Our belated Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  It's nice to have a day to slow down and enjoy with our families and friends, a time to be thankful and share time together with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.

As is sometimes the case, we all can't be in the same place at the same time even for the holidays.  Try as we may!  As much as I would love to be with all of our family it just isn't always possible to achieve with so many of us living in different cities and states.  We do what we can to be together, which is why we enjoyed our Thanksgiving celebration on Friday this year.  I'm always thankful for the time to get to spend with my loved ones, and being able to be together while sharing in delicious foods and special memory making moments adds to that all the more.  It was a smaller than usual gathering this year with only four of us, but that didn't make it any less special.

Thanksgiving dinner was well anticipated with the extra wait time, and

Thanksgiving tablescape

The holidays are always a perfect time for dressing up the table.  I like to work with what I have and change things up and also try different ideas.  I enjoy adding little touches to dress the table for holidays and special occasions.  I find that I don't always have to run out and buy something new for every occasion, I just add little bits now and then, and mix items old and new, to get the look that I want. 

~ My Thanksgiving tablescape ~

There is just something about a lace tablecloth that appeals to me.  I've had this one for years and I feel it dresses up my glass-top table nicely and softly.  I like the look of it, and the lace paper doilies placed under the glass plates seemed just perfect.  You can find the paper doilies about everywhere for just a couple dollars.  My placemats were a markdown at Bed Bath & Beyond and work well with the bronze color in the dining room.   The beautiful little bowls with the gold design and gold rims were given to me by my Mom and are sweet, treasured pieces.  I have just a few plates and other pieces that match them.  

My centerpiece was an arrangement I made a while back, I simply just add and take away to dress it up for different occasions.  I added some fall flowers and pine cones, along with the organza ribbon bows.  I love my gold tableware, purchased years ago.  I do insist on hand washing all the pieces, but they look as good as the day I first got them!  I love anything cut-glass or crystal, like the glasses and the candle sconces, I've had them all for years.   The more that sparkles the better if you ask me!  A cloth napkin is always a nice touch.  They are also a good way to add color or coordinate with your dishes, or they can add to a holiday theme if they have a pretty print.  I look for new ones on discount all the time, and I've even made my own from pretty dishtowels too.     

I found the acrylic place card holders a few years ago in the wedding area of hobby lobby, it was a package of eight of them, and later found the acrylic napkin ring/bud vases there too.  They were both about the average cost of a dollar per each piece, as I recall.  They go very well with other elements in the room, the cut glass and crystal pieces, and another one being my chandelier.  

I like to do different things with the little napkin ring/bud vases by using something that applies to the season or holiday.  Here I used two fall leaves and a small bit of dried corn husk, along with a pine cone I added wire to so it would have a stem to stick down in with the leaves and corn husk.  It kind of reminded me of a turkey when I finished it, even though that was not my plan, but it worked well for Thanksgiving!

A close-up of the place card holder and the napkin ring/bud vase.

This angle is a better view of the napkin ring/bud vase.  A napkin can be placed in the opening there, or not.  I chose not to put the napkin in there this time and only used it for the bud vase.  

I'm always saying, "you don't necessarily have to buy all new things for different seasonal and holiday decor, and they don't have to be expensive either."  I have collected most items over the years, and one of the best times to get new items is after the holiday sales.  I've found many things in the discount bins, and also find great deals on second hand items from thrift stores.  You just need to have a look around and have a plan of what you have, and what you like, or need the most!  It really doesn't have to be expensive to be nice or beautiful looking.  Work with what you have first, then add little extras along the way!  Make it fun, and enjoy the adventure!  

Baked Stuffed Apples

{This recipe is part of my Slightly-Homemade recipes collection.  I like short cuts and easy to make recipes, my Slightly-Homemade recipes save time and often have ingredients that make it easier and quicker to create them.  I enjoy using these Slightly-Homemade recipes that are often easier, quicker and time saving, and I hope that you find they do that for you too!}

Sometimes the sweet tooth needs some satisfaction so after going on the hunt I found myself staring at a bowl of apples.  I wasn't in the mood for that, but a warm baked apple pie sounded real good.  That led to visions of bubbly apple crisp but, I didn't have oatmeal, and only had very little brown sugar, so that wasn't going to happen either.  Then it came to me, I did have a couple packets of instant oatmeal and fortunately they were of the maple and brown sugar variety.  I had a plan for joy to my sweet tooth and warmth to my soul ...warm, delicious, baked, stuffed apples! 

..._________...

The first steps of the preparation were to core the apples.  I made about a one and half inch opening, leaving about a quarter of an inch at the bottom.

After stirring well to keep it mixed, I added some of the instant oatmeal to about half way up the center, then added a couple teaspoons of water.  I then drizzled a bit of honey (just a little) on top of that.

I added more oatmeal mixture to fill the apples, then a little more water, and added another little drizzle of honey.  I topped them off with a touch of butter.

I placed the apples on a small shallow baking dish, then added a little water to the bottom of the dish, covered them loosely with foil, and then baked them to perfection!

After cooling I added chopped walnuts, and I made a sauce to drizzle over the tops.  In just a few minutes I had delicious baked, stuffed apples topped with a yummy warm sauce.

And here's something that is gonna make you love me, and if you loved me already ...well, you're gonna love even more!

That yummy sauce I put on top, it is as simple as simple can be.  Take a heaping spoon full of brown sugar and put that in a glass pyrex bowl and add to that about the same amount of butter.  Now zap that in the microwave for just a few seconds, I mean few!  Don't walk away, don't sneeze, don't do anything else, just stay right there watching it til you just see the butter melting, now stop!  Carefully remove it and stir it to combine well as the sugar and the butter have a happy union, and then you'll notice that it looks a lot like caramel sauce.  Uh huh!  You're welcome!  Now just drizzle that lovely sauce all over the top of those apples.  Mmmmm.  I know!  Trust me it sounds as good as it really is!  If you like apples, apple pie, or apple crisp, you'll like this.

..._________...

mmmmm, baked stuffed apples = sweet tooth satisfaction!  

Baked Stuffed Apples

Ingredients:

4 sweet apples, (I used Gala)

2 packets instant oatmeal-maple and brown sugar flavor

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped or pecans (optional for topping)

1 tablespoon butter divided into four parts

approx 2 tablespoons honey

1/2  cup water

for sauce:

2 teaspoon butter

2 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F.  

Use an apple corer or paring knife to remove apple cores, cut within a quarter inch of the bottom.

Cut about an inch and a half wide opening for stuffing.  

Open oatmeal packets into a small bowl and stir well before filling apples half way full with oatmeal mixture.  Add a teaspoon of water on top of oatmeal to each.  Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon honey on top of oatmeal mixture in each apple cavity.  Mix oatmeal again and repeat filling each apple with the oatmeal mixture, a small amount of water and finish each with honey.  

Top each apple with one piece of the divided butter.

Add water to the bottom of the dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake in center of oven for 20 minutes, then remove foil. 

Continue baking up to 20 to 30 minutes until apples are soft and the skins appear wrinkled.  Test by poking a fork through the oatmeal and into the apple, if it goes in easily and if they feel soft the apples are done.

While apples cool slightly, make caramel sauce.  Drizzle sauce over warm apples and serve.

Enjoy!...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

A Birthday Surprise for Mom!

Sometimes you get to give someone a big surprise!  

We did just that as we pulled off a big 'surprise' by arriving at Mom and Dad's house for Mom's 75th Birthday on Friday!  She had no idea we were coming and she certainly was surprised!

Three Bean Salad

This salad is quick and easy, flavorful and delicious ...plus it's surprisingly filling.  I love beans and their versatility, and they really can stretch a meal.  Combining a blend of three of my favorites, black beans, garbanzo beans (chick peas) and edamame (soy beans) all tossed together with a light dressing, made for a great salad idea to enjoy in my quest for something different.  A new take on three bean salad!  This makes a delicious side dish, and it would also be great for taking along to a gathering to please a crowd.  I like it as a quick and satisfying lunch dish I can grab in a hurry!   

The vibrant colors are part of the appeal for me, and also the crisp crunch of the vegetables.  A zesty and tangy salad on it's own or it can be served with crackers or chips to scoop it up if you like.  A healthy low-carb alternative when served on lettuce leaves or endive leaves.  Also makes a nice presentation when served in zucchini or cucumber that have been scooped out to form boats or hollowed out chucks to form cups for mini appetizers.  

I used both canned and frozen beans for my salad, and of course you can prepare and cook dried beans if you wish, and have the time.  But I feel my choice was both healthy and time saving overall.  Either way will result in a dish you can enjoy!  This is also one of those recipes where you can add or take away ingredients to make different flavor combinations with just a little imagination! 

Three Bean Salad

Ingredients:

1  15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained well ( I like Bush's low-sodium beans)

1  16 oz can chick peas/garbanzos, rinsed and drained well

1  12 oz pkg of frozen/thawed Edamame(soybeans), shelled  (I used the Seapoint Farms)

1/2 of one red bell pepper, diced

1/2 of one yellow bell pepper, diced

1/2 medium white or red onion, diced

1 clove garlic, finely diced

1/2 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

juice of one lemon (or lime)

1 teaspoon ground cumin 

1/8 tsp white pepper 

salt to taste

Directions:

In a large bowl add beans and vegetables, then add the cumin, salt and pepper.  In separate small bowl add vinegar, oil, juice and garlic, whisk together then pour over beans mixture.  Gently toss well to combine.  Can be served immediately or refrigerated til ready to serve.

Enjoy!...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

A Weekend of Celebrating a Birthday/Anniversary

Feeling especially loved over the past few days with celebrating my birthday and our anniversary over the weekend.  Many phone calls, cards and well wishes, surprise gifts and gift cards from my loved ones to add to that special feeling.

..._________...

My Hunkband sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  What a guy.  He's really racking-up those hubby points for sure!  After thirty-four years together he can still make my heart go pitter-pat!

  

..._________...

An evening at the Opera together for our special day on Saturday.  It was a perfect way to share in something that we both enjoy!  You can learn more about it here.  

..._________...

Mother and Daughter celebrating with lunch and shopping on Sunday afternoon was an extra treat too!

A Night at the Opera - Madama Butterfly

A much enjoyed season opening performance on Saturday evening of The Atlanta Opera - Madama Butterfly, at the Cobb Energy Centre.  A memorable experience with beautiful costumes and stage settings, along with the moving music performed by the orchestra as the voices sing out the tale.  The stage was enhanced by the motion picture backdrop with soothing ocean waves, sunsets on the water, a moon-lit sky, and a ship coming into harbor.  A stunning vision with beautiful Kimonos worn by the female cast members, and there were also many Kimonos on display in the lobby.  A much anticipated opera on the 'want-to-see' list and one to remember!

..................

Madama Buterfly

"For more than a century, audiences have been moved by Puccini’s haunting story of passion, honor, and sacrifice. The tragic tale of lovely Butterfly touches us all, as she experiences a metamorphosis from trusting girl in love to grown woman faced with dismal choices.

Fresh from her triumphant role debut at English National Opera, Russian-American soprano Dina Kuznetsova sings the title role and tenor Adam Diegel debuts as the faithless B.F. Pinkerton. Debut artist Nina Yoshida Nelsen sings Butterfly’s devoted servant Suzuki, and baritone Corey McKern performs the role of Sharpless, the American consul. Music Director Arthur Fagen conducts this extraordinary new production, directed by Atlanta Opera General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun. The evocative sets are designed by Erhard Rom with lighting by Robert Wierzel.

Sung in Italian with English Supertitles

New co-production with Castleton Festival & New Orleans Opera"

source

The Atlanta Opera Madama Butterfly Synopsis

The ship moves across the water on rolling waves.  This is the view from our seats!

Ready for the performance of "Madama Butterfly"

One of the many beautiful Kimonos on display in the lobby.

A night at the Opera to remember!...

Show and Tell it - Closer Faraway Friends

We had the pleasure of having some old friends from New Zealand, Michael and Iona, come visit with us over the weekend while they were in the U.S. for a few weeks.  They're a great couple we'd met many years ago while we were all living in England, as he and my husband were working together.  

- Photo from their anniversary this year -

The most important reason for their trip to America was for

Welcome November

Here we are at the beginning of November, and looking back over the past year is seems to have come around quickly.  Time now to plan the turning of our clocks back an hour, and making plans for the up coming holiday season.  Time for warmth by the fire and enjoying comfort foods, and gatherings with friends and family.  

Hello November, hello!...  

AND

Speaking of comfort food ...You might enjoy my recipe for:

 Steak and Italian Sausage Chili 

We like it served-up with all the fixin's!  Yum!

That's a big ole bowl of comfort right there!...