We usually put up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. It’s always a magical time to play Christmas music, and decorate the tree. Winter Water Factory, a darling 100% organic adult and children’s clothing company out of Brooklyn sent over these darling tops for my boys, and a dress for my little Norah. They were the perfect outfits to wear while trimming the tree!
I decided to let the kids have free reign of the tree this year. I didn’t touch a single ornament, and wanted to see what they would come up with. I think they did a pretty good job. I can’t decide whether I’ll fix it later or not. Wink.
We gathered some of our Christmas ornaments, lights, and decorations. Some we haven’t seen in years, since last year we moved so soon after Christmas, we didn’t get most of them out.
The kids were excited to unwrap a few things they are so sure that they have never seen before.
Of course, before I knew it the kids broke out in a game of jump rope with the tinsel, and tie up sister.
We hung up the stockings with care.
Remember these stockings I made using old thrifted sweaters all those years ago? They are still going strong.
I’m still deciding on what to do with my mantle this year. It’s always different when you are in a new house, I’m still trying to figure out what is going to go where.
The kids were very serious about what ornaments should go where.
Little by little they made their selections, and decorated every bit of that tree.
They did a pretty great job!
I always love this time of year! Now, to decorate the rest of the house..!!
I thought I would start a series on the blog called “from the archives.” Believe it or not, I start this little old blog seven and a half years ago. Can you believe that? Almost a half a decade? Many of you may be new to the blog, So I thought I’d pull out a few post from the archives now and again.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought I would share a little set up for a kids table for Thanksgiving.
The little name place boats with corn nuts I thought were a nice touch, and very Thanksgiving with the “corn.”
Crayons or colored pencils are a must with a kids table, and an easy covering of butcher paper gives a nice “tablecloth,” as well as a blank canvas for your little artists.
To see the full post from the archives, click here.
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner?
I’m excited to share with you a lovely spread of amazing recipes that will help you out this Thanksgiving.
It has been a lot of fun collaborating with some of my favorite food bloggers, and partnering with Harmons Grocery to bring you a few ideas for your Thanksgiving table, and a chance to win one of FIVE $100 gift cards to Harmons Grocery. (see details at the end of this post)
Thanksgiving is such a special holiday. I love nothing more than to gather around a table of amazing food with people that I love and care about. For me, food is a way I show love and I love to see people enjoying the food I have made.
It was a lot of fun to me to get together with a few of my favorite food bloggers, and set a Thanksgiving table with our readers in mind. I hope you enjoy the recipes we share with you, and they become a part of your spread year after year. And, trust me when I say that I tried and tasted many of the recipes, and was more than happy to have seconds.
My friend Becky of Vintage Mixer made these amazing Honey Whole Grain Dinner Rolls. Not only tasty, but also a beautiful roll to serve to your guests.
Becky also shared an amazing Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish Recipe. A great alternative to a traditional cranberry sauce, it tastes so flavorful, fresh, and it only has three ingredients, simple! (photo by Becky of Vintage mixer)
My friend Si of A Bountiful Kitchen was so nice to let us invade her home with our dishes, cameras, props, and even my kids! (things you don’t see in the background) (Photo by Becky of Vintage Mixer)
She made these amazing Savory Yams with Bacon, Thyme, and Cream. Oh man, they were so good. I ate my fair share, and she was nice enough to send some home with me, and I enjoyed them again the next day. I am definitely going to be making this as a side more than just at Thanksgiving.
Si also shared with us some amazing Slow Cooker Mash Potatoes. I loved them, and they seem so easy to make, in the slow cooker, and keeping the skin on the potatoes also helps save a lot of time.
I always love to eat my Thanksgiving turkey with a little bit of fresh applesauce. My Papy from France taught me that. All you have to do is place peeled and diced golden delicious apples in a sauce pan, cover with water, and boil until tender. Remove from heat, drain water, and blend in a blender or hand blender. It is also good to keep the apples a little chunky. Seriously try it with your next turkey, you won’t be dissappointed.
My contribution to the Thanksgiving table was the pie. Because it isn’t Thanksgiving without pie, am I right?
I made a homemade Chocolate Mousse pie. It is just about my favorite pie there is. Homemade chocolate mousse with fresh whip cream topped with some more chocolate shavings. Talk about chocolate overload! I love the selection of quality chocolates from Harmons Grocery. They have gourmet chocolates from many vendors, some are even local companies that source their cocoa beans in South America and are very involved in the process.
Homemade Chocolate Mousse Pie
Pie Shell
Blind bake your favorite pie shell recipe, and allow to cool completely ready for the filling.
My favorite pie shell recipe for this particular pie is this recipe, except that I leave out the vinegar. A little different with the olive oil, but trust me and give it a try. It produces the flakiest crust, and it is a perfect compliment to the chocolate filling. It makes enough for two nine inch pies. It is best to roll out the dough then place it into a pie plate, then freeze it or place it in the freezer before you blind bake it to avoid shrinking. I usually blind bake mine at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, just before it turns golden.
Chocolate Mousse Filling
(filling makes enough for two nine-inch pies, or one and some left over chocolate mousse)
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
8 ounces milk chocolate
4 ounces water (about 8 tablespoons)
4 whole eggs
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1 pint (or 2 cups) HEAVY whipping cream (the heaviest you can find, manufacturing cream is best if you can find it. It is a heavier cream with at least 40% fat)
1) Melt the chocolate with the water in the saucepan over low heat and constantly stirring until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Turn off the heat and set aside.
2) Separate the eggs with the yolks into a LARGE bowl, and the egg whites into the mixing bowl.
3) In the mixer with the whip attachment, whisk the egg whites with the sugar until medium-stiff peaks.
4) While the egg whites are mixing in the mixer, whisk the egg yolks in with the salt in a medium to large bowl until smooth and temper the melted chocolate in thirds so to not curdle the egg yolks.
5) Once the egg whites are ready, fold into the chocolate/egg yolk mixture one third at a time until light at fluffy.
6) In a clean mixing bowl, with the whip attachment, whip the cream up to medium to stiff peaks, then fold into chocolate mixture a third at a time until light and fluffy.
Whipped Cream Topping
2 cups heavy whipped cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1) Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a mixer with the wire whisk attachment until medium peaks form.
Chocolate Shavings
High quality milk chocolate bar (There is a great selection of fine chocolates at your local Harmons Grocery)
Shave pieces of the chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler.
Fill the pie with the chocolate filling, and top with more whipped cream topping, and chocolate shavings. Place in the fridge overnight for mousse to set, or at least 2-4 hours. Store in the fridge.
I hope this becomes a regular part of your Thanksgiving table!
Here’s the rundown of all of the recipes in one spot so you can start planning your Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, for the fun part! We are giving a way a chance at FIVE $100 gift cards to Harmons Grocery to help pay for your Thanksgiving feast! Harmons is a local grocery store here in Utah, the best in the state really!
For many chances to win, be sure to enter below! Giveaway closes Sunday November 16th at midnight!
