Christmas Tip: Pretty Presents

Update: I made it through Thanksgiving without obsessing about Christmas! It was a lovely holiday with family and yummy food.

You betcha' I was up at 2:00 am the next morning though and heading out with the crazy shoppers! Its all about the experience whether its insane or not. I also came home and started decorating my house. Oh.... and the Christmas cards are signed, sealed and waiting to be delivered. Yup, I'm on a roll.


The BEST part though, aside from picking out the perfect present, is WRAPPING it! I've adopted this OCD wrapping behavior from my mother. I currently have several wrapped, but I keep wanted to add or change things. (Yes, I know they will just tear through it and throw away the paper no matter how much work I put into it.) Compared to some pictures I have seen, mine are not nearly as nice, but I also don't have tons of $ to poor into just the wrapping right now. I think a nicely wrapped gift just seems so much more special and you love it before you even open it.

And now for some dream prezzies...

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Source: olderandwisor.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Source: eddieross.com via Victoria on Pinterest

A Delicious Table

One of my small joys in life is a well set, pretty table. I get that from my Mama. Whenever I am planning a special meal (or sometimes not) I get out all the good stuff and set the table early (like the night before).

Tonight I perused the internet looking for what I would set my dining room table with for my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! Who doesn't love a day that is centered around family and food?

Now, I don't ever plan on actually getting to set the table for Thanksgiving, since it is always at my parents and my mother does such an amazing job or setting gorgeous tables and making delicious food. So this is my imaginary dream table. 

1st Row (click on the items to be re-directed to those sites):

1. Pottery Barn Flatware - I have an obsession with labeled things. These are simple yet elegant.

2. Crate and Barrel Folia Napkin Rings - Even tables need jewelry.

3. Pottery Barn Thanksgiving Bird Salad Plates - Prettiest bird plates I've ever seen. They would add extra pop to my plain white plates I already have.

2nd Row:

1. William and Sonoma Wood Candholders - These would add that earthy, harvest feel to the table. Bonus: They are great all year.

2. Martha Stewart Chocolate Bar Place Card Idea - Chocolate. Need we say more?

3. Pottery Barn Salt and Pepper Shakers - They go perfectly with the flatware.

3rd Row:

1. Pottery Barn Gilt Charger - Just because I <3 chargers.

2. Pottery Barn Harvest Suzani Embroidered Napkins and Tablecloth - These have great color and texture. I would also layer it with a runner. I like layers on my table just as much as my clothes.

3. William and Sonoma Turkey Gravy Boat - If you only use a gravy boat once a year it might as well be a festive turkey!

Clearly after looking at this list I should just got live in a Pottery Barn store.

I also love this darker version - which is very similar to what I pieced together in many ways.

Source: anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Apple Slump Recipe

One of my very favorite fall foods is my Nana's apple slump. The name may not make it sound appealing, but don't let that fool you. It is quite amazing. It is a once a year request. Not because you can't make it any other time of the year, but because it is so rich and heavy that you can only eat it once (well... until the left overs are gone).

I wish I had a picture and the recipe to share with you all, but I have not gotten the secret recipe from her yet. She would probably be more than willing to share, but its one of those things that is more magical when you don't know how to do it yourself and don't have to. It just wouldn't be the same without Nana's love.

What I do know is that it involves a big pot of apple sauce, molasses, and biscuits. The biscuits are cooked in the apple sauce and you top it all off with a big pad of butter. YUM!!!

I was not able to find the exact way my grandmother makes it online, but I did find Rachael Ray's version. I love her magazine and everything I have tried to make from her turns out great, so I would definitely trust her on this one. Her recipe for Apple Slump seemed to have the same concept.

Click the picture to be directed to Rachael Ray's recipe on her site.

Apple Slump Recipe

• 8 Servings
• Prep 20 min
• Cook 30 min

20 30 50

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 3 tablespoons chopped and chilled
• 2-1/4 pounds gala apples, peeled and cut into eighths
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup whole milk

Directions:

1. In a small Dutch oven, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the apples, then stir in 1/2 cup sugar, the lemon juice and cinnamon. Cover and simmer until the apples are nearly tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and remove from the heat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the 3 tablespoons chilled butter, working it in with your fingertips until crumbly. Add the milk and stir to combine.
3. Return the Dutch oven to medium-low heat and spoon the batter onto the hot fruit to almost cover the surface. Cover and simmer until the batter is cooked through, about 20 minutes.