Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts

Monday, November 25, 2024

Glitter, Grit, and Kicking Off The Holidays!



The holiday season truly is magical, isn’t it? Twinkling lights, joyful carols, and the warm, comforting scents of cinnamon and pine floating through the air. Yet, if I’m being honest, it’s also utterly exhausting - especially when your job revolves around providing holiday magic for others. The kind of exhaustion that leaves you bone-tired, wondering if you remembered to eat lunch or where exactly you misplaced your sanity. And when your busiest season is the holidays, that magical chaos can hit even harder.

For me, this time of year demands a pace unlike any other. Between hosting endless gatherings, decking every hall (except your own!) and working tirelessly to create memorable experiences for others, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. But somehow, through all the glitter and late nights, the holiday spirit persists. It’s in those fleeting moments—when you catch a glimmer of joy or hear the sound of laughter—that you’re reminded why it all matters.

If you’ve ever collapsed into bed with glitter on your hands and a mental checklist of unfinished tasks, you know exactly what I mean. Maybe your work schedule has you prepping for Christmas as early as October (or earlier—hello, that’s me!). Or maybe you’re the family’s go-to host, managing meals, décor, and everything in between. Whatever your role, it can feel like a marathon of wrapping, cooking, and finding ways to stay cheerful despite the exhaustion.

But here’s the thing: that weight we carry during the holidays? It’s part of what makes this season so extraordinary. Every tired moment is tied to something meaningful—a cherished family tradition, the joy in a child’s eyes, or the quiet satisfaction of making someone’s day a little brighter. The holiday spirit thrives on connection, generosity, and love. And even when our bodies are weary, our hearts stay full because we know it’s all worth it.

The holidays aren’t about perfection. They’re about showing up, even when you’re running on fumes, and sharing your light with those around you. So if you find yourself worn out but still brimming with holiday spirit, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Together, we’re creating something beautiful—a tapestry of joy, connection, and wonder, one twinkling light at a time.

So pause for a moment. Breathe in the magic of this messy, chaotic season. Let the spirit of the holidays refill your cup. You’re part of what makes this time of year so special.



Sunday, June 16, 2024

Birthdays and Bourbon

This week my husband is celebrating a milestone birthday so, of course, he needed a party. It is easy when kids are little to come up with an idea or theme for a party but big people can be harder to plan for! 

He has a hobby...bourbon. He is not a heavy drinker as one might suspect of an individual whose hobby is "bourbon". Over the last year he began formally studying bourbon.  Yes, and if you didn't know, there are courses and classes you can take just on this particular subject.  He is enrolled in a program to become a Certified Bourbon Steward.  So, to say we have quite the growing bourbon collection might be an understatement, but that is a topic for another day.  As well,  he has a growing circle of "Bourbon Nerds" that he loves to get together with so a Bourbon Tasting Party it was!

We brought in an expert to lead the tasting and do somewhat of an abbreviated version of her Introductory Course.  By the way, if you are looking for some expert advice, look no further than Bourbon at Tiffany's.  It was such a fun night and I think a good time was had by all!  If you would like to see more about the party or my husband, check him out at DHB and His Bourbons.  Happy Birthday, sweet man!





Saturday, February 18, 2017

Happy Birthday, Ma Jones!

I have written about this plant before but it never ceases to delight me and leaves me wondering each year if it will produce it's magic at just the right moment.  You see, this is my Grandmother's Christmas Cactus, for her it bloomed at Christmas, because much like most growing things it dared not defy her tutelage. 
 
When she died almost a decade ago, I some how ended up with her prized Christmas Cactus.  To this day I do not know how it ended up coming home with me.  The first year I had it, I was quite abusive and left it in my garage for many months with no water and little light.  Of course, when I finally brought it inside it didn't even show the tiniest sign of a single bud at Christmas.  I didn't think much about it.
 
Then her birthday rolled around in mid February, (the 17th, to be exact), and that amazing plant threw a very unexpected party.  It burst into full bloom, making me realize there was more than one variety of cactus planted...there is a red with a beautiful fuchsia stamen and then there is a white with tinges of red. To say I was filled with joy and sadness was an understatement.  
 
This year it popped out a bloom or two in December for the first time since I have had it and I wondered if the birthday streak was gone and if the plant had adjusted back to it's normal schedule.  That was until this week, when it began to bud and bloom and produce the birthday party for my Ma Jones... right on time. I have said this many times but the older I get the more I miss her.  It would be so nice to be able to escape to the bubble of her little world, it was somewhere you didn't have to explain, you could just be.


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Motorcycles and Christmas

A few months ago, I wrote about the ESAB partnership with Orange County Choppers and at the Christmas party I actually got to "meet" the bike up close and personal. 


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

So, how did you ring in the New Year?

Did you go out and party the night away? Did you have a quiet dinner with someone special? Did you go to bed early and skip the hoopla? We, here at the Southern Somedays house, rang in 2010 in a new way this year! It was the 1st time in many years that we had all 3 children home with us (in the last few years the boys have spent the night with my parents and our daughter has been out of town with a group of her friends). It was also the 1st year that they were all old enough to be excited about New Years, so they wanted to do something special. DH and I decided we would have our 1st Annual Family New Years and it was a blast. We went out to dinner (BBQ - not fancy, but yummy and fun) then we came back and the boys played a game of Risk , then we laided out a little mid-night spread complete with sparkling grape juice. We then danced a bit, and took part in Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve from the WARM comfort of home. It was different but really fun and I think we may have the makings of a new tradition.

Also, of course, the arrival of 2010 brings me to my yearly resolution (yes, I make them and really, really try to keep them). I love the new year and the chance to mentally wipe the slate clean and re-evaluate what/how I am living my life and what I would like to change. Just like our celebration on New Year's Eve was different, my resolution is a bit different in the fact that it isn't different. It is the VERY same resolution I made last year,"to pare down and simplify my life. I want to rid myself mentally and physically of all the clutter that has gathered in the corners of my life." I made this resolution last year and it has served me well. I still have a ways to go, and want to continue the refining and decluttering my mental and spiritual life and also declutter my physical life. So...not original, but I am committing to continuing this process. What was your resolution?
Happy New Year, blogland!


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fall Parties...

There is something in the air during the Fall that makes me want to plan parties! Big parties, small parties, dinner parties, what ever!
I know tons of you who are big on the summer bashes, but not me. Yes, I love to attend your fantabulous Summer Soirees, but I prefer my parties without sweat, you see. Maybe fall party planning helps me get in the groove for the Holiday season? Oh, who knows....anyway, I started getting my party inventory in order and have a few things I would really, really like to add to my line up. I am especially gaga over this great pitcher.
I am definitely getting one!


Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Celebrate Spring!


I am a magazine addict, yes, I am. But in the name of frugality, I have tried to wean myself away from most of them. Today though, I saw one that I just couldn't resist: Celebrate Spring! It is published by the same wonderful company that now publishes Victoria and Southern Lady. (oh, and you know Southern Lady is my Favorite!!!) www.southernladymagazine.com
Celebrate Spring is just fantastic! It is filled with wonderful party themes, decorating ideas and tons of yummy recipes. You will find ideas for everything from Easter to Mother's Day, not to mention some fun party themes for April Fools Day and even a plant swap luncheon. I really loved the Monogram Shower idea at which any bride to be would be thrilled to be the honoree. I can't wait until the Celebrate Summer hits store shelves! My hat is off to Phyllis Hoffman and her team...another wonderful mini-vacation lies between the covers of this magazine!
I picked up my copy at Sams Club (Sams has discounted magazines and this one is a bit pricey -though worth it- at a retail cost of $7.99. I got my copy for a very reasonable $5.58 at Sams). You can get one online at:


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Oh....MY


OK, these probably won't make it until my Sunday night party. I had planned to place a few dishes of various chocolates around the house for our party and thought I would just try "one" of these. Good luck with that! They are pretty well amazing!


Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Pink & Green Party Plans...

I haven't been blogging much the last week or so and I think it is because I have lots and lots of things to do preparing for DD's Sweet 16 Party! And YES, YES, YES she wanted a "preppy" pink and green theme for this soiree'....aren't I just the luckiest Mom? So, currently my dining room has become Party Planning Central. I thought I would snap a photo of some of the things that we are using for the decorations. (The Ribbon Topiaries were an idea from another blog...isn't blogland the bestest?) Of course, I will snap lots and lots of photos once the event actually happens so you can get the full visual to include lots and lots of pink and green balloons. Fortunately, I have been so busy that I haven't gotten melancholy about this big milestone yet...y'all pray for me because I know it will be bittersweet.