Happy Thoughts

As we encountered another dreary day of cold, sleety rain today, I came across this photo on the Real Simple Website and it made me happy. It seriously put a little spring in my step.

Don't you love this? They have detailed instructions posted on this project so go and check it out. I am totally going to make this and will post photos when I do. If you make one, please share your links! The more happiness, the better.

I just had to share this with all of you because I know I am not the only one who is so over winter!

Happy Spring,
~MB
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Thanksgiving Celebration - Southern Style

Whoa! I am kicking back with my feet up after my post Thanksgiving Feast food coma. We celebrated with family in Charleston, SC. Lucky me, huh? I love this city and being able to spend time with family.

Our feast started with an out of this world Pan Seared Oyster appetizer (recipe below).

Then we celebrated in a Southern Style fashion, complete with a Fried Turkey with a "Jive Turkey" rub.

For sides we had squash casserole (we omit the egg and milk), Green Bean Casserole, mashed potatoes, Sweet Potato Crunch (no marshmallows here!),

Cranberry & Apricot Chutney (I use Golden Raisins, thinly slice the apricots and omit ginger), Corn Bread Dressing (we added finely chopped carrots too), Butter Beans, sweet rolls, Mama Stamberg's Cranberry Relish. Like I said...Whoa! Oh, I almost forgot the Pickled Pears - say that 10 times fast. These were new to me. But they were pretty darn good. I thought it would be great used in a Peach Crisp dessert.

We are now onto Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Nana's Chocolate Chip Cookies and Ice Cream. I told you we had a feast!

Hot Panned Oysters

1 qt select oysters

1/4 lb. oyster crackers

1/4 lb butter

1/4 large stalk celery (5 pieces) chopped VERY fine

3T Worchestershire

20 shakes Tabasco sauce

lots of salt and black pepper and paprika

Preheat oven to 350 for 20 minutes. Don't wash oysters, but remove any pieces of shell. Drain well in a colander. Into a shallow Pyrex baking dish, put the butter - put in the oven until pan is hot and butter very melted. Into butter drop a layer of oysters, a layer of finely chopped celery, a layer of the four condiments (salt, pepper, Tabasco & Worch. sauce). Top with a layer of oyster crackers that have been crushed to the size of your little fingernail. Repeat layers in same order. Sprinkle paprika freely over the top. Bake oysters for one hour. If juices remain, keep cooking until all are absorbed. Serve very hot in same pan. Don't stir. The oysters have their own juices sealed in by being dropped in the scalding hot butter.

Holy Christmas these are good! We talked about things we could substitute for oysters which can get pricey. We came up with eggplant ad scallops. The topping is so good you will know why we were trying to come up with more creative uses for it. Man, my mouth is watering just writing about them. YUM!

I hope you all had a great day with family and friends. I am very thankful to all my followers!

Happy Thanksgiving,

~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
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Friday Favorite - and full of flavor

I came across this tasty little treat posted on The Inspired Room today. I don't know if I am just having PMS or something but I am now craving this jar full of fun.

This looks so darn yummy. They had mentioned that it would make a great hostess gift and they are right on the money with that one. Awesome idea. It would be a cute teacher gift too.

This is one mouth watering recipe if you ask me. Melissa, thanks for posting this on Inspired Room and an extra sweet thanks to Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer for sharing the recipe.

I invite you to visit their blogs, both are chock full of inspiration.

Happy Friday,
~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
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Let Me Entertain You

I love socializing and entertaining with friends. We sure celebrated over the holiday weekend and it was a labor of love. It is so much fun to repurpose items to use as displays and even for serving.

This spread was created with clearance sale items and thrift store finds in typical JUNKMARKET Style fashion. I am thrilled to announce that I was just named a Contributing Writer on the website, so please check it out. It was created by Sue Whitney, author, designer and frequent guest of the Today Show. The site is amazing and full of cream of the crop artists and designers. Prepare to be inspired! I am so giddy that I get to be a part of it. It challenges me to be creative, and get my "A Game" on. I love that. I recently met up with her in Charlotte...so much fun! Check out the websites of these other creative girls. (Pictured L-R Me, Lisa, Sue, & Lanette a fellow contributor)

On that note, here are some tips on creative ways to entertain, inside or out. This whole vignette was created around one of my recent fabulous finds. Don't you love this white, chippy table? And, don't hate me, it was only $5. A vision in white, wouldn't you say?

A handy tin makes for a great napkin and plate holder. I got it at Michael's on clearance.

The pie is displayed on a rummage sale find. Check out the vase used for bread sticks and flower pot for the pretzel bread.

I have collected a bunch of cigar boxes over the years. I have turned a lot of them into purses, but on this day I decided to serve my flat bread in it. A little different, right?

The little wine bottles were too cute to pass up and I loved the splash of color. The tins were another rummage sale find. I got a half dozen of them. So, when you are planning your beverages a good tip is to keep the packaging and colors in mind when making your selection.

I also have a thing for metal and wire, which is kind of ironic. Growing up, I had braces TWICE! So the whole metal mouth just didn't jive with me. Well, at least I have straight choppers now!

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend. I sure did. There is nothing better than celebrating with friends.

Happy Entertaining,

~MB

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