A Wreath Making Party

For the past several years, I have been aware of a local tree farm conducting wreath making classes. It is a lot like a "Paint and Sip" night, I guess, except that you pay to decorate a holiday wreath and BYOB. But sadly, every year they sold out almost immediately. This year I was balking about missing out again to a friend on the phone who promptly suggested that I just throw my own event... What a great idea! So that is exactly what I did!

I sent out the invites to some girlfriends and my mom and aunt and a party was planned. I provided the supplies then had guest BYOB and bring an appetizer to share to keep the costs down. It was a fun and creative night!

To maximize space, I drug a long buffet table up from the basement which I sat up in the middle of the living room and split some into the dining room. I sat up boxes of supplies on end tables and in the middle of the tables. Guests mingled and shared the supplies they had near them with others.

Dante wasn't too sure what was going on with all these women all over the house.... but he patiently waited for every crumb that dropped on a chair near where the appetizers were set up.

The night was a huge success resulting in good conversation and some wonderful creations!

A Simple Thanksgiving

Every other year, it is not my turn to host a single holiday meal all season.... and to be honest I love the reprieve! So this year Thanksgiving was hosted by my Grandma and I had no work to do except to bring the cranberry sauce. So since I didn't have the huge family meal this year, I still thought it would be nice to set the table like it was Thanksgiving for the following Sunday's pasta meal.

The cornucopia was a fabulous find a few years back at a furniture store going out of business that I filled with picks from Hobby Lobby and a few real small white gourd-type pumpkins gotten back in the fall. Then I pulled out the antique gold edge white set of fire king given to me by a cousin and used them over a gold charger. It is hard to tell but the bread plate placed on top of last year's leftover Spode napkins is an antique yellow depression glass plate also given to me by the same cousin. Then I used my crystal gold edged glassware for drinks. Despite not truly being the "holiday" meal, I think it gave a Thanksgiving feel carried through the whole weekend.

My cranberries taken to dinner were a big hit and always are. The recipe came from Southern Living a few years back but I made a few adjustments.

My Cranberry Recipe

25-30 minutes, can be prepped ahead

1 bag fresh cranberries (about 12-14 oz)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup orange juice (without pulp)

2 small peeled Bartlett pears

1 cup fresh chopped pinapple

1/4 cup thinly sliced celery

1 bag candied pecans

In a large saucepan, bring orange juice and brown sugar to a boil, adding in cranberries at about half boil stirring often. Continue until you start hearing the cranberries pop, then reduce heat to simmer and allow ingredients to thicken. Simmer about 10-12 minutes before removing from heat and stirring in the pears, pineapple, celery, and pecans. Once combined, can be moved to a serving bowl while still hot. If prepping ahead, let cool before refrigerating. The original recipe also called for it to be served shilled but I think it tasted better slightly warm. Recipe will keep up to 3 days ahead though.

 

Christmas on the Farm

Well the second weekend of November brought the first snow to Northeast Ohio and a cold weekend, so what better time to kick off the Christmas season? And it just so happened that it was the same weekend of an event nearby called Christmas on the Farm. The event was held across the state line in Enon Valley, PA at the Highland Meadows Horse farm and vendor sat up in old horse stables.

While it was a cute idea to set up the food vendors outside by the silo, everyone apparently agreed it was far to cold to sit out there even with the delicious hot cocoa.

Of course, I did get to see Santa though. I think my sherpa made me look like I had ate as many cookies as he did though... lol.

I think the horses on the farm were wondering what all the traffic on
 the farm was that day but it was still a cute event and I event got a few gifts already!

What great Christmas kick off events have you visited so far? Comment below....

Dancing in the Rain!

I have always loved a good rain.... can't explain why... especially a summer storm....

Don't get me wrong, there are definitely times here in NE Ohio where it literally rains for days and it gets old and depressing... but I think it's because it reminds me of life in a way....

Life can sometimes pour on you.... but that pouring normally washes things away and eventually the rain stops and life is fresh and new again....

This past weekend I visited a cabin on a rainy afternoon but eventually that heavy rain ended and became a small drizzle, so I was still able to enjoy some of what was left of fall....I even jumped in a few puddles!

Rain Coat by JG Hook, Classic Levi's Jeans, Sweater- old, Sperry Saltwater Duck boots

Farewell Fall!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner it feels sadly like fall is coming to a quick end. I feel I haven't fully been able to enjoy all the season has had to offer. It rained so much here in NE Ohio too that I was beginning to feel like I somehow moved to Seattle....

This afternoon I spent some time outdoors trying to take in the final fall foliage before the leaves all tumbled to the ground though. Dante had a good time outside with me as well...

I am going to miss the warmer days, the beautiful colors in nature, and the pumpkin spice.... What are you going to miss, comment below?

Boots by Ariat Fatbaby Barn Boots, Jeans by Old Navy, Top from Maurices.