Our party was so much fun!

It was a great time, despite husband trying to play catch-up after people started to arrive. I think he likes it that way. I was so happy that the biggest food HITS were mine own. Remember my version of Giada's Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto? Seemed liked a huge plate of them, husband helped my wrap at last minute. They were gone in no time! I've even been requested to make then again and bring tonight to the home we are all going to for Christmas Eve. Have to cook and wrap at the last minute so they will be warm and fresh. My own version of "Special White Lump Crab meat spread....once again gone and a favorite. The Artichoke Pesto Torta... hardly touched. Learning lessons. But it was fun and everyone had a great time. Merry Christmas to all...tomorrow is an easy day even though I'm cooking Chateau Briand with home made Bearnaise sauce. That is our family tradition and my kids think that is the only thing to eat at Christmas. Looking forward to a wonderful day tomorrow.

Getting ready to party

Guess who's been working alone setting up for tonight? One man out on the golf course, other still sleeping. Maybe partied a little too much last night? They need to get the outside space ready. The younger, college crowd enjoys sitting out at the pond. My boys need to get the outdoor fire set up, refill the oil in the torches, move some furniture, etc. Why do men like to wait til the very last minute?

Artichoke Pesto Torta

Last night I made Giada's Artichoke Pesto Torta.

It was fairly easy to put together.

I put the ingredients in bags to pipe them into the mold bowl. Refrigerated overnight.

This morning I inverted the torta. Slipped out easily. I liked the idea that it can be made 2 days in advance. Love the roasted pine nuts, artichoke, and Italian parsley pesto layer. Serving in with vegtables and crackers.

Trying out a couple "Giada" recipes

I was a Walmart at 6:30 AM this morning to pick up few groceries on my list. I hate crowded stores, so I go early. Then my sweet friend who is an awesome hair stylist gave me an early appointment so I could get back home to cook. She colored my hair and painted my toes Christmas red. Yes, still in sandals, supposed to be in the 70's today.

Back home and am experimenting with Giada's asparagus wrapped in prosciutto recipe. Want to have this at my party sunday night but have heard that prosciutto can overwhelm the asparagus with it's saltiness.

There is certain brand of prosciutto that is not as salty, can't remember what it is and couldn't get here anyways. So I researched other recipes. Here is my own version. I roasted the asparagus, drizzled with a little olive oil for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. I cut really small ribbons of prosciutto. Put a little dab of softened cream cheese on either side of the stalk, then wrapped the little prosciutto ribbon around. The cream cheese helps to take the "bite" out of the prosciutto. I ate a couple without the cream cheese, definitely liked them better with the cream cheese. So that will be one of my last minute things to fix before the party starts. They are served at room temperature and were quick to assemble. Got to snap the asparagus off evenly. The above look too different.

Vineyard Vines for my boys

Got my online order from Vineyard Vines. Now I need to decide which boy gets what color....er, what color do you boys need?

The Knot tie is for Dad, guys.

Happy Day, Sad Day

My Stephen Bonanno sandals just came, much earlier than I expected. I ordered the Faux Croc brown with Copperhead trim to go with my Brahim Toasted Almond Emerson satchel. I think it will work.

Sad day is husband flew to Boston this morning to help his brother. He was to be off work and do lots of projects in next few days to get ready for the party and Christmas Day. Now son and I have to carry on that work load.

Win some ...lose some.

Hooks

I found the hooks that have been advertised on TV recently. So far they work great. My only mistake came from not reading through to the removal step before I mounted the first one. I put at the top of mantel, just below where the molding starts. Well, to remove you must slide the hook up. Molding prevented it from going up. So had to pry that one off, pulled off paint with it. Next year I'll put the hooks up on top of the mantel before I put the garland on. That way, the hook will be completely hidden. Can't wait to see how strong hook will be, I'm going to try to fill a stocking to test strength. I'm thinking of a few places these hooks will come in handy for every day use.

Finally Five stockings

Yea, I finished number 5 stocking. According to Princess' color choices of solid aqua silk and plaid dupioni ruffle. Instead of another ruffle I made the jester pointed collar. That OK, Princess?

Now I'm stressing

So, son is loving SC.... spent time in Columbia, Charleston, Estherville, went to Pawleys' Island for the weekend, called me to say weather was awesome... sitting on the beach with temps of 75 +. Daughter happy, er .... ecstatic since fiance back from Iraq. Now pressure is on me to host the Sunday Night Happy Hour and dinner for 10-12 or more on Christmas night. So, now I've got to get my act together. Why did I waste all that time last week?

For my Road Warrior

Here's to all the global road warriors that zip back and forth. Here's yet one more item to add to
your briefcase as we patiently wait in the security check line for you to unload your laptop, Blackberry, cell phone, I-Pod, nav system, etc. etc. into the grey container.


BOOM SHAKA LAKA!

Something I have not made in years

For some crazy reason, I decided to make a quiche for dinner tonight. Despite the 80 + temps, which interprets: we shouldn't have the oven running for over an hour since the AC is running nonstop, despite the cholesterol factor....this is what my mouth watered for. It was a spinach, mushroom, 5 Italian cheese from Kraft, and Swiss cheese. OMG. we both loved it. Sorry I didn't take the picture before we ate half of it.

Oh, the things I saw today....

Having these new contacts has turned my world around. Not sure if the turn is to the positive or negative.
On the plus side, I discovered that the navigation system/XM radio in one of my cars has info that I didn't know was there. I could read everything, and instead of hitting buttons, blindly, I could actually use the darn thing. Used to just push buttons, with screwed-up results, then proclaim "this stupid thing is worthless". Do I have to admit this to husband? I can throw away the 10 pair of Walmart reading glasses I had stashed all over the house. I can see everything on my cell phone! (I can screen calls). I can see the hairs on my legs to shave in the shower!

The down side of seeing so clearly is....my house is filthy!!! and I am a mess!!! Cobwebs, nicks in the paint, scuffs on the stainless appliances, rust marks from the shaving cream can on the porcelain tile, stains on my beloved Chobi rugs, a million-gazillion particles of dust, brown age spots on my hands, never mind my aging face, ....do I need to go on?

So which list outweighs the other? I'm still pondering....

I CAN SEE

I went to the eye doctor today. Have not been in 3 years and have not worn contacts in 2 years.
Walked out of the office with monovision contacts, mostly for reading and was shocked! Everything looked so bright and clear. I could read all the small dials on the car's console. What a surprise. Still need to go back next week to confirm my new prescription for contacts. Also need new pair of glasses for just in case. Saw some really cute frames.

My inner wild child says go with these "Tangerine" babies:











My usual conservative side says stay with tortoise shell. Hhhmmm, decisions...

Is it Christmas yet?

Since I've been putting up decorations since before Thanksgiving, my inner elf tells me it must be Christmas. It has been in the mid-80's every day and certainly doesn't feel like the season. On the bright side, all this warm humid weather is good for the complexion. No dry flaky skin here....just AC running nonstop.

The Chimneys: A memory of not so very long ago...

Been thinking about some of the beautiful places here on the Coast that no longer exist. Hope not to bore you but wanted to share this lovely memory.


http://www.chimneysrestaurant.com/tour/tour.html



This was the Chimney's Restaurant in Gulfport. Such an exquisitely beautiful mansion overlooking the waters of the Gulf.



Son and friends took their St Stanislaus College Prep Junior prom dates there for dinner.


A few of us parents were lucky enough to be allowed to dine (in a separate room, of course) there that memorable evening so as to take some pictures.

Fast forward a year....

I hope the link below works. Warning... it is sad and shocking.

chimneys

College exams have ended

Son has finished his finals for this first semester of his Junior year at Ole Miss. Ole Miss has so much time off between semesters, that he needs different things to occupy all 6 weeks. In the past years, he has taken a "winter-session class" or two. Unfortunately , in his freshman year, 2005, we made him work along side with us cleaning up Katrina devastation. I fear he is still afraid to come home for too long, those bad memories still linger.


This year, there is nothing offered, course-wise that he needs, being a junior. Last year, he asked that his Christmas gift be a ski trip to Alta, Utah where a former roommate/fraternity brother was staying. So that took up 2 weeks.


So, this year he is going to University of South Carolina to see one of his best friends. They attended and graduated from St. Stanislaus College Prep. Son went there from 7th grade through 12th grade. What a wonderful school.

This friend has one final next week, then they go to his family's home, Estherville Plantation, which is just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. There is so much to do there . Sounds like fun, can I come too?

For my community

I had fun this morning buying toys! I bought a Pucci Pup for a young girl and a remote control truck and batteries for a little boy. What fun is a Christmas gift if you don't have the correct batteries. I also bought 3 $50 Walmart cards for older children or teens.

We still have many families living in FEMA trailors or worse...tents... while they wait for the Church based groups and other volunteers to help them rebuild. I hope my gifts will brighten their Christmas morning.

Baby needs a (few) new pair(s) of shoes

Son requested new shoes for Christmas. This is what he picked out from Zappos and The Golf Warehouse. Online shopping is so easy!

a little casual

a little bit dressy

And, of course, for golf!

Still working the holly jolly...

Two more stockings down, one left to make. We have a new addition to our family this Christmas.

I've got to find those new stick up hooks advertised on TV this year. Claim not to damage the paint and come off easily. See the lovely Scotch tape?

Why do my pictures come out all different, weird colors? Time for a new camera?

That was easy, now I've got to do the outside decorations.

MONKEYFISTS FOR TIE THE KNOT

I just got home and found these in mail. Came from a friend in Massachusetts. He got them from vendor "Nautical Twists". http://www.nauticaltwists.com/

HAPPY SPA DAY TO ME

Today is MY day....getting a glycolic peel, part of a series of facial treatments. Next a massage, and last cut and color. Yea!

PARTY TIME

I got these cute Cross My Heart invites at Mint Julip Paperie.

Now I just need to address them. Having our party late so future SIL can make it. We're so excited that he is on his way back to the US from Iraq. 2007 will be the best Christmas ever!

Stockings

Been working on new Christmas stockings. Here are 2 that I think I have completed. We like them big so Santa can stuff with lots of goodies.

Christmas in the Living Room

1. 
   
   My tree is up. Only put up one tree now as oppossed to the three that I put up for many years. When we repainted everything after Katrina, I just had to buy new decorations for the living room so the colors would blend. The watercolor of the pelicans is an original Kathe Calhoun , a local artist from our area. It was a present to me from my best friends. They: he, she, and 9 year old son, lived with us at my MIL's following Katrina for 3 months. Their home was "slabbed". Katrina-speak for a home that was completly gone, except for the slab. All of us cramped in an 1800 SQ FT home, gloriously happy the we did not have to be in a FEMA trailers. I love this picture.
   
   

So I had to use golds, coopers, and a hint of the turquoise from the pelican picture. Love the purple in the watercolor, but didn't want to use the purple on the tree. Feared it would look to Mardi Gras -ish.














I do love to wrap presents.

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

My Christmas theme in my kitchen is Winter White with icicles dripping, frosted grapes, and snowdrops glistening. Kitchen is painted a soft Mexican sand brown with white as the only accent color. It is soothing and cool during our hot summers.

At Christmas, the white and crystal icicles just seemed like a perfect way to further play the cool feeling.

I love the fullness of this 14 FT garland. It does take time to put on all the different ornaments.

7 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

First here are the rules:1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog..

I've been tagged. So ....

1. I love Christmas. I go overboard decorating the house for Christmas. I have at least 10 different colors & themes, only use a few of them now. Not color coordinated with the way house is decorated now.

2. My first car was a Austin Healey Sprite, 2nd was a MG B-GT, and my 3rd I bought brand new was a 1976 MG B-GT which I think was the last year that MG's were made. After we got married in 1977, my husband traded my MG in for a car he wanted. I'm still mad about that.

3. I have to have the toilet paper over not under. You inherited that quirk from me, Miss Tie the Knot!

4. I once entertained an Admiral in our home. Spur of the moment, husband called to say a business associate was coming over for diner and bringing an Admiral. It was Christmas time and home was glowing in all it's holiday glory. Somehow I whipped up a meal, had 2 perfectly behaved children, and pulled it off. I was so nervous about an Admiral coming to our humble house. He graciously told me his experience at our home was as lovely as all the palaces, 5 star restaurants, and State events he attended all over the world. What a warm and fuzzy that was.

5. I have 4 Koi fish that are like my children. They get excited when they see me. Actually they are excited cuz they know they are about to be fed. Cinderella is an all white butterfly koi, Grey Beard is a butterfly, mostly black but with a grey beard, Sharkey is an all black butterfly, and an orange and black one that I haven't named yet. Any suggestions?

6. I started riding horses at 2 years of age. After many falls and concussions, doctors say that my herniated disc is most likely a result of my childhood passion.

7. I had 7 horses thru my childhood. Lady, a retired show horse, Sir Justin Southwick, a retired race horse, Mickey,a quarter horse that dumped me every chance a could, Eyore, an adorable Shetland pony, Shrinking Violet, a very gentle Palomino, and Sundown, a Bay.


Every one has all ready been tagged. I guess I'm too slow. Back to Christmas decorating....

Finally back home and trying to blog

Where has the time gone? We had a great Thanksgiving, daughter flew in on Sunday, son home after his hunting trip on Tuesday. With deer meat to freeze & process. Of course my fridge & freezer was full due to Thanksgiving food. Son left Friday after golf with Dad, went back to Ole Miss as he had a full week of tests and projects due. Daughter and I left early Saturday morning, driving the car we gave her and fiance. Had horrible rain most of the way to Shreveport. And the temperature kept dropping. It was so cold and miserable when we finally arrived. I knew I was getting sick. But I promised her I would go to Jayne Marie's http://www.jaynemarieoncrosslake.com/home.html as the http://www.thebluebirds.net/schedule.php Bluebirds were playing that night. This is the awesome band that we've booked for the wedding. We had a wonderful meal, heard great music, and yes, I even got out on the dance floor. Actually, I was dragged out there, but it was fun. Mental note to myself that night....husband and I need to take dance lessons before the wedding. Had productive meeting with wedding coordinator. Got stuck in Shreveport airport for 8 1/2 hours , trying to fly home. Made it home late Thursday night. Got lots of stories to post, just little time to do so.

My big, wonderful, happy surprise is below.

My husband and daughter went shopping on the Monday before Thanksgiving and had this made for me. They surprised me with it on Tuesday. After some 30 + years I'm in love all over again. Life is wonderful....

Counting Down to Thanksgiving

Last week daughter was here, she left on Saturday only for a week. She flies back this coming Sunday for Thanksgiving. Likewise, son, comes home on Monday. Have not seen him since Labor Day. So I suddenly realize that Thanksgiving seems to be a week early this year. I've got too much to do. But I did find Horchow's DREAM SALE on Saturday. It is still going on!!!! I bought gifts and things for the house also. Monogrammed towels for 2 guest baths. I'm on a huge cleaning binge... scrubbing baths, purging unwanted items, clutter, dust, cobwebs...where did they come from?



My Katrina damaged furniture in dinning room has all come back, refinished and looking grand. Had to leave drawers and doors open for 2 weeks as the odor was so strong. Now I'm washing the 3 sets of dishes, washing the antique Rose Medallion that sits on the hutch, polishing silver, to put everything away in it's rightful resting place. These family treasures have been boxed up, moved from house to house, garage to attic, and attic to house since Katrina. Nothing was left in our house during it's renovation. Some poor things took a beating just being moved around. the antique Rose Medallion, from MIL, so fragile and thin, survived. The beautiful set of blue & white Japan China Phoenix Bird dishes still are scattered in peices, up in my attic. I have not been able to face them yet. They came from my Mom's in MA and are very old. I feel so guilty. Hubby and daughter have said " Lets get them down and maybe repair what's left." I can only move forward in baby steps.

Mary Mahoney's | Restaurant in Biloxi

For Classic Bride....here's a Coast classic that might work for you. Mary Mahoney's is a Coast tradition nestled in the old town Vieux Marche Biloxi, MS. It claims to be one of the oldest homes in America. It hails back to the French settlement of this area in the early 1700's.

The courtyards are beautiful with live oak trees. It exudes that special "New Orleans" feeling where life is to enjoy. "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"

The orignal home had a brick cellar, which is unique to our flat landscape.

What a beautiful setting for a courtyard wedding or reception.

They have a variety of dining room choices, each with it's own special flare.

Mary Mahoney's Restaurant in Biloxi

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

For CLASSIC BRIDE ...Mobile AL is an hour away from Biloxi and is full of beautiful wedding venues. Here is one famous spot...

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a beautiful venue for a wedding no matter what time of year. It is located in Mobile, AL which is about an hour away from Biloxi, MS. They are constantly updating the gardens with seasonal flowers. They have a wedding link on their site which explains their policies.
The only drawback is that they require your event to begin by 2:00PM so that can have every one out by 5:00PM for clean up.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home - Home

Back Home

I've been home for a week, just have not got around to blogg. We had a great time in Boston and the Cape. Weather was beautiful with lots of golds, yellows, and reds falling around. Just like my childhood memories. Now it is November and I've got to get it together to be ready for holidays. Got the highboy and lowboy back, refinished and looking beautiful. One more hutch to be delivered, then I can put dining room back together for Thanksgiving.

I'm supposed to be doing my Christmas shopping, but....I brought back things for me like...

Kate Spade sunglasses and her Tarrytown Samson purse in red. Love it.