one holiday down...

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and loved one's. I know I did! This year I took the easy road and made dinner reservations at The Keg Steakhouse where they serve a turkey meal every year. The meal is reasonably priced, the atmosphere is elegant and cozy. Especially if you get a seat next to the fireplace! Whether it be inside or outside, it completes the mood! After our meal, I invited everyone back to my place for dessert and drinks. We finished off the day sipping wine, munching on Chevre and watching football (who says you have to drink beer while watching football).

Always set the mood with fresh flowers. The rich brown and orange colors in this bouquet is perfect for Thanksgiving Day!

I served Moscato, a sparkling white wine which pairs well with dessert or cheese, fruit and nuts as well. For the kids, a sparkling beverage. Instead of the traditional sparkling cider, I opted for a cranberry flavored instead.

I served a honey and a cranberry Chevre alongside Pinot Grigio Salami with multi-grain crackers. Salami is always a hit with the men!

Along with pumpkin pie, I served pumpkin souffle's and petite apple blossoms. I popped these in the oven as soon as I got home from the restaurant. They took 15-20 minutes to bake. which gave everyone enough time to get comfortable.



I always make sure to set up a drink station. This can be on 1 section of your kitchen counter-top, on a buffet table or serving tray like this one. Wherever it may be, make sure to include sparkling water/cider, wine (red/white), coffee/tea and a beverage that children can enjoy as well. Include glasses, ice and condiments that are suitable for each drink served (sugar, lemon, fresh berries, etc.).  An ice bucket along with tongs will keep those beverages cold.

HOSTESS TIP: IF HOSTING AN AFTER DINNER PARTY, MAKE SURE TO SET UP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN PRIOR TO HEADING OUT. WHEN YOU AND YOUR GUESTS ARRIVE, EVERYTHING WILL ALREADY BE SET UP AND READY TO GO. FOR THE PERISHABLE ITEMS, MAKE SURE TO REFRIGERATE THEM PRIOR TO HEADING OUT. FOR THE ITEMS THAT NEED BAKED, MAKE SURE TO PRE-HEAT THE OVEN AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME.

 

WEBSITE: http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/news/dine-keg-over-holidays/

no time for homemade? on a budget, no biggie...

Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table, entertaining loved one's. Does the sound of this make you uneasy, especially when times are tough? We all know that cooking and baking from scratch especially can be pricey! Unique stores such as Sprout's or Trader Joe's are a great way to create inexpensive dishes that your friends and family will enjoy. Look for sale items and use coupons. Don't be disappointed in yourself if it comes from a store, remember that homemade isn't always better. This is something I always thought was important but over the years I have found that spending less time in the kitchen allows more time with loved one's.

This find: A clearance platter from last year that has been tucked away just waiting to be put to use. The Turkey platter is a great way to dress up the appetizer table and especially draw attention to anything put on it!

I found these sweet potato bites for only $.089!  Yes, a box of 12 for under $1. These are super easy, just pop in the oven as directed and you have a elegant appetizer sure to have everyone believing you spent hours in the kitchen making or that you purchased them from a pricey, high-end grocery store.

Another great find from Trader Joe's, $2.99 for this Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix! Great for the over-night guest. Who wouldn't want to wake up to pumpkin pancakes on Thanksgiving morning!

Add cool whip and nutmeg on top before serving. For an added touch, chopped nuts are great!

Can you believe this 4 count box of pumpkin souffles were only $.084 and these box of 2 apple blossoms only $1.99 both from Trader Joe's. Great for the dessert table!

Although Trader Joe's is not open on Thanksgiving Day, there are others stores that are. Make sure to check the bakery section for fresh items. Don't be afraid to "dress it up" if needed. The International food section is also great for unique finds!

a table you can be thankful for...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and you have yet to finish your shopping. If you have left this weekend to find the perfect table settings for your Thanksgiving gathering, not to worry! There's no need to spend a lot of money on table wear you will use once. Look for items from thrift stores or yard sales, discount stores such as Marshall's or Ross. IKEA and Dollar Tree are great too. Have a theme or color that inspires you when shopping. From there, the possibilities are endless. 

 

You can keep it simple with a monochromatic color scheme. To successfully create a monochromatic look, stick to one color yet different shades. This can be created with any style. Modern, Eclectic (surprisingly), Elegant, etc.

 

    

You can also choose a pop of color to add to the table. Make sure to stick with one color and go from there. Incorporating the pop of color can be from a large dish (such as the main dish) a flower vase or a place mat. For inexpensive place mats, use scrapbook paper from craft stores such as Michael's or Hobby Lobby as I have done here.

Even the smallest details such as a salt & pepper shaker can complete a look. Roosters are the finishing touch in my French Country Themed Thanksgiving Feast. Believe it or not, I purchased these on clearance last year and have been dying to use them!

Happy Thanksgiving

You are now ready for a Thanksgiving Feast your friends and family are sure to enjoy!

i got a job for u....

Taken from my Psychology To Parenting Class, this is a great way to take turns with choosing chores.  Instead of delegating chores based on what's fair or unfair, this will solve all (well almost all) disagreements between family members over who gets to do what. This can also work in a workplace. Don't we all have those co-workers who will do just about anything to get out of that one task in particular that everyone dreads.

I simply took an old mason jar (you can use any item of your choice), tied a simple ribbon around it to dress it up and keep it placed on my desk or work station. When it's time for everyone to pitch in around the house, I write everything down that needs to be done and we all take turns choosing from the JOB JAR.

the clearance cookie...

Who doesn't love a sale! I came across these Pumpkin Pals a few weeks ago and couldn't resist the price! On clearance for only 1 buck! Yep, $1 that's all. I snagged a few packages, knowing just what to do. I would turn the jack-o-lantern into squash! Very simple yet festive for Fall and at a bargain price, sure to make a great accessory to a Thanksgiving dessert table!

Cookies can be placed in the freezer for a later use. Make sure to check for expiration dates!

 Before baking, these spooky faces were of the past as Halloween had come and gone so fast.

Bake as directed, then you are ready to decorate! This is where you get to be creative, I chose to use bright green frosting for the stem, white frosting for the lines and sprinkles add a fun touch, great for kids. I made another batch with edible pearls and instead of white frosting, used a pastel yellow simply by adding in a drop of yellow food coloring. This batch was simple, yet elegant. The pearls made them great for an adult party by adding a touch of elegance. Since this package of cookies came pre-cut into pumpkin shapes, there was extra dough. I rolled the excess into small balls which made petite sized cookies. Topped them off with frosting and a whopper candy, kind of reminds me of an Owl's eye...at least that's what my kids thought.



sure to warm the soul....

The month of November is when It officially feels chilly and we finally get to break out those boots and beanies. Just as we do with clothing, I like to add in pieces around my home that will keep us warm as well. 

Photo by Quinna Borden Photography

 Candles, toss pillows and warm blankets will create a cozy setting for those evenings in. Cuddling up under blankets, enjoying a cup of coffee and movies are a great way to spend with your family.Whether your family consists of you and a pet or a family of more, they are sure to appreciate it!

Toss pillows in rich red, orange or brown are great for Fall. Mix patterns and colors for an eclectic, but cozy feel. Clean lines, minimal color are great for those with a more modern/contemporary style. Stick to solid colored pillows if this style suits you better.

 

I am a fan of candles so when I came across this owl-shaped candle from Target it was a purchase I couldn't pass up. Nothing says Fall, like an owl! Nature inspired pieces can come in the form of a candle, soap, trinket or pictures. Keep this is mind when decorating your home for Fall.

to brighten your day...

Nothing like waking up to fresh flowers on a Saturday morning. A vase full of flowers will brighten anyone's day, even if you bought them for yourself. I always treat myself to flowers after a long week of work. Displaying your favorite flowers in an unused pitcher is an alternative to the traditional vase. My favorite spot to pick out beautiful inexpensive flowers is Trader Joe's. Sunflower's, Hydrangea, Tulips, Daisies to prearranged bouquets, you name it! For a fraction of the price too! Your local Farmer's Market is also a great place to pick up seasonal flowers. Flowers displayed on your mantel or kitchen island all weekend will create a happy mood. Great for any unexpected company that arrives as well!

This floral bouquet was purchased from Trader Joe's for $5.99. The bright colors are great for a chilly, Fall day. The red roses symbolize love, while the pop of orange brings cheer to a room. A great balance to any room in a home.

a trip to trader joe's...

A trip to my local Trader Joe's always starts off with a browse down the isle, never really needing anything in particular but the unique finds always give me reasons to return. I came across Granny Smith and Gala apples and along beside them sat Red Anjou pears. What a perfect combination for an apple-pear pie!

What you will need

3 medium Golden Delicious apples -peeled, cored and sliced  about 1/4 thick

3 medium Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced  about 1/4 thick
3 medium Red Anjou pears - peeled, cored and sliced about 1/4 thick
1/3 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Pie crust (box will do just fine) 
1 egg 

Intructions

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

In a small bowl, mix 1 egg and set aside

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide into two portions (make sure to follow instructions on packaging). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one-half of the crust and transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, pressing gently to fit. Roll out the second half of the crust to a circle and set aside. 

In a large bowl, combine the apples, pear, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and toss to coat the apples/pears. 

Arrange the second crust over the fruit. I cut 1 inch strips with a pizza cutter to create a more decorative look. With the scrap pieces carefully cut out heart shapes. Any shape of cookie cutter will create a personal touch.

Trim the edges to a 3/4-inch over-hang, fold under the two crusts, and crimp the edges of the crusts together to seal the dough. With a pastry brush, brush the whisked egg over the dough to give it a golden-brown color as it bakes.

Bake until the crust is golden and the juices begin to bubble, 45- 55 minutes. Remove, serve warm. I prefer to serve topped with vanilla bean ice cream!

 

 makes 8 servings