Wednesday, November 24, 2010

2010 Thanksgiving Day

The Thanksgiving Table is set.
The new silver turkey is taking center stage.

The table is layered with a taupe, cream and dark brown striped tablecloth, I used the underside of another tablecloth for texture in the tablescape....I love the underside print as well as the topside.
 The placesetting begins with a cream woven round placemat, silver charger, chocolate "Fiesta" plate, and a turkey printed plate I purchased at HomeGoods.

The chocolate "Fiesta" flatware was wrapped in a cloth napkin and placed in stemware to allow more room on the table.

Silver Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers accented with colorful acorns.

One of our all time favorite cookie is

Gretchen’s Sugar Cookies
1 c     Butter
1 c     Sugar
1       Egg
3 c     Flour
2 tsp  Baking Powder
1 tsp  Vanilla
 

 
The secret to this recipe is to :  
Roll out with powdered sugar  (no flour)































I used for the first time a "SILPAT" I purchased from  Sur la Table (made in France)  It worked great!         


Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Let cookies cool and then frost with: 

Buttercream Frosting
1 lb   Powdered Sugar
¼ tsp Salt
¼ c   Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1/3 c (2/3 stick) Soft Butter

Beat with electric mixer until smooth;  scrape bowl often

Our family loves this recipe and it is suitable for every holiday.














We,also, love the Tollhouse mini chocolate chip cookies recipe straight from the package..

 In between all this work, we had to stop and play some games.
I want to thank my three grandsons, Eli, CJ, and Davis for helping me have a fun time preparing the food (and also tasting to make sure it would be good for our Thanksgiving meal)



And a big thanks to CJ for cleaning up because Grammy can not cook without making a BIG mess.

I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED AND FUN-FILLED 
THANKSGIVING DAY
WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Please enjoy some other beautiful posts I am linking to:


Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Feather Your Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Silver Sunday at

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Pre- Thanksgiving Tablescape

Even though it isn't Thanksgiving Day, I like to give thanks everyday so I am using some Thanksgiving elements to make a tablescape for tonight's dinner.

The first layer is a runner that is white with black dots and black trim.
Also, I used the black iron stand with crystals to give height to the candle.


The place settings were layered with a white round straw placemat, silver charger, large black plate and a white salad plate because of the scalloped edge.



The small black plate with white dots is added to give a neutral palette for any accent color.



Since the table is black. it is hard to see that the white cloth napkin has a black ribbon edging.
The flatware is black with silver which gives it some bling.




The black crystal stemware keeps the palette neutral.


This is where any color can be used to accent.



Since it is close to Thanksgiving, the battery operated ORANGE candle 
with frosted fruit gives the centerpiece a punch of color.


The glittered pumpkin and more frosted fruit adds more sparkle.



Using the brightly colored foil turkey gives some whimsy.




A few falling leaves anchor the tablescape together.


Pulling all the elements together gives a simple but cheerful tablescape.


This setting could be used for Thanksgiving Day but I chose to use it as a Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner.
I am setting at least 12 Thanksgiving tables for an event this weekend.  I posted about it last year if you want to check it out click here.
I haven't had time to set my Thanksgiving table yet but I purchased a new turkey this year so come back for an introduction.

I'm Thankful for all of you that take time to read and
leave a comment on my blog and for the Blogs that have linked parties.


Parties I am linking to:
Thursday Tablescape at Between Naps on the Porch 
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Just Saying Hi

I just wanted to stop by to say HI.  Mr. VH and I flew to Philadelphia to visit with our son and dil.  We had a great time and then we drove to Southern California to meet friends for some shopping and golf.   I hope to have some posts for you when we get home by this weekend.

Please check back soon.   Have a Great Day.

Monday, November 1, 2010

One Year Blogaversary Giveaway Revealed

Drum roll please!

I used the Integer Generator at Random.org to select the number for this giveaway.

Congratulations to my Special  Friend  BEVERLY at
MY SEW SWEET STUDIOS.

I kind of feel like Publishing Clearing House because I am going to take this bag of goodies to her since we live in the same city, knock on her door, and present it to her before I reveal this post.  I think I better go get balloons too.  This is going to be so much fun.  I will try to snap a picture to show you.  This seems so appropriate since Beverly and I started our blogs at the same time and we were on the phone constantly helping each other and encouraging each other.  Thank you Beverly for all that you have done and continue to do  for me.  I was blessed when we moved next door to you and your family 35 years ago.  

















I had to show even the silly pictures.  I had such a fun time surprising Beverly.


If you want to know what was in the giveaway bag, Beverly will probably be showing it on her blog soon.  Also, if you want to be inspired, buy handmade items or have some custom sewing done you will want to visit Beverly at My Sew Sweet Studio.


Thank you everyone who entered this giveaway.  I hope you entered as followers but now have become friends.  I look forward to sharing many more fun times with you.