We Were Thankful.....

We were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thankful this year....our family and friends joined us for an amazing feast.  We ate like kings (and queens) and spent countless hours playing games like Cranium and reminiscing about our wonderful experiences together.  We all had such a splendid time.....here are some photos....

Our Thankful Table........(Sorry so dark, my friend took these photos for me and my 2 yr. old kept relocating the silverware...LOL)

Asparagus with Prosciutto & Roasted Mushrooms with Fresh Rosemary

Retro Ambrosia (Fresh Fruit NOT Canned and NO MARSHMALLOWS!!! LOL)

Thanksgiving Centerpiece and Fresh Cranberry Compote with Almonds, Honey and Orange Zest

Roasted Mushrooms with Rosemary Straight from the oven!!

Cannot ever get enough asparagus......

Roasted Turkey and Ham.....Oh the Joy!!!!


Oh the joys of Thanksgiving Dinner with our family and friends.  I love to cook this dinner for this special group of loved ones and so look forward to each year.    It is our tradition....This was my first year to cook in my new kitchen and it was MUCH easier than last year.  My warming drawer was a life saver.  I just recently finished my kitchen and will update that progress on my blog.  THAT was nightmare but we did it. But that's another story for another post...LOL


 Thanks to all who attended, you all make my life richer and I love you for it.

Happy Holidays!

Shutterfly Photo Holiday Card Promotion!

 Who can resist this deal? I am all about great deals! The amazing company Shutterfly is offering 50 free Holiday cards to any blogger that does a post about the company/cards...

 details: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

 For most things like this, I wouldn't do it, because I don't like using my blog for something that I don't already do in my life. HOWEVER.....I do use Shutterfly, I am new to it , and I love it. I just ordered 101 4x6 Prints for FREE of my daughter with Santa.  I plan on enclosing these in my Christmas Cards.   You can almost always get a book or prints for FREE, just pay the shipping.  How can you beat that?!?!?!?  I am so loving the Shutterfly site.   I have narrowed it down to these:










OMG!  You can see how one can get carried away...I can't wait to get my cards!

Neiman Marcus Christmas Contest

Happy Holidays! Let the Christmas Shopping Joy begin! I entered this contest thru Neiman Marcus Online to win a $2,500 Gift Card.  I created a collage that epitomizes my love for Neimans....LOL.....MAN, what damage I could do with $2,500 at Neimans! Check it out and vote for my entry...I need all the help I can get!  Better yet enter one too and I will vote for you!   Happy Thanksgiving Weekend everyone! New posts coming soon!

Christmas Collection!

This Gift Guide is perfect for..EVERYONE! What a spectacular display of the essence that is Neimans! Wouldn't this photo make a lovely Christmas Card? Each item reminds me of the magic of the Christmas Merchandise Displays at the retail stores. I would love to share one of each of these stunning items with my family and friends. Each one is unique and totally fabulous! Happy Holidays Everyone and Merry Christmas Neiman Marcus!!! Thank you for all the lovely, stunning items that make my family and friends happy and make my house feel like a home....Muuwaaaah! OXOXO

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER.....PERIOD.

Listen to me when I tell you...these are the best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever..........period.  In my opinion, there is no other recipe that comes close.  I have tried several recipes throughout my life, Martha Stewart, Tollhouse,  BLAH!   Throw them out...this is the BENTLEY of Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I have discovered Brooke McLay's Cheeky Kitchen:

http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/09/chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

And I can't stop scrolling through all the heavenly recipes.  This woman is SUPER talented and I trust her!  The secret weapon for these babies is coconut oil.  It makes an incredible difference.

This is Brooke's Recipe...

Read my friends and learn...

While coconut oil is a little more expensive than traditional fats, it's definitely worth the splurge, making these cookies perfectly chewy with a touch of crispness on the outside. Yummy, yummy, cocoyummy!1/2 cup coconut oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
8 ounces mini chocolate chips
8 ounces large chocolate chipsIn a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together coconut oil, eggs, and brown sugar until very well mixed. Add remaining ingredients, mixing together until all are incorporated. Roll into massive balls (I made my cookies from 3 tablespoons of dough. That's just how I roll.) and place 6 on a cookie sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 9-11 minutes, or just until the outside of the cookies have browned ever so slightly around the edges. Remove, cool slightly, devour.

I love it when she says "I made my cookies from 3 tablespoons of dough. That's just how I roll."  You have got to try these.  Let me know how your piece of heaven turns out!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this woman!!!!!!

Congratulations Vicki and Mark!

My cousin Vicki is getting married tomorrow and I am so happy for her.  She met a wonderful man and they love each other very much.  However, I am kind of sad as I am 1000 miles away and cannot be there for the event.  I wanted to say "Happy Wedding Day"  and we love you very much.  Although we can't be there, we are sending much love your way. You don't marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without. Looks like you two have that all figured out :-) I wish so much we could be there, we will have you both in our hearts!  Muuwaahh!

This Bread is TO DIE FOR!

Ok, so I just fell in love with Jilly and Mia of "Girls with Good Taste" and I saw this post about Homemade Artisan Bread.

http://meandjilly.blogspot.com/search?q=artisan



 Sooooooooo,  I thought I would try it and OMG it is just heavenly....I am so excited!  I made homemade bread and it was so EASY!!!  It was amazing.....I am definitely going to make this for my guests on Thanksgiving.  Thank you so much ladies you do have impeccable taste!

My New Blog!

I did it!  I created a blog! I just need to figure the rest of this thing out!  Bear with me!