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Easy High Tea at Home: Create a Relaxing & Memorable Gathering
Our High Tea at Home Menu: ~Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad ~Cucumber and Chive Tea Sandwiches ~Orange Cranberry Scones ~Salmon and Dill Bruschetta ~Lemon and Cream Trifle ~Applewood Smoked Ham and Havarti Ciabatta ~Triple Chocolate buttercream Cupcakes ~Pecan Bars ~Madeleines ~Mini Palmiers Teas: Blueberry Lavender Butterfly Pea Flower English Breakfast Constant Comment Black Tea Tangerine Hibiscus Earl Grey Decaffeinated Black Tea Decaf PG Tips London Tea Finalizing our
Karen Hand
Jun 83 min read


Cream Cheese, Dill, and Smoked Salmon Crostini for Elegant Entertaining
~Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad √ ~Cucumber and Chive Tea Sandwiches √ ~Salmon and Dill on Crisp Toast Rounds (Crostini) √ ~Orange Cranberry Scones √ ~Lemon and Cream Trifle ~Applewood Smoked Ham and Havarti Ciabatta Continuing our Series on Teatime at Home: Simple Elegance, the feature this week are Smoked Salmon Crostini, which have been made by my family, in one form or another, forever. You can use a baguette and put olive oil and toast it lightly, which is supergood

Karen Hand Allen
May 183 min read


Christmas Tree Decorating Tips: 10 Easy Steps for a Beautiful, Meaningful Tree
My childhood revolved around picking out, decorating and adoring our Christmas tree. There were live ones that drew all of us kids to the living room, aluminum ones with a color wheel, flocked snow-covered ones, and artificial ones. The best were the live. We’d race there and sit under the tree, savoring that clean, fresh pine smell that made us quiver with anticipation of what was to come. Pretty soon we had a pen and paper, drawing up our Christmas list. Over the years ther

Karen Hand Allen
Dec 4, 20254 min read


Live Christmas Tree Guide: 10 Easy Steps to Choose and Care for the Perfect Tree
A beautiful live Christmas tree has a quality that fills a room the moment it arrives. Its full, gorgeous presence, a standout in any setting. The needles are deep green with a slight sheen that catches the light, or like the silvery hue of the Fraser fir. The needles feel pliable, not brittle, and stay attached. The tree has a sturdy, straight trunk, giving it a strong, fresh appearance as if it was freshly cut. The fragrance is unbelievably aromatic and the very best thing

Karen Hand Allen
Dec 3, 20253 min read


Start a Tradition Series: 10 Quick Tips for Holiday Friends or Unexpected Stopover Guests for Fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving Parties
Holidays or unexpected popover guests don’t need to be stressful, anxiety-provoking, or expensive. Even if it’s an impromptu Halloween party, a cozy fall evening with friends, or Thanksgiving company that pops by, a few simple touches can make your home feel warm and welcoming. With just a few quick tips and ideas, see what works for your group or family. Keep a few items in a box or area of your home for quick access season to season, and let the good times roll! Holidays o

Karen Hand Allen
Oct 17, 20253 min read


Start a Tradition Series: 10 Easy Tips for Hosting the Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Fall Party
Three weeks before the Halloween party or event, send out invitations via mail or text or email: Let guests know if costumes are required Plan Food and Drinks Menus Choose & buy pumpkins that are medium-large. Too large of ones can be difficult to carve. If you wait too long, pumpkins get sold out! Go together as a family to pick out pumpkins for your fall carving party and start a tradition. The local pumpkin patch Several days before party , buy inexpensive Trophies with

Karen Hand Allen
Oct 4, 20252 min read
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