Cold Weather Means Soup!

Happy New Year everyone.  I have finally rested and recouped from the holidays.  How about you?  Hope yours was as much fun as ours.  There were good friends, gifts, grandsons, and lots of fabulous food.  What more could you ask for?

We received a marvelous gift from our children that brought us into the present century - a flat screen television!   Yes, we still had a big old dinosaur television.  The funny thing is, we had bought one for ourselves as a Christmas gift to us the morning of Christmas Eve.  We decided it was time.  (Ya think?)  As our two daughters and I were preparing to put food on the table for Christmas Eve I casually said, "Hey, guess what we got today."  They both turned and looked at me and asked, "What?"  They had that look on their face.  You know the one - like something's up?  Anyway, I said a flat screen television.  They looked at each other and then looked at me and one of them said, "Well, now you have two I guess."  We laughed hysterically.  It was a truly funny moment.  Our second daughter said, "We waited until yesterday to get it for you because we were afraid this would happen.  When you hadn't gotten one by yesterday, we went ahead and got it."  Oops.  How did I know?  The good thing is, we took the one back that we had bought and now we can get something else with the money.  That, my friends, is a good thing.  We have a new television and a choice to get something else.  We're still thinking.

The other spectacular gift we received was a Keurig coffee maker.  We have really come into the present century, let me tell you!  Coffee on demand, one cup at a time and a flat screen television.  Could life get any better?

I suppose you all are experiencing the polar vortex (a new weather term for me) just like the rest of us?  Cold?  No thanks.  Not a fan at all.  It can leave and not return for the rest of the winter and it will not hurt my feelings in the least.  It  was 2 degrees this morning.  Ugh.  Hasn't been this cold in Nashville for 20 years.  It's supposed to be 60 on Saturday.  Now that's what I'm talking about!!  I'll take  all of that I can get.  Maybe a sweater in the evening, no heavy coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots and whatever else you have to put on to stay warm.  I.  Am.  Over.  It.

In case it's not going to warm up that much where you are, I have a great soup for you that I made for dinner tonight.  To us, cold weather means soup - really hot soup.  Do you like your soup really hot?   Please, don't serve me luke warm soup.  Ew.  Hot.  Hot.  Hot.  The only way to eat soup.  Sorry, I digressed.  Actually, I could eat soup every day - even in hot weather.  I know.  I'm weird that way.

We had chili on Sunday and Monday, because I make lots of soup when I make it.  It gets better each day AND you don't have to cook again.  That is a super benefit for making a big pot of delicious soup. Tonight, I was going to make potato soup.  Yum.  One of our favorites.  I peeled the potatoes, and chopped an onion.  When I got the onion out of the fridge (yes, I keep my onions there), I noticed there was a pound of breakfast sausage that needed to be used.  Okay, I'll throw it in the soup.  So, I browned it up in a saute pan.  Oh, and there was a 10 ounce box of spinach I had thawed for another recipe that I didn't make.  It needed to be used.  Okay, I'll throw it in the soup.  Why not?

I didn't want the soup to be bland, so I added a can of Ro-Tel for a little zip.  Well, why not add some cannellini beans too?  Sure, drain and rinse a can of cannellini beans and throw them in.  Yes, there was a parmesan cheese rind in the fridge too.  Toss it in.  Add a box of chicken stock and enough water to cover everything.  Add a couple pinches of red pepper flakes, and let it all cook until the potatoes were done.   Dynamite!

When I was ready to serve the soup, I poured a drizzle of olive oil over the soup and added some freshly grated parmesan cheese.  For the coup de gras, we had big pieces of crusty garlic bread drizzled with olive oil to mop up that delicious broth.  If I do say so myself, it was one fantastic meal!  Yum.  Yum.

If you wanted to make this soup vegetarian, just leave out the sausage and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.  It is also gluten free for all of you who have to watch your gluten intake.  Don't you love one pot meals?  I sure do.  Here is what you need to make this soup.  I really don't know what to call it.  If you have an idea, let me know.

1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 TBSP butter
1 pound breakfast sausage, hot or mild, or 1 pound Italian sausage, browned
1 10 ounce box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry*
1 14 ounce can cannellini beans (or you could use kidney beans)
as many potatoes as you would like, peeled and cut in chunks - I used about 2 pounds
1 32 ounce box low sodium chicken stock
1 can Ro-Tel
parmesan cheese rind optional

salt and pepper to taste
a couple pinches crushed red pepper flakes
olive oil for drizzling
freshly grated parmesan cheese

*If you don't want to use spinach, you could use chopped kale or swiss chard.  Either one would be delicious.  I used the spinach because I had it.


In a large dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions until translucent.  Add the minced garlic.  While you are cooking the onions, brown the sausage in a saute skillet and drain.  Add the sausage, cannellini beans, spinach, Ro-Tel, and chicken stock to the onions and garlic.  Use enough water to completely cover all the vegetables.  Add a couple pinches of crushed red pepper flakes.  Cook until the potatoes are fork tender.  Taste and season with salt if needed.  I used freshly ground black pepper in each bowl when served or you can add it to the soup pot.

When you serve the soup, drizzle a little olive oil over each bowl and grate some fresh parmesan cheese on top.    Serve with some crusty bread and ENJOY!

This soup was so hearty and delicious and really good for a "throw together" soup.  I really wish you could have shared a bowl with us because it sure hit the spot on this frigid arctic night.  And then, you should have seen what we had for dessert.  Oh my.  Come back tomorrow and I will show you and give you the recipe.  It's fantabulous.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.  Edith Sitwell

Creamed Greens With Shallots - Yum!

It's HERE!  It's officially crunch time.  Today is Festivus ( you know, for the rest of us) and tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Do you celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or both?  I mean presents, you know. We usually do presents on Christmas Eve so our children can do "Santa" on Christmas morning with their children.  We will have dinner tomorrow evening at our daughter's home.  She is preparing traditional Lebanese food and I am so excited.  If you have never eaten Lebanese food, it's so good. Christmas dinner will be at our house on Christmas Day.  Our youngest son is bringing several friends who could not go home for Christmas.  It should be pandemonium and so much fun.

On Thanksgiving, I tried a Martha Stewart recipe for creamed greens that was simply spectacular!  It was a major hit so we will be having it again on Christmas Day by request.  Do you like greens?  You know, turnip greens, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach?

Growing up there was always a controversy in our house.  My dad loved turnip greens and my mom didn't.  Mom liked spinach and dad didn't.  We were just confused.  No kid can understand why anyone would like greens of any kind.  Seriously?  Yuck.

Things change when you get older - hopefully.  I happen to love greens of all kinds, especially with some vinegar added and some hot sauce, braised with some bacon, ham, or fatback.  Yummmmm!

Kale seems to be the new food darling right now and it is so good for you - full of antioxidants and nutrients.  The only thing with kale is it is kind of chewy if not cut in really small pieces before cooking.  Other greens wilt down a little more and are easier to chew.  The upside is all greens are full of iron and vitamin B12 which are hard to get in most other foods.  We benefit from eating as many greens as we can, unless you are on medications to thin your blood.  Then  you should consult your doctor.

Here is what you need to make this recipe:

2 large bunches turnip greens
1 large bunch kale
1 large bunch collard greens
6 TBSP butter
2 large shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced (1 TBSP)
2 TBSP AP flour (I substituted 1 TBSP cornstarch for gluten free)
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
pinch of nutmeg
pinch red pepper flakes
3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock
coarse salt

First, remove the stems from the collard greens and kale.  Chop the leaves into bite sized pieces.
Heat a large saute pan over high heat (I used my electric skillet to saute the greens).  Add kale, collard, and turnip greens, 1 tsp salt and wine or chicken stock.  Cover and cook until greens wilt, about 2 minutes turning occasionally. (You will start with a huge mound of greens and will end up with what looks like a small amount.  Don't be alarmed.)   Reduce to medium and cook, turning greens until almost tender - about 15 minutes.  I used long tongs to turn the greens.  Remove cover and transfer greens to a bowl.

Add 4 TBSP butter to pan, melt on high heat.  Add shallots and garlic.  Saute until softened, about 3 minutes.  Return greens to saute pan.  Remove from heat.

Melt remaining 2 TBSP butter in a saucepan over medium high heat.  Add flour (or cornstarch) and whisk to incorporate.  Add milk and cream, slowly whisking until sauce thickens slightly and coats back of a spoon - about 2 minutes.  Add nutmeg and red pepper flakes.  Season with salt.

Stir sauce into greens and cook over medium heat until warmed through.

If not serving immediately, cool completely then refrigerate.  Reheat over low heat before serving. Transfer to a bowl and serve.  Double Delicious is all I can say.

A minor Christmas miracle occurred today.  I actually have all my Christmas gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve for the first time EVER!  Miracles do happen every day.  Now, it's time to begin preparations for Christmas dinner.  

We are having Cornish Game Hens and roast beef for the carnivores and spinach stuffed manicotti for the vegetarians.  Sides are yet to be decided.  I know there will be creamed greens and wild rice.  Desserts are always a toss up.  Have you set your menu yet?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you one and all.  Thanks for reading my blog and I will return after Christmas.  Let the fun begin.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song, of old
Of angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold.

Grandma Elf Builds A Darth Vader Costume For Her Grandson

 Hip, Hip, Hooray!  Darth Vader is finished and ready to ship tomorrow.  Whew.  One more task completed.  Can't begin to tell you how happy I am about that.  I cut this out yesterday.  Started sewing on it at 11:00 am this morning and finished it at 3:00 pm.  I sew pretty fast.  Couldn't tell you the number of costumes I have made through the years.  Lots and lots for certain.  Yes, I owned a costume shop for 10 years.  Little costumes go pretty fast most of the time.

Our grandson will be 6 on Christmas Eve.  He has the Darth Vader helmet, but did not have the costume.  His mom told me he really would love a costume.  Grandma Elf said she thought she could come up with something.  There are no patterns for Darth, so  it was all on a wing and a prayer.
Here are his up close details.  I took about a gazillion pictures and none of the detail would really show.

This is Grandma Elf's workshop.

Thank goodness this closet has doors.  It will be reorganized after the holidays.  The whole room will be reorganized.

Yeah, two ironing boards.  Don't ask.  I have sayings by the Dalai Lama hanging over my ironing board to remind me not to get too bent out of shape about things.  One is called "Never Give Up."  I've had to refer to it on many occasions.

This is Grandma Elf sewing away.  Doesn't she look calm?

Yes, Grandma Elf looks calm, steadily working away.  But, this is how she actually feels about trying to create Darth and get it done to ship by tomorrow.

Do you feel like this at holiday time?  Deadlines?  So much to do?  Will you ever get finished?  And, who is going to straighten this workshop up?  It makes Grandma Elf want to cry when things are in such a mess.  Oh well, this too shall pass.  But, the costume is pretty awesome.

Grandma Elf really hopes a certain little 6 year old will be ever so happy with this Darth Vader costume!  It was truly made with all the love she could put into each stitch.

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, Roman!  Grandma loves you lots and lots.  I can't wait to see a picture of you in full regalia.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..........

Christmas 2013 Living Room

 We started today by meeting friends for coffee on the other side of town.  I'm talking 30 minute drive from here.  In Evansville, you were always 10 minutes from anything.  We always have great conversations and it was so great to see them!  After we returned home, I cut out costumes for our grandsons that will be Christmas gifts.  Darth Vader and two cowboys.  Guess I know what I will do tomorrow.  It's gonna be me and the sewing machine spending some quality time together.  I mean, it is getting really close now.  Deadlines.  I've always got deadlines.

Today, I thought we would do a little Christmas, 2013, tour of the living room.  You have seen most of it in bits and pieces in other posts with a few tutorials thrown in.  Our living room is L shaped.  The area we use for the television is probably supposed to be a dining area, but we use the whole room for living space.  We just like it that way.

The big white star that hangs over the couch used to hang above our fireplace.  This is the first time in almost 30 years we have not had a fireplace, so I had to "break my mold" so to speak and use things in some different ways.  The white shutters that flank the star were a $5 purchase I made at the Habitat ReStore.  I have a thing for shutters.  Don't ask why.  I couldn't tell you.  I had them in my craft room for months, didn't know what I was going to do with them.  As I was falling asleep one night right after Thanksgiving, it dawned on me that they would be the perfect thing to hang next to the star to fill out that wall.  It had looked so blank to me, but I hadn't found anything I wanted to hang there.  TaDa!  Shutters.  Perfect.  For Christmas, I hung some of my rusty snowflakes that I have had for years and years on the long piece that moves the louvers.  Super easy and it meant no more holes in the walls.  Yay!

I have many small trees throughout the house.  We haven't had a big tree in years due to lack of space.  This is my white flocked tree that is done all in white, silver, and crystal.  It's hard to get a good picture of it, but it is my favorite.  It sparkles in the sunlight and at night is so beautiful with the tree lights on.

The entertainment center is decorated with lights and greenery and to the left sits my pencil tree with handmade ornaments on it.  The red goblets were a Dollar Tree purchase many years ago and I put tea lights in them.  I have never seen them in a Dollar Tree since.  I would really love to have some more.

The cabinet on the right holds our crystal and is decorated for the season.  The "Santa's belly" candles were made last year and you can find a tutorial on the blog.

There is also a tutorial to make the ornament wreath.  You can use the search to find it.

The sofa table is flanked by two chairs that we have had forever.  They are great for reading since the window is in between and they each have an ottoman of sorts for propping your feet up.

 This is a picture of me at age 4 sitting on Santa's Lap.  That was a LONG time ago, but it seems like yesterday.  This was taken at the Sears Department Store in Evansville, Indiana.  I had turned 4 a few weeks before.

Well, it's crunch time and there is much to do, so I better get busy.  Hope you enjoyed today's tour.  Check out the tutorials.  The Santa's Belly Candles are super cute and so inexpensive to make.  Hope you are coping with the season and are on the downhill slide.  I'm getting there.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Oh, you better watch out
You better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm tellin' you why
Santa Claus is coming to town.......

My Different Burlap Christmas Trees

 Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches.  There are many representations of the traditional Christmas tree.   You may have a huge evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments, or it may be a Charlie Brown tree.  It could be shiny aluminum with a color wheel that rotates casting different colored lights on the tree.  Perhaps, you have improvised something on your wall because you have no room for a full tree.  I have seen trees made from old ladders and decorated that are amazing.   Everyone likes something different.

One of the most beautiful trees I ever saw was years ago when I was doing direct sales and was conducting a party in a home where their tree was a sapling that had been cut in the woods.  The tree was totally wrapped in cotton so that it looked like a completely snow covered tree.  There were lights and ornaments hanging from the limbs and lots of icicles.  The sapling reached the ceiling and it was so beautiful I wish you could have seen it.  The hostess told me this has  been her family's tradition for as long as she could remember and she had continued it.  I know it was a lot of work to do all the wrapping, but it was one beautiful tree.

One night I was about to doze off, when a vision of some burlap Christmas trees came into my head.  It may sound strange to you, but things like that happen to me right before I go to sleep, or when I am in the shower and not thinking of any particular thing.  The trees were simple and lovely.  This is my interpretation of what I envisioned.   They are very primitive which is something I really, really like.

I didn't know how I was going to make them because they needed a form - a support.  So I went to Michael's and wandered around.  I found some wooden squares in the craft section that were $1.00 each.  I bought 3.  Then I found some dowel rods for $.59 each.  I bought two because I knew I could cut them to different lengths.  I had a package of styrofoam cones at home that I thought could work to complete my "form."  I found a package with cut dowel rods at Wal Mart that would make the final shape work.  There were 8 in a package, so I bought two because I didn't know how many I would need.  I used them all.

Dan drilled a hole in the center of each base that would hold the biggest dowel rod for the center of the tree.  To find the center, simply draw a straight line from corner to corner that intersects like an X.  That is  your center.  I held the big dowel rod up and marked where I wanted them cut to make different heights.  Dan cut those for me.

I hot glued the big dowel in each base.  Then, I cut a styrofoam cone in thirds and placed a piece on the top of each dowel.

This is what the first one looked like.  Then, I painted the cones with some brown paint so the cone wouldn't show through the burlap.  I pushed the shorter dowels into the bottom of the styrofoam at quarters of the styrofoam and then filled in between with more rods.  I put hot glue at the base of each dowel so it would hold in the styrofoam.  I painted the base, center, and all rods with some light brown paint.

For the first tree, I cut two long rectangles of burlap.  Make them at least twice as long as the width of the tree and long enough to cover the spokes of the tree when gathered at the top.   Add several inches.  You can always cut it off if it is longer than you like.  Next, I  stitched the side seams together with a tapestry needle and some yarn using a running stitch.

Now, you have a big circle of fabric that is open at the top and bottom.  Using the needle and yarn, I gathered the top edge of the circle using the same running/gathering stitch pulling it as tight as I could get it until I reached the beginning stitching.  I wrapped the yarn tightly around the gathered top several times to hold the "tree" shape and tied it.  I then dropped the burlap over the wooden form.    It was a big puff of fabric with a top knot.  

To make the tree shape, I did an overhand whip stitch with the yarn by attaching the bottom few inches of the burlap to the wooden spoke, then continued the rest of the way up catching only the fabric.  You will have as many seams as you have spokes as well as the two side seams.  Now it looks like a primitive tree.  

It took a little time, but it is so precious and worth every stitch.  Charlie Brown's tree has nothing on this one.

The next tree was made by cutting strips of burlap and tying each piece to a spoke until the dowel was covered.  Next, you progress to each additional spoke until they are all covered.  Continue by cutting longer pieces of burlap and wrapping and tying it around the styrofoam cone.  The last few pieces are hot glued to the top of the styrofoam so that it stand up like the top of a tree.  I folded each strip in half and ran hot glue along the fold, then pushed it against the styrofoam.  Remember, hot glue will come through the burlap, so I used a glue stick to push the burlap so I didn't burn my fingers.  

Oh how I love this tree.  Don't ask me why.  It's kind of pathetic looking, but it has character and to me it is representational of our indomitable spirits.  We are all beautiful in our own way.  

The last tree was made with a piece of burlap ribbon.  I hot glued it to the top of the styrofoam and just swirled it around the wooden dowel rods, adding a little hot glue in places to help it keep it's shape and not all fall to the bottom of the tree.  

This tree was fast and easy.  The other two took a little time, but they were so fun to make.  They all have their own personality just like each of us.  If you made 10 or a 1,000 of these trees, each one would be slightly different.  That is the part about crafting and handwork that I love.  Everything is unique and individual.  Manufactured things can be beautiful and they will certainly have much more uniformity.  That is not what I wanted.  These trees were a vision.  I could no more explain to you where that vision came from than I could explain the universe, but it is more than a joyous occasion when it happens.

I am going to enjoy these trees for years to come and they will always be a reminder of inspiration, how it comes, and the result of such inspiration.

You could use colored burlap to make these trees or you could add some paint with a brush keeping the primitive look, spray snow, lights, whatever you wanted to make them "yours."  I thought about wrapping lights under the trees and letting them shine through the burlap.  Maybe I will do that next year for a different look.  The options are endless.

Give this project a try and see what you can create.  These could be made very small using toothpicks or as big as you want.  Be creative.  Use your imagination.  Let me know if you make some of these trees.  I would love to see pictures.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll never be unchanging!
A symbol of goodwill and love
You'll ever be unchanging

Each shining light
Each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
You'll ever be unchanging

2013 Christmas Table Setting

 It's Monday once again, the days are flying by and Christmas will soon be here.  We are busy trying to get all of our shopping done, projects completed, plans made for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations, and still have time to enjoy all the special moments with family and friends.

Our table is simple this year.  I used the beautiful red chargers my friend Don gave me several years ago.  The table runners are humble pieces of burlap that I cut and laid on the table.  The centerpiece is  made in a round silver tray we received as a wedding gift 44 years ago.  I just laid some fresh greens in the tray, along with some pine cones I spray painted gold.  Simple silver ornaments adorn the greens and a dark red candle in the middle is the finishing touch.

I had some gold lame' napkins that I folded and tied with some sisal twine.  It adds to the natural elements used on the table.  I tied a silver ornament onto the twine to make an easy and inexpensive napkin ring.

There is the honesty and earthiness of the burlap runners and the natural greens and pine cones contrasted with the beautiful dark red chargers and gold lame' napkins that creates a beautiful ambiance.  Simple, but elegant.

There is a big chalk board leaning against the wall that Dan and I made for the grandsons to write on when they are here.  I like to put messages on it to go with the season.  

It adds a little whimsy to the dining room.  We'll see how long it lasts before little hands smudge and smear the chalk everywhere.  The good thing about chalk is it's easy to write a new message.

Everything on the table are things that I already had.  It makes a really lovely, simple setting and it didn't cost me anything extra.  I like when that happens.  "Shop" your house before purchasing anything new.  You may have many things that can be used in a new or different way.

Most of the family will  be here on Christmas Day for dinner.  Our daughter's in-loves will also be joining us this year from out of town.  It's going to be a lot of fun.  Now, I have to plan the menu and do some baking and there are some projects to finish.  Things are starting to come together.

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Won't you please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you.

 

 

Kitchen Island Centerpiece

 It's been a Christmas shopping kind of day.  Weather was cold but sunny, so it wasn't too bad.  We have lots to do with the countdown getting serious.  We have a daughter and a son with a birthday on the 17th, (3 years apart, yeah that) and a grandson with a birthday on Christmas Eve, so there is Christmas shopping AND birthday shopping going on.   Gifts to be shipped.  Why am I down to the wire every year?  Oh, because it's me and that's what I do.  Some things never change.

Today, I thought I would share the decorations on the kitchen island and the top of the cabinets at the end of the kitchen.  I have these large mercury glass ornaments that I used to hang from the vaulted ceiling in our other house.  We don't have a vaulted ceiling here, but I love, love, love these big ornaments and knew I wanted to use them somewhere - somewhere where little hands wouldn't think they were balls to play with.  There is a large rusty pedestal bowl that I have had for years and I decided to put that in the center of the island and fill it with some of the ornaments.  Silly me.  It's not the little ones that turned out to the the issue.  They can't reach them.  It was the 10 year old.

We have ceramic tile floors in the kitchen and dining area and anything glass is a gonner if it's dropped.  Instantly.  Last week I broke a vintage milk glass dish that was given to me 40 years ago by a sweet neighbor.  It had Christmas cookies on it and she told me to keep the dish which had been hers for years.  The next day, Dan dropped a vintage mixing bowl that had been my mother's.  Gone.  Bye bye. Sadness.  I know it's just stuff, but they were memories.

Here is how the island looks.

It's really, really pretty.  I used the big bowl and put some of my free Christmas greens in it, then filled it with the mercury glass balls.  The base of the bowl is surrounded by large acrylic ornaments just in case little hands should get one.  They won't break on the floor.  There are mercury glass candle holders holding the taper candles and tall glass candle holders and red votives holding lots of tea lights.  It's beautiful when they are all lit at night.

Back to the 10 year old.  Saturday, we were expecting freezing rain in the evening, so all the local family came over for lunch.  I was busy getting everything ready, turned around and the 10 year old was lifting the large gold mercury glass ornament out of the bowl.  HOLY COW!  Grandma almost fainted.  This is when you have to stay calm.  Hopefully.  I quickly sidled up to H and said, ummm, please don't pick that up.  It's glass.  If you drop it, it will shatter.

I know it's bright and shiny and looked like it would be lots of fun to toss in the air.  Bless his heart.  He looked at me with complete innocence and said, oh, I thought it was plastic.  Disaster averted (this time).  I rearranged the bowl and hopefully, everything will stay where it is.  Whew.  Five grandsons can be a challenge.  The New York grandson isn't here, otherwise it would be 6 under 10.  They are 10, 7, 6, 3 & 3/4, 3 & 1/2, and 2 & 3/4.  They are busy little fellas let me tell you.  They keep Grandma and Pawpaw hopping, but they are so much fun to have around.  We had a great time at lunch.

I know the temptation is great, but Grandma will prevail.   (Most of the time)

The cabinets at the end of the kitchen hold the other large, red, mercury ball.  I put it in an old wooden box that my daughter gave me years ago.  I filled it with greenery, laid the ornament in the box and tied some ribbon on the hanger.

Oh, it's so pretty.  The red and gold ornaments are 10" in diameter.  They are not little.  That would be a lot of glass on the floor don't you know!

Doesn't it look gorgeous?  I keep little lights on top of the cabinets all the time to brighten up the area.  They make the ornament glow.

Next to the big rooster are three old Ball jars that I filled with rock salt and some old bottle brush trees.  Two of the jars were gifts from our youngest son.  He knows how much I like them.  The lights shining  through the jars are so festive.  Looks like down home Christmas doesn't it?

Simple arrangements can be very effective, easy to make,  and so beautiful.  I am a floral designer by training, but I like the natural look more than a formal arrangement most of the time.

Use what you have and look at it with new eyes.  Simple greens, some ornaments, and pine cones can be beautiful.  Think of new and different ways to combine and use the decorations you have without spending extra money.  It's challenging, but lots of fun to come up with new looks.

This arrangement makes me smile every time I look at it.  The bowl had been in the attic.  It was a natural to use for this centerpiece.  It took about 5 minutes to put it together.  Then, I just wove a little burlap ribbon across the table runner that I purchased last year and added all the candles and ornaments.  Easy peasy.

Hope this inspires you to try something new and different.  You will be amazed at the way something this simple can change a room.  Start looking around!  Make some changes.  Go!

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la.
 Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la.