Friday, October 28, 2011

And the winner is...

Eight place settings of Pfaltzgraff "Heritage" dinnerware are going to Deb, aka chedeb5353, who was randomly chosen at random.org. Congratulations Deb!! She is the second "Deb" who has won dinnerware here at FAR, so remember that next giveaway!



A big thank you to all who entered and a special thanks to Lifetime Brands for sponsoring the giveaway!



Anita

Pumpkin Cheesecake...

With all the holidays coming up, I wanted to share this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake because it is fabulous!! I have been making it for about 15 years and it is perfect and decadent!






Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 cup crushed gingersnaps

1/4 cup ground pecans

1/4 cup melted butter

3 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/3 cups sugar

3 eggs

16-oz pureed pumpkin**(See note below-- we don't actually use pumpkin)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. rum flavoring

First combine the gingersnaps with pecans and butter. Press mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Combine cream cheese and sugar, and beat with mixer until just combined. Add eggs, pumpkin, spices and rum flavoring. Beat on low speed until combined, then pour into prepared pan.

Bake in 350 oven for 1 1/2 hour or until center is nearly set when shaken. Cool, then loosen edge of cheesecake from pan with knife or spatula. Remove sides of pan when cake has cooled. Cover and chill at least 4 hours. Top with chopped and halved pecans.

Enjoy!

**For my pie, I bake and puree a type of squash used in the south called a "Candy Roaster," which is richer in flavor than pumpkin. This makes the *best* pie, but if you cannot find that type of squash in your area, canned or pureed pumpkin will work.



I'll link this up to "Foodie Friday" over at Designs By Gollum, so go by there for some great food!!

Enjoy this one and have a wonderful weekend!!




Anita

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Autumn Reds...

I just love the end of the "leaf" season because all the colors left become so vibrant it is surreal.

I recreated a table I did a couple years ago with Japanese Maple leaves, HERE, but this time with mostly red oak and maple leaves.


These leaves are so breathtaking in person and sunlight just makes them even more vibrant!


I used a creamy matelasse runner with a paisley runner on top. I love using a double runner. It really adds texture and interest.


I used Mikasa "Italian Countryside" dinner plates and flatware, with a Walmart salad plate from several years ago. I actually bought the plates to put candles in then thought they would be great salad plates. Several people have asked me about them, and they are still available at Walmart but there is no guarantee about color. I have not been able to find them anywhere online except Pottery Barn and they were much more expensive.


I have used a red Noritake "Perspective" wine glass, and a Pier 1 amber water glass. My mother graciously gifted me with 12 4-piece place settings of the Noritake.


The rattan charger is another Walmart special that I use frequently...


These napkins were purchased from Walmart a couple years ago, and are paired with the same BBB bamboo napkin rings I use all the time. I like them:-)


A closer look at the red plate...


I love this fabric...




I took this shot before I realized I needed the red glasses.


In case you didn't notice, always one to buck trends, I painted the french door wall with the same red as the rest of the dining area. I love this color, Kilz Red Fox, so much and it makes the white doors seem like they belong. I  really like the red with the drop cloth window panels too.


I hope you enjoyed my fall reds! I love the organic and natural elements of this table so much.

I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday
Inspiration Friday

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great weekend!!


Anita




Monday, October 24, 2011

Autumn Table Settings...

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend and are off to a wonderful week! I wanted to share some of my favorite fall table settings before the season is over! All the links to these and more fall tables are on the sidebar so you can pick the one you want to visit!

This is one of my favorite...






No, I think this might be my favorite...





This one was inspired by an issue of Southern Lady Magazine...



I love this beautiful Mikasa "Floral Elegance" bone china with the bold red leaves...



I really enjoyed the French Country feel of this Mikasa "Brava Rooster" dinnerware...




I changed it up with Mikasa "Brava Yellow."


I added in a Walmart salad plate...


Vintage "Brown Drip" with a World Market clearance salad plate...





These are just some of my favorites from last fall. As always, I use a lot of vintage items paired with everyday things and lots of "foliage" from the yard. This time of year it is so abundant!

If you have not entered my giveaway, you are missing out!! There are 8, yes 8, placesettings of Pfaltzgraff "Heritage" on the line!! Please click on the link HERE and enter as this is such a great giveaway! Everyone needs a nice set of neutral dinnerware to mix and match, and this is such a classic pattern! The deadline is Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by!!



Anita


I'll be joining:

Tabletop Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesdays



Friday, October 21, 2011

Autumn in Western North Carolina...

I wanted to share these photos with everyone of beautiful Western North Carolina! I am so thankful to experience the incredible beauty here...especially this time of year!


These are from the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning heading toward Water Rock Knob near Balsam Gap. WLOS TV used this photo on the news at 6 tonight!











Looking over Cherokee and into Tennessee...


The next several photos are near our house. We take a lot of photos from this spot!




This double rainbow was over our house Thursday evening!


More Blue Ridge Parkway...


And finally, we are home!!




Pardon the brush pile, but that's how it is when you live in the woods! 


It is amazing to see how quickly the color changes from day to day so I try to capture as much as I can. I LOVE this time of year so much and it goes by so fast! What does that tell me?? To live every moment to the fullest!


I'll be linking up to Inspiration Friday!


Enjoy this wonderful weekend!!


Anita