Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!! Thanks to all of my readers who continue to inspire, and motivate me to maintain Fete Fanatic throughout the year. I'm so grateful. Enjoy your time with your loved ones and Give Thanks!

Image source here

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

After you gave Thanks....


So, what will you do with your Thanksgiving leftovers? Turkey sandwiches for lunch maybe? I'm thinking of having a few folks over to help us polish off what's left. But, how do you invite guests to eat your dinner left overs? I plan on remixing our Thanksgiving menu with fresh ingredients. No turkey scraps and gravy drippings at this party. So yeah.. an After GivingThanks Dinner "Remix" Party it is! So do you think, anyone would join us for a remixed meal? :-)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Looking for sweet treat ideas for Thanksgiving? Head on over to Amy Atlas' blog for some great inspiration. Here's a snippet of what you'll find over there.

Turkey Cookies


Pilgram hat cupcakes

Monday, November 23, 2009

Cranberry Decor

It's the time of year again. I'm thinking cranberries, but not sauce. Think creative use. Add some holiday flair to your party by trying one of these ideas.

Left photo.. Remember my cool bowls post over the summer? Here's the holiday translation.. use cranberries! This would be a simple DIY project that will be a hit at your party.
Top Right.. How easy are these place cards. Simple fill a pretty glass with cranberries and and a card.
Bottom right.. simple cranberry centerpiece.
Get more cranberry decor ideas at Parents.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Candy topiaries

Eye catching candy topiaries would be a great addition to your sweets table.
Those with a sweet tooth, get your toothbrushes ready for this one!

Photo source lrt events

Photo source HGTV

Photo source wedding by color

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

"FreeForm" Cheesecake

This couldn't wait for Foodie Friday to roll around. It's a must try now recipe. YUM! The fruit makes it a bit guilt free, don't you think? Just a bit. ;-)
FreeForm Cheesecake.. poured over fresh fruit!

Recipe and photo fromFood Network
Ingredients
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
Pinch salt
2 whole lemons, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons almond liqueur
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
32 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
To serve:
6 to 8 cups fresh fruit, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 lemon, juiced
4 tablespoons sugar
Directions
In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and the lemon zest. While the mixer is running, gradually pour in the lemon juice and almond liqueur. Incorporate the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice. Gradually add in the sugar and beat until completely blended, then add the mascarpone and beat until smooth.

Transfer the mixture to a large heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over saucepan partially filled with barely simmering water, but do not let the water touch the bottom of the bowl. Cook until the mixture reaches 170 degrees F on a candy thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The temperature rises quickly in the final minutes, so at that point stir almost constantly to prevent lumps. When the sauce reaches 170 degrees F, remove the saucepan, with the bowl still inside, from the heat. Allow the sauce to stand for 15 to 30 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise to 180 degrees F and then cool gradually. If desired, strain the sauce through a fine sieve.

Toss the fruit with the lemon juice and sugar. Arrange the fruit in individual serving bowls. Spoon 1/2 cup of the sauce into each bowl. Serve immediately.
8 to 10 servings

Monday, November 16, 2009

Petite Candy Display

A scaled down candy buffet doesn't have to be less than fabulous. Add a little Flair by bringing in dramatic details that will speak volumes to your display. I added mirrors and bling to the candy display below. Last weekend I had the pleasure of creating a petite candy display for Carla of Blooming Studios' Open House Event. Brides not only indulged in these sweet treats, but Carla also provided a feast for their eyes with her photography eye candy! Mouth watering worthy cake samples were provided by Shelly Cake Studio.

Yummy chocolate and pink palette.


Displayed on a mirrored tabletop to add a touch of glitz.



I can't get enough of Bling!



Must have Rock Candy Pops!



Additional images on Facebook

Monday, November 9, 2009

Lil Pumpkin Baby Shower

Planning a baby shower this fall? Check out this oh so cute fall themed baby shower on Kevin's Girls blog. A Lil Pumpkin baby shower theme is perfect for this time of year! You can't possibly be short of ideas for this theme, and if you are, head on over to April's blog for more eye candy and inspiration!




Friday, November 6, 2009

How festive are you?

I consider myself a pretty festive. I tend to have a few little seasonal somethings around my house to express my holiday spirit. This season, I'm loving the use of gourds. I have them sprinkled on my kitchen window sill(nothing spectacular), just a little taste of the season. So.. Please share, how do you express your festive side at home? How festive are you?

Here is my festive kitchen window.



And here are some pretty cool things you can do to spruce up your home with gourds!



photos from Parents.com

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pumpkin Pie Cocktails

I'm thinking of serving one of these at my next get together.

Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Malibu Rum
- 3/4 oz. canned pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 oz. Kahlua
- 2 oz. with cold milk
Garnish: sprinkle of cinnamon

Mix ingredients in blender with ice and blend thoroughly; Pour into graham cracker-rimmed highball glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Or this one that I blogged about last fall. It looks so good I had to remind you all.

Ingredients
1/2 oz Drambuie Sylk Cream Liqueur
2 oz Absolut Vanilia vodka
1/2 oz pumpkin liqueur
1 tsp whipped cream
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Pour the Drambuie Sylk Liqueur and vodka into a shaker filled with ice and shake well. Add the pumpkin liqueur and shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with teaspoon of whipped cream. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

I'm Feeling This: Amber Glassware

Especially this time of year! Well anytime of year, but it just goes so perfectly with the hues of fall. Look how lovely!

Pic from BHG


Country Living


ZGallerie

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Fall Fruit Centerpiece

Fruit centerpieces can be very simple to create. The materials are definitely easy to find. :-) Check out these beauties I found on BHG.
Tiny orange kumquats and roses


Love this one! Sugar maple leaves, pumpkins and mums! It's Fall!


Can it be any simpler than this? Fill footed bowls with mini pumpkins, red apples, and cranberries, and one large spider mum. Use seasonal items like leaves and gourds to sprinkle around the table. Don't forget the ambiance.. candles!