A Blessed Christmas

I know all of you feel as blessed as I do. Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

Christmas in the Dining Room

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the Newborn King.

Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight over all the earth,Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth. Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly, Fa, la,la, la, la, la, la, la, la. 

I love all the Christmas Carols. What is your favorite carol?

Need a stocking idea?

I like my coffee black and my husband likes cream in his.

I found the neatest  gadget at Ikea that was a big hit!

A battery operated frother for less than $10.00 including the cup. He loves it! It would be a great stocking stuffer!

Have a Merry Christmas, Y'all.  ~Bonnie ~

~Making Christmas Cookies~

I've made these Spritz pressed cookies for years since early marriage. Now they are a tradition at our house.  I usually freeze them before Christmas and my husband steals a few all along thinking I don't notice. Here is my recipe.

Christmas Spritz Cookies
 1 cup soft butter
2/3 cup sugar, 3 egg yolks, 1 tsp almond flavoring. Work in 2 1/2 cups flour. Fill cookie press. Form cookies using Christmas tree disk onto ungreased baking sheet. For Christmas trees, tint dough with a few drops of green food coloring and sprinkle with red sugar. Bake until set but not brown.  Bake at 400 degrees, 7-10 minutes. I triple this recipe to have plenty and it yields nine cookie sheets of cookies.

My Christmas cards are mailed and it is pretty early for me for that to be done. Now, if all the decorating were done that would be very nice!

I hope you are enjoying the sights, smells, family traditions and all your Christmas memories as you decorate and plan your family Christmas this year. Celebrating Christ's Birth  ~ Bonnie

Family Thanksgiving Dinner

 The weather this year has been so mild and beautiful. My daughter and her family and my mother-in-law were at our house this year. We were blessed to Skype with our son's family who were visiting family in Virginia.

 I used my English game plates I bought at Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts years ago now again this Thanksgiving. The first blog post I did as I began my blog in  2009  can be viewed here with the same plates. Can you see changes? Hopefully, there are improvements. Blogging has stretched me in many ways and I have miles to go but thank you to those that have been a part of my journey in this endeavor!

It is interesting to me how one texture or color can inspire a new direction in tablescaping design. The blue Jarrahdale pumpkins inspired me to  use my Provencal tablerunners I bought in Provence on the table and the sideboard. Then, when I placed the game plates on the chargers the blue in the sky popped out. Of course, does it not make sense blue is my favorite color and I am drawn to blue! My dryed hydrangeas from a previous post  shown here seemed at home still so they stayed  this year.

The blue gray pumpkins called Jarrahdale or Queensland pumpkins are so pretty to me and new to me this year. I found the blue gray ones as well as the very unique peanut pumpkin or also called double uglies this year.

 One of my blogger friends sent this pic from a market she visits. See the pic above from Linda @ Lulu's Musings.

It is amazing how many pots and pans and dishes you can dirty making Thanksgiving dinner. Thankful for dishwashers and extra help in the kitchen!

Our menu consisted of: squash casserole, sweet potato casserole with brown sugar and nut topping, green beans,  southern cornbread dressing, fresh cranberry relish, and smoked turkey done on the green egg with great care by my husband and son-in law. Ok, I will admit all the women present admit we flunked gravy 101 but we had two renditions. One was pre-purchased and one was very hands on but did not compete with the turkey  drippings at all! The drippings were served au jus and beat the other choices by far! The turkey was so tender and flavorful! It was stuffed with an apple, lemon, onion, celery, fresh thyme, and fresh rosemary with ground salt and pepper.

Our ten year old grandson read Psalm 100 as we reflected on all our blessings God has provided after my husband asked God's blessings on our lives before we began our meal.

Later that evening smores were enjoyed just because they were fun to make by the grandchildren as we visited around  our fire pit. I think we were all stuffed by pumpkin and pecan pie but you know how it is!  Thanksgiving comes but once a year! We are a blessed people!

It is so much fun to sit around a fire and teach the younger ones the techniques of roasting marsh mellows as well as the mesmerizing effects of a fire and the heartfelt warmth of loved ones! I wish you all a blessed and happy extended Thanksgiving. I am counting so many rich blessings living in America affords. May we all recognize the providence our creator has provided.

Hope you have a delightful long weekend! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! Bonnie

Linking to Tablescape Thursday and Seasonal Sundays.

Beautiful Southern Fall Day

 It has been a gorgeous fall day. All week the weather has been exceptionally nice. I just want to savior each moment! Found out from Mary@Home is Where the Boat Is that the warty pumpkin I wondered  what its name was ( view here) is called a peanut pumpkin. I  am glad to know what it is called.

It's Saturday night and hubby is firing up his green egg. He loves his propane torch. Men do have their toys!

Our simple dinner: grilled veal chops, roasted yukon potatoes, roasted asparagus and marinated mushrooms. Yummy and easy!

Football is pretty special in the south. I must say tonight is a little nerve wracking with Alabama playing LSU. Actually, I am enjoying reading blogs in the bedroom while my better half is intent on the game. I do have it on without sound but like to escape to France reading my French Country Home  and  in the USA-Savvy Southern Style, Decor to Adore, Home is Where the Boat is, Lulu's Musings, Monica@Texas Ware Fan, Denise at Forest Manor, Essence of Home and in Ireland, Raindrops and Roses and Flowers on my table.

 I am certainly reflecting on our bountiful blessings of good food, a comfortable home with many amenities and remembering those in the northeast that have lost their homes and enduring great hardship and do not have basic needs. You are so heavy on my heart and in my prayers.

Recently I took a  break from blogging and while I was away God richly blessed our family with a new granddaughter named Elise Alexandra Morgan. We love you and are so excited, Elise. Since you live far away we can't wait to see you at Christmas!!!


P. S. I never got to read any blogs because I spent all my time linking up the blogs I mentioned. Most of the ones I mentioned have been very nice to me and I appreciate them so much. I am finally posting this Sunday afternoon. Went to bed thinking Alabama lost the game. Found out this morning they did pull it out.

Joining Seasonal Sundays today. Just found out The Tablescaper lives in the middle of Long Island and has no power. She posted from Target and you can read about her situation in the link above. I am sure I speak for everyone that our thoughts and prayers are with you.