Gingerbread in the Kitchen, Part 2

Back in the kitchen y'all...The other day I fixed Gingerbread Pancakes and served milk and Candy Cane Green tea for breakfast. I used a red wooden tray from my "Serving Tray Collection" and wore a cute little gingerbread apron, the latest addition to "Prissy Apron Collection" designed just for me by Hickory Creek Crafts.

I was happy that Brenda at Hickory Creek could make me a gingerbread apron with red gingham, peppermint, and polka dots to match my kitchen theme...ala Sandra Lee-style!

My assistant Gingerbread Chef assisted me...

The kitchen island is decorated with all kinds of cute gingerbread loot and another tabletop tree...
The cute little tree topper is from The Cracker Barrel...
Red gingham ribbon and cute little gingerbread-motif ornaments and garland adorn this tree...

I've had this sweet little gingerbread girl for years. Mama got her at Dillard's and sent her to me when I lived in Palm Springs...

More gingerbread loot...
Tea towel...
Gingerbread cookies and a stand, which I purchased at The Cracker Barrel years ago...
My breakfast bar is set...
The red and white plates were purchased at The Cracker Barrel several years ago. I found the goblets and placemats at Walmart last month. The tiny gingerbread ornaments are hot-glued onto the white flatware.

I used this delicious Gingerbread Pancake Mix from The Fresh Market.
Easy, delicious, and perfect to enjoy during the Christmas season!
Thanks for stopping by to visit with me today. I'll be back before Christmas tree to show some more of my Christmas decos!

Tea and Inspiration

With one of my favorite trees (tea-theme) aglow, this month I am sipping a Gingerbread Spice Herbal Infusion. It's a caffeine-free herbal beverage infused with cinnamon, ginger, roasted chicory root, and roasted barley malt. Yes, these are teabags--I am not a tea snob! Remember that all tea comes from the Camellia Senensis plant and all tea has caffeine. If it's caffeine-free, then it's not tea, it's an herbal infusion.

I am browsing through two books from one of my favorite style mavens--Mary Carol Garrity. She is the owner of Nell Hill's home furnishing shops in Kansas City and Atchison, Missouri. 75,000 visitors a year travel an average of 100 miles to visit her stores. Nell Hill's Christmas at Home offers inspirational ideas for holiday decorating and gift presentation. Entertaining in Style includes tips, techniques, and themes for entertaining in the Nell Hill-style. If you have never read any of Ms. Garrity's books, you don't know what you are missing. Her books inspire me over and over again--I never get tired of her style! Check them out--I think you will love them. I just love this quote from Mary Carol Garrity:

"A well-set table is one that delights guests, sparks conversation, and reflects the host's personality."

Mary Carol Garrity

I hope that each of you find some time to slow down during the Christmas season, find one of your favorite magazines or books, and enjoy some holiday tea!