Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Savvy Entertaining’

Memory Lane

Posted in Family, Musings, tagged , , , , on September 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »

If you ask me why, I couldn’t give you any good reason I’m feeling particularly nostalgic today.

But I am.

And then I ran across this photo and it made it worse.

My brother Kim is dressed up and ready to go somewhere (if  I have my facts straight, it was his high school graduation.) My brother Doug got stuck holding me and my sister Shelley looks happy for whatever adventure lies ahead.

I love this photo for a variety of reasons.

• It is one of the few photos in existence that shows me with my three siblings. Doug married a year later and started his own family.

• I was cute then (I outgrew that stage pretty quickly).

• My two brothers aren’t paying any attention to the camera because they are both looking at me like I might spontaneously combust at any given moment.

• My sister and I are both looking at someone. That someone probably being my mom who was obviously doing a good job of making me smile.

• When I tell people I was an accidental afterthought to my parents’ first three kids, this clearly illustrates my point. Not everyone brings home a newborn when you already have three kids  who are 19. 17 and 14.

• You have to love the 1970s processing that makes Doug and Kim look like Oompa Loompas while Shelley looks ghost-like.

Sometimes, taking a little walk down memory lane is a good thing.

She Who Loves Old Family Photos

Read Full Post »

Fall Scents

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Home and Garden, Home Decor, tagged , , , on September 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Now that I’ve accepted the fact that fall is knocking at my door, I’m getting ready to invite him inside.

One way to make your home cozy and autumnesque is by using the scents of fall.

Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and spice lead our noses down a merry leaf-filled path while our heads follow along.

Some of my favorite scents are:

Salty Caramel from Bath & Body Works

Creamy Pumpkin from Bath & Body Works

Cinnamon and Clove Buds from Bath and Body Works

Autumn Wreath by Yankee Candle

Be Thankful by Yankee Candle


Spiced Pumpkin by Yankee Candle

Find your signature fragrance and enjoy the scents of fall!

She Who Needs To Go Light A Candle

Read Full Post »

Autumn Treasures Party Theme

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Party Theme, tagged , , , on September 20, 2011| 2 Comments »

With a chill in the air and the first official day of fall this week, I may have to admit defeat and accept the fact that autumn is about to arrive.

Instead of stomping my feet and having a full-fledged hissy fit that summer has once again flown away before I had a chance to fully enjoy it, I have decided to instead embrace the autumn season.

One fun way to do that is with an Autumn-themed party.

Send out invitations shaped live fall leaves or use stationery with a pumpkin or apple theme.

Bring the colors of the season into your home using shades of crimson red, burgundy, sage and earthy greens, golden yellow,  and deep orange. Use accent pillows or throws to really create that warm and cozy atmosphere we associate with fall.

Decoration for your party can be something as simple as a few potted mums, bundles of wheat tied with raffia bows or a pile of mini pumpkins and squash. You don’t have to get carried away with something fancy. You could even do bowls of polished apples or carve out the centers of apples and use as holders for candles.

Your meal can be simple as well. Make a pork roast with carrots and potatoes, pan-fry some squash and finish the evening with apple pie.

If you want the party to be a more hands-on experience, do a fun activity before the meal like apple picking or visiting a pumpkin patch. Make your guests earn their dinner by hosting a leaf-raking party (make sure you supply plenty of garbage bags to collect the leaves and gloves). Give the person who rakes the most leaves a nice prize.

Or host an autumn bonfire. Serve up hot dogs, potato wedges and mulled cider.

However you decide to entertain this fall, just remember to enjoy the experience and not get too wrapped up in the details.

She Who Really Needs to Plan an Autumn Party

 

Read Full Post »

Respect

Posted in Musings, tagged , on September 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I attended a funeral Saturday that was heart-wrenching and emotional. One that makes you want to run home and gather your loved ones close and never let go.

There were, what I would guess to be, several hundred people in attendance. Most behaved as you would expect people to behave when at a funeral – somber, quiet, respectful. Then there were a few that really had me shaking my head.

I realize society’s rules on what is acceptable funeral (and wedding) attire has relaxed greatly, but I think there is a point where a line should be drawn.

There is nothing respectful in showing up to a funeral service in filthy jeans and slippers or flip flops and shorts. And some might be quick to assume these were young people.  Some yes, but not all of the offenders.

What happened to the days where people literally put on their “Sunday best” when attending functions such as weddings or funerals? Quiet honestly, I miss it. That laid-back anything-goes attitude just doesn’t always fly. Sometimes it goes over as well as a lead balloon.

The other thing I noticed that was completely lacking in respect was the behavior of drivers as the long line of cars snaked their way across town to the cemetery for graveside services. Most cars coming toward us pulled over and respectfully waited for the funeral procession to pass. Then there were  those who ignored what was going on, zipping past the multitude of cars pulled over on the side of the road. The offenders were all ages, so blame can’t be put on any one age group for not knowing better. I think it was more of a problem of people being so wrapped up in themselves, they pay no attention to anything else going on around them, or they don’t really care.

If you are one of the few who show respect in social settings, my hat is off to you. I sincerely hope dressing, acting, talking and being respectful isn’t something that will entirely disappear. Maybe if  few more people set a good example, others will follow.

She Who Cheers on the  Respectful

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »