Holiday Mantel ~ Great Room

I’m still working on both my mantels, but wanted to participate in the mantel linky at Layla’s for the Holiday Home Linky Party.  I need to get some green filler picks for this one, as well as to just slip into other areas around the house.  This is the fireplace in our great room.  A couple of things I did different this year was getting some battery lights and I put two in these glass hurricanes with some ornaments.

I’ve been playing around with the other ornaments to hide the battery pack at the base of the hurricanes.  I also covered up all my candles with Christmas scrapbook paper.

I put my carolers here, but I’m not sure they will be staying.  I love them and will try to use them somewhere else, but I’m looking for more fun and whimsy here. 

My little topiaries just have a bit of burgundy satin ribbon wrapped around the pots.   I’m thinking of trying the ribbon that I used on the feather boa wreath.

 

This year I took the fabric covered wreath that I showed back in the Spring/Summer and recovered it with some white feather boas that were originally purchased as a garland for my tree several years ago.  I got this fun colored wire ribbon at Michaels a couple of weeks ago. 

 

 I love all these colors together!

 

Some greenery and the Christmas stockings need to be put in place here {as soon as I can find the bin with the stocking holders}!  

Linking up with:

Layla’s Mantel Party at The Lettered Cottage

Christmas Counter Vignette

This year I put a little bit more on a corner of my kitchen counter than normal {fingers crossed no one knocks into it and breaks something}.  This is all new stuff, so I thought I’d share this little vignette first.  Especially since it’s the only one totally done right now!

I got the little tabletop tree on clearance at Michael’s last year.  The Santa was on clearance from Kohls and I purchased a few ornaments in keeping with baking and/or kitchen related items from an online store.

Hopefully, by the time this is posted, I will have everything completed!

Linking up with

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Vignette Party at Southern Hospitality

Friday Vignettes at Color Outside The Lines

I Like This Berry Much!

I like when you can get two things out of one.  Things like this container that held my sunflower bouquet from Sunflowerguy.com.  This is a great little French flower bucket. 

I had this Berry colored spray paint that I bought when I was stocking up on some Heirloom White a month or so ago.  My eye kept going to it and I finally just grabbed one.  Although it’s not a color I’ve been using, I figured there would be a project I could try it out on at some point. This is that project!

I also found I had a French label that I had printed out from The Graphics Fairy when I was playing around with my glass bottles, and I thought this one would work well with this color.   I put a little distress ink along the edges.

I rinsed out the container and sprayed it with three good coats.  Here it is good to go!

I just put a little Mod Podge on the back of the label and put it on the bucket.  When that dried, I put a coat of Mod Podge over it.  That’s it. Done.  Not sure where I’ll use it yet, especially since I don’t have this color in my house {hence the Heirloom white, ORB and black I use all the time}.  I may wind up putting it in my boutique. 

Linking up with:

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Frame Week Continued

I’d like to start this post off by thanking all the bloggers who have the talent to produce graphics and share them with the rest of us.  These free downloads have really helped me out many times, as I do not have that talent.  I have links to those that shared the great graphics that I’ve used here.

First up is this Noel print.  As soon as I remember where I got it from {which I will at some point}, I will edit with that link.  So sorry to the blogger who offered this one.  It was offered in two colors, a green or a white background.  I chose the green and, as I’ve been doing lately, I printed off two {one to do for my daughter, too}. 

These are 8x10 and I printed them on regular photo paper.  I found the frames at Michaels and they were on sale for 40% off. 

Love this second one ~ Christmas Subway Art!  I even sent it onto my daughter and she loved it as well {she also loved the trees, but that’s for another messy post}!  This one is from the sisters of eighteen25.  I couldn’t find the actual post on it, but I saw it when they guested on Mod Podge Rocks here.

This print is 16x20 and I can’t do that at home.  They went through Costco for the print and I don’t know how much that cost, but I went through Staples and it was $17.00 each for a 16x20 size and I was able to order it online then pick it up at my local store. 

I found the frames at Goodwill!  Yes!  The frames/pictures I showed you last post that I found for 50% off ~ these are those frames! 

Once we have the trees done, this will make for a lovely display, whether it is on a mantel, buffet or shelf.  Even though these are done, I can’t bring myself to put them anywhere yet, so they are hanging out in my living room until Thanksgiving weekend.

Total for one was $17.00 to have the print done at  Staples and $3.98 for the frame, so almost $21.00.  Next up glitter trees! 

Linking up with:

All Things Merry & Bright at All Things Heart & Home

proof whisky, Grey Cup Sunday, Vol. 8

It’s time for Thursty Thursday! Let us first begin by wishing our friendly neighbours to the south a very Happy Thanksgiving! We would also like to give thanks to our U.S. friends for introducing us to the all-american game of football. If not for your great invention, we would be Christmas shopping early (instead of watching the Grey Cup this Sunday) In return, we would like to offer you a twist on one of ‘our own’ national treasures, the Caesar. Today’s Thursty Thursday cocktail is named the Grilled Caesar. If you want to learn more about our brand visit www.proofbrands.com. Become a friend on Facebook www.facebook.com/proofbrands and Twitter http://twitter.com/proofbrands to get last minute updates on all of our tastings, parties and events.

The Grilled Caesar

1 ½ oz proof whisky
2 tsp Bull’s Eye BBQ Sauce (www.bullseyebrotherhood.ca )

¼ oz lime juice
4 oz Motts Clamato Juice* (original)
1 beef pepperette

Celery Salt

Rim a tall glass with fresh lime and celery salt. (you can also sprinkle it on top of drink instead of rim) Fill the glass with ice and add 1 ½ oz. proof whisky, 2 tsp. BBQ sauce, ¼ oz. lime juice and 4oz. Motts Original Clamato. Stir to mix. Garnish with a beef pepperette. (or substitute pepperette with skewer of green olives and pickled onions.) Sable and Rosenfeld offers a great Tipsy Cocktail Stirrer. www.sableandrosenfeld.com

* TIP: Don’t cheap out on the clamato. Mott’s still makes the best clamato and it will make a HUGE difference in your drink www.mottsclamato.ca We definitely prefer Motts Original recipe because we like to adjust spice and flavour according to taste. If you prefer a spicy rim on your caesar, try Motts Clamato Rimmer instead of the celery salt.

Pitcher size: (don’t miss the game) To a pitcher, add 1 ½ oz. cups proof whisky, 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce, ¼ cup lime juice and 4 cups Motts Clamato. Stir to mix.

If you choose to make your own BBQ sauce, here’s an easy recipe. It can be used in your Caesar and then slathered on all of your bbq’d treats:

proof barbecue sauce

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup proof whisky
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tablespoons light molasses
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method Bring all ingredients to boil in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer until sauce is reduced to 2 cups, stirring often, about 10 minutes. It can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover; chill. Use at room temperature.

If you’re thinking of having the guys over to watch the game this Sunday http://greycup.cfl.ca , you better first stock up on some Grey Cup staples – I am talking meat and more meat. Chicken wings, short ribs, red hots, sliders, cheeseburgers, bratwurst, kielbasa – they’ll all do. Or you can keep it simple – throw some franks and bratwurst on the grill and set up a smokin’ condiment bar. You can pick up some quality dogs at your local butcher, or visit Mac & Mark’s little unknown shop, M & M Meat Shops www.mmmeatshops.com They have a nice variety of fire-roasted Beer Bratwurst, Oktoberfest and Big Reds. They’ve been serving Canadians since 1980 for a reason.

 

Where to begin with condiments – there are so many choices...We investigated some of the most popular hot dog toppings and here’s what we came up with. They range from standard to truly bizarro: (melted marshmallows?)

Mayonnaise, ketchup, spicy ketchup, Blue Cheese Dressing, refried beans, tomato chutney, mango chutney, apple chutney, apple butter, cranberry chutney, maple syrup chutney, Crushed Red Pepper, Colby Cheese, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, taco sauce, Cottage Cheese, Chopped Cilantro, Pinto Beans, salsa, salsa verde, guacamole, avocado, sour cream, canned tuna, shrimp salad, potato sticks, potato chips, garlic mashed potatoes, anchovies, chives, sweet pickles, dill pickles, hot pickles, green peppers, red peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, pastrami, hummus, baba ganoush, french fries, raw mushrooms, fried mushrooms, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, wasabi, black pepper, egg salad, fried eggs, chopped boiled egg, steak sauce, bacon, sundried tomatoes, black olives, green olives, minced garlic, minced basil, horseradish, lettuce, chopped cucumbers, sprouts, sunflower seeds, honey, cabbage, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, salsa, crushed pineapple, cream cheese, potato salad, pepperoni, chili sauce, ketchup, Dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard, honey mustard, sauerkraut, coleslaw, chopped onions, caramelized onions, green onions, dijonnaise, prosciutto, melon relish, onion relish, spiced apple relish, pickle relish, corn relish, chili con carne, fried bologna, baked beans, tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, spiced garbanzos, shrimp salad, canned tuna, celery seed, spinach, carrot relish, chow chow, cucumber relish, green tomato relish, tzatziki & many many more.

Our favourite topping combination is DEFINITELY one that we have recently invented. It goes something like this – proof whisky caramelized onions, grated 10-year-old cheddar and Maille Dijon (à l’ancienne). Here is the recipe for proof whisky Caramelized Onions.

proof whisky caramelized onions
Ingredients
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. butter
1 medium yellow onion
1 tsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 oz proof whisky

Method
Heat vegetable oil in sauté pan over high heat. Add butter to pan and brown slightly.

Add onions and sear on high for about 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and salt. Continue to cook for another 10 minutes or until onions are lightly browned, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add whisky. Cook until all liquid is cooked off and onions are a nice brown color.

On Saturday we hit the Brickworks for some Buddha Dog (http://buddhafoodha.com/ ), and the Dog was a no-show. The upside to this story is that we FINALLY were able to sample some of Jamie Kennedy’s www.jamiekennedy.ca awesome French fries – and Whoo-ah! These chips are not overrated... JK fries are made from local, organic Yukon potatoes that are fried in sunflower oil and then tossed in a combination of both fine and coarse sea salts and fresh thyme. They are served in hand-rolled parchment cones with your choice of cider mayo, chili mayo or homemade ketchup.

We will be sampling two great cocktails at the LCBO (Exmouth) in Sarnia this Saturday (5 - 9pm) Pop in if you are in the area. Visit our events page for details (www.proofbrands.com) 

Thanks for stopping in to visit the Diamond Estates (www.diamondestates.ca) booth at the Gourmet Food & Wine Show. It was a great time.

Weekend Forecast:

Saturday: Sunny with a few flurries (are you kidding?) and a high of 4 degrees

Sunday: Variable cloudiness and a high of 5 degrees (oh well, you’ll be inside watching the game)