Holiday Breakfast Table

The end of the semester is nigh, and I am currently up to my elbows studying for anatomy (literally - we are studying the upper limb!).  However, I thought it would be fun to take a few breaks to participate in the Holiday Home Link Parties this week and next, hosted by some fabulous bloggers.  Today, Layla is hosting Holiday Table Decor over at The Lettered Cottage.

I have linens that I use for more formal Christmas dinner parties, as I have hosted my family & friends several times on Christmas Eve.  I also have holiday linens that coordinate with my every day dishes. Because I'm a little shorter on time, I decided to showcase a more casual look.  And thus, I bring you, my Holiday Breakfast Table.

I bought these place mats and napkins from Crate & Barrel years ago.  They are a deep blue with silver & white snowflakes.  They work perfectly with my blue & white dishes, which are the Brasserie collection from Williams Sonoma.

A note on these dishes...they are fabulous!  I've had them for over 10 years, and use them every day. They go through the dishwasher beautifully and always come out looking brand new.  These are porcelain dishes, and while they may be a bit more expensive than other dishes out there, the quality is amazing.  Okay, my unpaid advertisement for Williams Sonoma dishes is now over!

The snowflake napkin rings are another C&B find.  I have a set of 8 with 2 of each design.  They look perfect with the napkins and add a festive holiday flair.

Because this is a casual breakfast table, I used my every day, dishwasher-safe flatware!  There is enough going on during the holiday season, that hand-wash only items aren't used in my house unless it's for a special dinner.  For breakfast, everything must be able to go in the dishwasher.  I'm sure that many of you feel the same!

I included these cute little pedestal dishes for serving fresh fruit.

And what breakfast table would be complete without coffee cups and juice glasses?

In that vein (ha ha - I had to sneak in more anatomy!), I had set up coffee service as well.  I love to use a French Press for coffee.  It's a simple and delicious way to brew coffee.

On the opposite end of the table, I have a bowl for baked goodies.  I'd like to think that there are fresh croissants in there right now, but alas, it's just tissue paper!  A girl can dream, right?

I finished off the table with a simple but fun centerpiece.  I filled the bottom of my hurricane with snow (epsom salts) and then added some silver ornaments adorned with snowflakes.  I purchased these at Target a few years ago during an after-Christmas sale!  

On either side of the centerpiece are star-shaped glass dishes to hold tea lights.

One of the things that I really love about this tablescape is that it can be used all winter long.  I might remove the ornaments after Christmas, but then again, I might not!  

Because they are in the same area, I decided to include a few photos of my buffet and my cute snow dog plates on the wall.  Except for my table, I tend to decorate for Christmas with a lot of red, silver and white.

I hope that you've enjoyed my Holiday Breakfast Table.  I sure had fun putting it all together, even if I don't have time to cook a breakfast worthy of this table setting right now!

I'll be back on in a day or two to show off my Holiday Mantel.  Until then, it's back to the books for me!

Cheers!
Jenn

Give Thanks

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Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Cheers!
Jenn

My Would-Be Thanksgiving Table

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am feeling very thankful for many things, especially my family and friends.  I am also quite thankful that I only have two more days of classes until Fall break and I get to go home to California for a week.  My little nephew is 7 months old now, and I can't wait to see him and how big he's gotten since I last saw him a few months ago.

Since I will be enjoying Turkey Day at my Aunt's house, I thought it would be fun to set my table as if I were hosting my own Thanksgiving dinner.

It's a pretty simple table.  I laid the foundation with some plain green place mats and my burlap table runner.

I inherited the most beautiful china from my Grandparents, but it's at my parents' house in California. So, I went with these plain white dishes, as my everyday dishes are white with a blue band.  I like the white, because it looks pretty with some of my milk glass pieces.

I mixed and matched my Goodwill silverplate flatware.

I got these napkins from Pottery Barn a few years ago.  I love that they are all different patterns.

I love the napkin rings, because they coordinate with my wire cake stand that I used as a centerpiece.

I used my favorite wine glasses, which I use for special occasions because I they are hand wash only! For water, I put out my French bee glasses.

I set out both of my milk glass hens.  I know they aren't turkeys, but I love them so much!

I also included this cute little turkey that I picked up at Target for $3.99!

He doesn't seem to mind the hens on the table!

I put some golden pine cone candles in milk glass candy dishes for a little sparkle.

I'm so pleased with how my table turned out.  It's simple and elegant.

And my oh my, I am already starting to get hungry for Thanksgiving dinner!

Cheers!

Jenn

Pumpkin Bread

What could be better on a chilly morning than a nice slice of pumpkin bread and a hot cup of coffee?  I love to make pumpkin bread this time of year.  Aside from its deliciousness, it gives me an excuse to use my pumpkin loaf mold.

I bought this years ago from the Crate & Barrel Outlet.  I love the pumpkin design, the fluted sides and the rich, warm color.

I've been using this pumpkin bread recipe for years, and it is truly delectable.

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of water
3 cups of sugar
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsp of baking soda
1 1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease & flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.  Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended.  Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven.  Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

This pumpkin bread is moist and delicious and makes the entire house smell amazing.

This recipe makes a lot, but that's okay, because it's a real crowd pleaser!

You won't be sorry if you make this delightful fall treat!

Cheers!
Jenn

 

Do you BOO?

I've been BOO-ed!

The other day I found this friendly little ghost by my front door.  When I peeked inside, I found a Halloween treat along with this cute little poem.

And, a Boo sign for my front door!

It's a bit blustery today, so my wreath just would not stay still and pose for the camera!

To return the favor, I decided to stick with Reese's Pieces, because they're peanut butter, and well, the bag is orange!  I went to the Boo site and printed out new signs and poems.  They have several to choose from.  I thought this pumpkin design with the black background was cute.

Then, being very sneaky, I dropped off my Boo bags for a couple of my neighbors.

I Boo...do you?  

Although not related to BOO-ing in any way, this picture was too good not to share.  

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We had quite a bit of snow earlier this week.  As a former Cali girl, it's still quite the novelty for me and I love it!  Many of the trees around town, however, did not fare so well.  Those leaves are falling in a hurry now, especially on this blustery fall day!  

Have a great weekend.  

Cheers!

Jenn