All Things House That Make A Home
Happy New Year’s Eve into New Year 2021, dear friends!
As the hands on the clock move us forward into a New Year, I’m meeting 2021 looking forward to brighter and beautiful things to come in life and blog life.
I so hope you all will come along on the stylish and beautiful ride.
Here’s to the New Year 2021- a year I pray is blessed in love, happiness, health, safety, prosperity, peace, inspiration, and beauty for all.
On this most blessed day in December and from our home to yours, Dave the Builder and I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.
As you and yours celebrate this wonderful holiday Christmas season, may the love of family and friends, joy of life, comfort of home, hope of brighter and healthier days ahead, and a glorious sense of style fill your heart and home with peace and love.
Festive photos of the Christmas season reminds and reinforces the notion it’s magically beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
“…freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin – inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night…”
– John Geddes
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
– Norman Vincent Peale
“Christmas isn’t a parade or concert but a piece of home you keep in your heart wherever you go.”
– Donna VanLiere
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”
– Marjorie Holmes
Bless’er House as featured by Better Homes & Gardens
“Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.”
– Freya Stark
“Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.”
– Kahlil Gibran
“The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There’s a kind of glory to them when they’re all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.”
– Andy Rooney
House & Garden – Photo by Paul Massey
“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.”
– Pindar
“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.”
– Richelle E. Goodrich
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Jason Donnelly
“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.”
– Louisa May Alcott
“Thank you, Dear Creator, for Life. Thank you for Dreams. Thank you for Ideas and Thoughts and Feelings. Most of all, thank you for choosing me to grow – just for today – and to know the Wonder of Your World and its many Possibilities.”
― Janie Jasin
Victoria Magazine – Photography Marcy Black Simpson
Styling by Melissa Sturdivant Smith
“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.”
― Tom Baker
Christmas songs and sights rule the festive fun around Places In The Home this time of year.
Why certain things come to mind when we hear Christmas songs is anyone’s guess, but I believe traditions old and new, coupled with cherished memories near and dear to heart and mind, work together to awaken the spirit of the season that beautifully dwells within all of us.
As I was listening to classic Christmas songs late Saturday night, an imagined slideshow broke out in my thoughts- some obvious, some silly, but all telling.
So here you go, my wonderful friends, a Christmas songs and sights ’tis the season pictorial.
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling “yoo hoo!”
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie
From Pennsylvania, folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific
– I know it means from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean(s), but the line always brings to mind thoughts of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known to some of us as A&P
Gee, the traffic is terrific
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear
Silver bells (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song, as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel
Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa’s on his way
He’s filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me
It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too
the snow’s comin’ down
(Christmas) I’m watchin’ it fall
(Christmas) lots of people around
(Christmas) baby, please come home
Elle Decor – Photo by Douglas Friedman
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Thanksgiving 2020 is upon us, and although today may not resemble what defines conventional turkey times I like to focus on the core purpose of the day- thankfulness.
House Beautiful – Photo by Pernille Loof
Counted among the many things I’m grateful for is the privilege of being invited into your home through word, style, design and friendship.
House Beautiful – Photo by Pernille Loof
On this Thanksgiving Day 2020, may the love of family and friends, health, and the joy and comforts of home richly touch and bless your life.
It’s that time of year when holiday cake recipes are cooking, baking, and taste of the holidays making in the Places In The Home test kitchen.
Grandmother’s Tennessee Pound Cake with Nutmeg is tradition on a cake plate, and Wilshire Walnut and Spice Cake is a newly developed recipe worthy of center stage on the holiday dessert table.
The warm and inviting colors, textures, and patterns found in this house of the year kitchen by Susan Burns Designs offers holiday cake recipes baking inspiration.
Reflecting on holidays past brings back memories of recipes baked with love and taste traditions.
Crammed between the pages of a beloved cookbook inherited from an aunt is a collection of handwritten recipes cooked, baked, tested, and penned in the kitchen of my paternal grandmother.
Truth in baking disclosure:
The cupboard was bare of mace, and most importantly, what is mace?
Mace is a spice native to Indonesia. The flavor is sweet and woody reminiscent of nutmeg, however, not quite as sweet. Some describe the taste of mace as a blend of cinnamon and pepper.
Nutmeg stands as the spice I have plenty of, and so 2 teaspoons found its way into the batter.
Grandmother’s Tennessee Pound Cake with Nutmeg
Ingredients
3 cups granulated sugar
3 sticks salted butter
6 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour; sifted
2 teaspoons nutmeg or to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 300° F. Using a mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar together until mixture reaches a fluffy texture. Add eggs one at a time to creamed butter and sugar.
Reduce mixer speed to low; slowly add sifted all-purpose flour and nutmeg to wet ingredients.
Using a wooden spoon or cake spatula, spoon batter into greased and floured tube pan.
Bake at 300° F for 1 hour or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove cake from tube pan and transfer to cake stand or platter of choice.
Building upon a traditional holiday recipe, this next cake highlights the spices, fruits, and nuts associated with the taste of the holidays.
Wilshire Walnut and Spice Cake
Ingredients
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups fresh apples, peeled and chopped
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup golden raisins
1 Tablespoon candied lemon peel
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Grease and flour Bundt pan.
Peel and chop apples; sprinkle with lemon juice.
Mix together sugar and oil; add eggs one at a time and beat until creamy.
Add vanilla.
Using a whisk, combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves together.
Add dry ingredients in small amounts to sugar and oil mixture.
Next, add chopped apples, walnuts, candied lemon peels, coconut, and golden raisins.
Stir until incorporated.
Using a wooden spoon, evenly spoon mixture into a greased and floured Bundt pan.
Bake in 350° F oven for approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Meyer lemons are pucker power packed with bright flavor that complements two of my favorite fall spices– nutmeg and cloves.
Candied Lemon Peels
Ingredients
6 lemons
6 cups cold water, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
2½ cups sugar
Directions
Peel lemons by taking off long thick strips. In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water, ½ teaspoon salt, and lemon peels. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, strain mixture and reserve liquid.
Return liquid and lemon peels to pan. Add in ½ teaspoon salt and bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, strain mixture, and reserve lemon peels.
Add 2 cups water and sugar to pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Add lemon peels. Gently simmer for 45 minutes being careful not do let the sugar caramelize. Remove from heat and drain.
Place lemon peels onto a piece of parchment paper that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Allow candied lemon peels to dry for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Store candied peels in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
In preparing and feasting anticipation of traditional and new traditional Thanksgiving dishes sure to impress plate and palate, it is my pleasure to share with you all a collection of company worthy Thanksgiving dishes for your gather together holiday celebration.
Southern Living – Photo by Helen Norman
Click on the links for recipe ingredients and directions.
You ain’t seen stuffing yet until you put a Louisiana spin on it.
Plymouth Gate Dinner Plates, Turkey
Autumn-spiced pecans introduce the taste of the season as appetizer or garnish.
Autumn-Spiced Pecans
Ingredients
1 pound pecan halves
½ cup sugar
1½ teaspoons apple pie spice
1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 large egg white
Directions
Preheat oven to 300°. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, stir together pecans, sugar, apple pie spice, smoked paprika, salt, and red pepper.
In a medium bowl, beat egg white with a mixer at medium speed until foamy. Add egg white to pecan mixture, stirring until coated. Spread mixture in an even layer on prepared pan.
Bake, stirring twice, until egg white begins to dry, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally.
Makes about 6 cups
As lovely as a candy or bon-bon dish is for housing appetizers, Covid-19 safety practices deem individual serving options necessary.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Amy Allen
House Beautiful – Photo by Allisonn Gootee
Traditional favorites set our Thanksgiving table, but there’s always a place at the table for new traditional dishes and decor accents and accessories.
New for Thanksgiving 2020 is this wonderfully rustic DIY place card idea.
Pick up a package of pine wood discs and a permanent marker in your personal choice of color.
Design and decorate to taste and theme and assign the name of each diner to a disc.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo Blaine Moats
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Carson Downing
Let’s talk getting an idea of the holiday kitchen accessories perfect for the holiday decorating season.
With the present state of health affairs we all find ourselves in I say if we’re spending more time at home let’s start sooner than later decking the halls, dining rooms, and kitchens.
One good thing about staying close to home and being Covid 19 safe is the scads of internet time it affords decoristas to check out the latest and greatest home for the holidays goodies.
It’s never too early in my humble and holiday opinion (think Black Friday).
Besides, who wants to play the waiting game and run the risk of the dreaded sold out and not available notice?
With that thought in mind, coupled with the knowledge Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I’m sourcing and sharing kitchen accessories and accents in holiday and not so holiday finery.
Images of Christmas from 1900 yesterday depict the hustling and bustling times of the spirited and decorated holiday kitchen.
Check out the back in the day Philco Port-O-Sound Cart.
Music is a key part of my kitchen plan and prep routine, a natural stress reliever, brings back and makes memories old and new, and delivers as a grand communicator.
Vintage wares and groovy sound system style caught my eye, but the apron is sending true kitchen keepsake love my way.
Feast your eyes on Mama Places In The Home modeling her mother’s apron which is almost identical to the one in the image.
Necessary holiday kitchen accessories for the holiday kitchen 2020 include a sassy apron and face masks in seasonally appropriate colors and patterns.
Little Red Truck Half Apron – Christmas Apron for Women
Variety 5-Pack of Triple-Layer Cloth Pleated Face Masks for Adults
Do you include home decor items on your Dear Santa gotta have it list?
Lost on me is the notion of home decor accents and accessories being off limits for Christmas gift giving and/or receiving.
Who came up with that?
A decoristas love of all things house that make a home does not take a break at the holidays, and the gift of holiday kitchen accessories and accents is the gift that keeps on giving.
Govan French Country Wooden Barstools with Upholstered Seating (Set of 2)
Working with an in the style of premise, let’s look at a few items dripping in vintage chic that classically make the leap from yesteryear to current decor styles.
Christmas morning comes early when you find a forgotten set of copper molds bought sometime last year on a Goodwill run.
Woodward Style Iron Patio Bar Cart
Chic is served in the holiday kitchen in many ways, but I especially like the blending of old with new, classic with current.
The Woodward Style Iron Patio Bar Cart becomes a classic statement piece stylishly prepped for kitchen duty.
Global Caravan Marari Rattan Bar Cart in Black
Option number two is this super chic Marari Rattan Bar Cart.
Number three gives a nod to the gold accents and accessories throughout my kitchen.
CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Trevia Folding Cart
The addition of a lovely table lamp(s) to your kitchen countertop creates an inviting and cozy aesthetic as well as promotes a curated ambiance.
Vienna Ceramic LED Table Lamp White Gold by JONATHAN Y
Fast forward to today’s music scene and heard options equipped with smart features and full-range sound quality.
An audible squeal of delight followed when I saw this image from Leanne Ford’s home as featured in Domino.
On, Elvis! on, Haggard! on Harris and Campbell!
Talk about two albums (and 8 tracks) that shaped the soundtrack of my childhood into teenage years.
Parker Light Beige Record Player
The Parker Record Player from Victrola captures a vintage style while offering the warm sound of analog recordings through built-in stereo speakers.
Modern technology allows you to stream music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Behold this in the style of vintage covered hen dish in jadeite reimagined as a sugar bowl.
Beautiful L.E. Smith Clear Glass Standing Turkey Dish w Lid
Get kitchen creative when it comes to sugar, sweetener, salt, and spice bowls.
Godinger Hershey’s Kiss Crystal Candy Dish
Using a Hershey’s Crystal Kiss Candy Dish as a counter decoration holder for sweetener packets, sugar in the raw, or coarse sea salt is a crystal clear reminder of holiday traditions.
Connected Goods Olive Wood Spice Bowl and Spoon
Spending an afternoon checking out the many talented artists and wares the internet has to offer is part of the source and ye shall find show and tell.
You never know what unique pieces you’ll find as was the case with these Thanksgiving turkey decoupage oyster shells.
I believe they’ll be focal point worthy as salt and black pepper cellars.
Decoupage Handpainted Thanksgiving Turkey Oyster Shells
In keeping with the rustic and natural theme associated with Thanksgiving, farmhouse, and a woodland Christmas, this Heritage Lace Artisan Wood Bark Natural decorative bowl becomes an eye catching addition to your holiday kitchen accessories portfolio.
Artisan Wood – Bark Natural Decorative Bowl
Copper in the kitchen is my kind of holiday decoration.
Cook and bake for the holidays in good taste as well as in great style.
Copper Measuring Cups, Set of 4
We’ve covered copper, now let’s toast this beauty that can pull double duty as a champagne bucket/wine cooler when celebrating and as an anything but everyday utensil holder when not.
Traditional Aluminum Bucket Wine Cooler
Super stylish decorative pieces is always reason enough to celebrate.
Fall into Thanksgiving straight through to Christmas counts as the holidays at our house.
House & Home – Designer Timothy Johnson – Photo by Virginia Macdonald
Decorating a kitchen backsplash , window(s), or wall with a wreath is a year round decorative delight, and at the holidays it gives such a festive look.
12″ Preserved Natural Boxwood Leaf Christmas Wreath by Ashland
Further the presentation with additions and accents in not just for the holidays colors, textures, and patterns.
Farmhouse style is a design style darling for today’s kitchen decor, and these mixing bowls in hobnail white are sure to become a favorite kitchen element all year long.
Tabletops Gallery® 4-pc. Mixing Bowl Set
Mason Cash In The Forest 1 Quart Measuring Jug
Country Living Magazine -Photo by David Tsay
Mosser Jadeite Mixing Bowls, Set of 3
Between traditional convenience and today’s technology and performance lies my hand mixer preference.
The Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with HEATSOFT Technology softens cold ingredients with gentle heat while mixing- cutting out the need to bring non-room temperature ingredients to room temperature.
Oster 270-Watt Hand Mixer with HEATSOFT Technology
Copper is a delightful color complement to the shades of the fall and Thanksgiving color palette, however, I’m thinking the KitchenAid Artisan Empire stand mixer in holiday happening red is the way to mix things up.
Cooking, baking, and delicious treat making goes with the seasonal territory, and remember, Santa does love his cookies.
KitchenAid ® Artisan Empire Red Stand Mixer
Nordic Ware Sunflower Harvest Loaf Pan
Nordic Ware Premier Gold Classic Fluted Loaf Pan
Nordic Ware ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Loaf Pan
Christmas Theme Engraved Laser Rolling Pin
Stoneware House Cookie Jar Sour Cream – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
Sweets, treats, and holiday eats.
No time like the present for getting into the holiday spirit.
Fall into winter is the season of cozy, and hot chocolate is the official unofficial warm beverage most of us love to settle in with.
Setting up a hot cocoa bar is easy and never fails to impress and please the home for the holidays crowd.
Grab an inexpensive silver tray from the dollar store, fill with equally inexpensive theme of the season mugs, and you’re off to the races.
Black Tree Imprinted Stoneware Mug White – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
Pick your garnishes and place in glass containers, jars, small bowls, porcelain creamers, vintage gravy boats- you get the idea.
Covid-19 need not dampen your holiday spirits.
Entertain healthy and smart by mitigating to the best of your ability the spread of germs; grand advice at all times, but especially now.
Snacks, appetizers, charcuterie boards, and yes, a hot cocoa bar/station will still be a part of our holiday sip and snack times with a few tweaks to keep with safe and smart gathering.
Oohs and aahs over presentation is a gift to host, hostess, and guests alike.
Construct a central presentation board, and from there go with individual items, single portions, and serve yourself beverage or cocktail bars.
Fall into winter themed charcuterie boards dressed with seasonal cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, jellies, and preserves tempt and delight.
Serving ideas include:
Assemble individual charcuterie boards.
Layer glass jars with cheese bites, seasonal dried fruits, sweet breads and nuts, a couple of breadsticks, garnish with fresh herbs, and voilà.
Prepare individual trays for beverages including all items to mix, mingle, spike, and jingle.
Simply and elegantly single serve to guests.
We can’t spread the germs, but we can spread the holiday joy!
Pear Shaped Mango Wood Cutting Board
Epicurean Slate Snowman Cutting Board
White & Red Santa & Sleigh Shaped Cracker Tray
Rustic with a stunning twist is on-trend, and I love these options for year round serving pieces.
Seasonal fruits, flowers, eats, and treats will entice the eye even more when housed in and on these presentation pieces.
Johnson Brothers Devon Dinner Plate
Wall art is an excellent way to introduce color into a space, and reproduction advertising prints and posters do just that.
Lady Cirio Canned Food Company Woman Holding Vegetables Fruits
Pomegranate Pot Roast-Photo by Blaine Moats
Striking cookware and serving pieces top the must have holiday kitchen accessories list.
Cook and Host Ruffled 17.25 in. 169 fl. oz. Ivory Ceramic Stoneware Baker
Staub Ceramics 14″ Oval Covered Baking Dish
Kalihari 9.75-Inch Pie Dish in White
Better Homes & Gardens Porcelain Bakeware Serve Dish, Oven to Table
White cookware is a personal favorite for its timeless-never goes out of style durability, however, color cooks up a delightfully trendy presentation.
Better Homes & Gardens Ellie Rectangular Baking Dish in Sage, Set of 3
High holiday style is deliciously delivered in these gold-tone stoneware cocottes.
Gold-Tone Stoneware Cocottes, Set of 2, Created for Macy’s
Pattern makes the case for form, fun and function.
Haden US 4-Slice Margate Poodle & Blonde Toaster
Home for the holidays can present a whole host of dishes both delicious and dirty.
If you are even remotely considering replacing your current kitchen faucet, there’s no time like the present.
Under consideration for a new kitchen sink faucet is the Bolden-Single Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet.
Edison Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet
Multi-purpose warrants consideration when selecting home furnishings and decor pieces.
Romilly 7-Drawer Black and Oak Brown Dresser
This Baxton Studio Romilly 7-Drawer Black and Oak Brown Dresser checks all the boxes in regards to function, form, affordability, and the signature feature required by decoristas, style.
But wait, Darleen.
Did I understand you to reference it as a dresser?
Good eye, decoristas!
True, it is marketed as a dresser, but the dual tones, serpentine shaped frame design, and ample amount of drawers qualifies it as an excellent furnishing option for use as a sideboard-buffet-server.
House & Home – Designer Angela Wheeler- Photo by Virginia Macdonald
Striking holiday kitchen accessories bring seasonal appeal as well as year long chic to the heart of the home.
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