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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fall Ceremony



I enjoyed doing a guest post , “Five for Fall!” It was hard for me to narrow down to just five items that are may favorites for entertaining for Fall.


I am probably like most of you when it comes to Fall. I like the crispness in the air in the mornings and evening. Living in California we still have days in the 70’s so it is sometimes hard to realize, yes indeed it is officially fall.



In my own home I find myself suddenly bringing out more candles and lighting them.  We say, “The candle lighting ceremony has begun!” It usually coincides with the starting of football season on TV.



I like to use cream colored candles in the Fall. I find them to be classic additions to my home. I have  a low threshold for what appears cluttered to me so sometimes I will bring out extra candles at night time, but during the day when they are not lit I put them away to eliminate visual clutter. I know I am weird, I just prefer a well edited look.



 When nightfall occurs out come the candles and the candle lighting ceremony begins.



I even find that I like to light some of the candles on my back patio. I can see them from my kitchen and family room so it just becomes an extension of my home.



I am all about ambiance and it is very important to me that my home, “feels!” inviting. I am sure I am not alone in this effort!



The candle lighting ceremony is just one of the ways I love to make my home warm and inviting.

I have read that many of you are already having a bit of snow! That is amazing!! Are you all finding yourselves wanting to cozy up inside?

I am finding that it is something that seems to come from within for me. Even with the warm Spring like days I find that I am craving hardy meals of soups and stews. I want hot tea and cider, and of course candlelight.



Next will be the warm throws and the lighting of the fireplace! I can’t wait!!

Oh!! One more thing……… I just bought my first sweater for the season!
A simple classic jewel neckline cashmere sweater in a beautiful shade of camel. Next on the list is a cute, comfy pair of boots!!!!

Bring on the cold weather I am so ready!!!!!!!!
How about you all, what have you done to get ready for the Fall/Winter months in your home?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Getting ready for the Fall and Winter season!

Kathysue

Posted by Kathysue at 10:54:00 AM 23 comments

Friday, October 28, 2011

Five For Fall!




Happy Friday everyone!!! Today I am doing a guest post over at Katie’s blog, Party Resources!


Katie does a wonderful series on, “ Five for Fall,” and today I will be sharing my five favorite elements I like to have for entertaining in the cool, crisp months of Fall. 

There are certain things I like to have on hand at all times. I bet some of you like the same things that I do………




Join me over at Katy’s, and we can pretend together that we are having a cup of something nice and hot to warm us up …………






I will also have other things to make your Fall entertaining easier and more fun!!

So come and join me ……….





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(just click on this header and it will be a quick little trip for you! Enjoy the ride!)

Kathysue is :

"Enjoying the Process" Of:
Getting ready for some Fall entertaining!


Posted by Kathysue at 4:00:00 AM 11 comments

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Can We Talk?


Sometimes we just need to talk about blogging. You know the ins and outs of this mysterious and wondrous place we call blogland.

While visiting with a couple of my friends a few weeks ago a discussion about blogging came up. One of my friends has a blog, and the other loves to read blogs.

Little did we know there would be many questions that would come up from time to time that there just would not be any answers that made any sense, we all agreed. There was one question that came up that did have an answer……  “Is it alright for a non-blog author to make a comment on a blog?”

Let’s face it, we were all readers before we were writers of blogs. I think we all became captivated about what we were seeing and reading in blogland and that prompted our own desires to become blog authors.


My answer was, “Of course!” after all comments are like food to blog authors, without them it is hard to have enough energy to come up with what it takes to write a blog.

At first I was a bit surprised at the question, but then I had to think back when I first discovered blogs. I remember thinking that I did not have the right to have an opinion since I was not part of this new found group of people called, “BLOGGERS!” It all seemed so special and wondrous to me.


I honestly felt that I should just keep my opinion to myself, after all they were the one’s that were putting all the work into writing the blog, I was just sort of a voyeur looking in on their world, unbeknownst to them. I could quietly enjoy looking on and  I could have an opinion, and no one would ever know. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time.


Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

As time passed, and I read more and more blogs I realized that maybe, just maybe my comment, or opinion would be valued by the author. Still unsure I was hesitant to comment.

Once I finally felt as if it was alright, and the only reason I felt it was alright I discovered that other non-blog authors were leaving comments.  I finally started leaving comments, and making my presence known to the blog author, and fellow readers.
Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


Eventually, as you all know I started writing this blog. I am now on the other side hoping that my readers will feel comfortable here. Whether you are a reader, or you are a blog author, “WE!” need and want your opinions and comments.

You, the readers are  what keeps me writing! Without you and your feed back this journey would pretty much be meaningless. I for one have had so many wonderful experiences here, in blogland because of you wonderful readers.

So, I am here to tell you. Yes!! by all means, please leave a comment whether you have a blog or not!!

Readers are what gives me the energy, the want-to, the desire to keep writing.
If you feel you need permission, please feel as if you have been given permission………

I so appreciate all of you that take the time to not only read, but to let me know how you feel about what I am presenting here on my blog. I actually find it a bit hard to express how much it means to me.
Just know this……. As long as you are reading and commenting I will be writing.

I can only hope that you are still……..


“Enjoying the Process” Of:

Following along with me in blogland,

xo Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 8:59:00 PM 39 comments

Saturday, October 22, 2011

DIY Art Project For Fall!


What do you get when you have a beautiful Fall day in the 70’s, and add a walk with your nine year old granddaughter?

An Art Project! A Fall Collage!!
We took a walk to try, and find leaves, and pretty pieces from nature to make a collage.
The plan:
Sweet granddaughter would arrange, and place Fall goodies, and Grammy would do the hot glue.

What you will need:

One child with a great imagination, and potential to become a little designer in the future.

A walk in the park

Hot glue gun

A piece of scrap wood

A wood chop stick for child to use to press down leaves once Grammy applies hot glue( no pinkies were burned  in the making of this collage.)


What you will get:
Time to sit, and marvel at how creative your young artist is and watch how they can create beauty.

The Process:

Sarahs Fall Art Collage 2011 Oct 004 (800x600)
She decided she would start with the left side first and then work her way to the right……..

Sarahs Fall Art Collage 2011 Oct 005 (800x600)


Center
Sarahs Fall Art Collage 2011 Oct 006 (800x600)
Right side: She was very careful in placing the bean pods, and the fun little round berries, just so. I had so much fun watching her little mind at work. She was so strategic in the placement of each piece and she actually had a method all her own.(Grammy set back and watched with pride!)


The Finished Product!
Sarahs Fall Art Collage 2011 Oct 003 (800x600)
Sarahs Fall Art Collage 2011 Oct 007 (800x600)
So if you have an extra hour, or so in your day, and need some fresh air, take a walk with someone you love and see all that God has to offer. I feel like I had a little piece of heaven today……..

Happy Fall !
 
Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 4:04:00 PM 21 comments

Friday, October 21, 2011

Does Halloween Have To Be Scary?


Halloween does not have to be scary!! In fact I insist that it is either pretty, or cute. I already did a post on pretty and sophisticated, so now I think it is time for some cuteness………

Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Now, who can resist Winnie the Pooh!?



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


For our inner-flower child! Too cute!





Is it time to go Trick or Treating yet?



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


Aaaaah! I wonder who lives here?



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Wouldn’t your little Princess just love to have this pumpkin?



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Adorable Black Cat pillows. I would not use the spider he is going towards the scary side!!!



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I think this is adorable!! What a clever way to dress up your Halloween party table.



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


More fun witches legs, good witches of course!!


FUN WITH  FOOD!


If you are having a party, how about some cute ideas for the food you will be serving………





Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Yes Please!!


Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest




Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

For some reason I have had more people use this idea from my blog last year!! It really is pretty darn cute and really easy to do. We Mom’s love that!!

Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

A ghostly look for your strawberries!! Cute!!


Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Your little Trick or Treaters will need to have dinner before they go out and collect their desserts. Why not make it fun instead of just plain old Spaghetti and meatballs!!!

Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Even bacon and eggs get a fun look for Halloween!


Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest



Source: None via Kathy Sue on Pinterest



the cutest decoration of all……..

What an adorable way to remember your own sweet little ones and how precious they were during October 2011!!



You still have  eight more days to do some of these fun ideas for your kiddos!!



“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Keeping Halloween Child-like and fun,
not scary!!

Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 1:00:00 AM 21 comments

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Is It Too Early to Start thinking About Christmas?

I had a surprise while watching TV last night!………

I just saw my first Christmas commercial last night!! It was adorable. There was a cute little girl all dressed in Christmas clothes pulling a Christmas tree across her front porch.
It was for QVC. At first it looked like a Target commercial. After I saw it was QVC, and not Target it dawned on me…. Omgosh Christmas!! How many days until Christmas!??




As of today there are 66 days until Christmas!!! Basically 2 months. Is it time to start at least thinking about it? What do you think?



Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest


I will have to admit I have been thinking about Christmas just a little bit. I have a few gifts in mind, and I also have a plan of what I want to do for my Christmas décor this year. I keep the basic family ornaments the same, and I will always do that, but I do like to shake it up a little so I am already thinking about it.




If any of you follow along with me on Pinterest you probably can figure out what direction I will be going! Even though I am thinking about it, I must admit I was a bit taken aback that there was already a Christmas commercial on TV.



So I am wondering how many of you are thinking about your plans for the Holiday's? How many of you are refusing to go there yet?



However, or whenever you choose to start thinking, or preparing for Christmas, I hope you are…….



“Enjoying the Process!”

Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 1:00:00 AM 41 comments

Sunday, October 16, 2011

How I add Warmth to My Home In The Fall



I have never made claim to being a texture gal. I tend to like a more refined look with smooth or shiny textures. Except this time of year when the Fall weather starts I do bring in a few rougher textured items for my Fall look.





There is nothing prettier than the patina of an old cutting board. I am always on the look out for cutting boards, and I use them all the time. It seems as if there is always at least one on my kitchen counter. When we fix toast it sits next to the toaster with butter, knife, jam, and cinnamon sugar ready to be placed on the toast while it is still piping hot.

I am on the look out for several smallish boards to serve bowls of hot soup and crusty French bread………












When entertaining guest I  always have a cheese platter.  I prefer to use a pretty cutting board to display cheese, fruit, and fig spread.






For the Fall/Winter months I have a few cutting boards that I leave out as a decorative touch to give a warm cozy look to my kitchen.


 BASKETS













The other texture I enjoy for the Fall months is in the form of baskets. I just purchased a new addition to my basket collection while visiting Tyler Florence’s shop in Mill Valley California with two of my blogging buddies!!…..


Fall 2011 003 (600x800)
It is a nice big tray that I will be able to use for lots of things when I entertain. I love the texture it adds to my kitchen placed behind my vintage milk glass lamp.

I also purchased a candle at Tyler Florence’s shop called Sunday memories by Park Hill candles, it is a warm, lovely scent, and I love the glow it has shining through the wicker basket holder it is in………


Fall 2011 006 (600x800)

While shopping at The Alameda Pointe Antique Flea Market I also purchased a fun French shopping basket on wheels. It makes a perfect addition to my family room. It is holding magazines by my reading chair………


Fall 2011 009 (600x800)















There is nothing quite as pretty as a basket overflowing with different kinds of breads.

I love to do this in an over-sized basket, it is so fun choosing different kinds of breads to go with a hot bowl of soup!

Now I am getting hungry for a wonderful crusty French bread and fresh roasted tomato soup.

I will leave you with a wonderful soup recipe I just made that I think you will love for a nice,easy Fall meal……





Click HERE for the recipe, you will be thanking me once you taste this delicious soup, I promise!





I served mine in darling white handled bowls from Crate and Barrel. The soup is topped with a garlic and butter crostini and  your favorite cheese. I chose Havarti for mine. Trust me this is soooo easy and well worth trying. It is a new favorite of mine.

These are just a few of the ways I warm my home up for the Fall/ Winter months with the addition of textures. What do you do to cozy–up your own home? We always can use some new ideas!!! Whatever it is I hope that you are …….

“Enjoying the Process!

Kathysue
Posted by Kathysue at 6:53:00 PM 26 comments
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