Events by Ellie

Many people love to trim their trees when they bring them home. The only problem there is, you've spent all this money on a tree and now you're "wasting" some of the precious branches that just don't seem to work in your space. Well, it's about time you put the excess to work.

I am all about incorporating natural elements into your holiday decor. In fact, this year we are stringing popcorn and cranberries (stay tuned). Take those extra branches and make a centerpiece for your table. Or, if you have a mantle or piano or any other shelf for that matter that you would like to decorate, add those leftover branches. You could also incorporate glass ornaments or figures into your piece. Last year, I placed votive holders among the branches and weaved in some garland. I also did the same with our piano, adding decorative wine bottles for a more personal touch (we love wine).

If you don't have excess trimmings, you can always take some off the hands of the guys you purchased your tree from. Tree sellers always have extra trimmings floating around. ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving to my dedicated readers!

Last year, in Savannah, we had a fantastic spread of foods we were privilidged enough to sare with our friend David. We had some fo the best foods that took little to no time to make. This Thanksgiving, I leave you with a fantastic recipe for butternut squash soup. It's the most amazing treat for the holidays!

Butternut Squash Soup
1 large butternut squash, cubed
1.5 c sliced leeks
3 c peeled and sliced apples (preferably gala or fuji)
1 T chopped garlic
6 c chicken broth
Fleur del Sal to taste
Spices (to taste):
fennel seeds, chili powder, cinnamon, coriander seeds, black peppercorns

Toast the spices in the lare pot you plan on making the soup in. Toast for 1-2 minutes until aromatic, but not crispy. Toss in the leeks with 2 T of butter. Cook until translucent. Add the squash and apples and sautee for 3-5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Boil ingredients for 30 minutes. Once all the squash and apples are cooked, blend ingredients in blender (see below for safety tips) or use an imersion blender to puree the soup.
Serve fresh with a little sprinkle of cinnamon & salt on top.

Safety tips for blending hot liquids in blender:
First and foremost, put on some baking mits just in case.
Make sure you have a couple of tea towels handy.
Remove the center of the blender lid (e.g. the plastic center of the rubbery lid).
Place hot liquid in the blender and place the lid on top without the center.
Place the hot towel over the open center.
PULSE the the blender. DO NOT turn it on completely.
Once finished blending, pour the liquid slowly into desired container.

The holiday season always seems to creep up so quickly on the unsuspecting twenty-something. We're just finishing up college, our heads stuck in our textbooks and computers, resumes, extracurriculars, jobs. It's hard to find the time to sit back and really take in what's going on around you. Today, I decided it was time to start preparations for the holiday season. Granted, Brennan and I don't really celebrate Christmas in a traditional sense, but we do celebrate the season and take time to share it with our loved ones.

Now, I don't know about you, but I have a fantastic table next to my front door to collect my keys (because I constantly lose them), cell phone and various other things that don't really have a permanent home in our condo. I also like to keep little trinkets there for guests during each season (e.g. for Halloween it was a skull candy dish). The winter holiday season is not to be neglected either.

This year, I have taken one of the wire baskets I always keep there, jazzed it up a bit and filled it with some tasty new treats of the season (pictured above). Michael's is having a large sale this week on holiday ribbons (50% off)! I made my way over there and spent the $1.50 on a roll of thick, wire-edge ribbon. I wove the ribbon in and out of the metal and tied a festive bow in the front. Upon finishing the ribbon, I filled the dish with Hershey's kisses in Irish Cream and Mint Chocolate. *Yum!* Tada! Instant holiday cheer right as you walk in. An added bonus: when the holiday stresses get you, you can take comfort in knowing that there is some delicious chocolate waiting for you (and your guests) when you walk in the door! And if you don't have a entryway table, add the accent to your coffee table for those nights of Charlie Brown and A Christmas Story.

Stay tuned for more updates this week on shopping deals, holiday gift ideas and decorating tricks!

Today, I decided to get some of the holiday shopping done! Brennan and I are some of the luckiest people in the world and are fortunate enough to have many friends, so the holidays are very expensive for us. Luckily, he's got me around to be creative with our cash flow and gift ideas. So in a valiant effort to ease some of the holiday pain from him, I managed to get all the holiday shopping done with the exception of a few gifts for family. This year, everyone is receiving something homemade and from the heart!

For the rest of the season, I will be posting recipes, gift ideas and party tips to help you all with the stresses of the season. And, as always, I am here to help anyone in need! I may be working on starting my business, but that doesn't mean I don't have time for those in need of a hand. ;-)

Feel free to contact me if you need the help: lynnette.grimm@gmail.com
There should be a post within the next 24 hours with some exciting things!

Buonnanotte!

By clicking on view images, then clicking on vew albumn and clicking one of the pictures individually, you may read some fo the inspiration and details behind the decor.

I am currently in the midst of starting an event services company. "Events by Ellie" will be a full service event planning institution including execution of planned events. With my current connections in the music and art industry in St. Petersburg, I am able to provide clients with full-service event planning. Large event catering can and will be coordinated upon request, often requiring an outside company & their resources. Though my services at this time are quite limited, I am dedicated to providing each individual with the attention and passion they deserve for their special times. If you are interested in an affordable and passionate event planner, please contact me.