Christmas, Birthday, New Year Tables

Hello and good morning!

In another effort to catch up with all of you, I'm consolidating 3 tablescapes in one post! What a treat to ring in the New Year here in "What Now?", huh?

So are you ready to see how much fun I had while I was absent from the blogging circuit? Ok, here we go!

DECEMBER 25, 2010

Here's my Christmas table last December, it was intimate and somber. We only had our two church missionaries for our guests and our daughter was home from college. It warranted a beautiful table, a definite must!
I wanted to reflect my eldest daughter's Christmas theme of Poinsettia and Gold. Mainly red and gold, so I used my LNT closeout chargers and paired it with my 2008 Target Holiday birthday plates along with my Hampton "Lace" utensils. I made it simpler for everyone by just having a paper napkin.
I saw in Susan's at Between Naps on the Porch, the use of Nandina leaves and berries on her table so I used some from my frontyard and it worked beautifully! With some tealights and hurricane lamps, I had a wonderful centerpiece!
I used my very first Christmas runner I ever owned (1997) to bring out more colors of red and gold. It's a colorful toile Christmas scene, over a plain white tablecloth. The glasses were my MIL's gift to me for our 2nd Christmas. It had a simple band of holly leaves & berries and a gold rim. Beautiful and classy.

The play of the cream, gold, white and red, made the table both sophisticated and approachable! My family couldn't wait to sit down!
For more visual height, I hung white and gold glittered snowflake ornaments from our chandelier. Since we didn't use it to create a more somber feel to the meal, I didn't want to completely ignore its presence...
Here's another angle. You can see more of the casual way I surrounded the candleholders with the nandina leaves and the sole vase that held the berries. The verdict, "everything was beautiful!" Gotta love that!

DECEMBER 29, 2010

I turned 39 on this day and my sister and her family were able to fly out from California! It was such a great birthday so I made sure that my birthday tablescape reflected my mood--loved and purely happy! What's the best combo for that? Red and White, of course!
I first featured this plate back in 2008, for our New Year's Eve dinner table. I got these from our local Tom Thumb and as you can see, I also used the same utensil style and a single paper napkin.
I opted for another natural centerpiece, but I used a different bush to complete the look of votive holder. I got the holders back in 2009, during Kroger's Christmas clearance, for 75% off!
I didn't change my chandelier yet because my sister wanted to see it in person. I think it went well with the table; it gave the ambiance a little bit of winter magic... I was able to finally unearth most of my dinnerware collection and finally was able to use my real everyday glasses that I got from Walmart back in 2009.
The runner, another Walmart 75% off find in their clearance section. I needed one for Valentine's Day and there it was!
This whole table... Cost me nothing since they were all from previous years, from my own plants, and only took me 10 minutes to set it up! The verdict? "Wow! You really are good at doing this!"

DECEMBER 31, 2010

I wanted to "bling out" my dining room this time around focus on the bright "fireworks" aspect of celebrating the New Year. My sister and her family have never been to Texas or to our house since we bought it last March. Also, this was my BIL's first New Year's celebration here in the States. So I wanted to make it all special!

First thing to address, the chandelier, of course!

I added more ribbons and silver ornament balls along with the snowflakes. I also snatched some of my tree ornaments as well. :-)
Our centerpiece was a tropical punch of Pineapple juice and chunks, Orange Juice and Ginger Ale. We opted for a buffet style and we turned the table. Again, we made a beautiful but simple table: A flat glittered batting for a tablecloth, not quite covering the whole table. More of the leaves from our bush to accentuate the punch. And, my sister cleverly hid dark chocolate Ferrero Rocher in the leaves as if they are fruits. The kids loved them!
My pièce de résistance, the brie en croute! I used puff pastry and folded it over the brie like a gift! It turned out beautiful! Perfect to feature on Foodie Friday with our lovely Friday host, Michael Lee over at Designs by Gollum.
Here's the punch table with the noisemakers all around. It definitely looked festive!
We also had a gift exchange so we set that up next to the buffet table. I wanted the gifts to stand out, so we set it up over a more "fancy" setting. (Psst! It's sitting on my deep freezer that we just dug out of our former paid storage. Don't tell anyone, ok? lol) We had cookies, fruits, sausages, egg rolls, noodles, candies and the cheese platter. It was great!
We had so much fun playing, eating, tossing and we even had a coin toss for the kids. It was a great month of December for me and family. The verdict? "Thank you, this was wonderful! The best day ever! (My nephew kept telling me that, isn't he sweet?)"

TABLESCAPING IDEAS: (Brain is pulsing with ideas) Don't let company or holiday expectations bog you down into hiding from doing your best. Use what's available, play up your dishes and hide what you lack with the delicious food you will serve. Often, people that notice what you "didn't match" or "didn't quite finish" are those that are fuming because you pulled it off!

We hope you had some great holiday memories as well. I hope you enjoyed my tables and hope to visit you soon! Thank you for stopping by!

Strawberry Topped Cupcakes

Hello to all! It's been a while as well since I joined in Foodie Friday with Michael on Designs by Gollum, so I'm really glad that I have something delicious to share!

Every year starting in Fall, we hit the library and grab seasonal story books. I read to my children out loud, going back to cuddling and reading 101.

Well, my kids and read I this book called "Cook-a-doodle-do!" The author fashioned it after the story of the Little Red Hen where the character is a great grandson of Little Red.

With the help of his friends, a pot-bellied pig, iguana and a turtle, they managed to bake a beautiful Strawberry Shortcake!

So we printed the recipe written on the back page, but when it came to it, we didn't have the flour that it called for. So...

We found a regular cake mix and we turned them into cupcakes. We chopped up some strawberries and floated them on top of some Redi-Whip! Yum!

That is my hubby's cool hands. I had to quickly snap it up before he ate his cupcake. He loves strawberries on whipped cream!
And this one's mine... Oh, it was worth the wait from taking pictures. (I think they're both a bit grainy because I was not paying attention to the setting, I was too busy imagining how delicious they would be! LOL)

Love ya for stopping by! Time to eat over at your blog.

I'm going to the store with a big grin!

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

Well, I can't seem to stop smiling at how generous you all are in celebrating with me yesterday! I loved every single comment and will actually take a few hours tomorrow to return most if not all visits. It was great having so many visitors in one day, my head is still reeling! Whew!

But before I can do any of that, I need to go to the store and grab me some...

of these for sandwiches;

some of these for a quick lunch or dinner since it's so hot! We actually ran out after several months!

And a gallon or two of this because we want to do our bodies good! LOL

So... until I can personally go blog hopping and leave you all some bloggy love, you'll just have to accept this big...

THANK YOU!

Michael Lee, thank you for hosting another wonderful day full of deliciousness!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain is still smiling) In honor of the basics, don't be afraid to use what you have to "do up" your table. Now, if you see really chic and pretty tablescapes, it's not about being grand or tall or full of "whatnots" but rather clean, crisp and simply beautifully set tables. You can do that, right? We all can! So look at what you have, clean it and set your tables as if the Queen or President is going to drop by! And remember, have fun!

The Garden's Watered...

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"
So it's time for brunch! At least for me! The kids had their choices with melon, but I wanted a muffin with pancake's light feel, so... I made some!
Add some ice cold fruit cocktail and a delectable slice of cantaloupe and I'm ready for the day!
This is what happens when the photographer/aspiring food stylist does a session hungry. LOL
That purple stain is my proof of the blackberry in the muffin. LOL

A big thank you to our host and to all you dear friends!

Blackberry Pancake Muffins

4 cups Krusteaz Wheat & Honey Pancake Mix (Target)
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup frozen blackberries (or any berries you choose)
2 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350 deg
Line two muffin tins (12 ct each)

Mix ingredients into a somewhat loose batter
Gently mix in the blackberries
Pour into muffin cups about 3/4 full
Bake for 13-15 minutes

NOTE: As it is mainly a pancake, it is not sweet. Please butter the tops, pour syrup or powdered sugar. Or cut into it then sweeten to cut into the tartness of the blackberry if you wish.

It is a healthy muffin so don't saturate with too much sugar. If you like it sweet, add extra honey or add a little more sugar into the batter.



TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is satisfied) Find other tables in your home to do a tablescape on. If none other than you main table, use different placemats to make things interesting.

"Cloche" Enough To Taste

Hosted by "A Stroll Thru Life"

When the lovely and gracious and friendly Marty decided to throw a Cloche Party, I looked and looked for a cloche to buy and enjoy, but no such luck! So bummed out!

I borrowed these online instead!

Pretty unique used of cloche jars, huh? Seedling starters! I read on another blog that this is actually what these jars were intended for so I guess, I should have said, "the original use of cloche jars." I love blogging, I learn so much! ;-)

Both are from English Creek Gardens dot com

I love these apothecary jars, and want some, but hubs is not quite sold on them yet, so here I am... still waiting... *sigh*

This Monday, we know summer officially starts because...

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

I'll be cooking these!

My middle child will turn 10 and these are all the foods she requested plus a tablescape! I'm tired just thinking about how busy this day would be! We'll have 20 people, including us in one tiny apartment! Wow!

Thanks to our lovely hosts, Marty and Michael!

The only tablescaping idea I have for you is to enjoy your table the way you want because well, it's your table!

Heart you all for stopping by!

Breakfast Is On Me!

Hosted by "Poofing the Pillows"

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

HAPPY PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY! (Spanish-American War, 1898)

White color of the equilateral triangle on the hoist side symbolizes equality, fraternity and peace. Blue and red panels are equally divided horizontally where the blue symbolizes noble ideals, political purposes, truth and justice whereas the red is embodied with patriotism, bravery, heroism, courage and willingness of the Filipino patriots to sacrifice life for cause of independence. (Philippines Flag dot net)

Did you know that if the red flies on top, it means that Philippines is at a major war? The flag of the Republic of the Philippines was adopted on May 19, 1898. The Philippine flag has two equal horizontal bands (blue on the top and red on the bottom during peacetime; red on the top during war) (Enchanted Learning dot com/asia/philippines/flag)

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In honor of today's significance to all Filipinos, before you head to check on all the goodies everyone has to offer, make sure you have yourself a great breakfast, on me! I saw this at Susan's over at "A Southern Daydreamer" and thought it'd be a great breakfast to serve to my own family-- and YOU!

Our drink to start the day, no OJ here today! We like to wake up our minds, too, so we'll have the Minute Maid Blueberry Pomegranate 100% juice that's good for the brain! I know "Brain" loves it!

I'm also flaunting my the beautiful red on the Philippine flag and some of my delicious red strawberries. I got them from Albertson's and they are juicy and sweet! It's my first time joining in with Stacey's FYRF fun, so I hope this is an ok start. (fingers crossed) (Just my luck, she's not available to host today, so I may just be the only one flaunting today, lol)

It's a croissant french toast! With some luscious strawberries, grapes and bacon on the side! I sprinkled powdered sugar on the toast then drizzled syrup around the berries.

Yum! Thank you, Susan!

A big thanks to our lovely hosts, Michael Lee and Stacey; and to all of you who came "peeking" in. Remember, BREAKFAST is the most important meal of the day... :-)

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" wants more...) Have kids? Mix up your table menu! We did this recently. We ate dinner leftovers at breakfast, breakfast for lunch and lunch for dinner! Create a table that "tips" off your family of the food to come by using iconic ingredients as part of your centerpiece or have it on a tray nearby.

Crazed Cocoa Consumer, I Am, I Am!

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

You know what Friday means... We get to put food on our dishes! We have Gollum to thank for that each week! Hope you come visit her and all of the participants so we can indulge in all kinds of goodies without gaining a pound! (Unless of course you go and have the crazy idea of trying several of them on your own on the same day!)

The reason for the title is because... I made another batch of chocolate cookies! I wanted to make another batch of my own "Slim Cocoas" cookies because Mike, my neighbor Annette's husband requested some. But for the life of me, I could not find the paper I wrote the recipe on! So, in an effort to recreate it, I made these instead! And I'd like to share it with all of you!

(Plate is "Shadow Iris" by Corelle)

Chandy's Chocolate Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2 3/4 cups AP flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

2 sticks of butter or margarine, softened and cut small

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

a pinch of salt


- In a small bowl, SIFT together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sifting helps with the lightness of the cookies. Set aside.

- Cream together the butter and sugar in a big bowl until smooth.

- Beat in one egg at a time then add in the vanilla extract.

- Slowly pour in the dry ingredients until well blended in the same consistency as a chocolate ice cream.

- Using a small scoop, put in 12-13 alternating rows of 2 and 3 balls of dough on ungreased cookie sheets.

- Bake 8-10 minutes or until top is no longer domed and slight cracking at the top has occured.

- Cool it slowly on cookie sheets, about 2 minutes, before moving onto cooling racks.

(I lightened this phot so you can see the creamy inside with a light crispy outside)

Have milk ready and limit serving to two cookies! Hope you try them. Our next door neighbor's entire family loved them and my children kept begging for more!

Thanks Gollum for hosting again this week! I am becoming more courageous in baking now since I've joined Foodie Friday! (Ladies, actually it's all of your fault, making all these wonderful dishes!) ;o)

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" is buzzed on sugar...) Are you as much a chocoholic and a dishaholic as I am? Well combine the two! Create a brown table! No flowers or leaves just brown or cream.

Foodie Mosaic

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

I haven't done much cooking lately since the kids are busy wrapping up school events, business and all that end-of-year jazz. So... I just made a mosaic of the foods I made and enjoyed!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain is hungry again...) Next time you are stuck on a centerpiece idea, use food! Artsy cuts, create tiers, and even create a rainbow, but use food. If you do, you only have to worry about which plates to use! Simple and delicious!

M-Baked Potato

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"

M stands for Microwave! This has been the new way my family's been making baked potatoes. And it is yummy!

All you need to do is wash a medium to large potato, both to clean and wet the skin. Poke with forks all around then wrap in clingwrap. Zap on HIGH for 5 minutes! Add 1 minute at a time up to 3 mins for extra large potato. The key is multiple holes and very wet skin.

You'll have a clean potato to a baked potato in no time! It'll take you longer to gather up the fixin's! LOL

Another big thanks to our host, Gollum for another great week of Foodie Fun! Now let's take our potatoes and munch our way to the others' tables of goodies!

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" loved this idea!) Blow up a few easy, clearly handwritten recipes to almost 8x10, creating a whole menu. Make iron transfer copies and create a collage of them on white clean sack flour or canvas cloth. Invite your friends that love easy recipes and create the dishes on the now cute placemats. At the end of the meal, tell them you have a surprise favor but that that you'd have to "clear" the table first and to start passing up their plates towards you. Watch them oooh and aaahhh over the cute placemats and declare that they get to take those home with a packet of notecards just in case they want a hard copy!

Now What?

Hosted by "Designs by Gollum"
Well, today, Friday, our gracious host, Gollum asked all of her participants to post about our Foodie Friday disasters. I think this is one theme I can rise to the occasion each time. LOL

For a recipe that called for cornmeal muffins, I used grits instead. Well, now they are petrified grits muffins! They are hard!!!

Here are the cakey sugar cookies... It was a pain getting them off the pan!

The extra that no one else wanted and practically got hollowed out from getting off the pan! LOL

Michael, thank you for hosting and to those who visited, you all so rock!!! What was your foodie disaster this week?

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain is saying yellow not grits, yellow...) Don't let mistakes bother you just find an alternative. Then set the table using your successful recipe (just like I did with my "honey wheat muffins with sausage on TT's post) as the main centerpiece!

Gift, Cookies and a Quiche?

Hosted by Tam and Diane
On Saturday, I made some cookies, one I discovered accidentally but turned out great,

... after trying out a friend's recipe that turned cakey rather than a regular sugar cookie. Still yummy!

Then, I needed a small pizza pan, had none so I used my $3 Goodwill quiche dish for fun! The fam called this "Easy Crab Bready Quiche"; reason to veto it, I had none. ;-)

Then a few weeks back, a great blogger I follow and she follows me, gifted her loyal subjects each a great treat! What kind, for your nails and feet!

A whole bag to carry your grooming kit, my excitement could not be contained a bit! (Hooray!)

Her name is Lynn of the blog town, "Kitchen Life", a great stop for all things yummy! A great lady after my own tablescaping heart, though her passion comes out in her delicious cooking we can put in our tummy!

Thank you Lynn! Please come visit her if you want great recipes as her blog is mainly for all things she's been cooking up so recipes and tips abound! Let's just say, I'm hooked- I visit often...

To our lovely hosts, Tam and Diane, a world of thanks for hosting. To all who stopped by, my heart is puffy from giddiness...

TABLESCAPING IDEA: ("Brain" loves to throw caution to the wind!) Celebrate any day with a great table. Use only what you have and don't worry about rules. Make it pretty and fun. Even if you don't have a fancy menu, eating on a great table makes it that much more delicious!