Christmas Decorating Inspiration

We are more than half way there in our Christmas decorating. The tree is up, the staircase is flowing with garland, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care...you get the picture! But I'm always up for a little more decorating inspiration. Here are some favorites...

Veranda

Southern Living

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Southern Living

May you be inspired too!

A Pilgrim+An Indian+A Recipe

Yesterday, Walker and Kathryn's school put on an Thanksgiving Program. The kids have been busy working on it for weeks! Kathryn, as you can see, and her classmates were Indians, and Walker and his class were Pilgrims. A fun time was had by all!



I couldn't help but share a recipe too. Some of my favorites are best served this time of year. I haven't made these in a decade or more, but they are yummy! And since they are so simple to make, I thought they deserved a little blog love!

Sweet Potato Balls

6 med. sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and mashed
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
12 lg. marshmallows
2 c. crushed cornflakes

Mix sweet potatoes with butter, sugar, and nuts. Form balls around each marshmallow. Roll in crushed cornflakes. Just before serving warm in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until warm all the way through. NOTE: May be made ahead and frozen until ready to use.***

***I think I would add a little cinnamon and nutmeg too! Maybe 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg. And I would definitely drizzle some extra butter on top right before baking:)

Paula Deen also offers an even sweeter version using orange juice and coconut. I bet it's sure to please too!

Great Holiday Brunch Recipe

Mom and I hosted a bridesmaid brunch for a very dear childhood friend on Friday. As always, I neglected to get any "good" pictures, just a few phone pics of the tables...



There were lots of yummy items on the menu but this is one of my all.time.favorites--Nutty Orange Coffee Cake. So great for the holidays! No surprise it's from Paula Deen!

On The Menu

Auburn is off this week, and to be honest, I kind of like being able to watch football and eat without all of the suspense and pressure of having your own team play!

So "on the menu" for this relaxing day of football and food...

Two Gray Pumpkins' Tortilla Soup

Plain Chicken's Taco Dip

Ranch Cheese It's

Toffee Crackle Cookies

On a side note, one of the things I love most about soup season is pulling out the big orange monster, that is my soup-cooking pot! It just reminds me of fall, don't you think???


Happy Saturday!

All Dressed Up

Thanks to our smallest trick or treater, our night didn't go exactly as planned. She was diagnosed with a pretty contagious little virus, so we sadly had to cancel our company. This left Walker and Kathryn doing more "boo-hooing" than simple "booing." But, after lots of outside play and lots of candy collecting, I think the night was redeemed. Kathryn went to bed saying, "this was the best night ever!"

Bumblebee, the Transformer, in action...


my beautiful Rapunzel...

and the cutest little pumpkin in the patch...

Even though she was sick, we still let her in on the action. We just made sure she kept her distance from everybody:)