Saturday, November 29, 2014

THANKSGIVING TABLE AND RECIPES

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I absolutely adored this recipe.  Not too many people like Brussels sprouts but I do and it wasn't until recently that I learned of all the ways you can prepare them.  This recipe seems involved but don't let the steps fool you.  Bits of panchetta, Gruyere cheese, all melted in a smooth white sauce and poured over blanched Brussels sprouts.  Seconds anyone? Here's the link...keep this in mind for a Christmas side dish.  We loved it!






1)  Cook 7 pieces of bacon.  Drain and set aside.
2)  Drain off all but 1 T. of drippings and saute 2 T chopped garlic cloves for one minute.
 3)  Beat 2 8 oz. cream cheese (softened) until smooth.  4)  Beat in 1/3 c Half & Half.
Stir in bacon, 1 t garlic, 4 oz. blue cheese, and 2 T chopped chives.
5)  Spoon into a small baking dish and bake at 350 for 15 minutes (you can refrigerate and do this prior to serving).    Sprinkle the top with 2 T chopped walnuts before serving with crackers and/or fruit.


It never ceases to amaze me  when I win a giveaway.  In my six years of blogging, I've been so fortunate to win so many.  And I recently won this bounty after joining in at Top This Top That blog.  Sponsored by Mary Kay Cosmetics and BlogHer, I won a bunch of Mary Kay products, from make up brushes to lipsticks.  And the big one was a $100 Visa card.  I am beyond belief!!  How did I get so lucky?  I love the cosmetics of course, and it's going to take me awhile to figure out how to use the card.  Thank you so much, Laura!!

The last time I posted I mentioned a blogger whose photography I so much admire.  And I also admire so many of you ladies that love the photography/writing connection...I think you know who you are.   Sylvia not only takes the most stunning photos, her writing is outstanding and I totally get "lost" in her posts.  I am absolutely mesmerized by the way she weaves within her photos... her stories.  Please pay her a visit.  And have a look at her cards, all graced with her beautiful, rustic pictures.  I recently won a giveaway from her, five of her holiday cards  Do me a favor...visit Sylvia, it would mean the world to me.

And that's all I have.  Tomorrow I'm helping my daughter Emily get some of her Christmas decorations up, and on Monday she will help me.  I'm just doing a bit at a time...our "live" tree won't come until the second week of December...that's when I get in the festive mood!

I'll get back to you on the bathroom and office reveal...The Husband is slow going on getting the office in order and I haven't had time to take photos of the bath.  Much sleep needed here! :)

Jane xx

30 comments:

Maggie said...

This is why I love, Blondie! Recipes, tips, tales of an every day life so different to my own.Congrats on winning the lovely cards and MK products, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person, lovely post Jane.

Sarah said...

Looks like a delicious meal eaten on your beautiful table.
Congratulations on the wins. Have fun shopping! ;-)

Leslie said...

Sounds like a wonderful dinner! I noticed your silver utensils .. I promised myself that this year I would actually break out the beautiful china and silver that my mother in law passed down to me and well.. sadly, at the last minute I chose Chinette and plasticware once again. : )
WTG on the win!!!!
Have fun decorating!!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Sounds like you guys had a fabulous Thanksgiving and the receipes sound delicious too. Love the different cheeses.

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

I love brussel sprouts too! :) ok off to visit sylvia :)

Theresa said...

Your Thanksgiving table is awesome! Love the food pics, they are making me hungry this morning! Have a blessed day decorating with your daughter! Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Simply LKJ said...

Always love visiting your blog, a little of this a little of that. The food sounds so yummy!! I admire you for polishing all that silver. My MIL passed some of hers on to me and I really need to get them all cleaned up. And, congrats on winning all those goodies.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jane, love your mix of cheese appetizers!! I want to try those for my family!

And Sylvia's cards made me want to immediately jump there - I've added her to my blog list of reads - wonderful photographs.

Lucky you with the Mary Kay stash! I have a couple sisters who wear MK almost exclusively, and I know you love trying new things - have fun!

Lastly, we women always seem to overdo when we know what's best for us, but I sure love how your flatware turned out.
xo
Rita

Susie said...

Blondie, It all looks so nice. I like the simple cheese and fruits. Lucky you winning some very nice gifts. I love that you are helping your daughter, then she will help you. That sure makes it more fun. Bless you, xoxo,Susie
p.s. Hope your hands are like new. I like polished silver much better. :)

Marigene said...

Jane, your cheeses are making me hungry! Love your table.
And Brussels sprouts are one of my favorites...hubby hated them until I thinly sliced, cored and layered them with garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, toasted bread crumbs and a little butter. I think one reason so many don't like them is if they are overcooked they become bitter.
Have a wonderful week.

Sonia said...

Oh those brussel sprouts look amazing! I love them too and always looking for another way to dress them up. Your table looks beautiful and sounds wonderful that you and your daughter can help each other decorate!
Miss Bloomers

Shirley said...

Good Morning Jane, I an trying to catch up with friends this morning. I have enjoyed reading your blog and seeing what you have been doing. I see we have finally hit 28 degree after 61 yesterday, but so far lucky to miss the bad weather. Christmas will be here before we are really ready. I like brussel sprouts. My daughter made the ding dong cake for Thanksgiving along with the traditional pumpkin pie. It was yummy. Have a great day. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley.

Primitive Stars said...

Beautiful Thsnksgiving table Jane. The food looked so delishish, but that Apple pie, yum yum.Blessings Francine.

Melanie said...

Your table looked beautiful and your food - YUM! I pinned both the Brussel sprouts recipe (I love them, too) and that bacon-blue cheese dip. In fact, I have some blue cheese leftover in the fridge, so I just may have to make this dip for me and Brian ASAP. ;-) I can't believe you polished all that silver, especially with recently having hand surgery. Ow! The giveaway you won...fabulous. The $100 gift card is just in time for you to use for Christmas presents! Like you, I'm going very slow on the Christmas decorating. No rush here, so it's all good.

Melanie said...

PS - I bookmarked Sylvia's blog and will look at it in-depth later. Just from scanning through it a bit, I can see that her photos are gorgeous.

podso said...

Sounds like you had a great time and the new recipes look really, really good! Get some rest!

podso said...

Glad to hear the silver process worked well.

podso said...

Glad to hear the silver process worked well.

Beth said...

Hi Jane, Your table looks lovely. The brussels sprouts sound good too. We had some for lunch today. I cut them and drizzled them in olive oil and sea salt, then baked them at 350 for 20 minutes. Very good, very simple, and healthy too. Glad you had a nice holiday! :)
Hugs, Beth

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Jane,
All looks inviting and wonderful. Glad you used the Wrights, there is nothing better, I love how you "go with the flow" and make everything merry and bright,
Xoxo,
Vera

Doreen@househoneys.com said...

You ARE indeed lucky! Wow, a GC and products too?!

I think you saw my cheese platter from a few weeks ago. For some reason, cheese, or maybe trying different cheeses, really helps to break the ice if you happen to be somewhere where you don't know the other guests too well. I know that wasn't the case with you, but it does sound like your cheeses were the 'bell of the ball'.

I have a Brussels sprout recipe that is similar. It uses three different cheeses so I guess you could throw out 'healthy' when describing it! lol

I'm visiting your friend now. :)

xxx

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
Your dinner sounded wonderful. I love brussel sprouts too, after I learned how to cook them up.
Yay, for you on your wins.
Have fun decorating.
Carla

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Sounds like a lovely Thanksgiving...and after seeing your wonderful photos, I'm hungry!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I think your apple pie is beautiful! So glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Betsy Brock said...

All fun stuff...delicious and beautiful Thanksgiving...lovely giveaway...so nice!

Maria Elena said...

Sounds like you had a great celebration! My SIL hosted this year, so I didn't even have to set the table. Have a great week!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

That's amazing how pretty your silver turned out! I bet you're still sore from all that polishing though. :) That recipe sounds amazing...bacon, cream cheese, blue cheese...yes, please!!! Yum!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I can't believe you polished all that silver with your hands in their condition. It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I think I'll make your baked cheese spread for my Christmas party…it sounds good.

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane... so glad you had such a nice Thanksgiving... your table setting looks so pretty!... and the food looks yummie... I LOVE brussel sprouts!... congratulations on your giveaways wins... wow, $100 to splurge on yourself with!... I would be so excited!... hope your hand is much better and you are enjoying getting your home ready for Christmas... thanks so much for your visits, they mean the world to me!... xoxo... Julie Marie

Bluebird49 said...

Wow--I know I commented here, Jane! The Internet going nuts?
I love Brussels sprouts, but can't get anyone else in the family to even try the. I like tossing them in a little olive oil, pouring them out on a rimmed cookie sheet, and roasting them with a bit of sea salt til just tender. Love asparagus the same.
Your hands are so busy, they must be doing well, I'm happy to think. And your winning the wonderful giveaways? Wow!
So very glad to hear your Thanksgiving was so nice and that you were, as were we, with loving family--the very best part!
xxx, Trudy