I found napkins on sale at Steinmart. I was drawn to the colors I love in all the shades of the rainbow. Pink and peach. Blue and turquoise. Sunny yellow and yellow the color of butter. Green and kiwi. Cream and white… the shades of the rainbow as one color slowly blends into the next one.

There was no way I could choose just one color to work with. So I didn’t….choose, that is :)

I decided to pull out all the stops and use all the colors. Almost all the flowers in my yard have withered from heat. But we can still have spring on the table and in our hearts!

I found these at a thrift store. Now, I must tell you. I am not a good thrifter. The shops are too far from my house and countless trips of coming home empty handed have made me cynical. But I saw these and loved the color. I turned them over.

Can you see it? I have not mastered the art of photographing words yet. It says HEREND Village Pottery. The date is 1993. The best I can guess from my research is that this was made at one time by THE Herend. The yellow pattern reminds me of the Herend I am more familiar with.

The signature fish scale design on the bunny is very similar to the border of the plate. Regardless of their heritage, I loved the plates and they came home with me. If anyone has any information about Herend Village Pottery, I’d love to hear it!

It was a perfect chance to layer color over color…like the rainbow.

I used the delicate crystal etched in flowers. The crystal echoes the clear cube vase of the centerpiece and the staggered wine glasses holding floating votives.

The napkins work well with the stainless steel napkin rings I spray painted in Monday’s post. The color is perfect for these napkins, but will be cute as the “whimsical green” for Christmas.

I used the vintage silver plate flatware First Love by Rogers.

I used casual green flatware above the plate for dessert. One of my very favorite tablescapers oftens adds a second pattern here.

Carolyn Roehm’s book is full of beautiful pictures, recipes, and inspiration!

A breath of spring in the heat of summer

Birds fly over the rainbow….. true….

But Dorothy was right. There’s no place like home :)

Join Susan for Tablescape Thursday by clicking on the TT button on the sidebar! Thanks Susan!

I so appreciate your visit! Please take a minute and say hello!~~Susan

Apples and Lemons and Flowers

2010-08-17T20:04:00.003-05:00

It’s not exactly what I had intended to do, but it seems I am showing you my tablescape S L O W L Y….in increments---almost like a strip tease in reverse. On Monday I showed you (here) napkin rings and chargers that I had spray painted to give them a little umphh! Today I’m sharing my centerpiece and linking to The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday.

This is how the whole table got its start…my inspiration as they say in the design world :) Actually, I’m inspired any time I find a good sale, but I have a “thing” for pretty napkins and love these colors! So, the centerpiece took its cue from the colors in the napkin!

This is my very favorite vase. It’s a six inch cube vase. They are available at Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby, Garden Ridge, etc. Priced around ten dollars, it’s a steal. I call it the little black dress of centerpieces. Its six inch height makes it perfect for dining table centerpieces. You can easily still see over it to have conversation at the table. Today I used green apples and lemons to echo the colors in napkins and anchor the flowers.

A small bunch of alstroemeria from Kroger is always a good choice. They are inexpensive (these were $4.99 plus a dollar off coupon) and come in a variety of colors. I also like to check the sale basket—lots of good flower bargains there! Don’t forget to strip all the leaves from the part of the stem that will be in water. This helps keep the flowers fresher for a longer time. Also, if you’d like to eat the fruit, remove it from the vase when dinner is over. It gets a little water-logged :)

I added a few floating candles in wineglasses of different heights. Candles always make a meal feel more special! Stop by The Style Sisters for inspiring centerpieces. You can find them here!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to come back on Thursday for a view of the whole table! Please say hello—I’d love to hear from you!~~Susan

DIY Napkin Rings and Chargers

2010-08-15T19:42:00.004-05:00

I haven’t joined Metamorphosis Monday in a while for several reasons. First, as you know, I was born without the craft gene :). Secondly, decorating projects at my house are on summer hiatus. However, I couldn’t resist a little spray painting project. Spray paint seems to calm me the way classical music does other people.

Back in the fall, I let a friend bring some items to my house during a neighborhood garage sale. She didn’t sell these old brass chargers even at $1 each. Being the gracious hostess that I am, I offered to give them a new home. HOWEVER, I am over brass for now. Like many of you, I suspect, I have a closet full of Baldwin brass candlesticks (don’t worry, I’m keeping those. They’ll be the hot “new” accessory again one day :) . These chargers, however, had seen better days. They had redeeming qualities however. I loved the shell design on the edges. They deserve a little white spray paint!

Bar Keepers Friend has been my friend for many years. It works wonders on brass and stainless steel without a lot of elbow grease. After a quick cleaning the chargers looked good enough to deserve a home in the dish closet….almost.

While I was mulling over the charger situation, I ran across the these napkin rings in a drawer. They came with a set of inexpensive stainless I bought for one the kid’s college apartments. They lack personality and had been forgotten.

Key lime paint to the rescue! Now these little napkin rings have lots of personality! They need another coat of paint. As soon as the temperature dips below 100, I’ll go back outside and paint them :)

I think these napkin rings and chargers have a whole new life expectancy now! Come back on Thursday for a tablescape debut! I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday. You can join the fun and find wonderful ideas here. And since I finally can boast of a garage sale treasure I am linking to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. You can find her here!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello. I’d love to hear from you!~~Susan

Summer Sundays…A Perfect Day

2010-08-14T15:17:00.003-05:00

Even when your life is no longer dictated by school schedules, summer seems to take on its on personality. Life is a little more low key….a little more casual.

Because Beloved and I are both “morning” people, we almost always go to the early service at church. I took this picture today of the steeple on the original chapel built in 1851. If you look closely, you’ll see a little bird surveying the grounds. With an actual temperature of 104 expected here today, I’m hoping he flew into that tall shady magnolia.

This is a spring picture from the website. Church history says that the building was spared during the Civil War when the minister offered to house wounded soldiers. Although a large church now stands beside this chapel, it is often the site of small weddings. The inide is beautiful and quaint. Church is over by 9:45 and now we have the whole day ahead of us….which for me includes this

Me, a raft, a book, and a pitcher of iced tea….it’s the only way to survive outside in this heat and humidity. Sometimes it’s just the two of us…sometimes the whole gang descends. Sundays, for me, means family. And it always means food.

Beloved and I have a deal. I negotiated this in the first year of marriage. I cook Monday through Friday. On the weekend, we cook out or go out. It works for us :) I am joining The Tablescaper for Summer Sundays. You can join the fun here!

I’ve missed you this week!!!. My computer needed a tune up and I have been out of commission. Thanks for dropping by. Don’t forget to say hello and have a SUPER SUNDAY!!!

The Art of Gratitude

2010-08-04T23:00:00.004-05:00

The Letter

Henri Lerolle

The written word is beautiful….almost seductive. As much as I love the convenience of telephones, emails, and text messages, I miss letters and notes…you know the ones that have a stamp on them. The ones written on paper with a pen. Handwritten letters and notes require planning, thought, care. But they seem to be fast going the way of the dinosaur. As the bridal season is winding down, I am wondering if thank you notes are becoming a lost art. Most of the thank you notes I receive these days resemble this:

Dear Mrs. Rainbow,

Thank you for the lovely gift. It was so nice of you to think of us at this happy time.

Sincerly,

The Bride

Okay, I admit it. I am a stickler for good manners. You may remember a tongue in cheek post I did on RSVPs. But I don’t think a good thank you note requires vast knowledge of Emily Post or Amy Vanderbilt. I don’t even think it requires beautiful engraved or monogrammed stationery (though I love it for myself). Attractive note cards are available in any price range. Emily Post said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others”. I think Someone Else said it first. You remember…Do unto others…..? Here are the guidelines that I think make a good thank you note.

1. Be prompt!!!! Sooner is better than later. Later is better than never. A bride should have all gifts acknowledged within three months max!

2. Make a specific reference to the gift. Remember the giver has spent their thought, time, and money. Tell the giver how you plan to use the gift or why it is special to you. Get creative if you don’t like it.

3. Remember to thank a host or hostess for entertaining you. It may not be absolutely necessary, but you’ll be at the top of the next guest list!

4. Make it personal. Thank the giver for coming to the party or wedding…tell them you enjoyed seeing them at the event….tell them they served your favorite dish. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and special.

5. Make the note longer than two sentences and use your best handwriting skills. Print if penmanship is not your strong suit.

My children like to remind me that they grew up hearing my constant admonition: “We can’t all be pretty, handsome, or smart but we can all have good manners!”. One of our Supreme Court Justices said it best: Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.

I’ll be linking to Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie on Saturday for a A Few of My Favorite Things. A good thank you note is one of my favorite things! Laurie, thank you for hosting and thank you for stopping by :). Don’t forget to say hello!

A Cupcake Challenge and Audition

2010-08-02T15:49:00.004-05:00

I must admit—posting cupcakes twice in a row is a unusual even for this cupcake lover. But I have two good reasons. First Hoosier Homemade has thrown down the gauntlet with a fun cupcake challenge on Tuesdays during the month of August. The theme is summertime fun and each week will have a specific challenge. Secondly, since I am hosting a baby shower in the near future, I am “auditioning” recipes.

Let the games begin!

Our first challenge is to create a cupcake with a flavor that screams summer to us. Now, for me, smells evoke memories more than sights or sounds. The minute I smell fresh- cut grass I am once again a barefoot little girl shadowing my father as he does yard work. My feet are covered in damp St. Augustine grass and I am hot as I struggle with a rake in the humid Mississippi heat. But I know that a reward in the form of a treat and air conditioning is right around the corner.

Mom always had pink lemonade waiting in the kitchen for us. Yes, it was just made from frozen concentrate. But it was ice cold and full of pulp. More than that, it was sharing a victory and a job well done. Fresh cut grass and pink lemonade don’t scream summer to me….they whisper in my ear of happy times gone by.

So yesterday I tried my hand at a pink lemonade cupcakes. It would be just perfect for a little princess, princess in waiting, or bride to be. It could be made in pale yellow with regular lemonade for a gender neutral baby shower. Oh yeah, and it makes a fabulous lunch :)

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

1 (9 oz.) pink lemonade frozen concentrate, thawed and divided

3/8 cup water

1 white cake mix ( your favorite brand)

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with paper liners. Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just blended. Fill muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter each to insure cupcakes of a uniform size. Bake according to package directions or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool five minutes in pan and remove to finish cooling on wire rack. Frost with Lemonade Buttercream. Garnish with sprinkles if desired.

Lemonade Buttercream Icing

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate

red or pink food coloring (a little dab will do!)

Blend butter with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar on low to medium speed with electric mixer. Gradually add remaining two cups of sugar and concentrate. Blend well. Mix on medium to high speed until the mixture is fluffy and uniformly pink. Pipe or frost onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with pink sugar crystals if desired.

Pink (or any color) Sugar Sprinkles

Shake 1 cup of sugar with 2 drops of food coloring in a plastic zip bag. Shake well!! Pour onto paper plate and allow to dry 15 minutes before using. Sprinkle with a spoon or shaker onto frosted cupcake. Store leftovers in sealed plastic bag for later use.

Don’t forget to join Hoosier Homemade on Tuesday for the Cupcake Challenge. I can’t wait to see the recipes! You can join the party I am also joining Blessed With Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. You'll find the party here! I am also linking to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to share this sweet pinkness! You can join the party here.I am so glad you stopped by!!! Thanks for coming and don’t forget to say hello!

Camp Susu Snacks—Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-07-28T15:00:00.004-05:00

All this week I’ve been sharing my niece’s visit to my house (Camp Susu :) with you. You can read about it here and here. I promised to post the recipe for the cupcakes pictured in Monday’s post. And I’ve got a little tip to share with you too!

These are filled cupcakes, but they start out like any other cupcake.

Most recipes for filled cupcakes instruct you to squeeze the filling in with the tip on a pastry bag. I have had limited success with this method. It works; it just doesn’t provide room for that full gooey filling I’m looking for. I tried my apple corer and IT WORKS great! Just core the cool cupcake gently. Save the removed cake portion and proceed with the filling. Replace the removed portion when you are ready to frost the cupcake. You may need to cut a little off the edge to make it fit after adding the filling. I got lots more filling into the cupcake using this method.

See? Lots of gooey goodness inside. This is the perfect cupcake for those of us who like chocolate paired with peanut butter!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3 large eggs

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk first four ingredients in a medium bowl until well mixed. In another bowl, whisk milk and sour cream until blended. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in peanut butter until blended. Add eggs, one at a time until incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, add alternately add flour and milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour, until just blended. Spoon 1/4 cup batter in liners. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Filling

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

3-4 tablespoons of milk

Beat peanut butter and butter with electric mixer until smooth. On low speed, gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and milk until blended and smooth. Beat on high one minute until fluffy.

Chocolate Frosting

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup sour cream

Melt chocolate chips in a glass bowl in the microwave as the package directs. You can also do this in a double boiler. Add sour cream and beat with electric mixer until fluffy.

*Adapted from Woman’s Day Magazine

Now get a glass of milk and a good book :) I am joining my favorite foodie Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on her button on the sidebar to go straight to the party!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello! :)

Camp Susu Outdoors—Part II

2010-07-27T08:14:00.003-05:00

If you read my previous post, you know that I recently hosted our four year old niece for a five day visit---a visit I planned to keep us both busy and entertained. I am blessed to live in a city with wonderful amenities and venues for both leisure and cultural entertainment. This year we have enjoyed the Botanic Gardens several times.

In April we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise Easter service in the garden. Of course, it is filled with beautiful flora of every description. These hydrangeas photos were taken on a visit in late May. Recently a new addition has opened especially for children. So when my niece came, we headed over to check out My Big Back Yard.

It’s a totally kid-friendly hands on experience with lots of opportunities for fun and learning.

She was pretty impressed with the “giant” ten foot sunflowers! So was I!

We made sure we sure we interspersed the learning with a little down and dirty fun!

Lots of beautiful statuary in the gardens. Some is for playing.

And some is just for looking.

There several kid-size houses with nooks, crannies, and holes to poke heads, elbows, and legs into…easy to get into; not so easy to get out of :)

I hear that it has become the hot new birthday party destination!

It is obvious that lots of planning and care went into this new project.

There are several water features. The best is a “storm” complete with thunder, lightening, and, of course, rain! It was a welcome relief on one of our hot days!

This is part of the “house” section of the garden tour. A place to rest….

And kick off your shoes….

or call it a day and head to the “flower bed” :) . And just in case, you think the Botanic Garden is just for kids….

On Friday night we attended the “Live at the Garden” series.

and saw Al Green…He’s still got it! And I’m glad we’ve got the garden. I think next year I’ll buy a family pass! :) So what’s in your hometown? A place to “staycation”?

I am joining our gracious hostess Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Click here to join Susan and lots of other outdoor enthusiasts. You won’t be sorry!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello!

Camp Susu-part 1

2010-07-25T08:29:00.003-05:00

I think I may have told you. I am once again at that awkward age. I don’t fit in with most of my friends….I’m in between. My children are grown and I have no grandchildren…yet. So every chance I get, I “borrow” children. Last month my four year old niece came for five days for what her mother lovingly calls Camp Susu.

We had outings planned and a full schedule for every day. We went to the spray park (is that a rainbow for me? :) and afterwards for cotton candy flavored ice cream (don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it :). We went to see Toy Story and we both loved it. We went to the Botanic Gardens.

We swam every day—such a good way to ~~use up energy~~ exercise :)! And to make sure that we would enjoy my favorite part of the day we made a trip to the library to stock up on books.

Robert Fulghum said “Think what a better world it would be if we all-the whole world-had cookies and milk every afternoon about three o’ clock and then lay down with our blankies for a nap”. His book Everything I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten has sage advice for all of us.

Almost every afternoon we shared a snack, a book, and a special quiet time together. CJ, the Build a Bear, likes to snuggle too, so we invited her. We read classics that I love like The Giving Tree and books that are new to me like the adorable Fancy Nancy series. Amid whispers, giggles, tickles and secrets, slowly…..ever.. so.. s l o w l y….. exhaustion took over and white blonde curls that smelled of Johnson and Johnson spilled across the pillow. We both drifted off to dream of another day……..Her mother has already applied for the Christmas vacation session of Camp Susu :)

I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. Marty is constantly rearranging and adding to her tabletop decor in such lovely and creative ways. You can join her here. Thanks for hosting, Marty! Come back on Wednesday for more of our excursions at Camp Susu. On Thursday for Foodie Friday I’ll have the recipe for these delicious peanut butter filled cupcakes!!

Thanks for stopping by—don’t forget to say hello!

Celebrating 100 Weeks of Tablescapes!

2010-07-21T15:34:00.003-05:00

I love summer birthdays! My favorite way to entertain friends on their special day is with an invitation to a day of floating in the pool and a “girl” lunch….nothing but relaxation, food, and celebration.

So come on through the gate to the back yard…it’s a celebration for our good friend Susan at Between Naps on the Porch in honor of 100 tablescapes!!!

Nothing fussy here! This is a party meant to be fun for the hostess and the guest. A beach towel is an easy and colorful tablecloth. A crystal compote filled with shells makes a perfect centerpiece to keep things light and airy. The menu is almost all “do ahead”. Just float a while longer while I put the finishing touches on the salad.

These shells have been collected through years and years of beach trips by tiny little hands that are no longer tiny.

The first course is my favorite—gazpacho. With vegetables plentiful in the gardens of friends and at the farmers’ market, there is no better time to enjoy this summer delicacy. It’s diet friendly too. I like to serve it in a chilled martini glass garnished with a wedge of cucumber.

Shrimp (boil your own or have them steamed at the grocery store) on top of mixed baby greens is the main course. Garnish with whatever you like. We love eggs, avocado, and tomatoes. I’ll be topping this with Come Back Sauce. You can find the recipe here. It is the best topping or dipping sauce for shrimp! Save a little room--we’ll be having lemon ice for dessert.

Thank you Susan!! I have been enjoying and inspired by your tables since RMS days! I appreciate your willingness to share your talent with tables and blogging skills. You are indeed a gracious hostess! Happy 100; looking forward to 100 more!

Gazpacho

2 large tomatoes

1 medium cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped

1/2 green pepper, coarsely chopped

1/2 onion, coarsely chopped

24 ounces canned tomato juice

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

Dash of your favorite hot sauce (optional)

Dip tomatoes into boiling water for one minute. Lift out with slotted spoon. Peel and chop into medium sizes pieces. Put vegetables, a few at a time into a blender and puree’ until smooth. Add tomato juice, olive oil, and vinegar slowly and continue to puree’. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Chop a few vegetable to use as garnish if desired. This is even better the day after it is made. Serve in a chilled bowl with a chilled spoon!

I am linking to Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday too! Click on their buttons on my sidebar for immediate transportation to the parties! Thanks for coming to the celebration. Leave me a note!

Food for Thought…The Gate House

2010-07-15T15:16:00.002-05:00

The Gate House

First let me say two things: Number one, I am normally a Nelson Demille fan. And yes, that is two stars….and they’re pretty dim stars at that. And second, I have a personal rule about not abandoning books without reading to the end. This book made me wonder why I’d ever imposed that rule and who’d know if I broke it.

I’ve enjoyed several of Mr. Demille’s books. Plum Island and The Charm School are two of my favorites. This book is a sequel to Gold Coast written eighteen years ago. The characters themselves, especially John Sutter, are interesting and well developed. I enjoyed Sutter’s caustic wit and sarcasm for the first fifty pages. His “Dear Ms Post” letters actually had me laughing out loud. Then slowly I began to feel as if one of us had stayed too long at the party. John Sutter became the boor who told the same joke one too many times.

There’s not a lot of talk about food in this novel. There is lots of talk about money, and wills, and sex. There are pages and pages of deceit, revenge, and sex. There are chapters on mafia dons, mafia hits, and yes….mafia sex.

I don’t want to mislead you. This book is not 674 pages of sarcasm and sex. Sometimes it contains cocktails, sarcasm, and sex. Maybe it’s just me, but I found Susan Sutter’s appetites a little far-fetched even for a cheating, murdering heiress…but maybe that’s just me.

I’m joining Food for Thought on Saturday. Don’t worry. I read two books that I could not put down while I was at the beach. Next time you’ll see more stars…I promise! For more edible reviews click here!

A Walking Tour of Seaside

2010-07-13T19:31:00.003-05:00

I think somewhere in my line of ancestors there must be a sea captain, or a mermaid….at the very least a pirate. I am never happier than I am at the beach. The crashing of waves is the song of the sirens for me. We just returned from a wonderful week in Florida which is, at least for now, unspoiled by oil.

We have been vacationing in Destin FL for many years, but decided to try something new this year. We rented a fabulous house (a craftsman bungalow you can see here) in Seagrove just a few miles away. Water Color, Seaside, and Seagrove are all beautiful planned beach communities that run into each other. Right away we loved the sense of community we felt. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and got settled. On Sunday morning we walked about two blocks to a good old fashioned Fourth of July parade filled with children, bicycles, and politicians throwing beads and candy.

I took a few pictures of the homes in our little neighborhood. We were a short walk from the beach.

Most of the homes were beautiful pastels with privacy provided by lots of natural vegetation. I loved this one.

Each house had wonderful porches on at least one level. Look at the starfish in the transom above the front door in this home that was a gorgeous shade of blue.

Lots of attention was paid to the details in this planned community. Much of the 1998 movie The Truman Show was filmed here because of the idyllic setting.

We spent our days on these sugar-like beaches. Groups of two or three scouts for tar balls came by at least once an hour.

Lots of bocce ball on the beach!

When we had had enough sun for the day, we walked to town which was built like a town square with a common green. There were shops, restaurants, art galleries…..but my favorite…..

Air stream trailers with food! I regret to say that I was not there long enough to try every flavor from the Frost Bite snow cone trailer, but I can personally recommend the lemon meringue pie with a shot of cream :)…..no make that :0) :0) ….double big happy faces! There was also a cupcake trailer!!!! I had the best key lime cupcake ever!! And then I waddled home :)

The sun has set on this vacation. I am glad to be back home (no dogs allowed at the beach house :(! But we came back with enough memories to last until next year.

I am joining Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Please join her for more of this wonderful world we live in! Thanks for visiting….leave me a note!