We Are Family Retreat 2014

We just got back from a great weekend with our church family.  Every year we plan a weekend away for the whole church to attend.  This provides a time for us to fellowship with each other for a nice block of time.  The past two years we have gone to Camp Caraway, which is outside of Asheboro, NC.  The surroundings are beautiful and fall is a great time to go to enjoy the outdoors.

I have to say that some of the best times of the weekend is watching Isaac and Jude playing together.  I love watching their interactions.  While I'm posting this, Isaac is looking at the pictures and saying, "Juuudd"

I am so thankful that these little boys are growing up together!  Makes my heart full!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a great pumpkin farm yesterday,  Riverbend Farmin Midland.  It was a beautiful day but it is still pretty warm (almost 90* !?!?!) but despite the heat, we had a great time!

Harvest Time

This past weekend we went to Hall Family Farm for a little Harvest fun! We got to go with these super sweet girls!  They love Isaac so much and we love them so much!!

They are growing like weeds and we don't get to see each other near as often as we would like.  Emily takes such good care of Isaac - she's been enamored by him from the start!  And it pretty much melts me heart!!

Aunt Dewey was there as well although her face never made it in a picture.  I find this highly suspicious.

Isaac was in good spirits considering he was exhausted and wasn't feeling that great.  He is still fighting a tooth or two.  But he definitely enjoyed hanging out!

 This girl looks like she's 15 - when did this happen!?!?!

Such a fun time!!

A weekend in pictures...

{36 weeks}

{A finished chair for the nursery}

{a beautiful fall sunset}

{more celebrating for Baby L}

{cupcakes make life ~ oh so good}

{ ♥ this girl!}

Fall is here

and I’m excited.  Here are just some of the reasons why…

Campfires

Warm fuzzy sweaters

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

Fall Decor

Aspen Mulling Spice – the BEST cider evah!

What are you looking forward to as the weather changes to cool & crisp?

**please click on link to go to original source **

Falling fast

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving will be here on Thursday and “Fall” will be on it’s way out and Winter on it’s way in.  In honor of the loveliness that Fall is, I thought I would share a few shots of the beauty we’ve seen.  Enjoy!

 

So thankful for what God has given us and SO looking forward to Christmas as well!!  I’m already working on my “Wish List” for Christmas!  I’m sure you will want to stay tuned, so you’ll know what to get me.

Thanksgiving Menu 2010

I am so excited about Thanksgiving next week!  It ended up that we aren't hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year but that doesn't stop me from wanting to plan a menu.  So I thought I would share some of my favorites for you!

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The turkey is the centerpiece for any Thanksgiving meal so you've got to get that right!  I whole heartily believe in brining your turkey.  It creates such moist meat even for white meat! I know it adds a whole other step but it's totally worth it! Alton knows what he's talking about - so I would use his recipe or maybe even Pioneer Woman's recipe.

Now onto the dressing / stuffing.  Now we don't actually stuff our turkey so we call it dressing.  Which is still a weird word for what is in essence a savory bread pudding but I digress...  I love having some little nuggets of goodness in stuffing - mushrooms, craisins, nuts, caramelized onions, etc.  This Fruit and Pecan Stuffing looks super yummy.  And what about this funky twist on the traditional - Bacon and jalapeno Stuffing!?!  Not 100% on that but it would be something to talk about over the table!

For the main starch I'm a mashed potato kinda gal.  Simple & classic.  Potatoes, butter, milk/cream, S&P and done!  Don't get me wrong I love some garlic mashed potatoes or loaded mashed potatoes but on T-Day there's already so much going on for your palate!  And you don't want any flavors messing up the glorious gravy!!  Along with mashed potatoes you must have some sweet potatoes - it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without them!  I like them so sweet you're not sure if it's dessert for the main course or not!  This looks like a super yummy gooey option! 

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But these look good too!  Oh the decisions!

Now to balance out all those starches we must have some veggies. Here are a couple different options:

Brussel sprouts with bacon and more                Corn Pudding     
Oven roasted asparagus simple and delish!       Creamed spinach

What other vegetables do you have? 

Is a Green bean casserole a must on your table - for me it's not my fav.

The accent dishes - cranberry sauce - gravy - and  bread!  In the past few years I have fallen in love with cranberry sauce.  It just makes the perfect bite:  a little turkey, mashed potato/gravy, and cranberry sauce = YUM.  And yes I can get that all on one fork! 

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I've made this cranberry sauce twice now and I am planning on bringing it to our family Thanksgiving for my contribution.  I love the ginger and citrus combo.  Try it and let me know what you think!

Gravy is an art that I am very thankful my husband has mastered - cause that stuff if like crack!  It's goooooooood!  Like pour it all over your plate good - sop it up with your roll good - make open face sandwiches everyday til it's gone good.  The key components that must be present for a good gravy:  pan drippings, roux, and good stock.  Here's Tyler Florence's version.

For rolls I love me some Parker House rolls and yes we go with the frozen kind.  But if you're feeling adventurous you could try PW's No Kneed Rolls or these Parmesan Rosettes look yummy!

Now on to the sweet stuff!  Granted you may have to wait a couple hours before there's room but it's totally worth it.  A varied selection is also needed - you must please all your guests!

• We must have something pumpkin flavor and after hearing /reading multiple times this year that people aren't loving pumpkin pie - Paula's Pumpkin Gooey Bars are a perfect substitute.  These things ROCK the party!  Promise!
• At least one pie is required - and knocking off the chocolate and the pecan in one fell swoop is this Chocolate Pecan pie!  It's another Paula Deen recipe - it must be good.

• This Italian Cream Cake would be a nice balance to all the richness going on @ the dessert table.

Well there you have it!  Anyone want to run with this menu and let me know what time to bring the wine?!?!  I'm looking forward to my stuffed dilirious -ness. 



Pumpkins Galore

My sweet husband went to the market and brought me home a whole crate of pumpkins!

 

He got all kinds: spotted pumpkins, gourds and small pumpkins.  So I have put them all over the house, inside and out!

Mr. Weird Spotty Pumpkin is sitting outside to greet visitors.  Isn’t it cute how his spots make eyes and a nose!

 

A few baby ones on a tray in the living room

Three mini's set on a platter

And on the dining room table I used a tray and put my jade plant in the center and then surrounded it with all kinds!

Don’t you just love decorating with nature!  I’m so glad that this decor will move right into Thanksgiving mode too!!

Planning for Turkey

In case you didn't get to hop over to Country Chic Cottage when I guest blogged last week, I thought I would share my thoughts for our Thanksgiving tablescape here as well.

For my plan this year I thought I would start with a fairly neutral slate – a taupe tablecloth:


To add some different texture I pulled out one of my scarves and used it as a table runner.  This is a great way to make use of different items and give them a dual purpose.  So don’t just go to your linen closet when decorating your table make sure to check in your closet, your scrap fabrics, etc. 

For the center of the table, I added one of my bamboo placements for the base.  This creates a stronger statement and will give your eye a break from the runner and the actual centerpiece.  The vase I am using has some nice size but doesn’t have a lot of visual volume.  I added some artificial leaves that adds color and texture.  You could definitely use real leaves but I am placing an orange pillar candle in the center so I thought it would be safer with the artificial leaves.  This also allowed me the opportunity to add some height under the pillar candle so it would sit up nice and tall.  Beside the center vase, I placed two votive holders that have a leaf motif, these normally live in the den (don’t forget to “shop” the whole house for items to use!)

So it’s coming together right?  And we’ve spend $0.00 so far!  YIPPEE!

Okay – on to the place setting.  I LOVE white dishes!  Why, you ask.  Because they go with everything – every season – every decor.  So I knew I would be using our simple white plates but wanted to add a little drama and contrast with the napkins.  Enter lovely chocolate brown:

I took the extra time to iron these bessies’  it’s totally worth it for the finished look.  Oh and here’s a tip:

** spritz your linen / cotton napkins with water so they are moist – put in plastic grocery bag and put in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.  Use a nice hot iron and you’ll have beautifully ironed napkins**

Ok back to our regularly scheduled program:  I wanted to be a little creative with my napkin rings and to play off the whole “thankful” theme. I wrote different things that I am thankful for:  “faith, family, friends, dessert.”  You get the idea.  I used some sale tags that I happen to have in the craft drawer. Of course you could also use this same concept for place cards as well.  Super simple & super cute!

  Add in our glassware and silver and we officially have a dressed table!

So what do you think?  Do you have a plan yet for your Thanksgiving table?  Are you hosting or will you be going to someone else’s home??