Thanks “Living”: A Reminder

Thanks “Living”.  It just sounds good.   A couple years ago in one of my very early posts I challenged everyone to LIVE with an attitude of THANKS every day of the year.

For this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday which is marked by the tradition of giving thanks for the many blessings we have received I am reminding my family of not only giving thanks on this special occasion but LIVING a THANKFUL life everyday.

Tah-dah.  My theme for the season and the sideboard in the breakfast nook:

I gathered my French zinc pitcher and vintage pewter vase and filled them with dried hydrangeas from my garden.

I found the little rustic riser at an antique shop a long time ago and it comes in handy in lots of places.  I used it here to elevate a set of birch-bark covered votives.

I was still playing around with one of my white pumpkins that I’ve had for years and tried it here, too.  I think I might like the pumpkin better in this vignette.

 

 

Here’s a sneak peek at my dining room décor for Thanksgiving.  I’ll show you the rest later.

Thanks “Living”…the practice of putting the spirit of thankfulness into our everyday lives.

Blessings,

Kim

A Passing and A Blessing

I lost a dear Grandmother this week.  I no longer have any grandparents living now.  It certainly is a reminder of the passage of time and how fleeting a lifetime really is.

The Blessing?

She was 95 years old.  What a lucky granddaughter I am to have had TWO grandmothers live to be 95!  Now that’s great genes.

She was a church pianist for many years and so I am. Maybe this is where I got my musical talent.  She also made the best homemade apple pies and chicken and dumplings ever!

She will be missed here, but there’s no better place to spend the holidays than with the heavenly Father.

In case you missed it this week I recommended some great holiday candle fragrances HERE and showed you my amaryllis bulb plantings HERE.

 

I’ll be back next week with some Thanksgiving inspiration. Hope you have a great weekend.

Blessings,

Kim

Planting Bulbs For The Holidays (It’s All About Timing)

I used to forget to plant indoor bulbs early enough to bloom the week or two before Christmas.  But for the last few years I usually plant them the first week of November and I’ve had pretty good luck with them blooming when they are supposed to!

Here are the amaryllis in the sunroom.  I love all the fall colors outside the window.

They won’t stay here.  They’ll probably end up on one of the fireplace mantles.  I just start them here so they’ll grow well.  Looks like Fall and Winter décor mixed with the trees in the background.

I know you’re wondering why they are already this tall.  I purchased the bulbs at Lowe’s last weekend and when I took them out of the box they were already growing!!!  I’ve never had that happen before.  I hope they don’t bloom too early.  I’ve also been to Lowe’s twice and they still don’t have paperwhite bulbs yet.  I always plant paperwhites.  I love their fragrance.

I just planted them in a few rocks and water.  It’s less messy for me than the soil. I covered the bottom of the glass vessels with wide burlap ribbon and layered red satin ribbon on top.

Notice the vintage toile?  I love this hunting scene.  I was just playing around with it last weekend to see if I want to use it in my holiday décor.

I’m thinking simple red and white for the holidays…with lots of red toile!

On another note, here is my first holiday magazine purchase this year.  I couldn’t resist at the grocery check-out line. I’m getting in the holiday spirit early.

I love both these covers and I especially love this wreath with the roses.

I think Murphy is getting into the holiday spirit, too.  Or maybe he’s just tired of me taking so many photos.

I KNOW it’s too early for Christmas, so I promise next week I’ll be posting about what I’m doing for Thanksgiving décor!

Blessings,

Kim

Scents Of The Season (6 Recommendations For You)

I always get excited when it’s time to bring out the holiday candles.  I was recently doing an inventory of what I already had and what I need to purchase for this year.  I associate so many wonderful memories with certain fragrances.  I usually start burning holiday-scented candles right after Halloween to put me in the mood for the entire upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  I can highly recommend these 6 “must-have” holiday scents to make your home holiday-ready.

Countdown to Number 1…

#6:  Makassar Ebony by Voluspa:

Anthropologie carries Voluspa and the fragrances are very long lasting.  This is an interesting and mysterious blend that reminds me of long winter nights.  You can order it from Amazon HERE.  I prefer the 3-wick tin because of its low profile.

#5:  Peppermint at Williams-Sonoma

This is from their essential oils collection and only appears during the holidays HERE.   They had not brought it back the last couple of years and I have been patiently waiting for its return.  Try the Peppermint dishwashing liquid too, for an absolutely heavenly experience washing dishes!!!

#4:  Fresh Balsam by White Barn Candle Co. at Bath and Body Works.

This was previously by Slatkin & Co. but White Barn now makes this scent HERE.

#3:  Frasier Fir by Thymes

This is a close match to Fresh Balsam and it’s the closest you’ll come to smelling the real thing.  Get it HERE.

#2:  Aromatique’s The Smell Of Christmas

This has been a staple at my house for years. It is heavy on the cinnamon and spice. Macy’s usually has a kiosk display somewhere in the store by Thanksgiving or get it HERE.

#1: Hot Maple Toddy by Candleberry

This is absolutely hands-down my all –time favorite holiday candle.  It wouldn’t be the same at my house without this scent.  It is the best at filling the entire room (or even more) with its scent.  Check it out HERE.

 

All of these scents come in different presentations as to packaging and size.  You can even get some of these in different products like room spray and diffusers which I sometimes do to help layer the fragrance.  They can all be purchased at different stores in person and on-line.

There are tons of wonderful candle scents out there but these are my personal favorites.  Here’s to lighting a fabulous candle, pouring a cup of tea, and curling up in a comfy chair with pen and paper to make the Thanksgiving menu.

Blessings,

Kim

Linking up to:
WOW! Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

French Friday & Weekly Recap (Sept. 2014 Brocanting Tour Dates Announced)

Two things on the agenda for French Friday:

Did you know that today is a national holiday in France?  It’s All Saints’ Day or La Toussaint.

AND

The Fall blogger’s brocanting tour “From Paris to Normandy” that I co-host with Cat from Sunday Brocantes has been set for September 25-October 1, 2014.  Please email me if you want to go.   Spaces are already filling up with only 3 spots left!  We had the trip of a lifetime this past September.  I know you’ve seen postings by Kim at Savvy Southern Style and Shirley at Housepitality Designs.  You know you want to go!!!

 

 

 

 

 

In case you missed it on Monday I posted about vintage Halloween décor HERE: 

Yesterday I posted about my fascination with staircases HERE:

I’m so excited to be turning my attention to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I’ve already started on a couple small projects for Thanksgiving.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Kim