Autumn...

Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.

                                                                                                                 Faith Baldwin

Together We Can....

This years Reflections contest in schools across the nation was "Together We Can..."  Kellie submitted her project entitled, "Together We Can...Discover the World".  She enjoyed thinking of the wonderful places she's been and imagining the places she hopes to visit someday. 

Thank you, Kellie for reminding me that this amazing world is full of beautiful, wonderful places.  I hope that I can 'Discover the World' with you.

No School? Let's Go See the CAKE BOSS!

What do you do when you have a day off of school?  How about leave the house at 6:00 a.m., meet some friends, and drive to Hoboken, New Jersey to see the Cake Boss!!  Definately one of the bonuses of living on the east coast!!

The drive from our home in south-eastern Pennsylvania to Hoboken, New Jersey is just a short two hour drive.  It couldn't have been a more beautiful morning.  The trees are teasing us with their beautiful yellows, reds and golds.  Sometimes it even feels like it's raining yellow leaves.  The fall weather this week has been spectacular!

Here's a few pictures of our Family Field Trip to Carlos Bakery! 

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Just for the record, I think we broke it when we walked out of Buddy's shop with a mere $80 worth of pastries.  We bought an authentic New York Crumb Cake, another kind of cake, Bob's favorite Napoleans, Italian lobster tails, chocolate cannolis, and just plain overkill of every other kind of pastry and cookie that we couldn't resist.  (This is, after all, the one, the only Carlo's Bakery!!)

Hey, when you drive 100 miles to get to THE bakery, you better have something to show for it!!  (Let me just say.....the crumb cake was TO DIE FOR!!)

Need a Thanksgiving Tablescape Idea?

I am serving as a counselor in Relief Society over Relief Society meetings.  I invited my board over for a get-to-know you breakfast this past Saturday morning.  It was so enjoyable to plan and prepare to have people over.  It was bitter sweet as I remembered doing the same kind of thing many times over in our previous home in Keller, Texas.  I constantly remind myself that I haven't 'lost' friends, I'm simply making new ones.  To my friends old and new, here's a few pictures of my table that you might enjoy.  Who knows, you might even use a few of these ideas at your own tables this Thanksgiving...

I love fall.  It's no wonder the colors in my home reflect these dark, warm tones.  I've used a rust colored table cloth, fall leaves (from Pottery Barn) sprinkled all over the table, various gourds around the table, mini pumpkins at each table setting and of course, a few acorn candles to add that 'touch' to the table. 

I love dishes!  Over the years, I have collected a few different sets.  These are the carmel brown and olive green sets that I picked up on sale at Costco (my favorite store) years ago.  I mix and match the two sets.  I think it makes for a more interesting table.

These sets of dishes came with their own leaf bread plate.  I love it!  I think every table needs a touch of whimsy.

I love chargers.  Over the years this is another thing I have collected.  They add the 'Wow' factor to an individual table setting.  Here, I have used a dark brown rattan as the base charger with an antique gold charger on top of it.  Then, I have placed my main plate with a salad plate with a delicious yogurt parfait on top.  The luncheous plate makes for easy and elegant removal of a finished parfait. 

Let's face it, we don't set the table with chargers for dinner every night.  I only break out the chargers for special occasions.  So, when your guests sit down, they immediately know this is a special occasion and they are special guests. 

As I write this, I have a big lump in my throat thinking about my dear friend, Stacey Williams.  She is a master floral designer.  When any of us had a special occasion that needed flowers, there was no one else we'd rather turn to than 'Our Stacey'.  She never turned us down, and always came up with the most beautiful, out of the box arrangements I have ever seen.  I have learned so much from her.  As I arranged this simple centerpiece, I thought of how proud she would be of me.  I guess the best in us does rub off on others.  I know the best of Stacey, in more ways than just flower arranging, has rubbed off on me.  Thank you, dear friend!!!!

Take a simple pumpkin, cut off the top and take out the seeds.  Buy 2 bunches of beautiful flowers.  (Always buy more flowers than you'll think you'll need.  Believe me, you'll need them.  And even if you have extra flowers, you'll think of something to do with them; like placing individual, small vases with flowers at every table setting, or setting a small, fresh bouquet near the bathroom sink where your guests will say, 'She thought of everything!')  Then, think beautiful, happy thoughts and just add flowers one at a time until your amazing centerpiece emerges.  I promise, it will!!

Here's bonus pictures of our buffet.  Egg and cheese souffles from Panerra Bread.  (Someday I will learn how to make them.  They are awesome!)  Individual hash browns made in a muffin pan.  (Hit. Total hit!)Fresh cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and flaky croissants with fresh butter and homemade raspberry and triple berry jam.  And in case you didn't notice, there were individual yogurt parfaits waiting for guests at each table setting.  Simple, easy, delicious!