Easter Decor Blast from the Past Roundup

It seems two things are certain when it comes to holidays and my family.  First, any holiday is cause for a celebration which means appropriate entertaining and decor ensues.  LaLa and I came by this genetically thanks to dear Zsa Zsa's crafty ability to take any meal and make a dazzling tablescape to match!  And second, as the years press on and in spite of our attempts to do "something small", the celebrations grow bigger and more elaborate with each tablescape, Easter basket, fried turkey or Christmas stocking!

Call it crazy, or call it fun ...I should probably mention that every year we still have an Easter Egg hunt.  Only to keep our interest, Zsa Zsa introduced lottery tickets and dollar bills to the traditional candy hunt a few years back.  Yep ... she wins ... we play along!  Here are a few Easter decor memories caught in the digital age and actually uploaded.  I'm so pleased that I've actually gotten better about this with time!

Creative "basket" full of acrylic serveware and wine glasses

The egg hunt moved indoors due to rain, and even Zsa Zsa and Buck play along!

Beautiful spring dessert display, compliments of Zsa Zsa

Easter baskets ready for the gifting

Sheila and her egg shaped cookie

Colby can't wait to get to his!

Tired bunny sleeping off the Easter ham!

Claim To Fame

It's one of those random things that comes up at cocktail parties ... how someone's cousin's boyfriend's friends know a celebrity and had some juicy gossip to share.  Or maybe it's that random happening of a brush with stardom in an airport (a la my cross country flight with drunk Eddie Money as a seat mate), but these are the interesting sidebar conversations that add a little interest to the everyday. 

This weekend while in Philly with my wonderful inlaws, my dear MIL told me that she recently sold a cavalier to Project Runway finalist Laura Bennett.  For background, MIL breeds and shows Cavalier King Charles spaniels.  Laura's little pup is the same tri-color breed as my diva dogs (but couldn't possibly be as cute).  MIL shared that Laura was a great lady and how much she enjoyed meeting her and working with her.  MIL said that Laura came to their house in Philly a few times over the past few months and now Laura, her big family of eight and their new furry addition are happily settling in in her NYC digs.

For those that can't quite place Laura, she was the firey red head from Season 3 of the hit show Project Runway.  Her designs are mostly conservative and she tends to focus on evening wear, but has had huge success with a private label brand with QVC.  Last year, she authored the book Didn't I Feed You Yesterday? A Mother's Guide to Sanity in Stilettos.  As a firm believer in super high heels (yes, still even at 7 months preggo), I have to say "Amen, sister!" and cannot wait to download this and read it asap! 

And last random Project Runway / Laura Bennett tie in, the next Season of Project Runway is casting in NYC in just a few weeks!  So, stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

~charmed b

Meat and Potatoes

Having grown up in Roswell, GA; I love the opportunity to go back to the historic downtown streets for shopping and a great meal.  It's my comfort food of sorts!  There are just so many places to choose from, but some get frequented more than others. 

I'm excited to report that one of my faves will be featured on the Food Network tonight.  Isn't it always exciting when a place you frequent makes the "cut" and appears on tv.  I always find myself  excitedly watching the tv and saying "hey, I go there ..." when it airs.  Tonight at 10pm EST, the Salt Factory Pub will be featured on a new show called Meat and Potatoes.  The restaurant's charm and cuisine made it a natural for some air time, and tonight's episode, "Comfort Meats" will include Salt's Shepherd's Pie.

Salt features modern pub comfort food cuisine and the old brick walled building has such style you will want to have an extra glass of wine just to relish the spot a bit longer!  Some of my faves include the curried almonds and the butcher block selection for the table to share, the smoked salmon tostadas and the crispy North Carolina brook trout entree.  Oh, and don't forget the soon to be famous Shepherd's Pie!

 

Brunching Around Town

Oh weekend, sweet weekend!  A wonderful time to sleep just a few minutes later, linger on your coffee a few moments longer and savor the glory of the day just a bit more!  If you asked me what my favorite meal would be, I'd strongly proclaim BRUNCH!  I think my Bestie C won me to the brunch team years ago with a lovely spot in Newport Beach that offered a champagne brunch.  Yep, you say champagne and I say I'm there! 

While I can point out my favorite spots in southern California, Dallas, and other towns across this great country for this divine weekend ritual, I still struggle with my Atlanta favorites.  That was until now ... I have reloaded my list with a few new spots to try in the coming weeks, but for now 88 Paces Bistro at the St. Regis hotel in Buckhead holds the top spot! 

The St. Regis itself is a decorating masterpiece full of beautiful, calm traditional modern elegance that just can't be beat.  The restaurant one ups the decor with mouth watering food and delish champagne and bloody marys!  Bestie A and I had the great fortune to spend a leisure brunch catching up and dining at this wonderful spot just last week.  We dined on delish egg white omlettes and took in the scene! 

So start your weekend with a little R&R - the brunch way!

~charmed b

Neighborly Thing To Do

It's a long standing southern tradition that when a friend encounters a major life event, you show your support and concern in a kind and neighborly way.  Obvious question if you didn't grow up with sweet tea in your bottle, what's the common way to do that?  How else ... you feed them!  Ladies from the church, friends, neighbors, acquaintenses ... it really doesn't matter ... you all do your part and take turns and shower the friends with chicken casseroles and love!

Thanks to the power of modern technology, there's a great new tool to organize that casserole rotation schedule to ensure that the friends in need fully benefit from taking a night off of making dinner and get to relax instead of managing the incoming questions of what others brought for dinner last night.  Meal Train is a great new service that Bestie P introduced me to just last week.  It's a great way to organize the calendar of meals and let's all contributors sign up for a specific day of the week and let other's know what meal they will be preparing.  Recipients rejoice at the fact they won't receive repeat lasagna every night of the week!

Last week, I did my turn on the Meal Train for friends J and C who just welcomed a new adorable baby girl.  I have to share this meal idea, because it's a tasty option and has an optional second meal that you can send as well.  The primary dinner is easy for even the craziest schedule to prep and deliver (trust me, I know that first hand!) and I was able to deliver delish chicken tacos with the fixin's in time for an early dinner time!  The second meal makes a great way for the friends in need to have a break for lunch or dinner on day two. 

Dinner Menu

• Chicken Tacos
• Black Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Banana Whoopie Pies (from the tasty post last week!)

 Chicken Taco Recipe

• 4 Chicken breast
• 2 can Rotelle tomato
• 1 can green chilli
• 1/2 - 1 packet taco seasoning
• tortillas
• shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa

 1.  Place fresh or frozen chicken in the crock pot with Rotelle, green chillis and taco seasoning.  Cook all day until it shreds easy with a fork.
2.  Package up the remaining ingredients and serve with the side items.

Yep, can you believe it?  It is just that easy! 

Want to impress your friends with a thoughtful second round meal?  Double the chicken recipe and send them a tasty Chicken Posole soup as well!  This fantastic mexi soup is delish and gives new meaning to left overs.  Typically, I prep the broth below and send instructions for the friends to just add the remaining chicken to the broth and microwave.


Chicken Posole
Chicken (from recipe above)
1 onion, thinly sliced
32 oz container of low sodium chicken broth
28 oz can of diced tomato, drained
15 oz can of hominy, drained and rinsed
Crushed red pepper

1.  Saute the onion in olive oil with salt and pepper until soft and beginning to brown. 
2.  Add broth, tomato, crushed red pepper and bring to a boil.
3.  Add hominy and simmer 3-4 minutes

Send instructions for your friends to just add the remaining chicken from taco night to the recipe.  Garnish with tortilla chips and lime wedges.

I'm almost embarrassed to tell ya'll how easy this is but I'm sure you will LOVE having another go to quick fix meal! Be sure to double so that you and your family will have some to enjoy as well!

Meet the Diva Dogs

The Diva Dogs:  Sheila (left) and Colby (right)

It's a travesty, according to my Bestie S, that I haven't introduced my diva dogs to the blogosphere.  I tend to agree.  I'm the proud mama of two furry babies, Sheila and Colby.  These two Cavelier King Charles Spaniels are the epitome of diva dogs.  They sit on the couch, think I should hang off the edge of the bed while they enjoy the middle of "my side" and expect tasty treats on a constant basis.  These two have taken over my life since they joined my household a few years ago and turned me into the ultimate "dog person".  If you ask Zsa Zsa and my dear dad, Pops, they would never believe that I would be a dog person .... I attempted picking up our family maltese once as a child and did so with paper towels.  I can't explain it, but I must say I've come a long way, baby! 

Now, the diva dogs who rule the house and I have developed an affinity for my doggy photo shoots to capture these two for holidays, or any occassion for that matter.  They have costumes for special events, coats for the cold winters and any other ridiculous attire imaginable.  What can I say, they look so darn cute all dolled up!  Dear Hubs typically gets called in for reinforcements when I embark on these photo shoots and always begrudgingly says "I can't believe I'm doing this" when I start barking orders of how he is to hold a treat above the camera to get them to stare!



Some photo shoots go well... some don't.  This is their attempt to boycott the Christmas ribbon shoot!

Christmas Elves under the tree

Bumble Bees for Halloween



So now that you have met them, get ready for their adventures.  I've got a few cute things to share!

~charmed b





Sweet Easter Topiary

I've been away at a women's leadership conference for the past few days, and while Business B feels completely inspired and ready to conquer the world, Crafty B was in withdrawl!  Within the first minutes of arriving home, I whipped up this cute topiary crafty that's sure to round out my Easter decor and make it just a little bit sweet!

The Dish (what you need):

• a topiary form (available at craft stores and reusable for TONS of projects!)
• approx. 2 bags of packaged Easter candy
• straight pins
• ribbon and tissue to fluff :)

Craft in a Snap (what to do):
1.  Begin on one seam of the topiary form at the bottom.
2.  Place a push pin through the candy wrapper near the edge (in the middle of the edge - where you would rip into it to eat).
3.  Begin adding candies one above the other along the seam until you reach the top middle.
4.  Work your way around in the same motion, starting at the bottom and work to the top with each row, fill in as needed if you have gaps.
5.  Place form in a decorative container, I have a ton of silver plated vases that do just dandy for this.
6.  Cover base with tissue fluff and add ribbon around the neck of the topiary.

You can use any delish Easter treat you would like - I'm a sucker for a Snickers ... so of course, it was my natural temptation of choice!  If you are worried about the pins, you can always use a glue instead, but be sure that the glue doesn't touch the candy itself!

Enjoy your sweet topiary treat, and invite your guests and family to do the same (as you eat the candy pieces, you can stick the straight pins into the base so they don't wind up on the floor!).

~charmed b