Set a stunning table for any occaision!
Tips for setting a stunning table for any occasion!
Choose a Limited Palette
Charles Walton IV / Styling Rose Nguyen / Food Styling Lyda Jones Burnette, Vanessa McNeil Rocchio
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Mix China Patterns
Photo by Ralph Anderson / Styling Scott Martin
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Pair Glamor with Nature
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Use Vintage Touches
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
More tips for setting a stunning table at Southern Living
Loving This Color
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My husband and I visited some model homes yesterday. We’re looking to downsize and looking forward to one-floor living. The color on the walls in these photos is very close to the color in the great room of one of the models we saw. You know I didn’t leave without asking the Realtor for the paint color. It was Sherwin Williams’ Griffin-SW7026. They had paired it with an interesting gold color (also Sherwin Williams) Mannered Gold-SW6130. I wish I’d snapped some shots. I’m going to lose my blogging credentials if I don’t watch out.
Whiplash!
Just when I think I could go all neutral I see a room like this. There’s something about color, especially tomato red/coral tones, that makes me feel all comfy inside, and then there’s that small-medium-large pattern thing that I thought I got out of my system in the nineties.
A small-scale circle pattern dots the window draperies, while a medium pattern is found on the Roman shades, and a large-scale circular pattern covers the bedding.
BHG
How to Sew a French Seam
Uploaded by Marlene1216
Eating Well’s Top 50 Recipes of 2011
The New Year is on the horizon, and that means it’s time for clean slates and low-cal plates. Eating Well is sharing 50 of their most popular recipes of 2011. The following are a few of my favorites; be sure to check out all 50 to find your favorites.
Creamy Avocado and White Bean Wrap
I posted this Chicken Divan recipe earlier this year. 
8 New Hanukkah Classics
What is a new classic? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Maybe not. Check out all 8 New Classic recipes at Food 52, and add a twist to your holiday.
Golden Panko Latkes with Sour Cream and Chives by Micki Barzilay
Kitchen Gadgets
Don’t you love kitchen gadgets? I do, as long as they are truly useful and easy to store. I found these fun and interesting time-saving tools for the kitchen at Real Simple. My faves:
Cuisipro Food Decorating Pen
Great for kids. Fill the syringe with icing and decorate cakes and cookies. Remove the tip for fine lines. To buy: $12.95, kingarthurflour.com.
Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker
A modern day mortar and pestle: This sleek canister holds a ceramic ball that grinds spices, crushes garlic, and mixes marinades and vinaigrettes with just a few quick shakes. To buy: $29.95, amazon.com.
OXO Good Grips Potato Ricer
Create light, fluffy mashed potatoes in minutes with this sturdy, easy-to-clean tool. Just fill it with cooked potatoes—or parsnips, celery root, or carrots—and squeeze. To buy: $20, surlatable.com.
White Christmas Desserts!
Look at these beauties – fourteen delicious and festive desserts just in time for the holidays. White and fluffy or silky smooth. You choose, but they are all perfect for the season. Enjoy!
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas/ Styling: Buffy Hargett/ Food Styling: Rebecca Kracke Gordon
Photo: Jennifer Davick
White Chocolate Panna Cotta With Dark Chocolate Sauce
Get all fourteen “White Christmas Desserts” at Southern Living!
Roquefort Cheesecake with Pear Preserves and Pecans
This savory cheesecake with fresh herbs is the perfect appetizer for a large group. The sweetness of the pear preserves compliments the strong flavor of the Roquefort cheese.
- 1/2 cup pecan or walnut halves
- 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8-oz.) package Roquefort cheese, chopped
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 (11.5-oz.) jar pear preserves
- Crackers, seedless red grapes, and assorted vegetables
Preparation
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
- 2. Beat cream cheese and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition; fold in flour. Spoon cheese mixture into a lightly greased 7-inch springform pan.
- 3. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until set. Run a knife around outer edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours.
- 4. Remove sides of pan. Transfer cheesecake to a platter, and spoon preserves over top; sprinkle with pecans. Serve with crackers, red grapes, and assorted vegetables.
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Recipe: Find other Festive Holiday Appetizers at Southern Living.
How To Carve A Turkey
Turkey season is upon us. With two holidays around the corner that require turkey-carving expertise, I decided to go to the experts for advice. The two videos that I chose differ slightly in technique, so I decided to post one and link to one. I particularly like the way the breast meat is carved and sliced in both of these videos because it provides a little skin on each piece, and some of us think the skin is the best part. Just sayin’.
And the second video can be found at Food Network. You’ll find other turkey tips there, too.
