Yellow Rose Arbor

Valentine Decor

2012-01-30T19:43:00.037-05:00

I'm getting some of my Valentine decorations done and will be linking to several parties. Thanks to all the ladies who host the fun parties so we can share!

The vignette above is in the living room.

This etched cloche displays red roses and two little birds made with music notes.

The sheet music is from an old hymnal, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

The white figurine was a gift from a friend a few years ago.

The black wire tray behind the cloche ties it all together.

The key is symbolic of "Key to my heart!"

The vignette below is in the family room:

I used the little girl bust next to the terrarium

I think she is so pretty!

A red rose and tiny flowers decorate the book display

I keep this wire basket on the table and change it with seasons. The red glass ornaments are displayed on the shredded red tinsel.

A favorite Valentine is displayed inside the terrarium with candles and two red lovebirds, can you see the tiny birds in front of the big candle?
Do you save your Valentines from years past? I can never throw them away!

The red valentine decor add a nice touch to the earth tones in the family room!

I add sparkly hearts in with flowers already displayed (below:

I always use this large heart ornament on the mirror on the hall tree in the foyer:
But I change the vignette each year on the tabletop of the hall tree. This is what I have this year:

I always like to use this plaque at the front door, and I also use on my blog banner:

I hold my breath each year when I hang this big glass heart, I'm so afraid it may fall on the marble top, or the ceramic tile on the floor!! Yikes!!

This year I made the tabletop a little more simple:

The top of the mirror is also decorated with red silk flowers:

A warm welcome into our home!

I'll have more Valentine Decor soon, please return!

I'm linking to the following parties:

Marty's Table Top Tuesday
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, click on their names for lots of inspiration.

Frenchy Vignette

2012-01-23T22:34:00.010-05:00

I've been working on my Valentine vignettes, but didn't finish so wasn't going to join in the Tabletop Tuesday this time, then I remembered it's Marty's 100th post party, so I quickly took some pictures of a vignette I haven't shown yet. It isn't a Valentine vignette, I hope to have those next week! This pretty "Emilie" plate was found at Home Goods. The fleur de lis clock from Hobby Lobby, and the keys from T.J. Maxx.

Congratulations, Marty on the 100th anniversary!

Thanks also, to Marty for hosting, click on her name for lots of inspiration!
I'm also linking to Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, click on her name for lots of fun!

New Vignettes

2012-01-16T20:29:00.021-05:00

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday today. Thanks, Marty for hosting so we can share. Click on her name for lots more fun!
I'm slowly getting my tabletops done after taking away the Christmas decorations. (Note, the key word here is slowly!!)

The pretty bird is left over from Christmas. I decided I like it so much I would use it year round instead of just for Christmas. I bought it at Hobby Lobby before Christmas at half price.

This vase also came from Hobby Lobby, but the wire tray behind it was from T.J. Maxx, both were very inexpensive!
This vignette is on the end table beside the settee in the living room.

I'm enjoying it!

Another tabletop is in our family room, on top of my large curio cabinet.

Last year I used this gold mercury glass bowl in front of the wire tray, but wanted a change.
It goes nicely with this candlestick and little bird:

Two new vignettes, but using other things used in the past, only in a different way.

I'll tell you a little secret - I had another vase of flowers here, but last week I decided to use it as the centerpiece for the tablescape I did! Click here to see that vase!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my newest vignettes!

I need to get busy and create more table tops! Anybody else having a hard time getting new tabletops done? I've even "lost" a few things that I put away before Christmas! Anybody else do that? I know they are here somewhere, I just need to find them! LOL!

I'm also linking to Kathy, A Delightsome Life, Home and Garden party, click on her name for lots of inspiration!

New Tablecloth!

2012-01-11T21:53:00.016-05:00

I'm joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday with a new tablescape. Click on her name for lots more inspiration.

I haven't been buying anything new to do tablescapes with, using only what I already have. A few days ago we went to Home Goods and saw this beautiful tablecloth. My husband encouraged me to get it because it matches our burgundy and gold dining room perfectly.

The price tag was right, being only $9.99! It is a nice thick polyester cloth with a sateen finish.

It is 70"x108" - a very nice size!
My butterscotch yellow dishes, flatware, and amber crystal is also perfect with it!
I enjoy using the amber etched goblets whenever possible!

So happy I also had napkins that match and the napkin rings too!

I also had a centerpiece that is right!

I played with this a while before leaving it like this (above.) At one point I had the beaded garland surrounding the vase. I also added the sheer gold napkin to tie in with the china more.

Rain was predicted today and it was cloudy, so when the sun started shining I grabbed the camera and quickly took these pictures!

I'm so happy my husband encouraged me to buy the beautiful tablecloth, it really looks lovely!

Won't you join us?

Thanks to Susan for hosting!

I'm also linking to Kim's Wow Us Wednesday! Click on her name for lots of fun!

Something New

2012-01-03T22:03:00.015-05:00

Partridge in a Pear Tree

I found this adorable keepsake ornament in a Hallmark shop before Christmas and couldn't resist buying it! It is the first in a series, so they will probably have twelve of them, one each year until they go through all twelve in The Twelve Days of Christmas song!

It is so unique in design
Edythe H. Kegrize is the Hallmark artist who designed this one.

Since we didn't put our big tree up this year I displayed this new ornament on this candle stick!
This ornament isn't real Christmas looking so I'm leaving it out for a while (maybe all year!)

Each of the twelve ornaments in this new series will feature the subject from a different day in the song.

I can hardly wait to see what the next twelve ornaments will look like! I won't say how old I will be when the last one is presented! LOL!

Happy New Year!

I'm linking to Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, and Creative Tuesdays, click here for more art on Twelve Days of Christmas!

P.S. - It was only $12.99 and I had a 20% off coupon! Nice price!

Disney Gingerbread House

2011-12-28T22:28:00.021-05:00

Before Christmas, we went over to Disney World to spend the day with our granddaughter and her parents. We didn't go to the parks, but did go to the Grand Floridian Hotel to see the real gingerbread house!

This is the 13th year Disney has featured the gingerbread house, the first one was in 1999.
You could smell it as soon as you entered the large hotel!

Here we are with Elisabeth:

Employees are inside the gingerbread house and they sell gingerbread people, gingerbread "shingles," and a lot of other very expensive goodies. The gingerbread cookie was $4.25, about the cheapest item, except for a chocolate chip cookie for $3.00.
I must say, the gingerbread cookie was delicious, just a hint of ginger!
It takes the Grand Floridian cast more than two months and 840 hours of labor to produce, cut and bake the 5,089 "shingles" used to decorate the Gingerbread House.

You are never too old to enjoy seeing a real gingerbread house! Joe and I enjoyed the cookies too!

The beautiful Christmas tree at Grand Floridian Hotel!

You can't tell how huge these ornaments are

The swans are at least two-feet in diameter!

The grand staircase:

Outside Grand Floridian:

Have you ever seen one of the gingerbread houses? I wonder if they change the style from year to year?

Do you like gingerbread? I made some a few weeks ago (with a Betty Crocker mix!) I used to make it when my children were small. I always serve it with warm lemon sauce! Too bad I forgot to take pictures when I made it!

I'm linking to The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday, click on her name for more!

Happy New Year!

Oh, Deer!

2011-12-26T20:09:00.026-05:00

Thanks to Alison at The Polohouse for hosting Favorites on the First! Click on her name for lots more collections! I tend to collect a lot of things, not just Nativities. I didn't realize I collected deer until I did this post recently. I also collect yellow depression glass, yellow rose tea cups, tea pots, anything with yellow roses, angels, roosters, and clocks! I keep a lot of these things packed away and only display them on certain occasions. I'm posting two of these collections since they are handy!
Oh, deer, Santa's reindeer must be exhausted from their long flight! I just love the stately reindeer and have accumulated enough to qualify for a "collection!"

I think I bought the gold deer above at Steinmart.

The one above is made from metal. I bought it several years ago from Home Interiors. We were at Pier 1 today, and they had a metal one similar to this, but more expensive!

I think this pretty white beaded deer below came from TJ Maxx:

I've had this pretty stately looking gold deer below for many years:

This large metal deer is atop our china cabinet in the dining room:
I couldn't get a true color of the wine colored wall, this one above is too purple looking.

The one below is too red!

This deer is carved from wood:

Another metal deer:

Now to some fun whimsical deer!

I think these two below are handmade, may have bought them at a craft show.

Their bodies are bells!

How funny is this big soft, fat, deer!!

These little deer are small soft toys, the grands enjoyed playing with them!

Small plush deer on wheels, and bigger one on rockers!

Don't they just make you smile?

How cool is this reindeer with leg warmers!! LOL!

The tall deer below is made of a straw-like material:

Do you have a favorite of my collection of deer?

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to a good New Year!

I'm linking to Marty's Table Top Tuesday, and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday and Alison's Favorites on the First. Click on their names for lots more fun!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2011-12-24T20:54:00.011-05:00

Some folk art Nativites in my collection:

Handpainted Baby angel with Baby Jesus

Flower Pot nativity:

I framed a favorite Christmas card:

One of my favorite Nativities:

This says it all:

Thank you, Jesus, for coming!

Merry Christmas everyone!

New Christmas China

2011-12-21T20:42:00.027-05:00

I have some new Christmas china! Last year my daughter gave me a few pieces of this pretty pale yellow Fiesta china, mainly because it matches the Fiesta china we use for our everyday china. I also have it on my wish list this year, so may receive more!
This is a real tablescape that real people will be eating at, not imaginary people! LOL! I quickly put this together today using what I had on hand. I chose to use this burgundy tablecloth instead of a green one, I like the contrast with the pale yellow.
I used tiny toys for the centerpiece, some things that may be under the tree, along with a mini tree and a Santa:

The yellow flatware also coordinated better than any other:

Close-up of the Christmas tree on the salad plate:

It doesn't have a name on the back, just the Fiesta logo, I think it is just called Christmas Fiesta.

After taking these pictures and posting them on my blog tonight I realized I had forgotten to use the Christmas mugs in the pictures! Tonight I tried to take more pictures, but the lighting is so bad, the colors are off, and the flash didn't work either. I'll show them anyway, sorry about the poor quality.

Christmas mug:

Okay, back to the daytime photos, the true colors:

I hope you like my plain and simple tablescape! Nothing fancy! I even chose not to use chargers.

This is where we'll have our Christmas dinner of eye round roast, potatoes, carrots, peas, etc!

Won't you join us!

It will be a very small affair, my husband, his son, and me. You are welcome!

One more shot with the mug:

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new Christmas china!

I'm joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday, click on her name for lots more inspiration.

Merry Christmas!

Nativities

2011-12-19T21:00:00.063-05:00

As promised, I'm sharing my Nativity collection. I counted about 30, but don't have my Nativity tree with ornaments up this year. I like to display them differently each year, except for a few I like so well, they make an encore presentation!

The one above, and below are new designs this year.

I found some new "hay" to use as a floor base to several of the designs, it was only a $1 at Dollar Tree!
Look for it in several of the designs!

Since I am known for my love of yellow roses, I was delighted to find this yellow Nativity:

It is perfect on my yellow rose chest in the dining room!

This one always must be displayed on the coffee table in the family room.

The vignette is different this year:

I added the red poinsettia, and of course the new "hay!"

This plant stand is in the living room:

The white Italian Nativity is on the top at the base of the angel

A white pearl finished Nativity is on the bottom:

with a single white rose

Flight to Egypt

Several small "shelf sitters" are around the columns in the dining room:

This one is on top of the small doll curio in the living room:

This Nativity is on the bottom of my yellow tea cart:

This Nativity is displayed on our vintage sewing machine

with the antique clock:

The Baby Jesus and little angels are on the Butler's table in the living room:
Pearls are used instead of hay:

This one is on the large doll curio in the family room:

This large Nativity is in the niche between the dining room and family room:

The picture below is a framed Christmas card we sent one year:

The Fontanini Nativity my husband brought me from Italy:

A friend made this pine cone wreath for me this year. I displayed the only new Nativity I bought this year (at TJ Maxx) It is on a little round mirror. This is on the breakfast nook table.

Our foyer has the Nativity used on my blog banner:

The "hay" was a fun addition this year!

I used this white Nativity in a tablescape recently:

Nativity pillow:

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Nativity collection and some of the new ways they are displayed this year. Do you have a favorite? It's hard for me to choose a favorite, but this one is in the top ten:
and this one because of the uniqueness:

and this one:

and of course the yellow Nativity with yellow roses!
Oh, it's just too hard to choose, I love them all!!

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday, and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday. Click on their names for lots more decor entertainment!

Merry Christmas!

Table Top Tuesday

2011-12-12T20:29:00.017-05:00

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, with a few more of my Christmas decorations. Click on their names for lots more inspiration.

These next few photos are of decor in the family room of our house.

I collect unusual looking Santa's. The one above dressed in white I found at Marshall's a couple of years ago.
The Santa plate is from Hobby Lobby. The metal reindeer is from a decor party sales (can't remember the name of it!)

The "Believe" sign is displayed on top of our antique railroad clock with a Victorian Santa next to it. This clock is in our family room. The lights dangling from it are made from wood!

A cute collection of Santa's are at the end of the sofa in the family room:

This ceramic snowman holds a candle votive. I'm sure the light will be pretty shining through.
This snowman is displayed on a plant stand in the living room. I'll show the other little shelves of this plant stand soon.

This is the top of my computer armoire.

The doors are closed, but this is where I sit at my computer daily!

I have a music theme on top this Christmas:

Below - this is probably as close as you'll ever get to seeing the inside of my computer armoire!

It can get rather messy inside there!

While up on the ladder taking the pictures of the armoire, I took this picture below:
It's a sneak preview of my upcoming Nativity collection that I will be sharing soon for Christmas. This one is on top of my antique sewing machine. Please return in a few days to see my collection of Nativities displayed throughout our house!

Merry Christmas!

Tablescape Thursday

2011-12-07T21:49:00.017-05:00

I'm sharing my present tablescape and joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday. Thanks to Susan for hosting for us weekly so we may share! Click on her name for lots more inspiration.

I named this tablescape "What Christmas Means"

Christmas means the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Christmas means Love:

Christmas means Joy:

Christmas Means Hope:

Christmas means Peace:

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to bring all this to us!
Praise God for this!!

These plates are from Cracker Barrel a couple of years ago.
I have them with green chargers (from Target) White dinner plates (from Dollar Tree) "Crystal look" flatware from Ross, burgundy napkins, and lace tablecloth over a red and green plaid tablecloth.

The Centerpiece:
I've forgotten where I bought this Nativity

It was probably from Hobby Lobby!

I apologize for the poor lighting in some of these photos. To be honest, I forgot to finish taking
the pictures! I've had this tablescape out a week and was waiting for the perfect time to finish taking pictures, then forgot to do it until it was dark tonight, so I had to use the flash!

The picture below is from two years ago when I did a tablescape on December 2, 2009
As you can see I only had the small dessert plate. I bought the salad plates after that Christmas when they went on sale. I used a green tablecloth and napkins, different chargers, different crystal goblets, and different flatware.

Can you see the difference?

I hope you enjoyed seeing my tablescape!

I'm also linking to No Minimalist Here, click on her name for more holiday dining!

Merry Christmas!

Table Top Tuesday

2011-12-05T22:19:00.038-05:00

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday and sharing some of my Christmas decor. Thanks to Marty for hosting, click on her name for lots more inspiration.
I'm enjoying this Hobby Lobby Lantern so much and decorating it with each season. Christmas decor is so pretty and we can get away with "going over the top!"

Our granddaughter, Elisabeth, is coming to visit on Dec. 17th and I'm decorating with her in mind this year. Our family room features Santas and Snowmen.
I have a new item added to the top of the TV armoire in the family room:
I was so happy to find this large Snowman hat at Hobby Lobby last fall!
Doesn't it look cute with the Santa and elves vignette!
I left the tag on this Santa because it was only $3.99, a Hallmark offer if you bought three Hallmark Christmas cards! Sold!
It is the Santa from The Polar Express movie, he has the little bell in his hand!

Another Hobby Lobby purchase, doesn't it look pretty with the Thomas Kinkade plate!
I decided to leave the Jim Shores Nutcracker on the end table in the living room with the added plate and dove.

I always enjoy decorating the top of the china cabinet. It's about the same each year, but I do add a few new items. This year it's the white musical rocking horse.
I found the musical rocking horse at TJ Maxx last year. It's so pretty!

The large Santa plate is also from Hobby Lobby! What would we do without Hobby Lobby!!

The vintage look Christmas village is in the breakfast nook this year on the gate leg table:

This is something Elisabeth can play with when she is here.

Another display I did for Elisabeth is the Tea Room scene on the tea cart in the dining room:
The "Mistletoe Tea Room" was from Walmart several years ago. I've added a few pieces from here and there each year:
I think Elisabeth will enjoy this too!

I didn't put up the tea time tree this year, just the tea room vignette.
I'm also joining Kathy at A Delightsome Life and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, click on their names to go there.

Soon I will share my Nativity collection, I've counted 25 so far. Please come back to see!

Merry Christmas!

New Nutcracker

2011-11-28T21:04:00.042-05:00

I want to share a recent purchase I'm enjoying. I'm joining Marty's Tabletop Tuesday, click on her name for lots more fun!

I ordered this Jim Shore Nutcracker from QVC a couple of week's ago. I seldom ever watch QVC, but couldn't sleep one night and turned on the TV, there he was!

I like the detail artwork Jim Shore does. I think it is perfect for The Nutcracker!
I have just taken down my fall decor and will start Christmas decorating this week. This Nutcracker will be included in a special place, maybe here among these candle holders:

Maybe here on an end table:

I won't know until I get the other decorations out.

I have always liked Nutcrackers, The Nutcracker Ballet, and The Nutcracker books. I have three books that I bought, mainly because of the artwork in them.

This pretty book, by Illustrator Susan Jeffers, has glitter on the cover:
I found it at Books-a-Million after Christmas last year at 50% off, which made it only $8.50!

I will share a few pages from each book:

Isn't this a beautiful book!

Here's another one:

This one is E.T.A. Hoffmann's Classic Tale illustrated by Gail DeMarcken. I found this book at T.J. Maxx for $12.99.
Such detailed artwork, look at everything in the curio cabinet!

This is the first one I bought, it's an heirloom edition, illustrated by Don Daily.

The book mark has a Nutcracker charm on it!

Which is your favorite artist?

Do you have a Nutcracker, or any Nutcracker books?

This is one time I'm glad I couldn't sleep that night as I wouldn't have known about this Nutcracker!

Another reason I love Nutcracker soldiers is because my oldest grandson started collecting them when he was a little boy! It was fun buying them for him! His mother has now inherited his Nutcracker collection and enjoys displaying them.

I did it!

2011-11-22T20:30:00.028-05:00

I did it!! I bought and wrapped all our Christmas presents and had them ready to send back with each family member when they returned home from their Thanksgiving visit with us!

Don't hate me! LOL! Believe me, the high postal prices drove me to do this. It was hard to get the shopping done, then everything wrapped, but I was motivated to save the postage since they had to be mailed.

My children and grandchildren helped me a lot by sending us their wish lists, and even included the links to everything! I ordered most everything from Amazon.com and they have free shipping!

Granted, there's no Christmas tree up, and we can't sit on the sofa in the living room, but it's done! PTL!!

I had planned to do a tutorial on how to tie these bows, it is pretty easy and good results every time!
The hardest part is having to put your own finger on the "knot" if my husband wasn't available (which was most of the time, because I did almost all of the wrapping after he went to bed!)

I also couldn't take pictures for the tutorial because I didn't have enough hands, and never thought to ask hubby to do take the pictures when he was available!

I will try to explain and hope you can understand. First, wired edge ribbon is a must. Second: cut a piece of ribbon long enough to go around the package, with enough to tie and have long tails left. Third: Cut a shorter piece of ribbon to make two loops by bringing the two ends together, overlapping the ends. Pinch in the middle of the loop. Fourth: Tie the long piece of ribbon around the package, pulling and tying together tightly. Fifth: Place the center of the looped piece of ribbon in the knot area, then pulling the long ribbon tails into a tight knot. Usually one knot is sufficient.

(Is that "clear as mud??" LOL!)

Fluff the loops out, and give shape to the tails.

Cut a "V" in the tails, or angle them.

(Note: This wired ribbon will flatten out for traveling then fluff back up later.)
I had a lot of paper and ribbon left from last year stored in the attic and wanted to make sure I used it up this year, so I ended up with a lot of different paper packages!

Last year my grandson was obsessed with Thomas the Train and I had a lot of that paper, bought too much, so a lot left over this year.

I bought it only for the Thomas the Train design, I must say I didn't like that it says "Happy Holidays!" as I'm very adamant about "Merry Christmas" instead of Happy Holidays.

These are only a few of five-year-old Caden's gifts!

Plus, he always gets a large can of popcorn! This one has the CARS movie theme.

I love Tow Mater, and of course, there's Lightning McQueen!

Neat story about these boxes below. We have had several of these decorative hard boxes in the family for years and each year we give them to someone! I like the design so I just tie bows around them.

Have you started your shopping and wrapping yet?

I don't usually start or finish this early, but I was motivated to not have to pay postage! Now you see why I have been so busy and not blogging lately!

Do you see your present??

I hope you didn't mind an early Christmas post. I haven't started decorating yet, we always wait until after Thanksgiving to start!

Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your family, I know I sure will!

I'm linking to Wow Us Wednesday, thanks Kim for hosting! Click on her name for lots more fun!

Tablescape Thursday

2011-11-16T21:23:00.005-05:00

Since I am busy preparing for a house full of family for Thanksgiving, I want to share a few tablescape centerpieces I've used over the years. The white cornucopia below is one of my favorites. I've had it for over 15 years and I'm still not tired of it!

It presents a beautiful tablescape, as seen below:

I have two ceramic cornucopias, this one is brown:

Now to the turkeys:

I've had these wicker turkey baskets for almost 20 years.

The smaller wicker turkey basket:

This smaller turkey also has a lace bib with ribbons, but

different from the larger one.

This tablescape is on the table in the breakfast nook.
Rattan placemats and no tablecloth.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the four Thanksgiving centerpieces I have used over the years.

Filled with white faux magnolias and gold fruit.
The white Blessings block completes the centerpiece.

Gold leafed ceramic chargers from Pier 1 (20 years ago) with white Dollar Tree dinner plates. The ceramic pumpkins are from Dollar Tree.

I named this tablescape "Simple Elegance"

Give Thanks sign

I've had these cute little pilgrims for about 20 years, I think they are so cute.

The cute little pilgrims are peeking out of the roses.
I made these turkey floral arrangements over 15 years ago,
and glued lace on the breast of the turkeys.

Which Thanksgiving tablescape is your favorite?

This one?

This one?

Or....

This one?

Thanks to Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursdays, go here for lots more inspiration!

Plaque says: "Blessings - Remember to count them each and everyday"
(not just Thanksgiving! Added by me!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!
God Bless.

Tablescape Thursday

2011-11-09T21:33:00.027-05:00

Time for another tablescape! Thanks, to Susan for hosting, click on her name for lots more fun!

Inspiration for this tablescape came from this:
I found these beautiful beaded napkin rings at Home Goods!

I even found a second set at a different Home Goods! Right away I knew they would match these goblets I purchased this past year.
I had a difficult time deciding on the dishes and tablecloth, but finally decided on my butterscotch dishes on a gold brocade tablecloth!

The centerpiece:

You may recognize the yellow bird from last week's cloche party, she flew the coop (cloche) and landed right on the dining room table!

Right in the middle of faux fall leaves and roses.

View from the top:

I was rushing to beat the sun, which was coming through the window quickly.

A place for you:

And for my left handed friend!

It all started with this:

I know I will enjoy using these beaded napkin rings with many different colors, but I love how they coordinate with these goblets, and the burgundy!

I hope you like my golden autumn tablescape!

Thanks, again, to Susan for hosting!

Happy Autumn!

Cloche Party

2011-10-31T20:21:00.042-04:00

I always enjoy joining in on Marty's Cloche Parties! Click on her name for lots more cloche inspiration!

I have a few new items I used to display in some of my cloches. This little owl is a tree ornament, but I like him displayed in this cloche.

This cloche is in the breakfast nook on top of the bookcase I keep my cookbooks in.

The next cloche has a bird on top.

The little birds are covered in music paper:

I think they look neat displayed with Thanksgiving bounty and the "Give Thanks and Remember" sheet music.

I found the two little tree ornaments at Target last year.

This cloche is displayed on top of the curio cabinet in the dining room.

View from the top:

My large bell jar cloche has this yellow ceramic bird displayed:
It is displayed in our living room on the end table beside the settee:

You know how much I love yellow, so when I saw this yellow bird, I knew it had to come home with me!
I love the way the colors coordinate with the yellow bird!

I had so much fun creating these cloche designs! Do you have a favorite?

The cute little feathered owl?

The Music themed birds?

Or the pretty yellow bird?

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new cloche designs!

Whoooo is your favorite??

I have shown the below "cloches" recently, but will share them again for those who have not seen them.

Other cloches displayed in our house this fall:

In the family room

In the living room:

And in the dining room:

Check my last few weeks of posting to see more of these!

Thanks to Marty for hosting!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-26T19:19:00.034-04:00

Halloween is only a few days away and I have a little Halloween tablescape on our breakfast nook table. I'm joining Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday! Thanks, Susan, for hosting weekly! Click on her name for lots more inspiration.

Inspiration for this tablescape is this cute witch's hat:

We found this ceramic hat/server on sale at Cracker Barrel last year after Halloween. The original price was $20, but it was on sale for about $7.99 and we scooped it up, although I don't usually buy Halloween things. I had forgotten we had bought it and was surprised when I found it stored in the Halloween box! I guess it is a chip and dip server. The pointed hat removes for serving goodies inside.

What would you serve inside?

Goodies may also be served inside the witch's boot:

I bought it several years ago at Hobby Lobby. I love the little dangling candy corn on the toe!
The polka dot black cat also came from Hobby Lobby several years ago. He has a cute little Jack-o-lantern dangling on his neck!
The three make a cute centerpiece, don't you think?

I have several colors of these polka dot dessert plates, but only using the green and yellow here.
I found the polka dot plates at TJ Maxx, and/or Marshall's, and/or Home Goods.

View from the top:

Have you noticed anything missing?? I took a bunch of pictures, before I realized I didn't have
glasses on the table! Have you ever done that before? I have, and I have also forgotten to add the flatware, or the napkins! LOL!

I quickly added some glasses, then took a few more pictures!

I only have three of these yellow polka dot dishes, I looked everywhere to find more, but couldn't. If anybody has one, or more of them you would like to sell, please let me know!! Thank you!

I've also looked on Ebay, but couldn't find them :-(

I hope you enjoyed my little Halloween tablescape!

Happy Halloween!

Fall in Florida

2011-10-23T20:56:00.040-04:00

We don't have much fall foliage here in FL, so we have to make our own fall! I start by tucking in faux fall flowers here and there in places already in place. Such as on the tea cart:

The tea cart is in the dining room.

I always have some of my yellow depression glass displayed on the tea cart.
While we're in the dining room I'll show you other fall touches, starting at the ceiling:
The crystal chandelier looks like it's swinging back and forth, but it's just the way the photo is angled!
There are a few fall leaves on the chandelier.

I always tuck lots of fall things on top of the china cabinet, along with the vignette up there.

A little fall "jewelry" decorates the valance on the dining room window.

The living room is across from the dining room. I decorated the top of the computer armoire with silk fall leaves and flowers:

This is where I sit each night playing on my 'puter! I don't think you want to see the inside of this armoire!

Here's the little Butler's table used at the "coffee table" in the living room:
I did a vignette with my favorite ceramic pumpkin:
This vignette is on top of the curio cabinet in the living room (see four pictures up.)
It was hard to get a good picture, I tried with, and without the flash.

This little angel is on a plant stand in the corner of the living room. I tucked in faux leaves.

Again, a pic with and without the flash!

Before we move to the next room, even tho it was posted recently, I'm going to sneak in this picture of the foyer, since it is in the area of living room and dining room.
After coming through the foyer, the dining room is on the right, and living room on the left.

More faux leaves tucked in floral arrangements, this one in in the niche in the dining room:
Wicker pumpkins are at the side of the low curio cabinet:

Moving to the family room, the coffee table has this terrarium decorated for fall on it.

You will be seeing this again at Marty's Cloche Party next week!

I went looking for a vase to display these silk Aspen leaves in and found this one at Michael's.
It is now in the breakfast nook, waiting to be moved to the place that now displays the Halloween vignette.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the remainder of my fall decor. More fall decorations are posted here and here.

I'm linking to Seasonal Sundays, Marty's Table Top Tuesday, and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday, click on their names for lots more inspiration.

Happy Fall, Ya'll!!

Pheasantly Surprised!

2011-10-19T20:24:00.022-04:00

I'm joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday again, thanks, Susan, for hosting, we do enjoy playing with our dishes! "Click on her name for lots more inspiration.

Inspiration for this tablescape came from this pheasant, below:

It's a gravy boat!

I found this cute gravy boat at Home Goods several weeks ago. The price was right - $7.99! Since we're having our grandchildren here for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be perfect for serving the turkey gravy! His long tail is the spoon!

How cute is that?!

I built the tablescape around the colors in the pheasant:
The tablecloth is bronze colored with a leaf design. It was from Ross a few years ago. The chargers (from Hobby Lobby) have a bronze edge. The plates (from TJ Maxx) and flatware (from Tuesday Morning) are more of a butterscotch color than shown in the pictures.

The large check napkins were probably from TJ Maxx. Napkin rings from Hobby Lobby (last year.) The vintage green goblets are from the 70's!

The centerpiece was made from faux flowers and leaves, and displayed on a wire tray.

View from the top:

I chose to go with dark hues this time and it is quite effective!

The napkin rings are all different.

Another look at the gravy boat, were you pheasantly surprised? LOL!

And, only $7.99!!

I hope you were pheasantly surprised at the gravy boat, and the way this all came together!

Happy Fall!

Halloween and Scarecrows

2011-10-16T21:40:00.052-04:00

I only do a little Halloween decorating. I don't like scary Halloween, just cute Halloween. I have a few vintage look cute Halloween decorations. This year I bought the Halloween post card at TJ Maxx. The little kids behind the fence on it remind me of the ones (below) I have used the last few years.
This year I have them displayed on top of my doll curio cabinet in our family room. I found the ragged black cheesecloth at Dollar Tree.

The large candy corn pieces are glass.

I love these little Trick or Treaters!

See the one on the left side, he has candy corn tied on a stick!

How cute is that??

A little clown cutie with a black cat

I framed the Mary Englebreit witch a few years ago!

(Above) Trick or Treat -hanging from standing lamp next to curio cabinet.
Okay, now I'll share a little secret with you. The vignette above is the second one I did in the past few days. I started with using the Halloween post card in the background:

I just wasn't pleased with the look:

So, it went from this:

To this:

I had forgotten about the little framed witch, so I added it and it gave the added height needed.

The wooden Halloween post card was moved down to the wicker trunk at the end of the sofa, right beside the curio cabinet.

Don't you think this one looks better?

I have my scarecrow collection displayed on top of the TV armoire this year.

It's so hard to get good pictures because of those very high windows behind!

It's usually better to wait till dark and use the flash.

Yesterday I posted last year's tablescape using these scarecrows.
If you missed it, click here!

This welcome sign (above) sits on top of the TV

The scarecrow tassel hangs from the TV armoire door knob.

I carried out the scarecrow theme in the family room

The top of the antique clock has a vignette.

The CD holder has little scarecrows tucked in here and there.

The pic using the flash is probably better!

The flower pot scarecrows, and light bulb scarecrow are on the kitchen counter.

I tucked in faux fall leaves and cute little scarecrow picks to make this floral arrangement more fallish.

On the end table beside the easy chair!

I thought the flash would show the colors better, but it was too much.

A little scarecrow on a pumpkin on wheels, and a tiny scarecrow pick tucked in above.

Would you like some candy corn or pumpkin candy?

I almost forgot to show you the wooden Jack-0-Lantern I found at Ross recently. It has a tin witches hat on. I decided to use this one instead of a real pumpkin, as I can't eat pumpkin now and don't want to just throw it away. This one will save from year to year!

Our entryway.

Sometimes "Jack" sits on the bench, but it's supposed to rain today, so I have him under the sheltered area.

I still have more fall decorating to share, but since this is getting long, I'll do more another day!

TTFN!

Happy Halloween!

I'm linking to Marty's Tabletop Tuesday and Kim's Wow Us Wednesday! Thanks for hosting these fun parties, ladies! Click on their names for lots more fun!

Sunday Favorites

2011-10-15T19:06:00.003-04:00

As I was taking pictures of my scarecrow collection today, I remembered this tablescape from last year using my little scarecrows as the centerpiece. I thought I would share it again on Chari's Sunday Favorites. Thanks, for hosting, Chari! Click on her name for lots more fun!

This was posted on September 29, 2010:

We were in NY for five days (for my husband's 50th Class Reunion) and just returned last night so I had to quickly put something together for my tablescape!

My inspiration for this tablescape was my scarecrow collection.

I used my butterscotch yellow dishes (from TJ Maxx) with yellow and green plaid napkins, also from TJ Maxx.
The napkins are tied with raffia. The flatware is from Tuesday Morning. The only tan tablecloth I had is this crocheted lace, so I had to use it as nothing else I have worked!

The centerpiece is made up of lots of my scarecrow collection.

Some close-ups of the cute little scarecrows:

L to R: Scarecrow made of a light bulb, scarecrow on a hay wagon, and a stuffed pumpkin scarecrow.

This tall, skinny, floppy scarecrow came from Joann's Fabrics about ten years ago.

I think the scarecrow doll came from Walmart several years ago.

Scarecrow riding in a pumpkin with wheels.
Also a tiny scarecrow (front) riding on a pumpkin with wheels.

All of the above little scarecrows are on the front side of the table.
After taking most of the pictures I realized I had forgotten to add the scarecrow clock:

I added him to the left side of the table:

Front side of the table (above)

Back side of the table:

L to R:

Puffkins Scarecrow, scarecrow on ear of corn, flower pot scarecrow.

Below: scarecrow made with a block of wood, little doll scarecrow

I love this little "falling down" scarecrow!

Above: small flower pot scarecrow and another scarecrow on an ear of corn.

Back side of table (above.)

Front side of table:

Do you have a favorite scarecrow?

I hope you enjoyed seeing this scarecrow tablescape again!

Have a happy day!

God Bless.

Tablescape Thursday

2011-10-12T14:02:00.032-04:00

I have a new fall tablescape to share this week. Thanks to Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch , for hosting so we can share our fun addiction to tablescaping! Click on her name for lots more inspiration!
I'm using the Limoges salad plates a friend gave me with purple ruffled edge plates (from Walmart) I was concerned about the purple not photographing good, as so many times it looks black instead of purple.

I call this a harvest tablescape.

The centerpiece is a rustic tray (from TJ Maxx) displaying the orange Mercury glass pumpkin, beaded fruit, and purple candlesticks and candles on a purple scarf.

I was excited that my Green, purple, and orange goblets lended themselves well to this color scheme!

Four different fruit scenes adorn the salad plates. The one above has plums, the one below has apricots:

This one has yellow pears:

Apples:

Which is your favorite plate?

I really like the orange and purple together!

I thought it would be fun to show the tablescape I did last year with these same salad plates.

Click here to see the full post (Nov 11, 2010)

Which is your favorite tablescape using the Limoges plates?

I hope you enjoyed my harvest tablescape!

God Bless!

New Fall Decor

2011-10-09T21:40:00.034-04:00

I have been doing a little fall decorating and want to share with you! I did run into a bit of trouble with the photography since we're experiencing a tropical depression here in Fl and it's been cloudy and raining for two days. It's difficult to get good pictures with bad lighting.

This is our foyer.

I like to change the decor on the hall tree with each season. I didn't mean to show the umbrella stand in the picture above, but decided to leave it so the two pictures will also show up.

I kept it simple with only a few fall touches.

I keep this little sign on the hall tree at all times.

I also use it as my blog banner, as I hope all who visits my blog are blessed.

The bottom of the hall tree has a vignette of beaded pumpkins.
I purchased the tall pumpkin at TJ Maxx recently. I was happy to find it since I had seen a white one on someone's blog and loved it!

I had to use the flash and the beads on the pumpkins pick up a lot of the light causing them to look shiny (they don't shine!)

I'm enjoying this simple welcome in our foyer

You may remember this pretty lantern I purchased recently at Hobby Lobby with a birthday gift card. (Click here to see more.)

I dressed it up with faux fall leaves

I'll never light the candle, so I put leaves inside as well

This lantern sits on a low curio cabinet in the dining room. The dining room is just past the foyer, on the right.

The vignette below is on an end table beside the sofa in the family room:
The large wire platter is upright on a plate stand. A gold mercury glass bowl of beaded fruit is in front of it, with a small bird to the side.

I will share more pictures of fall decor, throughout the house, in the next few days.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my fall decor. I will also soon share a little Halloween decorating and my scarecrow collection.

I'm linking to The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays., Marty's Table Top Tuesday, Bloggerette sorority's Show Us Your Fall, and Wow Us Wednesday. Click on their names for lots more inspiration.

I'm also joining Liz at Savy Season's for her Autumn Arrives Party. Thanks for hosting!
Click on her name for lots more inspiration!

Sunday Favorites

2011-10-07T10:58:00.005-04:00

I'm joining Chari with her Sunday Favorites this week. Thanks for hosting, Chari! Click on her name for lots more favorites of the past.

I posted this candy corn tablescape on November 4, 2009 and thought it was worthy of being seen again! (I'm still waiting for the fall decor boxes to come out of the attic!! Today is supposed to be the day, but in the meantime, enjoy this post!) In all fairness to hubby, he is teaching part-time at the college three days a week, then gone all day to Mayo Clinic each Tuesday, so he has a good excuse, he's really busy!)

As posted 11-4-09:
Last week I decided to save my candy corn tablescape for this week, but I forgot I had used a black table cover and it still looked a little bit Halloween, see below:

So I quickly put another candy corn tablescape together using a white tablecloth over gold:

The dishes are the same:

I did reverse the two napkins, above the white sheer is on the outside.

Below the yellow napkin is on the outside:

I used white, yellow, and pumpkin plates for the candy corn effect.
And I used the yellow handled flatware with the white tablecloth.

I added fall colored faux hydrangea in the orange wicker pumpkin centerpiece

I had planned to have a bit of whimsy with the other centerpiece saying the beaded spray represented the inside pulp of the pumpkin (seeds, etc.) were spilling out!

The candy corn mini cups were filled with the sweet, sweet candy corn:

Somehow most of the real candy corn disappeared after the first pictures were taken.

The large pieces of candy corn are made of glass:

Which candy corn tablescape is your favorite, the black, or the white tablecloth?

I like the black best for Halloween,
but now I like the white best for a fall tablescape.

Thanks to Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursdays, so we can play with our dishes and enjoy seeing each other's creations! So fun! Go here to Susan's blog for lots more inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my candy corn tablescapes! Won't you join me, here's a place for you!

Below is a wooden candy corn pin I bought at a craft show years ago. Doesn't he make you smile?

Hope to see you again soon when I get the rest of my fall decorating posted! Maybe this weekend!

Added note Friday night: The fall decor boxes are out of the attic!!!!!! Yay! Now, on to the decorating!! I'll be posting soon!

Tablescape Thursday

2011-09-28T21:07:00.015-04:00

A few months ago I shared the picture above of one of my new goblets I was excited to find and hoped to do a tablescape with. I'm joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday, thanks to Susan for hosting so we can play with our pretties! Click on her name for lots more inspiration.
This is a fall tablescape using my new amber colored goblets.

I couldn't get a good shot this afternoon, when I used the flash the color of the gold tablecloth showed up much better, but the frosted fruit caught too much light.

I've had the tablecloth so long I've forgotten where it came from. The dishes are from TJ Maxx, the flatware from Tuesday Morning, the napkins from TJ Maxx, napkin rings from Ross.

The centerpiece has candle holders from Michael's (last year)
I tried really hard to get a good shot of the etching on the goblets

Maybe this one is a little better:

Can you see the leaf design?

It looks so much prettier in person!

I haven't been buying as many things to decorate with, but was on the lookout for some "yellow' glassware since my favorite color is yellow. This amber is about as close to yellow as I could find.
First I found four and kept looking for more. We even looked in several cities when we were on vacation this past summer. I could find it in pink, blue, and clear, but no more amber. Finally, I did find four more!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new fall tablescape!
I also hope you enjoyed seeing fewer photos!

Happy Fall!

Table Top Tuesday

2011-09-19T23:15:00.024-04:00

I'm joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday, click on her name for lots more inspiration.
I'm finally starting to do some fall decorating, not into the pumpkins, etc. yet, but changed from the whites and lighter decor (see below) to deeper tones (above.)

The end table in the living room had the white vignette above, but now has more fall colors:

I really like the bible verse on this plate:

Love,
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and mind.
Matthew 22:36

The vignette on this low curio cabinet no longer has the white vignette, but this new one:

The summer vignette is below:

This pretty candle box is new!

I recently bought it at Hobby Lobby with a gift card, a birthday gift from my daughter!

Isn't it beautiful! I just love it!

The other end of the curio cabinet:

This curio cabinet is in the dining room.

I'm enjoying the nice fall changes!

The terrarium below replaced the summer vignette on the Bombay chest in the living room:

The summer vignette on the Bombay chest:

I posted the picture above since this view in the living room is rarely seen on my blog!

I filled the terrarium with faux dried yellow roses, a candle, and a figurine.

The figurine is one I bought when I was a child (I collected figurines even then!)

Yes, I guess it is probably an antique! LOL!

I hope you enjoyed seeing the before and after fall changes I have made! I will be sharing many more changes to fall in the future, please return again to see!

Tablescape Thursday

2011-09-07T20:46:00.022-04:00

I'm joining Susan's Tablescape Thursday this week. It's still very hot here in FL and I'm not ready for fall's browns and oranges just yet, so I opted for a setting with mostly greens.
Inspiration for this tablescape came from these April Cornell napkins:
I bought two sets of these napkins a few months apart not realizing they were very similar.
Today I chose the napkins on the left as the background color was closer to the tablecloth.

The placesetting:

The dinner plates are from Dollar Tree. The salad plates from Marshall's.
Napkins from T.J. Maxx, I've had the napkin rings so long I've forgotten where I bought them.

The Centerpiece:

started with this iridescent dish from TJ Maxx:

the bottom is also pretty:

but, alas, the bowl can't even been seen!

I used velvet and silk flowers with faux berries.

The goblets are also from T.J. Maxx

A special place for you!

Please join us!

I hope you like my slow transition to fall here in hot Florida!

Thanks to Susan, Between Naps on the Porch, for hosting. Click on her name for lots more inspiration.

Reading

2011-08-28T21:45:00.032-04:00

Since I haven't been spending so much time on my computer I've started reading again in my spare time. I don't have a Kindle, not sure if I want to get one or not. This is the most recent book I just finished.
I like some of the movies made from Nicholas Sparks books (The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, etc.) but I don't like the endings that are usually sad! I was hesitant to read this book because I didn't want a sad ending. I went ahead and bought it since I needed something to read while I was waiting for my husband at the doctor's office. It's a nice story, but I was dreading the ending, the main character was a firefighter and I was just sure he would have an accident! I'm happy to say it had a good ending! Yay! Do you like books with sad endings?

Recently I told you about reading The Help (click here.) I finally saw the movie last week. I liked the movie, but was glad I had read the book before seeing the movie as it filled in a lot of the blanks. I do think the movie was well done. Did you like the book and movie?

Here's another book my daughter gave me for my birthday in May (or Mother's Day.) I have enjoyed it a lot.
It's hardback and has lots of beautiful wedding pictures of William and Kate.

Many wedding pictures

and pictures of the reception

but it is mostly about their life stories, very interesting.

William's childhood
and
Kate's childhood

Their college graduation day:

It also has several other stories and photos of other royal weddings, a brief history of each.

Princess Margaret's wedding, 1960 (above)

Official wedding photo of Queen Elisabeth and Prince Philip and their wedding cake.

Below: Prince Henry and Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 1935
There's twenty-two pages with a brief history of many royal wedding. Photos are in black and white. At first I was a little disappointed about all this in the William and Kate book, but after reading the stories I found it all very interesting, so many heartaches among the royals.

I pray this couple will have a very happy ending!

I also bought these magazines

because they had some different pictures, such as this:

The reading from Romans, chapter 12 titled "The Lesson"

Did you buy any books or magazines about the royal wedding? I was surprised to see some apathy about the wedding in the U.S. I found it all very intriguing! I guess I'm just a romantic at heart!

What books have you been reading lately?

I'm linking to The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday's, click here for lots more interesting posts!

Dream Home

2011-08-16T20:09:00.004-04:00

I was going to post this last spring, but never did. I received this book for Christmas last year and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed reading this book as much as looking at all the gorgeous photographs! Barbra Streisand wrote this book about the home (mansion) she built. She also took most of the pictures for the book. Not only can she sing, act, and direct, she is a wonderful photographer and writer. She took most of the pictures in the book. Now she can add design and builder to her talents. I highly recommend this book! It's well worth what it costs!

Since I am going to link to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday, I will start with Barbra's dining room

How's that for a tablescape!!

Isn't it all absolutely gorgeous!!

I love this book!

What a view!

She had been looking at the property for years and trying to buy one of the three houses on the cul de sac overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Each of the owners were reluctant to sell their house, but by and by, and one by one they sold their houses to her! Below is the finished result of what she built after tearing down two of the houses!

She loves barns and silos and this is the design she went for one of her buildings. Don't let that farmhouse look fool you!

It is so very elegant!

The other side of the house!

The Mill House is the garage.
The water wheel works!

She tells a very interesting story about the water wheel!

View of the water wheel from inside
the house (notice the curtains)

I love this room!

Her outfit matches the room! Doesn't she look beautiful!

The Cottage

This is where she records!

A few more pictures:

The basement is like a street in a shopping village!

Clothes she wore in many of her movies:

Her doll collection displayed here in "Bee's Doll Shop!"

Barbra Streisand's house is indeed a dream home, and she shares many details of it with us in this wonderful book! I hope she does a second book!! This one has many enjoyable hours, very entertaining! She certainly "has it all!" Just think, all this and that handsome adoring husband (James Brolin) too!

Like I said it is well worth the cost of the book! Or put it on your Wish List like I did! My daughter bought it for me! Thanks, Ashleigh!

Celebrity Cook-Along - Rachel Ray

2011-08-14T11:36:00.016-04:00

I’ve never been big a fan of Rachel Ray (I don’t like her raspy voice) and haven’t tried any of her recipes, so I had to find one to try so I could to Lynn’s Celebrity Cook Along! Click on her name for lots more of Rachel's recipes.

(Note just added: someone told me Rachel had a medical problem with her voicebox and that's why she talked that way. I apologize!)

I found her recipe for Sloppy Lasagna on her website and thought this might be something we would enjoy. I was a little worried about the cream sauce, not sure I would like it.

Some of the ingredients for Sloppy Lasagna

This is definitely not one of Rachel's 30-minute meals!!

Maybe it was just me, but it took me foreeeeveeer to make this recipe! I was worn out when we finally sat down to eat!

Meat sauce in the skillet, cream sauce in the pan.

The whole time I was making this I was thinking “is it going to be worth it??” all this work and time spent? Some of the ingredients are so expensive!

The veal mixture was expensive and the San Marzano tomatoes were over $3! Lasagna is always expensive to make though and it does make a lot. Actually it makes a ton, I ended up using another dish for a second casserole! I froze the excess. We had several meals from this recipe, so that helped with the expense of the ingredients.

I must admit, we were delighted with the outcome, it is very good!

My husband and I do recommend this recipe after all! Maybe I'll become a RR fan! She is a cute gal!

It made one 9x13 tray and one 8x11 tray.

The cream sauce was very good and it helped cut down on the usual red sauce used in lasagna.

Want to try it?

The recipe is below!

Sloppy Lasagna

Ingredients

2 pounds curly edge lasagna noodles
Salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground beef, pork and veal mix
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, grated or finely chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
2 fresh bay leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
2 pinches ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup white wine
1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes
A handful basil leaves, torn
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 to 2 1/2 cups milk, eyeball the amount
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 cups fresh ricotta cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Break all of the pasta sheets into irregular, larger than single bite-sized pieces. Salt the water, then add the pasta and cook to a little shy of al dente. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot or large skillet over medium heat. Add the meat, press it into an even layer and brown it for 3 to 4 minutes before moving. Turn the meat and add the onions and grated carrot. Stir and cook a few minutes to soften, then add the garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper, to taste, and the cinnamon. Cook for a couple of minutes, then stir in the tomato paste, wait for 1 minute then add the wine. Reduce for a minute more, then add the tomatoes, breaking them up as you stir. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the basil.

While the sauce simmers, in a medium sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the milk and nutmeg, and season with salt, pepper, to taste. Let cook for a couple of minutes to thicken, then stir in 1/2 cup of the grated cheese and turn off the heat.

Heat a broiler.

Add the meat sauce to the bowl with the pasta and toss. Layer half of the pasta into a lasagna pan and scatter with dollops of fresh ricotta cheese. Top with remaining pasta. Pour the white sauce over the pasta and scatter the remaining 1 cup of the grated cheese over the top.

Put under the broiler to brown and bubble. Remove from the broiler and serve.

NOTE: I didn't do the broiler thing above. I baked it in a 350 degree oven just like any other lasagna, mainly because I took so long making it, the pasta was too cold.

Maybe you'll be faster than I was. This will be great for company, I wished I had invited someone over to share it with. Next time I will!

Heart of the Home Party - Roosters

2011-08-08T20:02:00.040-04:00

I always like to join in Sheila's Heart of the Home parties. This time she features roosters and chickens in the home. Click on her name for lots of fun rooster decor.

I don't really have many roosters and hens out in the house this summer, but will let them out of the hen house for a short time to attend this party! I'm sharing a few tablescapes I used roosters and chickens in.

I found this pretty white rooster at Home Goods. I think I'll do this tablescape again this fall.

This colorful rooster is from T.J. Maxx, one of my favorites! I used him when serving salsa and chips.

He really likes to strut his stuff!

A breakfast tablescape:

These little wooden roosters are from Dollar Tree.

Can't you almost hear him crowing!

I used my Dollar Tree "crystal" in this tablescape. The glass rooster candy dish makes the centerpiece.

This hen and baby chicks made at least two tablescapes:

Here they are as the centerpiece for a Chinco de Mayo tablescape.

Another hen centerpiece

With the hat:

Without the hat:

A bandana tablescape:

I never knew if this one is a rooster or chicken, just goofy looking and makes me laugh!

A few roos around the house:

This little rooster is made from feathers

This polka dot rooster rocks!

I wish you could see how he rocks, his feet stand still and his body rocks back and forth!

Rockin' Rooster!

A very pretty rooster!

This rooster came from Ross, only about $7.

The age old question: which came first the chicken or the egg??

Have fun at the rooster party! Thanks for visiting! Thanks, to Sheila for hosting!

P.S. - Thanks to all of you who helped me with my Dilemma (see post below!)

I'm also linking to Marty's Table Top Tuesday, and Susan's Tablescape Thursday, click on their names for lots more fun!