gettin' crafty

Despite all my attempts over the last year to hone my homemaking skills, I often hear myself say "well, I'm no Martha." It's not a self-deprecating comment, more like the ability to laugh at myself and give credit for trying.

I recently stumbled upon a blog with the same sentiment. Not Martha is a crafty and creative blog focused on all things homey. While the writer actually does come up with the high quality results of Ms. Stewart, she also reserves the right to mess up, and laugh at herself in the process. And I like it.

This recent post is one I just had to share. I love the creativity of it and they just look so beautiful. I can just imagine serving these on Christmas Eve.

These mini-gingerbread houses perch on top of a mug - form and function at its best (save a plate, plus it gets straight to the point of dipping).

Click here for the full post and step-by-step instructions. Happy Holidays.

weekend project

Skip the Christmas clutter this year and go for some natural decor. Whether using it indoors or out, a fresh wreath is a great way to spruce up your home, and you don't have to store it later. Here is an easy project to get you going -after all, it's already mid-December...I'd call you a procrastinator, but I'm in the same boat :)



Here are the instructions, from Southern Living. Check out more project ideas and inspired living tips at southernliving.com

The Goods You'll Need

1. Frames: To re-create this look, purchase inexpensive frames from a crafts or hobby store. They go on sale quite frequently, so watch for flyers in your local paper, and then stock up. The style doesn't matter because the base won't show in the end.
2. Wire: Use green florist wire that comes on a paddle (see photo above, right). It's easier to handle when applying the greenery in a continuous fashion. Use green wire, which blends in nicely with the garland.
3. Greenery: Here's the secret: Use garland to completely cover the frames. Look for deals at home-improvement stores or large wholesale clubs. We found a 25-foot cedar garland for less than $20. Simply start at one corner of the frame, and continue to wire the garland completely around the piece. Cut the garland, and tuck in pieces of greenery to fill holes.
4. Clippers: You'll need a good pair of clippers or wire cutters to cut the garland into pieces that perfectly fit each frame.

It Helps To Know

1. Pick the freshest garland possible. Give it a good shake; if your feet are covered in pieces of greenery, put it back.
2. Wear gloves, especially if using cedar garland. The greenery has tiny little needles that can irritate your skin.
3. Store the frames for next year. While you may feel you're spending more on materials this season, next Christmas all you'll need is greenery.
4. If you place a wreath on a window, you may want to cover the back of the frame as well.

mastering the cocktail party...

or at least the cocktail portion of the party. Here are recipes for some seasonal libations that will get your guests talking (well, that may be partly due to the liquor)

Christmas Snow

1 oz. light Puerto Rican rum
1/2 oz. Galliano
1/4 oz. Rose’s unsweetened lime juice
1 oz. heavy cream

Shake well with ice cubes. Serve in claret or large cocktail glass. Sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts on top.

Irish Cheer

2 oz. Irish Whiskey
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

Stir well with ice and serve in a cocktail glass. Garnish with lightly cooked cranberries.

Red Velvet

3/4 oz. crème de noyaux or crème de cassis
Iced Champagne

Pour the crème de noyaux into a tulip champagne glass and top with iced champagne. No garniture.

Wassail Bowl

Serves 12

1/2 pound sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg, grated
7 12-oz. bottles light beer
1/2 pint sherry

Heat one bottle of beer and sherry and pour over sugar and nutmeg, stirring until dissolved. Add remaining six bottles or beer and let stand covered for three hours at room temperature. Garnish with apples roasted with sugar and spices (no butter), and lemon slices or apple wedges dipped in red cinnamon. Serve in silver punch cups.

Christmas Rose

1 1/2 oz. applejack or bourbon
1/2 oz. cassis
1/2 oz. grenadine
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

Shake well in cocktail shaker and serve on the rocks in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

These drink recipes were written by Allan Lewis and originally appeared in the December 1960 issue of House Beautiful.

for more holiday bar ideas check out drinkoftheweek.com

weekend project

Spend a little time this weekend getting crafty with holiday cards. Whether you send out annual updates to friends and family, or you just want something special to pass out with gifts, here are some great ideas for unique and beautiful handmade cards.

• Stamp It. These embossed cards are great because they look professional and the stamp you make can be used for years to come. Get instructions here
  

• Display it. These self-standing cards make it easy to display among other holiday decor. Click here for the how-to.
  

• If you're a letter writer, here's a great idea for some vintage postal style

instructions here

• Or take an eco-friendly approach to your holiday letter and start a newsletter that you can email to all your friends. Use an email marketing service like mailchimp, which is free and allows you to store your contacts online for use next year. There are lots of templates available or you can design your own custom newsletter.

• Re-use it. Round up some old postage stamps to create holiday designs from bits and pieces. Instructions here.
  

Happy Weekend!

The Menu

This week I've been menu planning for our Thanksgiving feast. We will be serving turkey, but we mostly stick to vegetarian fare in our home so I'm on the lookout for interesting twists on traditional veggie dishes, and I've come across some awesome recipes that I just had to share.

For Starters
This sounds delicious, simple and it's pretty cute (the perfect combo). Recipe is from the October issue of Southern Living.

A new spin on the classics:
Carrot Soufle

recipe from House Beautiful

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Spinach

from Sunset Magazine. Click here for the recipe

Browned Butter and Hazelnut Mashed Potatoes, also from Sunset mag

And for the morning after...

French Toast Bread Pudding! This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe from a recent issue of House Beautiful. I'll be serving this with fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas. Yum.

If you want a recipe for anything that wasn't included or linked let me know and I'll send it to you. Happy cooking!

in the library 11.16.09

I'm still a-buzz with excitement over hosting Thanksgiving this year! This week I will be working on planning my menu, so The New Thanksgiving Table is a perfect book to add to the library. It has some beautiful food images, but the bread and butter (pardon the pun) are the amazing recipes inside.

Check it out.

Find it at Amazon, along with these other holiday books:

Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America's Favorite Holiday with America's Thanksgiving Expert

Williams-Sonoma Entertaining: Thanksgiving Entertaining

Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook

weekend project

Happy Haunted Weekend! If you're looking for a last minute costume, here are some fun ideas that are easy to make too.

umbrella bat


jellyfish


raven

medusa


costume ideas are courtesy of marthastewart.com

The New South

If you haven't picked up a copy of Southern Living lately, now is a perfect time. They have recently revamped the mag to appeal to a more modern Southern gal, but I think the reach extends from coast to coast. The October issue, hitting newsstands this week, is jam packed with great recipes, healthy living tips, travel features and some truly inspiring homes.

Here's a sneak peak:

a fresh look for the cover

I love that the home section features classy interiors, but also points out some easy elements to translate into your own home.

take a scenic drive to catch these gorgeous scenes

And plan a party that's more cool than creepy. I'm really excited to try the pumpkin cheese ball...and blood orange martini. Cheers!

Farm to Table

Check out this great article on what to do with those seasonal finds at the farmer's market, courtesy of the daily green.





What's in Season at the Farmers' Market?

{fall} weekend project

Now is a great time to get started on projects that will keep you cozy as the weather turns cooler. Here are a few quick and easy projects courtesy of the queen of crafting, Martha Stewart. Happy Weekend!

Sweater Pillows


Quick Quilt


Slipper Socks


Oak Leaf Bowl