Don't Just Set the Table, Set the Stage: It's all about the Trimmings

Are all your decorations up?  Are you ready for your company to come over to celebrate the season?  Having a bit of a compulsive personality I sometimes feel like I am never done.  I usually have to have my timer go off which is my guest showing up before I will stop prepping.  I can't help it.  A lot of the time I just start to run myself ragged like a puppy chasing it's tail and I am relieved when guest arrive and I have to move on to enjoying all of that planning and decorating. 


Well our timer has gone off, at least for the weekend and it's that time of the season in our household where we get to sit back and enjoy.  And it's glorious!  Sure, there are still presents to wrap and goodies to bake, but tonight, we watch the Christmas lights twinkle in our tree and sip a cup of hot buttered rum and cider.  We are of course wrestling with our boys as well, as it's the night time melt down, but let's focus on the rum I mean, quite enjoyment, for a bit.

What does this time of year mean to you?  As I shuffled through my favorite recipes folder this weekend I thought about all the things that make a holiday special for my little family.  If you were to ask my husband, he would tell you that it's my sister's deviled eggs.  In fact, he went as far as to ask her for a magic chicken for Christmas that would lay him one deviled egg per day.  She can make that happen right?  I've been calling my Sunday night post, my "Set the Table" post because I want to talk about setting the stage or the scene for when you are entertaining, but when I talk about making the house smell good or give lighting ideas, it makes me realize that it's not about entertaining as much as it is enjoying your home to the fullest, which of course includes entertaining from time to time, if only to host family dinners.  And each of these things are just the garnish to the "stage" like Christmas lights are the trimming to your tree.

This whole week will be all about the trimmings, ya'll.  It's the little extras that are important in everything we do.  The details.  The icing.  Okay, you get my point, it's the fun stuff.  The stuff that memories are made of. 

Tonight, I'll share some trimmings that are important to me.  Years ago a girlfriend of mine talked about wrapping her chandelier in greenery during the Christmas season to give it a little something extra.  I totally ripped her off.  My husband helps me wrap up my chandelier every year and each time it's different but I can remember that moment with him from previous years as we cordially discuss which way we like better, until one of us gives in and we can move on.  Another girlfriend taught me to wrap my pictures up like presents as a cheap way to add a festive pop.  Other friends have shared unbelievably delicious recipes that have now become part of our traditions, and isn't that what makes our holiday gatherings with each other so special?  I love to go to my friends homes to see how they decorated.  We are each so different and bring something unique to the table.  And true friends don't mind when you recycle their design ideas and tweak them to fit your style.  They know it's a compliment, so if you read my blog and see something that you like, please, take it, use it and make it your own.  And if you see something that I stole from you; you're welcome.  Don't you know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

I've already shared one of my favorite trimming ideas, my chandelier.  A new staple and favorite is my red butterflies that I got to add to my Christmas tree this year.  They ended up in my dining room too. These are a detail that I'll love always because when I see them on my tree I'm reminded of my mom and it wouldn't be special if she weren't still some how a part of this holiday.   My husband's favorite trimming for every holiday (as mentioned above) is my sister's deviled eggs.  It's a pretty standard recipe but I am telling you, it does NOT taste the same when made by any other hands.  Try it out and see what you think.

Sister's Magic Chicken, Deviled Eggs

You'll need: 
6 eggs (for a dozen) plus a couple extra just in case some break apart
Salt, Pepper, CELERY Salt (this is key- so says the magic maker), relish, mayonnaise, and just a pinch of dry mustard and paprika to garnish

Boil your eggs about 12 minutes, rinse in lukewarm water and peel.  Cut the eggs in half and remove yolk.  Mix all of your ingredients (except the paprika) together in a mixing bowl.  Use your seasonings to taste.  The celery salt does add a nice flavor, if you like celery salt.  Spoon your yolks into each egg halve and sprinkle with paprika. 

If you'd like to make it cute, you can always spoon your yolk mix into a Ziploc bag and cut a small hole in the corner so that you can use that like a frosting sack to apply the yolks with more control.  It doesn't matter to my husband.  He doesn't really see them before he clears the platter.  Enjoy!

This week I hope to work in a few post about the garnish of it all.  I'll be sharing some favorite recipes, new and old and on Friday my hubby has another Burgers Around the World he'd like to share.  We tried it tonight and it's full of smoky, spicy goodness.  He calls it the Bethlehem burger.  I'm not sure about historical accuracy, but oh it taste so good.  So we'll pretend if we have to.

Please share what special trimmings you need to make your holiday complete. I promise I'll always think of you after I steal recycle your ideas.


Don't just set the table, set the stage

How do you want your Thanksgiving Feast to be remembered? When we entertain I want people to walk away from our home relaxed, well fed and happy. I want them to leave with that few hours in time set as a pleasant memory that they'll think back on with a smile. So what can you do to set the stage for your Thanksgiving guest to have them come away wowed by your absolute fabulousness?

There is really so much that you can do to make sure your visit whether days or hours long is a successful one. Lighting, music, fragrances, fun outings and even details like having a guest favorite beauty bar on hand, just in case, all go into setting the stage for a memorable experience. But today, let's talk scents. Now that's not all I have in my bag of tricks when it comes to entertaining but if I were to give you all my milk for free then you'd never come back to buy this cow. Wait, that doesn't sound right. Oh well, let's get started.

Did you know that certain scents invoke memories, which in turn control your emotional response to your situation? Google it. It's one of those no brainers. For me it's the scent of roses. It doesn't matter where I am, if I smell a rose as I pass by, I immediately think of my mom and for me that brings back happy memories, memories of home. What smells remind you of holidays and home? For a lot of people, it's the smell of cinnamon. Pumpkin pie. Coffee. I swear as the weather cools down, my coffee addiction grows worse, maybe its the smell and the warmth combined, but it reminds me of a house full of company with everyone sitting around in their pjs just being lazy and watching the Thanksgiving Day parade.

Set your house up to smell good even when you aren't cooking your feast. A candle warmer is an obvious answer for setting this stage but there is more to it than that.

At our house we eat a ton of apples and pears. Apples are a sure toddler pleaser and we always have at least a core left behind after an afternoon snack. You'll probably have much more than that if you are baking an apple pie this week. Save those cores and any bits and pieces left over. Load them up with cinnamon, cloves, mint and boil them on the stove. It will make your house smell delicious! Oranges also make a great addition to this natural potpourri.

And don't forget to reuse the fruits you have laying around. Another great use for oranges and lemons when you are done with them is to cut them up and toss then in your garbage disposal with a little ice. The ice is supposed to help sharpen the blades and the lemons will help to eliminate yucky odors left over from all your cooking this week.

Before your guest arrive and while you are doing your last minute touch ups around the house, spray a little room spray in your vacuum cleaner hose or filter. It will give the place a quick burst of fragrance as you pick up dust. Right now I am using Scentsy room spray in my vacuum, and the Skinny Dippin' scent makes me feel like it's warm and sunny outside. I love it, and I love when I can accomplish two things at once, a clean floor and a yummy smelling house. Also, try a room spray in your air conditioning vent, every time the air kicks on you and your guest will be in for a pleasant surprise.

Now stop reading and get to it, I am sure you'll have company arriving anytime. Remember to keep it smelling sweet and don't forget the details. Have a merry Turkey Day ya'll!