MERRY CHRISTMAS

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas.
xxoo
Debbie

SANTA HAT BROWNIE BITES

Just in the nick of time for my office Christmas party, I found this idea for Santa hats on a blog. We enjoyed these tasty treats so much that I'm going to make more for another holiday party. 

Check out this "sweet" blog here. Santa Hats

Here is the list of supplies you will need:

1 box brownie mix (I made mine from scratch)

24 small strawberries (hulled and cleaned)

2 cups white chocolate chips 

Mini muffin pan

Piping bag and tip 

 Preheat oven to 350 and grease your mini muffin pan.

Prepare brownie mix according to instructions on box, and fill your muffin tins 3/4 of the way. (You will have extra batter)

Bake for 20 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. Once brownies are cool, place strawberries upside down onto brownie bites. Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler and transfer into a piping bag. Pipe a ring around the base and a small dot on top. Work quickly since the white chocolate tends to dry fast and may clog the tip. 


Enjoy!

TODAY I AM VERY MERRY FOR:


*Getting together with dear friends for a wonderful dinner at Nola's last evening and loving their contemporary chandeliers. 

*Slowing down enough to enjoy and cherish moments with family. I'll be baking with mom soon and sharing the recipe for Almond Paste cookies next week.


*Decorating the tree on a sunny Saturday in cheery, cherry red clogs that make me smile. Mr. Mountain Breaths likes them too ;o) 

I am joining:

  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday  
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday


Thank you for stopping by!
Debbie

CHRISTMAS DINING WITH VIETRI

While I am out walking,  I take a short break to admire the Vietri pottery plates on display in the window of a gift shop. I reason with myself that if I can't live in Italy, perhaps I can enjoy beautiful dinnerware from Italy. Joe has heard me talk about Vietri. Recently, he surprised me with four Vietri iridescent glass snakeskin plates. He knows that I like green and says he is still looking for the WHITE ones I want love ;o)

While I was decorating our sun porch for Christmas, I placed a centerpiece on the Mackenzie Childs table and was happy with just that. Too busy this year to fuss! Then the Vietri snakeskin plates popped into my head since they are a few shades of green. We are  loving the beauty of the glam snakeskin plates, using them for appetizers and an occasional dessert. The pictures really don't do the plates justice, but here is my humble attempt of what they look like during the day. 

Here's an evening shot. Since we have only used the dishes for finger foods so far, I didn't include flatware. Besides that, I think they need matching snakeskin forks ;o) Hmmm, I wonder if they make them.

This is what the table looks like when we use it in the evening. Very dark these days.

Here are the white Vietri dishes that I adore.

courtesy of Vietri

These snowflake dishes would look great on a table during the holiday season and even through the winter. 

courtesy of Vietri

I added some sparkly Christmas trees that I bought several years ago.  Look - no snow on the lawn yet! This is the mildest fall we have had in many years. Even the tulips are starting to sprout. As long as they don't bud, they will be fine next spring.

courtesy of Vietri

TODAY I AM VERY MERRY FOR:


*Getting together with mom and my two sisters to make Christmas cookies! I bought a seven pound can of almond paste...yup, we'll use the whole can to make mom's famous almond paste cookies ;o) We give quite a few away to mom's friends at church.

* The beautiful weather we had while visiting family in New York City last week. The Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake and Bubble projection show is spectacular. I've included a Youtube link to the 3D Projection mapping show if you are interested. 

click here - Saks Fifth Avenue

* For the talented indivuals that bring us joy by creating a 53 foot long Gingerbread Village for the holiday season. It's on display at the Turning Stone Casino and takes months to assemble!  In case you would like to make your own, I've included the recipe for you but you'll have to reduce it ;o)  OMG, 1,200 eggs!!

I am joining:


 No Minimalist here for Holiday Dining

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Gingerbread Party @ Cozy Home Scenes

Thank you for stopping by!
Debbie

CHRISTMAS MANTEL

Twas the day after Black Friday, and the mantel was bare. The fall decor was tucked away for another year, and traditional nutcrackers were dancing through my head. After a quick trip to Joann Fabrics, and loading up the shopping cart to the BRIM with nutcrackers in ALL sizes, I started decorating the mantel.  I am not the decorating guru when it comes to mantels, but when you know what you like, it makes it MUCH easier. Last year, I fell in love with the nutcrackers on the mantle at a blog Adventures in Decorating so I knew in advance what I was going to do.

After laying greenery on the mantel, I added some lights, sparkly ornaments and JOY.

Beads, bows and snowflakes too.

Placed some mixed nuts in a candle holder, and topped it with a sweet little guy. I was inspired by this idea on a blog last year and tucked the idea away for this year.

I bought the snowflakes on sale last year, and spray painted them gold for the display.

"Planted" a nutcracker in a Les Fleurs box that I brought in from the garden, and he's hanging out on the shelf next to the mantel.

Lastly, two large nutcrackers guarding the fireplace. Don't worry....we move the Christmas stockings when we use the fireplace to cozy up the room ;o)

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Home Sweet Home Party @ The Charm of Home

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper


Mantel Party @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

Holiday Highlights @  DIY Showoff

Mosaic Monday @ Little Red House

Thank you for stopping by! 
Debbie