Why Doesn‘t My Tree Look Like Yours? Christmas Tree Decorating 101

     I haven't started on my Christmas decorating this year. I did have pictures of a past tree that I thought I would use for this post. One of my good friends was a florist until she died a few years ago. I would often help her on major floral holidays and for about a month at Christmas. The first things I learned were how to make a bow and how to decorate a tree. I thought I'd share some of the tricks that make those department store trees look so pretty.


     Before I start this I want to say that when my kids were little we had one tree, complete with pre-school made ornaments, reindeer out of clothespins, and all the "baby's first" and so on. When they got older, we had 2 trees; one for the family and one for me to play with. Eventually, we had four trees. One on an outdoor balcony, two for me to play with and a tree for the kid's special ornaments. We are back to one tree because my kids are have flown the nest and we no longer have Christmas at home. We also no longer live in the big historic home that had room for all of those trees. If they were going to be here, there would be a kid tree too. 

     First, get the necessary equipment ready. For me, that means dinner is in the crock-pot, the wine is poured and Christmas music is on the stereo. I have lots of Christmas music, but Luthor remains a favorite.

     One of the most important things you can do to make your tree look great is to not skimp on the lights. I put about 800 lights on this tree, it really could have used another 200 or so. The reason the department store trees look so pretty, is that the lights all point out. The way to achieve this is to take the branch of the tree, and twist it around each light. It holds the lights in place, and make them point out. You also should take a few of the lights towards the inside of the tree. Nothing is prettier than having the glow behind the ornaments. When you get to the larger, bottom branches-work the lights up and down the branch. Wrapping the branch around the bulbs to point them outward and hold them in place. This technique only works with an artificial tree, but even with a real tree if you add tons of lights and take the time to point the bulbs outward, it will look better.

    

     Decide on a color/theme. This particular year, my tree was going to be red and bright green. Put all of one color on before putting on the next color. That way you get the ornaments spaced evenly on the tree.

    

     Next use something as a filler. This tree had ice crystals on branches, and sparkly green/gold fern like branches. Both of these things were long garlands that I cut into pieces. I have used baby's breath, red berries and various dried flowers in the past.

     When it comes to the tree topper, think outside of the box. I love to use sticks and glittered leaves, twigs from the yard, dried flowers...whatever you find that ties in with the theme of the tree. Group them all together and wrap tightly with wire. Attach a bow to the front and put on top of the tree. The next secret is to put more bows all around the top of the tree to complete the look so that the tree looks nice from all sides. Add a tree skirt to match and you are done. Get creative with the skirt. I have used a tablecloth or  fabric off the $1 table-just bunch it around the bottom of the tree.

     It is nice to carry the theme around the rest of the room. We don't have a fireplace in this house, so I used to decorate the television cabinet. We no longer have the television cabinet, but there are other areas to decorate. A little greenery, some lights and a few glittery ornaments can tie it all in together. Throw a few ornaments in a clear glass bowl, put a little greenery around some existing candlesticks, cut a few twigs off a tree and tie them with cinnamon sticks and a bow for a bathroom counter. There are treasures all over the house if you just look for them.

     There are those here who will have decorations far more impressive than these. My point was to offer a few tips to those who are still taking 200 lights and wrapping them quickly around the tree. Hopefully, you found some little bit of information that you can use. I have my color/theme picked out for this year. Hopefully, I can find the few things I need to complete the look I want. I'll post my tree when it is done (after Thanksgiving).

Yes, It Is The Disney Castle

     I've gotten a few questions about my header photo, so I thought I'd answer them all at once. It is the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. I did take the picture myself. I believe this year will be the 3rd year the castle has been covered with "dream lights" during the holiday season. The first time you see the castle dripping in "ice" it will leave you speechless. It really is a magical sight.

    

What Should I Do With These Bananas? Foodie Friday

     It is Foodie Friday and our hostess Michael @ Designs by Gollum is once again showcasing some of the best recipes you will ever see. Make sure to visit the other bloggers, but eat something first! It is sort of like grocery shopping, you don't want to go when you are hungry.

I don't know about you, but no matter how many bananas we buy, we always end up with at least 2 or 3 that are too ripe to eat. When that happens, I make this banana bread recipe. I can do it all in one bowl, very quickly and it always turns out great. The house will smell wonderful, your family will love you and you will only have a couple of items to clean up.

Ingredients:

2 or 3 very ripe bananas

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup sugar

1 or 2 eggs (I generally use 2)

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

2 1/4 tsp. baking powder

optional additions: approx. 1/2 cup nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, raisins...whatever you happen to have on hand.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a standard size loaf pan

Mom hint: When I grease a pan for dessert breads or cakes, I spray them with Pam (or you can use a little butter) and add enough sugar to coat the entire pan. Shake out the excess. The sugar melts into the bread but also makes the removal from the pan very easy. It doesn't leave that ugly residue you get if you grease and flour a pan.

In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Add the oil, sugar and eggs and blend well using a wisk or a spatula.

Stir in the flour and baking powder and mix well. Stir in your optional ingredients if you want them. I like nuts in my banana bread, so on this day I used walnuts.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour (you might check it at about 50 minutes with a toothpick in the middle, some ovens are very hot and cook faster). Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from pan. Take a knife around all of the edges first, then slowly flip the bread out of the pan. Cool and slice. Enjoy!

A Fall Family Dinner-Tablescape Thursday

     It is time again for another Tablescape Thursday. Our hostess, Susan @ Between Naps On The Frontporch has the links listed to many beautiful and fun tablescapes. You can get some wonderful ideas from seeing what others create. Please take some time to visit her.

     My parents are still visiting and I decided that we would "eat in" at least one night. We tend to be so busy when they are here that we end up eating out way too much.

     The tablecloth is vintage, my parents got it for a wedding present. It had to be ironed with spray starch to get it to look table ready. No wonder my mom gave it to me years ago! 

     The dishes are by Signature, the pattern is Troubadour and I have had them for many years. I used my every day flatware and gold napkins. The glasses I found at TJ Maxx on sale for $2 each! The centerpiece is a sangria pitcher from the famous Columbia restaurant. I loved how the colors in the pitcher complimented the dishes. I added a few stems of leaves and the last of our honeysuckle for a natural look. The pears were a recent purchase on our trip and I love them. The candles were scented apple cider and that also added to the natural feeling of the table.

MENU

Butternut Squash Soup

Sauteed Shrimp

Purple Sticky Rice

Roasted Asparagus

Cole Slaw

Martha's Corn Bread

Ice Cream with assorted toppings

     We had a nice quiet evening. The food was good and the company even better. My parents leave in the morning (Thursday), but we will see them soon for Christmas.

Need A Salad In 5 Minutes Or Less?

     For many years, my "make it in a hurry" salad has been a very simple cole slaw recipe. I really can make it in about 2 minutes and it always gets compliments. It isn't an original recipe. It actually comes from the first cookbook that I owned. It was a wedding present and it still a great book to own, many printings later.

This recipe is easily doubled. If you are having more than 4 people, or if you want leftovers, I suggest you double all the ingredients.

Ingredients:

I bag cole slaw mix

3 T. granulated sugar

3 T. white vinegar

2 T. vegetable oil (don't use olive oil)

salt and pepper

Rinse the bag of cole slaw mix and drain. (Please rinse the bagged vegetables that you buy, this is a pet peeve of mine. They really aren't all that clean even if they say they are washed) Add the sugar, vinegar, oil, a pinch of salt and pepper (to taste) and toss. You can serve it immediately, but it tastes better if it is allowed to sit for a little while. It will "shrink" a bit as it marinates.

My poor cookbook has seen better days, but it still gets pulled out of the cabinet when I need a basic recipe. It may say "new" but it is circa 1970's. I made sure my daughter had her own copy when she left home.