Book-Cover-

Cooking From The Heart

Recently Jill Kimmelman published this lovely poem for Love of Food Magazine. It is perfectly timed with Valentines Day and the celebration of her new book of poems We are so lucky to have such a talented poet contribute to our publication.

Kiwis beckon blackberries shimmer
an array of ever-changing desserts. Decadent, sublime, a delight to the palate rare pleasures to savor summer’s gifts nestled on ancient hand-painted plates, cinnamon-scented coffee cooling within reach.

Kiwis beckon
blackberries shimmer
a golden-tipped glistening meringue treat
A family recipe tweaked a bit 
by each daughter’s loving hand
Presented on heirloom treasures
vanilla latte cooling within reach.

Welcome to You Are the Poem, a three-themed collection of poetry, Timeless Love, An Eclectic Mix & Looking Back: inspiration wisdom gained from my poetic journey.

gift of my heart, poems of celebration, joy, hope, bonds of precious friendship & sisterhood, bridges built with our love language, a treasure for passionate foodies & photographers!
Available on Amazon

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Mardi Gras and The King Cake

Fat Tuesday happens on the last day of the Carnival season. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is also the first day of Lent. The Christian observance of Lent signifies the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. They mark this time by giving up some of their favorite things to eat or drink. If you are a devout Catholic, Fat Tuesday is the last day to whoop it up before depriving yourself for forty days. This year it falls on March 1st, 2022.

According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, “The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe, passing through Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries to the French House of the Bourbons.” When we think of Mardi Gras we clearly conjure up images of the elaborate parade floats rolling through the French Quarter in New Orleans. We picture crowded cobblestone streets, the wrought iron balconies filled with bead throwers, and the sounds of ragtime and jazz music. The epicenter of it all takes place on Bourbon Street.

Contrary to what many people believe, Mardi Gras did not originate in New Orleans but in the port city of Mobile, Louisiana where many of the French Catholic settled in the 1800’s.

New Orleans is known for its culinary delights. What is a trip to the city of New Orleans without enjoying a sugary beignet from Cafe Dumonde while sipping on a Cafe au Lait or a chicory coffee? This establishment has been in the city since 1862.
According to Cafe Dumonde, beignets were brought the the region by the Arcadians (Rural French from the western Pays de la Loire region) we know their food style as Cajun. The beignets like all things have adapted over the years from a fruit filled pastry to a square of deep fried dough sprinkled with confectionary sugar. Yum!

When we think New Orleans we also think of Creole cuisine at its finest. The early Spanish and French, known as Creoles, who settled in the area brought their cooking methods and their spices that make up the hearty braised meats and stews that are typically served with rice. The most popular dishes are Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and the famed Crawfish Etouffee.

When you visit New Orleans you will quickly forget the notion that dessert has to be a big piece of chocolate cake. When it comes to desserts the French are the experts and that is no exception in New Orleans. Here the French Creole desserts have a more down home feel with sweet creations such as bread pudding and pralines. These simple dessert ingredients are easily transformed into elegant dishes. Flaming bananas foster steals the show during the final course in some of the areas best restaurants.


Even the famed colorful, tasty King cake is a basically comprised of a big ring of cinnamon rolls with colored sugar and icing. That being said, all of these desserts are a fantastic way to experience a little culture.

Photo Courtesy of Mica’s Sweet Treats

Who doesn’t love seeing a colorful King cake decorated with coins and beads sitting on the table during Carnival season?

The colors of the cake are purple, green and gold. The purple color stands for justice, the green depicts faith, and the gold signifies power.

The beads worn by the Mardi Gras parade goers and that are often draped around the cake emulate the high fashion jewelry worn by the wealthy aristocratic women that walked alongside the floats in the 1800’s.

In earlier years parade floats used to throw colored almonds into the crowds.

At one Carnival celebration, a group riding on a float tossed out full sized coconuts. Can you imagine getting hit with a flying coconut?

The baby displayed on the cake symbolizes the revealing of the Christ child. In Christianity, the day called Epiphany is the day when the three wise men made their way to Bethlehem with the offering of gifts to the newly born Jesus. 

Photo Courtesy of Mica’s Sweet Treats

It used to be the tradition to hide the baby figure inside the cake. For the person who discovered the baby, it signified good luck and blessings. It was also customary for the person who found the baby to be the next to make and share the cake.
Today in the United States the old tradition of hiding the baby inside the cake has given way to safety concerns and the baby is simply part of the cake’s decorative allure.

If you are looking for a King Cake this Carnival season, you do not have to travel to New Orleans, local bakeries like Mica’s Sweet Treats will be offering the sweet traditional cake throughout the month of February and into March.

If cake is not your thing, you could still celebrate carnival with some colorful Mardi Gras style cookies or the Bananas Foster Cocoa Bombs. Why not include the kids? Let them decorate the cookies with the purple, green, and gold colors. What a fantastic way to teach children about New Orleans, the history and traditions of Carnival, Lent, and Ash Wednesday.

Mica’s Sweet Treats is an established award-winning home bakery located in North Raleigh. After just three short years in business Mica’s Sweet Treats has 5 employees. You can also find them every weekend during the summer at the Midtown Farmers Market located in the trendy North Hills of Raleigh, NC.

4 Unique styles for Hosting (3)

4 Unique Styles for Hosting Over the Holidays

When it comes to holiday entertaining there are many ways to bring different groups of people together. A memorable holiday gathering leaves a lasting impression–a warm feeling of family, community filled with rambling conversations, peppered with flavors that fill the stomach as well as the soul.

Hosting a successful holiday gathering goes well beyond just the theme of Thanksgiving or Christmas. Consider who you will be entertaining, and what type of atmosphere you would like to create.

The recipe for a successful holiday gathering is very simply–a classic combination of food, people, drinks, and meaningful discussions. Food has the power to bring people together–whether you’re serving family members, business colleagues, or new friends. Every choice you make–from theme to menu to music–should center around creating this atmosphere of warmth, openness, and discussion. However, every host or hostess adds their own personal flavor to the event–a sprinkle of fun, a dash of competition, or a heaping spoonful of classic elegance.

Choose a theme by thinking about the reason for your holiday dinner party. Are you entertaining close friends, neighbors, inviting your boss or colleagues? Are you celebrating a holiday with just your relatives or a mix of family and friends?

Consider The Atmosphere You Want to Create

From there you can consider the atmosphere you’d like to create. Will this be an intimate event, or will the evening be an energetic introduction of many new acquaintances? Is this a formal dinner, or a casual gathering? Would you like your guests to feel calm and relaxed, or excited and boisterous?

The atmosphere and theme work together. Even a theme as simple as “Christmas Dinner” can be interpreted in many ways. Is it a classic, elegant, Charles Dickens-style Christmas? A Southern charm Christmas? A fun, whimsical, snow wonderland Christmas with elves and sparkles? A gingerbread and candy Christmas?

Once you’ve decided on the atmosphere you plan to create, you can begin to really narrow down your theme. Many factors can determine a theme.

1. Hosting An Eclectic Group

This is the perfect time to try out some fun finger foods. Maybe make it a pot luck of appetizers. Create a light and casual get together where people can mix and mingle, bring along their children and catch up with others. Imagine guests standing around with a signature cocktail or glasses of sparkling cider, chatting away with an assortment of finger foods and sweets. Mix up the music to appeal to everyone’s style.

2. The Formal Sit Down Dinner

Perhaps you want to dust off your grandmother’s china and host a formal dinner with napkins folded into swans and glistening holiday candles. Place guests according to their interests and hobbies so that the conversation is lively at the table. Keep in mind that this is not much fun for little ones. We are not saying don’t invite them but there was a reason Grandma sat you at the kids table.

3. Hosting Outdoors

Depending on the climate where you live, outdoors can be an amazing way to host friends and neighbors for the holidays. Perhaps you will spark up a fire pit and serve up some butternut squash soup and rustic bread.

Even if you are fortunate enough to live in a region that boasts long lovely springs and blissful autumns, you still cannot always count on Mother Nature to deliver the perfect weather, can you? Having an entertaining plan that incorporates the inside space of your home into the flow of a party can cut down on the anxiety of a pop-up storm or another unplanned unpleasant occurrence.

4. Traditional Family Dinner

Entertaining small can be wonderful. Take care not to create the atmosphere of a weeknight family meal. Make the dinner special for your intimate group. If you want to create a magical dinner for your immediate family, think about special moments in their lives that you want to honor or celebrate and turn your table settings into personalized themes with photos and mementos. You can list the years achievements like you would in a Christmas letter but instead of sharing their accomplishments with the world, share how proud you are of them at the holiday table. This can work regardless of the holiday.

Simple is still memorable

There are thousands of creative, whimsical, elegant, and classic ideas for decorating a tablescape, which can easily be found online. Sometimes just browsing through photos can help you brainstorm the perfect theme and decor for your dinner party.

However good the food, however fine the drink, and however fun the atmosphere — the highlight of a dinner party remains memorable and meaningful conversation among friends and family.

If you plan a few questions beforehand, you won’t be stuck in a rut if the conversation starts to dwindle. Deep, meaningful conversations over wine, candles, and good food — this is the stuff memorable dinner parties are made of.

Your holiday dinner should be as distinct and unique as you. The games, atmosphere, themes, and menu should reflect who you are. Likewise, a host or hostess shouldn’t have to stress out; a dinner doesn’t have to be complex to be amazing. Remember: All of the lace, flowers, and candles on earth won’t make a holiday memorable–at the end, what everyone remember most are how they felt, the people they connected with and conversations.

All of the lace, flowers, and candles on earth won’t make a holiday memorable–at the end what everyone remember most are how they felt, the people they connected with and the conversations.

Cheers. Here’s to creating an unforgettable holiday lasting happy memories.

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Holiday Entertaining Check List

santa reading list

Make The List – Check it Twice!

Starting from the beginning with a well thought out entertaining plan will determine everything from your menu to your choice of music.

Once you’ve determined your menu, take a few moments to write down each and every ingredient you’ll need for each course. Any event planner or caterer will tell you – staying organized is key! You’ve got a lot of things to think about: cooking, decorating, invitations, seating arrangements, games. It’ll be far easier and less stressful if you take a deep breath and take the time to organize. The last thing you want is to run back to the grocery store two or three times because you forgot a small ingredient!

On a separate document, make a list of every decor item you need. Put a checkmark next to any items you already own.

Most event coordinators will tell you: Begin planning early. Give yourself at least a month to plan. Here’s a simple checklist of your timeline for planning a dinner party.

A Month Before Your Event

  • Check Pinterest for unique themes
  • Brainstorm desired atmosphere and decor items
  • Create guest list
  • Begin planning menu

Three Weeks Before Your Event

  • Design and send invitations
  • Determine theme
  • Create a shopping list of required decor items
  • Begin shopping for decorations

Two Weeks Before Your Event

  • Guests RSVP; finalize the list of attendees
  • Check dietary needs for guests
  • Create seating arrangements
  • Finalize menu
  • Create a shopping list for ingredients

One Week Before Your Event

  • Choose music; begin creating a playlist
  • Create name cards if needed
  • Create ice-breaker question cards if needed
  • Deep clean house – Baseboards, lighting fixtures, etc.

Three Days Before Your Event

  • Use finalized shopping list; buy ingredients
  • Purchase alcoholic beverages – wine, champagne, beer, or cocktail mixes.
  • Purchase bottle-openers and corkscrews for opening wine.

The Day Before Your Event

  • Prepare as much of the menu as you can, so you can easily heat and serve the next day.
  • Trash out, restrooms clean
  • Begin decorating and laying out centerpieces, tablecloths, candles, flowers.
  • Hook-up playlist to make sure music plays
  • Go ahead and set your table as much as possible — one less thing to worry about tomorrow.

The Day Of Your Event

  • Prepare any remaining menu items
  • Warm-up previously-prepared foods
  • Layout hors-d’oeuvres and drinks for cocktail hour
  • Arrange all dishes for the prepared courses in the order you’ll need to serve them
  • Set the mood by lighting candles, turning on your playlist, and staging your home for guests.
  • Finally, get dressed for your holiday gathering
reading a book by a fire

Ideally, all of this early-preparation will leave very little work for you to do on the actual day of your holiday gathering. Be sure to take some time for yourself. Drink a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, and take a few moments to enjoy your space before your guests arrive.

Food Safety

5 Thanksgiving Food Safety Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Turkey cooking mistakes

properly thaw frozen turkey
Mistake #1 – Not Properly Thawing Frozen Turkey

When it comes to thawing the bird- the key is to think ahead.

  • How many pounds do you have?
  • How many days will you be required to leave it in the refrigerator to reach its thawing point?

The dangerous mistake occurs when the turkey is not thawed in the refrigerator. Never thaw on the counter or just sitting in a sink full of water.
The FDA guideline states frozen food of any kind should only be thawed in one of 3 ways:

  • In the refrigerator
  • Under continuous running cold water
  • In the microwave. (If food is thawed in the microwave it must be cooked immediately.)

Thankfully Butterball has a calculator that will help you plan

  • How much turkey you need by weight
  • How long to thaw a frozen turkey by the pound
  • How long your cook time will be
Undercooking the Turkey
Mistake #2 – Undercooking the Turkey

Cooking a turkey can be a daunting task if you have never done so. Be sure to remove all of the innards and the neck which will be tucked inside. You can use them to make a stock for the gravy.

The danger lies in the internal cooking temperature of the turkey. Turkey is considered poultry and the FDA urges that all poultry must be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Make sure you have tested your food thermometer. Keep it handy and check various parts of the bird. It is not done until every area you insert the thermometer in reads at least 165 degrees F. To test the accuracy of your thermometer you can place it in a glass of ice water for thirty seconds. If it reads 32 degrees F your device passes the test.

Properly reheating side dishes

Reheat the Side Dishes to the Correct Temperature
Mistake #3 – Not Reheating the Side Dishes to the Correct Temperature

Most people will make at least a few of the Thanksgiving side dishes ahead of time. This makes perfect sense considering how much cooking is involved.

Where this can become dangerous is assuming that since a side dish was once cooked properly it can be served with just the chill removed. All ready-to-heat food is required to be heated until an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

The reason you must reheat to an internal temperature of 165 F is that bacteria grow very rapidly as food passes through what is called the temperature danger zone.

The temperature range for the danger zone is 40F-140 degrees F. These little bacteria can make someone very ill. Especially when it comes to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone who may be immunocompromised. Think about who might be sitting at your table this holiday season and use your thermometer to check temps as you reheat the side dishes.

Properly refrigerating food sooner than later

Leaving Food Sit Out Hours After Serving
Mistake #4 – Do Not Leave Food Sit Out Hours After Serving

Many people have a sit-down family-style meal where everyone passes each delicious dish one at a time. Other households prefer to serve a wonderful buffet-style meal in which everyone makes a plate from a central location and carries their Thanksgiving dinner to their own seat. 

Regardless of how you prefer to dine, food-safety should still be top of mind.

Remember the old days where children were always instructed to wash their hands before dinner? This is still a great idea, in fact, in a post-pandemic world, everyone should wash their hands before sharing serving utensils. You as the cook should be washing in between touching each food item.

When it comes to serving your Thanksgiving feast the biggest rule of thumb is to not let any of the food sit out for more than two- hours. Once everyone has had time to eat, pack up the food, and get it in the refrigerator. If it is still hot or warm, simply divide it into smaller containers.

Mishandling of the Thanksgiving Leftovers
Mistake #5 – The Mishandling of the Thanksgiving Leftovers

Packing food in small containers with leftovers in them makes sense on so many levels.

  • If you are packing that leftover turkey stuffing and gravy into single-use disposable containers, your wonderful Thanksgiving leftovers can be offered to your guests as they leave.
  • If the containers are reheatable, you can portion out some ready-to-go meals for your family too.

    In the long run, this is the most efficient way to eat all the lovely thanksgiving food items in a timely manner. We live by the food-safety 3-day rule. By Sunday night all the leftovers must be frozen or thrown out. Make sure you follow the food safety rules of reheating foods to 165 degrees F also. Yes, you can eat the turkey meat cold, but if want some mashed potatoes and gravy or mac and cheese, remember to use the thermometer.

When it comes to food safety, you really cannot pick and choose. Bacteria and viruses are part of the world around us. We must learn to live with them and use the knowledge at hand to protect those around us.

As the cook and or the host of a meal, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have properly warded off the potential spread of viruses and properly killed off any bacteria that can potentially make you or someone you love ill. Having a happy holiday season starts with being healthy.

Remember: thaw food properly, cook poultry to 165 degrees F, reheat foods to 165 degrees F, refrigerate leftovers within two hours, freeze or discard leftovers after three days and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!
To learn more about safe and healthy meal prep visit our site at Meal Prep Made.

Holiday Blunders (3)

10 Holiday Entertaining Blunders

We have all encountered one or all of these situations at one time. We have provided not only the hosting faux pas but the tips to ensure that when it’s your turn to entertain, you will be able to navigate the hosting of your party with ease and avoid these all too common entertaining blunders.


1. A Flurry of Confusion


The hosts are still preparing food an hour after the party started. No one knows where to place their gifts or leave their coats. Guests are scrambling through kitchen drawers looking for a wine opener.

Tip: As hosts of a party, being prepared and on time is can be challenging. Your guests deserve to enter a well planned environment. Make a list of everything you need to do to prepare and utilize t time management skills. We have written an article that can help Holiday Entertaining Checklist.

2. The Snooze Fest


A formal holiday dinner party where you were seated for the next two hours alongside a guest you have absolutely nothing in common with.

Tip: When planning out the seating arrangement at a dinner party, make sure you seat people with like interests together. As the host it is your job to keep the conversations moving, Always be scanning the table for lulls in the conversation and find a commonality for people.

3. Menu Snafu

You leave a party hungry.

Tip There are many people with dietary restrictions. Make sure you are aware of allergies or known food sensitivities prior to planning your menu. Make sure there is enough food for the amount of guests. It is always better to have more than less.

4. Sporting of the Lampshade

You arrive to find earlier guests or worse, the hosts already well on their way to feeling no pain

Tip: Start a party off with less alcohol by offering a spritzer in lieu of a glass of wine. A light beer instead of a 10 % stout, or a punch with light alcohol rather than a shot.

5. The Glass House

You were told it was okay to bring your small children to the party only to find precious antiques placed all over the house at their eye level.

Tip: As the hosts, you do not have to redecorate your entire home but do place precious items above the reach of very small children. Make sure they do not have access to anything that can be harmful to themselves such as cleaning supplies, sharp objects or medicines.

6. The House is a Mess

You’re not sure what has happened, however it is apparent that the house keeper has not visited in sometime.

Tip: Cleaning over several days before your party is an easy way to ensure that you will have time for tidying up your home the day of your event. If you have clean laundry that is not going to be folded, tuck it away in a closet. No one wants to look at a pile of your undergarments while nibbling on an appetizer.

7. The “I Am Too Stuffy” Party

Pretentious people stand around in their own cliques while you try to fit in with small talk about the caviar.

Tip: In business situations, this can not always be avoided. But when hosting, it’s your job to match up the guest list appropriately.

8. The Uncomfortable Family Drama

You are forced to listen to Uncle Joe and his half-sister publicly air their respective families past grievances.

Tip: When putting together a guest list, sometimes you may not have a choice but to invite certain relatives. However, try to mitigate the drama by structuring a less formal seating arrangement.

9. Who left the dog out?

Fido is running amuck and jumping on everyone who had food in their hands.

Tip: Pets are great, but not always at your holiday party. Some well-meaning people do not understand that they should not feed your four legged friends. Accidentally dropped party food or spilled alcohol can be poisonous to pets.

10. Hosting if someone in your home is ill.

Tip: After all the world has been through since 2020 we should all know better. If someone becomes ill, it is better to contact all your invited guests to let them know you must cancel or postpone your festivities. It is never in good form to share an illness with guests.

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The Tablescape Contest

Knowing that the holidays would soon be upon us, we asked the members of our Love of Food Facebook group to share their beautiful table settings and participate in a contest. These are some of the photos that are being considered for our contest. We have named each one in the caption under its photo.

If you would like to vote for your favorite, visit our Facebook Group using the link above. The contest will be pinned in the group until Dec 25th when the winner will be announced.

THE AUTUMN LEAVES TABLE
THE REINDEER TABLE
THE DINNER OF THE DEAD TABLE
THE GILDAD BUTTERFLY TABLE
THE RED GLASS TABLE
THE BLACK WHITE AND RED TABLE
THE BIRDS NEST TABLE
THE CHRISTMAS BUFFET

4 Unique styles for Hosting

Holiday Table Setting Tips

When it comes to creating, serving, and showcasing food, the choices are limitless. From setting the tone for a fun party to a formal dinner, and everything in between. All you need is a little creativity, some dinnerware, table cloths, glassware, and holiday decor. A theme will make your food stand out and set the right mood for a memorable holiday meal.

Designing Your Holiday Table- Where Should You Begin?

Many times people shy away from entertaining because the idea of having to set up an extravagant table appears like a daunting task. But it does not have to be hard. The key is starting a week or two ahead of time and follow these simple steps.

1. Elegance or Fun

The first rule of thumb is to decide is who will be in attendance? Perhaps your guest list includes your very traditional mother in law, and or your new boss. If this is the case, the answer is simple. You should shoot for elegance above all else. If it’s a group of close friends and neighbors you may want to decide on a fun theme.

There can however be extenuating circumstances once you take your guest list into consideration. Can you have both? The answer is kind of… yes.

Case in point; this Thanksgiving we have little ones attending. While we still all want everyone to feel as if they were being treated to a wonderful meal, we had to consider spills, drips, table bumps and busy hands. We opted to ditch the formality but weave in a sprinkle of elegance. While our tables will not be magazine cover worthy and as fancy as previous years, we are blessed to have children in our lives.

Grandmother’s antique platters will not make their appearance. We will skip the tall candles and the decorative glass votives. Low profile decor that is more stable will dawn our table. The crystal long-stemmed wine glasses that can tip too easily will be replaced with stemless options. Instead of the fancy table cloths, our tables will be draped with cloths that will be no worse for their wear if/when they get spilled upon.

Our tables will still be quite festive, and have a hint of elegance but are more approachable for all the guests. The parents of the little ones will feel more relaxed, as will we, as the hosts. Here are some of the designs we plan to use.

The most important part of creating this sacred space where we will partake of our Thanksgiving meal is that each and everyone seated at the dining table is made to feel comfortable.

Now that you have considered who will be attending, what do you do next?

2. Select A Signature Piece and Build Around It

Start with one signature piece for inspiration that will help define the theme of your design, Sometimes it can be a fantastic dinner plate.

It does not always have to be the dinnerware that is your muse. We found this rooster placemat and decided the theme would be farm/country. From there we were able to gather pieces, gift bags and really hone in on the details. Fresh vegetables were even part of the decor.

Once we hosted a birthday dinner for a girlfriend from Texas and that gave us the idea of a fun cowgirl theme. The inspiration for this, believe it or not, was not the hat but the cute little checkered pigs we found at a craft store.

3. You Do Not Have to Break The Bank Creating a Centerpiece

Beautiful tables can be made from Items you source just about anywhere. These beautiful flowers are from a Crepe Myrtle tree located in our neighborhood. Tall weeds were growing around them so they were added for greenery. You can also find sticks or Cat N Nine tails. Even wheat grass can be a great way to add color and dimension to your tablescape. Just be sure to spray anything before coming in from the outside with a solution of dish soap and water to remove any insects hiding in tiny crevices.

4. Secret Dollar Store Finds

This past Halloween, we were challenged to set a great table using mostly Dollar Store finds. We hosted a dinner and a brunch using the same items. It was the best 15 dollars we ever spent. Storing these items does not make sense for our space, so the next day we packed it all up and made a donation to the local thrift store.

Thrift stores can be a great place to find pieces that you can use for your dinner parties. One time we hosted a birthday dinner for a friend who happens to really like the color blue. We found some pretty blue glassware sitting on the store shelves just begging for us to take it home. We made a small donation to a good cause and made our friend smile when she saw her favorite color proudly displayed on her table. When the party was over we gave her all the glassware to keep.

Thrifting is only one of the ways to have fun with your tablescapes. We know some of you cringe at the thought of using someone else’s dishes, but if you think about it you do this each time you dine out. Yes, it would be nice to walk into Sur La Table or Pottery Barn and purchase everything showcased, but unless your last name is Rockefeller, that kind of expenditure for each and every holiday is not sustainable. We even set our Christmas table with pretty red snowflake plates that we found in a box at a local thrift store. This year we donated them back to the same store. That is good example of re-use.

5. Incorporate and Repurpose Already Owned Pieces

You do not have to purchase dinnerware and decorative items for every holiday. The best way to make the most of pieces you love and a table look different is to repurpose them.

For the Halloween tables shown previously we repurposed everything and transformed the dinner table to a buffet. The tree in the middle of the table is an old jewelry tree that we found on clearance at Kirklands. This tree will make its reappearance on our Christmas table. Instead of spooky bats and orange lights it will sparkle with white lights and hold little ornaments. Perhaps it will be repurposed again at Easter where it can drip with pastel colored ribbons and dangle little eggs. One piece repurposed over and over.

Your table is your canvass to create on.

  • Think of it as a piece of art
  • Find your muse for inspiration
  • Follow the tips that we have provided

It does not matter if you will have lots of company or just an intimate holiday dinner. Like a Broadway production, a well staged table allows your food to shine as the star of the show. You and your guest will be seated in the front row. Your holiday dinner table is the vehicle for meaningful dialogue, laughs, and entertainment. Like a well written play the storyline of your dinner may be cherished for many years to come.

We hope you have found some creative inspiration and clear direction on getting started. To see more beautifully dressed tables you can preview of the submissions from our table scape contest on our Facebook Group Page.

Living-Roon

The Ultimate Guide to A Christmas Feast

If you are someone who usually attends and enjoys Christmas at the homes of others. Your senses are delighted with the colored balls, and gold and silver streamers. The twinkle of thousands of little lights, the smells of cookies baking in the air, and the sounds of Silent Night looming in the background. Your hosts have thought of every little detail to make your experience magical and reminiscent of Christmas past.

decorated home for christmas

This is not by accident and the holiday magic does not just happen. It takes planning and playing around with creative ideas to hit just the right notes. From something as simple as an entryway to the final dish served at the table, the devil is in the details.

If it is your turn to host your family’s Christmas celebrations this year, not to worry, we will guide you through some of what it takes to create a magical experience for all.

Selecting a Theme

First and foremost you need to think through who is attending and what kind of atmosphere you want to create for what you are trying to convey. If you will have children your theme will look very different than a celebration for just adults. If you will have a mix of both, do not try mixing Disney stuffies with an adult flower arrangement as it will not work. Instead, think about your home’s entertainment capability, and designate a place for each age group. There is a fine line between nostalgia and tackiness so remember to create spaces that are appropriately themed for the ages of your guests.

There is a fine line between nostalgia and tackiness so remember to create spaces that are appropriately themed for the ages of your guests.

For example, a children’s tree in the living room with a mix of kid-approved themed decor. Perhaps with the television set up to loop Children’s classic holiday movies. If they are teens you may want to make the tree more video gamed themed and select movies that are appropriate for their age.

childrens ornaments on a christmas tree

For the adults in another room, you can set up a madmen bar, decorate a nostalgic tree with ornaments of days gone by, and play classic Christmas music by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

If it is just for the ladies, perhaps a glam tree with pink ribbons and gifts with big bows underneath, fluffy pillows, and a song list on your Spotify to include Santa Baby and All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Cary.

Don’t forget the bathrooms. Make sure they too have a bit of holiday cheer. Stay in a theme as much as possible. Find sprays that smell like the holidays and if you do not have a Christmas tissue holder, look for the themed boxes of Kleenex.

Hang a wreath in the room or find pictures of angels, cherubs, and/or funny moose to hang up. Avoid putting up any pictures of Santa looking at someone in the loo, that would just be creepy. Santa’s of course are welcome around the home at Christmas time. I found this beautiful gold and silver frame at a yard sale and simply cut out Santa’s face from a gift bag to put in the frame. The other Santa lives upstairs during the holidays. He is a Dollar Store find and adds some cheer to the home office.

Once you have set your mood in the home for Christmas, you can focus on the décor for your Christmas feast starting with the table setting. This year the celebrations are a bit more intimate due to Covid restrictions. However, that does not mean you should settle for paper plates in front of the television. Instead, celebrate with the ones closest to you and make the most of treating the special people in your lives.

Christmas Table Settings

Table settings should be fun and functional so avoid too much décor when you know you have limited space. We set up our table for four diners (we did end up with five for the meal) but could have easily fit six place settings if we needed to. We chose a color for our table based on the classic look of our tree in the dining room. We also opted for some nostalgia pieces on the table to complement the theme of the tree. I made a centerpiece from fairy lights and ornaments. I used these mini stockings to hold the silverware. Had I hosted a larger crowd I would have done place settings with ornaments. (They sell the ornaments with little clips on them at Hobby Lobby for just that purpose). I opted to not buy a new tablecloth this year and rather I found some ribbon to just dress up the plain classic white and gray linens that I already had.

My placemats were silver but my chargers were gold. I like a more eclectic look for my table. I mix silver and gold all the time, I have a friend who says it makes her nervous. By all means, your dining table and home decor should reflect your personality and your style. This article is written as just a guide to hopefully help to inspire you.

Your dining table and home decor should reflect your personality and style.

Before Dinner Cocktails

A signature Christmas cocktail is a must for a holiday feast. Whether you imbibe alcohol or not you can make a festive drink of some sort for everyone to share before the meal. It can be as simple as a glass of cider for a fun mocktail or a full-on cocktail. We had a guest mixologist in our presence so we enjoyed this Apple Cider Bourbon Sour with a beautiful apple sliced, sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice, and rolled into a rose. They were delish! Special thanks to Stephen for bringing us such a special treat.

We also tested out another cocktail for New Year’s Eve that we found on Pinterest. I am happy to announce that this really works and looks good! It is the ever so popular Baby Yoda cocktail. Basically, an Appletini all dressed up to look like Baby Yoda. Isn’t this too cute?

baby yoda appletini cocktail

The Christmas Feast

Antipasto is a holiday tradition in our home and Christmas is no exception. This salad is best described as a crowd pleaser since it will contain some things each and every person loves and something they despise. For me it is a chance to eat anchovies and beets which my husband hates. He loves pickled okra and baby corn which I could care if I ever tasted again in my lifetime.

What Christmas dinner would be complete without beef as the centerpiece? I know that everyone enjoys having a prime rib roast for Christmas, however, I was looking for some nostalgia this year. For me, that meant my mother’s popovers served alongside a traditional roast with gravy. ( I forgot to take pics of the gravy, oops) I can tell you I tried something very different in making the gravy. I did use the pan drippings however I added pork stock that I have frozen. It added a depth of flavor and richness to the gravy that was unexpected.

Pork stock added a depth of flavor and richness to the gravy that was unexpected.

Popovers are basically the same thing as Yorkshire pudding where the only difference is the fat in which they are cooked. Yorkshire Pudding is cooked in beef fat and Popovers in butter. We made them both ways for our Christmas feast and the beef fat turned out a bit tastier and did not darken as easily on the bottoms as the butter did. But If you do not have beef fat on hand I would still make them, just turn the heat down a smidge from a recipe designed for Yorkshire pudding.

I know that many people choose a prime rib roast for Christmas dinner I did not instead I opted for another roast. Simply because you just do not get a good gravy from a greasy prime rib and I want my popovers to be filled with rich, yummy brown gravy. This roast is a top round or as many would call it, a London Broil. Cooked properly and sliced against the grain it is one of my favorite cuts for a roast. I seared the roast at 450 F for twenty minutes, removed it, slathered it with salt, pepper, butter, and herbs. Cooked it at 350F until it reached its optimal temperature. We went to an internal temperature of 130- 135F and then let it rest for 20 minutes covered.

top round roast

I am on a Duchess Potatoes kick these days. I love the rich texture and flavor of this potato casserole. To make it a bit more festive I piped the potatoes on the top of the casserole and added some paprika and herbs. Traditionally these are piped into little individual pods and baked on a cookie sheet, but who has time for that really?

duchess piped mashed potatoes

I hosted some meat and potato lovers at this year’s Christmas table. You see they were away from their family for the holiday so I strived to create a warm sense of home in my meal. In my world, that translates to a rich and hearty dish. What says comfort as well as potatoes? Well, a big scoop of homemade gooey mac and cheese does of course!

homemade mac & cheese

Our Christmas feast ended with my husband’s famous Ricotta Cookies. (along with my peanut butter fudge and a friend’s banana pudding which did not make it to the photoshoot). These soft but dense Ricotta Cookies need no milk for dunking. They are not overly sweet and melt in your mouth! Our friends and neighbors ask for these every year.

homemade ricotta cookies for christmas

Our Christmas feast was a success, we all had full bellies, lots of laughs, and an evening of twinkling lights surrounding us. We hope that you too will have a Christmas full of cheer this year.
Merry Christmas 2020!

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Egg Nog – How We Love Thee

Oh, eggnog…how we love thee! It is that time of year again. I bought our first carton of the year this week! Of course we drink this rich, sweet treat…but, try making drinks or baking with it too!

Eggnog Facts:

  • Eggnog is made from: milk, cream, sugar, eggs (beaten), cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Eggnog is thought to have come to us from England.
  • Eggnog is typically served in the United States and Canada

Eggnog Options:

Ways to Use Eggnog

Mix-in Eggnog:

  • In an 8-ounce glass, pour in 3 ounces of eggnog and 4 ounces of Sprite or Ginger Ale. They balance each other out wonderfully!
  • How about using it as creamer in your coffee?
  • Eggnog smoothie? Try mixing 1 banana, ½ cup eggnog, ½ cup milk and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and mix in a blender.

Bake With Eggnog:

  • Try using eggnog in the place of milk in some of your favorite Holiday recipes. Try it in cookies, cakes, pies, and puddings.
  • Make Eggnog Crisps

Recipe for Eggnog Crisps

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 ½ cup cake flour
  • ½ cup ground pecan
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg (I like Badia)
  • ¾ cups M&Ms, minis (If you do not have M&M minis, you can use regular-sized M&Ms in this recipe or chop up regular sized M&Ms)

Instuctions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*.
  2. Line 2 cookie sheets with no-stick foil.
  3. Cream butter and sugar.
  4. Add egg and vanilla.
  5. Combine flour, ground pecans and nutmeg in a separate bowl.
  6. Add to creamed mixture.
  7. Add M&Ms.
  8. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto prepared sheets.
  9. Press down gently.
  10. Bake for 9-11 minutes,until edges are lightly golden.
  11. Should make about 3 dozen cookies


Healthy Happy

Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

The holiday season is now in full swing! The hustle and bustle of gift shopping, family visits, holiday parties, and end of year to-do lists can become quite overwhelming. After the year we have all endured, why not simplify life, slow down, and enjoy all that we have been blessed with?

While this year may look a little different, I am sure there will still be families gathering and friends celebrating together. Whether your gathering includes two people or twenty people, one thing is for sure – there will be food! If you are anything like me, the promise of delicious food may be one of your top reasons for attending such events. 

It also means we may not make the healthiest of choices as we navigate the wide array of sweet and savory options on every table. There is a way to make better choices for ourselves and enjoy a great holiday season. Some of us may need to simply avoid too much sugar while others, including myself, must be wary of the options presented due to allergies. I am not able to eat gluten or dairy due to severe intolerances. Once upon a time, this made every gathering daunting and unenjoyable. 

No matter what your goals are this year, here are five great tips that I have taught myself over the years! They are simple and easy to remember.

EAT BEFORE YOU GO

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Don’t show up on an empty stomach! One sure fire way to ensure confidence in yourself when presented with a huge table of sweets and treats is to already have a belly full of food that makes you feel great. With this already done, you can grab a glass of wine or champagne and focus on other things. Your energy is high, you feel great in that new outfit you bought for the season, and you are ready to enjoy friends and family. 

FILL YOUR PLATE ONCE

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You have already had your belly filling meal before showing up – great! This does not mean you are not allowed to enjoy a few treats. I will find the smallest plate being offered and fill it up once. I will add a dessert or two and maybe a small bunch of veggies. This allows you to still feel a part of the crowd and treat yourself a bit.

DON’T SOCIALIZE BY THE FOOD TABLE

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This may seem obvious, but it is quite easy to stand, chat, and pick at the food all evening long. Remove yourself from the temptation of grabbing all of the small finger foods or cookies within an arm’s reach.

TAKE A DISH TO SHARE THAT YOU CAN ENJOY

My number ONE favorite thing to do is cook! All my friends know this, and I am usually asked to bring at least one dish to all parties or get togethers. I am flattered when they ask but also excited because it means I can bring something that I know I can enjoy without any guilt. Take a fun dip without dairy products or create a fun dessert that is sugar free. People will be amazed at how it tastes, and you know it is at least one option you can feel no guilt about enjoying. 

Below is my Spiced Cranberry Turkey Meatball recipe. It is Gluten and Dairy-free and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at whatever event you attend this season. Everyone loves a party meatball!

Spiced Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

Time: 30 minutes total
Recipe makes 25-30 small meatballs

Meatballs Ingredients:

  • lb. lean ground turkey
  • ¾ cup almond flour
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup shredded Granny Smith Apple
  • .5 tsp allspice 
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1.5 tsp salt

Sauce

  • 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • Zest from half an orange
  • Juice from half an orange
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Allergy note: if you have Celiac or severe gluten allergies, be sure to purchase Gluten-Free versions of any spices or sauces needed

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Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
  2. Place a baking rack on top of a baking sheet and spray generously with cooking spray.
  3. Spoon out 1 tbsp of meatball mix and roll into a small ball. Place onto the baking rack.
  4. Bake for 12-14 minutes until slightly browned and no longer pink on the inside.
  5. While the meatballs are baking, make your sauce! Add all sauce ingredients to a small saucepan on low heat. Whisk ingredients together until you have a smooth sauce. Simmer on low heat for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally as not to burn the fruit.
  6. Add as much spice as you would like! I added a whole teaspoon of red pepper flakes and my kids still enjoyed them. Red pepper flakes go a long way. Add a little and taste before adding more!
  7. Once meatballs are done, add your sauce to the bottom of a large bowl. Add in the meatballs and toss them together. Serve immediately. You can also make them ahead of time and transport them in a slow cooker set on WARM.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

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This time of year is supposed to be about joy and family and love. While it is important to be continually conscious about our health, it is equally as vital to keep priorities in their place. Family and togetherness are at the top of the list! That one party, one special family holiday reunion, or one diet slip up, should not determine your happiness this year. You are not what you eat and what your slightly altered diet plans say. Have a great time and give yourself grace! Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from R&R Table!