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Posts Tagged ‘Savvy Entertaining’

The Runaway

Posted in Captain Cavedweller, Musings, Pets, tagged , , , on February 8, 2012| 1 Comment »

I know I promised Valentine-themed posts all week, so I hope you’ll pardon this interruption…  but our kitty came home!

The Heinous Cat went missing twelve days ago. As in nowhere to be found. As in gone. As in two heart-broken adults who missed his fuzzy little being quite dreadfully.

Yesterday, my neighbor let me know that her daughter thought she saw the cat in the “nature area” behind her school. On our way home from work, Captain Cavedweller and I went to the school and stomped around in the dark looking for the cat for a good thirty minutes. It was freezing outside, which would be why when I said “we” I mean “he,” while I sat in the car and kept watch.

Disappointed when no cat turned up, we went home. Moping, Captain Cavedweller opened the back door to feed Miss Maizy, the cat who lives at our house part time, and there sat The Heinous Cat. We were beyond thrilled. I’d even go so far to say Captain Cavedweller looked like a kid who just got the best Christmas present ever.

The Heinous Cat was skinny and filthy, but not too much the worse for wear for his wild adventures. His Mama would really like to know where he has been for nearly two weeks, but the stubborn little feline isn’t talking.

We’d also love to know how he got home. I’ve yet to connect with our neighbor to see if we are forever in their debt.

However it happened, we are just really glad the cat is back home. He has been grounded, scolded, petted, cuddled and told he can never go off wandering again. We hope this time he’ll listen.

She Who Is Glad to Have the Cat Back

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Valentine’s Party Ideas

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, Valentine's Day, tagged , , , on February 7, 2012| 2 Comments »

If you’re thinking about hosting a Valentine’s party, here are some easy tips to make your home look like the love bug has spun a magic little spell.

COLOR  – The three colors that scream Valentine’s Day and red, white and pink. The combination of the three leaves no doubt as to what holiday is being celebrated. You can use ribbons, crepe paper, balloons, streamers, cut-out hearts and fabric to set the scene for your event.

DECOR – There are a lot of easy and fun things you can do to add a pop of Valentine’s cheer to your home decor. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Add a red pillow to your couch or loveseat.
  • Mix reds with neutrals like beige, tan, cream, white or black for the biggest “Wow” factor.
  • Mix plain white serving pieces and dishes with a few red pieces for elegant flair.
  • Fill a white bowl with red candies, put red candles on a white plate or fill a glass container with red jelly beans or red hots for a fun accent.
  • Inexpensive fabric can be trimmed with pinking shears (to avoid fraying) and layered in a buffet setting to create a stunning  backdrop for your food.
  • Make a heart-shaped pillow and place on your bed. (Cut a heart pattern out of paper, trace onto felt, “stitch” with a satin ribbon, stuff and finish with a bow.)
  • Use red, white and pink candles for a festive touch.
  • Scatter fake rose petals around table tops or side pieces for a romantic flair.

INVITATIONS – Use a heart graphic or have your kids cut out and color hearts. You can also send Evites or electronic invitations to keep things simple.

FOOD – Have fun with the food you serve. You can cut bread into heart shapes with a cookie cutter or twist bread sticks into heart shapes. You can cut out meat, cheese, vegetables and fruit with heart-shape cookie cuttes to add fun accents to the meal. Italian is a good choice (think Lady and the Tramp) and something like spaghetti feeds a crowd easily. Add some heart-shaped bread and a salad with little heart-shaped pieces of cheese or cut out beets and you’ve got a fun meal. Finish it off with a decadent dessert or cupcakes frosted in red, white and pink.

She Who Really Likes this Holiday Color Scheme!

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Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Holidays, Valentine's Day, tagged , , , on February 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Just for fun, all this week I’ll post Valentine’s themed tips, recipes, ideas and ramblings.

Aren’t you excited, now?

I can hear the giddy clapping of your hands as you anticipate all the fun to come this week!

So today, I’m pilfering some fun ideas from other websites and sharing them here.

Red hot-filled vase with red tulips. Love this idea from Martha Stewart.

 

Sweet Treats from The House of Smiths. So fun!

 

Simple and sweet idea from Designs that Inspire to Create Your Perfect Home.

 

Heart Lollipop from Add a Pinch. How cute is this?

 

And Vintage Valentines from Amazon. These cute little cards are really speaking to me.

So there you have it… some fun Valentine ideas to get you started thinking about how you can make the holiday next week extra special.

She Who Needs to Get Busy on Some Ideas!

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Fried Apples

Posted in Easy Recipes, Fast Recipes, Recipes, Sides, tagged , , , on February 3, 2012| 2 Comments »

Fried apples have been a menu staple my entire life. I remember watching my grandma make them, as well as my mom.

They go great with pork or chicken dishes or anytime you want something delicious to add to the table. You can spoon them over vanilla ice cream, serve along side spice cake or just enjoy the spicy, caramel goodness all by itself.

These are also really easy to make.

Here ar the simple ingredients. Figure on half an apple per person.

Slice and core your apple, leaving the peel on. You can do this while your butter is melting in the skillet. I like to use a non-stick skillet for the apples.

Once the butter is melted, add apples, cinnamon and sugar. Cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally.

Cook until the apples are tender and the cinnamon, butter and sugar have created a beautiful caramel sauce on the apples.

Then enjoy! Just look at all that caremel-y deliciousness.

Fried Apples

1 apple

1 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 cup brown sugar

Wash apple then core and slice. I like medium-thick slices (about 1/3 inch). Melt butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. When melted, add apples, cinnamon and sugar. Stir until apples are coated. Cover and simmer until apples are tender (about 15 minutes) and the sauce is thick and makes you want to eat it with a spoon.

Inhale the fragrant scent and enjoy!

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