Spring Festival

What do a Rooster,

Rat, 

Horse,

and Dog,

have in common?

Besides being fabulous finds at

www.maggieandreese.com

they are all zodiac symbols from the Chinese New Year!

The Chinese New Year is the biggest 

Chinese festival of the year.

This year it begins on February 10 and 

runs for approximately 16 days.  

2013 is the Year of the Snake.

Maggie's sign is the Dog and Reese's sign is the Rabbit.

Check out your Chinese symbol at

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/ChineseNewYear/

And since this is the Spring Festival, 

maybe warm weather will soon be on it's way! 

Until then,

Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese Cherry Blossom Tote Bag from Maggie & Reese

OSCAR WORTHY ENTERTAINING & ACCESSORIES

 

The Academy Awards will be held on

Sunday, February 24, 2013 on ABC!

 

 

Whether your style is traditional Hollywood glamour

 or a more modern Bohemian chic,

Maggie & Reese has the perfect entertaining & accessory

 items to make your Oscar party a winner!

 

 

 

 

1. Frog Prince Bottle Opener -

The perfect conversation starter

 

2. Three Section Server -

Don't miss our coordinating pieces

 

3. Linen Luncheon Napkins ~ On A Roll -

Elegant, yet disposable napkins

 

4. Red Wine Carafe -

Also available for White Wine & Water

 

5. Tea Glasses S/6 -

Perfect for an apertif or as tea light candleholders

 

6. Round Pull Up Table -

Great place to rest your cocktail

 

7. Dream Pillow -

Oscars are what Dreams are made of

 

8. Lafco Candles -

Beautiful way to set the mood & the hand blown glass containers can be repurposed as vases or glasses

after the candle is gone

 

Shop these and other great Oscar items at www.maggieandreese.com!

 

 

~Reese

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.