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Category Archives: Centerpieces

Indoor Succulent Garden – Gift for the Non-Green Thumb

18 Saturday Dec 2010

Posted by Young Wifey in Centerpieces, Indoor Plants

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

centerpiece, chicks & hens, chicks and hens, Christmas gift, Christmas present, garden, gardening, gift, gift giving, gift idea, hostess gift, house warming gift, perennial gardening, perennials, present giving, succulent garden, succulents, Xmas gift, Xmas present

An indoor succulent garden is the perfect gift for the non-green thumb, they can even forget to water it for a while. Succulents are forgiving, adaptive plants, that vary in color and texture. This indoor garden can be a great Christmas present, house-warming gift, or centerpiece for the party’s hostess.

Before we moved, I pulled tiny three chicks out of my garden. They sat in a cup on the window sill at our interim place for two months, until I rediscovered them today and planted them.succulent

 

Materials:
Glass dish (I used a leftover centerpiece bowl from our wedding), garden soil, succulents to transplant, river rocks (or marbles, or  gem rocks)

Directions:
Clean glass dish and pour a layer of dirt on the bottom. Depending on the type of succulent you use, remove any dried leaves and extra roots. With the chicken & hens, I trimmed the root to 1″ long. Arrange the succulents in the soil. Remember they will fill out as they grow. Carefully arrange rocks around the plants, covering the soil. Drizzle or spray plants and rocks to dampen the soil, keep damp for the next 7 days.

Succulent Suggestions:
Chicks & hens, snake plant, jade, sedums, living stone, cacti

What is your favorite succulent?

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Shady Flower Arrangements

13 Thursday May 2010

Posted by Young Wifey in Centerpieces

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

allium, bouquet, Centerpieces, coral bells, fern frond, ferns, floral arrangement, flower, flower arrangement, flower cuttings, hostas, lady fern, purple coral bells, red coral bells, shade garden, shade plant

This week, I have several floral arrangements and centerpieces throughout the house. This week, I played with dramatic mixes of color, texture and height. Allium and coral bell blooms are great choices for cut flowers, since the blooms last a long time.

This grouping has tall purple Allium blooms and hosta leaves in the taller center vase, paired with darker purple coral bell leaves and a lady fern fronds in small arrangements.

Purple & Green Arrangement

Purple & Green Arrangement

The second arrangement consists of all shade garden cuttings. I started with green hosta leaves with purple coral bell leaves, the shape or the leave, the colors and textures give a dramatic contrast. Then I placed a dramatic stem of brightly colored red coral bell blooms.

Shade Arrangement

Shade Arrangement

In my bathroom, I clustered Allium at different heights in different vases all in the same color family. The Allium is my favorite flower for my bathroom, the only room I have a slightly feminine color (purple).

Bathroom Blooms 1

Bathroom Blooms 1

Bathroom Blooms 2

Bathroom Blooms 2

Which is you favorite?

Daffodil Daze

09 Friday Apr 2010

Posted by Young Wifey in Centerpieces, Landscaping

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

daffodils, grape hyacinths, Minnow Daffodils, narcissus, Tête-à-Tête daffodils

I recently read somewhere, about a trick to keep your cut daffodils longer-lasting. Turn daffodils upside down and fill the stem with water, plug the bottom with a small wad of cotton and then place into vase of water. I decided to give it a go with my daffodils. I always cut my flowers in the morning or late at night, when it’s cool. Combining new tricks with old, I cut and arranged my full-size, Tête-à-Têtes, and minnow daffodils.

Daffodil Daze

Daffodil Daze

I arranged the flowers into groups with height appropriate glass vases. I added my grape hyacinths for a splash of color and contrast in texture. I love varying the height, colors and textures of flower arrangements. I left the daffodils in the kitchen for the day, before deciding to relocate to my bathroom vanity.

What is your favorite cut flower to bring inside?

Spring Bouquet

24 Wednesday Mar 2010

Posted by Young Wifey in Centerpieces

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

flowers, season, seasonal, Spring

Despite the lingering windy cold days, the prospect of Spring’s new growth renews my energy as the world around me awakens. The birds are singing, leaves are appeared and flowers are beginning to bloom. The best way to capture the cheer of spring is to bring flowers inside.

Spring Bouquet

Spring Bouquet

I rescued these flowers from a wilted bouquet. I trimmed the stems, removed the leaves and sprayed the flowers with ice water. I separated the flowers into two mason jars, any container can be a vase and multiple arrangements give the appearance of more flowers. I added a colorful pitcher in the background to balance the arrangement and bring in an element of height.

100th Post – 100 Favorite Food Things

07 Monday Dec 2009

Posted by Young Wifey in Baking, Blogging, Centerpieces, Cooking

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

desserts, favorite beverages, favorite foods, favorite restaurants, favorite soups, food list, side dishes, sides, top ten beverages, top ten favorite, top ten flowers, top ten list, top ten restaurants, top ten soups

For my 100th post, I decided to share you with my 100 Favorite Food Things. I’m going to break these 100 items into top ten lists (they’re ranked in no particular order).

Top Ten Favorite Meals
1.  Chicken Vesuvius
2.  Broiled Scallops
3.  Chicken Gyro
4.  Crab Cakes
5.  Pecan Encrusted Chicken
6.  Eggs Benedict
7.  Tandoori or Butter Chicken
8.  Seafood or Chicken Alfredo
9.  Monte Cristo
10. Chicken & Broccoli Crepes

Top Ten Favorite Soups
1.  Minestrone
2.  Potato Leek
3.  Curried Chicken & Peaches
4.  French Onion
5.  Egg Drop
6.  Matzo Ball Soup
7.  Lobster Bisque
8.  Gingered Carrot
9.  Potato & Rivels 
10. Broccoli Cheddar in a bread bowl…

Top Ten Favorite Desserts
1.  Tiramisu
2.  Key Lime Pie
3.  Brownies with Cream Cheese frosting
4. Chocolate Truffles
5.  Ice Cream Cake
6.  Conehead Sundae from Friendly’s
7.  Pavlova
8.  Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Pretzel Cone
9.  Turtle Cheesecake
1o. Hot Chocolate Pudding (Lava Cake)

Top Ten Favorite Fruits/Veggies
1.  Pomegranates
2.  Avocado
3.  Asparagus
4.  Starfruit
5.  Raspberries
6.  Pineapple
7.  Zucchini
8.  Yellow Squash
9.  Pears
10. Snow Peas

Top Ten Favorite Side Dishes
1.   Caprese
2.   Couscous
3.   Cheese Filled Tortellini
4.   Sweet Potato Apple Casserole
5.   Rice Pilaf
6.   Purple Cabbage Slaw
7.   Zucchini boats
8.  Daal
9.  Sauteed spinach
10. Baked stuffed tomatoes

Top Ten Favorite Dips,  Spreads & Sauces
1.  Nutella
2.  Hummus
3.  Zatziki
4.  Tastefully Simple’s Warm the Oven Dip
5.  My oldest sister’s spinach dip recipe
6.  My garlic herb cheese spread
7.  Hollandaise sauce
8.  Alfredo sauce
9.  Honey lime yogurt dip (my BFF’s recipe)
10. Raspberry Poppy Seed Sauce

Top Ten Favorite Ingredients (for cooking)
1.  Artichoke Hearts
2.  Asparagus
3.  Feta Cheese
4.  Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
5.  Hollandaise Sauce
6.  Basil
7.  Dill
8.  Tomatoes
9.  Spinach
1o. Hearts of Palm

Top Ten Favorite Restaurants
1.  Sakuntala Indian Restaurant, Bloomsburg, PA
2.  Rose Marie’s, Bloomsburg, PA (Best house salads and bread!)
3.  Selinsgrove Brewing Co., Selinsgrove, PA
4. Muncy Valley Inn, Muncy Valley, PA
5.  Georgine’s Restaurant, Bristol , PA
6.  Fox’s Family Restaurant, Muncy, PA (Their bakery is worth the trip!)
7. Ichiban Hibachi Steakhouse, Williamsport, PA (Hibachi & Sushi?! Yum!)
8.  Victoria House, Lewisburg, PA
9.  Old Town Coffee House, Stirling, Scotland (Our little spot for savory lunches!)
10.  Medieval Times, various locations (Entertainment and dinner in one!)

Top Ten Favorite Beverages
1.  Earl Grey Iced tea
2.  Sparkling Wine
3.  Apple Cider
4.  Raspberry Hot Chocolate
5.  Honey Sweetened White Tea
6.  Sleepy Time Tea
7.  Mojitos
8.  Lindeman’s Framboise Lambic
9.  Blended Carmel Java
10. Water

Top Ten Favorite Flowers (Well, since flowers go with centerpieces and centerpieces go with food…)
1.  Tulips
2.  Stargazer lilies
3.  Alliums
4.  Miniature daffodils
5.  Roses
6.  Tiger lilies
7.  Calla lilies
8.  Hydrangea
9.  Snapdragons
10. Wildflowers


Tasty Thanksgiving Tradition

28 Saturday Nov 2009

Posted by Young Wifey in Baking, Centerpieces, Cooking, Entertaining, Holiday

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

a la mode, caeser dressing, cheddar biscuits, cinnamon ice-cream, cornbread muffins, cornbread souffle, holiday menu, holiday tradition, homemade butter, mash potato recipe, pie a la mode, pumpkin pie, spicy green bean casserole recipe, succotash, sweet potato casserole, Thanksgiving centerpiece, Thanksgiving feast, Thanksgiving menu, Thanksgiving recipes, Thanksgiving tradition, turkey dressing, turkey filling, turkey recipe, turkey stuffing, vanilla ice-cream

My sisters spend Thanksgiving elsewhere and Hubster and I go to my in-laws informal buffet style dinner on this holiday. A few years ago I started my own Thanksgiving tradition (being my mother’s favorite holiday). I have an early or late Thanksgiving feast every year. Inviting my In-Laws, my parents, siblings and nieces and nephews. I also invited two of my best friends (they are my family). I like Thanksgiving to be the holiday where everyone is gathered around one table, together. I love to work hard and prepare this scrumptious feast for the family I’m so thankful to have in my life. Each year I tweak my recipes and there’s always something for everyone. This year, I would like to set up a Christmas Gingerbread House craft for my niece, nephews and son to make together.

The day before I arrange fall color flowers in vases filled with cranberries for my centerpieces, I press and fold cloth napkins, set the table and chill the champagne.

At meal time, I say our standard grace then we go around the table each sharing one thing for which we’re thankful. Then we toast with champagne and sparkling cider and dig into our feast.Thanksgiving Table

Many of the recipes can be prepped or put together the day before and baked the day of the feast.

Turkey
I soak the turkey in apple and orange juice for a few hours (or the day before). I stuff the turkey with a quartered cored apple, a few split celery stalks, a quartered onion (which someone else has to cut… although Rachel Ray says a chilled onion causes less tears), fresh chopped sage, fresh chopped rosemary. I rub sage and rosemary under the skin and rub orange zest on top of the skin. Then I roast according to the package directions for an unstuffed turkey and baste every so often.

Gravy – I blend together the turkey juice dripping (avoiding the grease) with enough cornstarch to thicken (usually becomes my moms job). The trick is to make it without the clumps is to take some of the juice and mix it with the cornstarch to make a paste, before adding it to the rest of the juice.

Stuffing – I do not like mushy stuffing, so I bake mine separate from the bird. The day before I cube a loaf of french bread and let it harden. The day of the feast, I saute onions and celery in butter with sage and parsley. I took the saute off the heat  and mix in cran-raisins, thyme, marjoram, pepper, salt 1 c. chicken broth and EVOO (add more chicken broth if needed). I tossed in the bread and spread the mixture in casserole dish, bake for 40 minutes at 350°F.Stuffing

Spicy Green Bean Casserole – Last year I learned that if I’m using fresh green beans, I need to steam them first! I mix together a can of cream of celery soup with diced jalepeÑos. I coat the green beans, toss with cream mixture and then transfer to a baking dish. I top with French’s Onions and bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes.

Sweet Potato Apple Casserole – I boil the sweet potatoes and set aside to cool. I core & slice four apples and dip them in lemon juice (One year I want to use pears instead). I cut the sweet potatoes into large cubes, mix in the apples and pecans. I toss with melted butter and about 1 c. of brown sugar. I sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg overtop, add a few more pats of butter and bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes.

Succotash – I cook together Lima beans & sweet corn and bake at 350°F until warm.

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce – I steam asparagus and whip up my Hollandaise sauce to drizzle on top.

Creamy Dill Mashed Potatoes – My SIL’s bf doesn’t like lumpy mashed potatoes, but I love the flavor and texture of the skin. I boil the potatoes then drain the water. I use my hand mixer to whip in a container of sour cream and dill weed.

Cornbread Souffle – Mix together 1 can of cream corn, 1 c. corn kernels, 1 16 oz. container sour cream, a pouch of cornbread mix and an egg.  Transfer into baking dish and bake at 350°F for an hour (toothpick inserted in middle should come out clean).

Cheddar Biscuits – Mix together 5 c. Bisquick mix,  1/2 c. milk, 1 stick butter, 1 tsp. garlic, 1 tsp. parsley flakes and 2 c. cheddar cheese. Drop biscuit mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes at 400°F. Brush tops with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parsley flakes.Cheddar Biscuits & Cornbread Mini Muffins

Cornbread Muffins – Bakes in my mini muffin pans.

Homemade Butter – Whip together heavy whipping cream, salt and preferred herbs. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Caeser Salad – I chop up romaine lettuce, top if off with croutons and drizzle my homemade Caeser dressing over top (I mix together 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, 1/4 c. Romano cheese, 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, fresh black pepper, 1/4 c. lemon juice, 1/3 c. EVOO).

Cauliflower Casserole – This dish is from my MIL’s MIL (haha, my GIL). I usually make it, however she likes to bring a dish, So I had her bring it this year.

Pumpkin Pie with Homemade Vanilla or Cinnamon Ice-cream -Served with homemade whipped cream and tea or cinnamon coffee.Pumpkin Pie a la Mode

My Dad makes a delicious cranberry pineapple relish although I still have the canned kind for some of the kiddies. My mother usually makes pearled onions (although three supermarkets didn’t have pearl onions). In the past I’ve made a ham in addition to the turkey, my FIL and Hubster love my ham recipe, but I’ll have to find another occasion for them to enjoy that dish.

The chaffing dishes and steam bar worked wonders this year! I didn’t remember to take pictures of the food until ex post facto, maybe next year I’ll get a picture of my glorious bird and sides.

I cook the gizzards early in the morning for my dog and cat to enjoy. Leave a comment and let me know what are your holiday traditions? What are your favorite holiday recipes. The only thing missing is listening to the parade in the background in the morning.

Holiday Centerpieces

27 Friday Nov 2009

Posted by Young Wifey in Centerpieces, Entertaining, Holiday

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

autumn centerpieces, Centerpieces, Christmas tradition, cut flowers, edible centerpieces, fall centerpieces, flower arrangement, flower vase, holiday centerpieces, holiday menu, holiday season, holiday tradition, Thanksgiving brunch, Thanksgiving feast, Thanksgiving tradition

For the dining table centerpiece, I fill a vase or bowl with cranberries and arrange seasonal color flowers. I like to keep the bouquets low so conversation can flow (and kids can see too). I also cluster several votive cups on the table (making sure not to use scented candles). I make a small complimentary bouquet for the entry way.Thanksgiving Table CenterpieceEntry Bouquet

Through out the holidays, I keep a few centerpieces that double as snacks. I keep a trifle bowl filled with mixed nuts and another one filled with clementines and golden delicious apples. Mixed nuts double as a centerpieceA bowl of fruit doubles as a centerpiece (and healthy snacking)

This year I was lucky enough to snip a few pink and yellow roses for my small bud vases in the living room and bathroom, I added some twister rush to fill out the vase.Bathroom Bouquet

I’m looking at the heather blooming outside my window and contemplating gathering some to bring it inside.

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