Getting stuff holiday ready to greet the occasion with bells on has many of us giddy with delight and on a sentimental journey.
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.”
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My, how times flies when we’re having getting stuff holiday ready fun!
When last we met here on the blog, by the sea table setting accents and accessories lead the entertaining, tablescape, and place settings share and tell.
Regardless if it’s setting the table for a party of one or two of a kind you don’t need a special reason or house full of guests to set a visually dazzling table.
I refer back to the words of my Aunt Sis pertaining to setting a table with the good china, crystal, and the like for the pure pretty of it.
“What’s the use of having the stuff if you don’t use and enjoy it?”
After careful Covid-19 reconsideration, Dave the Builder and I will forgo our summer soiree entertaining.
The number of place settings at our table will be fewer, however, the themed tablescape train with all the delicious trimmings rolls on.
Summer pairs well with setting the table in by the sea chic.
Selecting by the sea table setting accents and accessories pieces sure to complement and dazzle is the part of the process I liken to adding the perfect jewelry, shoes, and bag to a couture emsem.
Memories of summer times spent on the Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Gulf Coast beaches drive my bar and drinkware choices and suggestions.
Presently I’m all in on alligator-crocodile decor accessories.
This particular style of lamp has been around for some time now and with good reason. I’m sourcing and suggesting the pair based on the classic form, style, color, texture, pattern and price.
Stepping away from the norm is more my rule than exception when it comes to seizing the opportunity to use pieces for something different other than their intended purpose.
Using serving bowls in an array of by the sea shapes, colors, textures, and patterns elevate the presentation of everything from steamed vegetables to seafood specialties to cocktail garnishes.
Bulk shells, knobby starfish, accent gems, decorative sand and river rocks make a decorative splash as anchor embellishments.
Dollar stores are a treasure trove of tabletop accessories and supplies for setting and decorating a by the sea tablescape.
For a small amount of money you can create an impressive DIY tabletop focal point or decorative companion piece to build your by the sea centerpiece upon.
Decorative sea and oyster shells placed in sand filled clear glass containers become a tabletop showstopper.
Glass cylinder vases filled with decorative sea shells of various colors, textures, and patterns make a sea escape statement.
Add the following items to your dollar store shopping list and let the DIY centerpiece brilliance begin.
Glass cylinder vases
Floral Garden Decorative Nautical Rope, 9.5 ft. Strands
By the sea fillers and/or embellishments (decorative sand, shells, pearls)
Wrap the rope around the bottom of a glass cylinder, tucking ends into rope.
Candlelight contributes to the overall ambiance- an essential part of the entertaining and table setting scenario.
A pillar candle firmly situated atop decorative sand and shells will shine a soft and inviting light on the by the sea situation.
Retail stores will soon be in summer clearance mode, and this is an opportune time to stock up on great pieces at good prices.
Craft stores offer tons of creative ideas and supplies ready for DIY project perfection creations.
Decorative pearl trim looped through a coastal themed pendant, charm, or bead results in a stylish napkin ring and a little gift of to you from me lagniappe to take home.
Cholla wood, small rope wrapped frames, or mushroom coral pieces used as place card holders or knife rests uniquely carry out the by the sea theme.
From place settings to centerpieces and all the by the sea ambiance in between, by the sea table setting accents and accessories set a lovely scene and a lovely table.
Chatting with Dave the Builder about how Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals let the summer patio good times begin and the opening back up of stores, shops, salons, restaurants, casinos, and the like brought up the question of just when to jump back into the swing of normal things.
Slow and safe is the approach I’m taking concerning out and about, but I’m all in on the season of living easy.
Granted, I would love to host a gathering of more than just me and Dave the Builder to usher in the summer season, and we will eventually, but for now we’ll keep it summer, party of two.
Washing away winter’s remnants always puts a fresh and clean spin on things, and makes way for the patio party part of the process most of us really look forward to- the decorating details.
Ions ago when Dave and I had commercial and residential real estate dealings in Central Florida, we liked to stay at a particular hotel in the International Drive area of Orlando.
We mixed business with pleasure sitting poolside several afternoons, sipping cool beverages and soaking up the island vibe complete with tiki terrific motif.
I’ve carted this handwritten recipe on many a camping trip for the express purpose of satisfying the request of our camping crew.
I got this recipe for Sue and Gloria’s Baked Beans from an episode of Paula’s Home Cooking, and tried it out for the great Fourth of July camping trip of 2008.
Oven baking is not always camping convenient, but you know what is?
A 7 qt. slow cooker.
I put the recipe together while we’re drinking coffee in the morning, set the slow cooker on low for approximately 6-8 hours, and let the goodness come together for dinner.
A little levity while home sweet home in the time of coronavirus by no means makes light of the situation.
What it does do is take some of the stress out of this unprecedented and trying time, if only for a moment or two.
“A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”
–Laura Ingalls Wilder
Between disinfecting surfaces, finding somewhere to put all the supplies and extra food we’ve purchased, corralling Mama Places In The Home who at 80+ years old gets that others need to shelter in place but keeping her standing beauty shop appointment is exempt, and trying not to go crazy with every breaking news update, I’m learning the internet can be a wonderful source of entertaining and educational virtual activities to discover while home sweet home in the time of coronavirus.
For kids and big kids alike, check out these resources and activities from Scholastic and live streams from the Houston Zoo and the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.
Planning for school closures? Scholastic has you covered with FREE engaging online resources and activities from #ScholasticLearnAtHome
Yes we cam! We got you covered in these crazy times. While we’re closed to the public, you can still get your stress-reducing animal fix via our live cams. Watch penguins, baboons, koalas, giraffes, elephants and more 👉 https://t.co/DputHsHt5npic.twitter.com/sTYk0srM5v
When I was a freshman in high school, a group of friends and I hosted a progressive dinner at the end of each six weeks.
We carefully planned out the evening, assigned a cuisine theme, dressed in disco and dine attire, and hopped from one house to another enjoying appetizer, salad, main course, dessert and coffee delicacies.
It dawned on me a virtual progressive dinner could be a lot of fun.
Sure, dining with friends or family is always better in person, but why not get creative and host a virtual progressive dinner.
You could theme it dinner with the girls, cooped up couples virtual night out, or what’s cookin’ with the kids.
Hand washing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an essential must in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease.
In keeping with the scrub-bacterial-germs theme, this snippet from Scrubs comically explains how bacteria and viruses can easily spread from person to person.
Our crew were big Bernie Mac Show fans, and the episode “Now You Got It” was a favorite.
One highly anticipated Vegas trip was totally wrecked after I got sick mid-trip complete with emergency room visits (three to be exact).
I picked up a now you got it germ of my own from one of the Canadian snowbird’s birthday party guests aka the darling little Petri dishes.
Watching this episode brings a little humor and levity to the day.
Look, there’s nothing funny about this pandemic.
Staying close to home may be a sacrifice, but it’s an exercise in social responsibility that is the smart, safe, courteous, and vigilant thing to do at this time.
We must do our part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of this horrible disease by practicing good personal hygiene, social distancing, and following the advice of those in the know by staying home sweet home in the time of coronavirus.
I’m here if you need me, and am keeping you all close in thought and prayer.
Ella asks it, and revelers answer with a chorus of festive New Year’s Eve celebrating and entertaining.
Pinterest
As for Dave the Builder and me, hardcore party animals we are not.
Our party of choice is to host a casual come as you are ringing in the New Year open house in at home style with a few family members, close friends and beloved neighbors.
I keep the decorations traditional, festive, sparkly, and inexpensive.
Gold and silver glamour is the party color palette, and gold glitter ball confetti and silver tissue pom poms signals we’re gonna party in style like it’s 1999 and beyond.
Speaking of party tunes, here’s our updated New Year’s Eve playlist.
New Year.
Classic tunes.
Good times.
Fun and stylish decorations that you can pick up well in advance or even the day of hit all the right New Year’s Eve celebrating and entertaining and decorating notes.
Metallic and/or glitter spray paint and a collection Styrofoam balls in various sizes makes a fun NYE DIY project that results in focal point presence.
Holiday clearance sales quickly become a decorista’s best friend.
Hit up a holiday clearance sale for everything from party supplies to glitter accents to string lights and lanterns.
A quick and easy table decoration tip that always looks grand is to intermingle battery operated string lights and flameless LED battery operated candle filled lanterns or glass holders from table end to table end (think table runner).
Don’t you love the no worries convenience and safety of using flameless candle? I haven’t used a real candle for luminary purposes in years.
Flameless LED battery operated votive and tea light candles give good style, eliminate safety concerns and unless the batteries die, light the party night.
A sand timer and clock become perfect centerpiece accents and sidekick to a bottle of New Year’s Eve bubbly.
The time of year for gathering around the simple yet elegant Thanksgiving table with family and friends who are family is upon us.
The plan is to place the emphasis on the gathering, the feasting, and generating a feels like home ambiance.
Cozy welcomes family, friends, tradition, and style home, and is the requisite for our home for the holidays celebrations.
In keeping with the spirit of the home for the holidays feel, I’m suggesting these distressed metal houses as a super cute decor addition for the holiday table, sideboard, or bar cart.
Holiday Time Distressed Metal House Table-Top Christmas Decoration
Battery operated candles (I source faux candles and battery operated lights with safety in mind) or a strand of LED fairy string lights placed inside illuminates holiday style and brings the look home.
Decor items that easily make the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas decoration have a longer shelf life, decoratively speaking.
Around our house, Thanksgiving day officially signals the holidays have arrived, and I believe in taking full decorating advantage of the relatively short decorating season.
For that express reason I ordered the Holiday Time Winter Frost flocked un-lit wreath from Walmart to “spruce” up the foyer for Thanksgiving into Christmas.
Swing by Dollar Tree if your Thanksgiving table is in need of new, replacement, or extra glasses.
Tradition dictates these beverage glasses making an appearance in most every holiday table post.
Why?
I own them.
I love them.
At $1 each, you simply can’t beat the price.
Thanksgiving feast your eyes upon the newest addition to the holiday sideboard.
Dave and I made a quick fall getaway trip up to Bossier City a couple of weeks ago for fun and a visit to Antique Shoppes At 1100 Barksdale.
Among treasures found was this vintage soup tureen. For less than the cost of two tall specialty coffees, I secured a lovely serving piece to adorn the sideboard.
“What recipe will fill the tureen on Thanksgiving day?” you may ask.
Autumn Squash Soup (in the taste style of Panera Bread)
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
2 pounds (l large) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped into cubes
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic (easier to use and flavor packed)
1 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon fine black pepper (or to taste)
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup apple juice
½ cup pumpkin puree
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
2 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened
½ cup heavy cream (Greek yogurt or half-n-half may be substituted)
Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Peel squash removing seeds. Cut peeled butternut squash into chunks and place on a cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil over squash chunks and season with salt and pepper.
Bake at 450°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until fork tender.
Using a potato masher, mash the roasted squash cubes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven or soup pot heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions to heated oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion becomes soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic.
Add roasted butternut squash, pumpkin puree, broth, apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to pot and stir to incorporate. Bring to a slight boil. Cover and lower the heat to simmer. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes to incorporate flavors.
Remove pot from the heat. Add the maple syrup and softened cream cheese, stirring until cream cheese is melted.
Use a hand blender to blend mixture until smooth. If you do not have a hand mixer, carefully transfer mixture to traditional stand blender in two batches. Puree each batch until smooth. Transfer mixture back to the pot and adjust flavors to taste.
If you feel the soup is too thick, add more broth to reach desired consistency.
Garnish soup with a swirl of heavy cream, half-n-half, or dollop of Greek yogurt and roasted pepitas.
Rounding out the decorative details includes a selection of simple yet elegant Thanksgiving table items easy to find in retail stores, produce sections, and online retailers.
So many if not all of these items will transition beautifully from Thanksgiving to Christmas decor.
Yesterday I dropped by our local Joann store to pick up two small faux cedar wreaths for a holiday project.
More on that to come.
As soon as I walked through the front doors the aroma of cinnamon filled the air. To say the scent instantly put me in the holiday mood is an understatement.
I spied a huge display cinnamon scented pine cones, and knew those babies were coming home with me.
Pine cones identify with fall, Thanksgiving, winter, and Christmas.
Further tie the season and holidays of cozy together by using pine cone ornaments tied with velvet ribbon as napkin rings.
Loop ribbon in your choice of design, texture, and color through the top of an ornament ring.
Tie each ornament around individual dinner napkins, securing in a loose knot.
Custom napkin rings made their way to the table several holidays ago by way of small oval framed pictures secured with wire ribbon and a tucked in ginkgo leaf.
Here’s the fun part.
Announce to your guests the custom made napkin ring is theirs to take home as a from me to you favor gift.
I hope these simple yet elegant Thanksgiving table decor choices lend ideas and inspiration.
“Forever on Thanksgiving Day the heart will find the pathway home.”
Spooktacular Halloween decorating suggestions come alive at 101 Inspiration Lane for the decorista who dares to bedazzle house and home in haunted fashion destined to thrill and delight the eye.
Can’t you just here the creaking floors?
Go ahead and click on the sound effects to set the mood.
I dare you.
The National Retail Federation reports those of who decorate house and home for Halloween will spend $2.7 billion (that’s billion with a b, folks) on Halloween theme home decor items.
Another interesting tidbit of retail information is the total spend for 2019 is expected to be the third highest in the history of the survey. The top record for Halloween spending belongs to Halloween 2017 when spending came in at $9.1 billion.
That’s a whole lotta spooktacular Halloween decorating.
*Halloween Decorating Suggestions Tip*
At first sighting of the cute, scary, and practical Halloween (or any holiday) decorations and tablewares that speak Halloween party must-have to you is the time to buy.
Decoristas plan, prep, and purchase party goods earlier and earlier each year, and as they say, you snooze, you lose.
Same goes for ordering from sites with a 10 day to 2 week order to delivery time.
Halloween is a prime time for showcasing your decorating creativity. Front and back doors, windows, fireplace mantels, staircases, accent furniture, porches, lawns, gardens, patios, and sidewalks become prime players in a game of Halloween decorating dress-up.
Rather it be a pair of jack-o-lanterns, garden statues fraught with frightful air, or a lavish display in spine-chilling style, affordable is the trick and eye-catching is the treat.
Garden statues easily and eerily stand fabulous as centerpieces for the Halloween feast table or bar cart.
Seasonal, special event, and holiday decorating can wreak double, double toil and trouble on one’s wallet; reason numero uno why I like to source and suggest items that can pull double decorating duty.
The wood chip wreath featured above is an example of a decor item that can do just that.
The fiery orange color pairs well with an artificial black raven crow for Halloween either as a door or wall decoration or a centerpiece. When the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, it now becomes a fall into Thanksgiving decorative accessory.
Dim all the lights is not only a Donna Summer disco hit, but my lighting rule for an enchanting evening.
The soft glow of string lights in your favorite color placed inside a clear glass pumpkin jar with lid or under a collection of clear glass pumpkin cloches is a simple yet elegant lighting option.
Is it a candle ring or a DIY Halloween wreath?
I won’t keep you in suspense- it’s what you want it to be.
Using your preferred Halloween color(s), wrap a straw wreath with decorative mesh or burlap ribbon.
Spray paint is another way to go, and comes in a wide range of colors complementary to the fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas color palette.
This Halloween decorating suggestion hocus-pocus focuses on getting more bang for your buck out of items you can use on one or more occasion or holiday.
Pin the mesh or ribbon to wreath to secure. Straight pins can be removed as can the material.
This frees up the wreath to be used for another project.
Complete the look with faux flowers, and depending on how tame or terrifying you want it to be, you can add boa feathers, flecked spiders, plastic snakes, masks or rats, skull heads or skeleton hands.
I get so excited about spooktacular Halloween decorating suggestions that I lose my head.
Mama Places In The Home stopped by today, and wasted no time sharing with me her startled, spooked, fright and delight over the flecked spiders nesting on the dining chairs.
The potion for the proper blend of Halloween haunt is a spot of spooky style mixed with a touch of back in the day tradition.
This stove top method brews and steeps 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.
I discovered the cinnamon concentrate is also delicious in hot or iced tea. The concentrate becomes more potent over time, so you may want to taste test as you go.
My Halloween decorating suggestions thinking cap was on tight when I placed an order for several of these pillow covers to tuck into Halloween party favor bags.
These pillow covers are in the style of a famous Italian designer, and a quick eBay search usually results in a super deal with free shipping.
Fun, frightful, and fabulous Halloween decorating suggestions offer affordable ideas and easy tips ready to help transform your home into the spooktacular showcase it’s sure to be.
Fall deliciously places the baking, cooking, decorating, and entertaining emphasis on apples and pumpkins, appropriately planting a seed of inspiration.
Palettes o’plenty are in place under the pines awaiting a pumpkin haul for this year’s local pumpkin patch picking.
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.
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.
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.
How many apples are there in a cup?
1 medium apple equals:
About 1 1/3 cups sliced or cubed.
About 1¼ cups diced.
About 1 cup finely sliced, minced, or grated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Never underestimate the visual impact of the simple yet elegant seasonal decor accessory.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
Our Canadian snowbird son and daughter-in-law have mastered the art of the charcuterie board.
I wish they would master the art of prepare it, shoot it, send a photo of it this way, but I digress.
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.
A recent conversation on the topic included a rundown of their charcuterie board essentials.
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.
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.
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.
What’s in the little vintage creamer?
Honey.
Honey drizzled over a slice of cheese topped with an apple is the taste of fall.
I love these carved wooden spoons for spooning up preserves and marmalades.
