Sunday, November 30, 2008

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I got a good start on the decorating this weekend, but still have a LONG way to go. I wanted to show you a few things I have done, and some of my favorite decorations. Mr. and Mrs Claus are salt and pepper shakers that my Mom passed down to me. They sit on the cutest little green wooden bench. Rudolph is as old, if not older than me.
This is the Santa that I told about in my last post. His sleigh folds flat to store. All those little gifts are old perfume and jewelry boxes. I have to update the paper every few years because it tends to fade.
I'm still working on the garland. I was inspired by Nester's post and after much consideration about how to get it to stay up, we stuck some of those removable Command hooks to the bookcase because they do not want to work on the brick. I want to get some battery operated lights for it, because there is no where to plug it in.
Mr. Snowman is chillin' in his chair...
The coffee table in our Family Room. The antlers are just a few of Larry's souvenirs. He can tell you a story about each of them. I like how they look with the pine cone wreath and the leather.
That's it for the little tour, for now! I'm watching some football (GO VIKES!) and enjoying the Christmas music I chose for my playlist. I hope you have a great Monday!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Let the Decorating begin!

I can't believe I am showing ya'll this, but it is TIME TO DECORATE!!! Yes, it is finally time for me to dig in to this MASSIVE amount of Christmas decorations. Have I mentioned that I LOVE CHRISTMAS? This closet is obviously overflowing, but in my defense, some of these totes are there to put the fall/everyday decorations away. The turkey has been cooked and enjoyed, the family has been here and hugged and the dishes have been washed and for the most part, put away. So IT IS TIME! I get to unpack all the treasures that I look forward to every year. There's the Santa that I can remember sitting on top of our TV for as far back as I can remember (I think I was 4, maybe 5 years old - a LONG time ago!). His boot has a little chip in the front now, acquired somewhere over the years. There are snowmen. People, there are SNOWMEN! Larry and I have many collections, and EVERY room will be decked out. A few years ago we started collecting Rudolph figurines. This summer when we were in Branson, we found these three prizes. We really are just kids in an adult size package!





I'm off to tackle that mountain, be back with pictures soon!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Thanksgiving Trifecta!

I have three recipes to share today, just in case you are still planning your menu for tomorrow. All three of these are super simple, but sure to dazzle your guests. I've got you covered from start to finish with an awesome cheese ball, a side dish and a dessert!

Dried Beef Cheese Ball
2 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1 jar (I use Armour) dried beef, chopped in to tiny pieces
4 green onions, chopped
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Form in to a ball using wax paper. Chill. Serve with crackers.

I've been using this cheese ball recipe for years and it has always been a favorite at any occasion I've made it for. I've rarely had leftovers!

Here's a new twist for cranberry sauce. I got this recipe from my girl Paula Deen, so ya'll KNOW it's GOOD!

Mrs. Hoggle's Stuffed Cranberry Sauce
1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons Hellman's Mayonnaise
1/4 to 1/2 Cup chopped pecans
1 (16 ounce) can of Jellied cranberry sauce, chilled

Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise until creamy. It needs to be spreadable. Add pecans and mix well. Slice cranberry sauce in 1/4 inch rounds and spread cream cheese mixture on one round. Place another round on top, sandwich style. Cut each round in half like a sandwich, place in a shallow container and cover. Refrigerate until time to serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

This dessert recipe is another from Paula Deen. My Larry is not a huge fan of pumpkin pie, but he does like pumpkin in other things. I think you have to have pumpkin at Thanksgiving, and this is so good, and simple!

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
2 (14 ounce) packages gingerbread mix
1 (5.1 ounce) box cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30 ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip
1/2 cup crushed gingersnaps (optional)

Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar and cinnamon into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. (a punch bowl would work great for this) Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle the top with the crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Makes 20 servings.

So what makes Thanksgiving special for you? I'm thankful that our families will be able to spend time together. We all are so busy that we don't make time like we should, so it is a Blessing when everyone can spend the day together with the people we love. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Creamy Pumpkin Dip

Sorry for being AWOP (Absent with out Posting) this week! I had my Southern Living at HOME Holiday Open House on Saturday. I was busy with the cooking and planning and stressing and the blog took a back seat. As did the picture taking, so I can't show you how pretty the Berry Punch looked, or the No-Bake Chocolate chip cookie pie, so you will just have to trust me that everything looked beautiful. And tasted pretty fantastic too!

One of the YUMMY treats I made for Saturday was this dip recipe. By now you know I am a fan of EASY, and this fits that requirement. If you are looking for an alternative to the pumpkin pie this year, this is it.

Creamy Pumpkin Dip
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Stir in pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve immediately, or cover and chill. Makes 5 cups.
Serve Dip with Gingersnaps.

Just in case I get crazy with the whole thought of 20+ people coming for Thanksgiving dinner and forget to say this later, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A very Southern Living Christmas

This is the coolest thing! One of my upline Directors, Suzi Thorne(Direct to the company) decorated this tree with mostly Southern Living at HOME products! The Santos Angel tops the tree, and the Santos Wisemen are tucked in here and there. You can see the Holiday Door Bucket, and of course the Sacred Symbols and Brilliant Glass Ornaments are there. I even spotted a Gail Pittman Hand-Painted ornament or two! For a unique tree skirt, she used the Chateau shower curtain from our new Bath Collection. So Pretty! This won't be my tree's theme this year - but if money was no object, I'd be on it!

Have I mentioned I LOVE CHRISTMAS??

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Could it get ANY better? I think not! No baking, so it's easy! Chocolate chip cookies, YUM! AND it's PIE! YAY! This recipe comes from the Southern Living Incredible Chocolate recipes cookbook. (page 50)

1 (15 or 18 oz.) package chocolate chip cookies*
1 Cup Milk
1 (9 oz.) commercial graham cracker crust (extra serving size)
1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Dip 8 cookies in milk and place in a single layer in graham cracker crust. Top with 1/3 of the whipped topping. Dip 8 more cookies in milk; place on top; spread with 1/3 of whipped topping. Repeat layers with 8 more cookies dipped in milk, and remaining whipped topping. Crumble 2 cookies and sprinkle over pie. Cover and chill 8 hours before serving.

* For cookies, we used Nabisco Chunky Chips Ahoy. You'll need 26 cookies for this recipe (you MAY have a few leftover cookies in the package - we didn't!).

Monday, November 17, 2008

OOOHHH, AAAHHH - Drool with me...

PLEASE!
The product designers never cease to amaze me. Twice a year we get to introduce a new catalog with stylish ideas to decorate, entertain and organize our homes in a fashion that Southern Living at Home has made me come to expect. With each new catalog I always feel like it is THE BEST ONE EVER, and then it's time for another catalog and IT IS THE BEST ONE, EVER!


Exhibit A:
When the Fall 2008 catalog was released in August I was so impressed with the new Gail Pittman Hand Painted Collection, the Bath Collections we are now offering, and the new additions to some of my favorite collections. Of course I always love the Christmas decorations, and the unique ideas you find on every page.

Exhibit B:

Here is a little "sneak peek" of the new products available in January from your favorite Southern Living at Home Independent Consultant! (I hope that is me!)

(From top left)
Ornate Iron Two-Tiered Stand
Verde Accent Bowls, set of two
Chesapeake Appetizer Set (In the bowl)
Signature Flowerpot

(Second Row)
Camille Vases
Galveston Sectioned Server
Gail Pittman Veranda Footed Compote

I can't wait to see these items in person! The catalog should ship this week, and I am sure I will find more things in it that I will LOVE. If you would like a catalog to call your very own, email me your address and I will be happy to get one to you!

I was busy this weekend pouring through my recipes trying to narrow my list of foods I want to prepare for my Holiday Open House this Saturday. I think (hope!) I have a plan, and a grocery list ready. I'm really looking forward to my first event this Holiday season. How about you? Do you like to entertain? Or just be entertained? I'd love to hear your plans for the Holiday season!