Home Sweet Home #252

The clock is ticking!  Happy New Year and welcome to the last Home Sweet Home party for 2015!  Wow, that was a year. Here is hoping 2016 treats me like a veteran to this wave of change.  

The only post I got out this week was Year End Tea Review 2015.  This is where I review my favorite tea posts from each month last year.  I didn't have a party last week so let's get right to the linking.

I am really lucky to have all of your amazing posts because, it is you who make the Home Sweet Home party so special!  You are all so talented and share such wonderful posts! Thank you to everyone who joins me at Home Sweet Home!  It is wonderful to have you here!

Sherry

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Guidelines for Home Sweet Home Party: 

Attention: To link up you must have a permalink back to this party in your post or you won't be featured.

Link up anything from your home or garden.   I love seeing home tours and neat shops too!

My button for the party is under the button tab at the top of the blog, if you want to use it.   If you are new here I hope you will become a follower. Please don't link up more than two posts.  No Etsy link ups or direct advertising, please.  Please visit some of the other blogs and get some great inspiration.  Thanks.:)

Now let's see your beautiful home, delicious recipes, crafts, or whatever makes your home special!

 *If you are pinning a post submitted here, please pin from the original source. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Joy

This week the Advent candle is for joy.  I loved the bible verse for joy this week.  It was when Mary visited Elizabeth.

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

                                                                                                             Luke 1:39-45

I find that verse endearing.  I used to be a RN and I worked in the newborn nursery.  Infants will have this reaction called a startle reflex.  It is actually something that is assessed in newborns with their initial examination.  

Anyway, like Elizabeth; one time I am doing the dishes and I am pregnant with my youngest son, I look up and catch my oldest son doing something (I can't even remember now?) and I yelled at him very loudly.  My youngest son in my womb had the startle reflex and I felt it.  It was sweet, even though I was sorry I scared him.  It meant not only could I tell he could hear, he was also neurologically healthy to have that reflex.  A sweet reminder of the joy of the goodness of the Lord.  

Have a blessed week!

Sherry  

Cream Cheese Cookies

At Christmastime you will always catch me baking cookies.  I love recipes with a few ingredients that are usually already in the pantry.  This recipe was that kind of recipe.  With only five ingredients, I already had everything I needed and went right to baking without a trip to the store.  Not only that but; did someone say cream cheese?!   

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (110 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 ounces (85 g) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup (200 g) sugar

1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour (plus 2 tablespoons)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  

Put the butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl and Using a mixer beat until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes.  

Add the flour, salt, and mix until just incorporated.  Scrape down the bowl and mix everything evenly.

Drop the batter by tablespoon onto the baking sheets, spacing to allow for spreading.

Bake for 12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. *With the high butter/fat content in this recipe I couldn't get them to bake with out really brown edges so I just trimmed the edges off when serving. 

They will be chewy and harden more after removing from the oven.

Let cool on baking sheet until they can be handled, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.  Store in airtight container for up to five days.

*  The recipe in the cookbook makes a valid point about measuring the flour  with a scale and I agree that I need to try that, because when using my 1 cup measure I had to add 2 tablespoons of flour to make the cookies come out with any body.  

Recipe from Food52 Baking.  I love this site, it is a feast for the eyes.  I bought this for a gift and I am baking out of it for Christmas....I will wrap it eventually!

So this week... coffee, cookies, and some herbal crafting...sounds about perfect doesn't it?

Sherry

I will link this to:

  

Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm

Homemaking Linkup at Hope In Every Season 

Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party

Sweet and Savoury Sunday at Baking in Pyjamas

Tickle My Taste Buds Tuesdays at Lori's Culinary Creations

The Party Bunch Weekend Linky at The Idea Room

Weekend Retreat Linky Party at AKA Design and Life

Foodie Friends Friday at Walking on Sunshine

Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen  

Sunday's Down Under at Natasha in Oz   

Home Matters linky Party at life With Lorelai 

Friday Favorites at Must Love Home

What to Do Weekends at Shoestring Elegance

Idea Box Thursday at Mila's Little Things

Five Star Frugal at A Tray of Bliss

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Share your Style Thursday at Northern Nesting  
Best of the Weekend Party at Mrs. Toody Goo Shoes

Peace

I am lighting the second candle of Advent for peace.  

Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

Job 22:21

Sherry

Minted Gallery Wall: Spruce Up Your Space for the Holidays

For the holidays I spruced up the home with a new rustic art style gallery wall courtesy of Minted. 

I picked out three art prints that worked well together and grouped them on the wall behind my kitchen table.  

I love cow paintings and they had this fantastic art print of cows grazing by the sea titled "Marin Cows," created by Alex Elko.

The next print I chose was this folk art style flag titled, "Rustic American Flag," created by Amy Marsh.

And then one of my favorite pieces which so reminds me of my childhood, is titled "Summer Path," by Stephanie Goos Johnson.

All of them each a beautiful piece of art on their own but even more special in a beautiful wall grouping such as this to create a rustic gallery wall.  A perfect update to my home for some sprucing up before the holidays begin.  I loved the quality of the art and especially how they work together to create a "mood."     

I also can not say enough about how well Minted ships and packs their art.  You can rest assured it will arrive in good shape and ready to hang right out of the box!  This is a shot of the cow print as I was unwrapping it.

I had a trail run of my Thanksgiving table here with this photo shoot. It is a traditional table set for Thanksgiving with a woven cornucopia turned on its' side and stuffed with flowers.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you here in the states.  May you each be blessed this holiday season! 

Thank you to Minted for sponsoring today's post. The art print was provided to The Charm of Home for this post.  The written description was entirely my own. 

Sherry

I will link this to:

  

There Is No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage 

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House 

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Your Going to Love it Tuesday At Kathe with an E

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

Totally Terrific Tuesday at Live Randomly Simple

Project Inspire at An Extraordinary Day

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of the Home

What to Do Weekends at Shoestring Elegance

Idea Box Thursday at Mila's Little Things

Home Sweet Home #247

Hello and welcome to Home Sweet Home!  This week the post I shared was from the archives in Thanksgiving Table Looks.

There are so many great ideas, decorating, and delicious recipes at the Home Sweet Home Party each week.   All of you are so very talented!  Here are a few that caught my eye. I pin a lot from this party each week! These features were all pinned!

Judy from JBigg's Little Pieces shared a post titled Curing Tobacco: Where Did the Moisture Go.  This was basically a walk down memory lane for me because I grew up in Western Kentucky playing in these tobacco barns.  It might not make sense to you but, these barns are a fixed memory in my past. I love to read Judy writing about them.

Michelle of Dandelion Patina shared How to Make Mason Jar Pedestal Vases.  I want one! 

As a tribute and celebration of France and it's fabulous culture, let me highlight a post that displays that perfectly. Jan of Just Jan Blog shared Claire Basler, Artist. This artist is so talented and her home is such an inspiration to her work. This is why it is so easy to love France!  God be with them and their fabulous spirit! 

Linda from Beautiful Ideas shared A Cuppa Cozy: Cocoa-and-Cookie Station.  Linda has the best holiday posts!    

I have on several occasions wanted to feature some of your entries but, you don't create a link back to the Home Sweet Home party.  So, please include that link so I can feature you too!

I am really lucky to have all of your amazing posts because, it is you who make the Home Sweet Home party so special!  You are all so talented and share such wonderful posts! Thank you to everyone who joins me at Home Sweet Home!  It is wonderful to have you here!

Sherry

Follow me on Twitter 

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Pinterest

And now, on Instagram

Follow me where I really enjoy the visual aspect of blogging on  Tumblr

I will link this with: Crafty Party at The DIY Crush Blog

Guidelines for Home Sweet Home Party: 

Attention: To link up you must have a permalink back to this party in your post or you won't be featured.

Link up anything from your home or garden.   I love seeing home tours and neat shops too!

My button for the party is under the button tab at the top of the blog, if you want to use it.   If you are new here I hope you will become a follower. Please don't link up more than two posts.  No Etsy link ups or direct advertising, please.  Please visit some of the other blogs and get some great inspiration.  Thanks.:)

Now let's see your beautiful home, delicious recipes, crafts, or whatever makes your home special!

 *If you are pinning a post submitted here, please pin from the original source.

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanksgiving Table Looks

I am going to play catch up this week with the holidays approaching and give you a few Thanksgiving tables from the past to enjoy.  I spent a good majority of last week sick and decorating for Christmas.  This week got here and I had no post in draft!  So, enjoy the links provided to look at some looks from TCOH archives.  Here is a Thanksgiving table from 2012.

I did these Thankful Book Page Leaves in 2012.   

I loved this one from 2013.  I may put this on my table again this year.

I also created a Coastal Thanksgiving look that was very shabby chic.

I will always be a pewter fan.  Here was an easy Classic Fall Mantel from 2012.

Have you thought at all about decorating yet or are you getting overwhelmed? Believe me I understand, these are overwhelming times.  I refuse to let it ruin the holidays for the children.  So I am forging on with things that seem as trivial as decorating because the children will feel comfort in the holiday display.  I pray for those children who have already had their lives robbed of normalcy.  

Sherry

I will link this to:

  

There Is No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage 

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life 

Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups 

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House 

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Your Going to Love it Tuesday At Kathe with an E

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

Totally Terrific Tuesday at Live Randomly Simple

Project Inspire at An Extraordinary Day

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of the Home

What to Do Weekends at Shoestring Elegance

Idea Box Thursday at Mila's Little Things

Five Star Frugal at A Tray of Bliss
Flea Market Fridays at Creative Country Mom

Brown Butter Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies

In yesterday's tea I had these delectable little cookies that would be great for a Christmas cookie swap and they would also mail great for a gift.  

The recipe came from my new favorite cookbook by Jennifer McHenry which has lots of great recipes to go with tea or coffee.

Brown Butter Cinnamon Crinkle cookies

Ingredients
10 tablespoons (141 g) unsalted butter, sliced 

2 1/2 cups (300 g) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder

1 teaspoon ( 2.5 g) ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (50 g) firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

1/2 cup (60 g) pecans, chopped

1/4 cup ( 28 g) confectioners' sugar

Place the butter in a medium, heavy saucepan.  Cook over medium-low heat until the butter melts and begins to foam, about 3 minutes.  Continue to cook, whisking occasionally, just until brown specks begin to form at the bottom of the pan and the butter has a nutty aroma.  This should take only 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat and whisk lightly for about 30 seconds.  Transfer the butter to a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool slightly.  

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the cooled butter.  Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix thoroughly.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until combined.  Mix in the vanilla.

Reduce the mixer speed to low.  Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.  Stir in the pecans. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F ( 180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  

Place the confectioners' sugar in a shallow bowl.  Divide the dough into 1-tablespoon (15 g) portions.  Roll the dough into balls and then roll each portion in the confectioners' sugar, coating thoroughly.  Place on the prepared pans, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.  

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned and set.  Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes: 36 cookies

Recipe from: Quick-Shop-&-Prep 5 Ingredient Baking

I really enjoyed this cookbook so much so that I shared the maximum three recipes from it for you to try out too! 

Enjoy!

Sherry

I will link this to:

  

Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm

Homemaking Linkup at Hope In Every Season 

Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party

Sweet and Savoury Sunday at Baking in Pyjamas

Tickle My Taste Buds Tuesdays at Lori's Culinary Creations

The Party Bunch Weekend Linky at The Idea Room

Weekend Retreat Linky Party at AKA Design and Life

Foodie Friends Friday at Walking on Sunshine

Rooted in Thyme Simple and Sweet Fridays

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen  

Sunday's Down Under at Natasha in Oz   

Home Matters linky Party at life With Lorelai 

Friday Favorites at Must Love Home

What to Do Weekends at Shoestring Elegance

Idea Box Thursday at Mila's Little Things

Five Star Frugal at A Tray of Bliss

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Share your Style Thursday at Northern Nesting  
Best of the Weekend Party at Mrs. Toody Goo Shoes