Tablescape Tuesday

I'm getting ready for the holidays. I pulled out my tableclothes and plates to see what I still need.

This is what I've come up with so far:

I took some black beans (from out of the kitchen) and poured them into a vase then I stuck the feathers I'd used for my Halloween costume into the beans and added some silk flowers I'd gotten at Joann Fabrics on a 70% off sale. This is one way to make a very inexpensive centerpiece but I think it turned out pretty.


Then I pulled out the candelabra and tried another look:


I love the ambiance of candles and flickering candlelight, especially at the holidays.





It's the season of sharing, so do you have any inexpensive ideas for holiday centerpieces?

MARCH MADNESS - HOW 'BOUT MONDAY MADNESS

Warner Pacific Women's Basketball

My daughter plays college basketball, for Warner Pacific College. She's the third one from the left on the back row.

She's loved basketball since she was a little girl and started playing with her brothers who never cut her any slack. She learned to dribble between her legs, around her back and sideways. What else could she do with two 6'4" and 6'5" brothers?

I guess they didn't know it then, but they were really helping her out.

Cartoon Me - Little Luke

This is a clip from my sons', Jake's and Luke's, web comic. Jake wanted to make a statue of his brother's toon for Luke's birthday. So, he did.

Jake does the art for their web comic and Luke does the writing. Most of the comic strips have Luke and Jake in them. Anyway, when Jake said he was going to make a statue of his brother I asked him, "have you ever made a statue before?"

"No," he told me, "but how hard can it be?"

I just smiled and watched him go to work.

First Jake had to sketch out the statue he wanted to make:


Then he had to make the armature to stick the clay on.


Then he had to start layering the clay.



Then the actual sculpting:


Now, it was time to bake the little Luke:


I thought he turned out sooooo cute:



And, so we drove to UofO to have Luke open his gift.

I think he liked his little Luke.

Plus, Jake was explaining that now he's going to make a statue of himself to fit on the other side of the circle. It will be brother to brother - standing back to back and forming a full circle.


Two toons immortalized in clay - how cute is that?

HEART-HEALTHY HOLIDAY HOME COOKING

Cranberry Sauce - HOMEMADE

I love cooking, baking and--YES (I know it's obvious) eating, especially at the holidays.

Butt, I mean, BUT I also want my recipes to be heart-healthy, at least some of the time.

And what could be better than these little red and Yummylicious berries? They make an amazing side dish.

I used to love store-bought jellied OceanSpray cranberries for the holidays but then I tasted true happiness.

I decided to make some sauce of my own and it is soooooooooooooooooooo EZ anyone can do it. No kidding. And did you know that cranberries are berry good for you?

The red berries may look like little candy-sized nibbles but these little lovelies are filled with amazing molecules that act like a wonder drug--especially for women. If you don't believe me, you can read all about it here.

So get heart-healthy and start your holidays out happy and healthy, at home. . . cooking. You'll save money, be able to sweeten the sauce to meet your own personal taste and be heart-healthy, all at the same time.

All you have to do is turn up the heat--on the stove. Boil these little babies in water until they burst open and then chill that cranberry sauce in the refrigerator until it cools and thickens into all that berry goodness - I guarantee it will be absolute deliciousness.

INGREDIENTS:
* 4 cups or one 12-oz package of fresh cranberries (in the produce section)
* 1 cup of granulated sugar
* 1 cup water
* 1/2 cup diced orange slices (you can use mandarin oranges or 1/4 cup of orange juice)

Boil over medium heat until the cranberries burst open (about ten minutes) then chill in the refrigerator and serve. But, I even like them warm.

Try it - you'll like it.

Tofurkey Anyone?

Okay, we don't have to be crazy when it comes to celebrating the season. And, being "green" doesn't mean we have to eat moldy food to be earth-friendly. All we need to do is pay attention to a few little details: like buy locally grown goods, try one new organic fruit or vegetable, don't buy over-packaged produce. Just try to be aware and we won't be WAISTful at this feasting holiday.

My motto is: if we all do a little, it will all do a lot. And, joining forces, together we can be protectors of the planet.

There's no need to force yourself to eat more in one day than should be humanly possible. So, instead of overeating until your pants won't button, why not plan to start some new family traditions, like going for a family walk before or after your holiday meal. Or, how about a family movie at the local theater? You'll be supporting the local economy, getting a little exercise and sharing a memory with your loved ones. Dare I ask--What could be wrong with that?

And, I was just joking about the tofurkey. Now, in honor of full-disclosure, I have to admit I'm a recovering vegetarian. After eating no meat for over 6 years, I've gone back to my carnivorous ways. But, here are a few tips for an eco-friendly turkey day.

I hope you'll all come back next week, when I'll be sharing a few family recipes to help you eat heart-healthy and still have some happy taste buds :)

Answer to Thought for Thursday

Answer: Dagoba is an organic chocolate company. I bet you guessed Star Wars and where Yoda came from. Or, maybe, you guessed a system of planets.

But you can read all about it here.

Thought for Thursday

Thought: What is Dagoba?

Come back at 3:00 to see if you guessed correctly.