Thanksgiving Entertaining/Decorating

First, culinary expert Colleen Miner shows how to whip up some festive Thanksgiving foods such as a sheaf of wheat made from bread, flowers made out of butter and dessert ideas such as acorn cakes and sweet baked pumpkin.

Sheaf of Wheat Bread

Ingredients:
2 loaves frozen whole-wheat bread dough, thawed and cut into strips
1 egg, beaten

Preparation:

Butter Bouquet

Acorn Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. commercial brownie mix
1 can commercial chocolate frosting
nonpareil wafers

Bake brownies in an egg-shaped pan. Remove and frost curved side. Place two rows of wafers as an acorn cap (figure D).

Sweet Baked Pumpkin

Ingredients:

1 small sugar pumpkin, top cut off and seeded
2 small apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin-pie spice

Preparation:

Decorating with an Outdoor Theme

Designer Nadia Ramirez decorates a classic Tudor home for Thanksgiving by bringing a garden theme to a Thanksgiving celebration.

• Make apple votive candles by hollowing out some apples and placing a votive candle in the center. Fill a stainless-steel tub with water, place it on a stand near the door and float the candles in the tub (figure F).

• Place a harvest basket filled with pumpkins and other produce near the front door (figure G).

• Begin creating a harvest table by laying down an animal-print runner. Add autumn leaves, pumpkin votives, heirloom plates and vintage crystal (figure H).

• Bring an outdoor theme to the buffet table by using metal buckets as bases for side dishes, new garden trowels as serving pieces and a basket of gourds as a decorative piece (figure I).

Dramatic Centerpieces

Another centerpiece idea from Whittlef uses traditional Pilgrim figurines surrounded by fall leaves, gourd candleholders and other items (figure K).

Creative expert Teresa Henn shares a great way to preserve fall's bounty by creating a garden box filled with dried items. Fill a tray with floral foam, then top with sheet moss. Divide the tray into quadrants, using string. Decorate the segments with various fall items such as dried flowers, seed pods, nuts and other items (figure L).