My Dining Room's Identity Crisis!!!

In the span of less than two weeks time,

my dining room has gone from this....



...to this...

and back to this,

with a little of this...

...and this, in between.

Finally, to this, today!

My decorating is done.

Let the holidays begin!

Whew!

This week I'll be linking with

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Guilty Pleasures

Did you hear about the $42 million dollars this movie earned this past weekend?

$15.00 of it was my money.

My daughter Kate was home for the Thanksgiving weekend

and like many other Americans, we went to the movies.

I'm afraid we both enjoy deriding the TWILIGHT SAGA,

(books and movies),

but we were right there with everyone else

to see the latest installment.

I only made it through the first book, but Kate has

read them all and enjoys telling me the many ways

the books fail as well written books.

She scoffs at the movies and

takes the attitude she's only seeing them

to give her poor old Mom someone to go with.

I myself have enjoyed the movies.

They are what they are.

Pure entertainment and fantasy.

Since I haven't read past the first book,

it's all an unfolding story to me.

And, if nothing else,

sitting and watching such pretty people,

vampires and werewolves not withstanding,

is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. 

2011 Holiday Show Highlights

Welcome to the highlights of our

2011 Holiday Fiber Show and Sale



Last weekend, Buttermilk Cottage

played host to a wonderful event

which highlighted the work of

several area fiber artists.

Our wares varied from woodturning to...

...to all sorts of wearables.

There was origami,

jewelry and

all sorts of handmade holiday ornaments.

We had felted photo albums,

hats and scarves,

and wreaths.

My bedroom became a ladies' boutique!

There were even a few little mice to be found:

A good time was had by all!

We ended the show Sunday afternoon

and I've spent the past couple of days

reclaiming my house!

Looks a bit boring today after all the activities, doesn't it?

But, we're all set for Thanksgiving and I'm heading

to the airport in an hour to pick up my sweet girl Kate,

for a holiday weekend at home.

I'm so thankful for all the joyous things in my life,

one of which is all of you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This week I'm linking with Kim at

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style.

Happy Birthday Rick!

When I was 13 years old,

my Mom and Dad brought a new

baby brother home.

Since that day,

he's been "my" guy.

I watched Rick grow up,

and take on the responsibilities of a man.

I have seen him face many of life's most

difficult challenges with grace and strength.

Rick is a career Navy man and as a result,

has had to be separated from his family

for long stretches.

Even now, he and his sweet wife, Terry

are preparing for a three year tour of duty

in Germany.

(By the way, Terry has an incredible shop on

Etsy, Washington DC Chic.)

Some of my best memories are of times spent with Rick.

We share a love of movies, books, and cooking,

So, here's to you, Rick, the best man I know.

The other thing I know is that having you in

my life is one of the things that makes

my life sweeter.

Love ya!

Happy Birthday!



Favorite Things-- Cranberry Relish

It's almost Thanksgiving and I want to share

one of my all time favorite things with you.

When you read the ingredients,

they sound very unimpressive,

and a little strange,

but I promise it's wonderful.

And easy.

Evelyn's Cranberry Relish

(named this because my friend Evelyn gave

me this recipe years ago.)



Mix the following:

1/4 c Raven's Spice (mulling spices)

1 16-oz can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 20-oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple

1/2 c chopped pecans

The wild card here is the mulling spices.

I love this stuff so much I buy it wholesale by the case.

Of course, I also sell it during the Holiday Show & Sale,

and use it in the hot and cold apple cider we serve.

Drain excess juice if necessary. 

Heat in the microwave 5-8 minutes on high or

simmer in a saucepan or crock pot to thicken.

Could it be any simpler?

The beauty of this relish is what you can do with it.

Of course, it makes a great side for poultry or pork.

But, you can also use it over biscuits, pancakes or pound cake.

I LOVE it over ice cream.

And, when you're making turkey sandwiches

after Thanksgiving, put some on too.

Yumm.....

This week I'm linking with

Tasty Tuesdays at 33 Shades of Green

Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

Coming Attractions!

Yesterday, for the first time,

 I saw a trailer for the upcoming movie,

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

I'm looking forward to it!

One of the things that slightly annoyed me about the book

was how every woman in it was

falling all over herself to get into bed with

the lead character, Mikael Blomkvist.

With Daniel Craig playing the part,

I'm pretty much over being annoyed.

Absent but not Idle!

Do you ever feel as though you're in a race with the clock?

As though there are not enough hours in the day,

for all the things

you need to do,

want to do?

That's my life right now.

Nancy and I are working diligently getting ready

for our upcoming Holiday Show.

One week from today is our Preview Party. (tick, tock...)

I've been frantically trying to finish up last minute projects,

organize things,

inventory and price items.

As a result, the disorder in my house is beginning to

strain my comfort level.

(Have I ever told you I'm a bit of a control freak?)

 

I almost can't stand to go into my office/sewing room.

As a result, some things are being ignored.

My little blog has been sadly neglected lately.

And it's been ages since I've "gone visiting!"

I have been accomplishing some things though.

The invitations are in the mail...

I have just sent off a large wholesale order of really cute bags

to Yarn Expressions in Huntsville, Alabama.

And I've completed lots of cute little sheep ornaments

made from "up cycled" felted sweaters.

What's on your "to do" list today"

Mine is a mile long.

I keep reminding myself to

"enjoy the journey."

 You enjoy the weekend!

Acorn Squash--An Elegant Side

Fall is acorn and butternut squash season!

Acorn Squash in its shell is a great, and easy side.

Here's how:



This recipe calls for 1 medium acorn squash,

but it's very easy to add more and adjust your recipe.

Plan on 1 squash for every 2 servings.

Cut squash lengthwise into halves

(they are very hard, so be sure you're on a solid surface),

Cover with plastic wrap.

Microwave at high for approximately 6-9 minutes.

When soft, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

Discard seeds and fibrous material.

Scoop out squash and reserve the shells.

In a food processor or blender, evenly chop

2 T onion

1/4  c loosely packed parsley sprigs.

Add

scooped out squash

2 T butter, melted

2 T sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

Puree until smooth.

Taste and adjust seasonings

Spoon into shells.

Sprinkle with a mixture of bread crumbs and butter

(about 1/4 slice of bread

2 t/ melted butter)

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

2 t. melted butter

Enjoy!

This week I'm linking with

Tasty Tuesdays at 33 Shades of Green

Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum