Are You Ready for Thanksgiving?!

Hello Lovelies! 

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just two weeks away?! I can't--holy cow. Are you hosting this year? 

In our family, Thanksgiving gatherings are still based at our parents' homes but everyone contributes (we alternate each year, since my parents are 7 hours away in Durango, Colorado--the photo above is from last year's gathering at the Casinelli household). I usually end up doing styling and table decor, along with a side dish or two, my sisters-in-law cover appetizers and dessert, and the mamas (mine or Kyle's) create the heart of Thanksgiving dinner--golden turkey, glorious stuffing, and scrumptious mashed potatoes. My mouth is watering already. Our dads are the turkey-carving extraordinaires and the boys... well, they are really good at playing foosball and completing whatever tasks are requested of them as the feast comes together. :-)

Last year, I posted a Thanksgiving Planning Guide just for you, and I think it warrants a post again this year as well!  I have pulled these tips from my own experience (every event becomes less stressful the more you have planned in advance) and also from the wisdom of my superhero mama, my amazing mama-in-law, Kay, and my Oma, who came from Germany but created amazing Thanksgivings as she raised her family in the Nebraskan heartland.

To pull off the perfect Thanksgiving feast, having a plan is key! Here are my work-ahead tips that can make that special Thursday enjoyable for all:*

*Want a completely stress-free holiday event? Long Ago Love can help with everything from the big stuff (arranging catering, guest invites, and menu planning) to the little details and designing your table (centerpieces, name cards, plate chargers,etc.).  We have a large inventory of entertaining items available for rent and various levels of planning services catered to your specific needs.  Want more information? Contact us!

Okay, back to the helpful hints!

• Create your guest list. Get an idea of how many people are going to come, just so you can start figuring out the quantities you need.
• Purchase your turkey. This way you don’t have to panic and worry about finding the right size or trying to defrost at the last minute. Wondering when to start defrosting that bad boy? Allow one day for every 5 pounds of meat: a 15-pound turkey will require three days to thaw thoroughly.
• Make your pie dough. Pie dough is something that can freeze really well so you can enjoy delicious homemade crust for your Thanksgiving pies without having to stress the week of. I find the best way to store the dough is to form individual pie discs, store in a seal-able plastic bag, and freeze. Then when you are ready to assemble your pie, let your crust set out for 20 minutes and it's ready to go!
• Make and freeze your gravy. Making gravy while everyone is hovering over the turkey ready to eat can be pretty stressful.  It's one of those last-second details that would be so much easier if you can just heat it up and go. 
• Prep your linens and serving pieces. Make sure you have everything you need and that all linens are cleaned and pressed. Also check your drinking glasses for water spots and wipe down any pieces that need a touch up.  Don't forget to find your carving knife if it's tucked away for most of the year!
• Clean house. Not the most exciting part, but it is a great feeling to be proud of your home  when you're welcoming in your friends and family. 
• Write out your menu. This will help with grocery shopping and coordinating who is bringing what, if others are contributing. 
• Make sure you have a well-rounded drink selection.  Alternatively, having your guests bring beverages is a great way to share the load and insure that everyone has a drink option they enjoy.
  
• Create a grocery list. I like to organize mine by categories: produce, dairy, meats, bakery, etc. I know the layout of my grocery store well, so I list my categories according to how I walk the store. You won’t believe the time this saves!
• Create a schedule. Use the prep and cooking times of your different dishes to determine when you should start each item.  This is especially important when you're working with one oven and limited burners on the stove--you need to make sure everything fits in at some point during the day!

• Do your grocery shopping. When you get home, organize the groceries in your fridge.
• Chill wine. Place the wine you’re serving in the refrigerator, or if you’re out of space and it's chilly outside, keep it in the garage or on the back deck.

• Chop and dice your ingredients. For storing all your diced veggies, you might want to use sealable bags instead of plastic containers because they take up less space in the fridge.  
•  Sauté stuffing ingredients. Cook the celery, onions, sausage, etc., and once cooled, place the combination in an airtight bag in the refrigerator. The next day it only takes a few minutes to put the stuffing together and into the oven for baking.
• Bake your pies. This way they'll be cooled and set for the next day and that's one less thing to fit in your oven on turkey day!  Looking for a good apple pie recipe?
• Prepare any side dishes you can. Prepare the dish in a container that can go directly from the fridge to the oven (and if it's pretty, from the oven to the table). 
• Decide where dishes will be served. It can be really challenging to fit all of Thanksgiving dinner on the table--especially if you have a centerpiece or a smaller table.  A good solution is to serve some items buffet style (those things that might be a struggle to pass around the table due to size or temperature) and serve other items family style (bread, salad, etc.).  If you don't have a buffet server, the kitchen counter can work just as well!
• Set the dining table. My favorite part!  The final task is setting the table complete with floral arrangement, candles, and whatever else you have envisioned this year. This is a nice way to wind down the day. Enjoy a nice glass of wine as you go and then get a good night's sleep before the excitement and celebration begins!

Best of luck (let me know how it goes!).  Happy Thanksgiving!

xo                          

   Jordan 

sweet valentine

Well friends, here we are.  It's cold. And wet.

As I sit here in this snowstorm, trying to fight off the grey and dreary, I'm struggling to think up some redeeming qualities for February.

I can only think of one at the moment.  I think I'm experiencing brain freeze.

Whether you have a sweetheart, besties you want to celebrate, or family you appreciate--thank goodness for Valentine's Day for infusing a little extra love and color into our lives. Right?!

How do you plan to share the love? A romantic night out is always a winner of course, and I'm loving all the possibilities to celebrate in a nontraditional way too!  

Been awhile since you've seen the girls?  How about a sweet and pretty Valentine's brunch to bring everyone together?

Feeling a throwback?  Host a "Little Love" party that captures your elementary school Valentine's days, complete with materials for your guests to make Valentine collection boxes (remember using a shoe box?) and all the cheesy rhyming cards with candy that you could ever want.  Extra points to those who bring back some fifth grade fashion (who doesn't love scrunchies and overalls?).

A little anti-Cupid this year? Have a slasher film party with your pals and have a popcorn bar to mix it up!

You've still got some time, so give it a little thought!  I'd love to hear your ideas and plans (my sis-in-law, Jess, is hosting a Sparkle Party for the ladies--how fun is that?).  Need a little help getting it all together?  Let me know!  Long Ago Love can provide an assist for everything from party decor to planning a proposal. 

Think of all the possibilities!

xo

Jordan

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

a wish for you....

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your day is full of love and laughter. 

We will be listening to Bing Crosby, sipping hot cocoa, bonding over a sibling gift exchange, making Christmas candy, and savoring (both!) mamas' cooking.  Very excited!

What traditions make up your Christmas?  May all be warm and bright wherever you might be on this special day. :-)

All my love,

Jordan

Images via: Style Me Pretty

wrapped with love....

Just 7 more days till Christmas! Are you excited?! I know I am. A more challenging question--are you ready? Yes? Man, you're a superhero. No? I've got good news--the holiday season is a fluid experience.

There will probably always be some last minute details, like the ingredients you have to purchase at the latest possible moment so they are fresh, or the special gift you have to snag on the fly because you didn't know that person was coming to Christmas dinner until 5 minutes ago.  My advice? Do what you can ahead of time and then be flexible and go with the flow. It's going to be wonderful no matter what. :-)

Just in case you might still have some gift wrapping to do, here's a little inspiration and a few tips and tricks to make the process go smoothly. Enjoy!

Ever notice that the prettier the wrapping paper, the more expensive it seems to be? Get some "wow" factor on the cheap by wrapping your presents in an inexpensive "base layer" (like Kraft paper or a simple solid color, and then make a "belly band" around your gift using your prettiest paper as an accent around the middle.  Garnish with some pretty ribbon and a bow and voilà! you have a beautiful package for a fraction of the cost.  This is especially helpful with your larger gifts--there's few things more disheartening than using an entire roll of wrapping paper on one present.

Speaking of garnishes, if you are looking for some creative options, look to the great outdoors. Greenery is something you may be able to scavenge for in your own backyard (Home Depot and Lowe's also offer clippings from their Christmas trees for free--great for presents and holiday decor alike!). Other fun items to utilize include pine cones, berries, feathers, and twigs.

Make it fun! Have a gift wrap gathering with friends where you can socialize, swap materials and ideas for more variety, and share some tasty appetizers (some wine never hurt either). It's always easier when there are some additional fingers around to help you tie bows too. :-)










Although it's great to be able to bust out all the wrapping in one fell swoop, it can often become an ongoing process. If you can, find an out-of-the-way space to spread out and have a "wrapping station" (my mom stakes a claim on the family ping-pong table each year, which, of course, is a fabulous working surface, but not everyone is so lucky).

If you are like me and the only uninhabited open space is a cold, dark, unfinished basement, I suggest using a large Rubbermaid bin to contain everything* between wrapping sessions so you can tuck it away until it's needed again.












*Have lots of unwieldy rolls of wrapping paper?  Use a small, cute trash bin to hold them all!

Let me know if these hints were helpful and good luck with all of your holiday endeavors!

xo

Jordan

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

stockings 'n stuff

Hey there, everybody!  What are you up to this week? I chose "Let It Snow" as my holiday theme, I think because it's my subliminal Christmas wish--there's nothing like a blanket of white to truly get in the spirit.  I don't know though, it's still been feeling like autumn still.  Guess we'll see!

Have you thought about stocking stuffers yet?

Those can be the little detail that gets overlooked until the last minute. Just in case that's still on your to-do list, here's some fun, unique ideas:

For the Adventurer - Ultimate Survival Kit (this would be a great DIY too!)

For the Glam Girl - Gold Office Supplies

For the Chef - Stackable Measuring Cups

For the One on the Fly - Travel Phone Charger

For the Techie - iPhone Camera Pro Lens Attachment

For the Bookworm - Booklight

For your Caffeinated Companions - Beverage Frother

For the Littles (and the Young at Heart!) - Roll-up Dart Board

What are some other clever stocking stuffer ideas?  What are you hoping to find in your stocking this Christmas?!  I'd love to hear your ideas!

    xo                          

   Jordan

a little new year's glam!

Things are a little quiet around the blog this week, but don't let that fool you--behind the scenes, it's been a whirlwind!  I'm working on getting the house decked in everything bright and merry (some fun holiday decor ideas are headed your way!) and for Long Ago Love, I'm getting all of the details in place for a fab New Year's masquerade bash.

The theme this year? Glitz and glam all the way.  There is no better time of year for it!  Throw in a few masks for a little mystery, some dance-worthy music, and plenty of delectable finger food, and we've got ourselves a fabulous fete!  I've also added some chic art deco elements for some chic vintage 20's flair. :-)

What are your plans through the holiday season?  Is your house a winter wonderland?  Are you baking Christmas treats?  Hopefully your days are full of friends and family and the chaos that make this such a special time of year.  I'd love to hear all about your December adventures!

Stay tuned for more Long Ago Love sneak peeks and lots of fun holiday hints, tips, and general shenanigans!

    xo                          

   Jordan

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope you have much to be thankful for this year and many loved ones to share the day with. It doesn't hurt if there's some amazing food or fiercely competitive family games either, as long as no one gets hurt.  :-)

What are you up to on this lovely day? Traveling? Hosting family?  We had Casinelli family Thanksgiving last Sunday (where ravioli is enjoyed right alongside the turkey!) and now we've made our way down to Durango for Thanksgiving Hardy-style.  This means we will be enjoying the Nebraskan delicacy of strawberry jello with marshmallows with a side of fierce family bowling competition.  What are your unique Thanksgiving traditions?

I have so much to be grateful for this year! Since last Thanksgiving, Kyle and I moved into our first home, we were able to enjoy the company of  many of our loved ones at our wedding, and I have taken the first big steps towards launching my dream business, Long Ago Love.

It's so easy to get caught up in how busy things have been!  Do you ever have that issue?  Today, I'm going to slow down and take the time to really enjoy spending time with family and making memories.  What are you thankful for this year? How are you celebrating today? I'd love to hear!

Have a safe holiday and thanks for taking the time to stop by and chat!  :-)

    xo                          

   Jordan
 

Image via Rifle Paper Co

are you ready for thanksgiving?!

To pull off the perfect Thanksgiving feast, you need a plan. Here are my work-ahead tips that can make this special Thursday less stressful:*

*Want a completely stress-free holiday event? Long Ago Love can help with everything from the big stuff (arranging catering, guest invites, and menu planning) to the little details and designing your table (centerpieces, name cards, plate chargers,etc.).  We have a large inventory of entertaining items available for rent and various levels of planning services catered to your specific needs.  Want more information? Contact us!

Okay, back to the helpful hints!

• Create your guest list. Get an idea of how many people are going to come, just so you can start figuring out the quantities you need.
• Purchase your turkey. This way you don’t have to panic and worry about finding the right size or trying to defrost at the last minute. Depending on the size, start defrosting the turkey now (allow one day for every 5 pounds of meat: a 15-pound turkey will require three days to thaw thoroughly).
• Make your pie dough. Pie dough is something that can freeze really well so you can enjoy delicious homemade crust for your Thanksgiving pies without having to stress the week of. I find the best way to store the dough is to form individual pie discs, store in a seal-able plastic bag, and freeze. Then when you are ready to assemble your pie, let your crust set out for 20 minutes and it's ready to go!
• Make and freeze your gravy. Making gravy while everyone is hovering over the turkey ready to eat can be pretty stressful.  It's one of those last-second details that would be so much easier if you can just heat it up and go. 
• Prep your linens and serving pieces. Make sure you have everything you need and that all linens are cleaned and pressed. Also check your drinking glasses for water spots and wipe down any pieces that need a touch up.  Don't forget to find your carving knife if it's tucked away for most of the year!
• Clean house. Not the most exciting part, but it is a great feeling to be proud of your home  when you're welcoming in your friends and family. 
• Write out your menu. This will help with grocery shopping and coordinating who is bringing what if others are contributing. 
• Make sure you have a well-rounded drink selection.  Alternatively, having your guests bring beverages is a great way to share the load and insure that everyone has a drink option they enjoy.
  
• Create a grocery list. I like to organize mine by categories: produce, dairy, meats, bakery, etc. I know the layout of my grocery store well, so I list my categories according to how I walk the store. You won’t believe the time this saves!
• Create a schedule. Use the prep and cooking times of your different dishes to determine when you should start each item.  This is especially important when you're working with one oven and limited burners on the stove--you need to make sure everything fits in at some point during the day!

• Do your grocery shopping. When you get home, organize the groceries in your fridge.
• Chill wine. Place the wine you’re serving in the refrigerator, or if you’re out of space and it's chilly outside, keep it in the garage or on the back deck.

• Chop and dice your ingredients. For storing all your diced veggies, you might want to use sealable bags instead of plastic containers because they take up less space.  
•  Sauté stuffing ingredients. Cook the celery, onions, sausage, etc., and once cooled, place the combination in an airtight bag in the refrigerator. The next day it only takes a few minutes to put the stuffing together and into the oven for baking.
• Bake your pies. This way they'll be cooled and set for the next day and that's one less thing to fit in your oven on turkey day!  Looking for a good apple pie recipe?
• Prepare any side dishes you can. Prepare the dish in a container that can go directly from the fridge to the oven (and if it's pretty, from the oven to the table). 
• Decide where dishes will be served. It can be really challenging to fit all of Thanksgiving dinner on the table--especially if you have a centerpiece or a smaller table.  A good solution is to serve some items buffet style (those things that might be a struggle to pass around the table due to size or temperature) and serve other items family style (bread, salad, etc.).  If you don't have a buffet server, the kitchen counter can work just as well!
  

• Set the dining table. My favorite part!  The final task is setting the table complete with floral arrangement, candles, and whatever else you have envisioned this year. This is a nice way to wind down the day. Enjoy a nice glass of wine as you go and then get a good night's sleep before the excitement and celebration begins!

Best of luck (let me know how it goes!).  Happy Thanksgiving!

xo                          

   Jordan 

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

what makes the holidays?

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I've been pondering that question lately.  The primary answer is, of course, family. And friends. Let's be serious, everyone together is what really makes it.  However, following closely behind that is most certainly the food. Oh the food.

The holidays are when you can eat yourself silly on the treats you've loved since you were little and, if you're feeling adventurous, try a new mouthwatering recipe.  Just don't forget to savor your mama's cooking, if you have the chance.  Mothers' recipes always do taste a little better than all the others.  Must be the love.  :-)

My holiday food passion this year has true vintage flair--homemade pies. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, most importantly, apple pie.... I'll try not to drool on my keyboard. Finding the perfect pie recipe can be  a challenge, and sometimes you have to meld together several  yummy ideas you come across. Tweaking to make it your own can go a long way.

So, without further ado, here is my favorite version of rustic apple pie (with plenty of tweaks!):

Homemade Crust (for the Purists)

1-1/2 cup Crisco 

3 cups Flour

1  Egg

5 Tablespoons Cold Water

1 Tablespoon White Vinegar

1 teaspoon Salt

Prep

In a large mixing bowl, incorporate the Crisco into the flour with a pastry cutter, until you have consistent small crumbles (takes about three minutes). In a smaller bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of ice cold water, along with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are mixed.

Separate the dough in half. Form two  balls of dough and place each ball into a large Ziploc bag. , Begin to flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) using a rolling pin to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it’s still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.)

Apple Filling

8 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples* 

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons  All-Purpose Flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 cup  apple juice concentrate

2 tablespoons butter, diced in small pieces

*sidenote: my Uncle Jaye swears by using canned apples--it makes for a more gooey filling, if that's what makes your heart beat faster.  It's equally delicious--Mmmm!

Prep

Combine the sliced apples and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl.  In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cornstarch, salt, and spices. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples, and stir to coat them. Stir in the apple juice concentrate.

If you're using a store-bought crust (because sometimes simple and quick is what's needed so you don't lose your mind) go ahead and transfer it to your pie dish.  If you're using homemade crust, remove your dough from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes.  Roll out half of the pastry to a circle slightly larger than your dish. Just a head's up, this dough is somewhat crumbly--that's what makes the crust so flaky later. Smooth out any cracking around the edges with your fingers and all will be well. It can help to do this part on floured parchment paper, since then you don't have to pry the crust off the counter when you're done.  Transfer it to the pie dish, and trim the edges so they overlap the rim of the pan by an inch all the way around.  Spoon the apple filling into the pan. Dot the top with the diced butter.  

Roll out the remaining pastry to the same size. Cut decorative vent holes (if you're feeling artsy), and carefully place the pastry over the apples (fun hack: use your rolling pin to gently "roll" your top crust over the pie--much easier than using your hands!).  Roll the overhanging bottom crust up and over the top crust, pinching to seal the two (or make a simple pattern around the edge with the prongs of a fork.  Lastly, I do an egg wash and sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top, but that's just gravy. :-)

Preheat the oven to 425°F and place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling over. Bake the pie for 20 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and bake for 40 minutes more, until you see the filling bubbling inside the pie. Check the pie after half an hour of baking time, and cover the edges with foil to keep them from browning too quickly.  The key here is to just be vigilant.

When the pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool before slicing.  Pair it with your favorite vanilla ice cream and give thanks--it's nearly Thanksgiving, after all.  :-)

xo                          

   Jordan 

P.S. - what makes the holidays for you? And what's your favorite holiday treat?  I'd love to hear! :-)

happy holidays!

Happy holidays to all of you, with some moments captured from our Ugly Sweater Party to get you in the spirit!  BTW, please don't mind our bitty little tree--part of just moving in!  Haha.  :-)