WINTER
This category offers tips, inspiration and solutions for Everyday Living during the WINTER Season. Design, Decorating, Recipes, Tablescapes, Entranceway Design, Gifting and more. All about living with the season.
- CHRISTMAS, DECORATING, ENTERTAINING, GATHERINGS, HOLIDAYS, SEASONAL DECORATING, Setting the Table: Etiquette, WINTER, Winter & Holiday Entertaining
Seasonal Decor: Crazy For Crackers
Every year I find there is one item I tend to use over and over in seasonal designs. This year it looks like Christmas crackers are the winner. I didn’t start out to use them but have been finding them EVERYWHERE and they fit into each project in a different way. If you are not familiar with this tradition brought over from the United Kingdom here are a few of the “stories” behind them: “They were first made in about 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French ‘bon bon’ sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper), and one night, while he was sitting in…
- DECORATING, ENTERTAINING, EVERYDAY LIVING, FALL, Fall Entertaining, GATHERINGS, HOLIDAYS, In the News, SEASONAL DECORATING, Setting the Table: Etiquette, THANKSGIVING, WINTER, Winter & Holiday Entertaining
In the News: A Naturally Thankful Season {article published in Impart Magazine}
A NATURALLY THANKFUL SEASON No matter what part of the country you live in, for most Americans, Fall is a time filled with images of harvest, abundance, cool weather, and gathering with family and close ones. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the 2012 Fall Season officially begins on September 22nd and ends on the Winter Solstice December 21st but no one day most embodies the season more than Thanksgiving Day, or weekend if you are luck, filled with family, friends, laughter, sharing memories, and of course plentiful food. Preparing your home for that one day, however, can be overwhelming if you attempt to menu plan, shop, decorate, set the table…
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Bay Scallops Gratin #SundaySupper
Bay Scallops Gratin Ingredients 6 tablespoons LAND O LAKES®. Olive Oil & Sea Salt butter, at room temperature 6 large garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 medium shallots, minced 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto di Parma, minced 4 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 6 tablespoons good olive oil 1/2 cup panko 2 pound fresh bay scallops Lemon, for garnish Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place 6 (6-inch round) gratin dishes on a sheet pan. To make the topping, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with…
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Home Life: Tea Time. Remembering a forgotten ritual.
I lived two years of my childhood in London and grew up with a mother who to this day loves tea time, so how is it possible that yesterday I found my self searching through still unpacked boxes from two years ago for a Tea Pot. Had it really been TWO years since I brewed a full pot of tea and sat to enjoy it? Sure I have had a cup or two here and there {truth be told I am more of a coffee person on a daily basis. Decaf of course.} but not a true “spot of tea”. Climbing around in the garage and finally finding one of…
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The Foodie In You: Day After Tarts
The past weekend was filled with rushing here, need to be there, make this, bring that and not to mention all the various menu items our bodies are exposed to over the holidays. Although I honestly love every minute of it, the day after Christmas was the first day we had nowhere to be, no decorating to do, nothing to buy, and nothing on the schedule except for sitting on the couch and staring at our tree and watching movies. But there is still the question as to what should we have to eat?? Something super easy, not too heavy and quick to make. I first made these “tarts” a…
- CHRISTMAS, DECORATING, ENTRANCEWAY DESIGN, EVERYDAY LIVING, GARDENS, HOLIDAYS, SEASONAL DECORATING, WINTER, Winter Gardens
Seasonal Containers Greet Visitors at the Door
Clear out your fall containers and give them a seasonal look using greens from your garden or local market. Using the largest pots you have in groupings, leave about half the dirt inside to hold the various branches in place. I love to mix all kinds of colors and varieties in my containers but use what you have locally. I found these Golden evergreens with pinecones at a roadside stand and they are perfect to dress up the covered entrance of a clients home. Curly Willow and Red Dogwood branches add height, contrast and additional texture. Now you are ready to greet guests at your holiday cookie bake or a casual gift swap.…
