Last Monday, I hosted our annual book club holiday gathering.
All of the dining table chairs were moved into the living room for the guests to gather in a circle and the dining room table was covered in a vintage velvet quilt and filled with goodies.
If I didn't have old lady eyes and needed the over head lights on, I'd keep my house lit with ambient lighting instead! I love the glow of all the small lamps tucked around the room. And of course the Christmas trees add a beautiful glow to it all too.
December is the perfect time to add lots of little mini lights. I love to use them under old lace curtains on the buffet.
The fairy lights add a nice twinkle to everything sitting near them.
This little paper weight was a gift from my sisters. Bobbie Sue added a photo of the three of us to an old paper weight that Sissy had. She made 3, so we each got one.
For book club, we all wrapped up a book we'd enjoyed that year for a trade. I got extremely lucky! There was a book I'd read in my 20s that I LOVED and wanted to re-read. I've looked for it for 30 years, but didn't remember the author's name or title. And it showed up that night at the swap!!! Its from 1978 and is called "The Mirror".
The book I gave away that night was "Room" and its very disturbing, so I wrapped it extra nice and added a brooch to the package.
The night before guests came, my son's Gypsy Beloved helped me make some gifts. We whipped up goats milk bath salts with a vanilla rose oil scent, and some brown sugar scrub too.
Sorry, no real recipe, I kind of made it up as I went along. But each are sooooo easy to make, I'll give you the ingredients if you want to wing it:
Bath salts:
Box of powdered milk (goat or otherwise)
epsom salts (whole bag)
cup or so of sea salt
scented oil to your own taste
Sugar scrub:
Half pound of brown sugar
Full bag of epsom salts
cup of sea salt
about 2 cups of coconut oil
about a half cup of glycerin
scented oil to your own taste
The scrub is great for rough, dry, winter skin. And the milk bath is really relaxing. I use both regularly.
I wrapped them all in small plastic bags sold at Michaels in the cake decorating aisle, and tied up the bath salts with white lace and a mini bleached tree or wreath. The sugar scrub got wrapped the same way, but tied with rick rack and a tag made from an old Shiny Brite box.
It was wonderful to have my new, big kitchen to host a party in. I can't begin to tell you how much I love that room.
The treats that night were pumpkin cheesecake, fudge, german chocolate brownies, pumpkin muffins, a veggie tray, pita chips, flax seed chips and salsa.
And of course wine!
I hope that your holiday has been filled with special occasions and more to come. Its a festive season, and I can't get enough of it.
And please don't forget, I'm picking a winner of a Holiday Surprise gift.
Just leave a comment between now and Christmas to enter.
because of you i am working my way into a white office.lol your house is amazing!
Posted by: melissa | December 22, 2011 at 05:06 AM
All the lights are just magical! And I love the idea of swapping a book! So cool that you got a long lost book that you've been searching for!
Posted by: Robin | December 22, 2011 at 06:29 AM
I love your house. I have been following your blog for 2 yrs. now. I love the ceiling you have! Please enter me in the drawing. I wish you and your family a very
Merry Christmas!! and A Happy New Year!
Posted by: Julie | December 22, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Everything looks beautiful Karla - I would love to see it in person! Have a wonderful holiday. J
Posted by: Julie | December 22, 2011 at 08:25 AM
Your home is gorgeous! Have you ever thought of writing a home decor book? I love your kitchen remodel. A book club sounds fabulous! Where do you find the time to do all these things..
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Kate | December 22, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Wow! What a beautiful home, Merry Christmas to you and yours! X
Posted by: Dawn | December 22, 2011 at 09:11 AM
FABULOUS!!!!! That just about says it all!!
Posted by: sandy | December 22, 2011 at 09:16 AM
well i got whatever bug you have , whipped up lots of cookies , antiqued a dresser before going to bed and am now eying more stuff that needs tweaking. \thanks for the inspiration !
Posted by: Donna Anderson | December 22, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Beautiful table and I love the ambient light also. Dumb question, but it seems like the sugar scrub would be sticky--even though I know it must not be or people wouldn't want to use it. Merry Christmas karla!
Posted by: Janet Ghio | December 22, 2011 at 09:36 AM
The lights are fantastic! Gorgeousness all around.
Posted by: Gypsy Rose | December 22, 2011 at 09:37 AM
I thought the same thing about a sugar srub til I tried one from bath an body works. That got me hooked. They really do make your skin feel good. The coconut oil leaves a moisturizing coat on your skin.
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | December 22, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Thanks, Kate! Actually I did write a book, but Ive never done a thing with it. I should get it out, reread it, tweak it and see if I still like it.
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | December 22, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Well, Julie, soon Ill be having sign ups for classes here, and hope to have multiple dates. Maybe I will see you here in my kitchen for lunch at some event in 2012?
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | December 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Major book club bonus ~ Heading on over to Karla's Cottage for some Fantastic Winter Frolic!!!!
Those lucky Ladies…if you hosting again next year sign me up…I can read!!!!
Beautiful Kitchen and décor Karla!!! Congrats ~ I'm sure all of the ladies had an amazing time!!!
Tricia K.
Posted by: Tricia k. Johnson | December 22, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Your house (cottage) is gorgeous...truly magical. I love the tin ceilings...and the lace curtains! Your table and all the glitz looks fabulous. I'll be returning to take another peek from time to time. I just can't get enough of the unique beauty.
Posted by: Mary Kiczenski | December 22, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Oh, I would have liked to have been there! I love the idea of the little lights under lace on the buffet!
Posted by: Laurie | December 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Frohe Weihnachten !! + Frohes NeuesJahr I love all you'r post . You'r Kitchen is so nice . i'm looking at your blog for more then 4 years, love it all. Karla all the best for you + your fam .
Posted by: Ruth Flowers | December 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Gorgeous!! It looks like a winter wonderland in your home. So warm and inviting. Have a very Merry Christmas! May Santa bring you lots of treasures. Grace xoox
Posted by: grace | December 22, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Your home is so beautiful karla. Love All the light and beautiful displayes and decorations.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas
Posted by: Tina | December 22, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Beautiful!! So much romance and bling in your home....and just the right amount of each!
Posted by: becky d | December 22, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Oh yes, yes!!! Your home is georgous and so Christmasey. I am entering your contest of something beautiful from you!!
I love the popcorn Christmas trees that Hippy Chick made. You are blessed.
hugs...Sharon
Posted by: Sharon, Morrison Mercantile | December 22, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Ohh Karla, your house is so wonderful - a winter wonder land. I just love everything you do!!! Thanks for sharing it with us in blog land.
Posted by: Gail | December 22, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Gorgeousness as always! I guess California is too far to come for a book club! Bummer! ;)
xo
Kim
Posted by: Kim Caldwell | December 22, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Your house is an artsy Christmas wonderland - something beautiful at every turn! Thanks for sharing the beauty.
Posted by: Terri | December 22, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Karla, such a magical party! You must have had a lot of fairies, elves and the such visiting!
Posted by: Marilyn McIldoon | December 22, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Everything looks wonderful! I never tire of seeing pictures of your new kitchen!!! (I can't wait until I can get mine painted white - it will still be small but at least it won't be so dark!)
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Posted by: TinaTx | December 22, 2011 at 04:02 PM
OMG just simply gorgeous! Your home is truly a Christmas Wonderland. TY for the 'recipes' for the salts and scrubs. I'm going to try them! What fun! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Margie Staniszeski | December 22, 2011 at 05:52 PM
You have such a great eye, and I am always inspired when I visit your blog. You've got what it takes!
Posted by: Folk Heart | December 22, 2011 at 07:02 PM
It looks like you had a wonderful party! Your home is just beautiful. It was definitely a treat for the eye! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Rita | December 22, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Karla, Just found your blog and love it. So many beautiful things you have. Merry Christmas!!!
Posted by: Carolyn Simpson | December 22, 2011 at 09:56 PM
how fun! I love relazing baths so I might just have to run to wallyworld tonight to make up some of that bath soak!! I know after this weekend I will need it!! LOL! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Have a very Happy Happy!
Posted by: Jenny Sellars | December 22, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Your new kitchen/dining area is just so beautiful!
Posted by: gail | December 23, 2011 at 09:06 AM
We were all dancing to Xmas music last night, it was great to have the space!
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | December 23, 2011 at 09:18 AM
I have got to change book clubs! Mine didn't do a thing! lol
You have such a lovely home Karla. Reading would be a pleasure here!
Posted by: Connie | December 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Karla, your house with the white holiday theme is just gorgeous. Kim has nothing on your own "pretty"! Love all the lights and sparkle. I'm one of those who doesn't like bright light either. I go around with no lights on until even I realize I may just trip and break my neck if I don't turn on that switch. But when my Christmas trees are up, those lights are on all day long.
Posted by: Charlotte | December 23, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Glad that it was a great party and you got to enjoy your new kitchen fully!
Who wrote "The Mirror"? I tried to do a search for it and 1978, but don't think I found the right one at Amazon.com
Posted by: Soarenth | December 23, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Hello! I love viewing all your holiday cheer...your house is very festive indeed. It was great seeing you at Kim's and spending the day creating away! Thank you.
Posted by: Tashia Jacques | December 23, 2011 at 11:31 PM
So beautiful! Feel free to join our book club anytime! I love the bath salts idea -- I've seen recipes before, never tried them, but what a great party favor. I do the lights under fabric, too. It's so magical! I suspect it's all magical at your house -- the kind of magic that looks like it just happened and took hours (and a great eye!) to create!
Belated Christmas greetings and Happy Boxing Day!
Posted by: jeanie | December 26, 2011 at 05:47 PM