24 Monday Dec 2012
Posted in Christmas
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On this Christmas Eve, wherever you are, I hope you and yours are warm and comfortable and that you celebrate the season surrounded by those you love.
The cards and packages have been sent…
The tree is trimmed…
I hung holly, pine cones, fir and bulbs on any non-moving object…
{I saved Redfern, our pheasant, the indignity of a Santa hat that Mr. B wanted to put on him.}
The fire is laid, the mantle decorated…
The table is set…
…and I still hear the bell.
Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!
18 Tuesday Dec 2012
Posted in Christmas, DIY (do it yourself), Holidays, Uncategorized
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There are so many great options for gift wrap. Every year I promise myself I’ll keep it simple and use butcher paper and twine with fresh greens and homemade tags. I have yet to actually put that thought into action. Some of the ideas provided below have been in my file for a couple of years now.
Many of you have undoubtedly already wrapped your presents and have them artfully arranged under the tree, I hate you…not really. I usually would have mine wrapped as well, but that extra week really threw me off. I know, it should have been to my advantage but it was the week of our son’s wedding and I think I abused the extra time.
Here are some inspirational images, if you haven’t wrapped already, and a couple of sites that give you some valuable information for this final push to the magic that is Christmas.
I love the idea (below) of wrapping presents in interesting papers other than standard wrap. Little maps, foreign newsprint, art paper, let your imagination run wild.
I’ve got to hand it to Martha, she/her talented team come up with some clever ways to wrap any present.
The packages below are from an older MS tutorial [the link will take you the tutorial] where you can print out some of the graphics shown below, print them on paper and wrap. Very pretty, don’t you think?
If you prefer the lush, large, beautiful bows on your packages visit my friend Victoria over at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes. She gives you a tutorial on bow making that is not only informational but hilarious. I guarantee you a laugh at her clever descriptions of each step, and who can’t delight in some comedy relief this time of year?!
Heather Bullard has some creative tips for holiday gift tags. I imagine you would need to make the fresh tag later in the season so that it wouldn’t be dried out by the time you delivered it but for a hostess gift this would be a gift to add to the gift.
I like the idea of an ornament or some kind of tie-on present on top of the package. One year Pottery Barn wrapped their gifts with an old fashioned key attached to the ribbon. Williams Sonoma used a small copper pineapple mold to enhance each package. There are cute things at Michael’s that will enhance a package and maybe hold inside meaning for the recipient.
Then there are boxes that need no wrap. Not that I’ve ever received a HERMÉS anything, but I have received Jo Malone gifts and they have a similar box. They are beautiful in their own right and need no paper.
Or, if all else fails, go green, give a puppy…no wrap necessary. How cute is this little guy, although I confess, I’d definitely add a red bow around his neck.
Are you wrapped and ready. Do you enjoy this part of the season or do you have your gifts wrapped, where possible, at the store? I have always enjoyed this part of the process and used to be the go-to girl for my family where wrapping is concerned. Do you use double sided tape? I confess, I’ve not been using it but maybe I’ll get some this year.
11 Tuesday Dec 2012
As a former landscape designer (not a landscape architect, but someone who determined what and where to plant in our client’s gardens) I often focus on the natural plant materials we gravitate towards during each of the seasons and holidays. Not just as living plant material, although some of these do make beautiful landscape plants in the right garden, but the greens that we tend to use in planters (outdoors and in) and table, door and mantle decorations.
It isn’t just about the trees…
although that is the scene stealer in most homes this time of year…
There’s some great inspiration out there in blogland right now but the site that got the ball rolling for this post was a visit to one of my favorite sites, Debra at 5th and State. She posted a tutorial on how to plant outdoor urns and planter boxes. Debra is a talented landscape designer and I believe she owns 2 or 3 shops. I first found her site during this time about 2 years ago and her topic inspired me to work on my entry urn and planter box.
I’ve worked on our urn since this early attempt (below) at copying the examples provided via 5th and State. Even this early, unrefined display was a vast improvement from the boring plant I used to have in this spot. (It’s the old “cobbler’s children have no shoes” around here). The Ilex berries are fake but they offer a spot of color at the front door.
{Garden, Home and Party, 2010}
That same year I planted my metal planter box with red ivy geranium, I should have known better, they complete their blooming cycle just before Christmas!
Here is my urn for this season…
{The Mother Fern is so happy I didn’t have the heart to change it out for a plant that might be more seasonal. I added the Ilex berries and pine cones to create a holiday feel to it.}
{I also gave our concrete puti a hat for the season. The Ikea lantern got a couple of candles, some faux snow and an antique elk}
{notice the antique elk is missing most of a leg, I rescued him from an antique store}
{Even the mailbox is dressed for the season}
Our entry during the day…
…and at night
Other greens and plants that are popular this time of year are boxwood. I love them year round, but I was happy to see that Trader Joe’s offered a 22″ boxwood wreath this month for only $9.95 (thanks for the heads up, Glenys).
Even the use of hydrangea, as we see below when mixed with maiden hair fern takes on a holiday flair. It’s wonderful to see plants other than the traditional poinsettia being used for the holidays. I still love poinsettia, especially when I can find the white ones, but there are some fabulous options.
The use of birch logs in these urns really give it a wintery look that could easily be on display through the winter months, not too Christmasy, but festive.
Fruit is something that really lends itself to this time of year. Citrus of any kind, apples and pears…
{The Enchanted Home}
This months cover of Veranda featured greens that I can’t really identify. They resemble eucalyptus, but the apples, greens mix beautifully with the rustic wood walls and beams juxtaposed against the French mirror, screen and portrait. This is one of my all time favorite magazine covers.
These ivy topiary and foxglove on the hearth look seasonal due to the roaring fire in the fireplace, but the plants could be representative of spring just as easily.
This boxwood garland is so pretty, I love the deep green color and if it’s the kind that has been treated, it will last forever.
Forced paper whites, white cyclamen and little juniper bushes, surrounded by cedar branches make such a pretty indoor vignette.
{The Enchanted Home}
{Ralph Lauren, Paris store}
Do you have a favorite where winter greens are concerned?
I’m over at Savvy Southern Style, linking to her Wow Us Wednesdays, join in the fun if you have time.
04 Tuesday Dec 2012
Posted in Christmas, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Holidays, House and Home
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Oh my word, is it December 4th already? Time has evaporated for me but I’m excited for the upcoming season, just give me a minute, I’ll be ready, I promise.
{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}
I would have thought that by cutting my posting by half I would have hours of free time. Well, somehow the clocks started decreasing the amount of hours in a day and I got behind…Thanksgiving, wedding…those events will do that to a person, no matter how organized they normally are, right?
Meanwhile, Christmas has been on my mind and these images from various sources prove it…
The nutcrackers are out, work is still in progress on our mantle and fresh greens are ordered.
{GHP}
I’ve got some help in the kitchen with my chef nutcracker…I don’t think he’s interested in cracking any nuts but he doesn’t question any of my cooking decisions, so he stays.
{GHP}
Charles Faudree inspired me to wrap garlands in unexpected places. I love this porch in his country home, with the garland-wrapped French poster. 
{Charles Faudree ~ Pinterest}
{Southern Accents}
I’ve seen several tiered displays online this year, I like the idea, I wonder where I could put one?
The simplicity of this dining table is stunning, I might try it for New Year’s Eve. {would I have to serve white food?}
I didn’t manage to get paper whites started, oh well, there’s always next year. I do love this display from And George.
So, cue Bambi, let the caroling begin, make a batch of egg nog, Christmas is on the way.
{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}
Am I alone, are all of you already decorated, wrapped and ready? I need a challenge, let me know, it will help me get my act in gear.
Happy December!
27 Tuesday Nov 2012
Posted in Christmas, DIY (do it yourself), Holidays, House and Home
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:
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.
15 Thursday Nov 2012
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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}
{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.
Wishing you the best this season has to offer. Hope you are in the midst of turkey day planning.
♥ Karen
01 Thursday Nov 2012
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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 1st 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…
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.
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.
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.
09 Tuesday Oct 2012
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I may have mentioned that I like to entertain, and cook. {I guess it wouldn’t be a very fun party if food wasn’t involved} The problem is this, I really, really like simple recipes and preferably recipes that can be made in advance when I entertain.
Fall entertaining is especially fun and I enjoy some of the ideas I have stolen borrowed from very creative people across blog land. Jenny Steffens Hobick is one of my favorite sites for entertaining menus and table settings. She and her family recently moved, and with a baby, her recipes are practical and simple but her presentation is always beautiful and many can be made ahead of time. As you can see from the table setting above, simple but stylish tablescapes are the standard with her. If you’re interested in cooking, visit Jenny.
Another favorite site for delicious and healthy recipes is Marina over at Yummy Mummy Kitchen. Marina makes every dish she serves look appetizing and pretty on the plate, and her recipes are almost always lean towards healthy, although you’d never suspect it by the fabulous flavors each recipe provides. One more creative blog site to visit and borrow from when planning a menu for family and friends. I’ve you’ve never visited Yummy Mummy Kitchen I urge you to have a look.
Autumn table settings appeal to me partly because you can use natures bounty from the farm, {wish I lived on one}, the surrounding outdoors, or your market. Pomegranates, apples, leaves, acorns, nuts, gourds, mums and the ever-traditional pumpkin can all be arranged in any combination to create a beautiful and festive table.
~ Recipes from Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Jenny Steffens Hobick will be featured in an upcoming post ~
If you are planning a party that requires an invitation there are a variety of papers you can purchase that can be printed on a home laser jet printer. We have the good fortune of living near a Paper Source store, where there are more options than I can think of ideas for, but it’s sure fun to mix and match the various papers with inserts and envelopes.
This is an invitation I made when a few years back I hosted my friend, Cayley’s birthday luncheon. She enjoys an autumn birthday, so brown tones seemed fitting.
{Victoria Magazine}
If you are planning a Halloween extravaganza, wouldn’t it be fun to have Hubby or a friend dress up like a butler and serve beverages for guests?
The table setting below is interesting and doesn’t follow the typical fall standards, bust out and try some of the new colored vegetables with your flowers and candles the next time you entertain. It’s fun to think outside the box sometimes (the rule-follower, ‘fraidy cat said).
So, on to a great recipe…
Pioneer Woman posted a recipe for a “Quick Easy and Yummy Apple Tart” What’s not to love about this, right? But since I insist usually test recipes that I offer, I tried it. It is beyond really simple and it turns out {and tastes} as good as Ree’s picture looks, without stress or strain in the making. Rather than make you copy and paste the recipe, since I can’t figure out how to create a “printable copy” on my blog, I’ve given you the link, PW not only makes printing this recipe easy, she gives you a step by step pictorial tutorial on how to make this yummy dessert.
If your weather hasn’t changed yet, or like a few of my blog friends, you live where it is just changing seasons to spring, you may want to move your party outdoors.
{tumblr}
Even the birds are into the season!
I hope Autumn will bring you plenty of fun meals with family and friends.
♥ Karen
04 Wednesday Jul 2012
Posted in Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Holidays, Independence Day
We’re off to dinner at our friends house this evening. I hope you are relaxing and enjoying friends and family. I know the official first day of summer was June 21st but the 4th of July always signaled the start of summer for me.
Have a safe and yummy 4th of July!
20 Tuesday Dec 2011
Posted in Christmas, Entertaining, Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking
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‘Twas the night 5 days before Christmas…
As we round the corner, with Christmas clearly in sight, I think of the upcoming days with excitement and joy {and yes, sugarplums or any sweet treat, have been dancing through my head}. Our granddaughter, Olivia, will be spending Christmas with us as well as her mommy (Jamie) and daddy/our oldest son (Kyle)! {huge smile}
The front door is dressed and ready to welcome guests…
Wreathes adorn nearly every room, some fragrant fir and some faux pine and berries…
The pantry is stocked with ingredients required for old favorites and a few new recipes…
The side board is set with festive serving pieces at the ready. Candles are lit every evening to set the mood of the season…
The table is set and ready for meals that will fill tummies and make memories for the season…
Christmas cards have been sent and received…
The fireplace is laid with logs and ready to warm the room…
Southern Accents
The tree is decorated and presents are wrapped…
Outdoor activities are on hold until after the holiday…
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tin reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes–how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night.”
by Clement Clarke Moore
Dear readers/friends, I am taking some time off from Garden, Home and Party to be with my family. I wish you all a happy, healthy Christmas surrounded by loved ones. May 2012 be a very good year for us all!
Garden, Home & Party 