SNOW WHITE SILK GLADIOLUS

Want to make a simple but stunning arrangement for Christmas in just 15 minutes?   I bought these silk gladiolus at WalMart for $3.97 each.  But, recently my WalMart has downsized its floral department and no longer carry gladiolus.   If your local WalMart no longer has a floral department check with Michael's for their floral sales which is usually 40-50% off. 

I bought the mirrored vase at Home Goods although any vase of comparable size would work (16" tall,  6" base, 8" opening at the top).  This particular vase holds 32 gladiolus and each stem stands 35" tall.  If you would like to cut down on the expense of the arrangement, all you have to do is buy a narrower vase that holds less gladiolus.
                                                            
To arrange, gather the gladiolus in your hand like a bouquet and place them into the vase.   Because I more than likely will repurpose these flowers, I did not anchor them in the bottom of the vase with anything.  Begin to space each gladioli stem evenly apart, one from the other, beginning with the center gladioli stems taking care that the middle stand straight so they are the tallest.  Working outwards, I found that I did not need to cut the bottom stems of any gladiolus except for the gladiolus that rested directly on the vase opening.  Those I had to cut 5" off the bottom of each stem in order to get the "bursting effect" of the arrangement. Since all vases are shaped differently I would not do any cutting unless you are absolutely sure you have to, to get the desired results.  It does take a little time to get each flower leaning and spaced correctly.   But, it is an art not a science so have fun being creative.  The result is well worth the effort!
 
Please Note:  I took artistic license with the silk gladiolus leaves by gracefully pulling them downward away from the flower as opposed to fresh gladiolus leaves which tend to remain upright or removed altogether when arranging.  It's really just a personal preference.  I wanted a softer look to the arrangement rather than a cleaner look.

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Pineapples & Palm Trees
                                                            ~ Debbie ~

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS BBQ

 

My daughter taught me this deliciously easy slow cooker BBQ recipe.  This is a perfect meal to serve out-of-town guests over the holidays, as you simply put it on in the morning and go out and have fun with them all day.  What's more wonderful than coming home to a house filled with the tangy aroma of BBQ?  Because it lends itself to casual dining, it is also a great crowd pleaser while watching your favorite football team this holiday season.  This recipe is best served on a warm Kaiser roll, and don't forget to check out my Cole Slaw recipe for the perfect side dish or topping!

                                                             INGREDIENTS

                                          4-6 pounds Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt

                   2 18 oz. bottle BBQ Sauce Hickory Smoked (Or whatever you like best!)
                                                  2 chopped Onions (browned)

                                                             1 cup Ketchup

                                                  1/2 cup White Wine Vinegar

                                                 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

                        1 tsp. Liquid Smoke (You can find this in the BBQ Sauce aisle)

                                                                2 Bay Leaf

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

STEP 2:  Bake Pork Roast for about 45 minutes or until brown on the outside but not fully cooked on the inside.

STEP 3:  While Pork Roast is baking in oven, turn slow cooker on high and mix in 2 bottle Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce, 2 chopped and browned onions, 1 cup Ketchup, 1/2 cup White Wine Vinegar, 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tsp. Liquid Smoke and 2 Bay Leaf. 

STEP 4:  After 45 minutes in oven, remove Pork Roast and drain excess drippings before placing Pork Roast into slow cooker.  Make sure BBQ Sauce coats all sides of meat.

STEP 5 Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to bottom of slow cooker.  Pork Roast will gradually tear apart allowing more of the sauce to penetrate the meat.  Cook for 4-6 hours or until meat is completely shredded.

SERVING SUGGESTION:  My husband's favorite way to eat it is on a bun embellished with Cole Slaw.

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Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                            ~ Debbie ~

HO! HO! HO! COLE SLAW

Cole slaw is really easy to prepare.   It's like a salad but instead of lettuce it is shredded cabbage in dressing.  So there is no cooking involved.  Like any salad, it is a versatile dish that can easily accompany just about any meal from Sunday dinners to picnics.  That said, I don't think there is a better way to serve it than to top off BBQ on a bun.  It is the perfect complement with its fresh, tangy flavor combined with the BBQ's rich and spicy taste.  If you haven't tried my BBQ recipe yet, give them both a try at the same time to give your tummy a warm, tasty treat on a cold winter night!

                                                            INGREDIENTS

           1 Medium size Head of Cabbage (Shredded) - Make sure it is fresh, firm and crisp.

                                                           Dressing Recipe

                                                       3/4 Cup  Mayonnaise
                                                            2 Tbsp. Sugar
                        1/4 Cup Evaporated Milk (Comes in small can in baking aisle)
                                                 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1:  Shred 1 head of Cabbage by hand with a knife. This can be done the day before and refrigerated overnight to cut down on preparation time the day you will be serving it.  Please Note:  I don't use a food processor because it can make the cabbage watery which will make for runny slaw.

STEP 2:  To make dressing, mix together 3/4 cup Mayonnaise and 2 Tbsp. Sugar until well blended.  Pour in 1/4 cup Evaporated Milk and mix well.  Add 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar.  The mixture will become thicker.

STEP 3:  Pour dressing over cabbage, mix and refrigerate about an hour before serving so the flavors will meld.  If you mix together earlier than that the cabbage will start to get soggy the same way lettuce gets soggy after about an hour drenched in salad dressing.

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Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                            ~ Debbie ~

SNOWBALL TOPIARY CENTERPIECES

Do you need an impact centerpiece for a special occasion (Christmas party, wedding, New Year's Eve) this holiday season?  These festive topiaries are just what you are looking for.  I used the taller vase to make silk floral arrangements for my daughter and son-in-law's New Year's Eve wedding. 

It stands 4 1/2 feet - the topiary floral ball is 24" in diameter and sits on top of a 30" vase.  The shorter topiary stands 3 1/2 feet - the topiary floral ball is 18" and sits on top of an 24" vase.  But, you can adjust the height of the arrangement by the size vase you choose.  I have to be honest and say this is a time consuming project. But, the WOW ambiance created by transforming an ordinary room into extraordinary is well worth it and at a fraction of the cost of a fresh arrangement of similar caliber. 

                                                       MATERIALS NEEDED

Styrofoam Ball 8" - Michael's

Floral Wire (Clear) or Beading Wire (Clear) - Michael's

Plastic Ring 1/4" - Fabric Store (Drapery Accessories Section)

Metal Shish Kabob Skewer - WalMart

Silk Flowers - Michael's - If you would like to duplicate silk flowers pictured, I bought amaryllis bushes (6 flowers per bush) for 18" topiary.  For 24" topiary I bought 12 bushes of amaryllis (6 flowers per bush) & 28 roses.  Check Michael's website each Sunday for 40-50% floral sales.

Tall Glass Vase - *Amazon,  Home Goods, TJMaxx, Marshall's, Michael's, Ross

Ornament to suspend from Styrofoam Ball to Middle of Vase - Michael's, Home Goods

Ornaments for Bottom of Vase - Dollar Tree

Artificial Snow for Bottom of Vase - WalMart, Michael's

Tape

Paper Clip

Scissors

Optional:  3 Cup Hooks & Beaded Garland (approximately 6 1/2 feet)

Alternate Decor for Bottom of Vase:

Flameless Timer Candles - *Amazon

Rose Petals - *Amazon, Michael's

*I bought most of the materials needed at discount stores - Home Goods or Michael's.   But, if you aren't near one of these stores or need convenience, Amazon (which I love) sells almost everything you need to make these.  I've included Amazon links below for vases, rose petals and flameless candles. 

AMAZON LINK - 24" TALL VASE (for 18 " topiary ball), sold in set of 6

Cylinder Vase, H-24" D-5" (6 pcs)

AMAZON LINK - 28" TALL VASE (for 24" topiary ball), sold in set of 6

Clear Glass Cylinder Vase 5x28 inch 6 pieces

AMAZON LINK - SILK ROSE PETALS (white)

1000pcs White Silk Rose Petals Artificial Flower Wedding Party Vase Decor Bridal Shower Favor Centerpieces Confetti

AMAZON LINK - 6" FLAMELESS TIMER CANDLES (white)

Inglow CGT54600WH01 6-Inch Flameless Round Pillar Vanilla Scented Candle with Timer, White

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TOPIARY:

1)  Gently place artificial snow in bottom of vase.  Clean off any snow residue that may have accumulated on inside of vase as it made its way to the bottom of the vase.

2)  Gently place ornaments on mound of artificial snow.

Please Note:  An alternative to snow/ornaments in bottom of vase is a flameless timer candle  
surrounded by rose petals.  The beauty of a flameless timer candle is that it adds candlelight
to the inside of the centerpiece flame free.  You can set the timer to turn the candlelight on
ahead of time so that you will not have to disturb the centerpiece when it comes time for the
guests to arrive.  It is also ideal for year round entertaining rather than only at Christmastime.

3)  To suspend ornament midway in vase, cut a 36" length of floral or beading wire.

4)  Bring both ends of wire together and tie a knot about 2 inches from beginning of each end.
 
5)  Tape the wire where the knot has been tied securely to pointed end of skewer.

6)  Then insert pointed end of skewer straight through styrofoam ball until skewer end pokes out opposite side of styrofoam ball. 

7)  Place a 1/4" plastic ring through one end of the wire and then knot the two ends together holding the plastic ring securely in place.  Now the wire cannot be pulled out of the styrofoam ball.   Gently cut away tape careful not to cut wire. 

8)  Attach an ornament on the other end of the wire that is not knotted with the plastic ring. 

9)  Gently lower attached ornament into glass vase so it is suspended.  Then sit styrofoam ball on top of glass vase and adjust ball until ornament is suspended mid vase.

10)  To adjust suspended ornament to height desired, pull up on plastic ring until desired height has been reached.  Then place a paper clip end through ring and attach it to styrofoam ball.  Although plastic ring was originally at opposite end of styrofoam ball from ornament end, when you pull up ring to adjust string height of ornament you will be bringing ring down alongside of ball to paper clip it securely in place. 

11) For 18" topiary - Cut stems of silk flowers to 4" in length from flower base.  For 24" topiary - Cut stems of silk flowers that will cover styrofoam ball to 8" in length from flower base.  Please Note:  For the 24" topiary the 28 roses I used were not needed to cover the strofoam ball.  They were used to add depth and interest to the topiary.  So I cut the rose stems to 10" in length and inserted them evenly amongst the amaryllis after I'd completely covered the styrofoam ball with the amaryllis.  The roses protrude 1-2" further out from the amaryllis.    

12)  Starting at base of styrofoam ball that is sitting on the outside of vase, insert stems of silk flowers  4" deep (you won't be able to see stem any longer if you are making an 18" topiary) making first row of flowers completely encircling top of vase making sure that you are leaving enough room that the flowers don't crowd each other.  But, at the same time, the styrofoam is completely covered by the flowers.

13)  Above that first row, begin inserting a 2nd row of silk flower stems.  Again leaving enough room that the flowers won't crowd each other.  But, at the same time, the styrofoam should be covered by flower petals.

14)  Continue the same way for each row up until styrofoam ball is covered. There may be need for adjustment as you insert the stems to gain evenness in appearance.   If you are making the 24" topiary and have finished covering the styrofoam ball with the 1st set of flowers (for my topiary it was amaryllis), now start interspersing the 2nd set of flowers (for my topiary it was roses) evenly amongst the 1st set allowing the 2nd set to protrude 1-2" further out from the 1st set to add depth and interest. 

OPTIONAL:  For scalloped beading, insert 3 cup hooks spaced evenly from one another into styrofoam ball where ball meets vase (bottom row of flowers).

Then scallop beading from one cup hook to the next until your beading meets back at the cup hook you started with.   Tie both ends of beading together with floral wire.  To secure beading on each cup hook to hold it in place I tie  beading and cup hook together with floral wire.

Transporting Centerpieces:  Transport topiaries separately from glass vases.  I bought big round plastic tubs from WalMart to transport vases.  Each tub holds about 6-7 vases and I stuffed towels in between vases so they could not tap each other and break.   For the topiaries I took a large leaf size trash bag, laid the bag completely flat on the floor without opening it, placed the topiary in the middle of it, then joined all 4 ends of the bag up over the top of the topiary and loosely tied it for easy carrying.  The vase and topiary are easily and quickly assembled once they have arrived at their destination since the topiary does not have to be secured on top of the vase.

Want more creative ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

                                                            ~ Debbie ~