Thanksgiving thoughts and Thrifting

I am trying to move forward with my ideas for my Thanksgiving table. I decided that I would like to use some pewter on my table.

I went thrifting with a friend and I was so pleased that I actually found a few pieces. I still need more to get the look I am going for, but I think this is a great start!! I love, love the barley twist candlesticks. I think I really lucked out to find these.

By setting up this little vignette I can tell that I will need the box that will be holding my arrangement  to be a dark espresso colored stain.

I thought I had it all figured out, but as luck would have it, I do not have the old wood from my fence that was recently taken down. It got hauled off, and now I need to re-group and find an alternative. I have something in mind, hopefully this will keep me on track!!

I find it helps to lay out elements together to see what completes the picture. I always group items together first to see what will work and what will not.

Since I like to keep my elements tight I think I am on the right track with the color scheme of:

Dark lime

Dark espresso

White

Pewter

I need to get off the computer and see if I can track down what I need for my Thanksgiving Table.

 List of To Do’s:

1. Iron white linen napkins, spray with lavender water
2. Iron table cloth
3. Decide on side dishes and desserts
4. Get out serving dishes and utensils for all items to be served.
5. Purchase some Rosemary for arrangement and napkins.
6. Order fresh produce from grocer to use in arrangement:

Artichokes

Limes

Green apples

White mini pumpkins

Pears

I will keep you all posted on how I am progressing. My mind is spinning with Thanksgiving and Christmas ideas. I just love this time of year!!!!

“Enjoy the Process!”Of:

Making progress on your

 Holiday plans!

Kathysue 

On another note: My home is being featured with two other bloggers on Wendi's blog, "Classic Chic Home!" Wendi is a designer and a wonderful writer. I know you will enjoy what you see and learn on her blog. Be sure to tell here Kathysue sent you!!

3X5 Cards are my friends!!

After writing my last post on change I received enough comments, and emails to let me know that you all seem interested in the thinking process I go through in planning an event or doing a  project in my home.

I almost always sign off my post with....

“Enjoy the Process!" because I am a firm believer in trying to stay in the moment during the process of whatever I am doing. 3X5 cards are one of the tools that help me, "Enjoy the process!"

I just read a post today that actually inspired me to write about  the process of using 3X5 cards for my Holiday planning.

If you don’t already read her blog I highly recommend Rebecca’s blog, “Acanthus and Acorn!” Rebecca and I seem to have a lot in common with how we think and organize. Be sure and read her post on how she starts her planning on her Holiday meals,HERE!

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

When I begin the planning stages of an occasion in my home that involves, company, parties, holidays, family dinners,etc. I get out my 3X5 cards.

Source: productiveandorganized.net via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." ~Mark Twain

I have learned to break down my task onto my handy-dandy 3X5 little friends. Another reason I use these handy-dandy cards is they are easy to put away, and very easy to transport in my purse,  wallet or a zip-loc bag.

Since we are beginning the Holiday season with Thanksgiving I like to use 3X5 cards to write down what needs to be done. I will  have a card with my name on the top of it and a card with sweet Hubby’s name on it.

As I think of things that need to be done I will write it down on my card, or his card. I have found that he works well when he knows what  he needs to do,and so do I.

I think he approaches it as he does his task at his job.(prioritize and check off.) It also makes for no mis-communication.(if you know what I mean? I don’t have to hear, “You never told me that!”)

I will also have a card with my menu for the Thanksgiving meal, and a card for the ingredients that I need to purchase at the grocery store.

As I am humming(Yes, I am a hummer) along getting things done, my cards sit on the end of my kitchen breakfast bar for easy access just in case I need to write down a note.

During this time of year I am also overlapping my thought process with visions of Christmas planning.

This is a bit more involved, and usually starts out with making a gift list.

I have a 3X5 card with the name of each person I plan on getting a gift. On the front of the card I have their name, on the back I have gift ideas. As I purchase the gifts I write them on the front of the card, and then I know I am done with that person.

This really helps me when I am out shopping for the perfect gift. I do Christmas gifts, and socks for all my grown children, and three grandchildren. I am a stickler about trying to keep things equitable so having the cards with gifts, and stocking stuffers listed is very helpful.

I don’t actually ,remember when I started using the 3X5 cards, or why. It just made sense to me to do it this way. So much easier, and organized than lots of little list on lots of different types of paper.

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This poor woman has to be saying,”Now where did I put that list?!!”


I on the other hand know exactly where my 3X5 cards are at all times.

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

 Today I am going Christmas shopping and you can be guaranteed that I will be carrying my 3X5 cards along with me in my purse.

I hope this little tip will help you:

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Planning for the Holidays!!

Kathysue 

There is Change In The AIR!!

How many of you are pinning away on Pinterest!? I got an invitation from Pinterest quite awhile ago, and have witnessed some changes for the better as well as seeing  a lot more participants from fellow bloggers from blog land.

Source: thebookofsecrets.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

One thing I have noticed in my own experience is I am finding myself more intrigued with the discoveries on Pinterest than I am in blog land. Not to say that I have given up on blog land, but lately I am more inspired  by  the images I am finding over on Pinterest.

Source: simplypix.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

There are such wonderful varieties of taste and subject matters that can be found on Pinterest. All of which are represented with a beautiful image.

I am not saying this to offend any of my hardworking fellow bloggers. I am right there with you. I am just being honest, and hopefully opening up a dialogue of how Pinterest is effecting me and the rest of YOU, my readers and fellow bloggers.

Source: gardenofsimple.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

As a creative group of like-minded people we tend to be very visual. It makes sense that the beautiful images that we see on Pinterest will spur us on to become more creative, and excited about upcoming projects or dreams that we have for our lives and our own homes.

Source: houzz.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I personally have noticed that I am getting more new followers each day on my Pinterest boards than I am here on my blog. So……… my question to you all is……….

......Are you finding that you are more excited about what you see on Pinterest than you are in blog land lately?  Are you becoming less interested in what fellow bloggers have to say, or are you still taking the time to read blog post?

Source: earthboundwinglessdream.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Blogging has been such a wonderful gift to my life and I will forever be grateful. I feel that things are going to be changing in the near future for we bloggers. I am not sure if it will be a good change or just something that is different.

In talking to a few of my fellow bloggers that have been blogging for close to 2-3years I have found that we are all finding it harder to get inspired these days.

It is harder and harder to think of anything new that has not already been covered by our self or another blogger.

Source: pughs-news.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I know I strive to stay relevant, and hopefully bring a different take on certain subjects as I know you all do too. 

Change is always hard, and when you are not certain where the change might be taking you, it becomes even harder. I am going to go along for the ride because……….

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

......Change can be good, and we should always keep an open mind. So for now, I am keeping my eyes, and ears open to the sights and sounds of change.

How about You all?!!!!


BTW: For those of you that would like to see what has been keeping me inspired you can visit me over at Pinterest, HERE!