the Wrapping Table

                     The table has been set up as a Wrapping Station - sorry for lighting, I'm not good with it. I may take a class on photography, an in-between armature & professional. Lighting and all that but first I will need a real camera; I use my phone camera.

         I love this composition but as you can see I cut the Candy Cane off, was trying to not get the wrapping paper rolls and Sister's Salt & Pepper collection in the shot and still get the tree in the background. This was actually the best shot of the couple I got. Here are a couple of them...

               
                           Even with the Table decorated, there is still room to wrap presents...

                      I am using a Phone app - Pics Art to make these collages, so far this is the one app I like to use. Though I should have used a black frame/background would stand out better.

            The Table is ready for wrapping; the gift I'm wrapping is for one of my Granddaughters.

                            I can share here without worrying that she will see it.  

          I began playing with a scrap piece of paper didn't really look they way

 wanted too but still just as cute. I always love a beautifully wrapped present and no matter how sloppy or plain, I still work at making pretty presents.

                  Like the Candy Canes used on top with Bows to dress up the presents.

                                                 As always this Table is a working Table.


                                   until next table,
                                              Mia

Table Top Trees

        I have a tiny spot in my room that I grouped several Tabletop Trees together, each have their own theme but they have one thing in common - Pine Cones.

                               This one in front is .....

                                                     Victorian Roses and Hydrangeas.
             I've had these flower bunches (2) forever.... over 10 years and they have not lost their beauty. I bought them and the Planter at Michael's; they have been packed, stored, and have graced my space it seems forever. The best part of this tree is that it is actually 4 pine branches with cones in the planter's floral foam- 2 wired together, staggered for height and the other 2 stuck into the foam to give the tree it's wide base. I then clipped the flowers from their bunch and stuck them every where. They also have battery operated wire lights. (love these lights - best investment ever & batteries are rechargeable). I topped with a Victorian Angel ornament.

                       The one directly behind....

                                              
                                                                 Pinecone Tree
          This one I bought last year from Michael's; I saw it and wanted it but I was not going to pay $25 bucks for it. Two weeks later I again went to Michael's and it was marked down to $11 and I skipped all the way home with it. The touches of  'snow' and a little lift is all this tree needs.

                    Next to the Pinecone .....

                                                                   Let it Snow
             This one I bought had a Charlie Brown tree look; you know those ones that need a little TLC, so home it came. I added some lights, a couple of snow tipped branches, some stars, and a few mini stockings, put my Let it Snow ornament as a topper and let it shine as trees do.

                  and then this one....

                
                                                                   The Blue Tree
      This tree is made the same as the Victorian Rose and Hydrangea Tree but without the 2 side branches; giving this the pencil look that seems to be popular. This one was actually sitting on my little book case not done but since I wanted to do this story about my Table Top Trees I could not leave him out. I will be out  on Thursday do some Christmas shopping and I  look for some Blue for the Tree.

                                                    My week:
                  Writing Monday after Retail, Tuesday migraine, Wednesday Bible study & allergy, Thursday shop and finally have the lights in sync to turn on at night, Friday I finish this and lingering allergy.  Southern Cali Fires.

                 I am back..... I wanted to show off the Blue ornaments - if I found some on Thursday, which I did ....

                They are perfect, well I believe so. I haven't put them up yet; it seems this week has been not my week of getting a lot of things done - allergies won't stay away, had a migraine Tuesday morning- thankful for Excedrin Migraine because I still had to go to Retail. And I have been worried about my kids and the Southern Cali fires.

                              My Baby Jesus and 3 Wise Men is sitting in the mist of the trees.
        I have several mini Nativity scenes - Baby Jesus, Mary, & Joseph; this is my first with the 3 Wise Men. Baby Jesus was a gift from a Nephew several years ago and the 3 Wise Men are new .... when I began pulling out all the decorations and saw how these fit together, I was happy that Baby Jesus now had friends.

          here are a few close up pictures of the vignette ...

               
    Can't seem to stop buying Cardinals, this one I bought when I got the Blue ornaments

 

                happy with the Trees, how does your Tree(s) look?

              until next table,
                                 Mia

Christmas Tea List

             
                            the List - a Master list of what is happening in the month of December.

        Saturday morning, when I normally get Tuesday Table together, I was working on my Christmas List. In past years I've had this tradition of getting out my magazines in the beginning of the month, flip through the pictures for inspiration, and sipping on my favorite Christmas Tea.

                                                  Cinnamon Apple Spice  Herbal Tea

              Brew the tea 1 to 2 minutes for an aromatic cup, any longer then that is too strong.  

     

               My Brown Betty.... yes, I know she White but prefect for brewing a couple of cups. The bulbous, round shape; referred to as 'Betty'- infuses the perfect brew and the manganese brown glaze is what makes the pot brown; is an English Tea traditional tea pot.

              My Sister's tree was in a glowy mood that morning, is a perfect view as I sip my tea.

                         Sis decorates the house & tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.

          This year's new magazine; it has been a few years since I bought a magazine - Pinterest has been my 'new' way to thumb through, getting ideas and how to's.

                 Making a list and checking it twice...
                           

                         until next list,

Holiday Treats

              I made 2 Dishes for Friends....

      The first one I went on a Pinterest search for a yummy Sugar Cookie, I found Katrina's Kitchen - Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever. This was such an easy recipe, even the 3rd cutout... you know that 3rd time that you roll out the dough, was perfect.

              Often that 3rd cutout, the dough becomes tough from over working and when baked it the cookie doesn't crumble like a cookie.

         The plan was to frost them but I didn't make a homemade Royal Icing... I cheated and got some store bought Royal Icing, only I didn't care for the taste. Reason for the 'naked' cookie and it is prefect for a cup of coffee or tea.

            Next Treat is my Pumpkin Butter. This recipe I found in a Woman's Day magazine about 10 years ago. I haven't made this every year because I can never remember where I stash the recipe. So this year I went to Pinterest again to remind me of what I needed. After that it was all me.

             This is the extra that is all me. When I made the Woman's Day it was with apple sauce, Pinterest recipes said apple cider; I choose to use a Spiced Apple Cider. This made for a Spicy Butter and I love it. And importantly my Family and Friends

               29oz can pumpkin puree
                1/2 cup each granulated and brown sugar
                1 cup apple cider use spice if you want that kick
                2 tsp cinnamon
                1 tsp nutmeg
                1 tsp ground cloves
                1/2 tsp ginger
       add everything to a medium size pot, bring to a boil, 7 to 10 min, over medium high heat; reduce to a low heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes. spoon into jar, refrigerate. Use on toast, biscuit or your favorite cereal.

       

                     You can also spread on those Sugar Cookies, it was oh so yummy.


                     until next dish,
                                   Mia

A Thankful Table

                Last week was the week of cooking and baking, this is how the table looked
 during those days....

                     Not a very pretty table, just a catch all of the ingredients for the Turkey's big day.

                        

 

                       Sis baked and baked, I cleaned and did a few dishes myself.
                                      Which I will share on Dish it Up.

            And these guys was all over it when ever they could. Sis cooked a Turkey for the
              her office and when she was slicing it up to take, these two was just under foot.

                  Sis asked for a small center decor for the Table since dinner was a cross of
                     buffet & sit down style,

      
                                               The Table waiting for the Star of the Day.

                                             
                                                                    Dinner


                    I ate earlier since dinner was ready at the time I was to be at Retail. But I was able to do the Number 1 important part of the meal - Pray. Second was have some freshly baked Pumpkin Pie with homemade Whip Cream, made by my 2 grand Nephews.

             I pray that your Thanksgiving dinner was delicious and fun with Family and Love Ones.


                         until next table,
                                  Mia

      
            

Making a New Dish

                                    Swedish Meatballs

                  I love Swedish Meatballs - the first time I tasted them or remember tasting them was at      Ikea about 15 years ago. I never thought about making some at home until now. I found this recipe from Pinterest (just looked to see who to credit but I can't remember what category I pinned it to). 

               The Meatballs where perfect in taste ... they where not very 'ball' shaped hehe.

                     Now....

                      
                       .... the gravy was a different story. I just could not get it thick enough.
                                    Taste was good but thin gravy ruined it. I'm not giving up!
                                             I love Swedish Meatballs to much to give up.

              I also could not find Lingonberry Sauce so I used Blueberry Preserves it was good and worked but I know that I would prefer Lingonberry when I make this again.

            I am thinking I will be making a  Dish it up Friday story - depends on how I feel about             cooking something during the week. An attitude I am adjusting because cereal for dinner is getting monotonous. I will be sharing my cooking ups & downs (gravy) with you of new dishes and some of my favorites. And if you have any tips I would love to hear them.



              until next dish,
                              Mia

Simple Table

                          Today, I just made Simple.  I wanted to use this material I bought -

                                              I want to hem it to make a tablecloth topper.

                                     It is a yard of material that I need a sewing machine 

                          (Sister loaned hers to Son)  and  hand stitching is a lot of work  

              
                    Sis's Turkey Salt & Pepper shakers I got at Walmart last year for her.
                         They are perfect for a Fall table... an elegant but whimsical touch. 

 

                     Remember that candle - it made it to this Hurricane vase that I added some

                                                   faux natural  looking acorns

                   I always love it when I can find a new way to use something. This candle usually 

                       sits on that pillar candle holder but when I found a mate the candle lost a home.

           Decorating like this, for the Season's- nothing is ever the same. What looked beautiful last

        year, gets a new look by getting placed somewhere new and/ or a new 'friend'.

                    And this is a  New; I saw the Tray at Walmart and wanted it.  Another reason for the 

              Simple Table, I wanted to show of the Tray.  I may use the trays ( Galvanize Tray I own)

             for a Fall center piece on the Thanksgiving Table. Trays make for easy removal - if need,

             making room for all the Eats.

                    I hope what I have done will be inspiration for your own Table

                              until next table,

                                            Mia