Christmas Party Table Scape

I love Christmas and as always, the whole house is trimmed from top to bottom.  Every year, for my annual Christmas Cookie Baking Party, I try to come up with a new setting for the the dining room table for our luncheon. This year it was set beautifully for all to enjoy, gift bags for everyone (see below) included a CD of Christmas music, a pashmina, random Christmas themed gifts for all, a dated baking party coffee mug, as well as a candy bar.  Christmas presents to take home and enjoy, and to remember what a great day we had.

 In the box covered in plaid wrapping paper and a handmade bow was the coffee mug.  On the table I used an off white silver and gold plaid tablecloth, ran red plaid and buffalo checked wool scarves across the the table, red chargers, off white plates, a holly rimmed salad plate, silver flatware, shiny linen napkin tied with baker's twine, silver jingle bell, a homemade place card with everyone's name and a sprig of cedar. 

Down the center of the table I used more fresh cedar, as well as, artificial flocked scotch pine greens with red berries and pine cones tucked into the fresh greens.  Also tucked into the greens, champagne and red glittered pine cones, and large gold, silver/champagne colored Christmas balls that matched the same balls in the chandelier.  The champagne sled and glittered reindeer and the champagne bottle brush and red berry trees, were down the center of the table.

All the girls sat down to a lunch of  Creamy Brie with Grapes and Fresh Pears, Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Almonds with a Mayonnaise Dill dressing or Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Almonds with a Dijon Mustard and Dill dressing, A Layered Vegetable Salad and A Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese.

Then it was on to dessert, Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza or Peanut Butter Bars.

Party Gifts - Everyone had a pashmina tied in a bow to the backs of their chairs to take home with them.

 And my creative sister had these mugs made for everyone as a remembrance for a hard days work.  

The CD was also made by my sister, she put a lot of hard work into that too. Thanks sis for all your help!
Another gift, the candy bar I put together. I bought Christmas themed food containers to stuff with chocolate for everyone to take home as well.

This is how I made the candy bar jars.
I re-used these crock jars that I had, and started with a roll of burlap and lace ribbon.

Cut it to go just halfway around the jars, then used a smaller Christmas ribbon to run down the center of the lace.

 

I ran a line of hot glue down the center of the lace and carefully pressed the Christmas ribbon on the glue.

That was easy, look how cute that is!

All three are done, I actually made more, the candy bar kept expanding.

I wrapped the jar with the ribbon and used hot glue to attach it to the jar.  The glue will peel right off when all the candy is gone and the jar is used for something else.  I tucked the chalkboard signs with twine down inside the ribbon to hold it, added a clothes pin clip, but thought it needed something else so I added the cedar sprig.  CUTE!

When all the jars were done, I filled them with chocolate and peppermint candy, what woman doesn't like chocolate or candy?!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Peace and Love to everyone who follows this blog!

In My Closet

Not cooking much lately, the hubby is traveling, one son working alot and the other has classes later in the day.  Me, I am satisfied with a bowl of cereal for dinner, no muss, no fuss.  So to keep myself busy during the day, I organize things around the house including the closets.  While I was in my closet hanging things up, cleaning things out and organizing, I put together some outfits to wear during the Fall months.  When everything is organized (I organize by color), it is easier to pull things out in no time at all.  All of my tops, blouses, tanks, sweaters, jackets, pants, jeans, scarves, belts, jewelry, shoes and handbags, are set up this way in my closet. I have found that this is the easiest way for me to get ready in a hurry when I have to go out.  When an outfit isn't ready for me to throw on, it takes too much time to figure out what I am going to wear, so I take pictures of the outfits that I put together and at a glance I can dress quickly.

These are some Fall casual outfits for running errands, grabbing a bite to eat or just out and about.

Boyfriend Jeans, Cotton Lace Tank, Soft Red and Blue Flannel Shirt and Brown Boots

Boyfriend Jeans, Silk Plum T-Shirt and Plum Satin Flats with Rhinestone Brooch 

 Gray Knit Leggings, Denim Shirt, Orange Pashmina, Silver Jewelry with Black Riding Boots and Cognac Riding Boots