Everyday Living

Top 5 Tablescapes of 2016

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:11‬ ‭

At the end of the year, it’s always fun for me to look back on what the blogging world held.  2016 brought many new followers who soon became friends, we partnered with a couple of well known companies, and my favorite…48 new tablescapes!  If you have been around for very long, you know tablescaping is one of my favorite hobbies…and it is always interesting to see what connects with you, my sweet followers.  You have been so encouraging as I continue sharing my love of making tables beautiful for you to enjoy!  Today, let’s reminisce a little as we look at the most viewed tablescapes of 2016!
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I had the idea to set an elegant table in our garden, which included moving our dining room chairs outdoors…oh the things we do for a blog post!  White linens, white china with gold rims, gold chargers and flatware, crystal stemware, and beautiful limelights provided the perfect elegance for our evening.  I wish all of you could have joined us for that magical summer evening  (And I wish you could’ve been here to haul the chairs back inside too!!)
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Christmas Tablescape: O Holy Night

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭

What a night! We love the Biblical account of the night Jesus was born. I realize that so many of our activities, celebrations and festivities about the event are based on assumptions and traditions.  That’s quite alright as long as we remember this fact.

We enjoy red and green, shiny and ornate, but there were likely no bright colors that night. Our Nativities are special and a focal point in several places in our home. All of them have wise men, gifts in hand,  surrounding the new born King. Those guys probably showed up much later, but we still give them a spot in the scene. And of course there are 3 of them. Maybe there were 3. Maybe more!

A manger is a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was laid in one after His birth. Most of our depictions of a manger are made of wood, filled with hay and sitting inside a wooden stable. Perhaps this is exactly as it was that night. We were able to see some very old feeding troughs while visiting Israel and they were made of stone. Some believe the birth took place in a cave area where animals were kept and fed and not in a wooden stable at all. Wood was a precious commodity in Judea.

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December 25 is our day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God in flesh. We have no positive way to know the exact day, but it is certain, based on scripture, that Christ was born at night.
Yes, what a night. A night like no other. Before or since.
O Holy Night!!

Thanks for letting me join in on this week’s tablescape!
-Butch
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Coffee Table Talk: Espresso & Red Velvet Fudge

~ Christmas, Decorating, Food & Entertaining, Recipes

“”Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭

It truly is “the most wonderful time of the year” because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.  He is the reason for the season!  I love so many things about Christmas…a festive home…Christmas carols…twinkling lights…baking goodies…and of course, eating those goodies!  My apron is on and I have been baking away in the kitchen.  Our favorite treats are a mainstay each year, and I usually add a new recipe or two, just to give the taste buds a little variety!  As I was thumbing through Southern Lady Magazine, my eyes were drawn to a recipe for Red Velvet Cream Cheese Fudge.  I’ll give you a second to let that sink in…ok, now where were we?  Oh yes, the Red Velvet Cream Cheese Fudge I saw in Southern Lady!  It sounded so good, I knew I had to try!  The taste-tester extraordinaire gave it a big thumbs up and a 5 star approval rating.  So, I think we’ve found a keeper!  The sweet fudge paired with an espresso was a perfect combination to serve on the coffee table on a cold wintry day!  Pull up a chair, I have an espresso waiting just for you!

 
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I have thoroughly enjoyed my Nespresso machine.  It makes fabulous lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos.  I hate to admit it, but I have become a coffee snob!  Life is short, there is no need to drink bad coffee!
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