Catching Up with You...

Okay, I know you haven't seen anything going on here lately.  But I have lots of excuses...it was the 33rd anniversary for the big guy and me and it was my birthday (as well as the birthday of a gadzillion of my friends and I had to help them celebrate),  it was Super Bowl, it was Groundhog's Day, and now it's Valentines.  Whew...no wonder I haven't been here posting.   I've been busy fixing snacks like the individual 7-Layer Dip (see above) that I served in little jars during the Super Bowl game.  That was fun, you get all 7 layers to yourself and there's no one taking all the avacado and cheese and leaving you the beans in the bottom.

And we took a little trip to San Antonio to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday (they are a day apart) and we had a great time. Went to a Spurs game and to lunch at a fabulous steak house that's rated #2 in the state according to Texas Monthly magazine. It's Bohannon's and it's located downtown directly across from the Majestic Theater. We stayed downtown and I loved being able to walk to the Riverwalk and points beyond. Here's a little shot of our dessert--a chocolate creme brulee that could knock your socks off...and the dish after we scraped it clean.  Notice the two spoons...it was shared...although reluctantly!

And here's a shot of our view of the basketball game from the cheap seats we had wwaayy up there near the ceiling.  That's what happens when you don't plan ahead and buy good tickets for that sweet husband of yours that's hung around putting up with you for a third of a century.

Speaking of that husband, we actually have big plans for Valentine's tonight.  We're staying home and roasting weiners on the patio.  Oh yes, we are known for our romance!  It's one of our favorite things to do and, luckily, we live where we can eat on the patio year-round.

Whatever your plans for this day of love, I hope you do it with a happy heart.  Happy Valentine's to You!

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Well, I nearly did it again: let the entire holiday season pass without one post. I have just a tiny window of opportunity today, Christmas Eve, to get this done and to send you a little season's greeting. Family is home, the house is ready, St. Wayne has his chili on the stove, and my heart is finally in the right place. No more rushing around trying to "get ready." If it's not done by now, I'm scratching it off the list. I've learned over the years, nobody knows the intentions I have, so they won't be missed if they don't get done. Right? It's a freeing thing to know! I do think I've learned something new this year. I put the tree up and decorated the house early in November so that when we returned home after spending Thanksgiving away, it was all done. I felt that I had extra time to get the shopping and wrapping done and it extended the seasonal feel. I always think I just get it all decorated and then it's time to start taking it down. I never feel that I get enough time between my tree and me. I'm happy with that this year. I've really enjoyed the extra time when the house is quiet and the lights are twinkling in the dark. My favorite time to enjoy the season and the memories of Christmas past...just me and my tree. So pooh on the people who make fun of me for getting a head start, you do it your way and I'll do it my way. Whatever works, right? Here are some pictures of the way I decked the halls this year, starting with the antique sled that holds the tree and a newly acquired tree topper, a crown:

Here are the Santas that greet me with "Judi, we love you this munch," every morning. This year, I've moved them to the entryway because that's the only room where I've included red. And they're fun greeters to everyone that walks in the door!

I had my annual Cookie Swap that's pretty much been a tradition at my house for 40 years and this is the centerpiece and party favors/place cards. And the decorated light fixture above.

I'm so glad I had a few minutes to let you know that I wish you well and I hope you have a Christmas full of love, memories, and sweet blessings. Enjoy!

Pear Wafers and Cheese

Invite guests in to toast Fall and serve this delicious appetizer. It's unusal and fun and more nutritious than ordinary crackers. And not only does this novel hors o'euvres tastes delicious, it brings a welcoming aroma throughout your whole house. Inviting and delicious. But first, before you dive right into the preparation of these pear wafers, there are two special types of equipment you MUST have. If you don't have a mandoline for slicing pears very thinly, pick one up at the grocery store for under $10. Now, if you're really into thin slices, you can spend megabucks on one of these in a specialty store. The choice is yours, but you have to have THIN slices of pears. And the next thing you need is a pair of Silpat liners for your baking sheets. These are from France, available at a specialty store, and a must-have for this recipe. Parchment won't do. It's Silpat or don't even try this. The pear slices will stick to anything else. Trust me on that one. The liners are expensive but can be used over and over for baking cookies, candies, and all sorts of things and, in my opinion, are definitely worth the investment.

Okay, once you have the right stuff, you're ready to go... Preheat your oven to 225 degrees. In a small sauce pan, heat 1/2 cup of water, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 Tbls. lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside. Slice the unpeeled pears (your choice of good pears, firm, but not too firm) paper thin. Just run it right over the mandoline blade and when you get to the middle of the pear, your slices will contain a slice of the pear stem (those are my favorites!). Dip each slice in sugar water, shake off excess water, and place in a single later, untouching, on the Silpat liner. Place in the oven and bake for 4 hours. Store in a tin to retain the crispness.

Before baking...

After baking... I serve pear wafers with Boursin Cheese Spread. It's a mild, peppery cheese that is easily found in the specialty cheese section of your favorite grocery store. If you can't find it, here's a quick and simple recipe: 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened, 4 ounces farmers cheese, 2 large cloves of garlic, 1/2 cup finely minced chives, 1/2 cup finely minced parsley, lots of freshly ground pepper, salt to taste. Mash garlic and add to chives and parsley. Mix with cheeses in a mixer. Season with a little salt and alot of pepper. Chill. Bring to room temperature for serving.

Pumpkin Charlotte

Here's the recipe I promised when I posted last. It's the easiest and tastiest recipe I make for the Fall. I think you'll love it.

Pumpkin Charlotte

2 3-oz. pkgs. (24 total) ladyfingers*, split
2 cups whipping cream
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 4-serving-size pkgs. instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 15-oz. can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 cup milk

Chill a mixing bowl and beaters. For the crust, line the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with the ladyfingers, cutting to fill all spaces. trim bottoms of the remaining ladyfingers slightly to stand in the pan, then place them, round side out, against the inside of the pan. Set aside.

Cream cheese filling:
In the chilled bowl, beat 1-3/4 cups whipping cream and powdered sugar till soft peaks form; reserve 1/2 cup. Beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar till combined. Fold into the whipping cream mixture.

Pumpking filling:
Stir together pudding mixes, cinnamon, ginger, and pie spice. Add pumpkin and milk; beat till thick. Fold in reserved 1/2 cup whipped cream.

Spread the cream cheese filling evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Carefully spread the pumpkin layer over that. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, remove sides from the pan, place charlotte on a platter. Beat remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream to soft peaks (add additional powdered sugar to taste) and spoon on top. If desired sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice. (I sprinkle with a few chopped pecans or walnuts.)

*ladyfingers are finger-shaped sponge cake found in the produce section or in the freezer section at the grocery store. (Do not use the crisp, cookie like ladyfingers.)

Enjoy!

Putting Out the Pumpkins

It's time for Fall touches and I usually put those out the first of September. Huffing and puffing and sweating the whole time, just knowing that fall weather will kick in at any minute. Well, looking at pumpkins at least makes me feel a tiny bit cooler in this hot and humid spot in South Texas. There's really not much difference in the temperature between August and September down here, but it's just the idea that August is gone!


I fringed this table cover just a bit more so that's it's smaller. I like this look better. I decided to keep the light colored one where it was and put the black one on the kitchen table. The girls were coming over for dessert and cards, so I had the right incentive to get it all done.


This 3-tiered stand on the kitchen counter is something I bought back in April. It's big and holds lots of stuff. I decided to fill it with gourds and fall-colored fruit. I had to promise St. Wayne an apple pie when the Granny Smith's start to look bad. But for now, I like the bright colors mixed in. There's even a little bottle with three white roses on the top tier, but because I'm not the best photographer, you probably can't tell.


For the kitchen table, I bought an orange, pumpkin-shaped basket and placed white roses in it. Filled an old wooden dough bowl with tiny pumpkin-shaped potpourri for fragrance, added a candle and a few gourds, and called it a day. Whatever is on the kitchen table has to be simple and self-contained so it can be moved...either for a quick card game or those rare dinners at the table.

The dessert you see in the last picture is a Pumpkin Charlotte. It's an easy, no-bake, impressive dessert. Looks like you've worked for days on it...and that's my kind of recipe. I'll share it in my next post. I also have an easy and very unusual hors doeuvres that is fun to make. And not only is it tasty but it makes your whole house smell like Fall...

Until next time...

Monogrammed Table Cover

Just a quick post to show you Wednesday's project done over at Debby's from Debby's Gracious Home. This is simply a big square of burlap that she put an "S" on. She also monogrammed a black piece in a taupe "S".

I brought it home and cut and fringed it. I wanted you to see it before I bring out the pumpkins. Now the big question is do I use this color or the black one? I'll go work on it, decide, and then I'll be back.

And I have big plans for using this for Christmas, too. Can't you just picture mercury glass on top? Jingle bells, jingle bells...

A Very Productive Day

Yesterday was monogram day! I spent the entire afternoon at Debby's office discovering all the wonderful things her new embroidery machine can do. The above picture is an amazing contraption that produces incredible results!

The next photo is her little "cheat sheet" to remind her of the things not to do. I quickly understood why this is essential. Some items have to be inserted upside down and others right side up. And then you decide if the monogram needs to be upside down or right side up. The operator really has to focus or an expensive mistake could easily be made. Luckily, none were made yesterday and that's especially good since it was all my stuff! But that's why Debby invited me over...to practice. She issued a disclaimer right off the bat, "If I screw this up, I'm not replacing it!" I totally understood it was complimentary monogramming at my own risk!


We started with a set of six Pottery Barn napkins that was a birthday gift from Brian and Myriam. (I didn't tell her that part...didn't want to make her nervous!) I thought numbers would be fun on those as these are my favorite napkins that I use alot. Her first reaction was, "I've never done numbers...I don't know about that!" By the time she'd done all six, she was a pro. They are more trouble than a monogram, though, because you have to set up each one individually, and with a letter you use the same set-up and just insert the next napkin and embroidery the same letter. But, I couldn't be more pleased with my new numbered napkins.

And then we got really adventuresome and monogrammed a small handbag I've had for quite sometime. It was pretty cute to begin with, but adorable now!


The black napkins with the stripe are now casual and cute. I can use these indoors and out. There were ten of those and took quite awhile to finish.


But the biggest thrill of the day was a set of eight pale green napkins with a channel stitch that I've always liked. But with a silver Christmas tree embroidered on them, I adore them. I don't care much for the standard Christmas napkins because the colors are never right for me, so I've never bought any. These now fill the bill. My color with my choice of silver tree...wonderful! The only drawback to these is the time it takes for each one. It's quite an intricate design and takes about 20 minutes each. But Christmas is still far away, right?


Isn't this wonderful? Now I'm really looking forward to Christmas!


Thanks, Debby! It was an incredibly fun day and you've made my table look terrific. I appreciate all the time you took on my projects. You are such a wonderful and generous friend and I wish you much success and much profit with this new "sidekick" of yours!