How To Create a Wildflower Centerpiece and A Family Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

Okay, I think that was the longest blog post title in the history of blogland!

Happy Monday friends! Did you guys have a happy Halloween?

We had a great one but I’m ready to pack up the spooky decor and move back into fall and Thanksgiving. Which is fitting because today is the opening day of the Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours: Thanksgiving Edition!!!

There are some amazing bloggers here to show you their Thanksgiving tables and a look into how they spend the holiday!

If you are visiting from Eclectically Vintage, welcome, I’m glad you’re here! Isn’t Kelly’s home awesome?!?!

And a BIGthanks to our lovely host, Lindsay ofThe White Buffalo Styling Co.Lindsaykills it in the style department so make sure to give her a shout!

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We are having some really great fall weather here in NC this year andwe’ve really been enjoying being outside. I went on a run a couple weeks ago (um, and I don’t think I’ve ran since) and saw so many pretty wildflowers growing along the path. I knew I didn’t want to spend much money decorating my table so I thought clipping some flowers and natural greenery would be perfect!

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How To Decorate With Wildflowers and Natural Greenery:

Grab a bag and somegarden shears or scissors and find an area with a varied amount of plants like a running trail. Don’t clip flowers in your neighborhood, highways or any environmentally protected plants, lol.

I knew we had lots of these yellow flowers growing so I decided they would be the focal point.

Once you’ve gathered your flowers lay them out so you can see what you have. Start filling your vase with the largest ones first and then add greenery and finally the smallest plants.

That’s it!

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My son and I picked them together so we got to take a long walk and talk about all the plants and animals we saw. We sure found unique ones that’s for sure!

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I love how they look in thewhite HomeGoodsvase? I also added a few pheasant feathers we had from our earlier fall tour.

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These are my favorite DIY candles and hostess gifts. They are tapered candles from the dollar store and I spray painted the gold stripes. You can see the tutorial here.

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Faux fur is my obsessionthis season and I used a piece of fabric that I had from another project for the table runner. I love the unique texture and coziness it adds to the setting.

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I painted the confetti wine glasses with a gold paint pen and after baking them in the oven they are completely dishwasher safe! These are also a great hostess gift especially since I picked up the stemless glasses from the dollar spot at Target!

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The gold pinecones are left over from last year. We found them in my mom’s neighborhood and spray painted them gold.

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There you have it! An easy and completely FREE table for your upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations! I’m pretty proud of myself because I didn’t buy anything specifically for this table setting. All the dishes, glasses, etc. I already had.

***

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I thought it would be appropriate to share one of our beloved family recipes with you too.

Let me just start by saying there is always some drama in our family surroundingthe turkey. I mean, burned turkey, forgetting to remove thebag insidebefore cooking, cooking a pre-cooked turkey all over again ~ you name it we’ve done it. BUT, we kill it with the sides so it’s not really a big deal (for me) if the bird isn’t the focus of the feast :)

I hope you enjoy this! Everywhere I go I try other sweet potato casseroles and I’ve never found one that compares. The key ingredient for me is the coconut but if you don’t dig it leave it out and it’s just as good!

HOGAN FAMILY SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE

Filling:

3 cups cooked sweet potatoes, mashed (about 3 medium sized potatoes; I poke holes in mine and wrap them in plastic wrap and microwave for 10 minutes and they are perfect )

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 stick butter, melted

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs, beaten

Topping:

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

1/2 c. butter

1/3 c. self-rising flour

1/2 c. coconut flakes

Instructions:

Mix all of the ingredients for the filling together in a large bowl and pour into a greased 1 1/2 qt. baking dish. Mix the topping ingredients together and spread on top of the filling. Bake on 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

I’m not really sure how you take pics of a casserole and make it look pretty but here goes nothing :)

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***

That’s a wrap for the tour today y’all butyou’ve got an exciting week filled with gorgeous tablesand family celebrations so make sure tostart with Emily of Jones Design Company tomorrow morning!

And here is the complete schedule. You’re not going to want to miss a stop!

MONDAY:

o The White Buffalo Styling Co.

o Burlap & Lace

o Run to Radiance

o Eclectically Vintage

o Simple Stylings

TUESDAY:

o Jones Design Company

obrittanyMakes

o Primitive & Proper

o Charming in Charlotte

WEDNESDAY:

o Southern Hospitality

o My Fabuless Life

o Dwellings by Devore

o Rain on a Tin Roof

o Dimples & Tangles

THURSDAY:

o Number Fifty-three

o DIY Playbook

o Sand & Sisal

o This, That, & Life

FRIDAY:

o Tatertots & Jello

o Julie Blanner

o Fieldstone Hill

o The Chronicles of Home

o Finding Home

LINKING UP:

Avery Street Design Blog // Dimples & Tangles //

***

Check out my Fall Home Tour

How To Create a Wildflower Centerpiece and A Family Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (19)

and last years Christmas Tour

How To Create a Wildflower Centerpiece and A Family Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (20)

How To Create a Wildflower Centerpiece and A Family Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make sweet potato casserole not watery? ›

Eggs and cream help stabilize the dish and prevent it from becoming too runny (a common complaint with many sweet potato casserole recipes). Make it as smooth or chunky as you like!

Why add egg to sweet potato casserole? ›

The egg is the all-important binder in a sweet potato casserole: it enriches and stiffens the mixture without making it heavy. Make sure to cool the mash slightly before adding the egg so it doesn't scramble, and to stir well so there are no streaks of cooked egg white in the finished dish.

Is sweet potato casserole a side or a dessert? ›

Sweet Potato Casserole is a traditional and classic American side dish served on Thanksgiving. This casserole is a dessert-like side dish made of a mashed sweet potato filling with a crunchy pecan topping.

How do you know when sweet potato casserole is done? ›

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the sweet potato mixture, then pop it into the oven and let it bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You will know it's done when the topping is lightly browned and the center of your casserole is set and firm.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked in water before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

How do you make a casserole not soggy? ›

To prevent a soggy top and a firm or crunchy bottom, it's important to use a shallow baking dish, to cook the casserole at the correct oven temperature and for the appropriate amount of time, and to be mindful of the amount of liquid used in the recipe.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Add fresh chilli and coriander to a simple casserole to spice it up. Always add hardy, fresh herbs such as bay leaves and rosemary at the beginning of cooking, and throw in lighter herbs, such as parsley and tarragon, at the end so they keep their flavour.

How can I thicken my sweet potato casserole? ›

If you bake the sweet potatoes and don't add liquid, you will not have watery sweet potato casserole. Add more potato and no liquid also you could use potato flakes to thicken them to the texture you like.

What are the best toppings for sweet potatoes? ›

A good yogurt sauce can make a sweet potato complete, but of course you can always pile on other toppings, too. Drizzle your potato with yogurt sauce, then top with crumbled cooked sausage, especially spicy merguez or chorizo. Or, if you have any leftover roasted or braised meat, shred or chop it and crisp in a pan.

What variety of sweet potato is best for casserole? ›

Jewel. With copper skin and deep-orange flesh that's moist and tender when cooked, the jewel is a go-to potato for traditional baking and casseroles.

Why is my sweet potato casserole wet? ›

(Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.) So, say you do have some undercooked bits of sweet potato. You have two choices: Pick them out or bake your sweet potato casserole long enough to soften the underdone pieces.

Why is my sweet potato casserole stringy? ›

Sweet potatoes stored at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit will shrivel and become dry and stringy. Sweet potatoes may develop an off-flavor and the flesh may become discolored when stored at temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you eat sweet potato casserole left out overnight? ›

Tip: You shouldn't leave cooked sweet potatoes at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can promote bacteria growth and cause foodborne illness.

What's the difference between sweet potato pie and sweet potato casserole? ›

The difference is that sweet potato casserole can either have a toasted marshmallow top or a crunchy brown sugar/nut top and is made with brown sugar in the casserole. Sweet potato pie is made with white sugar, has nothing on top, but can be served with whipped topping.

Why is my sweet potato casserole liquidy? ›

(Another hot tip if you're boiling your sweet potatoes: Don't overcook them! They tend to absorb water, which could make the filling watery.) So, say you do have some undercooked bits of sweet potato. You have two choices: Pick them out or bake your sweet potato casserole long enough to soften the underdone pieces.

How do you thicken up sweet potato casserole? ›

The casserole needs at least 15-20 minutes to cool before serving. The casserole sets up as it cools. However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken.

How do you remove excess water from sweet potatoes? ›

Completely dry the sweet potatoes with a tea towel or paper towel. Before starting to peel, let the potatoes sit on a towel, so it absorbs the excess water.

Why is my potato casserole runny? ›

My sauce is watery

If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole. Some of the waxier potatoes can release more water than starchier ones, so look for good baking potatoes like russet or Yukon golds.

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