{Home} How to make pomanders for the holidays

27 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, DIY (do it yourself), Holidays, House and Home

Tags

3 days and counting until the wedding of our youngest son. As a result, I’m re-posting a two-year old post on how to make pomanders for Christmas. I think I may prepare some of these for our home this year. I hope you will excuse me for taking an easy way out but I know you’ll understand.

Originally published November 26, 2010 :: I know this must seem like I’m a little over-eager for Christmas and I am! This is a post on how to make pomanders and they are best made a couple of weeks before you are using them. Besides, it’s great to get the jump on the Christmas rush, right?

Holiday decorations around our home took a major detour once we no longer had young children racing around. I was free to hang only the ornaments I wanted to hang on the tree (glass blown and a collection of commemorative (metal) White House ornaments). Years ago a December issue of Southern Accents featured a tree with nothing but glass bulbs and I was SOLD!

This isn’t the exact tree that inspired me but it’s pretty close.

Now that we will be grandparents, any day now, I know that there will come a day when my tree and home will reflect Christmas for children once again, complete with the train that circles the tree, and I look forward to it. But meanwhile, most of our decorations are what I consider to be natural items, paper whites, amaryllis, white and red cyclamen, bowls of pine cones and greens, evergreen wreaths, garlands AND pomanders (clove studded fruit).

image via Country Living

I learned how to make this simple decoration shortly after I was first married and a friend brought me a clove-studded pear that I was able to use for many years. I use citrus (oranges, lemons or tangerines) as the base for my Pomanders due to the naturally fresh scent, and when studded with cloves and rolled in a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg they provide one more Christmas fragrance for our home.

image via Country Living

I thought I’d give you the steps to this simple seasonal decoration. You will need the following:

Citrus fruit of your choice, unblemished
1 bamboo skewer (for poking holes in the fruit where you want to plant the clove.
Whole cloves
1 tablespoon each: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
Sandalwood oil (optional, see note*)
Ribbon and straight pins if you choose to hang the fruit

I use a citrus zester tool to remove small strips of the upper most layer of skin from the fruit, usually in a pattern of sorts. (It may be symmetrical lines down the sides or random swirls).

Once I have a pattern figured out, I poke holes with the bamboo skewer (about 5 at a time) and insert the clove in each hole.

You can cover as much of the fruit as you like—the pear I was given so many years ago was completely covered.

Once the piece of fruit is finished roll it in the spices. I usually store these on a rack in the garage until I decorate for Christmas, the weekend following Thanksgiving.

image via Country Living

Pomanders are as pleasing to the eye as it is to the nose.

*NOTE: Sandalwood oil is a natural preservative that can be mixed with the spices (4 drops per 2 tbsp of spices). I haven’t used it in years and find the fruit holds just fine for the season. I haven’t been saving the fruit from year to year because of where we store our decorations. I’m concerned that the excess summer heat would rot the fruit no matter what.

Have you ever made pomanders?

I’m over at Savvy Southern Style at her Wow Us Wednesdays, stop by for some great holiday inspiration.

{Home} Wall gallery ideas

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

wall gallery

I’ve written about wall galleries before, but as with all decorating (in my humble view) it bears a revisit…which is code for :: my wall gallery image file is bulging and I want to share with you, in case you’ve missed some of these beauties in your daily rounds of wonderful blog sites you enjoy visiting.

Here are some really wonderful wall galleries. The thing that’s always made this form of wall art a favorite of mine is the ability to create something that, as a whole, not only fills a space but adds interest and beauty to a room. The separate components of the gallery can be personal bits of art that you’ve collected or a great display of vintage botanics torn from an old book and framed in identical frames.

{Charlotte Moss, Lonny, October 2012}

I’d love the opportunity to have a look at the wonderful gallery of items in the Charlotte Moss office (above).

{Cote de Texas}

I love the symmetry above. It would appear the art may be botanical images but I’m not sure, either way, it creates such a serene setting for slumber, don’t you think?

{Haus Design}

The wall gallery above gives this black and white dining space such a punch…I really like the tailored look for the chairs and the fabric, very sophisticated.

{Haus Design}

The subject of the gallery above is ideal for the card file piece it accents.

{House Beautiful}

{heirloom philosophy}

This family gallery is wonderful, all black and white photographs and identical frames. I like how they used every inch of space, right down to the base at the foot of the stairs.

{Veranda, House of Windsor}

{source unknown}

The above is a wonderful example of how interesting a wall gallery can be, it can be anything you collect or have interest in.

{Haus Design}

{Ralph Lauren}

{Splendid Sass}

{Suzanne Kassler via Cote de Texas}

{Things that Inspire}

I hope you were able to glean some inspiration from these wall galleries, I sure have.

On a separate topic, I plan to drop posting to once a week through the end of the year. As some of you know, we have a wedding December 1st and then my favorite time of year, Christmas, will be looming. This will serve more than just time constraints for me as I’ve been struggling with creative topics. If you write a blog, I’m sure you understand. It’s been a bit of a dry patch for me lately. I do enjoy my blog and know I’ll recharge my batteries and come up with some fun ideas after a rest. I thoroughly enjoy you, my blog friends!

Note: Mr. B. will walk by when I’m reading a comment on the computer and he has noted that I have a grin on my face…it’s always a reflection of the pleasure meeting and chatting with so many of you in blog land provides me. It’s funny how you may have never met someone in person but you can feel a kindred spirit with blog friends and feel certain that you would be close friends if you lived in the same city. ♥

Have a delicious and relaxing Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and gratitude!

{GHP} Things that delight the senses

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holidays, House and Home, Thanksgiving

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Thanksgiving

Each season seems to have its own list of treasures from which we derive great pleasure. That list can vary but there are common truths about a season that most are in agreement on. I’m sure that’s why certain seasons appeal to some and not to others.

{This is my first picture collage, the large image on the left is from Greet, Belgian Pearls – this is an exceptional post and if you’ve never visited Belgian Pearls, I think you’ll be hooked. I apologize about the other 2. I was so excited to create the collage I failed to write down the source, but I believe they were from tumblr, Debby at Inspired Design has the best tumblr site [That Inspirational Girl] and I probably captured the pictures from there.}

My perspective is slightly different than say those who experience extreme cold in winter or loss of an otherwise lush landscape in fall because (and trust me, I’m not bragging here) I live in Southern California where a change in season is subtle, to the point of being nearly non-existent.

We locals take the changes where we can find them, cool nights, warm days during the month of October, the drop of leaves on certain trees i.e. liquid amber, sycamore and birch, in November and a medley of other thing’s that delight my senses and confirm fall’s arrival for me.

{Courtenay Hartford}

{Party Resources}

{Better Homes and Gardens}

{source unknown}

…my apologies to Julie at eab designs, I believe I obtained this image from another site other than Julie’s. Visit her site for some lovely ideas.

{eab designs}

Wishing you the best this season has to offer. Hope you are in the midst of turkey day planning.

♥ Karen

{GHP} A pleasant surprize for blogging

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

When I first started blogging in 2007 (with a lapse in 2008), to say I was a novice would make me sound like I had a clue about what I was doing, I didn’t. Once I began to post in earnest in early 2009 I noticed there were sites being nominated for various awards. I figured that since only 2 of my close friends, and my mom, read my blog the chances were slim and none that I would ever be noticed.

So it was a huge surprise and a compliment for me to be nominated for a Liebster Blog award. In addition, the person nominating me was a new blog friend, Christina at Floriday’s Mom. I think Christina explains the award best, “It’s basically an opportunity for bloggers to share a little love to other up and coming bloggers”. So for that, I thank you.

I’m asked to list 11 facts about myself; answer 11 questions given by the person who nominated me (Christina at Floriday’s Mom); create 11 questions for the bloggers I nominate, and choose 4 bloggers to pass this along to. It’s a bit of work completing all the tasks, so if those that I nominate don’t complete the homework assignment, I completely understand and will harbor no ill feelings, especially during this busy time of year. But know this, I am amazed everyday by some of the incredibly talented people in blog land and have enjoyed some really nice conversations with my new blog friends. So here goes…

11 Facts about Myself:

1. I’m a redhead. When I was young I hated the attention that got me, but I’m okay with it now.

2. I can’t really start the morning without a cup o’ joe. I don’t drink coffee all day, but I confess, I must have a little caffeine kick-start first thing in the morning.

3. I love most music but my radio station in the car is set for classical music. I love Mozart.

4. I share a birthday with Mozart. (see above).

5. I’ve been married to Mr. B. 40 years this coming February, yes, I was a child bride 😉

6. I’m an only child. I always wanted a sister or brother. One of my closest friend’s is like a sister to me, does that count?

7. I used to have a gardening business with a good friend, Blooming Borders. We planted predominantly English gardens for 13 years.

8. I love Mexican food. Enchiladas, tacos or burritos, I could eat the food daily.

9. I usually have a hard cover book going but I love listening to unabridged books on my iPod. It allows me to multitask.

10. I love college football, in part because it signals the beginning of fall and its seasonal goodness.

11. My middle name is the same as my husband’s first name and also my daughter-in-law’s middle name…Lynn (although Mr. B. spells his with one N)

In answer to Christina’s questions…

1. What’s the number one on your Christmas List: The number one person is my husband (to buy for) the number 1 wish on my Christmas List is a pair of riding boots.

{tumblr}

2. Why did you start your blog? Our oldest son suggested I start a blog to talk about the things he thinks I do best, tending to the garden, decorating our home and entertaining = Garden, Home and Party (how flattering is that?)

3. How did you come up with the name of your blog? Son #1 came up with the name and set me up…this was in 2007. He later said he thought the name was too long but I told him I wanted to keep it.

4. What is your secret indulgence? I’m a salt fiend and Lay’s Potato Chips and/or a great order of fries are the indulgence. I know how terrible those two items can be in fat, salt and calories, so when I do indulge, I feel just a little guilty.

5. Which of the four seasons do you look forward to the most? Fall, although spring is a close second.

6. What’s your biggest pet peeve? Grumpy, unpleasant people. I believe happiness is a choice.

7. What is your favorite décor? Traditional with a leaning towards English and French country.

{Daniel Brisset & Ayers Cliff via Inspiring Interiors}

{Ferguson & Shamamian Architects}

8. What did you want to be when you grew up? This is pretty revealing…I wanted to be an airline hostess. In fact when I went to the local junior college there was a program for that. I later decided I wanted to teach. Instead, I got married and worked for a real estate developer until I had our first son. I was hired as a teacher aide for several years, now I’m back to Real Estate Development.

9. Who makes you laugh the most and why? Besides Jon Stewart, my husband.

10. Name one thing on your bucket list. Touring Germany. My father’s family was from Germany and I’d love to visit one day.

{Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany}

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If all my family and friends were with me, the Cotswolds, England. (The house below was built here in the U.S. but I love it so I wanted to include it, and I believe it looks very much like a home you might find in the Cotswolds)

{Phillip Trammell Shutze Architect}

My nominees are some of my favorite ‘go to’ sites. I think you’ll enjoy meeting these talented people:

1. Victoria Elizabeth Barnes

2. trouverlesoleil – Leslie

3. paper{whites} – Alison

4. Henhurst Interiors – Phyllis

…and finally, the questions I ask of you, should you choose to participate…

Questions from Me:

1. How did you start blogging?

2. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

3. What is your favorite movie?

4. Are you a do-it-yourself person or do you keep a list of handy people near the phone?

5. Are you a city person or a country person, why?

6. What is your favorite season?

7. Do you prefer old/antiques or new furnishings?

8. Do you lean more towards a tailored look or ruffles and lace?

9. Which would you choose, the beach or the mountains.

10. What’s one modern convenience you couldn’t live without?

11. What’s your idea of the ideal evening?

This was fun. I hope you’ll visit the 4 nominees and thank you, as always for stopping by for a chat, I love your comments!

{Party} Dining by candlelight

08 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Party Planning, Recipes

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

candlelight, Irish Stew

I’ve always liked using candles in and around my home. I think that the fall/winter months are my favorite time of the year to let candlelight provide the light needed to dine by.

Until the early 20^th century, everyone ate by candlelight, I’m sure they didn’t think of it as anything more than an essential way to see what you were eating. Bright lights became the norm as the introduction of electricity was installed in homes and restaurants everywhere.

{Party Resources ~ Carolyne Roehm}

According to Jan Whitaker of Resturant-ing Through History,

…there were some ultra-refined people who considered the glare of bright light vulgar. Etiquette expert Emily Holt recommended in1902 that candles be used instead of gas or electric chandeliers for home dinner parties lest the dinner resemble a “blazing feast … in some hotel restaurant.”

Candlelight promised the gentility of an elite dinner party, far removed from loud music, noise, and guests who drank too much. Candles suited the tea room perfectly. Not only did they shed flattering light, they discouraged the rowdy, fun-seeking masses from entering the door. Tea room owners, overwhelmingly WASPs, also liked how candles, as well as lanterns and fireplaces, created a quaint atmosphere that they imagined resembled how their Colonial ancestors lived.

I confess, candlelight does seem to make everything look better. Even the faces of guests seem aglow when we dim the electric lights and let candlelight do its magic.

So, in addition to a recipe for my beef stew (below), here are some pretty tables with candlelight as their main source of illumination.

{image source}

*Note, this image captures what my stew looks like when I serve it in these bread rounds, but for some reason, my food photography leaves much to be desired for capturing the delicious goodness on the plate. Thank you for your understanding.

KB’s Irish Stew (serves 6)

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds Chuck roast, cubed, patted dry

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons butter

4 large carrots, scrubbed and sliced

8 large mushrooms, sliced

3 medium potatoes, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cup frozen peas

6 cups beef broth+

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cube beef, trim off excess fat. Heat oil and butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Dry beef with paper towels; season with salt and pepper; brown beef in small batches. Once brown on all sides; continue until all beef is browned; set aside.

Lower heat to medium and add onion and carrots, (it may be necessary to add a little more oil) cook about 2-4 minutes (until translucent); add mushrooms and cook until mushrooms have released their juices. Return beef to pan and add broth and cubed potatoes. Reduce heat to keep (medium-low or low heat)* stew simmering; cook for 2 hours, with lid on pan. Check periodically in case more broth is needed.

*This can be cooked in the oven at 325° for 2 – 2 1/2 hours, check periodically to make sure you don’t run out of broth in the stew.

30 minutes before stew is finished, make slurry of flour and whipping cream, add to stew and stir. Check and adjust seasonings.

Serve in a mini-boule that has been hollowed out (retain lid) and dry for a few minutes in the oven or with a loaf of crusty bread and salad.

ƒ ƒ ƒ

Mercury glass candles make everything shimmer and it seems they are very popular this fall.

I like tapers as much as votives and often use a combination when we serve dinner. Do you have a preference when you entertain?

Downton Abbey – isn’t this pretty? I can’t wait for Season 3!

{Inspiring Interiors ~ Christmas in Oslo}

{via}

{Inspiring Interiors}

The above image is one of my favorites, I borrowed it from Kifus over at Inspiring Interiors. If you’ve never visited her site you’re in for a treat. She features homes from all over the world and most are exquisite. {The tray that holds the mercury glass votives and vintage silver candlesticks is so pretty}

{The New Victorian Ruralist}

Isn’t this a clever idea. I’m not sure where you’d find 7 rustic ladles of varying sizes but it’s a very fun image.

{the adventures of tartanscot}

Every Christmas Scot of the adventures of tartanscot shares photographs of his dining room table, complete with little gifts for guests and every year I’m inspired and in awe. His talents in all of the design work he does is always worthwhile.

{Party Resources}

{Shari Curtis Mortensen ~ Pinterest}

{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}

I realize some of the table settings are wedding settings, but you get the idea, right. Besides, we have a wedding coming up (watch for posts pre/post wedding) and candlelight will be a huge part of the ambiance of our (Son #2 & fiance) upcoming celebration.

In light of the stew recipe, maybe I should plan on this (below) form of candlelight…

{tumblr ~ Little White Daisies}

Do you enjoy dining by candlelight?

I’ve joined in the fun at Stone Gable for her Turtorials and Tips party, see you there.

{GHP} A wedding on my mind

06 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Family, Misc, Party Planning, Personal Information

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

weddings

George (Steve Martin) from Father of the Bride:

GEORGE
I used to think a wedding was a simple affair.  A boy and girl meet, 
they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say "I do."  
I was wrong.  That's getting married.  A wedding is an entirely 
different proposition.

If you’ve read my blog for a year or longer you may remember that I’ve talked about the upcoming wedding of our youngest son and his wonderful fiance HERE, HERE and HERE.

A dress has been selected…

Shoes have been considered…

and a few surprises may still be in the works…

(isn’t this a cute idea?)

The date is rushing at us faster than any of us might like, and we’re excited and a bit stressed all at the same time. We’re in countdown mode.

The venue will be unique and wonderful, The Los Angeles Museum of History will host our smallish wedding of 100 guests. When Son #1 married we enjoyed a family-only event overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the home of some dear friends in Emerald Bay {Thank you, Glenys and Jim}.

The African Mammal wing will be the backdrop for the wedding. The North American Mammal room will be where the reception takes place. The pre-reception will be here…

We’ll mingle with dinosaurs, sipping our drinks and enjoying an appetizer or two.

This scene in a Harry Potter movie will be similar to our dining experience with a table to accommodate 100 guests, 50 on each side, sans Christmas trees, but lots and lots of candles.

There are details to attend to.

Since the wedding will be just prior to winter’s official start, we will all enjoy the warmth of the candlelight,wood floors, soft lighting and of course our mammal-friends alongside our dear friends and family.

I realize it’s still almost a month away, but I’m really getting excited. I’ll post some pictures of the venue after the big day. Have any of you attended a wedding at the Natural History Museum?

{GHP} Gift season is approaching

01 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, Holidays

≈ 28 Comments

Tags

Gift ideas

I get accused of being overly organized, as if that’s a bad thing, right? Anyway, here’s the disclaimer: I really hadn’t started working on any kind of Christmas list, let alone buying items yet. But then I opened an email from one of my favorite blog sites, The Polohouse. Alison is hosting her monthly “Favorites on the First” and for November 1^st the theme will be Your Favorite Gifts to Give!

Since I love these blog parties, I started thinking about gift buying for the upcoming season. I must say, it was kind of fun, and while I only came up with a few things, it started the wheels turning for the shopping ahead of me.

This Christmas we will have two married sons…our youngest son is getting married December 1st. After raising 2 boys I can tell you, it’s really fun to buy for girls. DIL #1 has similar likes as DIL #2 (to be) but there are subtle differences and I want to make sure I buy them each gifts they will love.

A cozy throw for the winter months is always welcome as one of their gifts.

I believe one would like this faux fur throw. Manufacturers have really come a long way where faux fur is concerned…it feels so much softer than the stiff polyester they used to try to pass off as fur.{Pottery Barn Faux Fur Throw}

and I believe the other one would enjoy this one… I think the monogram would be fun on a throw.

{Pottery Barn monogrammable throw}

Along with the throw I thought I might order this pillow for me…do you ever do the one for you, one for me this time of year?

{Pottery Barn Joyeux Noel Embroidered Pillow}

Both Son #1 and Son #2 love to cook. It makes me very happy that they enjoy cooking! While watching America’s Test Kitchen, which is the group that test not only recipes, but kitchen items and make a determination as to which product is the best, I decided both of my amateur chefs could use this which ranked as “best” silicon basting brush…{Williams Sonoma OXO Silicon Basting Brush}

and to support and encourage continued good eats from them…

{Williams Sonoma OXO leave-in digital thermometer}

I have one of these and I love it!

Christmas is one of my favorite times to buy cookbooks. This one is appealing for Son #1 (maybe Son #2 as well) but it promises to be more involved than I would like. Still there is a great site that reviews a bunch of the newly released cook books…check out Eater.com

Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller and Sebastien Rouxel.
The release of any Thomas Keller cookbook is going to be celebrated, but the breads and pastries of Bouchon Bakery insure this volume will likely see more actual kitchen time than some of its predecessors. While it’s not necessarily for beginners — there are four recipes for brioche, each suited to a different, specific purpose — the book’s sense of humor and traditional techniques make this a must have.
Artisan: October 23.

I confess the cover is tempting, I’ll give the book to Son #1 and then request that he bake me something from it.

Barefoot Contessa is more my style and her new book looks great. This is on my list…hint, hint.

With a title like “foolproof” what could go wrong?

Since I get to buy for our granddaughter, I came up with only a couple of items. She’s still young (just 2 years) and I wait for her mommy to give me some ideas, but this would be fun and appreciated…

{Land of Nod, personalized growth chart for measuring height}

There are a huge array of designs for both boys and girls.

We want to spark that interest in cooking at a young age so I’ll get her this…

{Stephen Joseph Cook Set}

For hostess gifts and gifts for friends I lean towards indulgences such as a great smelling candles, personalized note cards or a box of my (and most of my friends) favorite chocolates…

{Votivo Red Currant~Bloomingdales}

Votivo candles are one of my favorites…they come in an array of delicious scents and red currant is my favorite. I love Jo Malone candles as well, but they are out of my price range when Christmas looms.

{See’s candy}

Mr. B claims that I love See’s because that is what I grew up with. I believe I’m more objective than that. I’ve enjoyed my share of Fran’s (Seattle), Godiva (everywhere) and Neuhaus (which I’m not sure is still in business), but seriously, for flavor and texture, give me See’s any day.

{Caspari notecards}

There’s a glasses company that I love and I might order Mr. B some sunglasses from them…

{Warby Parker ~ great glasses}

The final thing on my list so far is something Alison (The Polohouse) asked us to list…an item we would give as a gift if we were made of money, like Oprah. This is it, if I had truckloads of money I’d buy one of these for everyone on my list because I think they would all love having one…

{Vagabond House ~ Acorn Oak Leaf Wood Tray}

I first heard about Vagabond House from Tina at The Enchanted Home. They make a lot of really pretty stuff.

So, talk to me, have you started the “list”. Do you buy for a lot of people or are you clever and DIY some of the gifts you give? Do you draw names and only buy for one, plus children in the family? I’d love to hear some of your traditions.

If you have a minute, stop by The Polohouse for some great ideas on gift giving this season.

~and~

I’m joining the fun at Savvy Southern Style for the Wow US Wednesdays.