Holiday Break..

I lolly gagged my way home today... stopping at the Target for some candy (now is the time to get the bulk business.) Gazed slightly at the Christmas decor starting to arrive.I have to pace myself at the Target, as I will not be paying the $100 cover charge for a while. And when I arrived home I knew I would be receiving the usual Wednesday market coupons and standard mailbox fillers, but my excitement level raised about 50 notches... The Crate and Barrel holiday catalog was here! I tried to do a little meditation to de-stress about the chaotic house appraisal situation (yes I am finally buying that house I blogged about, well A house...) but my little eye kept peering open at the catalog sent from heaven. I just HAD to look at it so I could move on with my night, and my life! I know I know, it isn't even Halloween, but I think about Christmas all year 'round. I save little things that might go well in my Christmas cards, or collect things from antique stores. And my future Mother in Law loves Christmas as much as I do. I have already received some of her Christmas swizzle sticks (in August)! Oh this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

So Crate and Barrel, what have we to share with Emily's Christmas Spirit?

Yes, you are the holiday of my dreams! And how fortunate that my new home has a fireplace, and I will be moving in shortly before the holidays. Oh how my heart longs for this day!

If you know me at all, and perhaps this is a good time to say, I ADORE paisley, and this little (or large) gem is my two favorite things tied into one. *nearly shouting* Paisley and Christmas! Now if only there were a little piece of chocolate decadence on it I would be in REALLY good shape... ooohhh cheese would work too.

Oh, hello adorable matching piece of heaven.

Oh, the three together? I think so!!!

Why not do something like this for place settings or something???

 I figure, if there are holidays, there is a need for a holiday party. Now I just need to make some friends here and we will be on our way to this holiday soiree!
Ohhhh I am in Holiday Heaven!!! If anyone knows how I can move into Santa's workshop, please let me know. And now to start the Christmas music on my Pandora Radio!!!

Remembering why...

About a year ago I read an infamous book, Skinny Bitch. I knew if I read it what the outcome would be. There wasn't a doubt in my mind. I put it off for quite some time and then finally I was ready as I had been flirting with the idea of vegetarianism for years. I read the book and was absolutely disgusted with the crap I had been putting into my body for 24+ years, not to mention the slaughtering of animals. When I finished the book I was vegan. I looked up delicious recipes and made them for my Mustang Man. He was a sport, and was "supportive."  (I am selectively forgetting the comment he made when I initially told him.) Well, for 2 months I was strong as a vegan and for 8 months I was strong as a vegetarian (cheese is a vice of mine and I can't give it up. It is my own personal heroin). And now, I am ashamed to say that I have been eating meat again. Not every meal, and not normally as the main ingredient. But none-the-less, my stomach has been attempting to digest the hormones, antibiotics, and adrenaline filled flesh.

But today a conversation I had was like a slap in the face. My co-workers and I were talking about the choice of being a vegetarian and why we had or hadn't made the choice. In voicing my reasoning I was once again shocked by the crap I had been putting into my body, again.
While we were having this conversation I was also perusing through WholeLiving (a Martha Stewart publication) and realized I need to get back on track. Health is something that is very important to me, so why poison myself, my loved ones and my surroundings?
Today starts a new day, and what better day than Monday?

I need a mr. h

Cork It

I need a project for my corks... I save them because I know that I will have use for them one day... these are some of my ideas:

• A cork board wall at my future home
• Escort Card Holders at the wedding
• A necklace
• Christmas Ornaments
• Garland

Any ideas???

Saint Peter... Callesen

My brother sent me an email with the following.
No words... just check it out. Here

A Wedding that Wowed

We returned from Idaho just yesterday and thirteen (13) hours in the car is far too much for one day! But, the long drives were well worth it! My sister is married and the wedding was perfect (minus the outbreak of bugs). We had so many people help us with everything that there wasn't a bump in the road at all! I can't wait to see the photos from her photographer Ross Knight (see his blog here) Ross was everywhere, but not distracting at the same time. I was very impressed with him.
At the wedding I really saw what it meant to have family. Family came from everywhere to be with my Darling sister and her husband on their special day. They even had a friend fly in from Germany. The families helped out a lot and it couldn't have been so great without their help.

Here are the favors, a DIY of course!

Yes, finally the pomanders that I spent hours and hours making finally see the stage!

Tree streamers

From a distance...

The cutest table numbers ever made!!! (A DIY)

Family helping decorate the Country Club

Taking a break for a smile

Signature Cocktail sign (A DIY)

Seating Sign

Family doing last minute touches to the favors

I wish I would have taken pictures of the center pieces we made. They ended up being SO awesome! The whole night was awesome. The DJ was great too! I would say the biggest success was everyone danced! Stay tuned for pro pictures hopefully!

Labor of love...

It is Labor Day and what a day it has been... I woke up at 8:00 am and finished my Facebook snooping for the day by 9 am. I rolled out of bed and headed down for a breakfast bite. On my trek down the stairs I regretted not getting fresh berries at Trader Joe's yesterday along with the rest of my weekend scores.I open the fridge and there is my old friend in it's plastic container... sliced mango. I haven't had sliced mango since I was a single lass living on my own. Anywho, I chopped up a few pieces up and threw them in some TOO sweet vanilla yogurt. Then I finished my book "Water for Elephants." Quite an adventurous tale! I had a quick nap. Quite a busy day. But this isn't about today, no, this is about yesterday.

On my way home from my darling sister's house in the AM I drove past Trader Joe's and there was a bright blue sign advertising 5 Gladiola stems for $1.99. I don't know what those are... but I probably need them, I thought to myself. Later in the day I had to go to the Target to get Chicken some litter. This is the first time I have gone in to the Target unsupervised in over a year. I should know better... I ALMOST walked directly to the kitty litter like a good girl should... but then something came over me and I veered to the left. I completely avoided the women's section. Phew! In to the men's department... got the Mustang Man some skivvies. Somehow I ended up in the shoe section... and the rest of the trip was a blur. But I did score these sweet boots!

I had to get to Trader Joe's! At this point I was sure they were out of these so called flowers. It was such a deal! Me and Vanda squeal into the parking lot. (Vanda is my car's name). I fly inside looking for this deal. Voila! There is a lady taking her time, picking and choosing... by this point I am in full shopping mode, I linger in the produce section waiting for this inconvenient lady to quit blocking the flower special. This is when I found the sliced mango. She finally looks like she is moving so I close in. I get four bundles of them! When my Darling Sister comes over I will give her these because they are her wedding colors, and just yesterday she told me she loved these flowers, what luck this is what they are, and they are on sale! I got harvest colors for myself and purple and white for her.

I didn't intend on them staying in that hurricane, just a holding spot... but I think they look lovely in there anyhow.

I know it is early for pumpkin place-mats, but when there are no actual seasons, there are no rules. (New law declared by me.) The stems are so tall... a little too tall for this vase, but I am the only one sitting at the table this week, I can manage.

I think they are just lovely.

This doesn't succ...

My sister's succulents arrived for the centerpieces last week. My parents home has been a frenzy of activity since their arrival.

Here is my handsome father and head ranch man at DHR opening the packages. Please notice the opened pouch on his belt. That holsters his Gerber, which he is never seen without. I think he even ties it on his pajama pants some how. It is a multi-tool, a modern day Swiss Army Knife (although I can't say for certain if there is a tooth pick). Anyhow, there have been many a Christmas morn where this little gadget has come in handy, and for cutting streamers too. Here you see him opening the box and package with it. His trusty Gerber.

They are just beautiful! And thank goodness The Parents live on a ranch big enough to house these guys. My Darling Sister's sweet mother has been tending to them daily and wheeling them around in a little wagon to ensure they get the proper amount of sunlight and love. (If it was a Radio Flyer wagon we would really be concerned).

Please stay tuned for more succulent news and the final product at the wedding!