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| Welcome Home My Florida! |
| New Beginnings! |
| November... The month for reflection, thanks, family and friends. A time where we should ponder the people who founded our nation. Think about their lifestyle compared to ours... Simplicity comes to my mind. I see all of us, at one time or another, create the havoc we have in our lives. I'm taking November as the time to thin out... to simplify my decor... to clean up, and to ease my burdens by eliminating the 'decorating havoc' in my life. How about you? |
| November's Home Decor |
CRAFT FOR NOVEMBER
Deborah Sheehy
Deborah Sheehy
| CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE! |
| Turkey Tips! |
The photo to the left is my inspiration for this month's craft project. I thought it was adorable, but you crafters
know that when you see something like this, an automatic reflex kicks in and says, "I could make that"! I
thought this piece was great for Halloween, but since I don't celebrate it, my thoughts turned to deciding how
to use the same 'idea' for celebrating Fall. This way the decor is just as good for November as for October. are
items that an adult should do. Hot Glue and sharp knives don't mix with children.
know that when you see something like this, an automatic reflex kicks in and says, "I could make that"! I
thought this piece was great for Halloween, but since I don't celebrate it, my thoughts turned to deciding how
to use the same 'idea' for celebrating Fall. This way the decor is just as good for November as for October. are
items that an adult should do. Hot Glue and sharp knives don't mix with children.
CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW
ITEMS NEEDED
Grapevine Wreath
Sharp Knife
Drill or sharp nail &
hammer
Wire Any gauge
Glue Gun
Hot Glue
Styrofoam Pumpkin
Wire Cutters
Misc. Fall flowers and
leaves
Grapevine Wreath
Sharp Knife
Drill or sharp nail &
hammer
Wire Any gauge
Glue Gun
Hot Glue
Styrofoam Pumpkin
Wire Cutters
Misc. Fall flowers and
leaves
1. Using a sharp knife, cut
the pumpkin in half, from
top to bottom.
the pumpkin in half, from
top to bottom.
2. Drill two holes at the bottom of the pumpkin half to
thread the wire through it and the wreath. Take the
wire through 3 or 4 vines to secure it tightly. Your
pumpkin will swing front to back, but that won't matter
when you get it up on a flat surface like your front door.
thread the wire through it and the wreath. Take the
wire through 3 or 4 vines to secure it tightly. Your
pumpkin will swing front to back, but that won't matter
when you get it up on a flat surface like your front door.
3. Twist the wire ends
together making a snug
fit between the pumpkin
and the wreath.
together making a snug
fit between the pumpkin
and the wreath.
4. Place wreath front
side up and begin
placing flowers and
You can make this
as simple or full of
color as you like.
side up and begin
placing flowers and
You can make this
as simple or full of
color as you like.
What I do, is experiment a bit, placing items
where I 'think' would be good... I get the look I
want then bring in the glue gun to secure it all
down to the wreath.
where I 'think' would be good... I get the look I
want then bring in the glue gun to secure it all
down to the wreath.
| This was a FAST and easy project and one that's great for October and November. You could use something like this specifically for Thanksgiving by substituting the Turkey or a Cornucopia. |
| With the weather so great right now, I created this wreath on my front porch in the cool breeze. Doing projects out doors provides you fresh air, great lighting, and an occasional 'hello' from a neighbor passing by. It was great fun! |
| The final look! You'll see that I choose not to put color all the way around and that's OK. Sometimes less is better. But don't let that stop you from expressing yourself! Go wild if you want to! |
| These are just a few pictures I've taken at my home & neighborhood. Splashes of color in unexpected areas make for a picture perfect scene. I toss Autumn colors in flower pots that are not in bloom, toss leaves on to tables, and I'd cover the cat in orange if she'd let me! |
| Photos by Welcome Home My Florida Rights Reserved |
Sometimes home decor includes the cooking
aspects of a home, especially during the
holidays. I thought I'd bring some reminders for
some readers and for our newest cooks, timely
tidbits to help you during the holiday coming up.
When thinking of the type of bird to buy for The
Thanksgiving Day feast, call your local and not
so local butchers. 'Some' offer fresh turkey and
I've got to be honest, it's a TENDER choice. I
know Petty's Meat Market in Longwood, sells
them, but you must call now to get an order
secured. Longwood is about a 3 hour drive
south of here. It's a day's outing for sure, but you
can turn it into a girl's day out and stop by Calico
Corners for fabrics and tons of other great
shopping.
When thinking about the size of bird to buy, plan
on about one pound of turkey per guest.
This one I didn't even know... The experts
recommend removing the thawed or fresh turkey
from the refrigerator at least two hours before
putting it into the oven, giving it a chance to warm
up to room temperature and cook evenly.
When spicing it up, leave the salt OFF! Evidently,
salt forces juices to the surface which make
them evaporate! Yikes!
I've never tried this before either... If you bake
your turkey upside down, the breast on the
bottom, the white meat won't dry out. Personally,
to get a picture perfect bird, I'd flip it over the last
hour to brown the breast. It would be a two
person task to make sure you didn't tear the bird
apart when flipping.
Lastly, they recommend the bird sits quietly for
about 20 minutes before serving.
I always use a huge white oval platter for my
turkeys and place parsley, all the way around the
edges. It's always so pretty!
Share your stories about your big day for our
December issue.
aspects of a home, especially during the
holidays. I thought I'd bring some reminders for
some readers and for our newest cooks, timely
tidbits to help you during the holiday coming up.
When thinking of the type of bird to buy for The
Thanksgiving Day feast, call your local and not
so local butchers. 'Some' offer fresh turkey and
I've got to be honest, it's a TENDER choice. I
know Petty's Meat Market in Longwood, sells
them, but you must call now to get an order
secured. Longwood is about a 3 hour drive
south of here. It's a day's outing for sure, but you
can turn it into a girl's day out and stop by Calico
Corners for fabrics and tons of other great
shopping.
When thinking about the size of bird to buy, plan
on about one pound of turkey per guest.
This one I didn't even know... The experts
recommend removing the thawed or fresh turkey
from the refrigerator at least two hours before
putting it into the oven, giving it a chance to warm
up to room temperature and cook evenly.
When spicing it up, leave the salt OFF! Evidently,
salt forces juices to the surface which make
them evaporate! Yikes!
I've never tried this before either... If you bake
your turkey upside down, the breast on the
bottom, the white meat won't dry out. Personally,
to get a picture perfect bird, I'd flip it over the last
hour to brown the breast. It would be a two
person task to make sure you didn't tear the bird
apart when flipping.
Lastly, they recommend the bird sits quietly for
about 20 minutes before serving.
I always use a huge white oval platter for my
turkeys and place parsley, all the way around the
edges. It's always so pretty!
Share your stories about your big day for our
December issue.
Thanksgiving Tabletop Decorating Ideas
Personally, I enjoy simplicity on tables when dining with friends or family. Especially
when it comes to serving up feasts! There 'can' be so much on a table that half of it
isn't even seen! I like the dishes I've prepared to take center stage, so remember
KISS... Keep it simple sweetie.
Choose a centerpiece that is easily removed IF you plan to carve in one area and
then center it on the table after your guests have been served. I like having something
tall, like candles, that are already in place with enough room in between each to set
the platter. (Practice with using all the dinnerware on the table so you'll know exactly
where to place items when it comes time)
Avoid fragrant centerpieces like scented flowers, or burning scented candles since
they will interfere with the taste of the food. Let the food of the day take over the 'scent'
of the day.
If you don't keep the turkey on the main dining table after serving, be sure to choose a
centerpiece that sits low to the table so guests sitting across from each other can
still converse. Tall dinner candles are still very appropriate (no scent).
In between plates and cups, glasses and silver, place scattered leaves or flowers as
though the wind had tossed them there. It adds color and creates a festive look.
Personally, I enjoy simplicity on tables when dining with friends or family. Especially
when it comes to serving up feasts! There 'can' be so much on a table that half of it
isn't even seen! I like the dishes I've prepared to take center stage, so remember
KISS... Keep it simple sweetie.
Choose a centerpiece that is easily removed IF you plan to carve in one area and
then center it on the table after your guests have been served. I like having something
tall, like candles, that are already in place with enough room in between each to set
the platter. (Practice with using all the dinnerware on the table so you'll know exactly
where to place items when it comes time)
Avoid fragrant centerpieces like scented flowers, or burning scented candles since
they will interfere with the taste of the food. Let the food of the day take over the 'scent'
of the day.
If you don't keep the turkey on the main dining table after serving, be sure to choose a
centerpiece that sits low to the table so guests sitting across from each other can
still converse. Tall dinner candles are still very appropriate (no scent).
In between plates and cups, glasses and silver, place scattered leaves or flowers as
though the wind had tossed them there. It adds color and creates a festive look.
Pumpkin Centerpieces
I really liked the simple, yet
distinctive look of these
pumpkins I found on HGTV
DIY Click the photo for
instructions to make them.
I really liked the simple, yet
distinctive look of these
pumpkins I found on HGTV
DIY Click the photo for
instructions to make them.
Fall Leaf Invitation or Place
Card
I also found a short video
on these which would
make great hand-out invites
or place cards at the table.
Card
I also found a short video
on these which would
make great hand-out invites
or place cards at the table.
Thanksgiving Autumn
Window
I love working with Evergreen
and gourds, pumpkins and
leaves. Click on to see how
easy it really is.
Window
I love working with Evergreen
and gourds, pumpkins and
leaves. Click on to see how
easy it really is.
| CLICK ON ANY PICTURE FOR INSTRUCTIONS |