Getting Stuff Holiday Ready

Getting stuff holiday ready to greet the occasion with bells on has many of us giddy with delight and on a sentimental journey.

vintage-Thanksgiving-turkey-card

Dave the Builder asked me why I was up so early this morning, to which I replied, “company’s coming, Dave, and I’ve got to get the getting stuff holiday ready show on the road.”

Rob-Laura-Petrie

Me TV

I take from traditions of the past the very best and memorable points of eat, drink, decorate, table setting, and celebration interest and holiday from there.

apple-crisp-handwritten-recipe-card

Yesterdish

getting stuff holiday ready

Turkey Thaw Countdown Guide:

Turkey Size                                    How Long to Thaw in Fridge

25 lbs                                                                   6 Days, 6 Hours

20 lbs                                                                   5 Days

16 lbs                                                                    4 Days

10 lbs                                                                    2 Days, 12 Hours

There’s no time like the present to commit the Thanksgiving dinner holiday checklist to memory.

Those of us currently experiencing brain fog, writing it down is the way to go.

Grab a notepad or open the notes app on your device and write down or type out the information you know you’ll need to refer to during this countdown to Thanksgiving.

Recipe ingredients.

Cooking times.

Serving timeline projections.

Who can’t have what ingredient (food allergies).

Things will steadily become more hectic, and our brains tend to shut down when overloaded.

Note to self: write it down.

getting stuff holiday ready

Get in the holiday spirit with a holiday spirit.

Welcome family and friends in with a refreshing beverage seasoned, spiced, and appropriately spiked with the flavors of the season.

Uncle Herbert, can I get you a cup of rum punch?

Thanksgiving-rum-punch-photo-Alison-Gootee-styling-Suzonne-Stirling-Southern-Living

Southern Living- Photography by Alison Gootee- Styling by Suzonne Stirling

Thanksgiving Punch with Rum

Ingredients

1/3 cup honey

12 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

8 cups apple cider, divided

4 cups cranberry juice, chilled

3 cups (24 oz.) spiced rum

2 (12-oz.) bottles ginger beer, chilled

sliced green apples, oranges, or lemons, for garnish

rosemary sprig, for garnish

Directions

Combine honey, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups of the cider in a small saucepan over medium.  Cook, stirring often, until honey is dissolved and mixture is fragrant with spices, about 7 minutes.

Remove from heat; cool and steep 15 minutes.  Discard cloves and cinnamon sticks.

Combine spiced cider mixture, cranberry juice, spiced rum, ginger beer, and remaining 6 cups apple cider in a large punch bowl.

Garnish with sliced citrus and apples.  Serve over ice.

-Southern Living

jadite-gold-serving-pieces

Martha Stewart Highbrook Jadeite Glass Loop Cake Stand in Mint

Green and gold gorgeous for Thanksgiving, beautiful for Christmas, and festive for Mardi Gras.

getting stuff holiday ready

My mother has always said it’s the package that sells the product, and this is where presentation comes in.

Okay, I’m repeating myself, but it’s worth revisiting.

Bring on the ooh la la factor by placing cake stands and serving pieces inside fresh or faux greenery wreaths both Thanksgiving and Christmas pretty and set about the table or countertop at various height levels.

Take advantage of this time to style the dining table to your liking.  Place, stack, and set out the items you can now.

Cover serving bowls, utensils, and cake stands with a clean dish towel, label with a sticky note what dish goes in what bowl, and. mark this part of the process off the list.

Thanksgiving-invitation-2019

getting stuff holiday ready

Let those kitchen countertops pull serving table duty.  I work with a salads and sides to the left, desserts and drinks to the right, keep it moving on down the line plan.

Space is one hot commodity in the Thanksgiving kitchen and dining room.  Going with a dessert table frees up space.

pecan-pie-ice-cream-pie

Pecan Pie-Ice Cream Pie

A little birdie tells me you can cook the bird, ham, duck or roast the day before.

Slice the meat, cover with broth, place in plastic storage bags, and refrigerate.

Warm the meat and broth on low in a slow cooker on the big day.

Frank-Sinatra-carving-turkey

getting stuff holiday ready

One pound bag of carrots when cooked will offer up 4 to 5 servings.

12 ounce package of fresh cranberries  = 2 ¼ cups cranberry sauce.
Cook cranberries in orange juice and add 2 teaspoons of fresh orange zest for a cranberry orange sauce.

16 ounce can of cranberry sauce = 6 servings.

Figure ½ cup of gravy per person.

6 cups of green beans makes 6 to 8 servings

A 5lb. bag of potatoes whips up 10 to 12 servings of mashed potatoes.

Music sets the mood and the mix.

Know your audience, and holiday company’s coming playlist from there with a mix of rock, pop, fall themed, kickin’ country, oldies, and vintage crooner tunes.

Don’t forget the holiday songs; it’s never too early for Christmas music.

Vintage turntable vinyl record player Christmas tree card digital download printable image

Vintage Turntable Vinyl Record Player Christmas Card on Etsy

getting stuff holiday ready

I continually find the loveliness of clear string lights placed in a clear vase visually irresistible and a super effective-good for all seasons-simple way to create a welcoming atmosphere.

string-lights-holiday (1)

My, how times flies when we’re having getting stuff holiday ready fun!

love signature

Talking All Things Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving turkey solutions, suggestions, and total turkey success is exactly what we’ve got going for today’s countdown to Thanksgiving post.

Talking All Things Thanksgiving Turkey

Three weeks goes by super quick, and things do tend to get awfully hectic at this time of year.

With that in mind, I thought I would post this info sooner rather than later to allow time to gather and plan for your gather together times.

roasted-turkey-vegetables

Better Homes & Gardens

How big of a bird will I actually need?

How do I properly defrost the thing?

What temperature is best to cook a turkey on?

How long do I cook the Thanksgiving turkey for?

Thanksgiving turkeyHerb, Lemon, and Garlic Turkey

Roast, bake or air fry?

To stuff, or not to stuff?

What’s the best seasonings of the turkey roasting-baking-frying season?

Let’s talk turkey.

Turkey-cuts-diagram (1)

How much turkey do you need?

how-much-turkey-to-you-need-chart

From the folks at Delish

Thawing the Frozen Thanksgiving Turkey

For Refrigerator Thawing:

Place turkey on a tray to eliminate leakage to other areas of refrigerator.

Thaw breast side up, in original unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below).

Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4-5 lbs.

Suggested thawing time for a frozen turkey:

4 to 12 pound turkey:           1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pound turkey:         3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pound turkey:        4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pound turkey:        5 to 6 days

Cold Water Thawing:

Thaw breast side down, in original unopened wrapper.

Cover the turkey completely with cold water.  Change the water every 30 minutes.

Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per pound.

4 to 12 pound turkey:        2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pound turkey:      6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pound turkey:     8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pound turkey:     10 to 12 hours

The good people at Butterball offer cooking calculators and conversion charts for everything Thanksgiving turkey.

Here’s the link: Butterball Calculators and Conversions Chart

The Amazon Echo calls up Alexa the answer machine, now we’re cooking playlists, recipes, and the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line® .

Prep the bird and don’t forget to tie those bad boy turkey legs together with cooking twine.

kitchen-twine-string

Thawed turkey roasting times in a 325 °F regular oven:

6 to 10 pounds:      2 to 3 hours (unstuffed)       –     2¼-3½ hours (stuffed)

10 to 18 pounds:    3 to 3½ hours (unstuffed)   –     3¾-4½ hours (stuffed)

18 to 22 pounds:     3½-4 hours (unstuffed)    –      4½ – 5 hours (stuffed)

22-24 pounds:        4-4½ hours (unstuffed)     –     5-5½ hours (stuffed)

24-30 pounds:        4½-5 hours  (unstuffed)    –      5½-6½ hours (stuffed)

Thawed turkey roasting times in a 325 °F convection oven:

6 to 10 pounds:       1½-2 hours (unstuffed)       –    1¾-2½  hours (stuffed)

10 to 18 pounds:     2 to 2½ hours (unstuffed)   –    2½-3¼ hours (stuffed)

18 to 22 pounds:     2½-3 hours (unstuffed)      –      3¼ hours (stuffed)

22-24 pounds:        3-3½ hours (unstuffed)       –      3¾-4¼ hours (stuffed)

The turkey is done when the temperature with a meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the breast and 175°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

checking-turkey-internal-temperature

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Jason Donnelly

Taylor-Digital-Folding-Probe-Meat-Thermometer-with-Blue-Backlight-Display

Taylor Digital Folding Probe Meat Thermometer with Blue Backlight Display

Use a food thermometer to check the turkey in the thickest part of the breast.

If you stuff the Thanksgiving turkey, the center of the stuffing must reach 165 degrees F.

Roasting Meat Thermometer T731 Oven Safe Large 2.5-Inch Easy-Read Face

Cross contamination between turkey and stuffing is a concern, so just make sure both turkey and stuffing reach proper temperatures.

Let the turkey stand 15 minutes before carving.

cutting-carving-turkey-thighs

Foodiesfeed

Safe Turkey Prep, Thawing, Stuffing, Cooking, Clean Up Tips:

Always wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food.

Thaw turkeys in the refrigerator, never on the counter.

Don’t wash raw poultry before cooking.  It can spread germs to other areas.

Place stuffing in the turkey just before cooking.

Cook raw poultry thoroughly to at least an internal temperature of 165° F.

Wash your counters, cutting boards, and utensils after they touch raw meat.

Don’t feed your pets raw food. 

graniteware-oval-roaster-black

Graniteware Oval Roaster

The black graniteware covered roaster speaks holidays to me, but I’m always open to a new trad roasting pan that gets the Thanksgiving turkey roasted to perfection.

Personal preference for white meat drives me to simply roast a boneless turkey breast.

Thanksgiving-platter (1)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place turkey breast, breast-side up, into the roasting pan.

Dry the skin of the turkey breast by patting with a paper towel.

Give the outer skin of the turkey a generous rub down with butter.

Season the turkey breast with seasonings and herbs of your choice (see suggestions further down in the post).

Rub the seasonings into the skin of the turkey breast.

Roast the turkey breast at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes per pound until thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165 degrees F.

Nordic Ware Copper Roaster XL Large

Nordic Ware Copper Roaster XL Large

Cajun Classic 15 Oval Aluminum Roaster GL10050

Cajun Classic 15″ Oval Aluminum Roaster GL10050

Check out vintage shops and flea markets for good deals on vintage cookware.

vintage-cookware-antiques-shop

Cotton Port Antique Mall

Cooks 2-pc. Nonstick Roaster with Rack

Cooks 2-pc. Nonstick Roaster with Rack

Stainless Steel Roaster Pan Extra Large & Lightweight

Stainless Steel Roaster Pan Extra Large & Lightweight

Gibson Home Kenmar High Dome Oval Roaster Set

Gibson Home Kenmar High Dome Oval Roaster Set

Thyme & Table Carbon Steel Roasting Pan with Removable Rack, Black

Thyme & Table Carbon Steel Roasting Pan with Removable Rack, Black

All-Clad B1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Roaster with Rack

Farberware 12″ x 16″ Nonstick Roaster with Rack

brining-bags-autumn-fruit-and-spice-turkey-brine-and-turke

Aroma® 18Qt. Roaster Oven with High-Dome Lid, Black (1)

Aroma® 18Qt. Roaster Oven with High-Dome Lid, Black

Copper Roasting Pan with Rack

Copper Roasting Pan with Rack

3-Piece 18 inch Jumbo Roasting Pan with Lid and Basting Rack, Stainless Steel

3-Piece 18 inch Jumbo Roasting Pan with Lid and Basting Rack, Stainless Steel

Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 6.5qt Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer with High Gloss Finish

Going the pressure cooker and air fryer route gives the holiday cook a holiday helping hand.

Turkey breast is the requested option of the Places In The Home crowd, and I usually go with a 3lb. bird breast.

Here’s my two-step how to air fry a Thanksgiving turkey:

Remove any netting from around the breast, lightly coat turkey breast with olive oil and season with preferred seasonings.

Kalorik MAXX Touch 16 Quart Air Fryer Oven

Kalorik MAXX Touch 16 Quart Air Fryer Oven

Select the air fryer or air crisp function and set fryer to 350 degrees.

The first round of “frying” is for 20 minutes.

Now comes step 2.

Using caution as not to burn yourself, turn the turkey breast and re-coat with olive oil and seasonings.

Set to air fryer or air crisp function at 350 degrees for an additional 30 minutes or until internal temperature of turkey breast reaches 165 degrees.

Allow turkey breast to rest in the place for 10-15 minutes.

Cooks 5-Qt. Programmable Latch and Travel Slow Cooker

Cooks 5-Qt. Programmable Latch and Travel Slow Cooker

For the slow-cooker cooks:

Seasoning the Bird:

I usually add a stalk of celery cut into three equal parts and ½ peeled and sliced onion or 2-3 cut green onions.

Add 1 ½-2 cups of chicken broth or white wine to roasting pan to keep the turkey moist during baking.

No turkey roasting-baking is complete without butter (Julia Child would be so proud).

Rub 4 Tablespoons (½ stick) butter over turkey breast meat under skin.  Next, add 4 tablespoons butter to the turkey cavity.  Finish up by rubbing a generous amount of butter over the outside of the turkey.

Sprinkle turkey with seasonings of your choice of seasonings such as salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, thyme, garlic, rosemary, or Creole seasoning.

turkey-seasonings

Thanksgiving-turkey-seasonings-herbs

Williams-Sonoma Turkey Seasoning Paste

Cover with roasting pan lid or a foil tent for first 1-1½ of roasting.

roast-turkey

dishwasher-safe-plastic-and-rubber-baster

Farberware Professional Dishwasher Safe 3-in-1 Plastic and Rubber Baster

Set of 2 Stainless Steel Turkey Lifters

Set of 2 Stainless Steel Turkey Lifters

Cuisinart 3-Piece Rose Gold Carving Set

Cuisinart 3-Piece Rose Gold Carving Set

how-much-to-serve-holidays

Based on a Thanksgiving dinner for six (6) people, this How Much to Serve guide is simply that; a guide give or take a helping or two.

Turkey:

1-1½ pounds sliced turkey per person (which means you will need to buy a 9 pound turkey).  Think leftovers!

Dressing/Stuffing:

1½ cup serving per person

Sides:

1-½ cup serving per person

Bottles of Wine:

2-3 bottles should be enough to sip and toast for dinner for 6.

Desserts:

Figure on one 9 inch pie being enough for a party of six.

One 5 inch, round, single layer cake.

plymouth-turkey-platter-1

Williams-Sonoma

Plymouth Turkey Extra Large Serving Platter

Plymouth Turkey Extra Large Serving Platter

oval-turkey-platter-Thanksgiving

 Oval Turkey Platter

BLACK+DECKER ComfortGrip 9 Inch Electric KnifeBLACK+DECKER  9 Inch Electric Knife

Arthur Court Thanksgiving Turkey Handed Carving Set - Forged Stainless Steel Carving Fork and Carving Knife

Arthur Court Thanksgiving Turkey Carving Fork and Carving Knife

sliced-carved-holiday-turkey-photo-Con-Poulos

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Con Poulos

Carving the Bird:

Place the bird on a carving board or reliable surface for carving, breast side up with the legs facing away from you.

Position the carving fork in the lower part of the breast to hold the turkey steady as you carve.

Find the hip joint connecting the thigh and the breast and begin slicing through.  Repeat on the opposite side.

Separate the drumstick from the thigh by cutting through the joint.

Let’s move on to the drumstick/ turkey leg.

Pull each leg to extend them away from the body and slice between the breast and the drumstick.

Move the leg backward to loosen it away from the socket, cut away from skin and remove.  Repeat on the opposite side.

Now we’re winging it!

Locate the joint connecting the wing to the body and slice on through.

Repeat on the opposite side.

For the breast, begin by slicing as close to the breastbone as possible.

Slice all the way down as to have one large piece and repeat on the opposite side.

Place breast on cutting surface and slice from smallest end to the largest.

Arrange and plate as you like.

Thyme & Table Stoneware Oval Serving Platter, Harvest (1)

Thyme & Table Stoneware Oval Serving Platter, Harvest

Woodland 12 in Turkey Platter

Woodland 12 in Turkey Platter

vintage-blue-white-large-platter

Cherished family recipes shine at the holidays, and this handwritten recipe platter (submit your recipe) will become a treasured slice of tradition.

Handwritten Recipe Personalized Platter

Handwritten Recipe Personalized Platter

November ushers in the holiday season, and the Thanksgiving Day meal sets the tone and the table for delicious times.

https://brandcycle.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=1198&aff_id=2671&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anrdoezrs.net%2Flinks%2F7921344%2Ftype%2Fdlg%2Fsid%2FA{affiliate_id}O{offer_id}TID{transaction_id}%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.belk.com%2Fp%2Fspode-woodland-12-in-turkey-platter%2F0400600488213.html

2pc Stainless Steel Laquiole Pakkawood Carving Set Brown – French Home

Gathering around the holiday table gorgeously set and featuring a Thanksgiving turkey baked-roasted-grilled-air fried to absolute golden perfection is a culinary tradition to feast upon.

Darleen-signature-love

Fall with Apples and Pumpkins

Fall deliciously places the baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining emphasis on apples and pumpkins, appropriately planting a seed of inspiration.

apple trees picking

Palettes o’plenty are in place under the pines awaiting a pumpkin haul for this year’s local pumpkin patch picking.

pumpkin-patch-2019

I’ve been in  fall baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining with apples and pumpkins development for a week or so.

Introducing hints of fall finery and a new or improved recipe to the troops here at Places In The Home is part of the fall of it all.

apples-and-pumpkins

Flickr

Baking & Cooking

Those of you who get into fall baking and cooking and taste testing know apples and pumpkins are the stars of the show.

Sprinkles and dustings of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg deliciously dress cored, chopped, sliced, minced, cubed, grated or diced apples.

bag-Gala-apples

In the Fall Kitchen with Apples and Pumpkins

One small apple measures 2 ¼ inches across.

One medium apple measures 2 ½ to 2 ¾ inches across.

One large apple measures 3¾ inches across.

types of apples graphic

How many apples are there in a cup?

apple-shaped-measuring-cups

1 medium apple equals:

About 1 1/3 cups sliced or cubed.

About 1¼ cups diced.

About 1 cup finely sliced, minced, or grated.

red-apple

How many apples are in a pound?

4 medium apples equals approximately  1 pound.

2 large apples equals approximately  1 pound.

1 pound of apples equals approximately 3 cups sliced or cubed apples.

apples and pumpkins

Coring and Peeling an Apple

Carefully cut the skin off the apple using a paring knife.

Cut the apple into four wedges.

Remove the core out of each wedge.

Cut, slice, or chop the apples according to recipe preference.

fairy tale pumpkin

One 2½ pound pie pumpkin equals 1¾ cups pumpkin puree (which is equivalent to one 15 ounce can pumpkin).

A 3½ pound pie pumpkin equals 2½  cups pumpkin puree.

Did you know that the pumpkin is really a squash?

Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin sangria, and the big daddy of fall desserts, pumpkin pie, is in the fall tastes and treats spotlight.

traditional pumpkin pie recipe

Traditional Pumpkin Pie Recipe

How to Prep and Puree A Pumpkin 

You can substitute homemade pumpkin puree for any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin.

With that fall baking fact in mind, let’s check out how to make homemade pumpkin puree.

Here we will be using a sugar pumpkin (also called a pie pumpkin), the best for cooking and baking.

sugar pumpkin

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Carefully cut off the top of the pumpkin.  Using a large metal spoon, scoop out the seeds and the “strings”.

Cut the pumpkin in half.

Line a baking sheet with foil and place the pumpkin halves cut side down onto the baking sheet.

Generously rub the outer skin of each pumpkin half with olive oil.

Place in a 375°F preheated oven and roast for 45-60 minutes or until a fork easily inserts into each pumpkin half.

Allow to cool for twenty minutes or until cool enough to handle without risk of burning your hands.

Using a large metal spoon, scoop out the softened pulp.  Place the pulp into in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

staub-ceramic-pumpkin-cocotte

Pumpkin Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Ingredients

2 Sugar Pie pumpkins (each about 2 lb.)
Substitution: 4 cups  of canned pumpkin puree

Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing and drizzling

6 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 shallots, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbs. minced fresh thyme, plus whole sprigs for garnish

¼  cup  Marsala

5 cups vegetable broth, plus more as needed

3 Tbs. maple syrup

1 cup half-and-half

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the grilled cheese croutons:

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature

6 slices artisan white bread or sourdough bread

1 ½ cups grated Gruyére cheese

Directions

To make the soup, using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the top of each pumpkin to remove the stem, then halve each pumpkin vertically.

Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and any stringy fibers and discard.

Brush the flesh of the pumpkins generously with olive oil, then place them, cut sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake until the pumpkins are very tender when pricked with a fork, about 50 minutes.  Let cool for 15 minutes, then scoop the flesh from the peel into a bowl; discard the peels.

You should have about 4 cups of pumpkin.  Set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 Tbs. of the butter.

Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute.

Add the Marsala and deglaze the pan, stirring to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pot.  Add the pumpkin and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.  Add the broth and maple syrup.

Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes.  Stir in the half-and-half.

Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. (Alternatively, working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour back into the pot.)

Add the remaining 3 Tbs. butter to the soup and stir until the butter is melted.  Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in more vegetable broth, if desired, to achieve the desired consistency.  Keep warm over low heat while you make the grilled cheese croutons.

To make grilled cheese croutons, spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread, dividing it evenly.

Heat a large fry pan over medium heat.

Place 3 slices of the bread, butter side down, in the fry pan.  Divide the cheese evenly between the 3 slices in the pan, then top with remaining bread slices, butter side up.

Cook until the bottom of bread is golden brown, then carefully flip each sandwich and continue to cook until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes, turning down the heat if the bread is browning too quickly.

Transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches to a cutting board and let cool slightly while you ladle the warm soup into 6 individual bowls.

Drizzle each serving of soup lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a few grinds of pepper.  Cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes and divide them evenly among the bowls of soup.

Garnish with thyme sprigs and serve immediately.  Serves 6.

-Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen

Decorating

1100 block of Rue du Belier

Country Living

Never underestimate the visual impact of the simple yet elegant seasonal décor accessory.

apple-wreath-supplies

Gorgeous is in the eye and the glue gun of the beholder.

Faux apples, a natural grapevine wreath, and several yards of burlap ribbon  is all you need to DIY your way to a lovely fall wreath.

apple-wreath

In the case of my fall wreath DIY project, I chose to go with a Styrofoam wreath.

Using burlap ribbon from the dollar store, I wrapped the entire wreath to conceal the Styrofoam.

Using a hot glue gun, I glued various sizes of red faux apples and green mini pears from Michaels around the top and sides of the wreath.

Spanish moss serves as an excellent filler and gap cover, and as in the image of the grapevine apple wreaths, burlap ribbon (5½” wide) with a finished edge completes the look.

There’s a bevy of pumpkin decorating ideas out there.

This DIY pumpkin project from Proven Winners utilizes late summer/early fall blooms and foliage to create a Mod Podge magnificent botanical pumpkin.

pumpkin-blankets

We Heart It

Simple makes a simply beautiful statement.

Entertaining

Part of the fun of entertaining is coming up with festive and creative ways to put a seasonal spin on the presentation of drinks, snacks, entrées, sides, and desserts.

apple shaped cheese balls

Better Homes & Gardens

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.”

-Ina Garten

fall-board-cheese

pumpkins-rosemary

Charcuterie | shahr-ku-tuh-ree  refers to the art of preparing and assembling cured meats.

Charcuterie boards feature an array of dried meats, cheeses, fruits and nuts, crackers, breads, jams, preserves, marmalades, olives, pickles, and the like.

bread-butter-pickles

A recent conversation on the topic included a rundown of charcuterie board essentials.

pumpkin board

Great entertaining minds think alike, and we all agreed a gathering of friends or/and family on a crisp fall late afternoon into evening is an excellent entertaining opportunity to bring on a fall cheese or charcuterie board.

pumpkin-wood-serving-platter

There’s no wrong way to do a cheese or charcuterie board.  I put together a small with fall in mind cheese board this afternoon.

It’s meatless, so it doesn’t officially qualify to be referred to as a charcuterie board.

fall-cheese-board

Crisp apples, fresh dates, red grapes, assorted nuts, blue cheese, white cheddar, cream cheese with fig preserves, and dried cranberries fill the board.

A quick walk around the yard later I had fresh rosemary sprigs and mint leaves to use as garnish and filler.

The aroma is spectacular.

fall-pumpkin-cheese-board

What’s in the little vintage creamer?

Honey.

Honey drizzled over a slice of cheese topped with an apple is the taste of fall.

apples-grapes

marmalade-preserves

I love these carved wooden spoons for spooning up preserves and marmalades.

Hand Carved White Oak Wood Snowflake Spoon

Ciders, seasonal wines, and apple flavored sangria are all excellent beverage choices to serve at a fall gathering.

Cinnamon water is a recent fall perfect beverage discovery that’s as tasty as it is easy to make.

This stove top method brings out the flavor and color of the cinnamon.

Begin by adding 2 cinnamon sticks to 2 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.

Allow concentrate to cool before adding to cold water and ice.

cinnamon-water

Baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining with apples and pumpkins on a crisp fall day or evening is part of the tradition and pure fall fun.

Darleen-signature-love

Copper Cookware and Decorative Accents

Copper cookware and decorative accents continue to be a favored choice of kitchen accessory.

Philadelphia 8-3/8" V. Clad Copper Sauce Pan

Philadelphia 8-3/8″ V. Clad Copper Sauce Pan

Exquisite in composition and artistic in execution, culinary preparation is performance art at its delicious best.

Celebrated chefs and accomplished cooks know the advantages of using copper cookware in food preparation.

Denis-Pierre_Bergeret_Geschäftiges_Treiben_in_der_KücheDenis-Pierre Bergeret Geschäftiges Treiben in der Küche  {{PD-US}}

In the daily stove to table taste of home ritual most of us engage in copper far better serves the sizzle, sauté, sauce, and simmer in superior performance and quality taste.

Copper Cookware and Decorative Accents

Style at Home

Temperature uniformity is essential in the cooking process. Too much heat scorches and burns while too little heat deters the notes of taste and flavor. Copper is an excellent heat conductor- the maestro of materials.

copper

Copper cookware distributes a precise and even heat which is the essential element for proper temperature control.

Gorgeous is as gorgeous works, and copper cookware plates a gorgeous taste.

It’s Super Copper Tastic Excellent à la Decorocious!

copper-kitchen-wares

Cooking and decorating share similar attributes.

Balance.

Proportion.

Taste.

Visual appeal.

It is said that we eat with your eyes.

williams-sonoma-mini-copper-cocottes-set-of-4-oWilliams Sonoma

Decorative accents and embellishments should enhance the design rather than overpower it.

Less proves to be so much more in many design and decorating instances, visually speaking.

copper-hood-keystone-millworks-inc

Keystone Millworks, Inc.

Take this white French kitchen hood accented with copper trim as an example.

The copper trim really pops against the white, and draws the eye to the contrast between the exposed brick backsplash/back wall and rustic wood truss with focal point precision.

hh-aldred-kitchen-final3_sup_hh_oc11House & Home

Copper lends a distinctive presence to accents and home decor accessories for unique, sumptuous, whimsical and eclectic kitchen decorating consideration.

Vintage Brutalist Pendant Light

Vintage Brutalist Pendant Light

Portfolio favorites include this photo of the 2011 Kitchen of the Year created by chef Tyler Florence and the copper milk can -creamer accent piece.

tyler-florence-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-copper

2011 Kitchen of the Year created by celebrity chef Tyler Florence

Talk about contrast.

Antique Copper Milk Can

Antique Copper Milk Can

In the presence of dark cabinetry, high-tech appliances and farm to modern rustic, yet refined kitchen design and accessories stands this most impressive copper accent piece.

copper-pendants-hanging

Mixing and mingling traditional and modern design and decorating styles with an antique or vintage pieces is thinking outside of the box of standard decor rules focal point perfection.

Vintage Copper Rabbit Bunny Mold

Vintage Copper Rabbit Bunny Mold

Lighting fixtures, artwork, architectural pieces, decorative objects- copper has got you covered.

This fabulous 1900s antique copper fireplace screen would make a fantastic decorative backsplash piece à la fireback.

Victorian Arts and Crafts Copper and Iron Fire Screen

Victorian Arts and Crafts Copper and Iron Fire Screen

Patina and pit marks come with age- perfect imperfections, if you will.

Copper Pan Set

Copper Pan Set

Patina is the greenish brown film that covers the surface of bronze, copper and similar metals brought on by the natural process of oxidation.

old copper mask

Flickr

Buying vintage copper cookware pieces for decorating purposes differs from buying copper cookware pieces to actually prepare food in.

copper at auctionGallery Auctions, Inc.

Vintage copper cookware pieces tend to be made of unlined copper.

antique-French-rare-copper-colander

Antique French Rare Copper Colander

Unlined copper is categorized as a reactive metal, and may interact with foods.

Safety in cooking is of the utmost importance. Consider opting for copper pots and pans lined in tin or stainless steel which creates a nonreactive lining.

When cleaning copper cookware and decorative accents, avoid using an abrasive cleaner to eliminate the risk of scratching the copper.

copper-Ruffoni-skillet

Allow your copper cookware to cool down after use.  Sudden temperature changes from stove burner to dishwater can promote warping.

Big Pure Copper Container Set

Big Pure Copper Container Set

Be it copper, copper over tin, or copper over stainless steel- the point is the look, performance, and decorative effect.

Copper cookware and decorative accents remain an elegant element and traditional choice of material to complement taste, space, and of course to compliment the chef.

Darleen-signature-love

Places In The Home For The Holidays Thanksgiving Style

Making a list and checking it twice, Places In The Home for the Holidays Thanksgiving style.

memo-book-holiday

Oops- wrong holiday song but right holiday action.

Thanksgiving-kitchen-graphicThere’s no time like now to get into the planning mode.

Buy now what is on seasonal sale, markdown, or clearance.

My cabinets runneth over with sale priced canned goods, spices and the Thanksgiving staple of all Thanksgiving staples, chicken broth.

thanksgiving-serving-guideThank you,  Whole Foods Market!

The world will not come to an end if the rolls don’t rise and the gravy is lumpy.

It may, however, if the turkey doesn’t defrost.

There’s a video from Taste of Home magazine to help with that!

Relax, turn up the tunes and let’s Thanksgiving.

Company’s Coming: Friends and Family

Now We’re Cooking!

food is memories

Placesetting-682x1024Absolutely love this place setting idea from A Place for Us

The ingredients list for a memorable Thanksgiving celebration works off the cornucopia concept.

la102862_1107_gold_vertMartha Stewart

The day should overflow with an abundance of love, food, family, friends and gratefulness.

grateful

It’s Places In The Home for the holidays Thanksgiving style season once again.

I’ll be posting new and updated all things Thanksgiving and Holidays posts over these home for the holidays weeks featuring home decor, side dishes, desserts, gift ideas, advice and fun facts for the it’s the most wonderful time of the year decoristas!

Love your style!

The Southern Dinner Table

As I live and breathe I’ve come to learn the Southern dinner table tells a story. Gathered in regional reverence, devout worshipers of the dining divine keep time to culinary tradition-nourishing the soul as well as the body.

White-Lily-self-rising-flour-bag

Taking a meal at the Southern dinner table is a multi-layered celebration weaving through generations, tradition, and culture.  My appreciation of Southern foods taps into memories of times spent gathered around the Southern dinner table.

honey-biscuits

I surely don’t believe nor make the claim that the South holds the patent on dinner table philosophies, but sitting down to the Southern dinner table is an intended event.

Lenox-Thanksgiving

Regardless if the table is set for cornbread, red beans and rice, or chicken fried anything with all the fixings, eating is far from simply a practice in sustenance.

family dinner table vintage

Photography by Annie Spratt 

From Southern farm, garden, market or waterway to the Southern dinner table, the prepping, cooking, baking, frying, boiling or grilling is a culinary event.

“The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.”

Culinary tastes along with the rituals and traditions of cooking and dining vary from state to state, dining table to dining table across the South, but the core principles of preparing and sharing good food is uncomplicated, simple and basic.

If you cook-bake-fry-roast-barbecue-boil-grill-can-preserve-pickle it, they will come.

Beverly-Hillbillies-vittles

Differences between the ways of my Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana relatives always seemed to warrant a they don’t do it like this in whichever two states you were not breaking bread in.

Present is a shared commonality between the Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana masses that basically boils down to simple dining vocabulary.

Dinner is the meal eaten in the middle of the day with supper being the meal eaten in the evening.

belton-tx1

Breaking bread with the Texas family came with rituals and a throwback vibe all its own.

The dining room table was for the adults, and the kitchen table was for the kids.

Soft white bread on a porcelain bread and butter plate was as close to a bread basket as you were gonna get.

My Aunt Sis was as full of sass as she was wit, and lightening quick with an answer and a serving spoon. This firecracker’s table came equipped with its own GPS system.

Grease.

Preserves.

Salt.

vintage-grease-canister

Grease was the answer for everything, a pressed glass compote dish filled with homemade pear preserves never left the center of the table, and salt was not an acquired taste.

It was a required taste.

compote

The ladies of both my Texas and Louisiana family subscribed to the take down the china, fill the crystal to the rim, and put a hint of silver on the situation school of thought.

When questioned why a middle of the week dinner called for a fine lace tablecloth and a china pattern worthy of royalty, Aunt Sis would shoot back with a, “Well, hon, what’s the use of having the stuff if you don’t use it?”

I knew there was wisdom in her words, and they resonate with me to this day each time I open the doors to the china cabinet.

Life is too short not to use the good dinner plates, crystal and table linens every day.

You can quote me and Aunt Sis on it.

dinner-bell

Does any of this ring a familiar dinner bell with you?

In continuation and reflection of the traditions and tastes of the Southern dinner table, my Tennessee family round the Southern dinner table traditions is the subject of my next post.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

Cooking In The Blue Pot: Homemade Chickenless Pot Pie

It’s cold  outdoors, we’re going to lose an hour Sunday (remember to spring forward), winter has been brutal and frankly, I’m in the mood for comfort food in the form of a good and satisfying homemade chickenless pot pie.

Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6.5 Quart Round Dutch Oven

Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6.5 Quart Round Dutch Oven

Dave the Builder gets the credit for this new series, What’s Cooking In The Blue Pot.

He asked me that question last night and inspiration struck.  Inspiration really is everywhere.

This recipe is not difficult and is made without chicken.

Yes, you read that right.

Without chicken.

It’s a blue pot full of hearty and delicious vegetables in a creamy chicken flavored gravy-sauce.

You know.

Comfort food.

chickenless-pot-pie

Homemade Chickenless Pot Pie

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 whole carrots, peeled and diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 cup potatoes, cubed and cooked

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 package frozen green peas & carrots

½ cup frozen corn

1 cup pearl onions

1 large can mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 ½  teaspoons garlic powder

½ cup white wine

4 cups chicken broth

1 chicken bouillon cube

1½ cups milk

¾ cup flour

2 teaspoons Kosher salt or to taste

1 teaspoon fine black pepper or to taste

2 cans large biscuits or 2 packages cheese biscuit mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray four large or six small ramekins with cooking spray.  Heat chicken broth, milk and bouillon cube in saucepan over low heat until bouillon cube is dissolved.  In another pan cook cubed potatoes.  Set aside.

sauteed vegetables

Melt and heat the butter and olive oil together in Dutch oven.  Saute the diced onions, celery and carrots over medium heat until slightly tender.

Season with Kosher salt, pepper and garlic powder. Reduce heat to medium low.  Add flour to sauteed vegetables, stirring with wooden spoon to prevent burning.  Cook for 2 minutes.

chicken broth and cream

Carefully add the heated chicken broth to dutch oven, stirring until incorporated.  Allow to simmer until thickened, about 6 minutes.

Next, add the white wine, parsley, frozen peas and carrots, corn, cooked potatoes, mushrooms and pearl onions.

Gently stir all ingredients together.  Reduce heat to simmer and heat through, approximately 5 minutes.

pot pie filling

Place prepared ramekins on a  baking sheet.  Divide pot pie mixture equally into each prepared ramekin filling to top.

For cheddar biscuit mix option:

Prepare biscuit mix according to package directions. Adjust oven temperature according to package baking instructions.  Drop a 1-2 heaping tablespoon(s) of prepared dough on top of each pot pie to cover.

Bake in preheated oven until dough on top of pot pie is golden brown.

For canned biscuit option:

I pressed the biscuits in order to flatten. Place 2-3 flattened biscuits atop each large ramekin or 1 biscuit on each small ramekin.

Bake in preheated oven according to directions on can until biscuits on top of pot pie are golden brown.

enjoy

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Holiday Checklist

The time is now to mull over the Thanksgiving dinner holiday checklist.

This most wonderful time of year that should be embraced for what it is- a time to eat, drink, decorate, table set, and celebrate with family and friends.

Thanksgiving-invitation-2019

From kitchen to turkey to table, the more Thanksgiving dinner holiday checklist help I can offer, the merrier and less holiday rushed things will be.

A holiday checklist comes in holiday handy, and is the hostess gift that keeps on giving.

And away we holiday go…

3 weeks to go:

I’m sure to some extent you’ve been in recipe and menu planning mode already.

There’s no time like three weeks out from Thanksgiving to decide which recipes you want to make.

Narrow down what dishes you can realistically pull off without having a culinary nervous breakdown.

Adopt an out with the old to make room for the new.  Clean out accordingly in order to make room for grocery items coming to a refrigerator, freezer, and pantry near you.

Begin picking up non-perishable items, spices needed, dry goods, and any kitchen tools or cookware while shopping.

Grocery ads are beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving dinner sales, and kitchen items are popping up on sale as well.

2 weeks to go:

Creating a handsome holiday table and finalizing the scrumptious dishes worthy of c’est si bon distinction is the objective.

Plan, tweak, adjust, set, and finalize the menu and the tablescape.

menu-dinner

Delegate and Dish

Don’t be a holiday hosting hero.

Say yes to the offers of what can I do-what can I bring.

Make a list of who’s bringing what, and thoughtfully delegate and dish from there.

brown-white-transferware-vegetable-bowl

Take an inventory of the pantry staples, spices, seasonings, and required recipe ingredients you will need.

Make out your grocery list.

Bookmark store ads and coupons on your mobile device.

1 week to go:

Add the finishing touches to your selected tablescape theme.

autumn-bouquet-artichoke-magnolia-

Better Homes & Gardens

Stake out the vases, rose bowls, trays, dough bowl, or clear glass jars you’ll be using for centerpieces and spot arrangements.

Take a count of the number of candles you will need.

herbal-essenceGood Housekeeping

If you will be using new or on hand LED candles, make sure you’ve got plenty of batteries.

Take inventory of table linens, cocktail napkins, china, glassware, flatware, and serving pieces.

intimate-affair-tableModern Thanksgiving Tablescape

I’ve been known to replace chandelier and table lamp light bulbs to mitigate any whatever can go wrong, will go wrong-Murphy’s law proactive holiday hostess issues.

Salento 6-light Chandelier

Ready.

Set.

Go to the grocery store for the turkey and non-perishable food items..

copper-roasting-pan

When deciding on how big of a turkey to purchase, allow 1 to 2 pounds of meat per person

Make sure your roasting pan is large enough to fit turkey.

If you don’t already have one, now is the time to purchase a meat thermometer to help take the guesswork out of when the bird is done.

Let the dessert planning begin!

apple-nut-cake-on-cake-stand

What’s for dessert?

Homemade?

Store bought?

Easy hacks to take a cake or pie from store bought to homemade include a generous drizzle of caramel ice cream topping over a Dutch apple pie.

Top a pumpkin pie with mini marshmallows, sprinkle with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, and bake off in the oven until marshmallows melt.

Spike up the taste of a pecan pie by topping with bourbon whipped cream.

Bourbon Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tablespoon bourbon

2 teaspoons maple syrup

Directions

In a medium bowl, add whipping cream.  Beat on medium speed until mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.  Add bourbon and maple syrup, and beat until stiff peaks form.   Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

five-pie-slices-platesBetter Homes & Gardens

Select serving pieces.

Perhaps it’s time for a new cake plate or tiered tray to add to this year’s holiday finery.

cake-stands-holiday-faux-wreaths

The Pioneer Woman Timeless Beauty Mint Green Cake Stand with Glass Cover

Plan the beverage menu and stock the bar.

champagne-bar

5 days to go:

Prep dishes, flatware and stemware.

holiday-china-crystal

Take a chair inventory.

extra-dining-chairs

Aunt Myrtle’s disco decor days have gone the way of avocado green appliances, wall-to-wall shag carpet, and the Merry Mushroom dinnerware straight out of the housewares department at the local Sears.

Her get down tonight may not be able to get up today if she is forced to sit in the bean bag chair from the kids playroom.

Know your audience, friends.

Buy, borrow, or rent the extra items to meet your holiday hosting needs.

antique-silver-salt-pepper-shakers

Antique Silver Sentiment Salt and Pepper Shakers

Fill salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowl and artificial sweetener dish.

Glass-Sugar-Packet-Holder

3 days to go:

Remove turkey from freezer and place in refrigerator to begin the thawing process.

frozen-turkey

For Refrigerator Thawing:

Place turkey on a tray to eliminate leakage to other areas of refrigerator.

Thaw breast side up, in original unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below).

Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4-5 lbs.

Suggested thawing time for a frozen turkey:

4 to 12 pound turkey:           1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pound turkey:         3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pound turkey:        4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pound turkey:        5 to 6 days

Cold Water Thawing:

Thaw breast side down, in original unopened wrapper.

Cover the turkey completely with cold water.  Change the water every 30 minutes.

Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per pound.

4 to 12 pound turkey:        2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pound turkey:      6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pound turkey:     8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pound turkey:     10 to 12 hours

magnolia-wreath-on-door

Southern Living

Company’s coming!

Curb appeal doesn’t take a holiday.

Lawn and garden for your holiday gathering by cutting, edging, clipping, blowing, and prettying up the porch, walkway, patio, etc…

Clean house accordingly.

Round Kaboo Basket LargeRound Ratan Basket Large

Helpful hint:

Decorative baskets and storage cubes come in mighty handy as a stylish storage solution.

So do closets.

Let’s keep it real here, folks- time and tidiness is not always on our side.

Open up a closet (or two), throw the stuff in it, and come back another day and redistribute.

2 days to go:

Transfer the frozen items prepared in advance, baked goods, and pie dough/crusts from the freezer to the refrigerator.

Take inventory of holiday hospitality guest room essentials.

Clean and stock guest bedrooms and bathrooms with fresh linens and paper goods.

guest-bedroom-essentials-quote1

You know that lightly damp dishtowel left over from last night’s KP duty?

On your way to the laundry room with it, hit the holiday table and chairs dusting high notes.

Two tasks taken care of with one swipe.

drying-dishes

Set out candles, arrange centerpiece, set table with linens, place mats, chargers and place cards.

centerpiece-Thanksgiving-1

1 day to go:

Peel and chop up onions, bell pepper, garlic, herbs, and root vegetables. Place  in plastic storage bags or airtight containers and store in the refrigerator.

root vegetables House & Garden

House & Garden – Photography by Andrew Montgomery

Make cornbread for dressing.

buttermilk-cornbread2

Let the dessert baking begin!

Cakes really do taste better the next day.

apple-pecan-walnut-cake

All the flavors and spices get in there and do their thing, bringing forth the next day flavor c’est si bon.

mrs-meyers-acorn-spice-hand-soap

Set out hand soaps or refill dispensers and place a new roll(s) of paper towels in the holder(s).

When it comes to paper towels in the holiday kitchen, the more the merrier rule of spills and splatters applies.

Life and the holiday kitchen is messy.

Grab a paper towel and clean it up.

Paul Massey blue white dining room

House & Garden

Set out dinnerware, glasses, serving pieces, dishes, bowls and platters.

Turn over or cover with dishtowels until next day.

The Big Event!

Preheat oven.

Take turkey out of refrigerator, season to taste, and place in roaster.

Approximate roasting time for a thoroughly defrosted 12-14 lb. unstuffed turkey is  3-3 ½ hours roasted at  325°F until done.

turkey-roasted

About a half hour before the turkey’s finished, take it out of the oven.

Taylor-Digital-Folding-Probe-Meat-Thermometer-with-Blue-Backlight-Display

 

The turkey is done when the temperature with a meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the breast and 175°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

roast-turkey

Allow the turkey to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to saturate the meat evenly.

beverage

Chill beverages.

clear-glass-pitcher

Prepare other side dishes, salads, and desserts while turkey is roasting.

Sweet-Potato-roast-recipeCrispy Sweet Potato Roast

Prep coffee maker for after dinner coffee.

Take a deep breath.

Remember to enjoy the beauty, food, fellowship and fruits of your holiday labor of love!

Love your style!