Beautiful, Fall colors is always the way I go when I decorate my tables for Thanksgiving.

It’s something about combining golds, browns, yellows, oranges, and burgundy that put a smile on my face when I walk into my kitchen, especially when its all topped off with burning candles.

🙂 See I’m smiling!

Bring the beauty of the fall season indoors for your next thanksgiving celebration. If you are looking for different but creative and intimate ideas to decorate your tables for Thanksgiving then I hope these will help you.

One of my favorite is the picture above from Country Living where words are transformed into decorative motifs on linen and displayed for all to see.

Above you will find HGTV’s balance between the natural elements and sparkle of metallics that give this table an elegant and sophisticated look.  Incorporating natural elements definitely brings the outdoors indoors to your Thanksgiving table.

Adding a pinecone to the center of the place settings adds an organic subtle touch to your table, contrasting ceramic with glass, wood with gleaming metal and chocolate colors with white tableware..  This table is not only casual and warm but also modern at the same time.

Simply Beautiful!

How do you plan on decorating your Thanksgiving table this holiday?
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(Image: jilbean3/Flickr)

With the holidays rolling in one after the other and celebrations are being planned the kitchen become a meeting ground for everything.  As I was in my kitchen this morning I was looking around my countertops and saw that it was clean.  No i am not saying I have a messy kitchen, I mean appliances were all put away and in their proper cupboards, dishes were put away, cutlery in drawers.

I don’t know if your like me but when there is clutter on my countertops it drives BONKERS!  I hate clutter.  I just don’t see the point to have all of your appliances, big or small, out on display.  The counters are supposed to be somewhere you can work on and display small litttle things.

SO that leaves me to the question at hand… What’s on your countertop?

I guess the first step to de-clutter your countertops are deciding on which appliances are used everyday.  I know for me my kettle is used for my coffee so its always on my stovetop.  I have a standing container for my utensils and my toaster oven.  After you decide on what is used everyday then look at weight of appliances that are going to be moved.  If they are too heavy to move then put it somewhere it can be out of the way but maybe still useful for other things.

Now if you see that your appliaces are multiplying in numbers right before your eyes then you have a peroblemo.  Let’s try and fix it. 🙂
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Does this ever happen to you when your cooking?

Adding salt to your dish is always good but too much salt can be very bad for the palate.  Do you know what to do if you find yourself in this predicament with an averly salted dish?

I know that when this happens there is no way to un-salt the dish but there are a few other things you can do if this happens.  You can first start off with adding more ingredients to the pot.  This will help with the diluting of all the salt added.  you do have to be prepared that your initial dish you were staring to prepare may come out completely different.

A handful of grains or noodles will absorb much of the salt if added to the dish as well as vegetables such as potatoes and onions. If making soup you can always try adding more chicken stock, this will thin out the soup.

Do you have any other tricks to fixing an overly salted dish?
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(Image: newyork808/Flickr)

Having enough food is never an option in my house… I think there is always so much more after we all eat Thanksgiving day that everyone can take a doggy bag home.

I know, its insane!

But I know for some of us it is difficult to calculate how much is really needed when planning to host a function.  Here are a few tips that I know will help you on Thanksgiving:

• When it comes to appetizers always make sure that you want everyone to have something to nibble on while they wait for the main course.  At least figure that each person will consume six to eight pieces, that way they are not full but just at the right stage where you know they will consume the lavish feast you’ve been preparing all week!

• Pumpkin soup is always made by my grandmother, so you know its delish!  If having soup as a starter, you can predict that a cup per person should suffice.

• Now for the TURKEY… this is my favorite part! 🙂 Can’t you tell I’m smiling from ear to ear… It is pretty good to assume that each person will eat a pound each, though that might not be an accurate assumption in my household since we are all GREEDY!  But hey waht can I say we love our Turkey.

• Next, is the tricky part, sides.  Sides can be a little harder to try and narrow down.  It is good to say that 3-4 ounces for vegetable sides, 2-3 ounces for pasta, and 1-1/2 ounces for grains and/or rice should be alright per person.

• Now if your having rolls or biscuits, then you can say 1 to 1-1/2 per person.  Though when it comes to my sister she could eat an entire loaf or a dozen biscuits.  Trust me, she love her some rolls, biscuits, bread of some sorts.

• Now we are at my second most favorite part of the meal… can you guess?  Let me give you a hint, its sweet, decadent, and a perfect ending to a lavish meal.  If you guessed desserts then your right on target.  If your planning on serving a pie of sorts then allot a 3-inch slice per person.  In other words make sure you have plenty!

• Last but not least drinks.  Always make sure that there are enough refreeshments with your meal.  Whether it be juice, punch, water, or alcohol.  The average guests consume roughly one to two 8-ounce drinks per hour.

Do you have any tips that you would like to share with us… please do below!

With Thanksgiving on the brain and turkey, sides, wine, decor, and all dessert is one of the most cherished part of a Thanksgiving Feast.  Of course I would say that due to my incredible sweet tooth.  When I was browsing through none other than Ms. Martha Stewart’s website I saw all of these delicious pumpkin infused desserts that I knew I just had to share with you all.  From Pumpkin Flan in a Pastry Shell to Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, to Pumpkin-Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches to Pumpkin Chocolate Tart.

Wow! Now that’s a lot of pumpkin 🙂

Hoe you Enjoy!

Do you have any pumpkin desserts you will be sharing this Thanksgiving?
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Have you seen these adorable customizable kids plates before?

Alphabet Plates was created by  graphic designer, artist and mom-of-three, Laura Paresky Gould.  These fabulous plates allow you the ability to personalize each plate with your little one’s name, initials, favorite food, and even hobbies from 14 other popular choices.  The pricing starts at $22 a plate.

I know pretty adorable! 🙂

Not only can you customize plates but you can also make personalized placemats in different colors and languages are also available for $18.  A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

After hearing that how can you say No and not buy one of these plates!
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The Thanksgiving coutdown is upon us now, so you know what that all means… gettting the perfect bird, making the guest lists, and deciding on all the yummy sides and desserts that will accompany this succulent cooked turkey.

I know it may all seem a little overwhelming at first, especially if this is your first time in hosting your first ever Thanksgiving Bash or maybe your a seasonal Thanksgiving hostess but want a refresher course in the planning arena.

If so then this checklist is the perfect tool for a stress-free holiday.  Here you will find everything that is needed divided week by week leading up to the most fantastic holiday! Well in my eyes, of course! 😉

Before you do anything else, think about the general feel you want for your gathering: whether it be big, casual, and/or kid-friendly? Intimate, elegant, or grown-up?  This will help you decide on how many people you would like to invite.

FOUR WEEKS AHEAD

Give or take a day or two time is coming and there’s four weeks left to plan a wonderful home cooked Thanksgiving meal, so the first things you need to decide on are where and when to order the fabulous “guest of honor” aka the turkey and finalizing the guest list.

• First, decide on whether you will be serving a fresh or frozen turkey for the big day.  If you decide to go with a fresh turkey make sure to order it now from your local market or specialty food store in order to have the turkey picked up or delivered sometime after November 23.  Having the bird arrive a few days prior to Thanksgiving will give you ample time to season and allow the turkey to sit absorbing all its juiciness.   Plan on 1 1/4 pounds per person.

• Second, Make Your Menu. Check back and see if any of your family member have a favorite dish they would like prepared or to prepare themselves.

• Third, finalize the guest list.  Make sure to call family and friends and make sure they are definitely coming for the big supper.  Before you start your calls, have a list of guests and a list of dishes. If someone offers to bring a dish, accept the offer.  And if they don’t offer, ask them.

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(Image: ZedZap/Flickr)

Mmmmmmmm, Hmmmmmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmmmmmm…….

Thanksgiving is almost finally here!  I think actually I know that I have been dreaming of this special holiday since, OH… last year November! 🙂

Thanksgiving to me has always been a time where no matter what my whole family would gather together and celebrate our love for one another.  A time where we were thankful for all we had, a time to Cook together, Eat together, and Chat together.

For the smell of pumpkin pies and roasted turkeys and so much more I cannot wait to share with all of you.  In the following weeks I will share some of my most favorite and treasured family recipes, give you great tips and menu plans for having your own special Thanksgiving, so you have to make sure to stay tuned.

This is what I consider Home!

So sit back, snuggle close and enjoy the Thanksgiving Ride!

Tasha
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Can you smell that?!?

No!

Come closer…….

What about now…..

Yep! Yep! Yeppers!

Smells good huh…

That my friends is what we call Jamaican Curry Chicken….. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! 😛

This is a favorite in my house, and is eaten honestly anytime of the day.

I know your probably asking for breakfast?! Have you lost your mind? Kinda when it comes to curry chicken I honestly have.

If your fan of Curry Chicken then you have to try this recipe, you won’t stop eating it.

Enjoy!
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(Image: Billie Joel’s Entourage/Flickr)

If any of you know me then you already know that I have an amazing fixation on Vampire books and Vampire movies.

I am starting to think I was one in a past life, For Real, joking aside!

I don’t know what it is about it but I literally feel as if I am transported back in time in the setting of the novel.  So I guess that brings me to the point of my post, Twilight.

You know the ever popular paranormal romance series by Stephenie Meyer, that is now hitting the big screens with its second upcoming release in just a few weeks.

Yes, I am waiting in anticipation for it to hit the theaters… but nonetheless check this out.  Apparently a couple, by the name of Annette and Tim Root of Forks, WA, have decided to launch a Twilight-themed restaurant in the town where the books are set.  The family-style eatery will be named Volterra, after the Italian city where the Volturi law-enforcing vampires live, serving daily will be breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I wonder if there will be a specialty with Blood? Hmmmmm…..

What do you think of tis new themed restaurant? Would you be interested in eating at Volterra?
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