Happy Thanksgiving

I've posted this before but here it is again as it is truly one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving.

As the gang gathers together for the not-so-traditional Thanksgiving feast of popcorn, toast and jellybeans, Linus' speech reminds us all of the true meaning of Thanksgiving:

"In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests.

Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.'"

To which Peppermint Patty adds, "Amen."

May your tables be plentiful and your hearts be full. Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy, Happy Holidays...

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!"  

Francis P. Church (New York Sun, September21, 1897)

May your holiday be filled with magic, poetry, romance, faith, family and love…

Happy Holidays...

"Yes, Virginia, there is a SantaClaus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, andyou know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would beas dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faiththen, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have noenjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhoodfills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might aswell not believe in fairies!" Francis P. Church (New York Sun, September21, 1897)

 

Hope your holiday isfilled with magic, poetry, romance, faith, family and love… 

The True Meaning of Christmas

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas to you and yours...

Luke 2:8-14

Thanksgiving

In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice."

~ Linus van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Santa Train

This week marks the 68th anniversary of the Santa Train.  Of course there are many Santa events throughout the month of November that claim to mark the beginning of the holiday season, but this one is a little different.  The Santa Train is a special holiday tradition - a partnership between CSX, Food City, the Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce and Kids Wish Network all coming together to ensure that thousands of families in the rural towns along the Santa Train route have a very Merry Christmas.  The event is the largest Santa Parade covering 110-miles of track through several towns of the Appalachia where volunteers hand out gifts, candy and toys to children in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.

The Santa Train made its inaugural run in 1943 and makes fourteen scheduled stops along the route - from Shelby to Elkhorn City in Kentucky; Clinchco to St. Paul in Virginia; and Waycross to Kingsport in Tennessee. This year, the train is made up of nine historic Pullman cars, each with its own exciting history and legendary tales of their own, now used for special events such as this one.  Stories about the train are varied but most believe that when it made its first journey as the Santa Special, it was only one train car with a meager load of gifts and quite possibly the only toys received by the children of these towns during World War II.  This year, the train will haul over 15 tons of toys, gifts and candy and over 50 volunteers who will go out into the crowds at each stop with color coded sacks geared to a child of a certain age group and gender and ensure that everyone gets a gift.


I am so excited and honored to be a part of this ongoing tradition.  From the initial loading of the train this past week to the actual event with my daughter this coming Saturday - I am thrilled to take part in this historical tradition that serves communities touched by our rails.  Just another example of how a small gesture can turn into something special.  

St. Patrick's Day

Like many of you, I associate March with the coming of spring, warmer weather ahead and of course St. Patrick's Day.  Being an "Irishman" by birth (my maternal grandfather's family came from the land of rolling hills and leprechauns) and then by marriage, it seems only fitting that I celebrate the luck of the Irish. 

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and of course we celebrate by donning anything and everything green.  It is a religious day in Ireland and here in the states it's a day to celebrate your heritage (everyone seems to be a little Irish on St. Paddy's Day) and of course to drink!  Most Irishmen go for the beer, but I prefer a lovely Irish Coffee or a Bailey's Irish Martini.

When San Francisco restaurateur Jack Koeppler introduced the classic Irish Coffee to America in 1952, it was described as "coffee strong as a friendly hand, cream rich as an Irish brogue, sugar as sweet as the tongue of a rogue and Irish whiskey as smooth as the wit of the land."  If you prefer something a little more Irish and cool, try the Bailey's Irish Martini, an "all-Irish liquor" in a simple, smooth concoction.

Irish Coffee - Recipe courtesy of Tony Abou-Ganim, www.themodernmixologist.com
This recipe has two variations from the original ingredients: it's topped with cinnamon for extra kick and it uses refined instead of brown sugar.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 oz. Irish Whiskey
2 sugar cubes
Freshly-brewed coffee, dark roast
Homemade whipped cream
Ground cinnamon, optional

Preparation:
Brew a pot of your favorite dark roast coffee. Whip up heavy cream until firm, but not stiff. Do not sweeten. Heat your Irish Coffee glasses by filling them with hot water. (Always serve hot drinks in a preheated glass.)
In the heated glass, dissolve 2 sugar cubes in the fresh brewed coffee. Add Irish Whiskey. Top with a dollop of freshly-whipped cream, and for an extra kick sprinkle cinnamon on top.

• Try substituting your favorite spirits and liqueurs for the Irish Whiskey.
• Always serve with a napkin for dabbing whipped cream moustache.
• Don't serve with straws as the trick is to sip the hot coffee through the chilled whipped cream. 

Bailey's Martini
This three-ingredient recipe comes straight from the files of the Baileys Irish company and puts a martini twist on the classic Irish Coffee.  It's both spirited and simple with a shot of strong, cold coffee for an extra kick.


Ingredients:
3 1/2 oz. Baileys Irish cream
3/4 oz. Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey
Shot of strong, cold coffee
Chocolate sprinkles

Preparation:
Drop some ice cubes into a shaker and pour over Baileys. Add Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey, then a shot of strong cold coffee. Shake vigorously and serve in a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate sprinkles.

However you celebrate on March 17th and whatever you decide to raise in your glass, remember this Irish toast:

May neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you!


"Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!"
 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

quote and photos courtesy of Fine Living: Food & Drink (www.fineliving.com)

A Valentine's Tablescape from One Pretty House Interiors

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  For some, it is a "Hallmark Holiday" barely worthy of the hype.  For others, it is a day to feel the warm fuzzies that love - all kinds of love can bring.  As we celebrate Valentine's Day 2010, here's an insprired tablescape for friends or lovers from One Pretty House Interiors...

Inspired by my new favorite move Julie and Julia, we've time traveled  to a 1950's Valentine's Dinner party for six at The Child's Paris flat.  Although the setting itself is simple and uncomplicated, it's warm, fun and made a fabulous setting in my own dining room.  Thanks again to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting us for today's Tablescape Thursday.

I began with my grandmother's white lace tablecloth over a plain hotel cloth.

                                                                                 

Handmade construction paper hearts, place cards and decorative chain garland add to the charm and nostalgia.        

Long stem red roses in a turquoise clay vase and taper candles completes this lovely table.

Whether you're inviting five friends over for a girls night or hosting couples to celebrate your great love for each other - like Julia and Paul - this tablescape is just the right blend of whimsy and elegance to capture the true spirit of Valentine's Day.


One Pretty House Interiors is a boutique design firm specializing in one day redesign and real estate staging.  Check out the Decorating Chit Chat from One Pretty House.

Putting Together The Perfect Holiday Party Dress and Attire

The company holiday party comes in many shapes, forms and sizes.  Translate that into many wardrobe possibilities and acceptabilities!  Oh the what-in-the-world-do-I-wear-to-this-thing horror!  Calm down.  There is a dress out there for you.  I personally am a fan of the black tie affair, although I have to admit that finding a dress or gown can prove challenging.  Word of advice - start early.  In doing so you'll avoid the possibility of showing up in the same dress as someone else (yes, this mortifying situation happened to me once and I am still traumatized by it!)  But I digress.  In terms of formal attire, ladies and gentlemen please take note - the short cocktail dress absolutely is appropriate for a black tie affair.  It is ridiculous in this day and age to think you have to go gown just because it is a formal affair.  That being said, I, personally, love a gown - it is so forgiving and so easy to hide under. But, for those of you that don't own one or simply don't want to wear one, don't worry about it!  A beautiful, tasteful length cocktail dress can be just as dressy and elegant.  Don't shy away from short because of some sense of traditional convention!  However ladies, the tea length dress went out with poofy hair and scrunchies! 
Once you have decided on the "perfect dress" or even the one that will do, remember the power of the accessories.  "The only thing that separates us from the animal is our ability to accessorize!"  No truer words were spoken!  My friend in search of the perfect outfit has spent hours searching for shoes, jewelry and wraps.  Waste of time? Absolutely not!  Her boutique scouring (me along for the commentary and approval) has yielded the perfect shoes - not too strappy, not too high; the perfect bangles - just dressy enough with the right amount of bling; the perfect ring - yes, it's tasteful without looking overwhelming; and the perfect wrap - it's supposed to be 30 some-odd degrees where she's headed!  All in all, the last couple of weeks have proved exhausting and yet, the perfect outfit for the mandatory holiday party has been accomplished. 
For those of you out there fretting over the dress for that holiday party you are required to attend - relax.  The dress is out there and with the right accompaniments, you will be stunning.  I have no doubt that my friend will be the bell of the ball.  And thankfully, after this weekend is over, she won't have to worry about it again for at least 365 days!

quote courtesy of Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB): Steel Magnolias
photo courtesy of fashiontribes.com