Today's Decor: Christmas in the Living Room

It is my dream to live in a huge two-story house. I'd decorate the banister with lightened garlands and hang dozens of lights outside. I'll have three Christmas trees; one in the family room, living room, and dining room. Or kitchen, depending on the layout of the house. There will be all kinds of Christmas goodies in bowls; red & green M&M's, frosted sugar cookies, and peppermint candy canes.

For now, we live in an apartment. There is no banister for me to decorate. Our front porch does not have any outlets, so I can't hang Christmas lights. We have one tree in the living room. The kitchen, while a good size for an apartment, is much too small to display numerous bowls of Christmas goodies.

But I make do! One day I will have that glorious house. In the meantime, I'll dream of how it will be decorated.

I love Christmas and I love decorating for Christmas. We don't have much as last year was our first Christmas together and this year I am out of a job. Couldn't add to our collection! The dining room is seriously lacking- that will be my project for next year. The best room in the house is the living room, with the fireplace and Christmas tree all decked out.



Our mantle, my favorite spot.



These little guys hang on our TV towers.



Breakfast Bar





Our Tree!!



I love snowflakes, hence the snowflake theme for our tree. I think I'm going to give the tree more of a color scheme next year. Gotta add some red in there. The whites and silvers are blending in too much. You know where I'll be the day after Christmas. Clearance!!! :)

How's your Christmas decor coming along?

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients
-25 NABISCO Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups) (I used graham cracker crumbs to make the crust)

-1/2 cup finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans (omitted)

-1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

-4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened (I only used three)

-1 cup sugar, divided

-1 tsp. vanilla

-4 eggs

-1 cup canned pumpkin

-1 tsp. ground cinnamon

-1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

-Dash ground cloves (didn't have)

Directions

HEAT oven to 325°F

MIX crumbs, nuts and butter; press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 13x9-inch pan. (I used a regular springform cheesecake pan. Keep checking on it after it's been baking for an hour if you decide to do it this way.)

BEAT cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Remove 1-1/2 cups batter. Stir remaining sugar, pumpkin and spices into remaining batter.

SPOON half the pumpkin batter into crust; top with spoonfuls of half the plain batter. Repeat layers; swirl with knife.

BAKE 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Paula Deen's Roasted Turkey with Maple Cranberry Glaze

Turkey: nocoupons

• 8 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves
• 1 (15-pound) turkey
• Stuffing, if desired

Glaze:

nocoupons

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (12-ounce bag) cranberries
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup cranberry juice
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Turkey:

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small mixing bowl combine the butter, House Seasoning, parsley, shallots, and garlic. Thoroughly rinse and dry the turkey. Tuck the wings underneath the body and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey. Stuff, if desired.

Roast for 18 minutes per pound (including stuffing weight, if using). The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (and deep into the stuffing) and registers 165 degrees F. and the juices run clear. Remove from the oven and loosely tent with foil. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Glaze:

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer until the cranberries burst, about 8 to 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve and let cool. Reserve for turkey.

House Seasoning:

nocoupons

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

I Know it's Late...

..But I still have to share my Thanksgiving table!! I know, I'm a horrible blogger.

Our Thanksgiving was PERFECT. And when I say perfect, I mean the food, desserts, table decor, and company was exquisite!! I have never made a turkey before and my best friend and I made the best turkey we have ever had. I SWEAR. It was unbelievable. We were in shock! All the desserts were made the day before as well as the sweet potato casserole. We also brined the turkey and it sat in a bath of saltwater seasoned with pepper and oregano. On the day of, the stuffing, cornbread, corn on the cob were all prepared while the turkey baked in the oven. I don't know how it all worked out so well, nothing was cold, nothing was out too long before we sat down to eat. I think Kim has to be involved in all my events from now on! We made an amazing team.

Here's the table before.



And after.



Buffet Server with all our sides.



This was my plate.



And then there was dessert! The pumpkin cheesecake was so good.



I have to share some of these recipes with you. They are just too good to keep to myself! I hope your Thanksgiving went just as smooth. Now on to some Christmas decor!