Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Christmas Weddings

With Christmas only a few days away we thought that we would feature Christmas themed weddings today. Christmas inspired weddings are perfect for any brides getting married during the month of December. The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends which makes it a perfect time for a wedding.

Christmas wedding colors include red, gold, green, silver and white. Christmas weddings are not limited to these colors, so don't be afraid to try another primary color.


Winter weddings allow the bride to have a little fun with their outfits. Many winter brides are adding a sweater or a fur wrap as a fun yet functional photo prop. 


Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Weddings during the holidays require advanced planning for guests so it is recommended to send your formal invitations 10-12 weeks prior. Consider sending "Save the Dates" as soon as you pick a holiday wedding date.
Photo Credit 
 Photo Credit

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our readers. We will be taking time to spend with our families over the next few weeks. Check back on January 2nd for a first Wedding Wednesday post of 2013. 

Did you get engaged over the Holidays? Contact us for available wedding dates at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Monday Menu: Peppermint

When you think of Christmas what comes to mind? Probably the iconic red and white striped candy known as peppermint. Peppermint is a great flavor to add to your next holiday event menu, whether your event is a wedding or a small family gathering. The taste of peppermint can take you back to holidays as a kid when life was simple. Here at Cloudland Station we believe renewal comes when we take time together to enjoy simple things. Take time to enjoy the simple things this holiday.
 

Peppermint Bark 
 Peppermint Bark is a easy and delicious treat to offer your guests. Serve as a dessert option or give them a take-home favors. 

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds white chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 12 large candy canes
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

Directions

  1. Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet with parchment, and set aside.
  2. In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate, stirring constantly.
  3. With a chef's knife or meat tenderizer, cut or pound candy canes into 1/4-inch pieces.
  4. Stir pieces of candy canes and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate. Remove from heat, and pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly. Chill until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Peppermint Crumble Bar
How a about a chocolate and peppermint in a crumble cake bar?


Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white chocolate peppermint candy (like Andes peppermint bits)
  • 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter, sugar, and flour together until crumbly.
  3. Press a little more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 lined baking dish.
  4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of the white chocolate peppermint candy and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour over the crumb crust in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble and white chocolate peppermint candy evenly over top.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to just barely brown.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
White Chocolate Peppermint Blossom

Another take-home favor option is cookies with a hint of peppermint. 
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 box white chocolate instant pudding (3.5 ounces)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 package Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
  • Additional sugar for rolling, if desired
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add pudding mix and blend until combined. Add white chocolate and mix until mixture is smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. Mix in baking soda and flour. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
  2. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place about 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl for rolling, if desired. (Cookies will be a little crunchy on the outside with the sugar, if you use it.)
  3. Scoop one tablespoon balls of dough and roll in sugar, or just place on cookie sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes until bottoms just begin to get golden. Remove from oven and immediately press an unwrapped Peppermint Hershey’s Kiss on top. Do not move pan until Kiss is cooled, or it will collapse.
  4. Cookies can be frozen for later consumption, if desired. Place in a ziploc bag between layers of paper towel for best results when freezing.

Peppermint is a great holiday flavor to add to your holiday event menu. If you are hosting a wedding around the holidays, consider a peppermint flavored wedding favor. Holiday party dessert bars would not be complete without a peppermint treat.

Check back on Wednesday for a update on the Celebration Barn and some wedding inspiration.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white chocolate peppermint candy (like Andes peppermint bits)
  • 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter, sugar, and flour together until crumbly.
  3. Press a little more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 lined baking dish.
  4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of the white chocolate peppermint candy and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour over the crumb crust in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble and white chocolate peppermint candy evenly over top.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to just barely brown.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
- See more at: http://www.somethingswanky.com/peppermint-crumble-bars/#sthash.H9DpMSpn.dpuf
Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white chocolate peppermint candy (like Andes peppermint bits)
  • 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter, sugar, and flour together until crumbly.
  3. Press a little more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 lined baking dish.
  4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of the white chocolate peppermint candy and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour over the crumb crust in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble and white chocolate peppermint candy evenly over top.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to just barely brown.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
- See more at: http://www.somethingswanky.com/peppermint-crumble-bars/#sthash.H9DpMSpn.dpuf
Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white chocolate peppermint candy (like Andes peppermint bits)
  • 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter, sugar, and flour together until crumbly.
  3. Press a little more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 lined baking dish.
  4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of the white chocolate peppermint candy and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour over the crumb crust in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble and white chocolate peppermint candy evenly over top.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to just barely brown.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
- See more at: http://www.somethingswanky.com/peppermint-crumble-bars/#sthash.H9DpMSpn.dpuf
Peppermint Crumble Bars
Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups white chocolate peppermint candy (like Andes peppermint bits)
  • 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Use a pastry cutter or a fork to cut the butter, sugar, and flour together until crumbly.
  3. Press a little more than half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 lined baking dish.
  4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix 1 cup of the white chocolate peppermint candy and the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour over the crumb crust in the dish.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining crumble and white chocolate peppermint candy evenly over top.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges begin to just barely brown.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
- See more at: http://www.somethingswanky.com/peppermint-crumble-bars/#sthash.H9DpMSpn.dpuf

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: 12-12-12



The Huffington Post reported an estimated 7,500 couples across the U.S. will tied the knot today. Couples rushed to chapels and courthouses across the U.S. to get married on this special date.  How important is your wedding date to you? 

Check out these save the date options so you can share your special date with your guest. 


A whimsical and fun scratch off Save the Date.

Pencil us in Save the Date

Save the Date Balloon

Save the Date Tickets
 Photo Credit 

Save the Date Postcard
Photo Credit
  
Q. Do I have to send Save the Dates? While Save the Dates are not required, it is a great way to announce your engagement and let your guest know a date and location. 

Q. When should I send them? Save the dates should be sent about 6 months before your wedding date. If you are having a destitution wedding or your wedding date is near a holiday, send out Save the Dates about 8 months prior.

Q. What do you put on your Save the Date? Save the dates should be simple because more detail will be given in the formal invitation. Include names, date, city and your wedding website address. If your wedding requires extensive travel plans, make a fun brochure to include information like hotel, flight or cruise information. Remember to put "formal invitation to follow" on your save the date. A Save the Date is also a great way to display those wonderful engagement pictures you took. 

Q. Who should relieve a Save the Date? Send Save the Dates to people you are certain you will invite to the wedding. Budgets can change from the date you mail your save the dates to formal invitation time. If you are still working on finalizing your guest list, play it safe and send them to family and close friends. 



SAVE THE DATE
The Homestead at Cloudland Station will be at the 2013 Pink Bridal Chattanooga, TN 


 We can't wait to meet all of the brides at the Pink Bridal show. We will have more updates on the barn soon.  Contact us at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com

Monday, December 10, 2012

Monday Menu: Holiday Gatherings

The Homestead at Cloudland Station will be more than just a wedding venue. The Celebration Barn would be a great space to house a corporate party. The Peacock House (named after the the family would lived on property many years ago) will be a mixed use facility and perfect for smaller gatherings like a holiday cookie swap. If you are looking for a unique gathering spot contact us at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com for 2013 dates. 

The Homestead is under construction this holiday season but we would love to be your 2013 Holiday party venue. Until then we would like to share a few holiday menu and party ideas. For a smaller gathering how about a hosting a cookie swap? 


Ask each guest to bring a batch of sweets to share and provide packaging for each guest to make a take home box of assorted sweets. 

Looking for a fun activity for a holiday party, entertain your guests with gingerbread house decorating.

Purchase gingerbread kits or create your own. Break your guests into teams and make it a competition. 

The holidays are a time to gather with friends and family usually around a table full of food. No holiday menu is complete without ham and other home-style favorites.

No matter the menu or activity choice, holiday gatherings are about spending quality time with friends and family.

Check out this holiday recipe for caramel pecan cream cheese dip for your next party. 


Preparation Time: 10 Mins.
Total Time to Serve: 10 Mins.
Servings: 28

INGREDIENTS

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted**, divided
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
Keebler® Wheatables® Original Golden Wheat crackers

DIRECTIONS

1. In medium bowl stir together cream cheese and ice cream topping. Stir in pecans. Fold in apple and whipped topping.

2. Garnish as desired. Serve with creackers. *NOTE: Soften cream cheese in microwave at high for 15 to 20 seconds.

**NOTE: To toast pecans, spread evenly on baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown, stirring once or twice.



We hope you are enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. Keep us in mind for all of your gathering needs. Contact us at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Be Our Guest

Wedding Wednesday: Be Our Guest

We can't wait to have you as a guest at The Homestead at Cloudland Station. The Celebration Barn is coming along nicely and we will post more pictures soon. Until we can invite you to be our guest at The Homestead, we would like to share some unique guest book ideas. 

Couples are finding new ways to document the guest at their wedding. Rather than using the traditional "guest book"  how about asking your guest to sign a quilt

Have your quest sign a complete quilt or have each quest sign a fabric square that can be made into a quilt. The quilt will become a great family heirloom that can be passed down for years.

Would you like your guest book to be a work of art? How about a guest signature tree?


Each guest will make a leaf with their finger print and sign their name. After the wedding the tree would make a great addition to your home.

After taking all of those engagement pictures why not display them at the wedding and make guest photo book too.
Make a photo book of all of your engagement pictures and let guest sign the pages. Every time you go to look a the photos you will be reminded of all of those that shared your special day with you.

Let your guests sign their names on a bench or a rocker that can become a piece of your home.
A guest signature rocker could be used in a nursery and a bench would look great on a porch. Every time you take a seat on the piece of furniture you will be reminded of your special day. 

A fun guest book idea is to let your guests sign puzzle pieces. Putting the puzzle together can be a yearly tradition or you can frame the puzzle.


Whether you decide on a traditional or nontraditional "guest book", pick something that you will enjoy looking back at years from now. 

Would you like invite your guest to share your special day with you at The Homestead at Cloudland Station? Contact us at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com

Monday, December 3, 2012

Monday Menu: Dessert Reception

Update: Celebration Barn
The rafters on the Celebration Barn are almost complete. We have made some exciting changes to the layout of the barn and will have drawings soon. We are working on some great design details that will give the barn a rustic elegance look.

Monday Menu: Dessert Reception
Today on our Monday Menu we are featuring some sweet ideas. Love is sweet so shouldn't your reception be? A new trend in receptions is to have a "Dessert Reception". This is perfect for late evening wedding and is budget friendly.



If your reception will start between lunch and dinner or after dinner, consider a dessert reception. Offer bite sized desserts in lots of different flavors like chocolate, vanilla, fruit and nuts. You can still have the traditional bride's and groom's cakes but remember to make them smaller. Add a fruit, cheeses and sugar free options to your dessert reception to help balance all of the sugar. 

Make sure to let your guests know that a meal will not be served by using wording like "dessert reception to follow" on your invitations.  Your guests can eat their meal of choice before the wedding and indulge in all the sweets at the reception. Dessert Receptions are a great way to save on your reception cost without losing the reception you dreamed of. Save money on the menu and use it towards a rocking DJ, a live band, a photo booth, or even towards your honeymoon.

Whether you just love sweets or are looking for a way to cut reception cost, consider a dessert reception. With all this dessert talk , your sweet tooth is probably craving a tasty treat.  Check out these easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake bits that would be perfect for a dessert reception.

Ingredients
Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp brown sugar
small pinch salt
2 1/2 tbsp butter, melted

Cheesecake
8-oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp sour cream or greek-style yogurt
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 8 cups of a muffin pan with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, make the graham cracker crust. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt and stir to combine. Pour over melted butter and stir with a fork to moisten the crumbs.

3. Place about a tablespoon of crumb mixture in each of the prepared muffin cups and pack down into an even layer.

4. In a large bowl, make the cheesecake. Cream together cream cheese, sour cream and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

5. Place 1 tbsp chocolate chips into each of the muffin cups. Evenly divide cheesecake batter between the muffin cups, covering the first layer of chocolate chips. Place another tbsp of chocolate chips on top of the cheesecake batter in each of the muffin cups.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheesecakes are set.

7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the muffin pan, then carefully transfer cheesecakes to a cooling rack to cool completely before refrigerating.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Update & Ceremony Ideas

Update: The Homestead at Cloudland Station
  
The rafters are going up on the Celebration Barn. They connect at the pinnacle of the roof with mortise and tendon connections and an oak peg. This is a wonderful detail you don't see on many barns.
We will keep you posted on the barn and we can't wait to host our first wedding. Who will be the first couple to celebrate in the barn? Contact us at homesteadcloudlandstaion@gmail.com  

 Wedding Wednesday: Ceremonies

 The ceremony is the most important part of a wedding day. Your wedding ceremony is something you will never forget, so take time make it special. Checkout these unique options for your ceremony. 

 Looking for something different than the traditional unity candle , how about sealing an anniversary box?
The couple placed a bottle of wine and letters to one another in the box and nailed it shut during the ceremony. In ten years the couple will open the box on their anniversary and toast to one another and read the letters. What a perfect time capsule of your wedding day. 

No need for ushers with this new trend.  A wedding is the joining of two families so why make your guests choose a side?
Another unique seating option for a ceremony is to seat your guests in a circle.

What a great feeling of being surrounded with love during your ceremony. With a circle seating arrangement, no one with have a bad seat.  Like the circle seating idea? How about the spiral seating plan which allows you to walk past every guest on your way to the alter.

Photo Credit:Pinterest
Both seating arrangements would be perfect at our lake side ceremony site.

Looking to add a intimate touch to your ceremony, how about a ring warming?
Your rings are tied together and passed through the hands of everyone in attendance. As each guest receives the rings, they "warm" the rings with blessings and well wishes. This would be great addition to a smaller wedding.

Tradition says that the father gives the bride away but why not let both parents give the bride away?
   Photo Credit: Our very own Event Coordinator, Courtney Cross

There are many ways to add unique touches to your wedding ceremony.Take time to personalize your ceremony because it is something you will look back on and remember forever.

Check back next week for more updates on the Celebration Barn. Contact us with any questions at homesteadcloudlandstation@gmail.com

Monday, November 26, 2012

Monday Menu: Food Bar Trend

We hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving with their families. We know food is the last thing on your mind after a weekend full of it, but we have a interesting topic today.

A new trend in reception food is to feature stations or food bars. Brides and grooms are letting their tastes and personality show with their station choices.

One dessert station option is a S'mores Bar. Treat your guest to a old favorite with an assortment of marshmallows, chocolate candies, and graham crackers. If you are having an outdoor wedding use fire pits or for a indoor wedding use a planter, rocks and burners.


Add a classic southern touch to your wedding with a Biscuit Bar including buttermilk biscuits, meat options and spreads. This would be a perfect addition to a mid-day wedding or a late night snack at a evening wedding.

Another southern option is a Grits Bar that let your guests top the southern staple with cheeses, chives, tomatoes, onions and bacon.

A common side with any meal is potatoes. Check out this Mashed Potato Martini Bar featuring mashed potatoes in martini glasses with all of the toppings.


Do you love popcorn? Check out this Popcorn Bar. Let each guest make their own take home bags of popcorn as their favors.


We have featured a few food bar options but the possibilities are endless. Think of your favorite food and there just might be a way to make it a station or a food bar. This unconventional menu option allows your guest to personalize their meal. Consider using food bars or stations to make your reception experience interactive and personalized. Check back next week for more menu ideas. Until then check out our featured recipe for No-Bake S'more Nutella Crunch Bars. Get the taste of a s'more with no fire required.
S’More Nutella Crunch Bars
1 stick unsalted butter
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
3 tablespoons nutella
¼ cup light corn syrup
4 graham crackers, crushed into small pieces
2 cups mini-marshmallows
Melt the butter, chocolate, nutella and corn syrup together in a heavy bottom saucepan. Swirl in the mini-marshmallows and graham crackers. Spread the mixture in a 9×9 pan and smooth the top. Place the pan in the freezer until it is completely solid. Cut into small squares and serve.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Thank You


With Thanksgiving tomorrow, today's "Wedding Wednesday" post will feature thank you cards. While planning and celebrating your wedding you are showered with lots of kindness and gifts. A hand written thank you note will show your guest how much you appreciate their gratuity. Thank you notes are often over looked but are very important. 


While opening your gifts, make sure to keep track of the sender's name(s) and the items. If you receive gifts before the wedding, start sending thank you cards as soon as you can. This will help you to stay ahead and will make the process more enjoyable. Set a goal to write a reasonable number of cards each day allowing you time to make them sentimental. 

There are several options when it comes to thank you cards. From the traditional cards to photo cards, pick what fits you best. 

The newest trend is to take a photo with a thank you prop and make a card with the photo. 


A thank you photo gives your guest a keepsake and a note that they can look at years from now. Remember to arrange the timely return of your thank you photos with your photographer beforehand. If you want your thank you cards before the wedding, plan a thank you photo during your engagement session. If you are planning a long engagement or will have lots of pre-wedding events, order your thank you cards with your save the dates. This way you can write cards as the gifts come in and have less to do after the nuptials. 

According to Amanda with Wedding Paper Divas, brides and grooms should wait no more than 6-8 weeks after the ceremony to send their wedding thank you cards. Don't give up, a late thank you is better than no thank you. When writing your cards make sure to greet the guest, express your gratitude, be specific about the gift, and thank them for attending. Add a personal touch by including an example of how you will use the item, for example " I can't wait to make homemade chili in my slow cooker."

Many couples are also including heartfelt thank yous in their wedding decor or on their favors.


Photo Credit: Pinterest

Always remember to take time to say "Thank You". We hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Check back next week for more wedding ideas!