A Royal Welcome

Once upon a time, 

there was a beautiful Queen 

she ruled a large and vast kingdom 

for many years that had included 

exotic places such as India

and after many years of ruling her kingdom

she was blessed to be able to ring up her family 

and announce  that the Royal Couple, 

the Duke and Duchess,

were to be the proud parents of 

another heir to the throne!

So to celebrate William and Kate's good news, visit

www.maggieandreese.com

where all things Royal are 20% off!

GOD SAVE THE HEIR!

Chihuly Nights at the Dallas Arboretum!

 

 

Maggie & I recently took our husbands to the

Chihuly Nights exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum. 

It was a beautiful, crisp evening and we enjoyed our pumpkin chai lattes as we strolled through the gardens.

 

(Disclaimer ~ I am not a professional photographer

no matter how much I'd like to think so! 

The sculptures are so much more stunning than they

appear in my amateur attempts at night photography!!)

 

This one was by far my favorite both at

night and during the day!

 

I loved the way this looked like there were

flames in the background.

 

Everyone enjoyed this view of the sculptures in the pond.  The darkness made it appear like an infinity pool

flowing into the lake beyond.

 

This sculpture is called "The Sun" and I was able to

capture it with the moon in the background. 

The moon was so bright and beautiful!!

 

We managed to get one good picture of Maggie

& I enjoying the sculptures!

Loved the way this one reflected into the pond!

 

The tops were so unique and the varying

shades of red made this one exquisite!

 

My husband's favorite!

 

Each sculpture was placed so perfectly throughout the gardens that it seemed like they were made to be there!

 

There aren't many nights left to view these

amazing sculptures and we highly recommend

it if you have a chance to go!!

 

~Reese

 



Toffee Time!

Reese and I could hardly contain ourselves when we met this week to make our first batch of Christmas toffee.  

Christmas toffee you ask, 

we haven't even had Thanksgiving!

Yes, that is correct, but due to the fact that I 

spent last year living in a hotel, through the Christmas season I might add, and I have not seen my stockings, ornaments and other decorations in over two years, 

this year Christmas cannot come soon enough!

We decided that this would be a great recipe

to share not just because it is easy to make but because everyone we gift with toffee wants more!  

Dan's English Toffee

• 1/2 pound of butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 4 - 5 full size Hershey bars
• Chopped walnuts

Tear off 2 sheets of foil about the size of a cookie sheet 

(16-18") and turn up the edges on each side.

In a large skillet (preferably Teflon coated) mix butter, sugar, water and vanilla over high heat, stirring continuously.

When steam starts to escape in poofs like little volcanoes (5-12 minutes) remove from heat (color will be medium to dark tan, the hard ball stage for you candy making experts!)

the volcano description is actually in my recipe and is different than bubbling, it will "poof" but be sure not to overcook!

Pour onto sheet of aluminum foil and allow to spread:

Press broken Hershey bars, writing side up (we do not know why!) on top of the toffee.

Oops, looks like Reese can't follow directions! Anyway, after about a minute, spread the chocolate:

Add the walnuts:

And wait for chocolate to set.  Once set, break apart and place in tins for gift giving, or you could just set out on a pretty server and keep it all to yourself!

ENJOY!

~ Maggie and Reese

Thanksgiving Recipe #5 - The Must Have!!

 

Cornbread Dressing

 

Image Courtesy of www.pauladeen.com

 

 

Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving

without cornbread dressing!

(Tip: It is called dressing when made as a side dish

and stuffing when cooked into the turkey!)

 

The favorite dressing recipe for Reese's family in

recent years is this easy recipe from Paula Deen. 

It is savory, moist, and just delicious!

 

Ingredients:

Cornbread, recipe follows
7 slices oven-dried white bread
1 sleeve crackers (recommended: Saltine)
8 tablespoons butter
2 cups chopped celery
1 large onion, chopped
7 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sage, optional
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, optional
5 eggs, beaten
Cornbread:
1 cup self-rising cornmeal
1/2 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine crumbled cornbread, dried white bread slices, and saltines; set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook until transparent, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Pour the vegetable mixture over cornbread mixture. Add the stock, mix well, taste, and add salt, pepper to taste, sage, and poultry seasoning. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Pour mixture into a greased pan and bake until dressing is cooked through, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Cornbread:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into a greased shallow baking dish. Bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

~Maggie & Reese

Thanksgiving Recipe #4 - Simple Side Dish

"Smashed" Potatoes

As most of you Thanksgiving cooks know, 

it is all about timing and simplicity to get a great holiday 

meal on the table and still have time to enjoy it.  

A few weeks ago I was watching one of my favorite TV "chefs", 

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman 

and her menu featured this recipe for what she calls 

Restaurant-Style Smashed Potatoes.

By the end of the program I had copied each recipe 

and was headed to my local store to recreate her menu.  

Of course the steak was delicious (being from Texas I am definitely a  beef girl) but what won me over was this very simple 

but packed with flavor mashed potato recipe.  

(Added tip: for Thanksgiving, to help keep the kitchen clear of dirty dishes, prepare the bacon the night before.)

So why not give this recipe a try this holiday season!  

It will get you out of the kitchen a little faster, 

leaving you more time to spend with your family, 

and that is what being a pioneer woman is all about!

Ingredients

• 5 whole Large Red Potatoes
• 1 stick Butter, Softened And Cut Into Pieces
• 5 slices Bacon, Cooked And Crumbled
• 2 whole Green Onions, Sliced
• 3/4 cups Sour Cream
• Salt To Taste (add Plenty!)
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Taste (ditto!)
• 3/4 cups French Fried Onions, More For Topping

Preparation Instructions

Nuke potatoes or bake in the oven until fork-tender. Add to a large bowl and smash with a potato masher. Immediately add softened butter, green onions, bacon, and sour cream and stir with a rubber spatula. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add french fried onions and fold in.

Thanksgiving Recipe #3 - Easy as 1,2,3 (okay, maybe 4!)

 

Praline Grahams

 

In addition to turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes, 

the holiday mail usually delivers at least one invitation 

to an event requiring a dessert item.  

Years ago Maggie came across this simple recipe in 

Southern Living (courtesy of Mrs. D Blackston of Tennessee). 

She loves it for three reasons, 

it requires only 4 ingredients, is quick to put together 

and it is scrumptious!

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

1.  Graham Crackers - package (1/3 of a 16 oz. box)

2.  Butter - 3/4 cup

3.  Sugar - 1/2

4.  Pecans - 1 cup - chopped

• Separate each graham cracker into 4 sections and arrange in a jellyroll pan with sides touching
• Melt butter in a saucepan; stir in sugar and chopped pecans
• Bring to a boil; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently
• Spread mixture evenly over graham crackers.
• Bake at 300 degrees for 12 minutes, just enough time to clean up the kitchen!
• Remove from pan, let cool on wax paper.

Yield: 3 1/2 dozen cookies

That's it!  And with all the time you saved in the kitchen, why not pour a glass of cold milk and settle in for a taste test!

~ Maggie and Reese

Thanksgiving Recipe #2 - The Hot Toddy!

 

Mulled Spiced Cider

 

 

Image courtesy of Etsy

 

This Mulled Spiced Cider recipe

is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas,

or any gathering on a cold, winter's day.

 

Recipe:

Cheese Cloth - 4" Square

String to Tie Off Cloth

8 Whole Black Peppercorns

6 Whole Cloves

6 Whole Allspice

2 Cinnamon Sticks

1 Gallon Apple Juice

2 Quarts Cranberry Juice

Spiced Rum (Optional)

 

Tie-off all spices in the cheese cloth. 

Bring juices and spice bag to a boil. 

Reduce heat and simmer 2-4 hours. 

Add spice rum to taste.

 

Image courtesy of www.ehow.com

 

This recipe was given to Reese by her wonderful friend, Nicole, many years ago as a gift along with a carafe. 

Who will you share it with this holiday season?

 

~Maggie & Reese



Thanksgiving Recipe #1 - Dessert First!

 

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE

 

 

 

 

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix

1/2 Cup Cooking Oil

1 Can Pumpkin Pie Filling

3/4 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Water

4 Eggs

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/8 Tsp Nutmeg

 

Mix all ingredients and bake in a greased and floured

bundt pan at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes

(baking times may vary depending on your oven). 

Let cool completely, remove from pan, and Enjoy!!

 

 

 

Tabletop items available from www.maggieandreese.com ~

 

1. Plush Owl Ornaments

2. White Glazed Pumpkins S/2

3. Square Applique Placemat in Aubergine

(Also available in Brown)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

~Maggie & Reese



Chimney Tips!

10 Tips for Good Chimney Maintenance

Fireplace image courtesy of www.countryliving.com

 

1. Maintain a safe perimeter. Keep tree branches and other objects at least 15 feet from the top of your chimney.


2. Instruct your family on safe fireplace, furnace and stove practices.


3. Retrofit a chimney cap on your existing chimney if you don't have one now. Caps keep leaves and animals out of your chimney that could create dangerous obstructions.


4. Use appropriate fuel. Green wood, dismantled furniture and other questionable fuels should always be avoided. Use your fireplace or other fuel burning feature in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If you have doubts about a particular fuel, err on the side of caution.


5. Build fires correctly. Add fuel or build fires correctly by placing fire-logs in the back of the grate and supporting them so they don't slip. Use kindling, and never add materials of a questionable nature, even small ones. Burning substances that don't flare up can still release colorless and odorless toxic gasses into your home or the environment.


6. Use fireplace screens and keep safety doors closed. Protect nearby areas that could catch fire by providing a reliable barrier and using it consistently.


7. Clear the hearth or surrounding areas. Never keep old rags, newspaper, furniture or other objects near your stove, furnace or fireplace. If there's an open flame or high heat, be sure to maintain a safe zone of 36 inches or more.


8. Don't leave fires unattended. Stay safe by developing good fire maintenance habits. Never leave a room where there's an open flame, even a candle. You never know what will happen.


9. Install monitoring equipment. One of the best precautions you can take is to install equipment, like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, that will alert you to problems before they become life threatening. If these devices aren't wired to your household current, maintain their batteries on a set schedule by checking them twice a year. A common method is to check when you change your clocks to and from Daylight Savings Time in spring and fall.


10. Have your chimney professionally inspected annually.

Chimney tips found on www.superpages.com

Bonsoir!

We left Dover, England on the 26th, I think, 
and after 5 days of being "off the grid", we are enjoying 
our last night in Versailles France. We spent our time chateau hopping and scouring small villages 
around our home base, a vineyard Gite with a 
beautiful view of the valley.  
Today was a marcher through Paris where I was disappointed to learn the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit was closed as it is Monday, de'cu, but we hit all of the original places on 
our itinerary so all in all a great day! 
Now it is time to pop the cork on a bottle of 
rouge and plan our path out of Paris and once again try to figure out how to post a picture to the blog page! 
Wish me luck, au revoir!

~Maggie

Maggie takes flight!

After a short mechanical delay at airport (good thing I had taken my flying meds) we started

winging our way across the pond at 10pm.  By the time dinner arrived (chicken?) and movie began, I was ready to hit the hay.  I must say, night flying is for me, a few tosses and turns and I was waking up to the smell of freshly brewed airline coffee.

At this point I felt calm and confident about landing until crew chief came on and asked for a physician on board.  A few minutes after that, he then informed us that to get passenger to London ASAP, he would be landing the plane "as if we were landing on an aircraft carrier"!!!!!  Wasn't sure how pilot felt about 2 sick passengers but we made it down quickly as promised with benefit of not having to wait in line to land.

Soon we had metro tickets and were "tubing" our way under London.  "Minding the Gap" with train tickets in hand, we THOUGHT we had completed our first travel day uneventfully.  Then we reached Folkstone Central train depot and were informed the train would not be continuing  to our stop in Dover due to electrical difficulties, so close-only 8 miles to go, they were sending a bus....in awhile! With memories of a previous experience due to a French train strike, we quickly grabbed a cab and finished the last leg of today's trip, 20 pounds well spent!

And as soon as I figure out how to post pictures from my iPad, I will share the view  of the English channel from our tiny, but lovely English room!
For now, we are off in search of Fish and Chips!

Au revoir!

MAGGIE GOES TO FRANCE!

Today I leave for England and France in search 

of unique, one of kind items for

Maggie and Reese 

Because we will be traveling by plane, train, 

car and ferry and I travel by the 

"if you bring it, you must carry it" mantra, 

I managed to squeeze all of my travel necessities

 for 12 days in one carry on bag!

(husband was very impressed)

In addition to browsing shops on the outskirts

 of Paris and Portobello Market in London, 

I am scheduling stops at a few patisseries, 

chateau's and vineyards along the way.  

So follow me on my journey where 

I will share pictures and design 

ideas from across the pond.

Reese will be holding down the fort, 

(and watching her Baylor Bears)

taking care of our Fall goodies (take a peek!)

and getting our Christmas items 

prepared to go on-line

(I can't wait to post them!) 

So until then, Happy Fall and Au revoir!

5 Reasons to Cheer for Fall!

1. Cooler Temperatures ~

We've had a cold front in Dallas!  I know to most of you, 90 degrees doesn't sound like a cold front, but for those of us in Texas, it practically feels like sweater weather!!

Forecast courtesy of www.myfoxdfw.com

 

 

2. Football Season ~

Are you ready for some football?!? 

Reese is a football fanatic and her favorite time of

year is the start of a new football season!

Reese with her Baylor Nation tailgate crew!

(Sorry Maggie - No Aggie photos here!!)

3. Boots! ~

There is nothing better than buying that first pair

of new boots for the Fall! 

Here are some of Reese's favorites for this season. 

What are some of your favorites this year?

1. Ralph Lauren Lavinia Vachetta Lace-Up Boot

2. Loft Skylar Suede Booties

3. B Brian Atwood Fragola Boot

4. Baseball Playoffs ~

Maggie & family are die hard baseball fans and October

is definitely a favorite time of year at their house! 

Go Rangers!!

(Maggie's son Gregory sporting traditional family fashion)

 

 

 5. End of Summer Sale at Maggie & Reese! ~

We need help making room for all of our new

Halloween, Fall, & Christmas inventory not to mention

Spring items that will be here before you know it! 

What better way to do this than have an End of Summer Sale?!? 

Be sure and visit our Last Look section at www.maggieandreese.com

to take advantage of these great savings!!

Just a handful of the items available under Last Look!

Happy Shopping!

~Reese