Tablescape Thursday

I'm reposting from last year...it's one of my favorite tables!
Enjoy!

I'm joining Susan at her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to stop by for inspiration and welcoming tables.

The table I've prepared this week is composed of very special pieces. The centerpiece was purchased several years ago and is the main inspiration.

My china is Autumn by Lenox, my stemare is also Lenox.

The tablecloth and napkins were purchased many years ago from Dillards. The napkin rings were a recent purchase from TJ Maxx. The flatware is from eBay.

The most recent addition to this table are the placemats. I'm so very proud of them...they are from my sister for Christmas. She ordered them from Z Gallerie. They are PERFECT!

They are actual peacock feathers and so colorful!

The candle holder is from my husband's mother.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Enjoy your day!

Country Village on a Tabletop!

Before I put away  my Christmas things, I wanted to share a second table...a country village on a tabletop!

I hope you had a chance to see Susan's village table at the begining of December. It was exquisite! If you didn't, you can see it here. Please visit her site this week, Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. It's so much fun to see all the participants' creativity!

I have collected 6 houses, all from different places, some hand-me-downs. I've had them quite a while and use them in various ways during the holidays. This past July, I was new to blogging and discoved Susan's site. I wanted to join in the fun and thought that putting together a table with my little houses would be fun! So while browsing eBay for napkin rings and I came across a set of house napkin rings. They were so cute! I thought they'd be the perfect accent for a table.

When I saw Susan's table, I was blown away. She had the most beautiful houses and extra pieces...it was a magical little town.

I thought I'd make a country village.

Here's a close up of the napkin rings...

They were so much fun to use!

Thanks again to Susan for all her inspiration...

and thanks to you for visiting!

Enjoy your day!

Flatware - Oneida - Michelangelo

Place Setting - Bed Bath and Beyond - Westerly Basket

Stemware - Dollar Tree

Placemats - Wal Mart

Candleholders - Tuesday Morning

Chicken Tortilla Soup

With these cold days, I'm always ready for something warm to eat and soup is a great way to do exactly that!

This recipe is from Pampered Chef and it is tried and true! No worries with this quick and easy dish.

Here's what you'll need:

4 6-inch tortillas (corn or wheat)

1/2 cup chopped onions

3 boneless, skinless chick breast halves (12 ounces)

1 garlic clove, pressed

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained

4 teaspoons snipped fresh cilantro

1/2 cups (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

4 thick slices of lime (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut tortillas into 1/2 inch strips. Place on flat baking sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until crisp.

2. Chop onion. Cut chicken into 1/2 inch pices. Heat 4 qt. casserole over medium-heat. Spray with vegetable oil. Add chicken, cook, and stir 3 minutes. Add onion, garlic pressed with garlic press, chili powder and cumin. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes, and chilies. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

3. Snip cilantro using kitchen shears. Divid tortilla strips among 4 bowls. Ladle soup over tortillas. Add cheese and cilantro. Garnish with lime to squeeze.

Makes 4 servings.

Stay warm and enjoy!

I'm linking to Foodie Friday...be sure to stop by for wonderful tasty delights!

Jack Daniels Cake...Don't bake and drive!

Hi all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. I'm sharing a recipe that has become a tradition for my family during the holidays. I discovered this cake from a friend who got it from a friend who got it from a friend...I'm sure you know how that goes. So to Pat Hand...if you're out there THANK YOU! This cake is delicious, but let me warn you, have a designated driver!

Jack Daniels Cake

1 yellow cake mix

1 4-oz pkg. instant vanilla pudding

5 eggs

1/2 cup condense milk

1/2 cup Jack Daniels (I use 1/4 cup)

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

16 oz. pkg. butterscotch morsels

1 cup chopped pecans

Put cake mix and pudding in large mixing bowl. Add 5 eggs, one at a time. Add milk, whiskey, and melted butter. Mix well. Add butterscotch morsels and nuts, fold into mixture. Pour into greased bundt pan.{You can also use a regular 9 x 13 baking dish}

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

My ingredients went from this:

{You'll need a really big bowl and be sure to add only one egg at a time.}

..to this!

I also top mine off with a sprinkling of powdered sugar...

Yum!

Enjoy!

Canvas Bags

I'm joining Susan in her Metamorphosis Monday. It's a quick transformation and easy as well.

I took basic canvas bags from Hobby Lobby. They came in this set, great bright colors.

And...turned them into this.

These iron-on letters (also from HL) were so easy. Just press on the cotton setting for approx. 30 seconds. I re-ironed them for the same amount of time a few minutes later to make sure they were secure.

Bows were made and pinned to the inside so they can be changed.

Just imagine the possibilities!

I'm thinking about buttons, jewels, etc...

Have fun making your own canvas bags!

Thanks so much for visiting.

Coffee Pot Wassail

I wanted to share with you a recipe for wonderful tasting and welcoming wassail. It is a recipe from my grandmother. She made it in a 35 cup percolator coffee pot:

In the basket of the coffee pot, place:
1 8oz package cinnmon red hots
3 cinnamon sticks
24 whole cloves
1/2 cup sugar

In the pot:
1 gallon apple cider
1/2 gallon cranapple juice

Plug in the coffee pot and let it perk, as if making coffee.

My percolator is smaller so I half this recipe. It's wonderful and  fills my home with a wonderful aroma. Enjoy!

Two Christmas Tables...

I'm joining Susan for her Tablescape Thursdays. It's a great place to be inspired! Be sure to check it out!

My first table was built around one of my nativity sets. It was purchased by my parents a long time ago when they traveled to Bethlehem. It is made of olive wood and hand carved.

It's a very simple table...on purpose.

...no fanfare, no pizzazz...

...just focusing on the real meaning of Christmas.

Luke records the miracle in chapter 2.

My second table is in my breakfast room. It's fun and colorful with a lot of red!

The sun is out today...it's a warm 70 degrees! Not to fret though, we're getting a cold front and by Christmas Eve it's to be 35 degrees! Brrr...

There are nutcrackers of all sizes standing guard.

Gift tags from Hobby Lobby and ornaments from TJMaxx add a bit of color to the Lenox plates and chargers.

As the sun set, the clouds rolled in and the rain began...cooler weather is on its way!

Thanks so much for visiting

and

Merry Christmas!