I Need Mom!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

12 Months of Tablescaping-I Could Have My Own Calendar!

A blog that I read yesterday made reference to the fact that bloggers don't always think in a straight line. We tend to have a thought or a plan, which sends us off to another topic and eventually we get to something we want to write about, redo, create or discuss. The thought process for today's post came about just that way. I usually do my tablescapes on Wednesdays, but yesterday I had a migraine and I just couldn't do it. This morning, I was trying to decide if I wanted to skip a week or put together what I had planned to do. I was in the shower and my thought process was something like this.

Maybe I'll just skip a week.

I don't want to do that.

I've been doing this for a year and I haven't missed many weeks.

A year? I've done 12 months of tablescapes?

I could do a calendar!

What would I put on it for each month?

Bingo! Blog post!

October

November (My mom's 81st birthday party)

December

January

February

March

April

May (the flowers were from my mother's funeral)

June

July (my parent's dining table)

August

September

This is the first time I've gone back through my tablescapes. I didn't realize how much they reflect what is going on in my life at the time. I also didn't realize how bad my first tablescape was, I was pretty proud of it at the time! It didn't make the cut for today's post.

I'm joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Please stop by to see her and all the wonderful table settings that are posted today.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Favorite Disney Event...It is Almost That Time Again!

     As many of you know, my daughter has worked for Disney in Florida for the past 3 years. Even before she moved to Orlando, we visited WDW at least once a year. We have been there several times for Christmas, we have been to the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom and been to the spring flower and garden show several times. My favorite event, this year called Delicious Discoveries, is the one that begins October 1st this year and continues through November 14th.

     The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is a food lovers dream. If you love food and/or wine, you really should try to take in this event sometime. There is more food than you can eat at very affordable prices, concerts, parties and culinary events with famous chefs. Some events are free with the cost of your ticket to Epcot, others range from reasonable to very pricey.

     Epcot has booths set up all through the World Showcase Promenade where you can try small plates of food from many countries along with wines, beers and an occasional girly drink. Each year new countries are represented, this year Belgium and South Korea will be joining the party. Food plates are generally priced around $3 or $4, with a few higher. There are cookbook signings, educational events and free concerts by famous musical guests. Last year we did a cooking class where we learned how to make a flourless, chocolate and salted caramel cake...then we got to eat it!

     The food available this year can be seen by clicking here. I have to admit to thinking about the Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait from France all year long. It is the best!

     The concert lineup this year includes: Taylor Dayne, Kool & The Gang, Sugar Ray, Taylor Hicks, Air Supply, Sister Hazel, Howard Jones, Expose, 38 Special, Night Ranger, Billy Ocean, Starship starring Mickey Thomas, Boyz II Men, Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp, Jon Secada, Hanson, Rick Springfield and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

     I thought I'd share a few pictures from previous Food and Wine Festivals. The pictures speak for themselves.

I'm linking today with Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer

for Outdoor Wednesday. Please stop in and say hello to her!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Table Top Tuesday-It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fall

The lighting the day I took these pictures just wasn't great, but I think you can still get the idea that a few simple inexpensive changes in a home can really make a difference. Above is the top of my china cabinet with a summer look.

After

I have my grandmother's antique library table at the top of our open staircase to the basement. The summer look is above. You may remember that the candles are now part of my fall arrangement on our dining table.

After

This was my summer beach look on the library

table behind our leather loveseat in the living room.

After

I'm joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Take a moment to stop by and say hello to her!

Monday, September 20, 2010

A Little Comfort Food, A Little Bargain Hunting and A Blogging Friend's Success

I wish I could tell you that these beautiful blue flowers are in my yard. They aren't. They were actually at my local grocery store in huge pots. I didn't buy them because they don't match anything I have on my porch or deck, but I fell in love with the color and just had to share them.

I finally found a desk at a neighborhood garage sale. I want to replace my one drawer desk and my dad loves having a project to work on while he is here. It was $15 and it came with the hutch top which I won't use with the desk because I don't want to block my window view.

I am going to use the hutch in my dish room once it is painted.

I'll keep you posted with the progress.

I cook more when my dad is here. I also had the grandsons overnight on Saturday night. I decided to try a new recipe of an old favorite, Mac and Cheese. I got the recipe from the book Roast Mortem by Cleo Coyle. Her Coffee House Mystery series is a favorite of mine.

Penne Mac & Cheese

1 pound dry penne pasta (cook according to package for al dente)

2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese

1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese

5 1/3 T. butter

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 cups whole milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees-grease 3 qt. casserole. Cook pasta, drain and put in casserole dish.

In separate bowl mix the three cheeses together. Set aside.

Melt butter in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add salt, pepper, flour, Worcestershire sauce and stir until smooth. Gradually add milk. Return pan to stove and stir constantly over medium heat until mixture boils. Reduce heat and stir until sauce thickens.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Stir until smooth and pour over the pasta. Do not stir the pasta and sauce. I did have to press on the pasta a little bit to force a little of the sauce down into the casserole dish so it would overflow.