Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Cornucopias!

Hi Friends:

I would like to dedicate this post to the memory of Dennis Gulkis - brother-in-law, uncle and long time antique lover. We are thankful for the many good times we shared.

Friends, I am not ready for Thanksgiving this year. In an effort to decorate with something that is warm and welcoming yet quick and easy, I settled on cornucopias. We're all familiar with this horn-shaped symbol of abundance originating in classical mythology and associated with Thanksgiving and harvest. Here's a few tips on putting one together! To make a traditional horn of plenty, pick up an inexpensive cornucopia (usually made of wicker) at a craft store and gather together real or faux items that are associated with harvest and abundance including fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers and nuts. Anything goes here; consider pomegranates, apples and artichokes in addition to the customary gourds and Indian corn. Fill the back of the horn with paper or straw to support the contents and begin arranging by placing the largest items to the back. Continue adding until you are satisfied with the arrangement. This large cornucopia took some filling! I lined the bottom with colorful faux leaves for added texture.
I found this vintage cornucopia at an antique market. It was designed to hang and makes a welcoming door decor!
For a more dressed up version, vintage cornucopias like these can be found easily on internet shopping sites.
If you have smaller cornucopias, why not place one in a guest bathroom or bedroom or fill mini cornucopias with cookies, candies and chocolates and give them as gifts. Get the kids involved in making them; it's a great way to spend time together and give thanks for the abundance in your life.

Blessings,

Friday, November 1, 2013

Lisa & Nikki's Friday Finds!

So Inviting!
Hi Friends:


What has inspired and delighted us this week? Here they are - the sights, sounds, tastes and one-of-a-kinds we loved!
Happy day-after-Halloween! Did your kids get an abundance of M&M's this year from trick-or-treating? Why not teach them a new game -  M&M baseball. Here's how it works: Every M&M color corresponds to a baseball play. Each player takes a turn eating M&M's out of his bag one at a time and calculates the number of runs they accumulate (based on the order and color of the M&M's picked). When a player pulls out a dark brown M&M (or an out), it is the next player's turn. The game ends when all players have eaten their entire bag of M&M's and the winner is the player with the most runs, of course!
Here's how each player can score:
  • Blue M&M: Single
  • Orange M&M: Double
  • Green M&M: Triple
  • Red M&M: Home Run
  • Yellow M&M: Strike
  • Dark Brown M&M: Out
Now about those Milky Way bars! Why not make a Milky Way cake. There are many versions of this cake out there, but we like this one:
Ingredients: 1 cup butter (2 sticks), 16 fun-size Milky Way bars, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup chopped pecans.

Method: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Melt 1 stick of butter and chopped Milky Way bars in a heavy pan. Set aside. Sift together salt, baking soda and flour in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the remaining stick of butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Alternately add sifted dry ingredients and buttermilk. Add candy mixture and nuts. Blend well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Icing: Melt one stick of butter with 8 more fun-size Milky Way bars. Add 2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Blend adding additional powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency and amount is achieved. Pour over top of cake.
Halloween may be over, but that doesn't mean we have to take down ALL of our pumpkin decorations. Get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with this great mini pumpkin potpourri displayed in an ironstone server. We love!
Vintage rolling pins - roll out dough for your baked goods or mount one and use it as a towel holder!

November is here and for most of us, it's time to don the wooly sweaters and hats! Get outside and enjoy the last vestiges of fall, everyone. Have a great weekend!