A Nature Inspired Christmas!

I have been looking around for inspiration for all of you and I have noticed that it appears to be the year of a nature inspired Christmas this year.

I claimed that natural kraft paper  will be the wrapping of choice for many this year so it is only natural to do a nature inspired décor to go along with it.

Many of you live in the part of the country where you can go out your back door into the woods and cut fresh greenery. There is nothing better than fresh cut greens the smell is wonderful.

For those of us that have to find ours elsewhere such as nurseries we might be a bit more limited in our findings. Always remember those long garlands can be taken apart and the pieces can be tucked here and there to add a touch of green.

PINECONES

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Pinecones are such a wonderful textural element to add to your décor. I love it when they are mixed with a little bit of sparkle.

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I know many of you love antlers! In this image the antlers are added to this lush garland with greens, pheasant feathers and pinecones. My friend Marty found pheasant feathers for a good price over at Oriental Trading Company. You will get 24 feathers for $10, that is the cheapest I have ever seen them.

 

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

 

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I think the simplicity of this cloche arrangement is perfect!!

FRUIT

I also love when fruit is used in garlands or wreaths. I love to see the Williamsburg decorating. Their use of fruit and greens is amazing.

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Tobi Fairly did an amazing job in keeping with your color scheme by using citrus in her garland.

SUCCLULENTS

Another trend I am seeing is the use of succulents….

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I think these are so clever and fun!!

SHELLS

If you love a Coastal Christmas, the use of shells can be equally as festive as shown in this garland……..

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For those of you who like the unusual, how about this…….

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I fell in love with this unique look. I think she would be stunning in an entry hall.

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Will you be using some of what nature has to offer you for your Christmas decorations this year, or will you be going towards the sparkly side, like me?!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Adding a touch of nature to your Christmas decorating and maybe a little sparkle for good measure!!!

Kathysue

Don't forget to go here and leave a comment to be eligible for my Christmas giveaway from Destination Dinners!

A Sneak Peek and A Christmas Gift Giveaway!!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!! I just love, love this time of year and I am like a kid when it comes to Christmas.




The lights, the music, the smell of pine and cinnamon!!!  I love it all.

I spent Saturday, and part of Sunday doing a little decorating. I got my mantel done, and the tree is up and ready for all the family ornaments. I am totally enjoying the process. I love to take my time and cherish each moment.

I am giving you just a little sneak peek of what I have done for this years mantel.  Along with this sneak peek I am also going to announce a Christmas giveaway…….

I did a post on a fun, and unusual gift that anyone would enjoy. If you like to cook or eat, this gift is for you.

Destination Dinners has offered to give one of my readers one of their fabulous recipe kits…….

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The recipe kit will include the recipe, and all the necessary special spices, and flavorings that you will need to create an exotic meal from around the world.

All you have to do is leave a comment to let me know you want to be in the random drawing for the recipe kit. If your name is chosen I will get in touch with you to see which kit you would like so I can let Destination Dinners know what you would like to have. Destination Dinners will ship your recipe of choice to your home!!! 

If you do want to take a peek at their website you can go to the members only page, and sign up and you will recieve all the special offers that they have, it is for members only and it is free!!

 

That’s it!! Just leave a comment, and a way for me to contact you! No gimmicks easy peasy, lemon squeezy!!

Good Luck To You All!!

Kathysue

Add A Little Sparkle To Your Gift List

It is official, “Let the Games Begin!” Now that Thanksgiving is over we can begin the Christmas festivities in full force!!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving but I must admit I feel a bit like a stuffed turkey this morning!! The crockpot pumpkin pudding was a big hit and I highly recommend it!! (recipe here)

With only 30 days until Christmas I know that what to buy your friends and loved ones  is on all of our minds.

 There will be parties and gatherings to attend and hostess gifts that will need to be purchased.

I was perusing Zgalleries site this morning, and if you want some glitz and glitter this is the place to shop.

I love the way they always have a color story every year. This year it appears to be sparkly whites and reds with a few touches of blue.

I thought I would share a few ideas for hostess gifts, or if you are like me and make Christmas socks for adult children a few of these would be great stocking stuffers as well.




This first item would be a welcomed site by any hostess……

Source: zgallerie.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This candle has a rhinestone band and the candle itself is in a shimmering finish. It comes in white, soft blue and a beautiful red.

Source: zgallerie.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

At $15.95-$19.95 this would make a perfect hostess gift.

Source: zgallerie.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love these trays with the rhinestone trim. Anything served on these trays would looks special! I think these are a steal at $12.95.

To add to our sparkly them how about a set of these sparkly place card holders………

Source: zgallerie.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: zgallerie.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Oooooh!! what a fun gift, sparkly dominoes!!

I must be in a sparkly mood today, but I think any of the above gifts would be welcomed by anyone!!

I will leave you all with this cute saying I read the other day……..

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Adding a little sparkle into someone's life!

Kathysue

Blessings to All Of YOU!!

 

As most of you know my Thanksgiving day arrangement is in a 4ft.6in. wood box. We stained it dark walnut, and I stenciled one end of the box with the word Blessing. What is hard to see in the pictures is a black strap bracket at each corner, top and bottom. It is a really nice touch and adds to the rustic feel.

I used fresh rosemary to add a touch of green on the plates. The fragrance is wonderful.

As you can see from this picture I used fresh, pumpkins, limes and artichokes, mixed with greenery from the park and curly willow.

I  chose to use pewter candlesticks this year with simple cream pillar candles.

We all have more blessings than we can even number. I am so thankful to have my wonderful family and friends. God has been very gracious to me and I am truly thankful to him.

I hope that each and every one of you have a blessed Thanksgiving, and that you can eat all you want without one ounce of weight gain!!! Now, that would truly be a blessing wouldn't it?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Counting your blessings!!

Kathysue

A Little Sneak Peek Of My Thanksgiving Table Setting

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of one of the elements on my table…….



If you take this……….

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and this…………..

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add this……….

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....Then mix it up in Kathysue’s brain, you will get this………




Just a little sneak peek of my table setting! I promise more pictures later.

Kathysue is reallllly, “Enjoying the process!”

Come back later to see  the next installment!!
I will be adding  little sneak peeks throughout the day on this post!

Next..........

Easy Last Minute Dessert For Thanksgiving

Today is crunch day!! I know we are all busy tying up loose ends for the big feast tomorrow.

I have been busy setting up the dessert table and  the hors d’oveures table. I also have all my serving dishes out with their little post-it notes that tells my helpers what will go in each dish. I put  the utensils needed for each dish inside the dish.

After I get all of these platters and bowls out I put them on the chair seats and they are neatly tucked away under the table until I need them tomorrow. I just don’t have the counter space to have everything sitting out.

I have found this little routine very helpful in the entertaining process. There is nothing worse than having to dig deep into the cupboard in a compromising postion to find that big platter you use twice a year while your guest are standing there watching you!

I have an easy little dessert I am going to make that not only will taste delicious but it will also make the house smell yummy.

I thought if any of you need a quick fill-in dessert this would be a good one.

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Pumpkin pie pudding! The best part of this dessert is it is cooked in the crockpot. Can you imagine the wonderful sweet fragrance that will be in your home. It is like pumpkin simmering potpourri and dessert all in one!!! I love that!!

Ingredients for Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Pudding:

• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup Bisquick
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine (melted)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• whipped topping (optional)

Preparation of Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Pudding:

1. In a large bowl mix together the first eight ingredients.
2. Transfer to crock pot coated with Pam.
3. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours.
4. Serve in bowls with whip cream, if desired

I am busy chopping and slicing and mixing today!!

I promise I will have my table posted between now and tomorrow!! I am on my way out to the park to cut fresh greens.

The only down side of using fresh produce and fresh greens is you have to wait until the day before the festivities to finish the centerpiece.

I hope you are all,” Enjoying the Process!!” I know I sure am.

Kathysue

A Fun Theme Gift For Christmas !!

I know we are all in the middle of Thanksgiving day prep, but right around the corner is Christmas so I know our minds keep wandering into Fa-La-La land!! Or at least mine sure is.

I am always on the look for some fun and unusual gifts, and when I find something worth sharing I like to tell you all about it.

Several years ago I was on the hunt for something fun, and different to give to my son’s and daughter-in-laws as a couple gift.

I like to think of a theme for my gift giving. This particular year it was all about entertaining.  I thought it would be fun to give each couple a joint gift for their home and entertaining needs.

I decided to purchase some all white serving pieces for entertaining. I knew Crate and Barrel would have just the right pieces, they always  have a wonderful variety of serving pieces in white.

I chose various shapes and sizes of platters, and some small square hors d’oeuvres plates.  I ordered twelve of the small square plates, so if they had a party they would be set!

I also went to Pottery Barn, and ordered 12 cocktail napkins with a monogram .

The small square hors d’oeuvres plates, and the napkins were a big hit.

Too add a little extra surprise to this entertaining package I found a wonderful company called, Destination Dinners.

Source: destinationdinners.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This company offers a wonderful array of prepackaged dinners from around the world. They are beautifully boxed in pretty red boxes. Inside you will find the recipe and all the specialty spices that you will need to cook an exotic tasty meal. All you have to purchase is the fresh ingredients. They tell you just how much meat and veggies, etc to buy.

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They also have a variety of meals that will come with the serving dishes you might need for your meal. These are called Dinner Party kits.

Source: destinationdinners.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

In their Dinner gift kits you will get an extra added bonus gift such as a lovely vase,candlesticks or placemats…..

Source: destinationdinners.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love to find fun, and interesting gifts for my loved one’s. Plus it is fun to do a theme like this. It also seems to help give me a direction to go towards, and I so enjoy finding all the elements to add to the gift.

What kind of theme gifts have you given at Christmas?

We love to hear new ideas in blogland so please feel free to let us all know in the comments.

Now, I need to get off the computer and finish my Thanksgiving table!!!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Planning a gift with a theme for your loved one’s!!

Kathysue

On another note: If you are a designer-type you have to read this great post over at Wendi's blog Classic Chic Home

"Confessions of a Serial Decorator!"

I think we can all relate to her blog post!!

Take a look and see if you fit the profile!