Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Last night I welcomed our book club to my home for the December Meeting.

What a delightful dinner! Let's start with the menu!

We started off with cocktails by the fire, here is a photo of the mantle.

We also enjoyed the appetizers in the living room, I especially liked the grape pops. They are made by taking a large grape and covering it in goat cheese, then rolling it in crushed Pistachios. So good!

We used a frog for flowers to hold them.

The parmesan Cornets were equally fabulous. Did I mention that my daughter, who is a caterer, made the meal?

www.aimeegracecatering.com

Everyone headed for the table, finding their place by the book mark on their plate

After serving the salad course we went around the table and each person explained why they chose the book the did as their favorite. It was such an interesting discussion, hearing about the different stages in life each woman had read the book they chose.

We served the Beef Wellington and vegetable bundles, then talked about the book for that month, The Marriage Plot. Lots of different opinions and viewpoints.

Julienned carrots, parsnips and leeks, tied with a scallion, covered with a butter and garlic sauce. Scrumptious!

By this time the wine was flowing, as was the conversation!

I am sorry to say at this point the camera was laid aside because we were just having too much fun!

The evening ended back in the living room with after dinner drinks. I just love women friends, they are the best!

The last of the roses, nothing to do with book club, but I love them!

Thanks for stopping by.....

Dinner and a Book... with friends

I belong to a wonderful book club that is filled with friends and family. We meet once a month and take turns hosting and choosing the book. I was lucky enough to get the month of December and I had so much fun decorating and planning the meal. My wonderful daughter, who is a caterer, gave me much needed help. I want to share my dining table and ideas with you!

I asked each person to send me the title of their favorite book. Then I went to the local used book store and found old books that I could spray paint and add sparkle to. I printed off the cover to the book each person chose in Sepia and glued the picture on the cover of the old books.

I then used the books as both a centerpiece and a little gift for each person to take home as a remembrance from our dinner.

Next I made each person a bookmark selecting a quote from the book of their choice. To find their seat at the table, each person has to figure out which quote came from the book they chose.

 Pride and Prejudice

The Thorn Birds

The Kite Runner

To add some color to my dining chairs, I copied a picture I found on Pinterest. I really like how these look!

Here is a photo of the whole room

Tomorrow I'll take photos of the dinner and share the delicious menu with you!

Holly and Boughs on a Dress Form

My girlfriend has a shop in the delightful store called Ruffles and Rust in Snohomish. The store closed down for three days to spruce it up for the Holiday Season. Everyone worked so hard and it was beautiful. I was asked to design an area in the back of the store and I am posting some photos from that design.

Anyone can do this if they own a dress form. I put twine around the waist and worked cedar boughs under the twine until she had a full skirt. Then I wound red ribbon around her waist to form a cummerbund. Finally I stuck sprigs of holly in the ribbon. I think she is just beautiful!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Decorating the house for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do. Every year I use some of the same traditional arrangements that I cherish, and add new ideas to keep things fresh. because of all the different styles you can use, the possibilities are endless. What is your favorite vignette that you have used over the years?

In the entry foyer I decorated in a Dr. Seuss style. I was inspired by a hat I saw at Ben Franklin. My stone statues are wearing one, as well as the tree!

I got these amazing reindeer at Ruffles and Rust. They are so whimsical.

The picture behind the buffet contains one of my all time favorite presents. My daughter embroidered 12 panels with  a  hand drawn picture depicting the different traditions we love in our family.
It is beyond amazing!

Let me introduce myself...

I love everything about homes, gardens, holidays, family and anything else that lends itself to creativity. I wake up in the morning full of ideas! Hence, the subtitle to my Blog title.

I have been inspired by all the incredible Blogs I have looked at, they are amazing. I thought I would share my ideas, thoughts, designs and just whatever is on my mind any given day.


So, here we go....

Just a peak at our new home....

We moved into our new home last December and this is the first room I completed. (Well, is anything in design and decorating really ever finished!) I love a bedroom that envelopes you, it is a haven of peace and serenity. I look forward to climbing into my luxurious bed every night!
The wall color is Benjamin Moore's Quiet Moments.
The trim is Benjamin Moore's Cloud White.


I covered all the upholstered furniture in a little french fabric from JoAnn Fabrics, even the panels on the armoire. I'll post the name as soon as I find it.

I bought this wonderful desk/vanity at Ruffles and Rust in Snohomish. 

The bench is vintage French, I recovered it myself, saving the braided trim and reusing it
The bedspread is from Horchow

The print above the bed is from Faded Elegance, a fabulous shop on First Street in Snohomish.
The nightstands are from Pottery Barn, lamps from Restoration Hardware.

The drapes are a custom shade ordered from The Drape Palace, online.

This is a vintage piece from Italy, circa 1940's. I found it on Craigslist and it was only 20 miles away at Tuxedo Junction in Duvall. The chandelier is from Pottery barn.

Urns and porches and lights, oh my!

We are lucky enough to live on a farm with access to Fir, Holly, Cedar and Hemlock. 

 I really like to use natural materials, as well as seasonal produce for decorating. It just feels right!

I love to fill my pots with greens and holly at Christmas. They look so festive and add life to an urn that has seen better days!

Santa Claus is coming to town....

                My nieces, Erin and Savannah, did an amazing job bringing Christmas to Snohomish!

I love living in a small town. There is nothing else like it. You know the people who run the shops, the person who delivers your mail, you can get a coffee at your hometown bakery or coffeeshop and know 3/4 of the people there. The farmer's market is filled with local folks. This year my nieces were in charge of the Christmas Festivities for Snohomish and asked if we would lend our red Mercedes convertible to bring Santa to first street and the Tree Lighting. It was so much fun!

Oh Christmas Tree

One of our family's favorite traditions is Tree Day. The Friday after Thanksgiving we all go to our favorite tree farm, Reade's. We started many years ago and keep adding to our group. This year it was proceeded by a lovely brunch at our daughter and son-in-law's house. I hope all of you have special meaning attached to getting your tree each year!

Reade Christmas Tree Ranch: 7724 171st Ave. SE, Snohomish; 360-862-8778. Open 10 a.m. to dusk Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturdays and Sundays now until sold out. 15 percent discount on trees for seniors, Tuesdays through Fridays only. From U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Monroe, go east on Westwick Road for 2 miles, then go north on 171st Avenue SE for 1 mile. Follow signs, turn under Bonneville power lines. Noble, Douglas, grand and Nordmann firs, spruce. 

Some beautiful trees...