January Grays~This One's for the Boys! Let's Dish #42

Good evening, hope the first 9 days of 2013 were good for you!

Don't forget the Jan. 23 challenge is SNOW or ICE or Winter related.  Hope you will put on your woolen caps and think of something!  Southern gals, I know this might be tough for you, especially if you don't get much winter weather...

It was a gray day here, not cold, but gloomy.

I had 2 of these gray wool fringed throws that I have never used..  Kohl's, after the season, so I think they were 5 bucks each.  I think they look a little masculine, so I tried to keep that look.
The salt and peppers are from Pfaltzgraf Tent Sale, 1.00...
  The centerpiece is a pip berry white wreath with a hurricane and wintery white candle
The ribbed glassware has a black foot, so I went with gray, black and white.

Black charger, gray rimmed plate with a white center from the .99 store.

Treble clef black flatware, black white and gray check napkins, .96 clearance.
Lions head covered soup bowls from WS Outlet.
Little lion head bowls for our butter from Target..

Black mugs by Nautica.  I got them years ago at the Pflaltzgraf Clearance center for .26, and they are made in the USA!  The glasses were from there too.

It closed several years ago, and maybe it is a good thing as they had fantastic deals.  There was always something new.   You really could get carried away! (One time the fire alarms went off and the whole group of stores had to be evacuated.  I hadn't been able to complete my purchase, so I walked to another part of the outlet, shopped, and then went back to pay for my bargains!)

No little fire was stopping me, lol!  I know, that is really pathetic.  I am reformed.  :)

People used to go there and buy things and put it on ebay and charge unreal prices!


I hope you are cozy and warm this winter day!

That's it for my simple, manly table.  DH doesn't like a lot of "accoutrements" cluttering up the table, so perhaps he will approve of this one.

He does like food cluttering the table, and this is last night's dinner...

Romaine salad with feta and bacon, shrimp, and seafood cakes...  I made the cakes  with shrimp, crab, onion, celery, lemon juice, egg, a little mayo and breadcrumbs...
Form into a patty, dredge in Panko crumbs and brown...

Place in oven to finish baking..  Top with horseradish sauce mixed with mayo.  You can make them small as an appy.  These are dinner size...

I look forward to seeing what you have this week.

Thank you to those who link up and leave a comment. They are always appreciated.

If at any time you want to know how many visits you get from this party, just email me.  It is wonderful to see the numbers, so thanks to those who take the time to visit.

To link up, please, read..
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Blog name first, plenty of room for the description after it
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Your turn!
I am joining:
Susan for Tablescape Thurs.
Diann for Thrifty Things Fri,
Gollum for Foodie Friday

Plaid Tidings for 2013~Cozy & Warm!

Happy 2013!  Best wishes for a blessed and healthy new year!

Reminder! Some still have the word verification thingy, please remove it before linking to Let's Dish! Thanks! I know some of you don't realize you have it.
Also, put your blog name first when you link, thanks!
 
I love plaid, and since my Secret Santa knew that, she bought me 12 plaid plates at Pottery Barn Outlet.  They were running a deal of the day sale ,$ 4.97.  I am my secret Santa!  :)


I intend to use them through the winter, and play up the green for St. Patrick's Day!  Plaid isn't just for Christmas, and this setting would work all winter.

Perfect for a cold and snowy night weekday dinner!


A cotton cable knit throw is the first layer of this cozy and warm table.

Red  ceramic charger from PB, plaid dinner, white pierced edge salad from Cmas Tree Shop, henceforth CTS, :),  and red glass textured  bowl by Aroroc  The flatware is by Cambridge.



I layered a white ball fringed napkin with a plaid.  Both were from Tues. Morning.  The green cloth napkin ring is braided with a button, .25 from CTS.


A lantern on a scrunched plaid mat, with some fresh Baby's Breath is the centerpiece.

  The red stemware is from CTS.  Little covered bowl and pitcher via HG.




I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

MY TIP for Yvonne's TTT...

When teaching children how to set the table, tell them the word  BIN.  It will help them remember that the B lade of the knife, goes IN, B IN.  :)

Also if you are taking a peek at  something, you S EE it, so PEEK is to see, spelled with EE like sEE, not EA,!  Always the teacher!  :)


Please keep the families of the children murdered in CT in your prayers, the months and years  ahead will be so difficult for them.

****The JANUARY CHALLENGE will be on JAN. 23!
****SNOW, ICE, WINTER  is theme!
Now all you Southern Gals,  think COLD!  :)


The winner of the $25 gift card is Debbie at Mountain Breaths!  Send me your address, Debbie, and it will go out in the mail!

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment!

Your turn...

One Table setting , (dishes, glassware, silver, etc) related link, BLOG NAME FIRST

NO word ID permitted, people won't leave a comment when they see it, too time consuming,  and I want you to get visits and comments.

A link back to this party.

Don't forget to be a follower so if there is a give away you get in on it!

Your turn!
I am joining Yvonne for TTT, Susan for Tablescape Thurs.
Diann for Thrifty Things Fri.

A Blessed Christmas~Let's Dish #41

Good evening and welcome to Let' Dish!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and safe travels. 
We had good weather here in our part of NY, and made it back home  from or son's with no problem.

Lenox Holiday , I gifted them with plates and salad plates last Christmas, as well as 2 covered casseroles.  I  added 4 more plates, 2 large round serving bowls, the teapot and a platter this year.
14 at the adult table and 10 for the kids'


We had baked clams and New England Clam Chowder served at the table, and helped ourselves to filet mignon, chicken marsala,twice baked potato, glazed carrots, mushrooms, onions, and assorted breads.





The tree I made so many years ago for my mom is lovingly displayed.

A new stocking is added to the fireplace this year for our newest gson, Eamon.

Plenty of goodies to end a sweet Christmas.

DH made assorted Rugelach...

Children's version of Death by Chocolate, no kahlua

With for the adults, plenty of fresh whipped cream too!

Apple Crumb...
And plenty of cookies and other goodies!

I am extending the gift card give away for another week, as I forgot to mention it last week.  All followers who leave a comment will have a chance.

Enjoy all the activities of this holiday week, and Happy 2013 ...good health and happiness.

Thanks so much for visiting, I enjoyed visiting all the entries last week. If you had word id I didn't comment.
I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday, Yvonne for TTT, Bev for Pink Saturday.

No word id permitted , a link  back to this party is required, and put your BLOG  name first .  Please leave a comment if you link, and visit as many as you can!    THANKS so much!
Your turn!

Lenox Holiday~Let's Dish

Good evening, Dishers, hope your holiday preparations are nearing completion!  :)
After our party Sat., you can see it here, I needed a few days to catch up. 





Today I am off to finish the shopping.
Last year the Lenox Outlet had a wonderful sale, and I picked up 14 dinner plates and cake plates to give to my dil and son.  I got 4 for myself, and maybe I will add a few this year.

I wanted to keep this casual and simple , so I didn't use a cloth, just these felt wreaths I got at the dollar store.


Green flatware from World Market.com, bad experience with them last week, I will save that for a later date!
Pom pom napkin from Tues Morning, with a tassel and some greens and baby's breath as the napkin ring.

Ceramic spoons from WS were a recent gift, and I decided to use them as place markers .  The name is easily wiped off.

A pretty plate for our bread, also a recent gift.
Green glasses by Gorham via Lenox Outlet, and salt and peppers are by Spode.
  Some mini poinsettias in a pretty container with greens and flowers added is the centerpiece.


A matching Lenox votive was also a gift.

Don't forget there is a gift card give away for followers who leave a comment.  My little Christmas gift to one lucky follower.

Winner will be announced the 26th, so you can shop the after Cmas sales.
 
Let's see what you have this busy week!

Please put your blog name first, and link back to this party.
 A comment is always appreciated!

I know everyone is busy, but please try to visit as many as you can.
Thanks for stopping by, I do appreciate it!

Joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday, Yvonne for TTT

Santa Baby, Baby Jesus, and Easy Centerpiece

It was a busy weekend for Santa and his helpers.

We had our family Santa party, and there were lots of preparations and an under the weather elf to get it done!

But I didn't let it undermine my "elf esteem",  and though not as well prepared as I would have liked, the party went on.

How  cute are they?  Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Baby style.


My youngest gson, Eamon and his one month older cousin, Ella stole the show!


We had a Living Nativity, unpracticed, with simple costumes.


The Holy Family and some shepherds...

The angel and 3 Kings arrived, I see one of the shepherds had to have a drink from his sippy cup!


Eamon is in the Moses basket, and little Ella in the lamb.
  My gdau was the narrator, and all the gsons had a part, with cousins and friends joining in

A junior Santa came to see the baby Jesus, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  It was adorable, and reminded everyone the reason for the season.

That being said, the kids also were excited to have Santa and Mrs. Claus visit and deliver gifts.



The children whispered their wish list in Santa's ear.


Seeing all those happy faces brings the spirit of Christmas to your heart!  Though our hearts were heavy for our neighbors in CT who suffered such a horrendous loss on Friday, we cherished the time with these beautiful children.

After the party, many of us attended Mass and prayed for those who lost loved ones.  They need all of our prayers.


Of course, what's a party without food!





Plenty of desserts to end off a sweet day!  I made devil food cupcakes, dipped in chocolate and topped with whipped cream.  The little Santa's Workshop pole signs on top were via Martha Stewart.
Home made butter cookies and chocolate men.


Death by chocolate and a full pan of Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream.  It was being warmed when I took the picture.


  The tables...


Each child got a red sack filled with gifts and candy bags.

A Christmas bulb pop...
 
I put some floral foam in a red basket, some mylar paper over it and poked holes through the paper so they could stand up.


My usual take home, a loaf of Irish Soda, Chocolate, chocolate chip or Pumpkin Raisin Bread.

There was also a gift boutique, lol.  I had an assortment of little gifts, ornaments, etc.  Each child picked a gift, and put it in a gift bag for their mom.   Fun!

Here is a close up of the centerpieces.

It started as a 2.00 faux wreath...


I wired in fresh greens from my yard, and pine cones.


Added fresh mums and baby's breath, and a hurricane and pillar candle in the middle, both on sale at JoAnns.



The wreaths can be reused, as well as the bows and candle holders, so actually very economical.  The only things that would have to be replaced next year are the flowers and greens.  The whole thing cost less than 10.00 each, and as I said, can be reused.

That's my story for tonight!  It was a very busy week!  I hope those who came enjoyed themselves, I know the kids did!

Thanks for stopping by!

I am joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
Susan for Met. Monday
Yvonne for On the Menu Monday
Kathe for You're going to Love It Tues.
Marty for Tabletop Tues.
Gollum for Foodie Friday
See you Wed for Let's Dish!  Don't forget to follow and leave a comment to be entered in the gift card giveaway .  Winner will be announced on the 26th, in time to take advantage of those post Christmas sales!