Holiday Decorating is in FULL swing

Here are some of the places our "elves" have been. Our team takes to the streets this time of year, decorating for clients, and businesses. Need help this holiday season? Contact our store for details and availability.

Custom bows will make a great addition to your decor.

Pigs in the Blanket a whole new way....

Ricotta-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

These are the new pigs in the blanket and way better. They're a classic tapas but they never get old. And I spruced them up just a bit with a touch of ricotta cheese.

Ingredients
1 pound (about 12 to 13 slices) bacon, preferably thick-cut
25 Medjool dates (about 3/4 pound)
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
Special Equipment: toothpicks, a bamboo skewer for removing pits
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Cut the bacon in half lengthwise to make twice as many slices. Set aside. To remove the pits from the dates, cut the tips off each end of the dates and insert the flat end of the skewer until it pushes the pit out of the date. Repeat with remaining dates.

Place the ricotta in the bottom corner of a strong plastic bag and seal tightly. Use scissors to cut a small hole in the tip of 1 of the corners. Now use the bag like a piping bag to fill the dates with the cheese.

Wrap the ricotta stuffed dates with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick through the belly of the date. Arrange all the prepared dates on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing at least a little space between each one for good browning. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until bacon is browned and crispy. Remove from the baking sheet and gently remove toothpicks. Serve immediately.






Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/ricotta-stuffed-bacon-wrapped-dates-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from all of us at JOSEPH'S

This Thursday, millions of families will celebrate Thanksgiving with roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, and (with only a slight amount of guilt) another piece of pumpkin pie. But in early America, days of Thanksgiving weren’t always about food.

Reflecting American religious practice, Presidents and Congresses from the beginning of the republic have from time to time designated days of fasting and thanksgiving (the Thanksgiving holiday we continue to celebrate on the third Thursday of November was established by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War).

Following a resolution of Congress, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday the 26th of November 1789 a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer” devoted to “the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” In setting aside a day for Thanksgiving, Washington established a non-sectarian tone for these devotions and stressed political, moral, and intellectual blessings that make self-government possible, in addition to personal and national repentance.

Although the First Amendment prevents Congress from establishing a religion or prohibiting its free exercise, Presidents, as well as Congress, have always recognized the American regard for sacred practices and beliefs. Thus, throughout American history, Presidents have offered non-sectarian prayers for the victory of the military and in the wake of catastrophes. Transcending passionate quarrels over the proper role of religion in politics, the Thanksgiving Proclamation reminds us how natural their relationship has been. While church and state are separate, religion and politics, in their American refinement, prop each other up.

Therefore this Thursday, in the words of Washington, let us:

[T]hen unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://blog.heritage.org/2011/11/23/the-true-meaning-of-thanksgiving/

Thanksgiving Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera truncata

Flat stem segments are long and narrow and connected by a mid-rib. Its deeply indented stems look like crab claws, giving it a second common name, Crab Cactus. In late fall, it bears big, beautiful flowers, which may be red, pink, peach, orange, white, or bicolored.

You'll get a fuller plant by pruning. Cutting it back in spring will encourage the plant to branch out where the stem was cut. Flowers emerge from the ends of the stems so you'll get more blooms this way. Spring is the best time to prune it back, when it begins actively growing again.

Some also call it a Christmas Cactus....but it comes around the holidays.

Thanksgiving Cactus Care Tips

Origin: Brazil

Height: 12-24 in (30-60 cm)

Light: Bright indirect light

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy while plant is growing. After flowering, water sparingly until new growth begins in spring. Stems will shrivel or wilt if the roots are too dry.

Humidity: Moderate room humidity

Temperature: To set flower buds, the plant needs cool 60-65°F/16-18°C days and 45-55°F/7-13°C nights. Once buds set, 70-75°F/21-24°C days and 60-70°F/16-21°C nights.

Soil: Mix 1 part potting soil and 1 part fine-grade fir bark.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. After blooms have dropped, stop fertilizing until new growth begins in spring.

Propagation: Take stem segments in spring. Place upright in moist perlite.

BE Thankful!

Consider creating a "thankful" tree this year. Carol created this for our PTO Evening of Floral, using branches and leaves adding gourds and dried materials all for the hanging of your blessings and thankful notes. Have your family and friends fill out a card and hang on the tree.... make sure to date the cards so in the following years you can see what everyone wrote in prior years.

THANKSGIVING:

1. The fourth Thursday of November, observed as a legal holiday in the United States to commemorate the feast held at Plymouth in 1621 by the Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people and marked by the giving of thanks to God for harvest and health. The second Monday of October, celebrated in Canada by the giving of thanks to God for harvest and health.

We are SO thankful to all our customers.... Have a great Thanksgiving this year!

Fairy Tales do come True!

 We had the privilege of helping Kathryn and Patrick make their dream come true at Wynstone Country Club. From the entrance Escort Table to the details on the dance floor and ceiling gobos no detail was forgotten. With months of planning and coordinating other vendors it is fun to see the finished product.

The beautiful arrangements made of lilies, hydrangeas and roses took on a whole new look when they were mounted on top of the bell tower vases and dripping with crystals.

Our glass vases were wrapped in a solid band of BLING to carry the theme over the top.

Sid from Precision Sound and Lighting did a fantastic job in transforming the ordinary chandeliers at Wynstone Country Club to these chic lounge blingy fixtures that floated over head the guest tables.

The Menu Cards and Escort Cards were designed by Carol Woldhuis Designs to match the amethyst accent color of the wedding. Letting the guest know what an amazing dinner was ahead of them.

The gobo was projected on the white vinyl dance floor for a truly magical experience. Both were installed by the team of Precision Sound and Lighting.

 

An added detail of gardenias to top the cake.....rich and creamy add just enough to the swirl details of the wedding cake.

 To give the room even MORE ambiance, the accent window ledges were lined with LED candles to give a true romantic touch.

 

 Dripping with crystals-

Congrats Kate and Pat!

These photos were taken in house but we look forward to sharing the professional images taken by George Street Photography.

Musicians and Band: Ron Beal

Floral "ART"

This is a piece Jill designed at the District 96 PTO event. Taking a twig wall hanging and creating ART using 3-Dimensional objects, making a "living wall" Your friends will love this piece in your home. The winner of this piece was smiling from ear to ear!