~CHRISTMAS FLOWERS~

I apologize for the not so great pictures in this post...because of our terrible weather, I don't have the best light. As you can see, it's almost blizzard like conditions in the Midwest. The snow is blowing sideways and drifting. This started late last night. Here is Milo, looking out the window, wondering why the squirrels don't want to come out and play.
I'm sorry my house looks like such a mess, we went to a wedding last night and got home late. I was really lucky because I was able to bring bits and pieces of some of the centerpieces home with me. Have you ever done that? The theme was Christmas and the vases were filled with evergreens, green hydrangeas and red roses. Simple green and red ornaments on picks were added as well. I was able to steal, er...save one full centerpiece {with the help of Mary Clare}, and one of the waiters gave me a shopping bag and I dismantled the centerpiece on my table and the one on my kid's table {much to their horror}. I knew I would embarrass them before the night was over. In this picture I have the ornaments on their picks in a wine glass. I can put these on my tree...which I don't have yet due to said blizzard.
The roses are just beautiful in a simple candle jar.
Here is a picture of the entire centerpiece.
I recycled 3 bunches of hydrangeas and have them hanging to dry. If anyone knows if this is the right way to do it, let me know. And how long do I let them dry? Until they are dry, I suppose. Duh! I hope they are by Christmas, I'd like to have a huge dried bouquet for my table, especially after risking my reputation and good name.
They look a little limp but I would, too if I were squished in a bag all night.
Am I lucky or what?
Now that I am finished bragging about my centerpiece heist last evening, I thought I'd show you the French Onion Soup I made for dinner Friday night. It looks pretty gross but makes up for that in flavor. In a nutshell, saute about 8 cups of onions in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When limp, add 8 cups of beef broth, a palm full of thyme and oregano each and a couple of good shakes of soy sauce until you have a rich, beefy flavor. Add a few grinds of pepper.

Toast some nice bread and put a slice in one of these nifty bowls that you can get on clearance at Sur La Table. Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and run under the broiler for about a minute. This was so good The Husband was moaning. I hope you make it and enjoy it.

That's all I have today. I am hoping this weather clears up so I can get that darn tree. This is turning into a nightmare...sometimes I think my life should be a reality show! ;-D