Holiday Stove Top Potpourri

(Adapted from Under the Table and Dreaming and Make It Do.)

Holiday Stove Top Potpourri
1 orange
1 lemon
1/2 c. fresh cranberries
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
3 sticks of cinnamon
Dash of ground cloves (optional)
Dash of ground cinnamon (optional)
Water

Slice the orange and lemon.
Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and fill the pan with water.
Place on stove on smallest burner, on the lowest setting.
Refill water as needed.

This mix should be good for an entire week. I only needed mine to last a few days each time, and I would just top it off with water in the morning, before turning on the stove. (At night, I just covered the pot with its lid.)
Also, this mix makes easy and cheap gifts for others! Just package up a batch and attach the instructions.

http://rogersfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/01/holiday-stove-top-potpourri.html

Holiday Guests

Holiday Guests

 

Now that you fixed up your guest room(s) weeks before and updated your powder room, don't overlook your entryway closet. An entryway closet is usually located near your front door, so be sure to clean it out and make sure you have enough hangars for guests coats and a place for the umbrellas and other related weather items.

 



 

Also, clean that fireplace out that hasn't been in use in while. Make sure to have plenty of firewood on hand. Nothing says welcome to my home like a lit, warm and crackling fireplace. Don't forget to light plenty of candles and make a fragrant pot of potpourri on the stove to create an inviting aroma for your home. Then, of course you must have hot coffee, cocoa or apple cider, cocktails and many holiday refreshments to quench your guests thirst. These are simple easy steps for your holiday entertaining.

 

 



Thanksgiving Tableware

 

Add special touches to your local grocer finds for an elegant Thanksgiving tablescape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Finds...

 

Local grocer and craft store finds for Thanksgiving
 

 

There are many ways one can decorate during the harvest season by adding these warm, decorative touches to your home.



Buy some Cranberries which can be easily found at your local grocer.

 

Pears add another harvest touch.. put them in a large jar like this one to display.

 

Get creative with whatever you have in your home such as empty jars to decorate and pair them with harvest finds from the local grocer.

 

Find wheat stalks like the one displayed above and use a satin ribbon in a warm color such as brown to tie the wheat stalks together. A perfect touch for that empty side table in your home.

 

Pour some acorns in a tall clear vase or use them to adorn a candle in a vase. You can find faux acorns at a local craft store.

 

Create a beautiful table scape by filling clear jars with popcorn seeds from your pantry.

 

Of course you must use pumpkins...fall's favorite gourd-like fruit.

 

Mini pumpkins are cute to use as candle holders.

 

Decorate your doorstep or porch with Mums found at your local grocer or florist.

 

Thanksgiving and the harvest season is not complete without Indian corn, again faux Indian corn can be found at the grocer or craft store.



 

Visit your local craft store for faux peacock feathers to create a beautiful table scape like the one above.

 

Use different size candles in the same neutral color to make the harvest details in your table scape stand out.

 

Faux leaves can be found at local craft stores as well.

 

Collect a bunch of nuts enjoyed during the harvest season of different shapes and sizes and pair them with jars like these above.

 

Note: If decorating with fresh fruit try decorating a day or two before Thanksgiving. If decorating weeks ahead of time please use faux items as I do.

 

THE GIORGIO ARMANI MAN FALL 2012

 

 

 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Candy Castle Dreams!


This Halloween marks our 1 year anniversary....thanks to all who supported us!

 

 



Joe Spencer Dolls: The Count & Countess from our collection.

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Honey Frosting Recipe by Martha Stewart

 

Be sure to use canned pumpkin puree -- not pumpkin pie filling or fresh pumpkin puree.

Expand

Everyday Food, November 2005

• Prep Time 25 minutes
• Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield Serves 9

Ingredients

• For the Cake

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice (or 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon each allspice and cloves)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin puree

• For the Honey Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft
  • 1 bar (8 ounces) regular (or reduced-fat) cream cheese, very soft
  • 1/4 cup honey

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin-pie spice. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, butter, and pumpkin puree until combined. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture, and mix gently until smooth.
3. Turn batter into prepared pan, and smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool cake 10 minutes in pan, then turn out of pan, and cool completely, right side up, on a rack.
4. Make Honey Frosting: In a medium bowl, whisk butter, cream cheese, and honey until smooth.
5. Spread top of cooled cake with honey frosting. Cut cake into squares to serve.

Cook's Note

You can also use a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan: Increase baking time by 25 to 30 minutes (tent loaf with foil if it browns too quickly).

View the video on http://www.marthastewart.com/339837/pumpkin-spice-cake-with-honey-frosting