home about me our home

Monday, November 12, 2012

Don't Forget To Do THIS For Thanksgiving !



45

It Is That Time Of Year!
Time To Make A Check-list!



When I am planning a party, or a family get-together for the Holidays, as it gets closer to the event, I like to make a check list in order to help me keep on track.







Here is what I put on my list:

1.Pull together all the elements to be used to    decorate the table to make sure there is a nice flow.
 
2.Do a final count of guest.

3.Make place-cards for guest that go with table décor.


4.Make sure there are enough chairs and tables, if not go to Costco! 

5.Wash and iron linens (don’t forget the lavender linen water for napkins.)
  
6.Write down the final menu.
  
7.Gather all recipes and put in zip-loc bag, or for the more techy, make a file on your computer with all the recipes.
   
8.Get out all appropriate serving dishes, platters and whatever serving utensils needed.
  
9.Now is a good time to make sure you have enough plates, glasses and utensils.

10.Make my shopping list.

11.Clean and fill all salt and pepper shakers.( I have the mini individual shakers for my table.)

12.If you plan on cooking anything new, this is a good time to try it out first.







Handy tip: 
I place all serving pieces on my dining room chairs with a post-it note of the food that will go in them. The chairs are pushed in so out of sight out of mind, but I won’t be the one with my head in a cupboard looking for the big bowl for the mashed potatoes! 



 


Handy Tip:
I make a list of things I can purchase now, and the things I need to purchase fresh just a couple of days before the event.





Handy Tip: 
Make a time line for when things need to go in and out of the
oven .  I put it on a 3X5 card next to the stove. I find this helpful because by this time guest have arrived and want to visit. I personally can get side-tracked so this keeps me on track.





I know we all have our own methods, but this what has worked for me for years so I thought I would share it with you.





Do you all have some Handy tips to add? Please let us know by leaving a comment. I always love to learn from my readers.

Happy Check-list Making!!
Posted by Kathysue at 3:00:00 AM 15 comments

Saturday, November 10, 2012

You Are Going To LOVE These Side-Dishes!!





 I know better than to mess with a family’s stuffing recipe, mashed potatoes, or how they like their turkey.

We all have our tried and true family favorites so we have to have those sitting on the table for sure.

However, when it comes to side dishes I think it is fun to have at least one surprise up our sleeves for our guest.

It is time to get serious about what we will be serving this Thanksgiving the clock is ticking!

I promised you some FOOD on my next post so here we go. Shall we start with some fun ways with sweet potatoes?


SWEET POTATOES



These are the famous sweet potatoes from Ruth Chris restaurant. I just might try these this year. Click on the source at the bottom of the image and it will give you the recipe.

Here is a festive idea for presentation of the sweet potato recipe, without the marshmallows of course because of the delicious nut/crumb topping…..


I think the orange would add just a nice little essence to the sweet potatoes, don't you?


GREEN VEGETABLE



Roasted brussel sprouts with Cranberry-Pistachio pesto. Now doesn’t that sound YUMMY?



Roasted Asparagus sesame bundles. I have made this, in fact I have made this a couple of times. It is absolutely a winner and so yummy.

The presentation with the bacon wrapped around the asparagus bundle is so pretty. I did pre-cook my bacon a little bit so it was still pliable, but then when it went in the oven with the asparagus it became crispy. That is how I like my bacon.

SALADS



Autumn chopped salad, how can you go wrong with cranberries, apples and pecans with a poppy seed dressing. I think I could eat my weight in this salad!


Mandarin orange salad is one of my favorites, and it is always a welcomed sight on the dinner table.


Pear salad with raspberry cream dressing. How bad can that be? Unless you don’t like pears or raspberries, then I guess it would be a bad thing.

This next salad is not going to be for everyone because it involves beets, which I happen to love, but I know not everyone does.

I just had to share it…..



Orange-beet salad with pecans! This gal says, “YUM!”


 You will notice that I did not post one single itty-bitty dessert!! Why? you might ask! Because dessert is my favorite!! I need an entire post just for dessert.

I shared with my hubby that I was writing a post on food for Thanksgiving dinner and he said,(remember he is a man of few words), “Turkey and dessert!”

Now why didn’t I think of that?

Come back for more Thanksgiving  post on prepping, and of course DESSERT!!!

 
 
Posted by Kathysue at 4:42:00 PM 16 comments

Friday, November 9, 2012

Taking Your Holiday Table OVER-THE-TOP!!

 

I promised you all more ideas for your Holiday tables, and I am a girl that keeps her promises!!!

Today I thought we would explore more special additions for your table.

You know! The kind of ideas that take your table over the top, and will leave all of your guest thinking you most likely have a close relationship with none-other than Martha Stewart herself!!


This is obviously an ice cream scoop, but this could easily apply to your silverware. I love the simple knot that is tied around the scoop. Much more classic than a bow.


Visualize this napkin in a dark brown with a Fall leaf in front of it, or a red napkin with a piece of holly or pine in front of it. See how you can tweak an idea and make it applicable to the occasion you are celebrating?

Speaking of napkins check out this next line-up!………


This would definitely take your table over the top!



This is actually off of my last year’s table. I love the criss-crossing of the silverware. Notice I tied a knot, not a bow. I also used double-faced satin ribbon. I learned that from Martha! She and I are tight like that!!!


This is last years Easter table, but could easily change into a Thanksgiving or Christmas table. 

Just think of a flower for the season, and for Thanksgiving add a nut in the spoon instead of an egg, and for Christmas a tiny ornament, Voila! you now have an appropriate setting for the season!!



How about dressing up your chairs a bit!! Easy to do with a place mat, or a runner, just tack on some ties,  and use the color of your choice, and you have something that looks special. 

The little skirt for the seat would require some sewing skills ( probably not happening in my lifetime) so you could skip that part, but the little top dressing would be fun to do!

BUFFET STYLE


If you are having buffet style this is a perfect way to stack your plates with a little decorative, and colorful accent.


Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Ladies, notice No bows, just a simple knot!

(You might notice I keep saying no bows!? I feel when it is a small area like around a napkin a knot looks best, unless it is for a little girls birthday or baby shower. IMHO! But if you like a bow, TIE AWAY!)

Another fun buffet idea for your silverware. You could use coffee beans, split peas, black-eyed peas, you get the idea!


FOR THE MINIMALIST


For a minimal, nature inspired table this simple twig is the answer for you, and your guest!!


 CLEVER THRIFTING


I ♥♥♥ this idea. You know how you will sometimes see a single lonely, but beautiful lid at the Thrift stores? Well, now you have a use for them.(they also look really great in a group on the wall.) They serve as a perfect place to attach a name card for each place-setting!







You have to admit this is ADORABLE!!


Speaking of ADORABLE, check out this little mini terrarium…


This could also be given to each of your guest as a take-home!!


Easter2011046600x800_thumb2
This is from my Easter table, but I wanted to show you the cute napkin belts that my Mom made for me.

An easy DIY, just buy the loop kit at the fabric store and hand stich them to a ribbon of your choice. 

I can use these for Christmas too since they are green. Next I want some black and white striped belts!!
 NOW I AM INSPIRED
The fun thing about writing a post like this, is I get inspired all over again. I love this time of year and look forward to the time we get to spend with our loved ones.

So if you want to take your table over the top, just use one of these fun ideas!!

Happy Tablescaping!!

Next post will be about FOOD!!
(ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUBJECTS!) 

 
Posted by Kathysue at 9:08:00 AM 16 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)