Hang High The Holly. . .

Music is a h u g e part of who I am!

My heritage is Irish Italian and music can be heard 
On Crooked Creektt  throughout the day and night.

So~o~o. . .
once I begin decorating for Christmas On Crooked Creektt
Christmas Hymns and songs are going non~stop.

Instead of hang high the holly,
                                             I've been hanging high the boxwood. 


This year Christmas On Crooked Creektt's decor
is a bit more simplistic and with a subdued color palette.

* * * * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * * * * *

The 5 arm Dining Room chandelier is one of my favorite 
to decorate Seasonally. . . 
and this Christmas I kept it simple and light to carry into Winter.

I used  2  1/2" wide creamy ivory satin wired ribbon edged in gold.
A simple weaving over and under the arms 
and then a winding path from the bottom to the top 
exhibits simplistic elegance.

I purchased 8 boxwood candle wreaths for 75% off
after Christmas 2012 especially for my Dining Room chandelier
and my Dining Room chair backs.

To place the wreaths at the base of the candlesticks,
one has to completely remove the bulb, the shade, the washer. . .
place the wreath over the candlestick
and then reverse the entire process. . .times 5!

The results greatly overrule the amount of time and work involved!

Next,

I looped the ribbon over my hands until my bow had 5~to~7

large segments on each side the bow.

Instead of letting the ribbon trail down to the bottom of the bow,

I looped the bow back~and~forth through the chain links to the ceiling.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I adore how the ribbon of the Dining Room chandelier

resembles the swag above the patio doors.

The view from beneath the chandelier 

of the Dining Room table is equally appealing to the eye.

Christmas 2013 On Crooked Creektt is hanging high the boxwood,

decking the halls and 'rockin' around the Christmas Tree. . .

                                                                                        and never missing a beat!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit for inspirational

ideas for your own home decor.

S'Mores Cupcakes!

While most everyone else is making preparations for Thanksgiving dinner,
On Crooked Creektt is busy baking cakes for birthdays!

You see, dear ones,
our daughter~in~laws birthday is the day before "Mr. Ed's" birthday. . .
and both usually fall on or about Thanksgiving!!!

Our daughter~in~law loves to make S'Mores around a campfire,
so~o~o. . .
 for her birthday, we baked cupcakes and made them into S'Mores!

I had seen a recipe in Southern Lady magazine with too many directions,
and I knew there had to be a simpler "semi~homemade" version.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * * * * * *  Ingredients:
A store bought Chocolate Cake Mix of your choice
one jar of Marshmallow Creme
one can of Hershey's Chocolate Frosting
one bag of Miniature Marshmallows
a few Graham Crackers.

Directions:
Bake cupcakes according to package directions.
Allow to cool completely before making into S'Mores.

Using a regular teaspoon, 
I scopped out a small circle of cake from the middle of the cupcake.

Place an ample amount of Marshmallow Creme in the teaspoon
and drop into the prepared opening.

Continue filling all the cupcakes with the Marshmallow Creme.

Pile the Hershey's Chocolate Frosting on fairly thick.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Tip * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To keep the Marshmallow Creme from smearing into the frosting,
try not to spread the icing over the top.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Then add random pieces of Graham Crackers
and Miniature Marshmallows atop the icing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * We sang "Happy Birthday" and devoured the S'Mores Cupcakes
before I thought to take a photo of the inside!

Oh, and of course. . .
since we had celebrated our sons "40th" Birthday with speciality cupcakes,
we had to be equally fair to our daughter~in~law.


On Crooked Creektt, 
we have been abundantly ( and doubly) blessed!


Until next time. . .

With a "Grateful" Heart. . .

Not only at Thanksgiving, but all the year through
it is with a "grateful" heart that I give thanks for my Sisters in JOY!

On Crooked Creektt recently hosted our November JOY Circle meeting!

As is custom when hosting On Crooked Creektt,
I set a "special" tablescape for my guests. . .my Sisters.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * * * * * * 
I began with a new  creamy ivory Ralph Lauren tablecloth 
purchased for a song @ T J Maxx!

I used no cost decorating for the runner,
brown paper packaging from a recent gift purchased @ Williams~Sonoma.

Next, I removed the pole handle from the wooden box,
made by "Mr. Ed",  and placed a board in the bottom as a riser.
Draping deer sheds off to the side has set the natural rustic theme.

Before placing the large, weighty ceramic pheasants inside the wooden box,
I placed a long sprig of faux bittersweet on either side of the box.

Then, I inserted the faux Autumnal hued leaf bush.
Atop the wooden board riser, I set the male pheasant.

Not wanting him to be entirely the center of attention,
I placed his mate on the table outside of the wooden box.

To disguise the ends of the box 
and to bring a bit more color to the centerpiece,
I added three faux hedge balls.

To resemble shafts of wheat,
I tied up bundles of dried Maiden Hair grasses
and finished off with a coppery textured bow tied in a knot.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As the sun was setting on the Prairie,
I was quited by the radiant illumination of this tablescape.

Along with providing the tableware and the drinks for our JOY Circle meeting,
I added a few alternatives from the usual dessert and nuts. . .
Havarti Dill cheese, Italian Herb Crackers, Sweet Gherkin Pickles, low sodium 
Stuffed Olives and Summer Sausage.

My co~hostess for the evening,
brought two homemade Pumpkin Rolls.
You'll have to take my word for its divinely delicious taste
and heavenly appearance. 

After a brief business meeting,
we were all delighted to share a Woman of the Bible 
as led by our program chairperson for the evening.

Before beginning our fellowship time, 
I read this poem as our prayer to my Sisters in JOY.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

We cannot thank you, God, enough

For all the gifts you give,

For life and breath, for joy and song

That fill each day we live.

With gratitude this special day

Our praise goes up to you

For loved ones whom we cherish,

For all they are and do.

Lord, than you for companionship

With those who share this meal;

The ones not gathered here with us,

Let them Thy blessing feel.

And now, oh heavenly Spirit,

Descend on us we pray;

Teach us to share the gifts we have

Today and every day.

Amen

Doris Land Mueller

I am continually blessed with each and every one of these precious Sisters!
What an amazing influence and support they are in my life,
not only at Thanksgiving, but the whole year through.

With a "grateful"heart. . .
I, too, give thanks for all of the amazing ladies in The Land of Blog
who invite me into your own homes and hearts each week.
May you, also, have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!



Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

And. . .

Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit the above hostesses

for inspirational ideas for use in your own home decor.

Silvery Shimmer. . .

On Crooked Creektt Christmas decorating continues 
with bringing some silvery shimmer to the Built~in Hutch in our Dining Room.

Mercury glass and vintage silver hues, 
combined with soft subtle shades of Christmas
continue the Traditional styling On Crooked Creektt.

While I've kept a symmetrical design,

I've varied the positioning between the shelves.

Using natural elements,

gum ball seeds and pine cones continue the soft subtle color palette

throughout the Dining Room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Tip * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Beginning a new design or project On Crooked Creektt

usually requires a trip to the paint department to gather small sample paint chips. These can be carefully tucked away in my purse for reference when making purchases.

For Christmas On Crooked Creektt, I've chosen. . .

Craft White, Vanilla Bean, Dill, Chive, Fig, Linen and Vintage Gray.

To these I'll add minimal touches of Gold and ample amounts of Silver!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The serenity of creamy ivory urns and white dinnerware

is eye appealing and compliments the soon~to~be views

beyond the patio doors adjacent to the Built~in Hutch.

Silvery shimmer can be viewed from left~to~right. . .

and right~to~left. . .

within the Built~in Hutch On Crooked Creektt.

Ornaments add a festive touch as we near the days of celebrating

Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

The Built~in Hutch is now  an impressive sight to behold!

The only thing missing. . . the presence of  snow!

A few more touches to freshen the vignette beneath the glass doors.

On Crooked Creektt

the Built~in Hutch appears ready for a cup 'o tea. . .

perhaps you'll join me as we await for the silvery shimmer 

of ice and snow!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch forMetamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired This Christmas!

Be sure to visit each amazing hostess

for you are sure to find many inspiring ideas

for your own home decor. . .especially during Christmas!!!