The Best Pecan Pie and Painted Dough Cut-Outs

“Of Pie I Sing” – A remembrance, a recipe and an idea  Funny how we tend to keep the traditional childhood foods in our adult repertoire – especially if one is the host or hostess preparing the fare – unless we make a conscious effort to break the proverbial cranberry mold. My childhood Thanksgiving dinner consisted of the good, the bad and the mysterious. My mom would toil over the turkey rising at dawn to put the bird in the… [Read More]

Thanksgiving at Williams-Sonoma

One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is to venture into my other Happiest Place on Earth – Williams-Sonoma, and see what’s new for the season or to visit things I annually covet. Embroidered pumpkin napkins.  They were on-sale in the store at 15% off for a limited time only, as they say.  With the heady holiday scent of the mulling spices simmering through the store they rendered me powerless to resist.  These napkins had… [Read More]

Combining Holiday Decorations On Your Stairs Saves Time, Energy and Calories

I’ve gotten quite a few search referrals on decorating the stairs for the holidays so I’ve edited a post from last year that gives a great idea to make it easy for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have you ever thought about how to simplify Christmas decorating when just coming off of the whirlwind of Thanksgiving entertaining? My normal routine after having hosted Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings the day before is to crash the morning after. My breakfast will… [Read More]

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing moms everywhere a very Happy Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed.

Happy Thanksgiving To You!

So much prepping, so little time! Both refrigerators have been thoroughly cleaned, organized and are re-stocked. The boys’ beds have been made and are awaiting their arrival late Wednesday night. Crystal and silver are shining and individual pumpkin tureens wait for their proper placement for Thursday’s dinner. The linens needed will be ironed today with back up ready for another dinner on Saturday. My intention was to post more appetizers last week but blogging just got pushed down further on… [Read More]

Lit Mercury Glass Globes

I’m waiting for these. Lit Mercury Glass Globes ~ According to the PB sales associates at my local store they weren’t even aware these gorgeous globes were being offered this season until I happily educated them. What a pity since I took this to mean they probably won’t be displayed as part of the season’s change out. Curious, I returned last week knowing the display elves had completed their holiday magic and they were no where to be found. The… [Read More]

Behind Every Successful American Is A Good Woman

Liberty Bell Decorated Cookie

  Behind every successful American is a good woman. Dreams and spirits can soar in our land. We are ‘One Nation, under God’. Even if we are individual stars. We may have suffered a few cracks along the way but we are forged together with strong beliefs of freedom and equality which ring true for all to hear. My cookies and I would like to wish you a wonderful, safe and happy 4th of July with all the wonderment and… [Read More]

O’reo Patties For St. Patty’s Day

chocolate covered molded oreo st patricks day

Chocolate covered O’reo patties for St. Patty’s Day ~O’Yum! These were made in a mold just for this purpose. No dripping messes. How genius is that? I knew I had to get this mold when I saw the shamrock pattern already in place. Here’s what you do: Buy a bag of Double Stuff Oreos. If you buy the cookies a few days before making these, make sure you save enough to actually make your project. Don’t ask me how I… [Read More]

“Knock. Knock.”

red entry doors with valentine decorations

“Who’s there?” “Valentine’s Week and do come in!!” I am in full Martha-mode today, making Tyler Florence’s Roasted Tomato Soup, and finishing up some special Valentine Fortune Cookies for special friends but before another storm front rolls in I went out outside today to show you welcoming love into my home starts at the front door. The door decorations were very easy to make out of 2 styrofoam heart shapes, a bunch of silk flowers, ribbon, heart picks and a… [Read More]

Crack Me Up! Christmas Crackers!

  If you have never had Christmas crackers on your holiday table this is the time to get them for next year at 50% – 60% off.   For the last 2 years I have placed them on each place setting and they are a lot of fun. If you don’t know what they are here is a Wiki link. but the gist is … they are of English origin from the mid 1800’s and traditionally hold a paper crown,… [Read More]