Christmas Festivities

So now that Christmas is over I wanted to share a few items that I made for my family.  I hosted my and my husbands family and since this was our second year doing this I felt like I had to outdo myself and make it different than last year. 

Over the course of 5 days we made quite a few meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  However Christmas day was truly an extravaganza!

Our breakfast was a cinnamon crumb cake, Paula Deen's french toast casserole, yum, fruit salad with vanilla pudding, fresh bagels and pomegranate mimosas.  

I made quite a few appetizers in between breakfast and dinner to keep everyone from getting too hungry.  I made a baked spinach, artichoke and feta dip with pita chips, roasted tomatoes with fresh basil, mozzarella, basically caprese on a stick.  I also made a roasted cranberry crostini which was to die for. I forgot to take a picture of my Cheese Ball. It was awesome and I made it twice during the holiday season.  

For dinner my brother-in-law helped me set the table.  He is beyond talented.  We used floating candles with fresh pine, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.  I used a plaid tablecloth and a burlap runner.  ( If you read my last post you would see I used burlap with everything :)) We used our Kate Spade China plates, 2 different patterns, and then 2 different napkins.  We folded the napkins with bakers twine, candy canes and cinnamon sticks.  

For the dishes, I forgot to take a picture of the delicious honey baked ham. We also made roasted brussel sprouts, crushed walnuts, blue cheese and olive oil.  Then a quinoa salad with pomegranate, fresh mint, cucumber, and feta.  Then the classic mashed potatoes. 

Lastly for dessert, again, forgot to take a picture, Ooops.   I made amazing peppermint brownies, peanut butter cookies and a no bake cheesecake.  

That's all I've got for Christmas. Did you make anything wonderful for your holiday?  I hope everyone had an amazing holiday and all the best for a happy, healthy, new year!

XO,

GG 

Christmas Decorations

I love the Christmas Season and decorating for my family is one of my favorite things to do.  Our tree was inspired by the Pottery Barn Catalog.  We got the catalog in October, ridiculous, and I thought, "this is what I want our tree to look like this year, but I can make it my way". 

 I used burlap that I had purchased and cut it into 5 inch strips.  Then wrapped it around the tree. It actually doesn't go all the way around but I don't think you can tell.  Then I used the leftover strip to make a bow for the top.  I really like how it turned out.

I was going to stop there but I had some extra burlap.....  So I decided I wanted to make a banner and a table runner.  I went on Etsy and saw some ideas for different banners.  I decided to do a hybrid of two different ones.  Here was my inspiration

I cut out the burlap using a pattern made from cardboard.  Then I made the stencils for the letters of "Be Merry".   I used Martha Stewart fabric paint for the letters and polka dots and then used spray tacky glue to stick it on the ribbon.     I kind of like how mine turned out better! 

What do you think?? What do your Christmas decorations look like??

                                                            XO,

                                                            GG 

Seasonal Recipes

We have been hosting guests a lot this season and it has given me a chance to perfect some new fall recipes. I thought I would share them with you. They all turned out really well!

Pumpkin pancakes

Ingredients
1 Container of multi-grain pancake mix from trader joes
1 can of organic pumpkin
1/2 tbsp. of nutmeg
1/2 tbsp. of cinnamon

Add in the ingredients from the box ( 1 egg for waffles and 2 eggs for pancakes) as well as oil ( I used coconut oil instead.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl
Pour them out as pancakes or waffles

Glazed sweet potatoes

http://www.reynoldskitchens.com/easy-recipes/recipe-items/honey-roasted-sweet-potatoes/

Above is the link to the recipe, they were so good, almost a dessert rather than a side.

• Ingredients
• 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
2. Spread the potatoes out on a cookie sheet lined with Reynolds® Parchment Paper. 
3. Sprinkle the oil, honey, cinnamon, salt and pepper over the potatoes and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Once they are cooled scoop them onto a serving dish and devour!  

Fall apple medley  

Ingredients

4 apples ( I used red delicious) chopped with skin on 

1 tbsp. of cinnamon
1 tbsp. of nutmeg
1 tsp. of vanilla 

Combine all apples, nutmeg and cinnamon in a skillet.  Cook on medium heat until the apples are to your liking.  ( I like mine well done) and then add the vanilla.  Toss apples around until they are coated in vanilla.


Enjoy!