Twine and Dine

  So after reorganizing all of my craft supplies, I was feeling a little crafty and loving the Jute Twine I had found in my jumble of paints and papers. I feel like it's a staple crafting item that can be used for just about any project. I had originally purchased it to be used on John's 25th Birthday Card, but was hoping to incorporate it somehow in our dining room -- which has a sort of country cottage (perfect for jute embellishments, right?!) feel to it.

(The Birthday Card I Painted for John -- notice the Jute Twine)

  

    After some time spent brainstorming and observing our current table setup, I noticed that are place settings were missing something -- Flatware! In no time at all, I had pulled out our silverware and was playing around with it and the twine...and here is what I came up with!

The Before...

(Before)

(Before)

*Linen Napkins and Chargers from Pottery Barn, Plates from Dillards

And the After!

(After!)

(After!)

   What do you think? So simple, yet I really feel like it makes the place setting look finished!

This look could be easily replicated with any medium for wrapping the silverware together -- the possibilities are endless! You could even add variety by tying something into each setting, like a charm or a seashell if you have a beachy table setting, or for a dinner party a name tag to personalize the event and add to the charm of a themed party! Given that its fall, I think the following would make adorable name tags!

(These leafs can be found in the following Etsy store: PaperCreations123)

   Just write the guest's name in the center of each leaf, punch a hole in somewhere close to the edge, and tie it into the last knot after wrapping the silverware! Each guest will love the personalization -- and its a inexpensive and easy way to add that special touch to any dinner party!



   Ok, so here are some tips to make the process easy:

          1. Make sure all the silverware has been cleaned and polished.

          2. Arrange the silverware how you would like it to be placed, making sure the brand logos are not visible.

          3. Wrap the twine, or whatever you are using, around the silverware and tie in a knot.

          4. Continue to wrap until the ends are coming from separate sides and tie in a knot or bow.

          5. Trim the edges to the desire length.

          6. Now here is the trick -- untie, and measure out and cut the twine for each place setting to match the length of the one you just made! This will make the sizing easy, and ensure all of your settings will look the same!

  

   SO EASY RIGHT?!

   Now, nothing in our dining room was safe from the Jute Twine after I had discovered it's decorative splendor! I continued my craft session by wrapping our salt & pepper shakers and mason jar mugs to pull together the look!

(Ta Da!)

(Close Up!)

*Salt and Pepper Shakers and Artichokes from Pottery Barn



(Before the Twine Transformation!)

(Love these Mason Jar Mugs--Also from Pottery Barn!)

   To continue with my thoughts on the Autumn themed dinner party, how cute would these look with the same fall color leaves attached with the twine to denote each guest's mug?! To add to the scrumptious fall theme, pour in some hot apple cider and top it off with a Cinnamon stick stirrer...yum! 

   So happy with the finished look! I think the mason jars really stand out now!

(Finished!)

(Close up)

   Overall, I would say this was and fun and easy way to make our dining room look a little more pulled together and homey. Definitely Domestic! I hope this stirs your own creative juices as you begin planning for the upcoming holiday season -- think of all the many ways you could rework this for Christmas using ribbons and small ornaments!

Here are some more pictures of everything once I had finished!

(This is what Georgia did during my craft session)

Not Just For Smoothies Anymore...

   Now John and I are both HUGE fans of fruit smoothies, so naturally, we registered for a blender during our engagement. Little did I know, this handy kitchen appliance could be used for sooo much more!
   Following one of the recipes given to me by a friend, I discovered this amazing tool could be used to create an incredibly delicious, and most importantly, fool proof, corn custard!

(Yes, thats right, from a blender)

For those of you who have been asking, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

Dash of Salt

Package of Frozen Corn

6 Eggs

1/2 Cup Milk or Heavy Cream

*I used milk!

1 Cup Sugar

4 Tablespoons of Butter

-Start by preheating your over to 325

-Throw all of the ingredients in the Blender, and let it work its magic!

***Ok, not that I did this, but I bet if you were to taste this concoction right out of the blender you would swear Bryers should start making corn flavored Icecream!***

-Once the ingredients are thoroughly pureed, pour into a glass casserole dish. Make sure the mixture is only about an inch and a half to two inches in depth. I split this recipe between two 13'' in diameter round casserole dishes.

-Place the casserole dishes in a warm, water bath (for those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, this means get a bigger glass dish and fill it with about two inches of water, then place the corn custard casserole dishes inside of these--dont worry, I had to google it!) and bake until the top is golden brown.

-Enjoy!

  With such a tasty recipe this is sure to become a family favorite, and given how easy it is to make, it is certainly one the family can enjoy all year round!

And So It Begins...

    My precious friend, and bridesmaid, Brittany hosted an amazing Kitchen Shower for me during our engagement! My favorite part of the shower (and one of my most useful gifts) was the custom Recipe Album Brittany had made for me--complete with matching recipe cards! :)

Each of the guest were asked to bring a gift for the kitchen along with a tasty and easy recipe written out on the recipe card included with each invitation.

(Shower Invitation)

   Not only did the shower provide an opportunity to spend time with my wonderful friends and family, but it also provided me with the necessary "survival tools" for our new life together. Equipped with pots, pans, casserole dishes and monogrammed recipe cards; I was ready for life in the kitchen! Now each night, I get to reminisce on special times with friends and family as I read and (very carefully) follow the recipes lovingly written out for me.

(Recipe Album)

(Recipe Card)



Thank you to Brittany and all of those who have contributed to my Recipe Album--Because of  ya'll John has ONLY lost five pounds in our first two months of marriage!!! :)

Recipe for Domesticity

Hi yall!

   As most of yall may know, I have recently married the sweetest and most loving man in the world, my best friend, John!

   In leaving my life of singleness, impulse shopping, and living (rather, surviving!) off of Starbucks lattes, I have now taken on the role as wife, chef, and much to my dismay, the maid. I must note, that John has not assigned to me these roles nor neglected to help me in our ongoing homemaking process, but rather, I have taken on these roles myself  in pursuit of a life modeled after the Proverbs 31 woman and as a means to loving my husband.

Recipe for Domesticity:
 ¹⁰A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

                                               ~Proverbs 31:10-31


   And while I aspire to emulate the life of this Christ-like (and very "domestic") woman, I am sure there will be many successes and burnt suppers along the way...But, these are "wife" lessons learned regardless, and lessons I would love to share with others! Domestic can be difficult, but, with the right tips, recipes, and general knowledge of what "suds" are supposed to go in the dishwasher, it's not impossible--and can even become enjoyable!


Happy HomeMacKing!

As a side note: In reference to verses 24-25, I will not be making garments of linen cloth, but I will ensure that John (and myself) are wearing the best the boutiqes have to offer!  :)

(And this my domestic dish washers, is what

happens when you don't put the proper "suds" in the dishwasher!)