I am happy to report that we had an absolutely lovely Christmas. In spite of a late night Christmas Eve, this blessed day could not have been better. With just our clan of 5, we experienced the best of family time, food and traditions. Here is a look at our post-Christmas wrap up.

Gingerbread Houses

As you may recall, I just started making a gingerbread house two years ago. Utilizing a set of templates from Martha Stewart (that are so old you can’t even find them referenced online), I select the chicken coop instead of the log cabin. To see my log cabin last year, click here.

To be honest, Martha’s chicken coop template is a rather boring structure. It looks a bit like a warehouse and doesn’t really have any resemblance to our chicken coop. But I proceed anyway, in hopes that I can add elements to make it more attractive. The log cabin design is much more interesting. Gingerbread dough is quite tasty and you can find the recipe here. I make 3 batches for all the pieces.

The pieces are assembled and “glued” together with Royal icing ~ 4 cups of confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder and 6 tablespoons of water.

Using shredded wheat cereal and mini-York peppermint patties, texture is added to the roof. Frosting tinted to look like adobe is painted on the sides. Pretzels trim around the entries and melted butterscotch candies make up the glass in the windows.

My attempt to make gingerbread chickens is a complete failure, so thankfully, I have these wooden chicken magnets as the coop’s occupants. Chocolate blocks become shutters and fresh greens dress up the window sills.

Camper Gingerbread

A few years ago, I saw this cute gingerbread camper by Sugar and Cloth. However, the instructions are vague and I would imagine their vintage camper was done by a professional baker.

My camper kept collapsing and the pieces didn’t really fit together. Completely frustrated, it was going in the trash. So my husband ate the wheels and a few pieces and as I’m ready to discard it, my youngest daughter insisted we not give up.

And I am so glad she did! So I baked a few more wheels and created new pieces that would fit. Candied windows and colorful lights make it look like a party camper. Though far from perfect, this became a great mother/daughter project. It is SO cute!

Raisins and chia seeds make up the walk. A paper cocktail umbrella provides shade to the lounge chair. A leftover Christmas tree cookie is placed on the roof. By the time we are finished decorating, we are belly laughing and having so much fun! A worthwhile rescue!

Unexpected Christmas Joy

On the 24th, I dropped off a present to my friend, Janie. We met at her outside back terrace and she surprised me with a cup of Christmas tea and shortbread cookies. What I thought was going to be a few minute gift exchange, turned into a lovely hour of conversation. Using her beautiful Spode tea cups and this incredible needlepoint tea cozy, made the time even more special and festive.

I don’t have a tea cozy, but I just purchased one on eBay that is identical to this! It is surprising how hot that cover kept the teapot, especially outside in the cool weather. Now I just need the cups!

Making Homemade Bacon

My daughter, Elisabeth (almost 20) is starting to learn to cook. She decided she wanted to make bacon for Christmas morning. Make bacon? So she went to the butcher and bought a 3 lb. pork belly, cured it (brown sugar, pepper, salt, distilled water and Prague powder) for several days and then smoked it for a few hours until it reached the ideal temperature.

On Christmas morning, she sliced it up and cooked it for the family and it was absolutely delicious! Who knew?

A Collaborative Cooking Day

In addition to homemade bacon, my husband and other daughter, Julianna made Eggs a la Goldenrod (see recipe here), my son picked oranges from the orchard and made fresh squeezed mimosa and I made cinnamon rolls from sourdough starter discard (delicious!). Recipe from Amy at Little Spoon Farm is here.

Disguising Gifts

After breakfast, we moved to the living room to open gifts. A rather tired looking Santa is sitting in one of the wing chairs. The children laugh about it and we go on to unwrap all the presents under the tree.

Finally, my daughter asks if she can “unwrap” Santa, which happens to be a cello for her. Though it was a bit comical trying to dress the cello as Santa, it is a good way to disguise the gift.

After we opened presents, the rest of the day is spent cooking, both indoors and out.

My dear friend, Connie let us borrow her smoker while she is out of town and we have certainly put it to good use. A rather non-traditional holiday dinner consists of smoked baby back ribs, a chicken on the rotisserie, stuffing, gravy, pear and apple chutney, spiced red cabbage with apples and oranges, twice baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, persimmon bread and mincemeat pie.

Dinner was consumed in the pink themed dining room, which just felt magical. If you missed that post, you can see it here. Needless to say, it’s time to exercise and eat greens again!

The day ended with our fabulous neighbors coming by to sing Christmas carols and deliver an amazing gift. In spite of this challenging year, I could not have asked for a more perfect day~filled with laughter, love and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.

The time between Christmas and New Year’s is one of my favorites~enjoying the slower pace of it all and wearing elastic waist pants! With the new year, I will get back on track exercising and eating better, but for now I am giving myself permission to enjoy my family being all together and our good health.

Sending warm, relaxing wishes for the balance of 2020.

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Yesterday, I went shopping for pink (yes, pink!) Christmas ornaments. Seriously. What was I thinking?!? Hobby Lobby is one endless row of empty shelves after another. Online shopping will get you ornaments at the end of December. Not admitting defeat, I checked out Michaels. Again, hardly any inventory, but I went down every aisle and hidden, in a strange out of the way place I found what I was looking for! And now the holiday decor for the dining room is complete! To see more about the decor evolution of this room, click here.

This year, I am happy to report that we have a live, Noble fir tree tucked into the corner andit smells H.E.A.V.E.N.L.Y! If you recall, this is the room with the burgundy/pink rug (clashing with the typical red and green for Christmas). But the fresh tree and a pretty roll of pink striped ribbon, is the basis for the inspiration. Click here for the ribbon.

With our Michaels’ purchase of a few packages of miscellaneous ornaments and floral picks, my sweet daughter, Elisabeth and I began decorating the tree. Since ornaments do not seem to come with their own hangers, we use pipe cleaners to attach them to the tree.

Still debating whether I need a tree topper of some sort, but for now the pink striped ribbon bow will do.

The glittery floral picks catch the reflection from the clear light strands.

To cover the tree stand, I use a pink and white quilt (that typically makes an appearance for Valentine decorations).

Completed with wrapped packages decorated in fun pink holiday paper, the tree is complete.

The pink tree ties in nicely with the mantel, which has a variety of bottle brush trees, garland, pink peppercorns, gold berry picks and a garland of sparkly balls. To see last year’s mantel decorations and the sources for the trees, click here.

Though not really planned, it appears trees are the theme in this room. On the dining room table, tinsel and white conical trees, candles and pink roses make up the centerpiece.

With our dry weather, I don’t need to polish the silver tea/coffee service often. But it hadn’t been cleaned since last December, so it is definitely time to do so. Not my favorite task, but a little elbow grease is rewarded with gleaming silver.

A simple addition of more trees here too along the pink linen runner from Williams Sonoma.

My second Christmas painting, done in 2017, rests on the wainscoting trim behind the buffet.

In stepping back to look at the room, I just love how it looks this year.

I have always wanted a tree in this room. Initially I thought an artificial tree, perhaps a white one, but the fresh tree looks spectacular and fills the room with the scent of the great outdoors. Such a delight!

A warm, magical holiday mood happens at night when all the lights from the tree and mantel are on, and the candles glow in the windows.

So the big fresh tree in the living room gets decorated today. It fell over last night but thankfully it was bare without ornaments and lights. Missed my December 15th deadline for sending out our Christmas cards too! But who cares? It’s the holiday season and time for merriment, right?

Have an amazing Wednesday!

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Happy Saturday, friends! I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as mine. From the food to the family to the weather, it couldn’t have been more perfect! I am so happy you are joining me this morning for Saturday meanderings~a glimpse into the previous week’s activities.

The Turkey

We always buy a big turkey for this holiday. Whole Foods provided the 22 pound organic bird. When I picked it up, I asked if the butcher could break it down for us, however, the turkey (though fresh) was too frozen to cut it apart. This is the first Thanksgiving my son is able to convince me to try cooking it this way. So Benjamin (a big, strong guy) googled how to break down this bird and I can say, it isn’t for weaklings. So happy he is home to do this!

Again, we used the dry brining method on the turkey 2 days prior to cooking. This year we added a different dry brine recipe that has many more spices.

I can honestly say this is the BEST TURKEY EVER! Cooking a 22 lb. turkey took 2.5 hours. And it is delicious! Moist breast, crispy skin, perfectly cooked thighs….just yummy.

Here is the link to the Bon Appetit recipe in case you want to try this. Also, I highly recommend you have your butcher break down the bird or find a handsome, strapping young fellow to do so.

The Table

The weather has been very chilly (for us) in the mornings, but the day time temperatures are perfect. On Thanksgiving Day it was 71 degrees and we decided to set up the table outside on the back terrace. We’ve never eaten our holiday meal there, so it was very pleasant and gave us the space we needed.

My son’s girlfriend, Delaney did the lettering for the place cards. Aren’t they pretty? Calligraphy will be on list of new things to tackle in 2021. Anyone else want to do that?

The Cocktail

I love this picture so much that I thought I would share this cocktail. Created in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton, the Jungle Bird is a tropical rum cocktail featuring a bitter hint of Campari. Recipe below.

The Desserts

Our dessert selection includes pumpkin and cherry pie. My husband is responsible for the pumpkin as he has his “secret” recipe. The cherry recipe is straight from Oregon Fruit’s website. No fancy cakes this year.

Cashmere Problems

With the change in temperature, I find myself reaching for sweaters to wear in the morning. One of my favorite gray cardigan is cashmere and when I put it on I discovered dreaded moth eaten holes. I’ve never had moth damage in the closet before. Sadly, we also have a cedar closet and some of the items in there have moth damage too.

So after reading a blog post from Between Naps on the Porch, she suggested buying a cashmere bag to store your sweaters. I will try this and see if it works for the very few remaining cashmere sweaters that I have.

Christmas Jammies

As you well know, Christmas holiday decor and celebrations do not start here at Bella Terra until after Thanksgiving. In order to welcome in the new season, I just bought these fun red/white striped pajamas from Soma. The pants have pockets and a drawstring waist~so very comfortable. Even though these pajamas are featured in their catalog, I could not find them online. However, the store at the Biltmore Shopping Center does have them in stock. Plus Soma has an extensive collection of other pajamas online.

Family Photo Holiday Card

Does anyone else have difficulties getting the family together for a photo? At least this year we didn’t have to google how to set the timer and have someone run back to the group before the camera clicks! Anyway, it is time to write the family holiday letter and get the card created. The annual goal is to get cards in the mail by December 15th.

Well that wraps up the week. If you are a reader, please check out my post this week on Reading and Relaxing here. Please enjoy the last few days of November. The holiday decorating begins and next week I want to show you the gorgeous mantels my blogging friends created! Stay safe and warm!

Having 4 talented bloggers come to Phoenix and stay at my home last week was such a treat. There is SO much to tell you, but one of the highlights is the Friday night dinner. They all brought favorite recipes and made dinner for 8. Since we are being COVID respectful, dinner in the orchard seems to be the perfect location for us to gather. I can honestly say it is very fun to have these extraordinary, creative women scouring the house for items to set the table. The set of antlers we recently got from a friend (see post here), was the perfect stimulus for the rest of the table design.

But first let me tell you a little bit about each of my guests. In October 2019, I attended an Inspiration Workshop in Texas at KariAnne’s home (Thistlewood Farms). After the workshop, one of the attendees started a weekly conference call where 5 of us would remain connected and share our blogging knowledge (or inexperience in my case).

Over time, a few new bloggers joined the weekly call. When COVID hit, we had our network already up and running. Each week I found myself enjoying our virtual connection in a world promoting lockdowns and isolation.

Long story short, we decided to meet in person here at Bella Terra. I am excited and delighted to host this group. Unfortunately, two members could not attend due to family obligations. Kristin from White Arrows Home wrote a lovely post about why she needed to miss our gathering. You can read it here.

Setting the Table: The Linens

Since Barbara from Mantel and Table and Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate are Tablescape masters, they quickly select the tablecloth (a vintage find embroidered neutral) and a pink linen runner (from Williams Sonoma).

The Dishes

The charger is a ruffled, gold glass one from Leslie Roy, with an additional brass one on top. The plate is my favorite one for fall, Johnson Brothers Windsor Ware. Personally, I have never considered using double chargers, but the layering creates a fabulous and elegant look.

The Antlers

Take charge Chloe grabs the antlers off the front porch and off she goes to the orchard. Barbara states we need flowers and fruit and off we go to Whitfill Nursery and Safeway. Andrea from Design Morsels and Chas from Chas Crazy Creations help with all the rest~getting the glasses, silverware, chairs, etc. Activity is buzzing in the orchard!

The Stemware

After selecting the right colors, sizes and shapes of flowers and fruits, Barbara goes to work on adding the final elements to the table.

Flowers and Fruit

Pink stemware picks up the rose color on the plate. The pink glasses are vintage and part of my collection. Larger pink wine glasses are from Pier One Imports. Chrysanthemums, golden flowers and fruit bring the colors of the plate design to the table.

Pomegranates, pears, crab apples and grapes are tucked in among the flowers and antlers.

Using my Wallace Napoleon Bee pattern flatware, the gold accent goes well with the chargers. You can find this stemware on Amazon here.

As a side note, the antlers are sheds, meaning an animal was not killed for them. Elk grow antlers every year and shed their old ones. We will be using these antlers at our mountain cabin, once they are properly mounted.

Even the pink plastic containers holding the snapdragons blend in with the centerpiece. Squares of plastic are placed beneath the pots to prevent the tablecloth from getting soiled.

The Evening

As evening approaches, the lanterns which were a bargain purchase from Home Depot, are used to line the walkway to the table. You can see that blog post here.

What a magical evening! The dinner everyone prepares is so delicious and worthy of another blog post.

Here’s what I learned: When you live with all your belongings, it is difficult to step outside the box and create something new and different. I would never have thought to use the antlers, nor would I have paired it with pink. But look how lovely this table is~a mixture of rustic and elegance! Wish these friends lived closer as I would invite them over all the time to help me do things like this.

Happy Wednesday! For other centerpiece ideas using plants, flower and fruits, check out a previous post here.

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This post shared with Charming Homes & Gardens Week 34

Between Naps on the Porch Tablescapes Thursday #634

Each Thanksgiving I try and do a unique centerpiece that reflects the harvest and a season of gratitude. I love using fresh potted plants because I can plant them in the yard or planters after the holiday dinner is over. It seems counterintuitive to be planting in late November or early December, but it is our growing time here in Phoenix.

The autumn harvest is filled with many wonderful fruits~apples, pears, pomegranates, plums, persimmon, dark grapes and figs. Utilizing these in a centerpiece adds texture, color and shape. Plus you get to consume them after the meal is finished.

Centerpiece #1

Each year, after I select the dinner plate I will use for my place setting, I take it with me to choose centerpiece items. My first stop is usually my favorite gardening spot, Whitfill Nursery. Here, my Johnson Brothers Windsor Ware works perfectly with the ornamental purple cabbage, alyssum, and the ivy. This tends to be my Thanksgiving plate of choice because of its colors.

The next stop is to the closest florist, which is at our grocery store, Safeway. Here is where I purchase pomegranates, pears, apples and cut flowers to compliment the dinner plate. I try to keep cut flowers to a minimum because they only last a few days, whereas all the other items I can simply re-use.

After selecting the items that you want to use, then consider what vessel or base you will stage them. If you are like me, I always set my table a few days before Thanksgiving. Using potted plants, you will need to water them so make sure that they have a place to collect water. Or you can make your base or vessel waterproof. You don’t need to have excess water leaking out from underneath your centerpiece.

In this particular centerpiece, I am using a wooden tray, that I lined with foil and plastic. Using fresh fruit, moss, brass pumpkins, fresh herbs (sage) and potted plants, it is a low, but abundant centerpiece. The ivy can be woven down the table or around candlesticks.

Centerpiece #2

With a larger table or one with more place settings, here is another way to use a mixture of potted plants, flowers and pumpkins. Using multiple vessels for the plants and flowers, creates a sense of interest, as well as different heights.

Putting plants in simple bowls, like the white one above from Pottery Barn (Emma), blends in nicely with the white roses and white pumpkins. Proteas, mums and autumn leaves enhance the colors on the dinner plate.

Often we tend to think that flowers need to go into a vase. But by using glass coffee and silver mint julep cups, you have flexibility to tuck the flowers and plants in where you want.

Centerpiece #3

Lastly, this centerpiece uses succulents, copper colored petunias, ornamental cabbages, and red kale.

Adding alstroemeria, peachy colored roses and seeded eucalyptus, completes the fall look. Look at all the lovely shades and textures.

Again I am using a variety of bowls and small glasses to hold the plants and flowers.

Both white and orange pumpkins are tucked around the centerpiece. A combination of tapers and votives add a magical ambiance.

The benefits of using plants and fruits is their extended use once the holiday meal is over. All the plants go back out into my yard and the fruit gets eaten or used in recipes. Of course, we enjoy the fresh cut flowers and then dry the blossom into potpourri we spread in our hen house.

Get a little creative in the colors, textures and vessels in your centerpiece. I hope this post has offered you some inspiration for your holiday~however it may look this year.

And Now More Thanksgiving Inspiration

Kippi from Kippi at Home shows 3 Simple Thanksgiving Table Settings.

Stacy Ling from Bricks and Blooms creates an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Chas from Chas Crazy Creations makes this fun Easy Pilgrim Hat Centerpiece.

Cherryl from Farmgirl Reformed shows how to Create a Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape.

Rebecca from Zucchini Sisters has a 10 Minute Thanksgiving Decor Basket.

Olivia from Olivia O’Hern makes this sweet Felt Inspired Fall Garland.

Niky from The House on Silverado shows Three Simple Place Settings

Jemma from At Home With Jemma shows this adorable Vintage Truck Thanksgiving Centerpiece.

Please visit Agnes from Just That Perfect Piece and see her super easy last minute Napkin Rings.

I hope all these wonderful Thanksgiving ideas is getting you excited about the holiday. If you enjoyed this post, please share it on Pinterest.

This is not a DIY project I was looking forward to but was forced to try. Years ago, I purchased several beautiful fabric pumpkins at a school fundraiser. Every year when I unpack them they look fabulous. Not this year. For some reason, weevils (?) infiltrated the fabric pumpkins and had a year to reproduce. It was so gross!

So I discarded the pumpkins that were badly damaged. In saving the pumpkin stems, I wasn’t sure if the weevils are taking up residence in there. Placing the stems in ziplock bags, I put them in the freezer just in case.

Since I have leftover fabric at the cabin, next on the shopping list is filler for the pumpkins. The infested ones had both dried kidney beans and rice. Unfortunately, Safeway is completely out of dried kidney beans (go figure). So I am forced to use rice. Next thing to buy is bay leaves.

Since most of the residual pumpkin stems are on the smaller side, I measure the fabric for a 10″ circle using a Pyrex bowl.

The only thread I could find up here is from the Dollar Store and doesn’t look like the best quality. So I use four strands on my larger needle. Using the basting stitch, I go around the entire circle of fabric.

By tightening up the thread, you create a pouch which is ready for the filling.

On this first pumpkin, I use only rice. In retrospect, I may have overfilled it as the pumpkin is a bit hard and not a pliable. In order to prevent future weevils, I add bay leaves too.

You will need strong thread (or 4 strands like mine) because in order to close the pumpkin, you must pull it together to minimize the opening.

Taking the needle, I sew back and forth, and side to side to securely close the top.

Using a glue gun, I affix the stems to the top of the pumpkin. (Thank you to my friend and neighbor, Kathy for letting borrow this!)

Holding the stem in place for several seconds, guarantees a secure fit. If you don’t have actual pumpkin stems, you can use a stick or cork and apply it the same way.

For the next pumpkin, I use a bigger bowl to measure for a medium size one (the bowl is 13-14″ in diameter). I repeat the same process but instead of using just rice, I put about 1/2 cup of rice in the bottom and use polyester fiber fill. The combination of the two makes a more pliable pumpkin.

This one is a little more difficult to stitch due to the thickness of the fabric.

Again, secure the stem to the pumpkin with the glue gun.

Here are the results of this DIY project. It is interesting that the fabric plays a role in how the pumpkin performs. The stiffer the fabric, the less squishy the pumpkin.

In addition to adding bay leaves to the filler, I am also placing several bay leaves inside the plastic storage box. Let’s hope these little critters are dead and gone.

To see how I use these fabric pumpkins for fall decorating in previous years, click here.

This post shared with Thursday Favorite Things