cathyboettner

The 12 Days of Holiday Tables–Day Two

For this Toyland table design, I looked through the sweet toys that used to line the shelf in Chris’s childhood room and selected these items, along with my own childhood teddy bear. I used candle holders that are not meant for holiday decorating, but echo the colors of the toys and the wooden bead garland.Continue reading “The 12 Days of Holiday Tables–Day Two”

The 12 Days of Holiday Tables–Day One

I gave myself a challenge to come up with 12 different table settings for the holidays, with 12 really different looks. I didn’t buy anything for this project–I only used what I had on hand. On the first day of Christmas, I completed the table decorations that I have already shared with you. I completedContinue reading “The 12 Days of Holiday Tables–Day One”

Before and After Shots

As I have already mentioned, our house was tan inside and out when we bought it, and definitely didn’t look like a house that belonged on the water. We did a lot of work when we first bought it to get rid of the tan on the inside and then in 2018, we did someContinue reading “Before and After Shots”

Christmas Preparations

This is going to be a small Christmas for us this year, especially with Jackson working at UPS over the holidays. With this in mind, our decorations are less elaborate this year than they have been in years past. I spent more time on the exterior than I typically do. I filled the wall basketsContinue reading “Christmas Preparations”

Final Thanksgiving Preparations

The big day is almost upon us and we have been busy getting ready for a small and subdued celebration with just our little family (though my mom is going to stop by on Thanksgiving and sit by the fire with us.) We have had a family tradition of proactively burning some calories, and workingContinue reading “Final Thanksgiving Preparations”

Exterior Renovations

We bought our current house in 2015 because it is on a large lot on the water. As you can see from this listing photo, the exterior was plain and the former owners made some interesting decisions about the materials they used on the outside of the home (and the inside as you will seeContinue reading “Exterior Renovations”

Beef stew and homemade bread by the fire

We are having people over so I am preparing a make-ahead dinner that is easy to eat outside. This is a hearty beef stew with bacon, tomatoes, mixed vegetables, baby potatoes, and onions. I am making Cheesy Grits bread that was published in Southern Living Magazine in 2005. You can find that recipe here https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-cheddar-grits-bread.Continue reading “Beef stew and homemade bread by the fire”

Past Thanksgiving Tables

Normally we celebrate Thanksgiving with Mike’s family because my Mom normally goes to Texas to spend the holiday with my sister. So none of these tables are at my house, but at my in-laws. They have the most fantastic table to do really over the top centerpieces–and I love that! Here are some of them:Continue reading “Past Thanksgiving Tables”

The Easiest and Best Pumpkin Cheesecake

I have tried many recipes for pumpkin cheesecakes, but I always go back to this one because it is so easy and delicious. The crust is like a chewy spicy cookie, and the filling is soft and creamy and perfect. It is delicious by itself (the way I prefer it); great with a little whippedContinue reading “The Easiest and Best Pumpkin Cheesecake”

Let’s make some holiday drinks!

Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to whip up some fantastic cocktails to enjoy while cooking, watching the game, or catching up with family. I have included non-alcoholic versions where possible. In our family, we have a couple of favorites that we like to enjoy during the holidays. Caramel Apple Martini 2 oz apple cider 2Continue reading “Let’s make some holiday drinks!”