Kitchen and Living Room Combined Designs

Home | Easy Fresh Wreath

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3-956vccKXuY8cI0P1rZ3tcbHPtqjuY3WAjZvgyq7No9seF7eGgSuoYDj5wkIszNr1a3psmmqX5YIwmm7ccAYzepRAaNkE670j9aInBNwNkNi4Dg8-e_g44h-6Ln9MuI9xdNN_2qCTY/s1600-h/IMG_0170.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417743782072680018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3-956vccKXuY8cI0P1rZ3tcbHPtqjuY3WAjZvgyq7No9seF7eGgSuoYDj5wkIszNr1a3psmmqX5YIwmm7ccAYzepRAaNkE670j9aInBNwNkNi4Dg8-e_g44h-6Ln9MuI9xdNN_2qCTY/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div>To make this wreath, you'll need a grapevine wreath, green florist wire and brown satin ribbon for hanging - all can be found at Michaels craft store.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cZCIf-dB0Ijr1I-xtmFV0Z6NJMmJa8zndnqIgW7PqxTwqWs4rgRxYmoKXs0KzsxAy7mw6hf28WiM7ACG4NbNdEFXsQn7PvmY-CmveFMBYfyqcv4krMzSP2dDm0LgGIwCgTMQPWgVfHo/s1600-h/IMG_0025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417743764158963874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cZCIf-dB0Ijr1I-xtmFV0Z6NJMmJa8zndnqIgW7PqxTwqWs4rgRxYmoKXs0KzsxAy7mw6hf28WiM7ACG4NbNdEFXsQn7PvmY-CmveFMBYfyqcv4krMzSP2dDm0LgGIwCgTMQPWgVfHo/s400/IMG_0025.JPG" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I clipped some branches from a tree in our back yard.  You could also buy them from a tree farm.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1OLqDoNdX6Lw-JJqlA8PLFnN4GNsL91B5iS63N_JnhhenZwXzjFdx2_yQjL4EZowMaBF6P4T0GyVa8iOaZp7Y9Y8Dh3UNv2LZzUN-XCerVA6HK8lKMxo6Vs6EysBgp9Yxnw9jjYb_Og/s1600-h/IMG_0027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417743770191134514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1OLqDoNdX6Lw-JJqlA8PLFnN4GNsL91B5iS63N_JnhhenZwXzjFdx2_yQjL4EZowMaBF6P4T0GyVa8iOaZp7Y9Y8Dh3UNv2LZzUN-XCerVA6HK8lKMxo6Vs6EysBgp9Yxnw9jjYb_Og/s400/IMG_0027.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>I attached the sprigs by wrapping wire around the wreaths until it is full. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div></div>

Home | Easy Fresh Wreath

To make this wreath, you'll need a grapevine wreath, green florist wire and brown satin ribbon for hanging - all can be found at Michael...

9:30 AM

Entertaining | Simple Holiday Flowers

Entertaining | Simple Holiday Flowers

I made a couple of these small arrangements for a brunch for the Delta Gamma Alumni. I used rustic tin buckets as the vase, then filled it ...

8:56 AM

Entertaining | Holiday | Beef Tenderloin

<div>At almost every Holiday Party that I cater, the centerpiece of the food display has been a beautiful Beef Tenderloin. It is the perfect thing to serve for the holidays - it is a special treat and it is very easy to do for a crowd.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMABJAAkoRWuirRcpWgls7Ux9EUDFc2dbkSzsliJHW41GX-2EUNzzW3i38NA7YZkXVdpi4Aii7cGPIQUPIRSN3pfHCmmrAShaLXdCHuIPbYnMxACyn_qOFCAvWl7QP4XaseNFVCfGS98/s1600-h/IMG_0125.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417733213283601474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMABJAAkoRWuirRcpWgls7Ux9EUDFc2dbkSzsliJHW41GX-2EUNzzW3i38NA7YZkXVdpi4Aii7cGPIQUPIRSN3pfHCmmrAShaLXdCHuIPbYnMxACyn_qOFCAvWl7QP4XaseNFVCfGS98/s400/IMG_0125.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><div><br /></div><div>When buying for large crowds, I always turn to Costco. Their beef tenderloins sell at $9-10 per pound (un-trimmed) and $15 per pound (trimmed) and typically weigh 5-8 pounds each. For portions, I figure .6 pounds per person. So, a 6 pound tenderloin is plenty for 10 guests... amounting to $6 per person for a fabulous dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ0ED6jkr-vvUXKaw7ax8ZwURNQkM5Ehb0KZcXN-L1HTuk8VNSmWyyyYC_O131Y7pHN1x_E3Mzg7WZ0RaTukEmTcG2CRuK0BC4IKYwpimJ9wxl_7Zwbmz2t_fbBoncjHozwxjtC7yjE0/s1600-h/IMG_0120.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417732536299739314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ0ED6jkr-vvUXKaw7ax8ZwURNQkM5Ehb0KZcXN-L1HTuk8VNSmWyyyYC_O131Y7pHN1x_E3Mzg7WZ0RaTukEmTcG2CRuK0BC4IKYwpimJ9wxl_7Zwbmz2t_fbBoncjHozwxjtC7yjE0/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><div>To prepare, I coat each beef (2 pictured) with olive oil, and generously salt & pepper.   Roast on a baking sheet at 500 degrees (make sure your oven is clean!) for 30-35 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes.  Then slice.  </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Entertaining | Holiday | Beef Tenderloin

At almost every Holiday Party that I cater, the centerpiece of the food display has been a beautiful Beef Tenderloin. It is the perfect thin...

8:38 AM

Entertaining | Snack Boxes

<div>A couple of weeks ago, I helped my Aunt Lisa by providing some "snack boxes" for the bus trip she had organized of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Homes Tour.  </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTMFUYlZWZl1JofqG0RSK8ltaV8o9J_-VQsBK0cMtaDOonjQq3dp7cHSBM97eu7MIHpTnDkEfFkiZUEOTFehX2Eiua0P6k1N1BCoKKKoTH9K3wS1XxkAaMeNVMmR4TDXEpFORkMW83P0/s1600-h/IMG_0031.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417724554621466914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTMFUYlZWZl1JofqG0RSK8ltaV8o9J_-VQsBK0cMtaDOonjQq3dp7cHSBM97eu7MIHpTnDkEfFkiZUEOTFehX2Eiua0P6k1N1BCoKKKoTH9K3wS1XxkAaMeNVMmR4TDXEpFORkMW83P0/s400/IMG_0031.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I made 35 boxes contain the following :</div><div><br /></div><div>- Petite Pork Tenderloin Sandich with Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese</div><div>- Cashew, Dried Cranberry & Golden Rasin Mix</div><div>- Artisan Cheeses & Berries</div><div>- <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2009/12/recipes-truffle-brownies.html">Truffle Brownies (click here for the recipe!)</a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sK_QUA_Qhfbssl7KSOfsHlo4Ej2k4R-Vpy8gyctJ8lbeURvI2HgJcdDaRDLrvIPWRr3AOJXYsuE-b9zk0xHssbMYze1EhsBtR2GOYh0A3pYrv1hNYDw2jeAcdQuqrl3gLdK33tHl2zs/s1600-h/IMG_0035.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417724186572389218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sK_QUA_Qhfbssl7KSOfsHlo4Ej2k4R-Vpy8gyctJ8lbeURvI2HgJcdDaRDLrvIPWRr3AOJXYsuE-b9zk0xHssbMYze1EhsBtR2GOYh0A3pYrv1hNYDw2jeAcdQuqrl3gLdK33tHl2zs/s400/IMG_0035.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div>Each brown kraft box was lined with parchment paper, then accented with festive cupcake papers (turned inside out) and red polk-a-dot napkins.  </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgWkr8PibpyZ1LmH-h9S8kQv82LF1hEWqfd6iIZmQ1d0Rz7J7F5doWJkLWPKEashPSR1gqwGnTN4d-Pr0MmDymYLjby2git9aH2ECIMKQI5tC0g5it4tqOBM1a_aSbtqBrHEWCkNI6k/s1600-h/IMG_0034.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417724177434100690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgWkr8PibpyZ1LmH-h9S8kQv82LF1hEWqfd6iIZmQ1d0Rz7J7F5doWJkLWPKEashPSR1gqwGnTN4d-Pr0MmDymYLjby2git9aH2ECIMKQI5tC0g5it4tqOBM1a_aSbtqBrHEWCkNI6k/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>

Entertaining | Snack Boxes

A couple of weeks ago, I helped my Aunt Lisa by providing some "snack boxes" for the bus trip she had organized of the Kappa Kappa...

8:07 AM

Recipes : Sugar Cookies

<center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/443.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/s_443.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br />I've been making this same recipes with my mom and sister for 27 years.  We always made dozens of cookies to give away to friends and family... And a couple very elaborate ones we saved for Santa. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/444.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/s_444.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210" /></a></center><br />I copied this recipe from my Mom's Better Homes & Gardens cookbook into my journal of recipes I started 5 years ago... Other things in the journal include creme brûlée, Outrageous Brownies, and Beef Tenderloin. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/445.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/s_445.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210" /></a></center><br /><br />2 sticks of butter<br />1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar<br />2 1/2 cups of flour<br />1 tsp of vanilla<br />1 tsp of cream of tarter<br />1 tsp of baking soda<br />1 egg<br /><br />Whip together butter and sugar, then stir in remaining ingredients.  Roll out dough and cut shapes.  Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/446.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/07/s_446.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210" /></a></center>

Recipes : Sugar Cookies

I've been making this same recipes with my mom and sister for 27 years. We always made dozens of cookies to give away to friends and fa...

11:21 AM

Sugar Cookies | Holiday Recipies

This morning, I'm decorating sugar cookies for events this weekend... Candy canes and stockings. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/221.jpg'><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/s_221.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210"></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/222.jpg'><img border="0" height="281" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/s_222.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="210"></a></center><br />I start by doing the white icing, then I fill in with the red.  I use royal icing- it is very shiny and glossy.  <br /><br />4 egg whites<br />4 cups of powdered sugar<br /><br />Beat the egg whites until frothy.  Add in the powdered sugar until smooth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/223.jpg'><img border="0" height="210" src="http://blogpress.w18.net/photos/09/12/04/s_223.jpg" style="margin:5px" width="281"></a></center><br /> <br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Falmouth%20St,Fairway,United%20States%4039.028572%2C-94.623536&z=10'>Falmouth St,Fairway,United States</a></p>

Sugar Cookies | Holiday Recipies

This morning, I'm decorating sugar cookies for events this weekend... Candy canes and stockings. I start by doing the white icing, then...

7:36 AM