ANTIPASTI BUFFET

My cooking buddy and I were asked to cook for a wedding reception at church. 

I wanted to share the antipasti buffet.  This buffet would keep the wedding guests occupied while the bride, groom and family were taking pictures. 

To be honest, I found out about this part of the plans the day before the wedding.  The morning of the wedding, I woke and went through the house finding everything that could compliment the rustic Italian appetizer bar.

I think that this is one of my favorite things to do--styling food tables.  Take a look and maybe you can use some of these ideas.

The base of the buffet used 2 rectangular tables.

The table was filled with a hot spinach artichoke dip, a goat cheese blend topped with fig jam and a homemade boursin cheese spread.  The table overflowed with baskets of croissants, crostinis, various kinds of crackers, almonds, fresh figs, fresh oranges and lemons, and cheese blocks-smoky gouda, brie and aged cheddar.  Three trays of various salamis, Kalamata olives, cheese stuffed olives, pickles, artichokes, roasted red peppers and fresh basil and green onions filled the abundantly filled tables.

The look I was hoping to achieve succeeded.  Cluttered with overflowing plates, baskets and serving pieces made for a tasty buffet.

It reminded me of a rustic table out of Tuscany.



HOMEMADE SAUSAGE AND GRAVY WITH BISCUITS

I want to begin by saying a big thank you to my friend, Brenda, for teaching me how to make homemade sausage gravy.  Now, she makes homemade biscuits to go with it.  I use the package because I have yet to manage making the fluffy delights from scratch.

It seems that I make this breakfast more often than not for Mr. Thrifty because it is hearty and it steels him for all the projects I like to put on his list.  For the girls, it isn't heart healthy, but I will tell you, this is good ol' comfort food.

The ingredients used are: mild(or hot if you prefer) bulk pork sausage, a can of jumbo biscuits, hot sauce, flour, milk, salt and white pepper.(I don't like black specks in my gravy.)

Mr. Thrifty always takes charge of baking the biscuits.  Just follow the directions on the can.



I do have him spray the Teflon pan with Pam.  Also, I don't put the raw biscuits too close together.  The Mr. likes crisp outsides.

I fry up the pork sausage and do not, I repeat, DO NOT DRAIN THE PAN.

I slowly add 4 T. of flour to the pan until all the grease is absorbed.  This step makes for gravy with no lumps.  

I slowly incorporate 3 cups of milk, adding a bit at a time. It will be runny at this point.  I then add 3 shakes of hot sauce, 1/2 tsp. of white pepper and 1 tsp. salt.

Simmer on low until you get the desired thickness.

At this point, I wish I had smell-o-vision.  The aroma is incredible!

While it is thickening, I set my holiday table.

The biscuits are hot out of the oven.



I slice them in half and put two biscuits on a plate.



Pour over the gravy and enjoy.  This is what Mom would call a thrashers breakfast.  I promise you it will fill your worker's' stomach and make for a happy worker.





VINTAGE CHRISTMAS BLACKBOARD POSTER 2018

I was excited to change up my kitchen blackboard vintage frame for the holidays.  While in Yorktown, VA, I bought another vintage poster.  Here is the picture of my veggies hanging in the kitchen.

This poster shows the Christmas poinsettia and other Christmas flowers. 

I picked up a evergreen branch and some red berries at Michael's.  They were 50% off.

After twining them together, they add great texture to the frame.

What a quick way to change out the blackboard and add some color to the room.

CHRISTMAS MANTLE 2018

This year, I wanted to decorate my mantle more in line with my large Christmas tree in the house.

I was so happy with this clean silver and white look last year.  However, there are those who say, 'where are your children's homemade ornaments and the ones you have collected over the years?'  I have those ornaments in a rubber tub that are very protected upstairs.

Without spending a lot of money, I achieved that look.  First of all, I pulled out my glittered evergreen and pinecone garlands for the base of the mantle top.

  I added my over sized mercury glass ornaments.  You might notice my Pottery Barn monogrammed stocking holders that I purchased back in 2000.  I love them as much as when I bought them.  Although, I will have to admit, the girls complain to me about my lack of updating their pictures.  They were just too cute!

Glittered branches that I bought at an estate sale in Little Rock add some texture.

The only items I did buy were the cream and sequins decorated stockings at Hobby Lobby.  They were on sale for $7.50 a piece, which didn't break the bank.

Look at the mantle with the sun bathing the room.  Completely majestic and serene!  (Sorry about the air purifier in the picture.)

The last touch was a pair of silver bells hanging from a glittered branch.

Now the tree and mantle compliment each other for this Christmas season.

ST. NICHOLAS STOCKINGS 2018

Time for St. Nicholas's Feast Day and in our house, that means-leave your shoes at the door and St. Nicholas will fill them with sweets and treats.

Now this year it is different.  With both the girls off to school, I decided to recycle a pair of their high school uniform socks.  The girls wore black knee highs to class every day.  I pulled a pair that were left behind and decorated them. 

I had some leftover gold tasseled ribbon in my sewing box.  I pulled out my sewing machine and sewed a strip of ribbon to the top of each ribbon.

Once I stuff the socks, they will go into a box and shipped off to be opened on the morning of December 6th.



DRIFTWOOD NATIVITY

A friend of mine texted me to let me know about an estate sale that was close to my home.  Because it was so close, I drove on over to the home.  It was a great home with exquisite items.  They were selling a lot of Chinese blue and white porcelain that I love so much.

The sale turned out to be very popular in town. I arrived  1 1/2 hours after the sale began.  Most of the porcelain was gone.  I did go upstairs to check out for religious items.  I spied this piece across the room.

Instantly, I thought of my dear friend Tara who lives on the east coast.  She just had to have this piece--if she liked it.  

When I returned home, I immediately placed it on my mantle. I can enjoy it while I ready the box to send a special birthday surprise to my friend.

I'm sure she will find the perfect spot in her house for this unique Nativity scene.