Minimalist Halloween Tablescape

Welcome, glad you stopped by. It is Thursday again and its time to head over to Susan's for Tablescape Thursday. I was feeling in the mood to do a little bit of Halloween on the table. I hate to admit it but I realized there was very little in my stash for a Halloween table. So bear with me while I try to make it look good.

I scored this little HALLOWEEN sign at Walmart the day after last year for a dollar. He is a sparkly guy. I like him.

This is my wacky attempt to see the table from another perspective. Those water goblets have never been in a dishwasher, but you couldn't tell it by looking. Since I don't have a dishwasher, I will just blame the manual washer and photographer who are one in the same, EEK!!!


OOOHHH! Mr. Pumpkin is looking scary as he is flickering away. You can see the sparkles on my little sign now.


Here is a better attempt at another angle. I got lucky. I love Halloween, it's so fun seeing the kids dress up and trick or treat.


More from higher up. I think a black tablecloth would be perfect. I am kicking myself now for not picking one up at Kohl's that would have been perfect. All the standard places for tablescapers to go Kohl's, Gordman's, Bed and Bath, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and Home Goods are all 100 plus miles from here. Not a good time to second guess a purchase!


A shot of the table as a whole.


HHHMMMMM? Did I repeat? That shot looks the same. Oops! Still using the training wheels here, he he he.

I took this from standing on the chair. I should have got the step ladder so I could have got all of it. I am still learning as I go. It is great fun, even when you factor in the disasters, crooked and missing items, smudges and smears. I appreciate all the wonderful comments from all you amazing tablescapers who take time out to stop by. I know there are so many other tables to look at.Going to visit all the tables is the highlight of my Thursday.

If you haven't taken the time make sure you visit as many as you can. Comment and tell all these amazing folks how much you appreciate their time and talent. I know I definitely do! Thank you again Susan, Tablescape Thursday is truly WONDERFUL!

Mikasa's Brava Rooster....Finally!

Welcome and thanks for stopping by. It's Thursday and all of the dish lovers will be linking up over at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. I was fortunate enough to win these wonderful dishes at Anita's Far Above Rubies a few months ago. I had a few issues learning how to post and link, "new-blogger-itis can be chronic", ask me I know. So bear with me and the photography.


These beautiful dishes came in service for 8. They also have mugs and soup bowls. since I have a very small table I will be making another post with them, maybe a tablescape for soup and warm cider since the evenings are getting cool.


Mikasa has really done a wonderful job with these dishes. They are large and very well made. I am so impressed with their weight and quality. Thanks Mikasa! Mr. Rooster in the center was a birthday gift from my sister two years ago. He is a lawn rooster, I just could not allow him to be banished to the harsh outdoors.


He is doing a fine job protecting my new treasures. My dining room has become a home to all things chicken or rooster. I wouldn't have it any other way.


Look at the size of this guy. He is so amazing and his coloring is spot on.


Another handsome guy graces this plate. See the quality? A different rooster on each dish.


The bowls do not disappoint either. That is going to hold lots of yummy soup in style. Dont you think? Look away from the crooked candle. Someone needs more practice!

Dishes by Mikasa
napkins Efavormart
candles, hurricanes and filler Walmart
Rooster gift from my sister
chargers Walmart
tablecloth Marshall's

Thank you again Anita, they are treasures to me and will grace my table for many many years to come!

A Birthday and Anniversary Tablescape

Welcome to my first tablescape posting. I am very excited to join all the wonderful participants for Table Scape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I purposely did not add any salad plates since we are having a very simple meal per request of the birthday boy. I did set up a desert tray and forgot to photograph the buffet. I will get better at this I promise.



The dishes are Claremont by Gibson. I am sure everyone has these. I purchased them last year in a household goods catalog, which one I can't remember. This is our everyday flatware the pattern is Cali Mirror by Cambridge. I purchased these napkins on Ebay last year as part of a set with a tablecloth.



These water goblets are a standard in everyone's home I am sure, they are Libbey and were purchased at Target 3 years ago. I used the birthday boy's cake as the centerpiece, it is setting on my Anchor Hocking cake plate from Bed Bath and Beyond.I am kind of a minimalist when it comes to setting a table. I need to step up my game and layer my table linens, next time I promise a tablecloth AND placemats, living dangerously for me. So there it is my first time, PHEW! Glad that is out of the way!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little neck of the woods. Be sure to visit all the participants of Tablescape Thursday. It is the most exciting day in blog land! Next week I will be posting the Mikasa Brava Rooster tablescape that I won at Anita's, Far Above Rubies. Sorry for the long wait Anita!!!

German Chocolate Cake, For Goodness Sake!

Sorry for the sporadic posting I am having serious Internet issues and I don't think they are fixed yet. Canning and a failed sewing project have kept me away also. This weekend is our youngest sons birthday and he has requested German Chocolate cake. So I thought I would share a recipe that I have been tweaking for a couple of years and it is pretty well perfection, or at least in my mind.

This cake is moist and dense and delivers that sweet chocolate taste that is sure to please. The coconut pecan topping is a big hit in this family too. Roll up your sleeves because this will be worth the extra work.


German Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 9 inch cake pans and set aside.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
4 large eggs
4 oz melted and cooled German chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter softened
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add milk,sour cream, eggs,butter and vanilla. Mix on low till well combined. Stir in melted chocolate ans increase mixer speed to medium for 10 minutes. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Topping
1 12 oz can of evaporated milk
4 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup of butter or margarine
2 2/3 cup coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Beat eggs milk and vanilla till blended. Add sugar and butter. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes till thickened. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Top each layer and stack layers.


This is really the easiest and flavorful of all the German Chocolate cake recipes I have tried. Do you have a fabulous recipe to share? I love new ideas. I am preparing a post on the Brava Rooster for next weeks Table Scape Thursday. It is going to be simple so the Rooster's can shine. Mikasa really has made a beautiful rooster. Make sure you stop by to visit Anita at Far Above Rubies and marvel at her amazing photography plus she sews amazing linens for her table scape's. Don't forget to attend Table scape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Prepare to be amazed by these ladies!!!!


Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend. Happy 14Th Birthday to my youngest son Nolan, I am officially looking up to him now. Where has the time gone?

Hawaiian Sweet Bread

Good Morning and welcome to the country. It's a rainy day here so I decided to dig around in my recipe stash for something I haven't baked for awhile. To my amazement I found this one. Why this sweet buttery yumminess got lost in the recipe vortex I will never know.

This is a very easy and versatile bread. The kids love it toasted and it can be made into rolls too. When you have extra time give this one a try. You will be hooked!


Hawaiian Sweet Bread

4 cups of all purpose flour (I used bread flour for a smoother texture)
1/2 cup of sugar
2 envelopes of active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 Tablespoons honey ( I doubled to 4, trust me its better!)
3 large eggs divided

Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, salt, yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Mix very well. Add water, milk and honey stir for another 4 to 5 minutes till all incorporated. Add remaining flour forming a soft dough.
Knead dough on a floured surface till smooth and elastic, 10 minutes or so.Place in a greased bowl and toss to coat. Cover and let rise 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Grease a baking sheet and punch down dough. Shape into a ball, place on baking sheet and let rise till doubled, 40-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat remaining egg and brush loaf well. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Loaf will sound hollow when tapped. Place on wire rack to cool.

I hope you give this bread a try. Stop back by and leave a comment if you do. Thank you for stopping by. There is a loaf of bread calling my name. Hi, my name is Debby and I am a breadaholic!

Doughnut Muffins

Welcome friends, glad you stopped by. I am in a muffin mood this week. With this being the official first full week of school for the kids, what would be better for the morning rush than these?


These amazing muffins will take you back to the days when we could still find time to make homemade doughnuts. They are quick and easy and will fulfil your doughnut cravings. Whoever came up with this recipe is truly genius.


Doughnut Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and liberally spray a 12 count muffin pan

10 Tablespoons of butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 cup of milk

Beat butter and sugar till creamy. Add in eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, sift flour baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Lightly incorporate dry mix with wet and slowly add milk. Spoon in prepared muffin tins. Bake for 15 minutes (mine took 17) Let cool for 10 minutes and roll in 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.

The nutmeg really gives these that old fashioned powdered sugar doughnut taste. They even taste better the next day, if you can get them to last that long! Let me know how they turn out for you. Thanks for stopping by.

Guess What?

Good Morning! I am so super excited! I just found I actually won something. Anita hosted a giveaway of Brava Rooster by Mikasa. I want to thank her and the sheriff for drawing my name!


I am a new and apparently lazy blogger but this just boosted my motivation to get to posting all these yummy treats I have been working so hard on. Now they cant rest on some fabulous dishes too.


Every Thursday I stop by Tablescape Thursday Susan has made a wonderful place for Anita and many amazing other tablescapping bloggers to meet up. These ladies and even a few gentleman are amazing. You will be awestruck every week. I have learned so much from them all!


Did I mention that Anita sews her table linens? Make it a point to hop over there and bookmark her site. You will look forward to the visit I promise. I am talking perfection on a colossal scale. Run quickly dishaholics!


I need to go settle myself down now. Can you tell that I have never won anything? What a pay off! Rooster's are my passion they have overtaken the dining room. Have a wonderful day and Thanks again Anita and Mikasa!


I am embarrased to add that I am having trouble linking, so here is Anita's blog www.anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com and Susan at Tablescape Thursday www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com (Insert red face here!)





photo credit: abcpartypeople.com