Add Some Spice to Thanksgiving with Target Wedding Registry & Giveaway

With the holidays coming up it means that you will more than likely be cooking in your own home or even bringing a dish to share with someone else.  This post is #sponsored by #Targetwedding.  Target Registry is a wonderful way to stock your home full of holiday entertaining essentials.  What are some of your essential Thanksgiving tips? Be sure to share your Thanksgiving tips in the comment section below to be entered to win a Target giftcard.
 

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.

Target Registry is a wonderful way to stock your home full of holiday entertaining essentials.  Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware set is a great starter set for any family. It gives you a lot of versatility in the kitchen when you are cooking for any number of people.  One particular stainless steel item by Calphalon that is available at Target is the Pour and Strain Saucepan that is essentially two items in one. It allows you to cook, and then drain without using an additional colander using the side slots on the lid.  I used to to help create a delicious Old Bay Mac and Cheese recipe that is sure to be a hit at any holiday or casual get together.  The other dish I made that is a wonderful holiday side is an Apple and Cranberry Oatmeal Casserole baked in the Corningware casserole dish from Target.  

The saucepan along with a few other wonderful dining essentials are a great gift idea. I put together this Thanksgiving inspired table with items from Target and in my own home.   The gold chargers and Threshold Round Beaded Dinner Plates are available in store, and can easily be used for any type of occassion.  I also included some white pumpkins from a local farm.  I like that the baking dishes and plates are white, which means they can be paired easily with many different table linens and decorative additions. I used some simple ribbon to tie the utensils on the placemat.  I also added my grandparents wedding drinking glasses to the table setting as well. They are almost in perfect condition almost 70 years later.

The Apple and Cranberry Oatmeal Casserole is a dish that I remember my sweet Aunt serving every year at Thanksgiving. I always looked forward to having it in her home.  It was always the first dish on my plate, and I was always heading back for seconds for sure.  It brings back memories of spending time with my family.

Ingredients:

1 c whole cranberries
1  1/2 c chopped apples with peel
3/4 c of white sugar
1/2 c of chopped nuts
1/2 c of brown sugar
1 stick of melted butter
1/2 c of maple brown sugar oatmeal (I use one packet)
2/3 c of flour


Combine first three ingredients in a prepared pan. Then mix other ingredients and place the mixture on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

The other dish I am sharing is a delicious Mac and Cheese that is spiced up with a family favorite.  We put Old Bay seasoning on everything we can in this house. Mac and Cheese is the perfect dish to be combined with Old Bay.  It actually reminds me of summer, and eating crabs on the back porch. Now, that the weather has changed to cooler temperatures Rob and I love to have the taste of summer in our food.

Ingredients

1 lb of elbow pasta
4 c of milk
8 tbsp (one stick) of unsalted butter
2 tbsp or more if wanted of Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 c of all purpose flour
1 tbsp of kosher salt
10 ounces of aged sharp cheddar cheese
2/3 c of panko bread crumbs

Heat milk in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Once it is simmering remove from heat and set aside.  

In a second saucepan melt butter over medium heat, and then gradually add flour by whisking it in. 

Whisk constantly for a few minutes until the mixture is a light brown.  Gradually whisk milk into the first saucepan with the flour and butter mixture.  

Return saucepan to medium heat, and continue whisk it until it thickens. Stir in one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning.  Add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted.

Use the Calphalon Pour and Strain saucepan to boil water, and cook the elbow macaroni.  Once it is cooked to close to al dente rinse the pasta in cold water in the saucepan.  

Then pour the pasta into a prepared casserole dish, and pour in the cheese mixture. Mix together well so that all the pasta is coated.  Cover the mac and chese with the panko bread crumbs and one tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning.  I am sure you will find the Old Bay adds the perfect spice to this dish.

Bake the dish at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

I hope you check out Target for your own personal wedding registry or to purchase a gift for someone you know. It is easy to pull together a gift that will be used for many years to come.  Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today.  Be sure to share your Thanksgiving tips below in the comment section for a chance at a Target giftcard.

A Lowcountry Wedding

I thought I'd share a few images from my sister's wedding this past weekend in South Carolina. Never did I think I would willingly trap myself in a car for a 12 hour ride with two six month olds.  But, it turns out they are excellent travelers. We could not have asked for a better ride to and from. Thankfully, Wynn was able to hitch a ride with family, so we only had to manage the boys.

I'll share a wedding dress picture of my sister once her photographer shares her images. My sister wants to have those shared first.

I love all the monogram items, the seating chalkboard, the Texas shaped grooms cake and the beautiful bouquets.

I thought Wynn and the other flower girl looked like little garden fairies running around the venue. The makeup was too pretty not to take a picture of and then there is the beautiful cake. I love the monogram topper she bought from a vendor on Etsy.  

We even got some half way decent sleep and Rob played golf. I'd call that a successful trip in itself. We were so happy we got to join in. Do see the little house behind us? We were able to all stay in these cottages right next to the venue in the plantation. It was so nice and easy for everyone.

Special Day Wedding Gift Idea & Target Wedding Registry

My sister is getting married in the spring, and when I was asked by Target to share ideas on what to purchase for a registry gift I thought it would be a perfect opportunity.  I had not been to Target recently when I was mostly at home due to being so far along with the twins. I was so excited to get back in there, and I was so amazed by all the new products they have in stock. 

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

I'd love to hear about your favorite wedding gift that you received. I am always looking for new way to give a thoughtful gift to newlyweds. Please feel free to comment below to share your gift idea or even what you have done for someone else on their special day.

Here are some of the great items that I checked out and was considering for a potential gift for my sister and future brother-in-law.  I loved all the natural wood and gold colored items that I saw. 

I eventually decided on an acacia wine rack for $24.99 and a set of white wine glasses that were on sale for $20.00 to purchase using the $50 gift card I was provided with by Target. I absolutely love this wine rack. The best part is that they are stackable, so you can buy a couple more to make even more room for the wine in your collection.

 To give the gift a little more special I added tags to the bottles of wine that say the following: First Anniversary, First Christmas, First Valentine's Day, First Dinner Party, First Fight and First Baby. I saw this adorable idea when my friend Emily had her bridal shower a few months back. 

The have many registry gifts that I received when I was married seven years ago that I definitely love.  The KitchenAid Mixer is one of my favorites because I use it to bake cookies and other baked goodies with my favorite girl, Wynn.

Target

It is always nice to have large serving bowls on hand for every day dining and entertaining. I really love this rustic style serving bowl.

Target

A gift that every couple needs is beautiful frames to display their beautiful wedding photography in once they are married. This frame caught my eye because I know it is something that would match the style my sister is going for in her wedding.  You could even frame the invitation for the bride and groom if you wanted to do something special.

Target

I really love this bar cart. I actually got to see it in person during my trip to Target, and it looks beautiful. I think this would be super fun to do as a group gift maybe from the wedding party, and then load it up with bar essentials.

Target

I loved all the simple place settings that they had in the store and online. These could be used for casual and formal entertaining. This type of setting is definitely what I see my friends and family registering for more nowadays instead of fine china.

Target

Thank you so much for stopping by! Do not forget to let me know your favorite wedding gift that you have given or received. I am always looking for new ways to make a present more meaningful for the recipient.  

A Gift for a Bride to Be

I ventured to Hobby Lobby yesterday to get some odds and ends. I wish I had one closer, but the two around me are about 45 minutes in each direction. I have a little get together tomorrow in honor of my friend who is getting married in a few weeks. I picked up this 5 X 7 wall frame for $7.99 on sale. I liked the distressed look and thought it would look nice with a photo from her wedding or her engagement pictures in it.

I had a leftover burlap flower from the package I bought for my kitchen bins. Her wedding is a burlap and lace styled event so the flower fit perfectly.  Then a little bit of leftover vinyl was added to include the date.  Just a little change to personalize the frame for her.  I placed her wedding invitation in it for now, and thought it looked really cute in there. But, for now the blonde girl will have to do for sharing on the blog purposes.

This frame is paired with some wine from the year she met her soon to be husband.  I think it will make the perfect little present for her girls dinner tomorrow.  

Thank you for stopping by! 

Mr and Mrs. Chair Signs

This year I have three friends who are tying the knot. Considering we have not really been too many weddings recently it is a lot of fun making up small gifts for these ladies.   Once again I made some signs for the bride and groom, and made them in a different way than the previous signs I shared.

I found these chalkboard circles for a buck at Michaels and purchased two. 

Using my Silhouette I cut out the lettering for the signs and small starfish. I used about half of a 12 x 12 sheet of sand colored vinyl.  This is a beach wedding, so I thought that the starfish would be appropriate. I took out the black rope that the circles came with and replaced them with some off white ribbon that I had.

They will be a simple addition to the chairs of the bride and groom at their beach side wedding.