The Ways of Her Home

Embracing the homeward call

New Year’s Menu 2020

Hello! It's back to my regular schedule this week, but, as promised, I want to quickly share some recipes from our New Year's Day lunch we enjoyed with our parents. After our moms have hosted all the holiday meals from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Joel and I like to take New Year's Day to treat them to a break from cooking and cleaning for company. Every year I go with the traditional New Year's pork, collards, peas, and cornbread, but this year we decided we needed a steak! Joel and I could not remember the last time we'd bought steaks, and thought it would be a nice surprise for everyone. New Year's Day Menu 2020: New York Strip Steak Shrimp and Bacon Stuffed Potatoes Roasted Parmesan ... Read more

A Nature-Inspired New Year

Happy New Year, dear friends! I’m ringing in the new year with a tables cape that gives a nod to nature! I used to be a bit of a downer about winter, but, as I get older, I appreciate this quiet season more and more. Although there is stillness and rest in the earth during this season, life and color are present in subtle ways, exhibiting God’s promises for fresh beginnings. Isn’t it just perfect that oranges are in season in winter? I love their fresh burst of color and juiciness, not to mention their health benefits after all the holiday indulgences. I find myself craving them almost obsessively in January. Their vibrant orange color is set off nicely by my new green dishes, don’t you ... Read more

‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas….

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, and all through the house... every creature was stirring, and you better believe my table was set! With new dishes! Yay!  I've always wanted a set of Christmas dishes. You know the ones with either a Christmas tree or a snowy scene or holly encircling the border of the dish? So when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I decided on the dishes! He told me to pick them out and he would get them. I know, he's a keeper, right! I searched the entire internet, looking at patterns, reading reviews, and narrowing down my favorites. But then, I saw something I wasn't expecting: the prettiest solid green dishes with a textured lacy pattern! ... Read more

Chalkboards of Christmas Past and Present

I love all the cute Christmas signs and plaques around the craft and home stores this time of year, and for every holiday really. But to save on expense and storage of such holiday decor, I just use the quotes and pictures I see on those signs, or chalkboard ideas off the internet, as inspiration for my own chalkboard signs. This large chalkboard changes year round for holidays, birthdays, and other occasions (like first day of school, fun menus, Bible verses, family announcements, etc.). ***** Christmas 2019: “Joy to the World!” This year I’d been seeing the use of wreaths over chalkboards and loved this idea! I also needed to make this chalkboard an easy one this year for the sake of ... Read more

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

We hosted a Christmas party for our Bible study group last night. Everyone brought their favorite finger foods and the assortment of savory goodies was outstanding, followed by yummy desserts and a s’mores bar! I’m still quite filled this morning, from both food and fellowship! We love our small group so much. One of the party foods I prepared was Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. Think of it as the pizza version of a cinnamon roll. Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Ingredients: 1 frozen loaf bread dough, thawed but not risen Pesto  Shredded mozzarella  Parmesan  Pepperoni Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Roll the dough out into a rectangle, about 12-x-18” (doesn’t have to be exact).  Spread a layer of pesto in ... Read more

Christmas Pound Cakes

Happy Tuesday and Merry Christmas! I've been sharing some of my favorite recipes for Christmas cooking, and today I'm moving on to Christmas baking with two pound cake recipes that are suitable for any holiday gatherings and gifting. The first pound cake is one my dear friend, Missy, developed herself, having taken her favorite elements from various Christmas pound cake recipes to create one of the best cakes I think I've ever put in my mouth! The tangy burst of orange and cranberry combined with creamy morsels of white chocolate, under a blanket of buttery cream cheese icing make this cake fantastically festive in both appearance and taste. I baked her recipe for the first time last ... Read more

Smoked Salmon Spread

Smoked Salmon Spread is a tasty appetizer I like to sit out as guests are arriving when we hosts Christmas parties. I also take this to the Christmas supper my mother-in-law hosts on Christmas night where we all bring party foods (we eat Christmas lunch at my mom's). I love this stuff! It's great year around, but I find myself mostly making it during the holidays. Smoked Salmon Spread This recipe is from Ina Garten. I purchase my smoked salmon from Costco, and usually double this recipe so we have plenty left to snack on for a few days after Christmas. Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 Tbsp. minced fresh dill 1 ... Read more

Major Domo’s Favorite Pie

If you're planning to entertain this Christmas season and need an elegant entree for an evening meal, today's recipe is one that is sure to dazzle your dinner guests! A structure consisting of puff pastry, creamed potatoes, prime rib, and sauted vegetables, with drizzles of demi glace sauce and Aioli, Major Domo's Favorite Pie is a sophisticated, yet robust meal. Our family first enjoyed Major Domo's Favorite Pie at Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. It is exceptional in flavor and presentation! It is also fairly expensive and time-consuming (although completely worth it) to prepare. I've followed the real recipe for a few very special occasions, as pictured in this post from a Christmas ... Read more