Kay Ellen

Blooming Blessings

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!! I am enjoying some quite time this morning in the garden and feeling very blessed. 

Everything has been washed and put away from our Thanksgiving celebration.

I did decide to leave some pumpkins and floral decorations up until we take our son back to the airport.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Guess what??

I am attending my 30 year high school class reunion tonight! I can't wait to see everyone!    

Still shopping for a new outfit...Why did I wait until the last minute?

Maybe I will find something on Sale! OK off to shop!

Take Care ...

See you next week!

:KayEllen

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Friends!

I hope you all have a blessed holiday with your family and dear friends.

A few more ideas to share with you...

Burlap is a great idea for a tablecloth...a very natural look.  I also like the contrast of formal china and sparkling gold silverware against the texture of the burlap.Don't you?!

Add some mood lighting to your table setting...I found these adorable bird candles at World Market.

I enjoy adding  colored glass on the table. The reflection is great against the bird votive.

The Turkeys have arrived!!

My mom started this tradition when my sister and I were young...

I bought all the ingredients at Wal-Mart.

Colorful toothpicks
Spiced Gum Drops
Sugar sliced Oranges
Whole Cloves
Marshmallows
Apples

Sorry I am late sharing this...but if you are still headed to the store it is a fun project to keep the kids busy while you are cooking!

Do you have any pumpkins leftover from Halloween? They can make a great center piece for your table.

No weighing in on the holiday right? lol

My son has arrived! As you can see we are loving every minute of him being home =)

A non stop long weekend!

Trying to clean before company arrives and look who want's in again? Napoleon and Gracie...They are so funny!

When things get stressful this week remember my silly turkeys... they should make you laugh...OK? 

Praying that you will all have a blessed and thankful holiday...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To see more Thanksgiving ideas from creative friends... just click here

:KayEllen

 

Let's set the Table...

Thanksgiving is approaching quickly friends! I thought you would enjoy seeing some ideas for setting the table.

The leaves are starting to change in Southern California.
One the easiest ways to add fall colors to your table is to go outside and cut some branches that have beautiful warm colors.

Weave the twigs and branches around your table and each place setting.

Add some small bud vases with twigs on your table. I tied a simple ribbon on this bottle and added an old key that belonged to my Grandma's china buffet and a vintage earring for a color.

Pretty detailed luncheon plates sit on top of my everyday dishes for a Fall look. Fresh greenery swagged on the plate for a touch of nature.

Lace ribbons added for a creamy contrast to my new Thanksgiving tablecloth I made!

Don't be stressed if you don't have a full set of dishes...

Mix and layer your dishes. I also enjoy mixing and not matching silverware and glassware. Your tablecloth, leaves, ribbons and little vases can tie your table decor together.    

I folded this cloth napkin into a square and then rolled it up like a burrito. I tied raffia around and added some recycled ribbon for a napkin ring.  The last touch on the bow is a clip-on earring. I like how it  resembles a flower.

Store bought table clothes can be light weight and sometimes flimsy...I wanted something different and to show my blogging friends another idea for a Thanksgiving table.  A warm gold chenille fabric that adds a rich Fall look.  This fabric is a 54" wide. You can find this kind of fabric in the upholstery and drapery section. Measure your tables length to decide how many yards you will need and add 12-16'' for a drop at each end of your table.
I purchased 3 yards for my table.

I am ready to tape my tablecloth... instead of hemming. Quick and easy! 

I am rolling out the tape...and taping my edge down with Sealah 1/2" width...no sew double sided adhesive. When I finish rolling the tape on to the fabric, I will press down on the tape to secure the adhesive to the fabric.

Now that the tape is secure I am peeling back the paper to remove it.

Next I fold the fabric over and press down on the hem.

OK, I have finished the hemming! My tablecloth will be washable after twenty four hours! You can iron the adhesive down but you don't have to...So fast and no sewing machine required!

My parents adhesive is wonderful and very easy to use! The thinnest and strongest on the market.
No yellowing, no toxic smell, drys clear, does not soak in the fabric. Great for quick fixes and creative projects. Just click here if you would like to order a roll to try!

Have fun creating your holiday table! Be creative! Try something different this year.

The best advise I can give you for decorating your table is gather everything you need to set up your table two days before your event.... and try to finish decorating the table the day before your feast!

I will show a few more ideas before the big day!

Enjoy your weekend friends! My son is coming home Sunday from college! I can hardly wait!!!

Fall Touches and Memories

Hi Friends,
I am savoring each day of November. Memories start coming to mind as I add a few Fall touches...

My sweet friend Lisa gave me these beautiful flowers...perfect for Fall! Thank you Lisa:)

When November arrives my favorite teapot comes out of the cupboard to be enjoyed by all that visit. I think back and recall past holidays sipping tea with my sister at Grandma Ruth's house. We would help her with a few tasks and then watch her make incredible pies and work for hours getting ready for our holiday feast.

My Grandpa Dean was always reading as we entered his home...Now I have a collection of his old books close by filled with poetry and plays ready to re-read and enjoy.

Just by adding some fresh cut flowers and moving a few seasonal accessories around you can change the mood in a room. I usually change out my entry table, and coffee table to start ...both tables are a focal point when you enter my home.

Keep it simple. Just set out a few accessories that are meaningful to you and your family. Photos of past  holidays to reminisce and talk about. Homemade treasures that your children or grand children have made. I know I enjoy setting out the painted ceramic Turkeys my kids made years ago. It also reminds me that they were toddlers once upon a time... 

Something new I am doing this year is making a journal of blessings. I will have friends and family that stop by for a visit write down something they are thankful for or a prayer request and put a picture of them next to what they write. My hope is that this journal will last a few years so we can look back and see what prayers had been answered and how thankful hearts were blessed.

Another busy week for me and my birthday is here... again? How did that happen?!

Have a thankful week friends,

:KayEllen

More to do...

I have a few more pictures to share with you all! This is a large design project I am working on here in the city of Riverside.

The granite has arrived!

A long day... but very exciting progress was made.

We have special mood lighting completed and hidden in the crown molding above the first set of windows...and the kitchen nook ceiling fan has been installed!

Another light installed reflecting into a mirror...in the back ground you can see a few freshly painted  french doors.

A complete change in the entryway. A new front-door in a rich cherry finish with leaded glass sidelights and two Italian glass sconces accenting the foyer walls.

This home is also getting makeovers in each bathroom. This week I am selecting a back splash for each vanity. I will add a braid or rope at the top of the back splash for a nice finished detail edge. 

Another back splash idea for the master bathroom. Oil rubbed bronze faucets arrived and are being installed...Yeah!

Here is the sample of slate I am ordering for the family room fireplace. I can't wait to see it completed. Each rock has a rich depth of color and texture.

More to do...but I knew you would enjoy another peek!!

Back to work:)

:KayEllen

Restful Weekend

A restful and memorable weekend. 

My husband and I were both sick during the couples conference but we are glad we didn't stay home.  Awesome teaching and fellowship with our church family.

Sipping my favorite coffee, spending time reading my bible and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Newport Beach.

The weather was perfect. Cool and crisp and the sun was shining. It meant so much to me to spend time away with my Husband.  

I wanted to stop and smell the flowers but my nose was pretty stuffed up. I am glad I brought my camera along to capture some of the sights of the weekend.

This chair looked like a nice place to stop and relax...

or this charming bench surrounded by brick.

I love fall blooms, they seem more vibrant at the beach. I think the ocean air helps to keep them healthy and vibrant. Maybe the ocean air will help with my husband and my sickness too!

We had a wonderful lunch on Balboa Island at Amelia's. A quaint bistro with Italian roots.

We went for a short stroll after lunch. I enjoy looking at charming and cozy homes for inspiration.  This one caught my eye....A stone cottage on Balboa Island! Burning oil lamps and a gorgeous weathered wood front door with iron detail!! Oh my goodness.... so much charm just in the front! I would have loved to peek inside!

Here's my husband patiently waiting for me as I take a few more photos...

Back at the hotel enjoying the view from our balcony.

I took a nap and woke up just in time to watch the sunset. What a beautiful sight to see. 

Thankful for the time away, still resting and taking antibiotics to get better.

Feeling blessed...

Thank you for stopping by,

:KayEllen

Pretty Petals and a Winner

Pretty Petals...

It is time to pick a winner!!!

I put all the names in this old coffee pot I rescued from the trash!

Here we go... I picked one!

Drum Roll Please...

Beverly!!

Oh how fun!!! Congratulations! My Pink inspiring friend!

Just email me with your address and I will send out the Starbucks gift card and Silver Spoons.

Yippee!

I am off for some much needed R&R with my husband. We are attending a Couples Conference with our church family.

We are both fighting colds...Pray we get over this yucky stuff quick!

See you in a few days!

:KayEllen   

Out of the Blue

Feeling a little blue today... I was looking at this picture and missing my son with his curly hair, blue eyes and sweet smile.

The oldest leaving the nest has been a big adjustment for me. I think about him all the time, pray for him daily and hope he is doing well in college.

The first few weeks away I felt like he was on vacation... but as time marched on I realized this was going to be a new chapter for our entire family.

I was thankful to see him two months ago for my father in laws memorial service... but of course it was a very brief visit and seemed we were just starting to enjoy his presence at home and it was time to leave again.

The count down has begun on my November calendar. He will be home in twenty days for Thanksgiving!

I share this with you today to remind you all to hug your kids tighter and make each day count. Because out of the blue it will be time for your kids to go too!

Fall blessing to you all and thank you for stopping by,

:Kay Ellen

BTW: I will post the winner of the Fall inspired giveaway this weekend!