home about me our home

Saturday, December 31, 2011

"TIME!"




It is almost here, 2012!! We all have been given the gift of another year.

I know some of you will read the words I have written here, others will just skim over the images. I hope you who have  taken the time too come by my blog today will take the, “TIME!” to read what I have written………



.....I look at my upcoming year a bit differently than I use to when I was younger. It is not so much about how much I will get done this year, or how much stuff I will get, but I look at the time I have been given as a gift.









I choose to use my time as a precious gift, and when I get the opportunity to spend time with my loved ones or friends, I am going to use my time wisely.



 I know it feels as if time goes by faster,but trust me we have same 24 hours as our ancestors had. What is different is how we choose to spend our time.





Life has taught me a couple of really good, and meaningful lessons about how I use my time, some were hard lessons and some were wonderfully pleasant lessons, but I did learn from them……..





One lesson, and the hardest lesson in my life, was taught to me at the age of twenty four when my Dad at the age of 47 died of a heart attack.

My world crumbled at that very moment. You see I was a Daddy’s girl, through, and through. I basically thought this man could walk on water.



Through losing him I realized at a very young age, that it was the sweet moments, the time I could never get back. 

I might have pictures, or gifts he had given me, but I never could get back the time, that precious gift of time to spend with him.

I remember thinking if I could just have 30 more seconds to tell him once again how much I loved him, and  how much I appreciated him, I would give up everything for those precious seconds of time.

I am not glad that my Dad died, but I can truly say I am glad that I learned how important it is to spend my time wisely when it comes to the people I love and care about. 



My other lesson was a happier lesson, and it came in the form of a little 6 year old boy. 

We had our boys, and their families here for some occasion, and all of the girls were in the living room talking about, design, hair, make-up and the latest fashions. 


Sight-Word-Ball

I was in the middle of a story when my 6 year old grandson came up to me and asked me if I would play volley ball with him. I told him sure, just give me a few minutes to finish my story.


Source: aol.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

A few minutes to a little guy is an eternity, so of course he came back in a very short period of time. I stopped my story, and looked into those blue eyes and said, “Sure, Grammy will play with you!”

We went down the hall, got the beach ball and started tossing it back and forth down my almost thirty foot hall.

All of the sudden, that little guy came running down the hall, hugged me around the waist, and ran back to his end of the hall, and we continued our play. 


Not a word was spoken, but I knew! He was telling me how much he loved me, as only a small child could with such a heartfelt demonstration of love.







It was not hours, truly it was maybe 10-15minutes, but the point had been made. I put him, and spending time with him above everything else, and he knew without a doubt how much his Grammy loved him.



You see it is not the amount of time, it is the quality of time, and how you choose to spend your time that matters.

So with that my dear readers, I leave you with this……..


.....Time is a gift, we all get to choose how we will spend it, and who we will spend it with. 

I pray that this year you all spend your time wisely and lovingly with the special people in your lives……….

Happy New Year, and May God bless each and everyone of you with precious, precious “TIME!”!

♥Kathysue♥

Friday, December 30, 2011

Simple Ideas For A New Years Eve Table



My Christmas is almost officially over. My family has gone back home and I already miss them! We had a wonderful time throughout the Christmas Holiday with all of our family. One of the best Christmas's I can remember. I guess any Christmas that we can have all of our children together is the best!

I have some wonderful friends coming for a visit today so our celebrating continues. After our visit it will be time to take down Christmas and get ready for the New Year.

Are you all like me in that you can not believe it will be 2012?!! 

With that in mind I thought I would visit some fun New Year’s Eve party ideas.

I think I will start with one of my favorites. I love this for several  reasons. Anyone can do it, it is inexpensive, and it is easy to do quickly!!






The fun star studded numbers are placed on top of the corks of bottles!! How fun and clever!!




If you used any metallic wrapping paper at Christmas you can do this cute idea!! Cut round disc shapes and glue onto a string, and Voila!

If I were to do this I would use two disc back to back and glue the string between both disc so when the disc twirls you will not see the string, but  you will see the color and patterns of the paper.

Notice they used a silver and gold color scheme! They have cute little tin baking cups to hold their votive candles. Another simple and easy thing to do for New Years Eve!!




I love the idea of a simple toasting table with all you will need to toast in the New Year. I also think this color scheme is so pretty.

I think if you choose your favorite color, and add a metallic color to the scheme you are good to go right into party mode. 

A simple black and white scheme is also a wonderful choice for New Years Eve. I look at a black and white color scheme like a a well dressed man in a tuxedo. They always look sophisticated and sharp.

Since I love black and white I would add lime green to the scheme. I actually did a table one year for the New Years and for my son’s birthday since it is also in January. I chose to do a Chinese New Years theme………


I found some fun Chinese take-out ceramic containers that had wishes for the New Year on the front of each container. My containers had the words, Dreams, Happiness, and Good Luck for my New Years wishes!!

I chose to use small lime green mums and white buttons. I poked black enameled chopsticks to add height and architecture to the arrangement.


Doing like-flowers in clusters is such an easy way to do an arrangement. I actually entered this arrangement in a little contest that Eddie Ross was having, and I won!! That was kind of fun for me!!

Speaking of black and white here are a few more fun black and white ideas……


You can download a picture of a clock to make the little tag, and a whole punch used to punch holes in black and white paper will make great confetti. This would be a fun family project. The kids can take turn using the hole punch until you have enough packets.



This idea would have tied in beautifully with my Chinese take-out container table setting. Even if you can’t find the ceramic containers you can purchase metallic containers at Cost Plus. I keep them on hand to put goodies in for my guest to take home when needed.


This is a different take on the traditional poppers. Don’t throw out your toilet paper rolls. You can make these little token gifts for your guest. You can fill them with what ever little treats you would like.

What is your favorite color? Is it purple?

Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

It looks as if this person used some of their Christmas decorations and made a wonderfully, sparkly New Years table.

If your taste goes more towards classic and traditional, how about all clear and crystal?



The use of clocks is so fun and I love this idea. Notice how they used wrist watches as napkin holders? I really can see myself doing something like this on a black table cloth!!! Love this idea!

Speaking of clocks…….


This person used clocks in silver, gold and creams and whites to add a whimsical touch to their silver and gold color scheme.

If you are clever and handy at baking these would be fun to try…….




Another clock!! This time it is the form of a plate!!





We usually stay home, and have a quiet evening for New Years, but however you decide to celebrate I hope it is  a happy and safe New Years for you all!!!!


“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Celebrating a New Year to live your life to the fullest!!

Kathysue

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Big Surprise!


Christmas is over, but not for me!!! I get to celebrate for another week. My son that lives far away was going to be here late Monday night, and I was so excited because I have not seen them for four months. I have never been away from them that long. You can imagine how much I  was missing all of them.

We had Christmas eve here with my family, and then we took my Mom home on Christmas day and went to my Hubby’s family home.

We were all just about ready to eat when I went from the kitchen to the family room, and there stood my two Grandson’s with Mom and Dad right behind them, they said, “Surprise!!” I can not tell you how surprised I was. To be honest it was beyond surprised. My oldest Grandson said I looked like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. You know the scene where he puts both hands on his cheeks in complete surprise.

I cried, my husband cried, we were beyond excited and surprised!! I had my whole family together, and we had a wonderful meal at my Husband's Mom and Dads home!!

So If you don’t mind I will be enjoying my prolonged Christmas with my family for this week. Today we are going to have a Cousin day!! My little granddaughter is coming over to spend time with her cousins!!

Life is good and this Grammy/Mom, is one happy lady!!

intermission 02

I will see you all next week!!

xo Kathysue