Substance of Living

Last week we started changing gears from candy and goblins to thinking about Thanksgiving.  We thought about what decorations could be carried over, started making our guest list, and looking at what we already had on hand. This week we are going to delve into our to-do list a little further. Thinking about Thanksgiving this Week: Are you going to cook, order, or have catered the main dish or entire meal? Place your Order Contact Caterer Measure Oven, Pan, Platter Preferred Cooking Method - Bake, Fry, Grill Invite Guests - During the RSVP, if a guest offers to bring a dish, accept the offer - it's one less item for you to handle (you reserve the right to make the same dish) Keep a running RSVP / Dish list Purchase, Rent, Borrow, Clean or Polish Dinner Plates, Dessert Plates, Glasses, Wine Glasses, Coffee Cups, Silverware, Napkins, Linens, Serving Dishes and Utensils Measure Table or configure Table Arrangements This table is made up of 3 se parate tables

A good friend and I have decided to host an Inaugural High Tea for the neighborhood ladies.  We would like to have this tea in the beginning of November but not necessarily fall or holiday themed. We spent an afternoon brainstorming and this is what we have come up with so far. Tea Party Sandwiches and Cupcakes Notes: Name for the group? Do we want a theme so we can continue hosting future teas? Invitations Hand Written Printed Out on Pretty Paper Purchased Menu Scones Soup Delicate Sandwiches Cake / Tart Tea - Are tea bags permissible? Lemon / Milk / Sugar Cubes Table How many?  One big one or a few smaller ones? Table Cloth(s) - make? Napkins - make? Ribbons on Chairs Decorations Tie a ribbon around each chair ( I really like the idea of using white towels (as seen in the photo) or strips of fabric over the chairs and then tulle and ribbon bow ties around the backs of the chairs) Calling Cards Place Cards Party Favors Writing

Children have the most fun at parties so why not make their drinks fun too!   Fete a Fete  starts us off with some drinks, not exactly sure what is in them but let's say different juices or funky powdered drinks, in beakers and black straws giving us a mad scientist theme.  If you're ever looking for exquisite or unique party ideas, this is the go-to place.  Every detail is captured. Beaker Beverages Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.  has mixed us up one scary looking drink.  Orange soda and ice cream - I can handle.  Now add in gelatin and WOW! this is a totally different creature. Igor-Ade Wes Martin of The Cooking Channel came up with this (lower calorie) version of the root beer float and the chocolate worm cake. Cemetery Slime Punch Jacqueline at Purple Chocolat Home must have brought back some "fresh" water from her last vacation.  Now, I've heard of bringing home shells and other souvenirs but have to say not water.  Well, she didn't reall

Halloween isn't even over and we need to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  This is the time of year that everything passes by so quickly and staying on top of things can be daunting. Being prepared is one way to enjoy all the festivities. Things to be thinking about right now for Thanksgiving: Guest List Who will be invited? How many guests? Invitations Phone Mail (Handmade, Handwritten, Purchased) Online e-invitations ( evite , punchbowl , PurpleTrail ) Type of Dinner Buffet Style Formal Sit-Down (How many tables and chairs are needed?  Formal Table Setting Traditional foods or family favorites prepared for Thanksgiving Start compiling recipes Dishes / Silverware / Glasses Paper / Plastic Mix and Match Need to order replacements ? Mix and Match Table Setting Linens Paper Napkins Cloth Napkins Table Cloth(s) Serving Dishes Decorations Can any of your Halloween or Fall decorations carry over into November? That's it

I might have to have another party so I can serve up these delectable delicacies.  Who wouldn't want to eat things that crawl or control our bodily functions? I wonder if Megan was ever on one of those reality shows where the contestants have to eat bugs.  These stuffed cockroaches will be the hit of the party. Stuffed Cockroaches (Goat Cheese Filled Dates) Have you checked out Examiner for halloween tips?  Joanie Pimentel with Sunset Magazine came up with these creepy deviled eggs.   Spooky Spider Eggs Nikki of Canary Girl is serving up some deliciously gross intestines.  Would you like yours savory or sweet? Intestines In case the cockroaches, spiders and intestines weren't enough to get you hungry, how about a little slice of brain by KiffaKitty . Brain Cake I'm so sorry!  I couldn't help myself.  When I came across this last one, it seemed to fit in with the other body organs. Bleading Heart Brie In all seriousness, anything can

Easy and inexpensive Halloween decorations that can be done in a day is in order since we're actually running out of month.  A few of these ideas can easily transition into Thanksgiving decorations as well. Starting us out is an outdoor mesh ribbon that is done in black and orange but if fall colors were used (gold, brown, maroon, orange) this easy bow could transition through November.  If you don't have a light on the side of the house, tying this to the mailbox or a light post would look really nice. Mesh Ribbon Bow You might not have 10 or 20 milk or water jugs lying around but even a couple would work.  These really are adorable ghosts and what better way to light the path for party goers or trick-or-treaters? Milk Jug Ghosts Chris Barnes came up with this beautiful light piece.  It is a flameless candle with twigs and brown ribbon.  This would be beautiful for an outdoor party this fall.  This is another project that is super simple and will last through

Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Pumpkin Panna Cotta Unflavored Gelatin Heavy Cream Pureed Pumpkin Monday Pumpkin Roll Powdered Sugar Ground Cloves Eggs Pumpkin Puree Cream Cheese Vanilla Extract Tuesday Pumpkin Dump Cake Pumpkin Puree Evaporated Milk Pumpkin Pie Spice Yellow Cake Mix Pecans Ice Cream Wednesday Pumpkin Banana Creamy Dreamy Dessert Heavy Cream Half and Half Vanilla Extract Pumpkin Puree Light Brown Sugar Ground Ginger Ground Nutmeg Brandy Bananas Orange Juice Orange Zest Unflavored Gelatin Thursday Pumpkin Cheesecake Ginger Snaps Cream Cheese Pumpkin Puree Ground Nutmeg Pumpkin Pie Spice Candied Ginger Vanilla Extract Semisweet Chocolate Heavy Whipping Cream Bourbon Carmel Sauce Friday Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream Heavy Cream Pumpkin Pie Spice Kosher Salt Dark Brown Sugar Vanilla Extract Rum Pumpkin Puree  Saturday Creamy Pumpkin Mousse - Dairy and Sugar Free Unflavored Gelatin Pumpkin Puree Agave Syrup Groun

Decorating for Halloween is fun but the table always makes a statement. Keep your guests out of the kitchen and at the table with these decorations. Orange and Black is the theme for this Children's table.  The gift cornices on each chair adds a special touch for each guest. Children's Halloween Table A trip to the craft store will most likely score you some of these black birds.  Add some white dishes, black napkins, black candles, green table cloth, and black chairs to make this a table Alfred Hitchcock would be proud. Black Halloween Decor This table setting was actually used in a wedding but wouldn't it be simple to recreate?  The gourds hold luggage tags for each guest's name for place setting, white plates, pumpkins placed on a runner down the center of the table along with simple flower arrangements. Halloween Wedding Table This table setting is so easy it's scary.  Black fabric or table cloth, white and black dishes, red wine, over-sized