Hot Chicken Salad

This recipe is a favorite and it comes from my parents' church cookbook. I have fixed it for many years and recently served it for a luncheon. I like it because it is very flavorful. With its red pimientos, it provides good Christmas color on the plate, too.

Hot Chicken Salad

4 cups cooked chicken, cubed

1 T. minced onion

1 cup chopped celery

8 oz. can water chestnuts, sliced

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 cup mayonnaise

2 oz. chopped pimientos

shredded cheese

Mix and place in greased casserole. Cover with shredded cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Cover and bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tablescape

I set the table for today's luncheon. I used my Santa stoneware which I have had for years and years. Do you recognize my new plaid chargers, though?

You remember the glass jar I got with my retirement gift card. It's holding ornaments for the season.

I wish all of you could have joined us for lunch. We had cheese soup (with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery and potatoes in it), fresh Italian bread from the local meat market and grape salad. For dessert, it was a brownie topped with a scoop of peppermint ice cream.

Just Be Claus...

This year's dining room theme is Santa. The tree is a wonderful blend of vintage and "new". All have been gifts or family pieces. Santa Claus figurines extend over to the buffet and curio.

(Please pretend you don't see my hand and phone in the reflection of the glass!)

Doesn't this say it all? I am Queen of Christmas...just be claus!

Dog Tree

Last year a friend of mine told me she had decorated a tree with a dog theme and I couldn't believe that I hadn't ever thought to do that here! I told her that I would be copying her idea this year and I lived up to the promise. A 7.5 foot pencil tree did the trick and it fit perfectly into the corner of the landing.

 I had all of the Boston terrier ornaments (used on another tree in the past)  so I hung all of those. I also used pictures of all of our dogs and then accented with the little plaid bows I made our first Christmas. The stuffed Boston was a gift from my sister and brother-in-law many years ago.

I hope your weekend is a "dog-gone" happy one!

Red Tree

Our red tree is a special one. When my aunt retired from teaching, she decided to trade cold MI winters for sunny FL days. As part of her move, she decided she no longer wanted her signature red ornaments and asked if we would be interested. It took me one second to answer. YES! She carefully packed up her collection for the 500 mile journey. Now we have them displayed on their own slim tree. 

Next to the tree is the piano where we put the big nativity this year. The set was a gift from my parents three years ago and I love it!

 

 Are you enjoying the season? If you are like me, you can't believe how quickly the month is going!

Breakfast Frittata

For my brunch yesterday,  I served frittata, orange cranberry muffins and fresh fruit. By the way, I also had sliced kiwi with the pineapple (for color), but it's not shown in this picture.

These cupcake papers are made by Wilton. I had not used them before, but bought them post-Christmas last year and I love them! Not only do they provide nice color, but they actually unwrap more easily than standard cupcake liners. I highly recommend Krusteaz brand muffin mix. I used the orange-cranberry. They are super moist and very flavorful without being too sweet.

This recipe is easy to prepare and is tasty. My dad's cousin, Sally, gave it to me more than 10 years ago and I've made it many times.

Frittata

6 eggs

1 cup milk

2 T. melted butter

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a round 10 inch pan (or a 9 by 9 inch baking pan). In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Pour into baking pan. Sprinkle bacon and cheese on the top. Bake about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tablescape

This tablescape is from yesterday and was used for a small brunch I hosted. We had a nice time talking and catching up with one another.

I wanted a simple table, so I draped my white Battenberg lace topper (which is at least 25 years old) over the red cloth. The centerpiece is a lovely glass footed bowl which was a wedding gift from my great aunt and uncle, Virginia and Royal. I filled it with scented greenery and a red candle.

 We used these vintage glasses. The water sized ones are from my childhood. The juice glasses were purchased at a yard sale this summer (for 25 cents).

The holly dishes are from our first Christmas. We bought them at an outlet (service for 4) and have used them ever since. This set is one of the eight seasonal sets I possess. Yes, I use them all!

It's always fun to get together for a brunch with friends. Tomorrow I will share the menu and a recipe.