Monday, November 30, 2009

Deck The Halls, December 1

I've got a tiny start on my Christmas decorating. Here's the wreath on my front door. Please come on in!

I pulled out my Spode Christmas tree candlestick holders and paired them with my floral arrangment that's left over from Thanksgiving. I think the colors are kind of Christmasy.





Visit our hostess, Susan at Thoughts From Over The Rainbow, for lots more seasonal decorating.

Branch candle snuffer and red tapers are from Colonial Candle. Colonial Candle has graciously extended readers of my blog a $15 discount off of an order of $60 or more. This is good through the end of the year. Just use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love it because it's all about being thankful for what we have, and getting together with family and friends to share some good food. This year it's going to be the four of us, plus my parents.



Johnson Brothers Autumn Monarch china...

Crystal goblets are Shannon by Godinger -- a great deal at Sam's Club...


I'm using crystal salt cellars and silver salt spoons...





Here's my very first attempt at a floral centerpiece...


I put fresh cranberries in the vase also...
A candleholder I made with a fresh pie pumpkin...


Stop by and visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for lots of pretty tables.


Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from Ma Maison!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving Sneak Peak

I started working on my Thanksgiving tablescape last night, so I thought I'd show you a small bit of what's to come...


Sunday, November 22, 2009

Dollar Tree Hurricanes

These Dollar Tree hurricanes have taken the Internet by storm. Last week one of the sweet ladies at the Gardenweb Holiday Forum posted about a blogger named Melissa that had made these pretty hurricanes from items found at the Dollar Tree. They were inspired by very pricey ones at Williams Sonoma.


It took visits to a few stores, but I finally got the supplies I needed. I found the candlesticks and the hurricane/vases, but couldn't find the tall, slim jar candles at any of the Dollar Trees I visited. We found these prayer candles at an Hispanic grocery store, and they worked great.


Melissa had hot-glued her hurricanes to the candlesticks, but some of the ladies at Gardenweb suggested using G.E. Silicone II clear caulking for windows and doors for a project like this, so that's what I did.


Here are the supplies:



And here's a completed hurricane:




I put mine on my mantle as I already have my centerpiece planned out for my Thanksgiving table, but these would look wonderful on your table too.

The total cost of these hurricanes was approximately $4 each. I placed leaves and nandina berries from my yard in them. What's nice about these is that you can switch out the items around the candle to fit any holiday.


Sorry about the bright picture, but the sun was streaming in my kitchen window. Hey, I won't complain; I love the sunshine! I wanted to post about my two Cracker Barrel finds from last night. This beautiful tureen was half off...


...as was the squirrel salt & pepper shakers...


I collect tureens, and I'm nuts about acorns (pun intended!), so I was thrilled with these finds.

Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. There are sure to be lots of neat before and after projects.


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Chili and Cucumber Salad

The other night I fixed chili, along with cucumber salad. Just as I love chili and soups all year long, even in summer, so do I love cold salads all through the year too. I've been fixing fairly easy things this last week or two in readiness for all the cooking next week.


I make cucumber salad two different ways. This one is Greek-style yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, pepper and dill. It's very refreshing. My son has deemed it his favorite salad ever :)


Be sure to stop by and visit our hostess for this event, Michael at Designs By Gollum, for more tasty food.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tablescape Thursday: Indian Summer


Welcome to Tablescape Thursday, my favorite meme. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch graciously hosts this event each week for us.


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This past weekend the weather was great, so I set the table out on the porch. The Indian summer didn't last long, though, as we're having a Nor'easter right now, and as Yukon Cornelius says, "It's not fit for man nor beast out there."



I love these Heisey cornucopia candleholders, and I think I've used them in every fall tablescape I've done this year.

An apple, turned into a tealight holder...


All you need is a drill, with a 1 1/2 inch paddle bit attached, and voila, you have a tealight holder!










Dinner plates: Dollar Tree
Placemats, goblets, napkin rings, pumpkin in centerpiece, and leaf bowls: Wal-Mart
Amber taper candles: Colonial Candle
Napkins: April Cornell
***Don't forget that Colonial Candle is offering my readers a discount of $15 off an order of $60 or more from now until the end of the year. Just use promo code MAMAISON15 at checkout.

Happy Birthday, Lucy!

My little puggy-wuggy Lucy turned four on Monday. Here's her banana and ice cream "sundae."



And here is the birthday girl face first into her sundae, with her other birthday goodies close by.



Happy Birthday, Lucy! Our life wouldn't be complete without you!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Pink Saturday: Homecoming Dance


Welcome to Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! Stop by Beverly's blog for lots more pink!

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My daughter's homecoming dance was last Saturday (Halloween!), and she wore a pink dress with black lace on the top.




She dances on stage all the time, but hates to have her picture taken! I managed to snap a couple.