However, I wanted to do it with what I had on hand.

Then I rounded up condiments (NO KETCHUP!!!!!) and decided on good ole Mayo and Pesto.
Nike really does have the best tag line, "JUST DO IT"!
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We have a BAZILLION things going on in our lives, so let's have a fancy, romantic picnic in the backyard! WHY NOT?? That was the crazy idea that started to form in my crazy head on the way home from the grocery store. How quickly could I throw it together??? However, I wanted to do it with what I had on hand. I started by cleaning this sweet little bistro set, and then put it under the trees in our backyard. What a fun, sunny table (it will be in the store in a week or two). ![]() Then I went to the rose garden where only one rose bush was in bloom and stripped it of all the buds, fading blooms and perfect roses. Then I scalped my ferns in the garden. I trimmed them all in the kitchen, making a huge mess on the floor as I went, then stuck them in a glass ice bucket. Voila! Flower arrangement - DONE! I wanted to make fancy sandwiches with specialty breads, but since I wasn't ABOUT to go back to the store again, I worked with what I had; ordinary bread with the crusts cut off. Three pieces for nice, pretty layers! Then I rounded up condiments (NO KETCHUP!!!!!) and decided on good ole Mayo and Pesto. I layered salami, mozzarella and smoked turkey, then remembered that I had a jar of roasted red peppers, so I cut some of those up as well. Mmmmm! Spicy, tasty, and colorful. I stacked them up and sliced them with a serrated knife (if you look closely at the picnic pictures you'll see I didn't slice the sandwiches that day, but I should have). I grabbed a favorite pedestal plate (every pantry should have at least three) and piled it high with cherries and apricots. Any fresh fruit looks elegant and pretty pile high. I also got a box of herbed crackers, olives, wine, and a full ice bucket (everyone should have at least three of these buckets as well). Then I followed Clyde out to the garden. I use the term "garden" loosely as I'm a sporadic, inconsistent gardener at best. Here it is, all set up. It literally only took me 40 minutes to do it all! We sat out there for about two hours talking about our kids, the events of the previous week, upcoming schedules, our business and just nothing. The squirrels and Clyde entertained us as the sun set. Miraculously there were no bugs and the weather was PERFECT. THEN, it was time to clean up!!! Unbelievably, it only took us 14 minutes to clean up the kitchen (together).....hand-washing and drying the dishes and Everything. True story! I watched the clock. A perfect, quiet evening. Granted, we are empty nesters and it is much, MUCH easier to pull this off with just two of us, but it can be done! Maybe this will inspire you to move a meal outdoors or to a different room in your house. I hope this gets your wheel turning and you take a quiet moment with a friend, spouse, child, neighbor or parent! It really doesn't take much.
Nike really does have the best tag line, "JUST DO IT"!
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"I'm coming to visit!" Does hearing those words strike TERROR in your heart? Well, worry no more. I'll talk you through the preparation of having houseguests in your home so you and your guest(s) can truly ENJOY your time together. Where to start? My goal is always to have items in the room so my guests can function without leaving their room and hunting or having to ask for something. I want their room to be an oasis. Start by rounding up plenty of clean towels and washcloths. Fold and stack them neatly and in plain site. You can place them on a dresser, in a basket, crate, wire basket or a vintage suitcase. Go on, get creative! You can tuck in soaps, sponges and loofahs and lotions if you wish. Next, get your best sheet set, pillows, blankets and comforters. Make the bed neatly and add a tray at the foot of the bed if you wish. Coffee cups can be placed on this tray and then used at the coffee bar in the hall (a previous post). Tuck in a couple current magazines that your guest will enjoy Or you can put them in a magazine holder and place them by a comfy chair. Stack extra blankets nearby so your guests can keep warm if it gets chilly Provide a clock for your guests.....one that an alarm can be set on in case they are on a schedule. Provide a bedside light. This is obviously nice for bedside reading but also necessary for navigating an unfamiliar room during the night. Nothing like a broken toe to ruin a vacation! Put out some reading material; always a Bible and a couple magazines to flip through. Maybe a small selection of books if the stay is extended. A coffee table book of the area you live in may be of interest to your guest as well. Furnish a few basic toiletries. You know that sick feeling....crud!......forgot my toothpaste (hairbrush, hairspray etc). Have a small basket with toothbrushes, trial sizes of toothpaste, deodorant, hairspray. As simple or extravagant as you like. Your guests may get thirsty during the night, so set out bottles of water, sparkling water and pretty glasses on silver trays, in vintage cases, or just on a table or dresser. Add a couple of pretty glasses, so guests don't have to drink right out of the bottle. Arrange fresh flowers in a pretty vase. They are certainly a luxury when you have to buy them, but if they are right outside your door, take a moment to snip a handful of flowers. Fresh flowers will make your guest feel like royalty. Unless they are allergic; then they will make your guest feel snotty and wheezy. Pay attention if said guest comes to breakfast with puffy red eyes and is carrying wadded up tissues. If you like, you may set out a small dish of chocolates. Don't go crazy, it's just a thoughtful gesture to let your guests know you thought of them! Candles are a nice touch as well; if they choose, they can light it while they are relaxing. I'm a HUGE lover of candles, so I never skip this step! Just remember to have it in a container that it can burn itself out in (like a jar) Obviously you can customize this list to suit your home and your guests; women will appreciate different things than men so just personalize the room to suit your guest. Be sure to leave your guests some hangers and empty drawers so they can unpack for their stay. If you are lucky enough to own a vintage luggage rack NOW is the time to use it. Obviously, you can go CRAZY and provide Band-Aids, aspirin, scissors, notepads pens, and ANY item you'd need in ANY circumstance if you like. Keep in mind when you're going to all this work that you don't want the room to be too, TOO inviting. After all, you know the adage: guests are like fish, after three days they start to stink. Though I've never, NEVER found this to be true.
As I write this, I recall that some of the best overnight stays I've had, involved sleeping on a couch in the clothes I arrived in. It's really about the feeling of warmth and welcome and time spent with friends. So keep that in mind if you're stressing yourself out! Go ahead and be brave; invite guests to stay at your home! It's a bit of work, but you won't regret it. I think time has frozen in our neighborhood. People still walk their dogs, push baby strollers, ride bikes and they'll stop and talk to you as you're working in the yard. Well, truthfully I'm never working in the yard, but they stop to chat with my husband. It is EASILY the most friendly, active neighborhood either of us have ever lived in. We have shared many impromptu early Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts with our next-door neighbors (whomever extends the invitation, has to get the doughnuts). We always argue about who has the best doughnuts. We know everyone's animals by name and many have wandered through our house at some point...... They are all mystified and terrified by our 15 year old cat "Clyde". Clyde in return, despises all of them. We have enjoyed our neighbor-across-the -street's homemade wine (delicious) and my husband and he talk about radiators, slate roofs, drafty windows, their lawns and motorcycles. I have had morning coffee in my PJ's and slippers with the next-door-neighbor on our other side. Really. Like no make-up, bed hair and all. We shared many things and often prayed for one another. We may have been a mess, but I always served her in pretty cups. Sadly, she has moved and I truly miss our morning chats, but the new neighbors are going to be good friends too. I know this because he brought a beer over to my hubby when he was out mowing. Though my husband is not a beer drinker, he drank every drop. Also, last Saturday during our garage sale the neighbor yelled out this veranda window that he wanted to buy a bed we had for sale. "JUST PUT A SOLD SIGN ON IT!!!" We have been to traveling Christmas parties, where you are only at each house for 1 hour, then someone blows a whistle and you walk to the next house. Five homes in one night, and then we walk home. Now THAT is a fun night! We have been to silly dress-up parties. These two (not a couple) won best costume. I let her borrow one of my candy cigarettes! We have an open invitation for another neighbor's beautiful pool. Yeah. We hope they never move! We have had backyard parties to welcome new babies. While we love, love, LOVE the neighborhood, it's not perfect. Nothing here on earth ever is you know. One neighbor doesn't care for my '54 GMC truck or the tire-squealing, stalling, windows down laughing driving tutorials my husband gives me. I don't know WHY! I've heard that someone doesn't like that I painted my (see definition for MY) library green. Bright green. I love it! My house, my choice! Reaching out to neighbors and putting yourself "out there" is a risk, but we have found the great gift of friendship in taking that leap of faith! All in all, the good EASLIY outweighs the bad, and we always tell people that are house hunting about our neighborhood. In fact, if you are looking, there are several available and we would love to have you as neighbors! If your neighborhood isn't social, be the first to invite someone over. Step outside and say hi to your neighbor. Offer a cold drink to a neighbor working outside. Offer to share your dinner with neighbors just moving in. No one will care what you serve, they will just appreciate the gesture!
Like the words from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood song, "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" You won't know unless you go find out. Decanters are the top-selling item I carry at Faded Velvet. I think it's because no matter what your personal style is, decanters will work in any home. Before they make it into the store though, there is work to be done. Follow me as I prep them for my home and the store! First off, they get a bath in just plain HOT, soapy water. I use a bottle brush to scrub the insides and outsides. Then I use good old-fashioned Windex to remove any stickers, labels or goo. (after years of cleaning glass items, this is still my all-time favorite). Again they get another dip in hot water and upside down they go to dry.Now they are ready to hold all our boring, everyday items in style. See if you recognize what everyday item is in each bottle.. I also use tiny apothecary jars to hold tiny beads and buttons in my craft room. Also after any beach vacation, I put our collected sand and beach glass in bottles and label them with the name of the beach it came from. Then I group them in sweet vignettes throughout out home. Apothecary jars and decanters can be used as vases.... or for their original intended use! Gone are the days I used Tupperware canisters! Now I only use vintage apothecary jars with the ground glass lids. Truly there is no wrong way to use these beautifully shaped glass containers. I use them in almost every room in my home. You're really only limited by your imagination.
Have fun and share your ideas and pictures! I always love to see your great concepts. |
Author: DonnaWife, mother, decorator, shop owner, avid collector of beautiful, old, imperfect things. Archives
October 2015
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