Substance of Living

Have you ever looked at September as an ending?  After all, school starts in many locations in the northern hemisphere, the fall solstice begins on September 21st.  This is right around the time we say goodbye to summer and start seeing changes in the weather or the turning of the leaves.  I think of September as sort of a beginning and ending in the same breath.  Yes, those things I've mentioned do happen but it's also a time for gathering.  We harvest our gardens and prepare them for the next year.  That's my ending.  The beginning is my birthday, which I celebrate the entire month.  This is also when I evaluate or reflect on the year and set my intensions for the next year instead of using January 1st.  It seems that I remain faithful to my goals.  My new year's resolutions used to be quite lofty - workout every day, get organized, stop eating junk food, etc.  By January 2nd I felt like a failure. September is also the ...

Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil When I was asked to sample and review Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, I knew a special recipe had to be created.  Something everyone would enjoy, something for the holiday season, something new and something easy. These cookies hold their shape, slightly crunchy on the outside with a moist and crumbly interior that melts in your mouth.  Mini muffins were tried and they held up to the test of the cookies as well as the baking time.   Ingredients: 2 cups All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour 2 teaspoons Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt 1 cup Brown Sugar 1/3 cup Sugar 3/4 cup Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil (room temperature or slightly melted) 2 teaspoons Vanilla 1 cup Pumpkin Puree (not pie mix) 1 cup Chocolate Chips  Directions: Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.  Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.  Combine wet...

What I've learned living in the south is that Southerners really are about family.  I think it might be because they like to cook.  ( Or is that me wanting to fit in because I have lived in the south for so long, enjoy cooking, and having company around my table? )  It's common to find the family gathered together for Sunday suppers. Thanksgiving seems to be an excuse to have a Sunday supper during the week. Another thing I've learned living in the south is that holidays are HUGE events.  Everyone is invited.   Not enough room or tables?  No problem.  Move the furniture around and instead of eating in the dining room, eat in the family room or spread the tables throughout the house.  The finest dishes are used no matter how fancy or simple and whether or not they match. This first table makes me think of a tea house or a romantic setting in an historical hotel.  The rich colors, napkin holders, and the overall elegance takes me ba...

I love parties that are over the top with decorations and tablescapes but sometimes simple is more elegant.  Especially at Thanksgiving, it seems that we automatically want to concentrate more on those around the table than the decorations.  Besides that, if you have your table full of wonderful decorations, where do you put the food if not on a buffet? There are many occasions that the center of the table, the runner, is the buffet table.  That's when individual touches come into play. Tea Towel over Chair Organic Table Felt Leaf Table Runner Place Card with Herbs Natural Leaf Place Cards Simple ribbon tied around a napkin, folding a napkin , or by placing tea lights at each setting saves time and money allowing you more peace of mind. Use what you have on hand.  Because even if your dishes or silverware aren't complete sets, they will add authenticity and personality to your table. Tweet this Post Please share me with...

Fall in the Carolinas Have you ever looked at October as an ending?  I mean, October is when the leaves start falling off the trees, it starts getting cold and the days get much shorter. I used to think of October as sort of a beginning and ending in the same breath.  Yes, those things I've mentioned do happen but it's also a time for gathering.  We harvest our gardens, clean up in preparation for next year, and get ready for all the holiday festivities. October is also a time for reflection, walks through leaf fallen paths, pumpkin carving, re-connecting with oneself, entering into a world of make believe if only for one night. School has been in session for about a month; here are a couple quizes to get you into the spirit of the month: History Lesson 1. October was considered the eighth month in what calendar?      a. Ancient Roman      b. Ancient Greek      c. Catholic  ...

Wh at is your first impression of a home when you see a wreath hanging on the front door?  Do you get a warm and fuzzy feeling of welcome?  Does it feel as i f i t beckons you to celebr ate ? I have this thing about homes with wreaths.  This is part of the voyeuristic side of me coming out.  When I'm out driving around or walking, I will often stop and take a picture of the door.  Do you do that?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who takes pictures of other people's doors or lawns.  Okay, that sentence sounded a little creepy. Enough about me. . . On with the Wreaths! 10 DIY Wreaths Trisha of The Sweet Survival starts us off with a whimsical Easter wreath.  Imagine this colorful wreath on your front door, in pastels such as this one or in colors that match your decor. Easter Egg Yarn Wreath Have you seen the fantastic scenes Designer Eddie Ross creates?  I'm not talking tantrums but beautiful tablescapes and wreaths...

Halloween isn't even over and we need to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  This is the time of year that everything passes by so quickly and staying on top of things can be daunting. Being prepared is one way to enjoy all the festivities. Things to be thinking about right now for Thanksgiving: Guest List Who will be invited? How many guests? Invitations Phone Mail (Handmade, Handwritten, Purchased) Online e-invitations ( evite , punchbowl , PurpleTrail ) Type of Dinner Buffet Style Formal Sit-Down (How many tables and chairs are needed?  Formal Table Setting Traditional foods or family favorites prepared for Thanksgiving Start compiling recipes Dishes / Silverware / Glasses Paper / Plastic Mix and Match Need to order replacements ? Mix and Match Table Setting Linens Paper Napkins Cloth Napkins Table Cloth(s) Serving Dishes Decorations Can any of your Halloween or Fall decorations carry over into November? That's i...

Easy and inexpensive Halloween decorations that can be done in a day is in order since we're actually running out of month.  A few of these ideas can easily transition into Thanksgiving decorations as well. Starting us out is an outdoor mesh ribbon that is done in black and orange but if fall colors were used (gold, brown, maroon, orange) this easy bow could transition through November.  If you don't have a light on the side of the house, tying this to the mailbox or a light post would look really nice. Mesh Ribbon Bow You might not have 10 or 20 milk or water jugs lying around but even a couple would work.  These really are adorable ghosts and what better way to light the path for party goers or trick-or-treaters? Milk Jug Ghosts Chris Barnes came up with this beautiful light piece.  It is a flameless candle with twigs and brown ribbon.  This would be beautiful for an outdoor party this fall.  This is another project that is super simple ...