FESTIVE FRAMED MIRROR CENTERPIECE

I love to re-purpose items that I can find around the house for Christmas!  My most recent holiday creation starts with a 54" floor length wall mirror that I bought from WalMart a few years ago for my son's townhouse.  When he upgraded the wall with a new look, I reclaimed the mirror and instead of hanging it, I set it on my dining room table turning it into a large Christmassy centerpiece.  I centered candle holders with candles I already had in my closet near the middle, and then added packs of ornaments from Dollar Tree for an overall "blingy" look.  The best part is I can use the ornaments elsewhere when I'm not entertaining in the dining room, such as in large clear vases on my mantle (another inexpensive but classy holiday look).  
                                                 
                                                        MATERIALS NEEDED

                                                                  Mirror

                             Ornaments & Candle Holders & Candles (not pictured)

                                     Mix and match colors, shades and shapes!

Look around your house, you may have all of these items already just waiting to be incorporated into a gorgeous tablescape!  So if you are looking for a showy holiday centerpiece with big impact at little expense let your imagination run wild! 

  

                                    Every guest shares in its table length impact!

                                                   Festive holiday ambiance!                                                   

                                        ~ Allow your imagination to have fun ~
                                                               ~ Debbie ~


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

FEARLESS - A GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HEROIC MILITARY STORIES

My husband was so moved by Adam Brown's heroic story that he talked at length about its encouraging message played out through Brown's life and death.  It is a posthumous biography,  well-written by Eric Blehm who chronicles Brown's life from his small town humble beginnings to the elite of the elite top tier of the U.S. military.  Unvarnished it is a portrait of a man strong enough to overcome personal defeats, and in turn, becoming an inspiration to us all.  Filled with tragedy and triumph,  this book is a compelling story of redemption, courage and sacrifice.  As many lives as Brown touched during his life, I believe he is touching even more in his death through this book.

You can buy this book at any local bookstore but I use Amazon for convenience.  If you are interested in purchasing from Amazon please click below...

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

Want more gift ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees                                                                  Enjoy
                                                             ~ Debbie ~

FESTIVE CHICKEN FAJITAS

My husband and I met while attending Virginia Tech.  Being poor college students at the time, most of our dates involved free admission venues and one of them happened to be VT football games.  We would jokingly complain we were always given student tickets in the nose-bleed section of the bleachers.  But, times have changed.   Tech football  is a powerhouse now and the seats we complained about back then sell for an unmentionable amount of money since the stadium today dwarfs itself from its once humble beginnings. 

So with the advent of big screen TV's and not wanting to pay the big $$$,  we have begun a tradition with other Virginia Tech friends of gathering together for the games in the comfort of our family rooms.  We have a great time playing armchair quarterbacks, rooting for our team and enjoying a great meal at halftime.    The recipe below is one of the favorites that I have made that is perfect for a holiday season casual get together.  It is a one-stop crowd pleaser - meat, vegetables and carbs all rolled into one festively colorful and deliciously tangy meal.   

                                                            INGREDIENTS
                                                                

                                   2 Roasted Chickens (Store roasted in deli section)
                                                    6 Peppers - 3 Red, 3 Green
                                                             6 Sweet Onions
                                  1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Light Sodium Worchester Sauce
                                        1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Light Sodium Soy Sauce
                                       1 tsp. McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
                                        *1 1/2 cups Vidalia Onion Vinagrette Dressing
                                                             1/4 cup Olive Oil
                                                                   Tortillias

Makes about 12 fajitas.  

*I used to buy Vidalia Onion Vinagrette Dressing in a twin-pak from Costco.  I have not been able to find it any longer at my local Costco.  If you cannot find it at yours, I have included an Amazon link that I purchase it from now.  Please click below...

Oak Hill Farms Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette Twin Pack, 33.8 Ounce Bottles   

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1:  Slice up peppers & onions.  In pan, saute in olive oil until start to soften.  Then place in crock pot.

STEP 2:  Slice up white meat from roasted chickens and stir into peppers and onions mixture in crock pot.

STEP 3:  Stir in 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. (=3/8 cup) Worchester Sauce, 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. (=3/8 cup) Soy Sauce, 1 tsp. Montreal Steak Seasoning & 1 1/2 cups Vidalia Onion Vinagrette Dressing.

STEP: 4:  Pour mixture into crock pot, stir completely and cook for 3-4 hours. 

                                                                Enjoy
                                                            ~ Debbie ~

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