Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas cards: a true sign that the holidays are around the corner!

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas just a few short weeks away, I decided it was time to start planning for our annual Christmas card.  Growing up this was a family tradition, and at times the taking of the Christmas card photo seemed to frustrate all of us.  I'm very thankful that my parents have kept the tradition going strong since I was a little baby, and it's definitely a tradition that my hubby and I hope to continue.  

The first year we were married, my hubby and I used the traditional wedding family photo for our Christmas card.  Last year we took a picture in the park with our adorable black lab pup, Percy. 

Above you will see the Sanders family's 2009 Christmas card, designed by yours truly.  Hopefully I'm not spoiling the surprise for anyone by sharing this online. It's always a challenge to, first of all, get the whole family together then secondly, remember to take a picture, AND finally to have it turn out well...with smiles on everyone's faces.

UPDATE: Merry Christmas from the Bradleys!




Since we got married, my husband and I have been sending out our own Christmas card to friends and family too (our '09 card is pictured above).   There are hundreds of fabulous web sites that offer wonderful digital photo card designs.  Here are my favorites: 

Fine Stationery - of course this stationery giant offers Christmas cards.  They carry the best lines of cards.  Check it out for yourself.  Through November 30, they are running some wonderful sales too.  I am loving the Pipo Press photo cards.  Some of them are double-sided, and have a fun feel with rounded edges (see below). 

Photo cards from Pipo Press at Fine Stationery.com

Tiny Prints - specializing in digital cards, Tiny Prints has some really chic designs for photo cards, which are available in a variety of formats.  You can also upload multiple photos to one card with some designs.


Love this vintage inspired card from Tiny Prints

Etsy: There is a plethora of photo card options on Etsy.  My absolute favorite that I've come across is Less Ordinary Designs.  You pick out your favorite design, email a picture and your message to the designer, and they email you back a print-ready photo card for a flat $15.  You can send it to your favorite photo processing company yourself (some places print 4x6 prints for as low as $.06 a piece)!  I really like the design below from Less Ordinary Designs.

Find this card and other unique designs on Less Ordinary Designs @ Etsy
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Posted by AnnieB at 9:44 AM 4 comments
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanksgiving traditions

I love Thanksgiving. It's the kickoff to the holiday season and I always look forward to the ridiculous abundance of food. What more could you ask for? My family has a pretty traditional Thanksgiving spread, which has been kindly hosted at my parents' home for as long as I can remember.

My Dad roasts the turkey and Mom makes a lot of the side dishes - primarily vegetables and dressing (aka stuffing that is not stuffed inside the turkey), and my Grandmother Martin does pretty much everything else. Cousins from both sides of the family bring highly-anticipated vegetable side dishes (my favorite is squash casserole). The food fest usually heats up around 1:00pm, and continues for several hours into the afternoon. Without a doubt, everyone leaves in a food-induced coma. 

Over the years, I have been responsible for setting the tables, and helping out wherever needed.   But last year, I was asked (finally!) to bring a dish that Granny used to make, asparagus casserole.  It was quite a task, seeing as the recipe calls for a cream sauce that turned out to be a bit tricky to tackle.  I think it turned out pretty well, considering it was my first try. 

Everytime I think about our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas day meals with my family, my stomach starts to rumble.  Here is what the menu consists of, and yes, we all realize that this is a little absurd...and no it never changes. :)  Here is a picture of the entire spread fromTurkey Day, maybe this gives you an idea of what I get so excited about.  This picture really doesn't to justice though, because there is an entire other buffet dedicated to desserts!!



The Thankgiving Feast
Turkey and brown gravy
Dressing (aka stuffing)
Green beans
Creamed corn
Squash casserole
Sweet potato casserole (no marshmallow topping)
Cranberry sauce (made from ground whole fruit and fresh cranberries!)
Baked Apples (first sauteed to perfection in butter)
Grandmother's homemade bread
Relish tray

Pecan pie
Boiled custard
Jam cake

Whew! A food-induced coma always hits right after dessert (approximately 3:00pm).   Here are some tips from Epicurious.com to help you host a smooth, enjoyable Thanksgiving gathering of your own. I made the inspiration board below to offer some ideas for a festive Thanksgiving table.

Clockwise: flower arrangement by yours truly, Pheasant plates from Pottery Barn, centerpiece idea from potterybarn.com, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie from Epicurious.com, Festive Blood Orange Mimosa from Epicurious.com 

Althought a blood orange mimosa would be tasty while the feast is being prepared, I wouldn't mind trying to concoct one of these festive cocktails -- courtesy of my friend, Ellen of Ellen Fork.  Cheers everyone, and Happy Turkey Day!
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Posted by AnnieB at 9:00 PM 0 comments
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Fall recap - parties, travels, and football

The past several months have been super busy for me--from my marketing jobs and weddings with Alice the wedding planner to social engagements and fall festivities!  I have not had a chance to post on many of these events, so I thought I would post highlights from the past couple of weeks.

My hubby and I went to see Sam Bush and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band play in Nashville as part of the Americana Music Festival.  Sam Bush is one of my favorite bluegrass musicians, so it is always a thrill to see him play live.  Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is a group that I grew up listening to as a child, since my dad was a big fan of theirs. NGDB released a new album this fall.

Sam Bush (left)


Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

We went to a friend's house to watch the first Ole Miss football game of the season, so I made these cupcakes for the group.  They were a huge hit with the rebel fans at the party!


We invited some friends over to our house to carve pumpkins the week before Halloween. I carved the first pumpkin (far left) with a labrador retriever on it.  Although it doesn't entirely look like our lab, Percy, it's not too far off!  Our friends carved the spooky ghost in the middle, and my hubby carved the abstract jackolantern on the right. 

We traveled up to Lexington for a weekend trip to visit my friend, Rodes, and her wonderful family.  We had a fun day at the races at Keeneland. Eventhough it was windy outside, the sun was out and the trees were absolutely gorgeous with the leaves changing in full force.  Unfortunately, this is the only decent picture I captured from the day, but you can tell that we are having a great time!  My hubby and I cannot wait to go back to the races and visit with our sweet friends.


My friend Christine and I volunteered to help with the Library Foundation annual gala, which featured Doris Kearns Goodwin as the 2009 NPL Literary Award recipient.  We helped to solicit bids for the high-dollar silent auction, and as far as I could tell, we did a great job.  I wish I had taken more pictures while we were there, but Christine managed to snap this picture after we left the event.  Thanks, Christine!  



       Christine and Me after the Library event
     
Last but not least, it's Titans football season in Tennessee.  We have been to a couple of games so far, and luckily we have been able to see the Titans win! We have lucked out with mild weather too.  I wish that I could say that the weather will remain the same for the game on Christmas night!   


Enjoying the beautiful fall weather at the Titans/Bills game
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Posted by AnnieB at 7:34 AM 0 comments
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Monday, November 9, 2009

Elegant invitations by Maria Augustine Designs

My friend, Maria, loves paper as much as I do, so it is no surprise that she is a graphic designer by trade.  Maria has been designing invitations for friends and family over the past couple of years, and last month she launched a blog to showcase her beautiful creations.  I am a huge fan of all things letterpressed, and Maria has created some amazing invitations using delicate scroll designs.  Don't you just adore this save the date card?  I am so excited to see what Maria comes up with next.  Check out Maria's blog here.


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Friday, November 6, 2009

Fall weather kicks off soup season

I love homemade soup.  My mom always has a stocked freezer filled with a variety of homemade soups.  From lentil soup to vegetable beef, the possibilities are endless.  Nothing soothes the soul like a hot bowl of soup.  Around the time that the weather starts to turn cool, I like to make batches of soup.  Don't get me wrong.  I believe that soup can be served year-round, but there is something about soup when the weather turns cold.

I usually make enough so we can eat some for dinner that night. and then I will freeze several containers full (that usually requires me to double or triple the recipe).  Most soups can be translated into crock-pot recipes, with a bit of tweaking.


This first recipe came from my friend Sarah.  She made this soup last winter when we were in Monteagle for the weekend.  It is a fresh spin on chili, and it is made with chicken.  Between the meat switcharoo and the addition of corn, this chili recipe is definitely one you will want to try. 



Photo: Jennifer Davick - Myrecipes.com


Chicken Chili

1lb chicken breast - boil until cooked then shred
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chili beans
1 can chili rotel
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 small can diced green chilies
1 green bell pepper diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 onion diced
1 tablespoon chili powder (add more or less to taste)
approx. 1.5 cups frozen sweet corn - add during last 2 hours of cooking


Cook on low on stove or in a crock pot for 4 to 8 hours.Serve with sour cream, cilantro and tortilla chips.
 

Photo: Randy Mayor - Cookinglight.com

Dad's French Onion Soup

2 large yellow onions – sliced thin
½ stick margarine or butter
1 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
Dash of garlic powder
1 Tbs. Worchestershire
1 tsp. sugar
3 14 oz. cans of beef broth (or 2 cans beef broth / 1 can chicken broth)


Sliced mozzarella and croutons for garnish
Sautee onions in butter. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Warm broth. Add to onions all other ingredients.


Combine broth & onion mixture. Cook on low. Longer you cook, the better the soup. Top with croutons or slice of toasted bread and a thin slice of mozzarella cheese.  Serves 4-6.
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Posted by AnnieB at 7:30 AM 0 comments
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