Cupcake Cutie

I was not planning to have a cupcake tea party this weekend, but I was in DG (as in Dollar General, not Dolche &  Gabana, that is) this weekend and saw the most ADORABLE, the absolute CUTEST tablecloth, plates, potholders, etc. with a cupcake them on the endcap.

I could NOT leave the store without these, they were so stinking adorable!!  The colors are gorgeous, and the price....well, can you say a  DOLLAR???  YES, MOST WERE A DOLLAR!!  The plates were a dollar, the tablecloth $3.50, the placecard holders were $1, the potholder $1, the cupcake holders $1.  The cupcake plates were $1.50.  They even had recipe cards!!  I can't believe how adorable these items are for the price.  I don't like vinyl tablecloths, but I can see this one used a LOT in the future at the school and here at home with my little ones.  It was perfect for being able to easily clean up spills from sprinkles, icing, and such, PLUS, the colors are YUMMY!  I can't believe how adorable this table turned out with just items from the Dollar General!!!

I used my Kirkland's candleholders in the middle of the table as the centerpiece and filled them with cupcake sprinkles and then topped them off with a tealight in each one.  I took leftover Christmas bows from my daughter's Christmas tree (it was a cupcake theme, too) and tied them around the napkin ring holders just to give them a little more color. 

I almost forgot to add that I used one of the Kirkland's mason jar candleholders to place our silverware in!  SOOOO cute!

We had a great time making our cupcakes.  You had to make the recipe you sat in front of!  We made red velvet, chocolate, coconut, and carrot cake.  YUMMY!!!  I'm taking them to work tomorrow to share.  :)

I love how a few dollar items from the dollar store enabled me to help create some very special memories with my daugther this afternoon.  After having four sons, I am kinda getting used to doing the girly thing!

I'm working on changing some things in the kitchen, and I am DEFINITELY looking forward to the looooong weekend next week to get a few projects around the inside of the house taken care of.

Have a great week!



I'm partying this week at Debbie's Newbie Party, Linda at Coastal Charm, Marty at a Stroll Through Life, and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch! 

Let's Visit the Dining Room

 Today we are visiting the dining room.  This is the most "formal" eating area in our home.  Our great room has a weird shape, and this section is on the very front of the house.  When we moved here, I had this gorgeous table and china cabinet.  I love the cabinet so much, I couldn't bear to part with it.  I started to make it a library, but...you know how that goes.  Money, money, money, yada, yada, yada.  So, the table and cabinet fond a home there. 

This house has a huge kitchen with room for an 8 foot table which is perfect for my family.  Most of our time is spent in the kitchen, so it's only natural that we primarily eat in there.  However, I love the way this more formal dining space flows with my great room. 

Most of the decor in this space is from Kirkland's.  I made the orchid centerpiece a couple of years ago, and it has moved all over the house.  I like it best here, I believe, because it goes perfectly with the chairs and the Kirkland's art between the windows.  Here's a closer look at the centerpiece...

The dishes and glasses are from Beall's.  Beall's is a Florida deparatment store for those of you that don't have one near you.  I love these white shell dishes - got them for HALF off, making the plates and bowls about $3 each!  The napkin rings are Pottery Barn, and so is the flatware.  I am in love with this flatware, by the way, but I can't afford it.  LOL!!  So, I have created my very own Pottery Barn Layaway Plan.  Every time I go in the store, I buy a set.  This way my husband doesn't I don't notice the cost of it as much, and before I know it, I will have the 12 place settings I need.  Pretty clever, huh?



My curtains are "no sew"...Remember, I don't sew?  LOL!!  They are just long panels of material ($6 a yard!!) folded and clipped with curtaian rings.  Doesn't matter that they're not store bought formal draperies, they do the trick and match my couch to a "T".  I tried lighter colors on the windows, but with all the light in this room, they just faded into oblivion.  I think these tie the entire room together perfectly.

See why I couldn't bear to sell the china cabinet?? I think it is one of my favorite pieces of furniture.  The metalwork on the doors is totally fabulous!



And, finally, here's a view looking back from the great room living area. 

Linking up to Debbie's Newbie Party!





And also par-tay-ing over with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday, Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays, and on Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!!

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Beach Birthday

It's hard for me to believe, but my "babies" turned seven on Saturday!!!  It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant (what a shocker that was!!),  and then they were born. 

The years have flown by so quickly!  On Saturday, we celebrated their 7th birthday.  We stayed at the beach the entire weekend and just enjoyed some quiet time.  We had a beach themed birthday party just for our own family, and we had fun just doing nothing much at all.

Me with my only daughter, Laiken.  I didn't fix my hair at ALL the entire weekend, nor did I put on anything besides a swimsuit and flipflops -- not even any makeup!!  I enjoyed that so much since I have to dress up for work every day.  It was nice to unplug and unwire. 

We made sand castles and played in the water while the boys fished...  They caughts LOTS of fish!!!

Of course we took time out for a very special birthday party....

What a great weekend!!  If you've never been to the Gulf Coast, you have missed a treat. I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!!!

Happy Birthday to my "babies"!!!  They were the best Mother's Day present anyone could ever imagine. 

Linking up to Debbie Doo's Newbie Party!

Nobody Better Lay a Finger on My Butterfinger...Cake, That Is!

My grandmother always said after a meal that she wanted "just a taste" of something sweet.  Well, I promise you that can't take "just a taste" of this yummy-in-your-tummy Butterfinger Cake!!!  It's super simple to make and delicious!  You can actually make this cake with other candybars, such as Heath Bars or Snickers Bars.  I just used Butterfinger bars because my son loves them.

Butterfinger Cake

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food)

3 Butterfinger bars

1 can sweetened condensed milk

container of chocolate syrup for drizzling

container of caramel ice cream syrup for drizzling

1 large container of Cool Whip

Prepare chocolate cake mix according to directions on the box. Pour into 13x9 pan and bake according to directions on box.  While cake is still warm, poke holes in cake and pour one can of sweetened condensed milk over the top of cake, making sure the condensed milk sinks into some of the holes in the cake.  Next, drizzle a little chocolate syrup and a little caramel syrup over the cake while still warm.  Crush one Butterfinger bar and sprinkle over cake.  (To make candybars easier to crush, store them in the freezer.) Allow cake to cool.  Once cake has cooled, spread Cool Whip over the top of the cake.  Drizzle chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over the top of the cake.  Break up the remaining Butterfinger bars and sprinkle over the top of the cake.  Drizzle a little more chocolate and caramel syrup over the top of the crushed candybars.  Refrigerate until serving.  Best served cold.

Not the most beautiful cake in the world, but it is divine!  Here's a closeup of a yummy hunk of cake...

Bet you can't eat just one bite!!

Southern Style Easter Recipes..Part II

Well, it's one o'clock in the morning, and I'm finally starting to think Easter dinner may go on as planned!  LOL!!!  I've just been delayed today here and there trying to get things ready around the house.  Why is that with kids cleaning house is like shoveling snow WHILE it is snowing?? 

Here's  a brief recap of a few things on the menu for tomorrow. Well, actually today at this point! Recipes are included.  I'll be sure to post more photos tomorrow.  Some things still need to be baked or need finishing touches!  I'll be baking the ham in about four hours.  Beware....these recipes are not for the faint of heart!  I have always been told that I have a way with mayonnaise, butter, and sour cream.  So, if that scares you....STOP READING NOW!!!  I'm all about eating healthy, but in the South, holidays are all about family and eating.  I'm not about to give up either!! 

Green Bean Bundles

3-4 cans whole green beans

bacon

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter

garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste

Drain beans.  Take five or more green beans and form a bundle.  Wrap each bundle with a half slice of bacon.  Secure bundle with toothpick if desired.  Place bundles in a baking dish.  In a saucepan, melt butter and add brown sugar.  Pour over the green bean bundles.  Shake garlic powder, salt/pepper to taste over bundles.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Broil for a few moments if bacon is not to desired crispness. 

Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole (with a modern-day twist)

3-4 cans yams (grandma would have baked real ones, but I'm a modern day Southern belle!)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 stick butter, melted

1/2 cup evaporated milk

2 tbsp. vanilla

Drain yams and mash using an electric mixer.  Add remaining ingredients and beat with mixer until smooth.  Put sweet potato mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish.  Mix 1/2 stick melted butter, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup flour together.  Take 3 or 4 tablespoons of this mixture and stir into the sweet potato mix.  Put remaining sugar mixture on top of potatoes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until brown.  I also add large marshmallows to the top during the last few minutes of baking because we can't decide which we like best, marshmallows or the pecan mixture!!

This is ready to be baked for Sunday dinner....

My Secret Recipe Southern Potato Salad

5 lb. bag red potatoes, boiled and diced
3-4 boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup or more Hellman's mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
chopped onions (amount to suit your taste)
chopped celery (amount to suit your taste)
2 tsp. dill weed
1 tsp. celery seed
mustard to taste
Toss together potatoes, eggs, celery, and onion.  In separate bowl, blend mayonnaise, sour cream, dill weed, and celery seed.  Pour over top of potatoes and gently mix until coated.  Add mustard to taste.  I also add salt & pepper, garlic salt, and garlic powder to taste.  Refrigerate.  While salad is in refrigerator, mix together the marinade.
Southern Potato Salad Marinade
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. onion salt
salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and marinate two hours or overnight.  Pour marinade over potato mixture and gently mix until coated.  Return to refrigerator until time to serve.  Best if left to sit overnight.

The marinade doesn't look very tasty, but it is wonderful! The first time I concocted this recipe, I thought it would never work, but it did!  People are always shocked when I tell them what's in the potato salad!

Old Timey Boiled Ham
smoked ham, butt portion is best
1 -2 46 oz. cans pineapple juice
1 cup brown sugar
Place lham in Dutch oven or other large pot with a lid.  Pour pineapple juice and sugar into pot.  The liquid should cover the ham.  Water may be added to bring the liquid to the desired level.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.  Cover pot and cook to desired doneness, usually about 2-3 hours.  Falling off the bone produces the best flavor.  Leftover ham is excellent for ham salad or flavoring for beans, greens, etc..

Sinful Banana Pudding
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 can condensed milk
1 5 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding
3 cups cold milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 8 oz. container Cool Whip
3 or 4 bananas, to suit your taste
box of Vanilla wafers
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Add can of condensed milk and mix together.  Add pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla extract.  Beat until smooth.  Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.  Add sliced bananas and 3/4 box of crushed Vanilla wafers.  Stir.  Spoon pudding mixture into a 9x13 pan.  Take whole vanilla wafers and outline the outside of the dish.  Take remaining Cool Whip and "frost" top of pudding mixture.  Sprinkle with crushed Vanilla wafers.  Refrigerate until serving.

I'll be "frosting" my pudding in the morning!! Oh, I forgot to add....I do have nice baking dishes, but I am not using them this Easter. Yes, grandma would have a "duck egg" as we say in the South!  However, I have to go to work on Monday, and washing silverware, china, and glasses for a crowd will have me busy enough.  At some point, I draw the line, and here she is!!!   The potato salad will be in a lovely bowl, but the rest will be in the throwaway pans.  I'm serving buffet style, so it will be fine.  The tables are quite lovely, so maybe no one will care.  If they do, they just don't have to eat my food.  LOL!!!

Last but not least, we also dyed eggs today.  The Easter Bunny should be "laying" those in a few hours.  I just love the colors of Easter!!

Happy Easter, dear friends, and remember the REAL reason we celebrate today!!!  Thank you, God, for sending us your beloved Son!!

Southern Style Easter Recipes

In the South, Easter Sunday is considered to be one of the most important holidays right up there along with Christmas.  On an Easter Sunday morning in the South, you will find churches filled to overflowing with everyone, from youngest to oldest, adorned in their finest new spring outfits. Typical Southern tradition is for ladies to wear a corsage of some sort, usually an orchid.  My grandmother would not have left the house on Easter Sunday without an orchid pinned to her collar.  My mother still won't.  Mind you, these orchids were never purchased at the local grocery store like you see now, but to be truly proper, they must come from the florist shop.  My mother will be sporting this corsage on Easter Sunday...I'm a modern-day Southern belle, so I won't be wearing one.  BUT....I do have a new outfit!! Any old excuse to buy a new dress and shoes, huh?  Why mess with tradition?  LOL!!

Easter dinner is always a family occasion usually celebrated right after church.  Ham is the traditional main course for Easter dinner, and no Southern girl worth her salt would dare serve Easter dinner without deviled eggs!!  

These MUST be served on a deviled egg tray.  I just counted mine today...I have SEVEN of them.  That's a lot of eggs right there!!!!  All true Southern belles have multiple deviled egg plates!

The remainder of the menu usually (at least at my house) consists of sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, green bean bundles, broccoli casserole, Southern potato salad, rolls (with butter of course!), and the "house wine of the South", sweet tea.  Banana pudding (made with condensed milk), coconut cake, and carrot cake are must-haves on an Easter Sunday sideboard. 

Tomorrow I'll be sharing some of my favorite Easter recipes with you, but I'll go ahead and share my favorite coconut cake recipe before I sign off.  It's not a layer cake, but it is DIVINE and super easy to make!  I have not met a man yet who didn't L-O-V-E this cake.  One additional note, though....it's best served cold, and it's better on day two!

1 box yellow cake mix

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 can cream of coconut

1 small bag of coconut

1 large container of Cool Whip

Mix cake according to directions on the box.  Bake following directions in a 9 x 13 pan.   When cake is removed from oven, immediately punch holes in the cake using  a fork or wooden spoon handle.  Mix condensed milk and cream of coconut in a medium bowl.  Pour this mixture over the cake and allow to cool.  Mix Cool Whip and coconut together.  Once the cake has cooled, spread the Cool Whip and coconut mixture over the cake.  Refrigerate until served. 

Sooooo delicious!!  See you tomorrow when I'll be whipping up all my special side dishes for Easter Sunday!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

And it's just about time for him to hop on down the bunny trail!!  I remember my grandma singing that song to me all the time as a little girl in the days heading up to Easter.  She was BIG on holidays, always making sure everything was just right.  I remember her saving green stamps to get 12 place settings of silver and Desert Rose china at the Quick Check when I was a little girl all because she wanted "fancy" china and silverware like the ladies in town had.  (I still have her Desert Rose china.)  My grandma  didn't have much (she was a turkey farmer), but she sure knew how to "put on the dog" as we say here in the South!  (For all ya'll that don't know what that means, it means to strut your stuff!!)  And she always  put on the dog when it came to any and all holidays.  I guess the acorn doesn't fall too far from the old oak tree, eh??  She always said that even the most humble abode could look like a mansion with a neatly pressed tablecloth and a fine place setting. 

The entire time I was working on my Easter tablescape, I could hear both her and my momma singing to  me, and I guess that would be the inspiration for my tablescape this week. Peter Cottontail (from my FAVORITE store...Kirkland's!) literally looks like he is hopping (wheeling) down the bunny trail in the middle of my table!  I'm really into creams and whites this year for Easter rather than the traditional pastel colors. 

I love how Mr. Bunny is peeping out from behind the tulip plants!

Here's a closeup of Mr. Bunny with his wheelbarrow filled with eggs. I tend to like things elevated, so I used a cake pedastal to lift him slightly off the antique runner.

A view of the buffet....My grandmother gave my mother the mirror above the buffet over 60 years ago for her wedding present.

A closeup of my Pottery Barn Easter egg dishes...the chargers are from Big Lots many years ago ($1.99), and the plates are from TJ Maxx several years ago ($3.99). Placemats and napkins are from KMart. Silverware is from Pottery Barn (yeah, that's my kryptonite right there...that darn silverware!!), and glasses are from Old Time Pottery.

And a closeup of my Pottery Barn mason jar drink dispenser. I simply love this!! Perfect for holding my favorite punch (white grape juice mixed with ginger ale and strawberries).

And one final view as the sun starts to set on another glorious Sunday in the South...

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Easter holiday!  Cherish every moment with those you hold dear.  

I'm linking up to Debbie Doo's Newbie Party, Table Top Tuesday at Marty's, Wow us Wednesdays over at Savvy Southern Style, and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!!!  On  Friday, I'm linking up to Feathered Nest Friday at another of my favorite blogs, http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/.