Tablescapes · Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Ideas

I’m planning on hosting Thanksgiving for my family this year. I’m not going all out with decorations and table decor, but I want it to be special, memorable and fun.

I also want it to be stress-free as possible!  For that reason this week I plan on getting some things done ahead of time.  Here’s this week’s list:

  • Iron Tablecloths and napkins
  • Make pie crusts
  • Make Butterhorns
  • Make menu
  • Get centerpiece ideas ready

Let me share some of my ideas with you, in case you could use a little inspiration, too!

Mini Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies
One year I made these with sugar cookie dough and piped names on them to use as place cards.  So easy!
Thanksgiving Cheese Ball
Why not turn the cheese ball appetizer into a cute turkey?
Thanksgiving Table Setting - Rocky Hedge Farm
Gathering leaves from outside to add a touch to a napkin is so pretty!
Home Style Saturdays: A Place To Be Inspired For All Things Home | On Sutton Place
So easy yet so elegant!
Beautiful & Simple Thanksgiving Table by House of Harper. #thanksgiving #holidaytable #holiday #tablescape
If you don’t have a tablecloth or if you have children dining at the table, a roll of brown paper is a great alternative! 

Why not try a little un-traditional color combo?

Thanksgiving table with assorted turkey plates, plaid tablecloth and easy centerpiece with pumpkins, oak leaves, nuts and votives | #thanksgiving #centerpiece #table #Decor
I love the simple beauty of the pumpkins, nuts and greenery as the centerpiece.
These cheap and easy Thanksgiving decorations will spruce up your home and your Thanksgiving table. There are Thanksgiving centerpieces, mantel displays, candles, wreaths, table settings and much more! These festive decorations are sure to impress your guests. The trick to affordable Thanksgiving decorations is to use your natural surroundings. Do you have pine trees and maple …
Simple and inexpensive idea!  Use the same flower in canning jars and line them up down the center of the table!

 

{HOLIDAY} thanksgiving thankful tree - Creative Juice | @Mindy Burton Burton Burton CREATIVE JUICE
Here’s an idea to start even this week!  What a great collection of gratitude you’ll have by the time Thanksgiving arrives!

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year?  What could you be working on now so you’ll be less stressed when the holiday arrives?

With love from my country kitchen,

denise a

ministry · Refreshment

Refreshed at a Retreat

Oh friends, every time I get the blessing of sharing God’s Word with a group of women, I am in awe that my great God that would use a small, insignificant person like me!  Going to speak to women is ALWAYS more about what God has taught me as I’ve prepared than it is them hearing from me.  I am nothing, but God’s Word is EVERYTHING and I love being His messenger!

Last weekend I got to travel to Grass Valley, CA to speak at Wolf Mt. Camp.  There were around 65 women who filled the camp and came to fellowship, rest, have fun and get refreshed in their spiritual lives.  I loved every minute of being there and thought I would “take you along” via my pictures today.

Continue reading “Refreshed at a Retreat”

Christlikeness · Responding to trials · trials

Look Like Him

Image result for Colossians 1:27 image

The funniest occurrence happened this week and I’ve lost track of how many times this scenario has happened in the past.  I was out shopping and a couple walked past me and greeted me…warmly, with that recognition kind of “Hello!”  I kept walking because I have never seen them before.  Then they called a name ~

“Dianne!”

It was at that moment that I realized this person thought they were seeing my twin sister, Dianne!  I turned and confessed that “Dianne” wasn’t being rude and ignoring them, but that I am her twin, Denise! They responded with,

Oh my!  You look just like her!

These situations have happened out of the state in which she lives, which makes it even more crazy!  Even as adults, I guess we must still look alike.! There’s something in me that makes them think they’re seeing Dianne.

The following day after this happened, I was thinking of a difficulty I’m facing and was praying about my responses.  It’s so easy to turn cynical, sarcastic and even want to pull away, but then I was reminded that when others see me, they should see Christ in me.  He should be so recognizable in my words, my actions, and even what my expression reveals.  Is there…

  • Worry?
  • Anger?
  • Depression?
  • Disgust?

If so, others will walk right on by, seeing only Denise instead of Jesus.  But what if I allow the Lord to help me be mindful of His responses towards me so that I can show those same traits to others by His power?  They will see:

  • Joy!
  • Love!
  • Trust!
  • Forgiveness!

Could people walk past you and me and see Jesus?  Oh no, we’ll never be perfect this side of heaven, but there should be something so familiar about  our lives and responses, that they would be reminded  of Christ! Let’s pray that we look more and more like Him as the years pass!

I’m thankful for a twin so the Lord could remind me today that I need to look like Him!
Who are you showing to a watching world?

denise a

 

 

Chicken · Dinner · Mexican Food

White Chicken Enchiladas

On a busy day before my recent trip to California, I needed a hearty dinner that didn’t take lots of time to prepare.  These White Chicken Enchiladas were perfect! I roasted chicken breasts early in the day and cut them up and refrigerated them so that part of the meal would be ready.  You could purchase a rotisserie chicken and simplify it even more!

The creamy white sauce in these enchiladas is simple to make and is so good! It’s a really nice change from the traditional red sauce!  If you like Queso dip, I think the sauce tastes very similar.  Mmm.

I served it with tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

White Ench 1

Ingredients:

  • 10 (8-inch) flour tortillas
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 2 cups Colby & Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (4oz) can of diced green chilies

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan or any baking dish.

2. Mix chicken and 1 cup cheese. Roll up tortillas and place into the prepared pan.

3. In a saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.

4. Stir in sour cream and chilies. Do not bring to boil. You don’t want to curdle the sour cream.

5. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 min; then under high broil for three additional minutes until the cheese browns slightly.

white ench 3

 

White ench 2

We loved this recipe!  I hope you’ll try it!

With love from my country kitchen,

denise a