The Love Birds

Fete Avec Moi

This weekend, a blizzard invaded the Northeast. Unfortunately, we live in the Northeast. Some days I wish we were snowbirds that packed up and flew away to Florida. But others, I like being cozy on the couch as love birds.  Luckily it wasn't quite as bad as expected. But it did put a damper on things. Additionally, I have been visited by a lovely germ. Go away!!!!!

Fete Avec Moi

So decorations were a bit minimalistic this year for our upcoming Valentine's Day.  But here is what I did manage. I switched out the yellow table cloth on our entry table with a red one. On it I located our Champagne bottle candle, wine glasses (with red ribbon inside), candles, our Starbucks ornaments [I'm a Dunkin girl now, but we met at a Starbucks in February one year. So we need to represent] and positioned for display. To our birdcage I added a picture of 2 lovebirds that I found on the Internet. A male and female cardinal are just perfect to add to the cage.

I had an idea, I wanted to make a garland out of the heart suit of playing cards. Unfortunately, I cannot locate my playing cards.  I hope they appear soon. I had originally thought of placing a playing card in a vase with the some red paper strips. But no cards, no decoration lol ;) Oh well maybe next year. Though I was looking for the block LOVE letters to print, I was led to find a graphic of playing cards 7-Q-A-3 expertly arranged to look like "L-O-V-E". Had to print and add to my mailboard. You can find the original image here: http://walktworemember.tumblr.com/post/26161352236/stunning-unique-i-want-this-blown-up-and-mounted

Fete Avec Moi

What I was gratefully able to find though, were the clearance sale bows (red and silver) that I had picked up. I had bought them for a dollar at the end of Christmas. They have a twisty wire behind each one. I used this to twist around each of the rungs of the railing steps.  A quick, inexpensive decoration that added some flair and color to our hallway.

Fete Avec Moi

Every year, we have a wreath of silk flowers that adorns the door to our apartment. So of course that went up as the snow fell down.

Last night, I used an old rose garland to make a photograph for our technology company. When I was finished, of course I had to go add that to the hallway as well.

Fete Avec Moi

So not too much done. Not too much spent. But a little color and flair added to our humble abode. I'd love to hear what you think. Do you have any other simple, inexpensive ideas to share?

Rocking Start to the New Year

Okay so I do enjoy entertaining. But you know, sometimes it is really nice to be entertained by others. For New Year's we went to a lovely hotel not far from Foxwoods Casino. They offer free transportation from the hotel to the casino via limos (see photo left of the cool neon in the limo).

The hotel also has Tempurpedic beds (Which may quite possibly be the best invention ever!) I suffer from back and hip pain depending on my day. Every time we stay at this hotel I never have pain. A definite treat!

So before going away of course, I had to stage a photograph to let the world know that our company would be closed to Celebrate New Year's. A simple little display of a New Year's Eve paper plate for the back drop, candles shaped like Champagne bottles, battery operated candles (my new favorite decorating accessory), and naturally two wine glasses to go with the champagne. Since we wouldn't be pouring the candles, I added to streamer like blowouts to the glasses. It was simple. It was quick. But I also think it was festive. And it definitely served its purpose... to inform our customers that our computer repair company would be closed so that we could celebrate together.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, Casino for play, my good friends in Dark City Saints (http://darkcitysaints.com/) playing to a packed crowd, limo ride back to the hotel, time to chill with the husband. All the fun definitely needed to be followed by some rest. Thankgoodness for the Tempurpedic beds!

And of course the dawning of the New Year, brings the dawning of the new day. This was our view as we packed the car. Yes, the dawning of the new day, also brings the knowledge that my winter recess has come to an end. I love my job. But man is it ever hard to return after time away. But since we aren't high rollers that won big, back to work we go.

Thank you to all those that have visited Fete Ave Moi (http://feteavecmoi.blogspot.com/) since I opened this summer. I appreciate all the kind comments, the hits I get (love seeing that I received traffic on Google Analytics) make me smile from ear to ear. And in fact, I logged in before posting this and saw that people visited the page on New Year's Eve. Sorry I didn't have any decorating/entertaining tips to help others prepare this time. But a rest was much needed. Of course now that I am somewhat rested (does anyone really rest during the holidays?) I look ahead to upcoming celebrations during 2013.

May 2013 be filled with much joy for everyone reading this.

Having a Ball Decorating for Christmas

So every year we have a different theme for our Christmas party and Christmas decorating. This year I asked the husband what came to mind when he thought of Christmas decorations. He replied, “Christmas balls.” So I looked for party supplies with Christmas balls. As always I started the process early. It's odd searching for items for Christmas while decorating for Halloween... but it makes things less expensive. Last year's Christmas stock was available for 50% off. Yay!

So this was this year's inspiration:

Inspiration - Fête Avec Moi

Fête Avec Moi

In late September, I found some large Christmas Tree Store decorations in our theme. I purchased 4 big Christmas balls (2 gold, 2 silver). Had them rattling around in the trunk of my car for months. But it was well worth it when I pulled them out this weekend to decorate our front walkway. A few weeks ago, I also found a great garland of large (but not as big) multi-color Christmas balls.. Add to cart!

At a local Target and a dollar store I found beautiful silver and red ribbons. As I dug out our boxes of previous year holiday decorations, I discovered silver garlands that I could reuse. Free is good. I wrapped the walkway stair rail with silver garlands. Then I suspended the balls from the ribbons. The ribbons were a nice quality with a wire along the sides. They help keep the Christmas balls from blowing in the wind too much.

At a CVS at the start of the holiday season (sadly this means October), I found battery operated led Christmas tree lights. I remembered when we were first married we had a small potted faux Christmas tree. I hunted and dug it out of storage. Add a few mini red Christmas balls, the left over end of a silver garland from outside, and the battery operated lights. Tada, beautiful mini-tree in the hallway landing. Thank goodness the neighbors appreciate my decorating and don't frown upon me taking over the halls.  Also, reclaimed the light up battery operated gift package decorations that I bought at 50% plus a coupon in January of last year.

I found online at Target (some of my biggest steals) a battery operated strand of red glass ball shaped lights. Yay! Mix with another silver garland and the inside stairs look rather festive. Love that they are battery operated even though they are so large. Yes, folks this Christmas I will be piloting using a few rechargeable batteries. I found some chargers last Spring that charge via usb. Bingo! My green side cheers. Will let you know how they go.

On the first day of Christmas Target found for me... 50 red Christmas balls for $15 dollars. Also 50 silver Christmas balls for $15 dollars. Do you think, I have enough Christmas balls now? I hope so but my crafty side isn't sure lol. Plan to add a few more to the staircase inside on our floor this weekend. Plan to display in glass vases here in the apartment. And plan to offer them as favors to friends during the holiday season. I love personalized ornaments.

I'd love to hear what you think. Voulez-vous faire la fête avec moi? Joyeux Noël à tous. More to come soon as I prep for this year's annual Holiday Cookie Exchange. Are you hosting your own Cookie Exchange this year? One tip, I just have to share... evite.com  has an adorable free invitation that you can send via email or Facebook. So very cute.

Pausing with Pumpkin Perfection

Pausing with Pumpkin Perfection - FetaAvecMoi

Entertaining with friends and family is so rewarding. But don't forget to occasionally treat yourself to some precious downtime too. As the holidays get under way, it's nice to take a moment to relax and unwind. Do you have a Keurig yet? If not may I suggest you put this on your holiday wishlist. Yes, coffee smells wonderful when perked in a vintage coffee pot on the stove. But what mess with grounds and cleaning all the parts! Modern technology has brought us many updates since. But Keurig... oh my! I like ease and convenience. Open, poor in water in well, pop in a coffee kcup, press the button... voila coffee.

This weekend I have been enjoying the comfort of pumpkin coffee, time on the couch, and pumpkin spread. I must admit, my pumpkin spread was discovered as an accident. I was making pumpkin creamcheese (or so I thought). I was exhausted and making it late at night. Can you picture my surprise when my pumpkin creamcheese turned out all lumpy and bumpy. Urgh what is wrong with this? I taste it to try to figure out what went wrong... I dorked... I pulled out the ricotta cheese container not the cream cheese container. But you know what? It was delicious. Healthy and yummy... bonus! So now I make it throughout the fall to enjoy.

Here's the deal:
1 can of Libby's Pure Pumpkin
1 small container of ricotta cheese
3 packets of Splenda

So simple. So yummy. What a great afternoon snack to spoon a little bit on a Ritz cracker or 2 (okay or 7 or 8). Pair it with a large cup of Dunkin Pumpkin Kcup coffee. Grab a few magazines (to start scanning for holiday entertaining ideas) and put life on pause for a moment. Life is good.

Dunkin Donuts now has Peppermint Mocha Kcups. Can't wait to try them. But for now I am stocking up on the last Pumpkin Coffees that I can find. Wish they sold them all year round. What is your favorite flavored coffee?

Poe Party Pizzaz

Recently, I blogged about the prep for Halloween, the food from our Halloween Party. Now that the party has happened and I have rested a bit, I can post more about the decorations and party wrap-up. I'd love to know what you think of our party decor. Would you borrow some ideas? Would you tweak some ideas? Would you avoid some ideas? Yes, if you convey this politely, I would love to hear your feedback. One can only grow from positive criticism. But for now on to showcasing the fun:

Photo Op Wall - Feteavecmoi

Photo Op Wall:
A white table cloth hung over the closet door with a Haunted House Wall Cling attached served as a great backdrop for photos of guests. For those that didn't dress in costume I had photo props: white tie, mustache, beads, gloves, and more.

Drink Table:
Decorated with a lit branch, books, raven, wine glasses filled with black and white beads and a Poe banner.



Drinks provided:

• Ghostinis: milk, vodka, Godiva chocolate liquor
• Scareberry Koolaid
• Coke
• Lemonade
• Coffee - everyone loves using the Keurig

Appetizer Table:
Decorated with a lightup plastic heart, skull and black leaves.






Appetizers provided:

• Pumpkin dip: 1 can pure pumpkin, 1 container ricotta, 3 pkg splenda
• Sea salt flatbread sticks
• Hearts: roasted red peppers folded and skewered with a haunted house pick
• Cheese and crackers
• Blue (black) Tortilla chips

Food Table:
Decorated with inexpensive black frames to label foods, black and white garland, faux candles and black and white serving dishes.

Candy Buffet Table:
Clear containers with metalic lids each labelled with chalkboard stickers for the candy inside. Candies included mounds, mints, ghost peeps, black rock candy, blood orange dots, mini-candy bars wrapped with personalized wrappers, hershey bars, cookies and cream hershey bars, black and white lollipops, chocolate eyes inside a skull, tootsie pops, and tootsie rolls.  Each guest was given a trick or treat bag to fill with their favorite selections from the Candy Buffet.


Main table (for congregating):
Decorated with black platter, skull, black spooky sign and faux candles.

Furniture:
Decorated with white covers, black leaves, chains, black pillows and a skeleton friend on the couch.
The TV was decorated with faux candles, eerie cloth, vintage style books, and a black raven.
A stool was adorned with a pillow that I had drawn Edgar Allan Poe on the pillow case.


Landing to the Apartment:
Decorated with lit and cobwebbed trees, bird cage, ravens, faux candles, and black pumpkins

Entrance to apartment:
Decorated with scroll (parchment paper rolled around a black hanger on which I wrote some of the text from The Raven), leaf wreath, black haunted house cutout, mini-pumpkin, and cobwebs, and lots of construction paper ravens.

Party Favors:
Black and white tubes filled with black and white M&Ms and ribbons
Takeout container style treat boxes filled with candies, blowouts, ball games, masks, and pencils.

Slide Show available here

Black and White and Yummy

Just settling down after our Pre-Halloween festivities. It was a fun day. Love when friends gather and provide feedback that makes my party planning and effort so worth while. Love all the oohs and ahhs as friends and family look around. So here's a little recap of the festivities.

As was mentioned in an earlier blog post, we went with a black and white theme inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven. Little touches here and there that pulled it all together.

Let's begin with today's menu.

Appetizers - J.Shields

Appetizers:

Cheese and grapes (simple fair presliced cheese and grapes)

Lemon Pepper Cheese Balls (a mix of alouette and cream cheese with lemon pepper rolled into balls)

Roasted Red Pepper Hearts (marinated roasted peppers cut in half)

Main Course:

Main Course Table - J.Shields

Black Bean Salad

• Black beans
• Cannelini beans
• Safflower oil
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Lemon Pepper
• Artificial Sweetner
  

  Refrigerate overnight

Tell-Tale Heart Salad

• Romaine Hearts
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Mozzarella balls
• Hearts of Palm
• Artichoke hearts
• Cranberry vinegrette

Raven Wings

Was going to cheat and order wings. Realized they may cause a health issue for a family member due to an allergy. So I made them from scratch.

Saute oil and minced onion

Braise chicken wings in the oil

Season with seasalt and lemon pepper

Prepare BBQ sauce (oil, minced onion, garlic pepper, brown sugar splenda, apricot jam, pomegranate jam, ketchup and white wine vinegar.)

After sauting add to the BBQ sauce and boil.

Refrigerated the wings overnight. The day of the party I simmered the wings in the sauce in a crockpot to serve warm.

Black and White Pasta

• L'Antica Madia Farfalle (black and white striped)
• Alfredo sauce
• Tomato sauce

Backbone Sandwiches

• Turkey sandwich roll-ups ordered from Costco

[insert picture of food table]

Desserts:

Oreos (black and white of course)

Cupcakes orders ½ chocolate with white icing and ½ yellow with chocolate icing

Candy Buffet (mounds, ghost peeps, blood orange dots, tootsie rolls, hershey bars, hershey cookie and cream bars, mints, chocolate eyes, tootsie roll minipops, and black and white lollipops)

Lady fingers

Soon I will have another post with some of the decorations and other preparations. But after all the festivities, I am a bit overtired. Time for a rest.

Fall in Love with Kitchen Therapy

Today was a sick day. So I decided on a little kitchen therapy. It's October 15^th, the perfect time to embrace a little pumpkin. I looked online for how long to cook a microwave muffin. I found this healthy treat online, http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=868006.

Great advice about starting at a minute and adding time as you go until perfect.

So here is what I did:

I had extra muffin papers from last year. And people wonder why I horde. Because then I have stuff like this to play with when I want to later!

In a plastic cup I mixed (all rough measurements I did this by eye).

Ingredients:

1 tbsp margarine

2 tbsp canned pure pumpkin (not pie mix)

4 packets of Splenda

1 ½ tbsp flour

1 tbsp canola oil

(You could add some baking powder to help these rise a bit, although I didn't on this second batch. 

The first had a bit of the baking powder taste so I left it out.)

I sprayed the muffin paper with nonstick cooking spray (bottom and side walls). Blend all ingredients in the cup. Scoop half into each muffin paper. Place muffin papers on a microwave safe paper plate, lined with a paper towel. Microwave for 1 minute. See how that goes. These needed 30 seconds more. About a minute and half was perfect. After the first minute, I sprinkled with a lovely spice that was purchased at The Christmas Tree Shop. Then continued microwaving.

Now to enjoy with a cup of Pumpkin Coffee and a Quick Cook Pumpkin Muffin. What a great way to end a sick day. Curled up on the couch with the husband and perfectly portioned 2 pumpkin muffins.