Mother’s Day Recipes

Mother’s Day recipes gift ideas for preparing a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast, brunch, and/or dinner spread.

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Pinterest

Be it breakfast in bed, dining table set to impress, or a picnic spread enjoyed in springtime splendor, a deliciously edible and visually stunning Mother’s Day meal stands as a time-honored gathering held in celebration of Mom.

blue-white-bedroom

Flower Magazine
Photo by David Hillegas – Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Picture and pitcher perfect for this special day, colorful vintage pitchers packed full of fresh flowers and cuttings strike a commanding pose.

peonies-in-blue-vase-Kritsada-Panichgul

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Kritsada Panichgul

For your Mother’s Day recipes inspiration consideration, I’m featuring traditional favorites from my traditional favorites, blog friends, Better Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living Magazine.

Strawberries and Cream French Toast

Strawberries and Cream French Toast

Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1¼ cups heavy whipping cream, divided

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons strawberry jam

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch-thick slices

Sugared Fruit (see recipe below)

Maple syrup

Directions

Spray an 11×7-inch baking dish with baking spray with flour.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, ¼ cup cream, and granulated sugar with a mixer at medium speed until smooth.  Stir in jam; set aside.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together remaining 1 cup cream, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Dip bread slices in cream mixture. Spread one side of each bread slice with approximately 2 teaspoons cream cheese mixture.

Place bread slices upright, side by side, in prepared dish.  Pour any remaining egg mixture over bread slices.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Remove casserole from refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until center is set and bread is golden brown, about 30 minutes more.

Spoon sugared fruit over casserole before serving. Serve with maple syrup.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Sugared Fruit

Ingredients

1½ cups quartered strawberries

1 cup raspberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup blackberries

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons bourbon

Directions

In a large bowl, stir together strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, sugar, and bourbon.

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

-Victoria Magazine

tarragon-chicken-salad-Jennifer-Davick

Southern Living Magazine – Jennifer Davick

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)

½ cup chopped celery (from 2 stalks)

1/3 cup dried cranberries

2 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ cup mayonnaise

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

Directions

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl until well incorporated. Garnish with additional chives, if desired.  Serve immediately or, for best results, chill, covered, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours before serving.

-Southern Living Magazine

Garden Herb Compound Butter with Edible Flowers

Garden Herb Compound Butter with Edible Flowers Recipe

Garden herb compound butter with edible flowers serves as a complementing garnish for fresh springtime vegetables or warm slices of your favorite artisan bread.

enox-butterfly-meadow-9-in.-porcelain-accent-salad-plate

easy-strawberry-madeleines-recipe

Easy Strawberry Madeleines Recipe

Sweet bites enhance tea time.

Royal Heritage Bone China Cup and Saucer - Pink Rose

Harney & Sons Mother's Day Floral Tea Sachets 30 Count

Rosé Lemonade Elderflower Sangria

Rosé Lemonade Elderflower Sangria Recipe

The Pioneer Woman Amelia 14.7-Ounce Rose Tea Goblets, Set of 4

hibiscus-punch-photo-Melanie-Acevedo

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Melanie Acevedo

Hibiscus Punch

Ingredients

¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

6 whole cloves

4 hibiscus tea bags

1 ½ cups orange juice

1 ½ cups grapefruit juice

Ice cubes

2 limes, thinly sliced

Directions

In a small pot combine ¼ cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, 6 whole cloves, and 2 cups water.

Bring to boiling over high; cook and stir 1 minute or until sugar dissolves.

Add 4 hibiscus tea bags. Let cool to room temperature.

Strain through a sieve into a large pitcher.

Stir in 1½ cups each orange and grapefruit juices.

Chill up to 24 hours. Serve with lime slices.  Serves 8.

-Better Homes & Gardens

Lilac Lemon Water

Lilac Lemon Water Recipe

Vanilla Bean Cake with Blackberry Buttercream

Vanilla Bean Cake with Blackberry Buttercream Recipe

lemon-verbena-ice-cream-pie-photo-Dana-Gallagher

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Dana Gallagher

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream Pie

Ingredients

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream

1 cup milk

½ cup fresh lemon verbena leaves or 4 teaspoons lemon zest

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¾ cup sugar

3 egg yolks

1 ½ cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

Ginger Shortbread Crust

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons finely chopped candied ginger

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Herbs and edible flowers, such as lemon verbena, phlox, and/or roses

Directions

For Lemon Verbena Ice Cream:

In a medium saucepan heat milk and verbena or zest just to a simmer over high.  Remove from heat; let steep about 30 minutes.  Stir in salt.

In a medium bowl whisk together sugar and egg yolks until thick and pale. Return milk to a simmer.  Gradually whisk 1/2 cup milk mixture into egg mixture.  Continue whisking until smooth.  Slowly add egg mixture to saucepan, stirring constantly.  Cook and stir over medium-low until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and just starting to bubble.  Stir in cream. Press through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl; discard solids.  Stir in vanilla.

Set mixture in an ice bath to chill, stirring occasionally.  Transfer to a 2-qt. ice cream freezer.  Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions.

For Ginger Shortbread Crust:

Grease a 9-inch pie plate. Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium 30 seconds.  Add flour, sugar, candied ginger, ground ginger, and salt.  Beat until a soft dough forms.

Press dough evenly into prepared pie plate.  Line with a double thickness of greased foil.  Fill to top with pie weights.  Bake 25 minutes.

Remove foil. Bake 10 to 12 minutes more or until dark golden brown. Let cool completely.  Freeze at least 1 hour.

Spread ice cream into crust.  Freeze at least 4 hours or until ice cream is firm.  Let stand at room temperature 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Top with herbs and edible flowers.  Makes 10 servings.

-Better Homes & Gardens

confetti-cakes-photoo-Antonis-Achilleos-food-styling-Torie-Cox-prop-styling-Kay-E-Clarke (1)

Southern Living Magazine – Photo by Antonis Achilleos
Food Styling by Torie Cox – Prop Styling by Kay E. Clarke 

As easy as they are pretty, this recipe for Mini Confetti Cakes is Mother’s Day perfect.

Mini Confetti Cakes

Ingredients

1 (15 1⁄4-oz.) pkg. vanilla cake mix

3 tablespoons pink candy sprinkles

Homemade Whipped Cream (recipe below)

Edible flowers (such as violas, tuberous begonias, English daisies, and pansies)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Prepare cake batter according to package directions, stirring pink candy sprinkles into batter. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch baking pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 28 to 33 minutes.

Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto rack; cool completely, about 45 minutes.

Prepare the sweetened whipped cream.

Cut out 15 mini cakes from cooled cake using a 2 1⁄2-inch round cutter.  Slice each mini cake in half horizontally, making 2 layers per mini cake.

Using a small offset spatula, spread sweetened whipped cream on half of layers, and top with remaining layers.

Cover tops and sides of cakes with whipped cream.  Press edible flowers directly onto cakes.

Homemade Whipped Topping

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons unsifted powdered sugar

DirectionMother’

Beat cream and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until foamy.  Gradually add powdered sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form.

-Southern Living Magazine

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, like a mother to me, sister moms, best friends, and angel moms we celebrate, appreciate and remember.

Spring Gardening

Spring gardening days are here, my friends.

planting-garden-plants

Jonathan Kemper

Little seeds we sow in spring
growing while the robins sing,
give us carrots, peas and beans,
tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and greens.

And we pick them,
one and all,
through the summer,
through the fall,

Winter comes, then spring, and then
little seeds we sow again.

-Little Seeds by Else Holmelund Minarik

Katie-Daisy-seed-packets

The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy

When the calendar says spring my mind says spring, my heart says spring, and the blooms and buds throughout the neighborhood say spring.

flowers-growing-in-garden

Jean Carlo Emer

On my fresh from home farmers market radar is a kitchen vegetable garden flush with vegetables, herbs, and color rich flowers.

French-kitchen-garden-illustration

Illustration by Helen Smythe

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Better Homes and Gardens has a free kitchen garden plan to download which includes planting instructions and plants list for various designs of kitchen veggie gardens.

Click on this link:  An Eye-Catching Kitchen Garden Plan.

Biodegradable Plantable Round Fiber Pots

Biodegradable Plantable Round Fiber Pots

Tiny Garden Habit makes it easy to be in the garden know for what seeds to start in March.

seeds-to-plant-in-March

Tiny Garden Habit

Regardless the type of garden or gardens you plant, color blooms a beautiful return.

garden-paint-colors-benjamin-moore

“Springtime is the land awakening.
The March winds are the morning yawn.”

—Lewis Grizzard

Lady-of-Shalott-roses

Lady of Shalott Roses

Optimum timing for fertilizing established roses is early to mid-spring when and only the chance of a late season frost is ruled out.

Miracle-Gro Powder Rose Plant Food

Miracle-Gro Powder Rose Plant Food

Newly planted roses require a waiting period of  six weeks before fertilizing in order for the plant(s) to become established with new growth. It’s best to only use half the recommended amount of a diluted liquid fertilizer as not to over-fertilize running the risk of burning the roots of the plant(s).

the-poet-s-wife-container-roses-yellow

The Poet’s Wife

For container roses fertilize every four to six weeks.

Outdoor-Patio-Park-Garden-Bench-Courtyard-Leisure-Rose-Cast-Aluminum-Outdoor-Loveset-Antique-Green

Patio Park Garden Bench

Repeat-blooming roses every 2-3 weeks until late summer.

vine-tomatoes-green-red

Huma Kabakci 

Anticipation is growing (get it?) for the arrival of the spring and summer salad season.

tomato-salad

Photography by Nadine Primeau

One of the best parts of the vegetable and flower garden process is the garden to table recipes and dishes reaped from the harvest.

radishes-in-garden

10 Best Vegetables for Beginner Gardeners to Grow

stoneware-cabbage-salad-plate

Stoneware Cabbage Salad Plate

Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Pumpkin Tomato Creamer

Antique Royal Bayreuth Bavaria Pumpkin Tomato Creamer

Pass the black pepper and the buttermilk dressing.

vegetable-pitcher

Ceramic Vegetable Pitcher With Carrot Handle

fresh-corn-summer-spring

Corn Salt & Pepper Shaker

vintage-corn-husks-covered-serving-bowl

Vintage Ceramic Corn Husks Casserole Dish

corn-serving-bowl-pig

Vintage Carraro Kitchen Decor Dish With Lid Corn With Pig On Top

Edible flowers add a burst of seasonal color to any garden and the dishes and drinks they adorn.

spring-salad-edible-flowers

Victoria Magazine

Although not edible, I love this sweet painting found on Etsy.

vintage-pansy-painting-signed-unframed

Vintage Pansy Painting Signed, Unframed, 5 x 7

pansies-in-garden

Pansies offer loads of color, plant and prosper rather easily, and make a fantastic visual and flavorful splash when added to salads and spring desserts.

floral compound butter

Common edible flowers to consider planting in your spring garden areas and containers:

Marigolds.

Chrysanthemums

Nasturtiums

Pansies

Sunflowers

Tulips

Crunchy-Tangy-Refrigerator-Pickled-Vegetables

Click on the link for the fabulous recipe for Crunchy Tangy Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables from Mia Recipes.

garden-goodies-graphic

under-the-staircase-garden-alcove

Peter Dunham Design

Spring into Easter gets the spring gardening ball rolling.

Personalised Luxury copper garden tools

Personalized Luxury Copper Garden Tools

Green-Metal-Traditional-Garden-Arbor-93-x-54-x-10

DecMode 93″ Indoor Outdoor Scrollwork with Sculpted Branches

small-gray-cottage

Tatum Brown Custom Homes

Home-Complete-4-Tier-Mini-Indoor-Outdoor-Portable-Greenhouse

Home-Complete 4 Tier Mini Greenhouse with Locking Wheels and PVC Cover

river-rock-water-fountain

Garden Studio Design

garden-obelisk-trellis-with-self-drainage-system-for-climbing-plants

Garden Obelisk Trellis with Self-Drainage System for Climbing Plants

bronze-garden-water-catcher

Rain Catcher Iron Stake

6-pack-solar-led-garden-lights-outdoor-waterproof

6-Pack Solar LED Garden Lights Outdoor Waterproof

Olympia-Tools-300-Pound-Capacity-Heavy-Duty-Utility-Rolling-Cart-Blue-Gray

Hyper Tough 300 Pound Capacity Heavy Duty Utility Rolling Cart, Blue/Gray

concrete-and-plastic-resin-bird-bath

Silver Metal Complete Birdbath

Easy blooms!

zinnia-giant-flowered-mixed-colors

Zinnia, Giant Flowered Mixed Colors

Golden Lilac Metal Purple Watering Can

Golden Lilac Metal Purple Watering Can

Buff Concrete Planter-1

Brown Concrete Outdoor Planter with Drainage Holes

liora-manne-front-porch-mum-indoor-outdoor-rug

Liora Manne Front Porch Mum Indoor Outdoor Rug

WonderLand-12-in-L-x-12-in-W-x-1-in-H-Rectangle-Beige-Natural-Stone-Stepping-Stone

Rectangle Beige Natural Stepping Stone

Duck Canvas Scribble Floral Rose Picker Gloves One Size Green - Threshold™

Duck Canvas Scribble Floral Rose Picker Gloves One Size Green – Threshold™

garden-harvest-shopping-basket

Harvesting Vegetables Guide from Burpee

Verve-Culture-Moroccan-Shopping-Basket---Large-Leather-Strap (1)

Moroccan Shopping Basket – Large Leather Strap

HydroTech 50ft Expandable Burst Proof Hose - Green

HydroTech 50ft Expandable Burst Proof Hose – Green

Pure-Garden-Gorilla-Garden-Hands-Pair

Pure Garden Leaf Scoops Hand Rakes – Grabber Tool for Yard Work

LSU_AG-nursery-show

LSU AgCenter Garden Show

It’s all nursery festivals, spring forward garden centers and Mary, Mary how does your garden grow everywhere you look.

hummingbird-arrival-forecast

Here’s a spring gardening video from Garden Answer blooming with inspiration and advice on planning for a new garden space.

garden-advice

Cottage Whimsy

Early March is a prime time to plan and plant your spring gardening ideas. These tips, guides, tools, and sources offer valuable information for getting your garden growing.

Darleen-signature-love

Mardi Gras Party Good Time

Louisiana’s shape on the map is the reason it is referred to as “the boot,” and what an appropriate observation seeing how we love to tap our toes and kick up our heels passing a Mardi Gras party good time!

Mardi Gras Mambo - An Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue

Mardi Gras Mambo – An Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue

Louisiana loves to throw a party, and what makes a good party is great food, drink, and conversations about great Mardi Gras food and drink.

Plutocrat Second LinePlutocrat Second Line

Mardi Gras party good time traditions slice and serve a Carnival staple, the infamous king cake, and people do have their favorites.

Dong-Phuong-Bakery-king-cake-sliced

Dong Phuong Bakery

Delicious and in high demand, cinnamon king cake from Dong Phuong Bakery is king cake love at first bite.

dong phuong king cake

As the window for shipment has closed, it is nothing for the king cake devoted to make the drive to New Orleans to pick up a cake or three (limit 3 per person).

king-cake-colors

If a king cake run to NOLA is not on your Mardi Gras radar, let me share with you this brioche & butter cream recipe for Soft and Moist Mardi Gras King Cake from Murmurs of Ricotta. Click on the link for the recipe.

brioche-butter-cream-soft-fluffy-king-cake-recipe

From parish to parish, Louisiana is truly a melting pot of unique customs, traditions, and cultures. Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run) celebrates rural traditions rooted in medieval France known as fête de la quémande, or feast of begging.

Cajun music and dancing sets the soundtrack to this festive fête of raucous revelry.

courir-de-mardi-gras-fiddles

Courir de Mardi Gras Fiddles

Costume clad participants gather together in the early morning hours of Mardi Gras Day in many rural Louisiana towns intent on keeping tradition alive (as well as the chickens and animals encountered along the bayous and fields).

Courier de Mardi Gras, Church Point, Louisiana, chicken chase,

Louisiana Cajun Mardi Gras Art Print

Masked and adorned revelers travel on horseback from house to house throughout the rural communities putting on quite the show playing traditional Cajun music, dancing, and frolicking in exchange for ingredients and spices for the community gumbo feast at run’s end.

beads-doubloons

Parade route positions are prime real estate, staked out and claimed for optimum viewing and catching coveted Mardi Gras throws, beads, and doubloons.

beignets at Cafe du Monde

Beignets at Café du Monde

It’s hard not to find yourself in a Mardi Gras party good time state of mind when you have a cup of café au lait in hand.

cafe au lait

Louisiana gumbo serves main dish goodness, and new to the menu is King Cake Monkey Bread from Southern Living with a twist on the traditional taste of home.

king-cake-monkey-bread

King Cake Monkey Bread

Ingredients

3 (17.5-oz.) cans Pillsbury cinnamon rolls grands

1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup granulate sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup evaporated milk

For Garnish: purple, yellow, green sanding sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a tube pan with cooking spray.

Separate cinnamon rolls, saving icing to use later. Cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces. Place cinnamon roll pieces in tube pan.

Beat together cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and milk. Mix until combined. Pour cream cheese mixture over cinnamon rolls.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. After baking, let pan cool 10 minutes.

Turn baked monkey bread out on plate and ice with cinnamon roll icing. Decorate with purple, yellow, and green sanding sugar.

-Southern Living Magazine

Mardi-gras-parade-purple-green-gold (1)

Louisiana is kicking up its heels in Mardi Gras party good time style. Mardi Gras parades are rolling, the party atmosphere is intoxicating, and time-honored traditions and customs well represented.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Darleen-signature-love

 

Halloween Decorating and Tasting Ideas

Let’s talk Halloween decorating and tasting ideas to enhance and entice a frighteningly festive spooktacular.

gourd-ghosts-pumpkin-entry

Midwest Living Magazine

Tricks and treats in classic themes and tastes, traditional colors, vintage finds, and striking textures and patterns lend the Halloween hostess a helping hand.

National-Tree-Company-24_22-Artificial-Blood-Red-Eucalyptus-Leaf-Half-Halloween-Wreath

Blood Red Eucalyptus Wreath, 24 Inches

Eeks, treats, and sweets welcome all who dare to enjoy.

Pumpkin Outdoor Coir Mat

Pumpkin Outdoor Coir Mat

Setting the scene to impress and beguile with just the right amount of light to cast an enchanting spell.

frosted-glass-pumpkin

Frosted Glass Pumpkin

Welcome the famished to partake in party sips, dips, tastes and treats but first, partyware and party wear.

Velvet Bats Mesh Tulle Midi Skirt in Pumpkin1

boo-tiful-graphic

Velvet Bats Mesh Tulle Midi Skirt in Pumpkin

Velvet Bats Mesh Tulle Midi Skirt in Pumpkin

Mini wreaths play ring around the candle.

Black Bat Branch Mini Wreath by Bloom Room

Black Bat Branch Mini Wreath by Bloom Room

bat-pillar-candles

Halloween LED Pillar Candle

Vintage and in the style of vintage Halloween decorations and tablewares are all the rage this year.

Vintage Halloween Haunted Assorted Accent Plates, Set of 4

Vintage Halloween Haunted Assorted Accent Plates, Set of 4

Whooo ‘s ready to talk owl-some Halloween decorating and tasting ideas?

Plastic Owl Decorative Sculpture

owl-cupcakes-recipe

Owl Cupcakes Recipe

Some would argue it’s just not Halloween without the creepy-crawly while for others there’s no need to conjure up the fear of things that crawl and hiss in the night.

Single Snake Taper Candle Holder Aluminum Gold - Threshold™

Single Snake Taper Candle Holder Aluminum Gold – Threshold™

Note to self:

Add Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes” to the Let’s Halloween playlist.

Halloween Stainless Steel Candy Bowl Gold

halloween-dinner-ideas-monster-fingers

Long and Short Monster Fingers Recipe

Halloween-frog-decoration

floral-moss

Halloween 10″ Green Frog by Ashland®

Frog and Lily Pad Mochi Cupcakes

Frog and Lily Pad Mochi Cupcake Recipe

Madame-Secretary

Halloween decorating inspiration comes around daily here at Places In The Home.

Purscilla Spooks Halloween Jar

Purscilla Spooks Halloween Jar

Keeping the party a little less creepy brings us to the throwback mystique of vintage Halloween decorations.

14-Ounce 22 Carat Gold-Tone Rim DOF (Double Old Fashioned) Glass Set of 4

14-Ounce Gold-Tone Rim DOF (Double Old Fashioned) Glass, Set of 4

Halloween-kitty-kat

Halloween Black and Orange Resin Cat, 10 in H, by Way To Celebrate

Halloween Black and Orange Resin Cat, 10 in H, by Way To Celebrate

Black Cat Cookies

Black Cat Cookies Recipe

peanut-butter-ball-pumpkins-cats

Peanut Butter Ball Pumpkins and Cats Recipes

Halloween-party-decorating-suggestions

Photo by Frames For Your Heart

orange-pumpkin-glass-dispenser

Pumpkin Glass Container

Transpac Dolomite 10 in. Orange Halloween Circus Jack-O-Lantern Jar

Transpac Dolomite 10 in. Orange Halloween Circus Jack-O-Lantern Jar

Zhuzh up the set up in bone-jour, may I serve you fashion.

Halloween-Brown-Faux-Rattan-Resin-Skull-Tabletop-Decor-5-5-in-by-Way-To-Celebrate

Halloween Brown Faux Rattan Resin Skull Tabletop Decor

King Skull Ice Bucket

King Skull Ice Bucket

Glass Skull Shape Iridescent Decanter, 26.5oz

Glass Skull Shape Iridescent Decanter, 26.5oz

free-printable-skull-pattern

Better Homes & Gardens offers a free printable skull pattern to use for framing, window displays, DIY wreaths, gift bags, scatter decorations, etc…

bayou-cocktail-Halloween

Bayou Cocktail \ Bourbon Street⠀

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces bourbon⠀

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

¼ cup apple cider⠀

2 teaspoons real maple syrup⠀

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)⠀

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon⠀

5 ounces sparkling hard Honeycrisp apple cider⠀⠀

cinnamon sticks, rosemary and apple slices for garnish

cinnamon sugar for rim⠀

Directions⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rim an Old Fashioned glass with cinnamon sugar and fill with ice.  In a shaker, combine bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger and cinnamon.  Shake to combine.

Strain into glass and top with hard Honeycrisp apple cider.  Garnish with cinnamon sticks, rosemary and apple slices.⠀

-Bayou Life Magazine

witches-brew-cauldron

Kitchen Ghosts

Dry Ice Cauldron Punch Bowl Recipe

What you’ll need:

Pair of work gloves

Plastic or metal tongs

Dish towel

Hammer

5 pounds dry ice

1 large plastic or metal punch bowl (or cauldron)

1 smaller plastic or metal punch bowl

Directions

Put on the gloves. In a well-ventilated area, wrap the dry ice in a towel and break it into chunks using a hammer.

Using tongs, transfer chunks of dry ice into the larger of your 2 bowls, creating a flat space in the center. Place the second, smaller bowl inside the larger one.

Pour punch into the small center bowl, making sure no dry ice gets in.

Fill a pitcher with warm water, then pour it on top of the dry ice. Add more dry ice chunks and water to the larger, outer bowl, being careful not to get any dry ice into the smaller punch bowl, throughout the night to keep the fog going.

Tips & Tricks:

Wear thick work gloves when opening the package of dry ice (latex/kitchen gloves are too thin.)

Place the block of dry ice on a towel. Use a wooden or plastic work surface, as dry ice can crack tiles.

Wrap a towel around the block, then break it into chunks using a hammer.

Be sure both of the bowls you use are plastic or metal since dry ice can crack glass. Put any unused dry ice in an open plastic container and store it in a cooler filled with ice. Never store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Five pounds of dry ice will last about an hour. Keeping a nearby fan on low will intensify the effect.

-She Knows

Hocus Pocus Collection

Hocus Pocus Collection

pumpkin-4-quart-Dutch-oven

taco-soup-recipe-Halloween

Tradition in the Places In The Home family served up a night of trick-or-treating followed by a dinner on the deck featuring Trick or Treat Taco Soup.

Halloween Hallows Pumpkin Picnic Basket

Halloween Hallows Pumpkin Picnic Basket

cornbread-spiders-recipe

Cornbread Spiders Recipe

Food to Die For Recipes and Stories from America's Most Legendary Haunted Places

Food to Die For Recipes and Stories
from America’s Most Legendary Haunted Places

 

spooky-good-graphic

Morton's Candy Corn Old Fashioned

Morton’s Candy Corn Old Fashioned Recipe

Spooky good eats, drinks, and be scary treats – bone appétit!

Creepy Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

Creepy Shirley Temple Drink Recipe

pumpkin-margarita

Pumpkin Margarita Recipe

Ghostly-Hot-Cocoa

Ghostly Hot Cocoa Recipe

black-cat-charcuterie-board

25+ Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board Ideas

pico-de-gallo-with-bat-chips

Pico de Gallo with Bat Chips Recipe

Spooky Goat Cheese FingersSpooky Goat Cheese Fingers Recipe

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter

Bacon Popcorn Drizzled with Creole-Spiced Butter Recipe

platters-Cheese-Candy-Corn

Candy Corn Cheese Tower Recipe

Breadstick Rattlers

Breadstick Rattlers Recipe

Graveyard Brownies

Graveyard Brownies Recipe

halloween-cookie-cake-recipe

Halloween Cookie Cake Recipe

High altitude black velvet cupcakes

High Altitude Black Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

Halloween decorating and tasting ideas offer inspiration for tricking out your Halloween monster mash bash.

Darleen-signature-love

Ideas For A Fall Fête

Over the last few days, a taste of fall has been in the air.  Notable bright white sun-filled days, crisp afternoons, and cozy evenings set into motion ideas for a fall fête.

Summer and Fall

Today it is still summer,

Tomorrow will be fall.

I see the purple asters,

I hear the autumn’s call.

fall-sun-over-mountains

I feel the warm sun shining

As a balmy south wind blows;

I see the flowers blooming,

And I see the grass still grows;

goldenrod-plant-fall

Aurora K

The goldenrod is waving,

The bees are in the clover.

I hear a distant honking-

The geese are flying over.

geese-flying-over-fall

Alain Bonnardeaux

The maple leaves are golden,

The pumpkins, round and yellow;

The apple cheeks are rosy,

The pears are getting mellow.

fresh-Christmas-pears

Photo by Jodie Morgan 

The nuts are growing rounder,

The cornstalk brown and sear.

By twenty lovely tokens,

I know that fall is near.

toes-in-sand

Today it is still summer,

Tomorrow will be fall.

Today I still am barefoot-

Oh how I love it all!

Nona Keen Duffy

fall-fete-invitation (1)

Paperless Post

A host of ideas for celebrating the arrival of the third season of the year gathered together in good company starts a cozy at home conversation.

cozy-at-home

Cozy at home ambiance, a warm beverage, seasonal dishes-treats, music, great lighting, a pumpkin here, and a fall scented candle there come together for an inspired fall fête designed with KISS- Keep It Seasonally Simple in mind.

Exhaustive and overly elaborate prep, plate, and present raises the question, “Where’s the fall fun in this party plan?”

table-set-in-barn (1)

Settle NorfolkFolk on Facebook

Harvest happenings either planned or spur of the moment set for emphasizing good times, good food, good conversation, and good friends make a moment and a good memory- the stuff life is made of.

Colorful-Fall-Printable

Colorful Fall Printable from Refresh Restyle

Seasonal beauty abounds in this lovely fall printable from Refresh Restyle.

Invites.

Place cards.

Framed favors.

Link to the free printable is provided under the image.

Amber-Glass-Pumpkin-Table-Accent

Accents in amber orange, husks, and pumpkin anything and everything gets you where you need to be, stretching your decorating dollar speaking.

Harvest into Halloween into Horn of Plenty decorative pieces stretch the uses and the dollars.

Tan Wheat Mini Wreath by Bloom Room

Pick up smaller wreaths to use as candle rings.

cranberry-mandarin-candle

Surprised sums it up regarding my purchases (bought four of these candles for the fall into winter 2023 season). For under $5 your entire house will come alive with the scent of soft spiced oranges with a hint of cinnabar.

Better Homes & Gardens Farm Apple Pumpkin Scented 2-Wick Jar Candle 12oz Frosted

Better Homes & Gardens Farm Apple Pumpkin Scented 2-Wick Candle- Frosted

For under $10 the scent of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, orange and maple butter grant house and home the inviting fragrance of fall.

gourd-candle-holders (1)
DIY Project Time

Give gourds a wipe down and cut off the stems as close to the base as possible.

Using a spoon, scrape and clean out the inside of each gourd.

dark-orange-votive-candles

Use a drill with a paddle drill bit (and with caution) to drill a hole approximately ¾ inch deep into the center top of each gourd.

When completed, wipe area clean and place tealight candle into hole.

Cinderella pumpkin luminaries

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Van Chaplin

Ivory Flameless LED Pillar Candle

String lights.

Pumpkin.

Walnuts.

Candle.

lights-candle-window-pumpkin

Elegantly simple presentation guaranteed to capture the eye and the heart of the autumn admirer.

Autumn Vines Tablecloth

Autumn Vines Tablecloth

Rust And Gold Pumpkin Tablecloth

Rust And Gold Pumpkin Tablecloth

Entertain the thought of using a soft colorful throw as your tablecloth choice.

checkered-baby-blanket

Cool, crisp, and cold weather signals it’s time to pull out the blankets and throws, start a fire in the fireplace, bedeck the abode to fit the season, and invite friends over to gather together for a it’s fall y’all celebration.

Frank-Muytjens-dining-room-fireplace

One Kings Lane

Fall Gold Leaf Tray by Place & Time

Fall Gold Leaf Tray by Place & Time

fall-nandina

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

all-party-pumpkin-chip-holderBetter Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens shows how using a hallowed-out pumpkin lined with a fall themed kitchen towel as a serving bowl for chips brings the fall harvest serving A game to the table.

fall entertaining

Better Homes & Gardens

Apples and cheese make tasty pairing partners, and these appetizing apple-shape cheese are so simple to make.

Begin by rolling your favorite choice of soft cheese into a ball.

Coat the cheese in smoky paprika, finely crushed pecans or walnuts, minced fresh herbs, or crushed gingersnaps.

Press the top of the ball to create a spot for the stem.

Finish the “apple” by inserting a branch with leaves or a pretzel, bread, or cinnamon stick paired with a bay leaf to create a stem completing the apple look.

delicious-pile-cheese-top-each-other (1)

Freepik

Wood Inlay Pumpkin Cheese Board

Wood Inlay Pumpkin Cheese Board

Brown-Harvest-Leaf-Shaped-Mango-Wood-Tray

Harvest Leaf-Shaped Mango Wood Tray Tabletop Decoration

Corn Shaped Vintage Table Serving Platter

Corn Shaped Vintage Table Serving Platter

figs-over-cream-cheese

fall-fete-dinnerware

owl-plate

red-grapes-apples-bleu-cheese

fall-jellies-jams-preserves

Straight from the shelves and departments of your local grocery store items such as dips benefit from additional garnishes and ingredients.

Crumbled bacon and caramelize onions make excellent flavor additions to store bought French onion dip.

sliced-homemade-quick-ranch-bread (1)

Ranch Quick Bread

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 package dry Ranch seasoning mix- 1 ounce size

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk**

½ stick unsalted butter, melted

1 cup cottage cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.

Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter in a medium bowl until combined.

** How to Make Homemade Buttermilk:

Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.  Let stand at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes.

Add the cottage cheese and stir to combine. Pour mixture into the flour mixture.

Gently fold ingredients together until the flour is incorporated.

Spoon batter into loaf pan.  Bake 50 minutes until golden brown or until knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

Allow bread to cool in loaf pan for 10-15 minutes.

Transfer bread from pan to bread board or wire rack or serving tray. Allow bread to cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Wrap any leftover bread in waxed paper and store in airtight container.  I added fresh rosemary sprigs to canister for good seasoning measure.

walnut-cranberry-bread

Newly discovered fall favorite- Private Selection Cranberry Walnut Loaf Artisan Bread.

Delicious!

Grissini (Italian Breadsticks) with Three Toppings

Grissini (Italian Breadsticks) with Three Toppings

Cream Cheese Herb Biscuits

Cream Cheese Herb Biscuits Recipe

Cream Cheese Herb biscuits stored in and served from a cozy cottage house cookie jar puts the home in homemade.

Cozy Cottage House Cookie Jar

Cozy Cottage House Cookie Jar

options-graphic

Biscuit, bread, and cracker basket options.

acorn-wicker-basket

Acorn Wicker Basket by Ashland

gray-willow-basket

Gray Willow Basket

Baked-Brie

Warm Brie in Puff Pastry with Sweet Honey, Fig and Savory Prosciutto

Ingredients

1 (8-12 oz) wheel of brie cheese

1-2 tbsp honey

1-2 tbsp fig preserves

Black pepper, to taste

1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

4-8 slices thin prosciutto

1 egg, beaten

Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Lay the thawed puff pastry flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the wheel of brie in the center of the pastry and use a knife to score the top of the brie in a crosshatch pattern.

Spread the fig preserves over the top of the brie. Drizzle with honey, then sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of black pepper over the top.

Wrap the slices of prosciutto around the brie, then fold the corners of the puff pastry up and over the brie, sealing the edges.

Brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with coarse sugar for a touch of sweetness and crunch.

Bake the brie in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is deep golden brown and crispy.

Serve warm with your favorite bread or crackers for dipping.

6-8 servings

-Mia Recipes

orange-Persimmon-tree

Photo by Rebecca McKenzie

Regional fruits are ripe for the picking, washing, slicing, and serving.

figs are on a plate on a table

Photo by Katie Azi

thanksgiving-appetizers-sweet-spicy-snack-mix

Spicy-n-Sweet Snack Mix

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

Pumpkin is the star of the taste of fall show, and what would a fall fête post be without at least one pumpkin something recipe.

fall-pumpkins-kitchen (1)

Photo by Katie Azi 

Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin (such as Libby’s)

12 oz. cream cheese (from 2 [8-oz.] pkg.), softened

1 cup (about 3¼ oz.) sifted powdered sugar

1½  tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1½  tsp. ground cinnamon

1½  tsp. vanilla extract

Graham crackers, gingersnaps, piecrust cutouts, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans, for serving.

Directions

Combine pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor. Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer to a serving dish; cover and chill 30 minutes.

Serve with an assortment of graham crackers, gingersnaps, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans.

-Southern Living Magazine

grilled-whole-chicken

Grocery store deli rotisserie chicken saves the crisp fall day!

Oven-baked Polska Kielbasa (350°F for 20-25 minutes) smoked sausage drizzled with honey while still warm and before slicing is harvest hearty.

Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

fall-serving-spoons

Pumpkin Serving Spoons
Big Leaf Wooden Spoon

Just a bite samplings include autumn acorn salad, sausage, rice and cranberry stuffed mini pumpkins, Southern sweet potato casserole, and oven-roasted root vegetables with spicy pecan topping.

Sausage, Rice, and Cranberry Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

Sausage, Rice, and Cranberry Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

sweet-potatoes-pecans-flour-brown-sugar

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ cup milk

¼ cup Southern Comfort whiskey

1/3 cup butter, melted

For Topping:

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.   Lightly spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.  Boil  sweet potatoes under tender.  Carefully remove from heat, drain, peel and mash sweet potatoes. 

In mixing bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, Southern Comfort, ground cloves and ground nutmeg. 

Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. 

In a separate mixing bowl, mix together brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter.  

Spoon over sweet potato mixture.  

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.  

Comfort food at its c’est si bon best.

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Being in the moment enjoying guests means not always being in the kitchen. Keep it seasonally simple by amping up juices, coffees, waters, and teas using garnishes with the taste of fall.

apple-pear-cinnamon-infused-water

suggestions-graphic

Sparkling water (spiced apple, blood orange, cranberry apple) garnished with fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, or rosemary sprig.

autumn-fall-beverage-garnish

Apple juice warmed on the stovetop with Red Hot cinnamon candies added until melted equals one easy and delicious fall favorite.

Flavored coffees leaded or unleaded warm the soul and take the chill off.

cinnamon-water

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

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.

sweet-treats-graphic

 

 

 

 

pear-crisp-recipe

Pear Crisp Recipe

Comforting recipes full of down-south flavor speaks warmth, comfort, and cozy to me.

The-Southern-Baking-Cookbook-60-comforting-recipes

The Southern Baking Cookbook : 60 Comforting Recipes Full of Down-South Flavor by Jenn Davis- Founder of the Two Cups Flour

Pumpkin-Coconut-whipped-topping-fluff-pie

Pumpkin Coconut Fluff Pie

Ingredients

1 9″ graham cracker crust

1  8 oz container whipped topping

1  3.5 oz box vanilla instant pudding & pie filling

1  15 oz can 100% pure pumpkin

½ cup sweetened coconut flakes

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. ground cloves

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Mason Cash In the Forest Mixing Bowls 3 Piece Set

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, add pure pumpkin, vanilla pudding mix, coconut, ground cloves, ground nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice.  Using a wooden spoon, stir ingredients until combined.

Next, add vanilla and whipped topping. Fold until incorporated.

Spread the pumpkin fluff mixture into the graham cracker crust; cover with plastic wrap.

Chill covered pie for at least 4 hours to set.

Before serving dust the top of the pie with additional pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin whoopie pies- the taste of fall.

falling maple leaves

Autumn Mott Rodeheaver

Hosting a fall fête is a crisp breeze when good ideas and friends come together.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

Welcome To Tailgating Season

Football and the ‘ber months kick off in a couple of weeks, and with that, welcome to tailgating season!

fall-football-field

Photo by Sarah Elizabeth

Tailgating season is the pass a good time prelude to the game where fan fabulous tablescape ideas and tasty recipes rule the field of creativity.

tiger tailgating

Tiger Tailgating

Can’t make it to the stadium?

Homegating works too!

tailgating-homegating

Country Living Magazine – Photography by Brian Woodcock

Bringing a festive tailgating-homegating event together requires thought and time to plan, and everyone has a method to their tailgating madness.

vintage-football-programs (1)

Cornell v. Yale Football Program 1956

To every sport there is a season, and to every tailgating style and spread there is a reason.

brown-football

Photo by Dave Adamson 

Successful tailgating times is defined in may ways, but festive camaraderie in late summer, cozy days of fall, and the chill of early winter is the common ground game goal of all.

tailgating tools graphic

 

 

Costway3-in-1-Vertical-Charcoal-Smoker-Portable-BBQ-Smoker-Grill-with-Detachable

Vertical Charcoal Smoker Portable BBQ Smoker Grill with Detachable 2 Layer

double-burner-gas-propane-cooker-outdoor-stove

Double Burner Gas Propane Cooker Outdoor Picnic Stove Stand BBQ Grill

Outdoor Iron Black with Powder Coating Fire Pit

Outdoor Iron Black with Powder Coating Fire Pit

Folding sports wagons and carts accommodate transporting your moveable feast to the tailgating table.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Folding Sports Wagon with Removable Bed

Academy Sports + Outdoors Folding Sports Wagon with Removable Bed

tiger-shoes (1) (1)

Tote in style.

Large-Basket-Bags-Braided-Raffia

Straw Bag with Leather Shoulder Strap

Igloo Laguna NCAA LSU 28QT Soft Top Wheeled Cooler Purple

Igloo Laguna NCAA LSU 28QT Soft Top Wheeled Cooler Purple

Crock-Pot-Manual-8-Quart-Slow-Cooker-Rhubarb

Crock Pot Manual 8-Quart Slow Cooker

Outdoor Gourmet 19-Piece BBQ Tool Set

Outdoor Gourmet 19-Piece BBQ Tool Set

Grill Brush and Scraper Bristle Free – Safe BBQ Brush for Grill

Grill Brush and Scraper Bristle Free – Safe BBQ Brush for Grill

Ozark Trail 10-Quart Collapsible Sink

Ozark Trail 10-Quart Collapsible Sink

Fall gardens, holidays, and celebrations can be the inspiration to guide your tailgating-homegating theme of the week.

Bronze-finish-Bulldog-Sculpture

Go Dawgs! Sitting Bulldog Figurine

6-x-16-Silver-Polystone-Football-Player-Sculpture

Silver Polystone Football Player Sculpture

Prowling Orange Bengal Tiger On Rocky Grounds Figurine

Prowling Orange Bengal Tiger On Rocky Grounds Figurine

Initial costs ding the wallet at first, but grant bang for your party buck satisfaction for tailgating seasons to come.

Natural Burlap by The Yard

Burlap fabric remains a great option of neutral and inexpensive for table covering needs. It comes in a good selection of colors allowing you to go with team colors game to game.

purple-burlap-fabric

Spills happen.

If a stain should occur, cover it up with a serving tray or platter for the duration of your tailgating soiree (a hosting trick).

Between tailgating times, head over to a fabric store or online retailer to pick up or order a couple of more yards of this tailgating friendly fabric.

tablecloth-sizes-chart

Take into account larger tablecloths give enough over drop to conceal table legs or baskets and totes stored under fold-out tables.

tailgating-throws-table-cloths

Pick up inexpensive throws in team colors, patterns, and textures to use as spot accents or tablecloths.

pumpkin-with-moss-BHG-photo-Ed-Gohlich

Better Homes & Gardens

In season local fruits and vegetables make excellent table and centerpiece decorations.

garden-vegetables-in-wheel-barrow-House-and-Garden

House & Garden – Photography by Andrew Montgomery

Play up the fall season and the holidays that come around this time of year.

Dried Vine Cornucopia

Dried Vine Cornucopia

Tailgate treasure hunt at home.

black-bronze-lanterns

Better Homes & Gardens 18″ Black Metal Candle Holder Lantern
Mainstays Solar Lantern Bronze

In other words, shop what you’ve got.

fall-arrangement-Oak-and-Sweetgum-branches

Martha Stewart

Introduce real or faux garlands to the tailgating table as fabulous fillers and display accents.

berry-garland-fall

Centerpiece ideas center around grocery store floral departments and my forever go-to, nature’s floral department; always open and the prices can’t be beat.

orange-yellow-mums-fall

Jeffrey Hamilton

Stems and branches denoting regional and seasonal beauty in varying heights and colors gathered together in vases or free form vignettes achieve the look of effortless style and casual elegance.

mature-cotton-boll

decorative-pheasant-feathers-bundle

velvet-ribbon

Take the display to new heights while freeing up table real estate by using crates turned upside down or stacked on top of each other.

crates-wooden-stack

Crates and baskets perform double duty as totes and serveware.

brown-wicker-baskets-collection

baskets-storage-set

Large Water Hyacinth Tray

Large Water Hyacinth Tray

Planters, trophies, and urns- all excellent choices as beverage tubs.

Better-Homes-Gardens-20-x-20-x-13-Brown-Resin-Whiskey-Barrel-Planter

Aluminum-Handcrafted-Champagne-Cooler-by-Christopher-Knight-Home (1)

Buff Concrete Planter-1

Tailgating treasures tip:

End of season clearance sales result in some mighty fine finds with price points to match. Don’t overlook the aisles and the shelves of big box and resale-vintage-thrift stores.

nickel-metal-serving-trays

Flea markets, estate, and garage sales source vintage dinnerware perfect for mix and match presentation, cast iron cookware, copper kitchen wares, cake stands, Tupperware, table linens, cutlery, holiday decorations and the like.

Tennessee Vols Go Big Orange Styrofoam Cups

Stylish Styros

Tiger fans making the trek down to Death Valley cross over the Mighty Mississippi River making Mississippi Mud Cake an appropriate sweet treat for tailgating times.

Homestead Textured Glass Jug Beverage Dispenser with Spigot

Take the look to next level style with wreaths.

fall-wreath-tailgating-table-decor

Uses include flanking table ends, candle rings, stunning base for a beverage dispenser(s), and placed on tabletops to complement nickel plated iron serving trays from Dollar Tree.

tailgating-treats-graphic

bourbon-apple-cider-thyme-punch

Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch Recipe

bloody-mary-garnishes (1)

Who wants a Bloody Mary?

Clamato-cajun-spice-beans

Game Time Bloody Mary

Ingredients

6 ounces of chilled Clamato

1 ounce vodka

generous sprinkle celery salt

Pickapeppa sauce

ice cubes

fresh lemon juice

Louisiana spicy beans

sauces-for-Bloody-Mary

Directions

Pour Clamato and vodka into glass.

Shake several splashes of Pickapeppa sauce, celery salt, and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice into mixture.  Stir well. Garnish with a spicy bean garnish and it’s game time!

Speaking of sauces…

Louisiana hot sauces kick up the fun and the flavors- two things necessary at a Louisiana tailgating get together.

Pour up hot sauce (or any other type sauce or dressing) into clear  disposable plastic cups with lids for individual servings. The deals are better on large containers, and individual servings sizes?

hot-sauce-in-individual-cups

starters-graphic

fall-cheese-board

Simple and delicious crowd pleasing appetizer solutions begin with several bricks of cream cheese placed on a lovely plate or platter.

Next, top each brick with a favorite jelly, jam, preserves or spread.

Garnish with fruit, nuts, or fresh herbs.

How deliciously easy is that?

jelly-jam-spicy-spreads

Charcuterie boards score big points with the tailgating and/or homegating crowd.

Easy tops the tailgating menu when you pickup items at your local grocery store that put simple and delicious on the table.

Mix it up, spoon it out, and spread it on thick in real-time before game time.

super-bowl-charcuterie-board

tailgate-food-onion-dip (1)

Country Living – Photography by Brian Woodcock

Caramelized Onion Dip with Crispy Shallots

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil, divided

3 large sweet onions, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 shallots, sliced into thin rings

1 (16-ounce) container sour cream

1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

Pretzels and potato, beet, and sweet potato chips for serving

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are a deep golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon; cool completely.

Combine sour cream and onions in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Top with crispy shallots and chives. Serve with pretzels and chips.

-Country Living

autumn-snack-mix-in-waffle-cones

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix

Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball

Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball Recipe

When tailgating friends ask what can they bring my stock answer is fried chicken.

fried-chicken

Pick up a basket, box or bucket of this tailgating food favorite and bring the delicious and the easy to the table.

Classic Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili Recipe

Chili in a bread bowl, especially oval shaped Bolillos and topped with cheese or sour cream in the form of football laces, is game day genius.

baskets-storage-set

Freshness-Guaranteed-White-Bolillos

Game day often comes early, and there’s a recipe for that.

Texas-breakfast-tacos-recipe

Texas Breakfast Tacos Recipe

Traditional tailgating favorites such as links, burgers, and dogs score big points.

grilling-sausage

Photo by Paras Kapoor on Unsplash

hamburger-in-foilUnsplash

Louisiana cooking hits the flavor button with its unique blends and mixes of spices, sauces, and syrups.

Creole-spices

gumbo-bowl

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Tiger-Bait-Cookbook (2)

To the trusty Tiger Bait Recipes we go for Cajun Red Beans and Rice-

red-beans-and-rice-recipe-Tiger-Bait-cookbook

sweet-treats-graphic

 

 

 

 

Bourbon_Balls

Bourbon Balls Recipe

Quick dessert bites of the simple to make-no bake-easy to take kind sweeten the tailgating season.

No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars Recipe

Tiger fans making the trek down to Death Valley cross over the Mighty Mississippi River making Mississippi Mud Cake an appropriate sweet treat for tailgating times.

Chocolaty S’mores Bars

Chocolaty S’mores Bars

Giving a glance to the recipe below it, I must admit I am intrigued by this recipe for Sausage Cake.  It reads like a c’est si bon classic and new fall favorite to include in the recipe box.

sausage-cake-Mississippi-mud-cake-recipes

Here’s wishing the football faithful a winning and happy tailgating season!

Darleen-signature-love

Spring On The Beauty

Spring on the beauty time is here, and my heart is full of expectation for the best of the season to show up and beautifully show out.

spring-on-the-beauty-2024

It’s time for spring.

blue-Dutch-door-spring

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Officially.

white-dresser-with-blue-tassel-hardware

Grapevine Interiors

Yellow may be color blocking the best of spring at the moment, but without a little pollen the vibrant and pastel colors accenting spring’s palette wouldn’t be.

And without bees…

Treillage-Serene-Sky-fabric

Treillage Serene Sky Fabric

New spring blooms provide a pretty in pink landscape throughout the neighborhood.

in full bloom azaleas

Fresh flowers, delightful fragrances, visually stunning table settings, and the scent and sight of spring’s calling card in the late afternoon or evening gorgeously set the scene, mood, and table for spring entertaining.

spring-blossom-yard-flowers

Country Living Magazine

Recently I rewatched the episode of “Sex and the City” I Love a Charade – my idea of a spring on the beauty garden party and the essentials for success.

Butterfly on Lilac

Butterfly on Lilac

essentials-graphic-1

Good friends.

Seasonal dishes.

Smooth tunes.

Beautifully accessorized tables.

Lilacs.

Butterflies.

Comer+Wheelbarrow+Salad+Bowl

Comer Wheelbarrow Salad Bowl

Spring influences salads, sides, and sweets.

colorful-vegetables

Colorful Vegetables

What’s in a garden salad?

salad-theme-paint-colors

Benjamin Moore Tomato Red
Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise
Behr Asparagus
Benjamin Moore Cucumber

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip

Spring Crudités Board with White Bean-and-Pea Dip Recipe

Tory Burch Home lettuce ware dishes

Tory Burch Home

Many evenings we’ll dine al fresco on the patio or front porch for the spring of it all.

bordallo-pinheiro-cabbage-15-oval-platter-green

Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage 15″ Oval Platter, Green

This is the sweet spot time before mosquitoes and humidity become unwelcome guests at the dinner table.

pea salad recipe

English Pea Salad Recipe

We design and decorate spaces and places in the home for the season with great anticipation.

Why not carry the theme through to spring cuisine?

frosted-lemon-cookies

Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe from Butternut Bakery

Color, texture, pattern, and taste repeats throughout chosen spring favorites.

Butterfly-Meadow-Gazebo-Cookie-jar

Butterfly Meadow Gazebo Cookie Jar

Wares and decorative pieces inspired by spring set the loveliest of tables and trays.

Eden-pitcher

Eden Pitcher

Our senses alert us to spring’s arrival, and color-rich gardens treat the eye and heart to the beauty of spring.

How I love a season that shows out!

Enjoy!

Darleen-signature-love

Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

The first weekend in May means it is Kentucky Derby time, and that my friends means Kentucky Derby party ideas.

jockey-horse-racing-Churchill-Downs

Racing at Churchill Downs

Horse racing enthusiasts, socialites and celebrities will flock to Churchill Downs this Saturday to view the Run for the Roses.

riding boot sketch (2)

Known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby as well as Churchill Downs is grand in history where tradition and excitement run first place.

finish-line-Churchill-Downs

Kentucky Derby on Facebook

For those of us not making the jaunt, an excellent opportunity to get down and get derby is just a jaunt to the dollar and hobby store away.

morning-race-Churchill-Downs

Churchill Downs

In other words, you can create your own Kentucky Derby extravaganza with a little imagination and one or more of these Kentucky Derby party ideas.

151st-kentucky-derby-art-of-the-derby

fresh-red-rose-bouquet

Begin with the basics- decorating ideas revolving around traditions, red roses, mint juleps and fascinating fashions.

Mint Julep Cup

Working with a theme makes coming up with ideas an easy exercise in Derby decorating.

moss-mat

Moss Mat

Horse races are run on dirt courses and turf races.

Dirt is not something I recommend dressing out a lovely party food table in. I mean come on, who wants to decorate a party food table with dirt?

Anywho…

green-reindeer-Spanish-moss

Emulate the look of a turf race with a faux grass table runner.  Spanish and/or reindeer moss pairs well or as stand alone centerpiece additions.

horse-bit-stirrup-fabric

Gallop on down to the local fabric store or shopping site of choice and pick up a yard or two of horse-racing-equestrian-jockey-rose themed fabric and proceed to create tablecloth, runner, and cocktail napkins keepers.

Rose Fabric, By the yard, CABBAGE ROSES

Rose Fabric, By the yard

I can’t sew to save my life, but I am a whiz with a roll of hem tape.

Mark your hemlines, heat up the iron, roll out the desired amount of tape, and voilà, table linen magic is made.

roses-Kroger

Sullivans Horse Vase 16"H Bronze

Sullivans Horse Vase 16″H Bronze

Red roses rule the Run for the Roses and make a strong show the next day as an introduction to Mother’s Day week.

See where this getting a lot of bang for your buck decorating logic is going?

Good things come in pairs and give good decor accent beauty past party day.

Horse Portrait

Horse Portraits

Centerpiece equation solved with one horse head sculpture/statue sitting in the middle of a red rose floral wreath is Kentucky Derby divine.

Derby-centerpiece-roses-horse-statue-idea

Several faux stems of roses will work to fill in bare areas.

Simply dismantle the centerpiece after your Derby party and use the wreath for your Mother’s Day brunch-lunch-dinner centerpiece.

red-tulle

Look at you, you decorating smarty designing and decorating a smashing Derby party.

DIY-run-for-the-roses-table-runner

Horse Racing Roses Kentucky Derby Table Runner

Horse Racing Roses Kentucky Derby Table Runner

Over on Amazon is this horse racing/Kentucky Derby themed table runner.

Churchill Downs Race Coming down the homestretch

Coming Down the Homestretch 

For extra Run for the Roses Derby flair, I clip several roses from my flower bed, clip the stems short, and float blooms in clear bowls.

knockout rose bush

Clip stems at an angle to promote optimum water absorption.

Decorative Clear Glass Bowls

Warm water works best, and I drop a low dose aspirin into the water to prolong the life of the roses.

No real roses?

Artificial Flowers Silk Rose Flowers

No real problem.

roses-in-trophy-cups-Kentucky-Derby-party-ideas-photo-Michael-Partenio

Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Michael Partenio

Faux rose bouquets placed in inexpensive vases, champagne buckets, on trays, or in trophy cups works beautifully as well.

clear-square-vase-with-roses

red-rose-trim-ribbon

Gather stems together tight and wrap with decorative ribbon.

Basics Hammered Champagne Bucket

Nickel Etched Trophy

KD-hat

Kentucky Derby

derby-hats-men-women

Black Horse Figurine Decoration

George S. Chen Imports Horses Collection Black Horse Figurine

Incorporating the traditional aspects of horse racing into my Kentucky Derby party ideas such as riding boots, horseshoes, and a riding helmet or two is not as difficult as one would think.

Riding Boots Stacked Heel

Women’s Riding Boots

Quilted Buckled Riding Boots

Quilted Buckled Riding Boots

Spring is a great time of the year in retail sales to locate a pair of riding boots on sale or clearance. Riding boots will work perfect in my Kentucky Derby party ideas scheme.

Saturday’s centerpiece will become fall’s fashion boots.

Now that’s getting your money’s worth.

Charlotte-Moss-blue-and-white-accents-roses-in-vase

Charlotte Moss – Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Several small arrangements of cut roses set on tabletops continues the Run for the Roses theme.

roses-house-and-garden

House & Garden

A combination arrangement of red and white roses perfectly fits in with the Run for the Roses motif.

rosesHGTV

Silver Mercury Glass Vase

Silver Mercury Glass Vases

Party decorating goes with a clever DIY project, and my list of Kentucky Derby party ideas includes one that is relatively simple to execute.

Fully sanded-ready to paint wood cutouts painted in your choice of color(s) carry out the horse racing theme.

horse-wood-cutouts

Growing Tree Gallery on Etsy

Scatter about tabletops, prop and position around serving trays, centerpiece embellishments, cake toppers, monogram with party attendees initials as take home favors- you get the idea.

Kentucky-Derby-mint-julep-graphic

Tastes and Traditions

Horse racing reigns supreme in Louisville, and the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep.

Ingredients

½ oz. superfine sugar

1 oz. hot water

8 mint leaves, plus one mint sprig

2 oz. bourbon

Directions

Dissolve the sugar in the water in an old-fashioned glass or Mint Julep cup.

Add mint leaves and gently press with a spoon.

Add the bourbon of your choice, fill the glass with crushed ice, and stir.

Place mint sprig in the ice alongside a short straw, and serve.

-Garden & Gun

lavender lemonade mint julep

Lavender-Lemonade Mint Julep

For 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces bourbon

1.5 ounces Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows)

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

Ice

Garnish: fresh lavender sprig, fresh mint sprig, lemon slice

Directions

In a glass, combine bourbon, Lavender Simple Syrup, and lemon juice. Add ice. Garnish with lavender, mint, and lemon, if desired.

Lavender Simple Syrup

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons fresh lavender buds

1 ounce fresh mint sprigs

Directions

In a small pot, combine 1 cup water and sugar, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add lavender and mint. Cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

-Southern Lady Magazine

mint-julep-cup-crushed-ice

Acopa Alchemy 16 oz. Stainless Steel Mint Julep Cup with Beaded Detailing

Mock Mint Julep (non-alcoholic julep)

Ingredients

2 cups cold water

2 cups granulated sugar

8 fresh mint sprigs (for syrup)

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

32 ounces Ginger Ale soda, chilled

8 cups crushed ice

8 fresh mint sprigs for garnish or more to desired taste

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring, water, sugar, lemon juice and mint leaves to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until sugar is completely dissolved.

Allow mixture to cool.

Strain cooled simple mint syrup and discard mint leaves.

Fill your mint julep cups with crushed ice, ½ cup Ginger Ale soda, and ½ cup mint syrup.  Stir to incorporate flavors.

Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Makes 8 servings.

mint-julep-silver-tray

Garden & Gun- Photography by Margaret Houston 

certified-international-drinking-glasses-set

Derby Day at the Races Silver Plated Mint Julep Cup (Set of 4)

 

Vintage Jim Beam Kentucky Derby Decanter

Keep an eye out for vintage decanters and Derby glassware on resale sites and vintage shops.

Leather-Modern-Wine-Holder

The Novogratz Leather Ice Bucket with Lid

Thoroughbred Horse Themed bar glasses

Derby Day Horse Racing Game

Horse Drink Stirrers

Horse Drink Stirrers

Here’s a fun serving idea for other beverages requiring ice cubes- rose petal and fresh mint ice cubes.

Gently remove rose petals and fresh mints leaves from stems and lightly wash to remove any debris.

freezing-rose-petals1

Place rose petals into each water filled compartment.

Enhance the flavor of mint ice cubes by also adding a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the water.

Better yet, use sweet iced tea infused with fresh lemon juice instead of water.

Freeze and enjoy.

fresh mint ice cubes

Pick up several nickel-plated serving trays from Dollar Tree in assorted shapes and sizes to use for servings mint juleps and appetizers.

Southern-Living-Roasted-Brown-Butter-Pecans-Rosemary

Southern Living Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans  

nickel-metal-serving-trays

pimento-cheese-walnuts-silver-tray

Pimento cheese is a Derby delicacy.

Adding a dash of Creole seasoning or Louisiana hot sauce along with a handful or two of chopped walnuts to store bought pimento cheese brings the c’est si bon to the party.

Derby-appetizers-on-silver-trays

stirrup-hors-d'oeuvre-forks

Stirrup Hors d’oeuvre Forks

Derby Day at the Races Set of 4 Canape Plates

Derby Day at the Races Set of 4 Canape Plates

Faux Leather Decorative Charger

Faux Leather Decorative Charger

Spode-horse-plates

Spode Woodland Thoroughbred Horse Dinner Plate

benedictine-spreadBenedictine Spread

Large Vintage Rose Platter

Vintage Rose Platter

Encore presentation worthy for sure, I feel confident in suggesting the use of vintage beauties such as this one for Kentucky Derby party pieces.

Kentucky Hot Brown open-faced sandwich

The Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, a Kentucky original recipe created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, is a perfect Derby Day menu choice.

This recipe from SheKnows plates turkey, bacon, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and a heavy-handed dollop of bechamel sauce together in all its delicious, rich and Kentucky tradition glory.

Click HERE for recipe.

pavlovas-with-bourbon-cheddar-cream

Pavlovas with Bourbon Cheddar Cream

Butter Pecan Praline Cake

Heather of Sprinkle Bakes recipe fame comes in first place in the winner’s circle with her recipe for Butter Pecan Praline Cake.

Brown-Sugar-Praline-Cake-5

fresh-red-roses-cake-topper

If baking does not fit into your party schedule or itinerary, consider picking up your favorite cake at a local or grocery store bakery and adding embellishments of choice.

whipped-topping-on-pecan-delight-pie

Pecan Delight pie works, too.

Copycat-Piccadilly-Pecan-Delight-Pie (1)

Pecan Delight Pie

Add riding helmets and equestrian accents to your treasure hunting list when shopping antiques and resale shops.

Vintage Velvet Horse Show Riding Cap Helmet

Vintage Velvet Horse Show Riding Cap Helmet 

Perhaps a tip of the hat to a more formal affair prop.

Victorian-style-felt-top-hat

Top Hat

Throw Pillow Cover Painting Horse Race Competition

Avalon Solid Monogram Wool and Cashmere Throw Decor H Blanket

horse-saddle-figurine

Aramen Animals Figurines & Sculptures

Kentucky-Derby-party-ideas

Kentucky-Derby-Decor

Kentucky Derby Party Ideas Checklist:

Scrapbook paper in 12×12 sheets found at craft stores make perfect Derby party placemats

OFF TO HORSE RACES TRIPLE CROWN 2PCS SCRAPBOOK PAPER DOUBLE SIDED

red-roses-paper-single-sheets

Fresh or faux roses.

red knockout roses

red-rose-tulle

White & Multi Spiky Rose Trim

Mint julep cups – a Derby must.

mint julep cups set

copper-mint-julep-cups

Mint Julep Cups

Lovely!

rose-boutique-paper-cocktail-napkins

Derby-cocktail-cotton-napkins

Derby Cocktail Napkins 

Fresh mint clippings for mint juleps.

Simple and fragrant, float fresh mint sprigs in clear cut glass bowls slightly filled with warm water.

fresh-mint-in-clear-bowl

Dollar store trays with the look of silver and the ease of clean up deliver a big and beautiful return on your decorating investment.

nickel-metal-serving-trays

Tractor Supply meets the Derby need with nickel plated horse bits to use as napkin rings and horseshoes in packs of 4.

mouth bit for horse

Diamond Plain Bronco Horseshoe, Size 0, Pack of 4

Here’s to traditions and celebrating the Run for the Roses with win, place and show-stopping Kentucky Derby party ideas.

Darleen-signature-love