Bookworms partying

Last night, I hosted our book club's holiday party. It happened to fall on a dear friend's birthday, so we got to sing and have cake too.  How festive!

 
Now, I'm trying to remember what books we have chosen for the upcoming year.... I know that one was Cleopatra, I heard a reveiw of it on NPR and was interested in reading it. Lets see... something about freaky cows by a local professor, A Tale of Two Cities, and an apocalyptic book called .... uhm.... Hand Made World? or something like that There are a total of 6, but I can't remember them. 

I was most intersted in that last one, I'll have my fingers crossed that there are zombies.  I'm sad that the AMC series, Walking Dead is done for the season. Wow. It was like a new horror movie every Sunday night, so well made and scary.   Of course, that is what you can count on from AMC, very well made, not always scary though.

We also each brought a wrapped book to trade, and played that game where you can open a gift or steal one from someone else instead.  My pal, Shan, brought a wrapped book for me, I was such a loser this year in the reading department that I had nothing to give away. I read too many novels that weren't quite up to book club standards and didn't want to look like I had low class taste. 

Not that I was embarrassed, I just didn't want to give a book that no one wanted. 

I guess what I mean, is that my books this year were not high quality literature, they were just books that I loved. The only "good" books I read were the same ones that we read in book club last year, so everyone had already read them. 

Novels that I enjoyed- the latest Sookie (and can't wait for the next!), the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, the latest from Jennifer Weiner and Sophie Kinsella, and not much else.  I used to read at least a book a week. Now, I'm down to about one per month.

TOO MANY GOOD BLOGS OUT THERE TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here are the club books that I read:

Edger Sawtelle

The Worst Hard Times

Something about gay rights at Stonewall

And... well, I've forgotten again.  I remembered first two because I loved them so much.

My friend not only brought me a worthy book to give away, she made this stain glass star for Mayara! And tied it to a bottle of wine!!

Its just perfect for my little Star Brite's first Christmas ornament.  Hey, that seems to be a good nickname for her....I like that.  Sugarwings and Starbrite. 

My living room was a bit crowded, with 13 people in it.  We all squeezed in anyway and everyone was so nice about it.  They all said they would come back next December for our holiday party even if we had to practically sit on top of each other.

My old house has the original living room, and its small.  We have a big house, just small rooms in the old part of it. But I have space where it really counts- the studio!!  I could have had the party out there, but decided to stick with the main part of the house since it was decorated more.

Plus my studio is knee deep in stuff again.

And I waxed the living room floor! That rarity deserves to be noticed and enjoyed!!

For the party, I set up a coffee service, with home made, fresh whipped cream, shaved light and dark chocolates, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, decaf, and a bottle of 150 year old Grand Marnier.

When I go to schmancy dinners with my husband at restaurants his company owns, they always impress me with the goodies that come with the coffee. You don't need to order dessert there, the coffee treats are dessert enough. So I wanted to set up something similar.

I think I'll do it again for my next craft day. But I doubt if the orange liqour will be as popular at lunch time as it was for this party.  Everyone drives in from Kansas City, so there isn't much in the way of drinking going on at craft day.  

The cart is a vintage one from my garden that I brought in to use.  On the bottom, I set out these glittered letters that were meant to go on a garland that never got made.

Agnes liked it.  She thought it was a great place to hide, hoping for food to be dropped down on the floor.

 
Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a few days in Virginia, and this will be my first time leaving Agnes home alone for long.  We have a great system for the dogs, they get penned up in the living room where they can get to a doggie door and a fenced in yard. And my oldest son, Ryan lives here too, so he'll be taking care of all the dogs.

She is just getting used to the set up, and is now an expert at running in and out of the swinging door. But I think we'll miss each other.

I've preposted for the rest of the week while I am away. Each day, there will be Christmas decor from another room of my home, so please check back.

 
All comments will be entered into December's drawing, but if you want to enter ther 1,000,000th Visitor Giveaway, you need to leave it on THIS POST by the 14th

Sugarwings and I made crustini for the party, by cutting leftover bread slices with her holiday cookie cutters, and brushing them with a little melted butter and olive oil, with garlic. Then, we slow baked them till they were crunchy.  I'm going to take the leftovers and smash them up to make bread crumbs for my next turkey meatloaf.

Well, I'll be back this weekend, and will be checking messages on my phone, but its just not that easy to answer everyone that way. so please forgive me if I don't get back to you.

And if you'd like to skip seeing the blog posts and see the holiday decor at my cottage, I've loaded it on HGTV's Rate my Space.

I'd love to get your votes!

Here is the living room

Dining room

Kitchen

 

Comments

[LORRAINE BELL]

Good Morning Karla...your house looks stunning ..you party so fun ...I miss my really home in B.C. this time of year...& my family...but the warmer weather in Desert Hot Springs ,wins ...this 67 year old body ,hates the cold anymore...enjoy it while we can...blessing to Elizabeth Edwards & her family...again enjoy every day...have a great time away...Lorraine

[Stephanie]

Hi, Karla! Your living room pic is just making me swoon! So beautiful! Love My's stained glass star ornie and her new nickname! The tea trolly with all the goodies on it makes me wanna come visit!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

[Jenny Sellars]

Starbright...perfect!!

[Charlene]

Looks like a wonderful evening!!!! I'm like you... my reading is not "book club worthy". I read trash novels in the bathtub at night & magazines (usually Somerset, Romantic Homes, Victoria...) with my morning coffee. Have you been to the site Food for Thought? Jain does an amazing job reviewing books & then cooks something featured in the book. Her photography is STUNNING! Check her out & please tell her Charlene sent you. HUGS!

[Amy]

Wonderful & Classy. Coffee bar sounds delicious.Going to check out your hgtv space.Warm Blessings!~Amy

[GerryART]

Karla, you and I must read for the same reason - purely for entertainment. I enjoyed reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, as well as the other two in this trilogy.

Your party arrangements do look inviting it's no wonder everyone ready to do it all over again.

I see that your first Commenter today lives in Desert Hot Springs, I grew up there. What a small world.

Holiday Hugs,
Gerry

[bettyann]

I know what you mean Karla..high-brow, low-brow, it's all reading...love your new nickname Starbrite...have fun away

[My Blessed Serendipity Life]

Your home is gorgeous! I bet your party goers loved your home as well.

-Danielle

[Dorthe]

Karla I think I have never seen so wonderfull party settings,like yours...
Also this time with your house so beautifull decorated ,it is a feast,to look at.
I love your "angel" on the table, with the trees and candelabra, and the foots looked gorgeus, yummy.
Also love the star,with Mayara-
Hope your getaway, will be great and cosy,dear.
Hugs,Dorthe

[Janet Ghio]

Wow!-Impressive book club meeting!! My book club meets at the library and we don't even meet in December!!

[ginger]

Your home is so beautiful, love the Star with your new Star Brite, your coffee bar is out of this world yummy!!! I love coffee and tea. Have a good time on your trip.

Ginger

[Karen]

Karla, your house looks beautiful and the food looks yummy and is beautifully presented.I wish I had read at least one book this year haven't read a book in two years.I used to be an avid reader but a chronic illness causes fatigue that makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm going to mosey over to hgtv and vote for your gorgeous home. Have a great trip and I'll be looking forward to drooling over pictures of your home while your away.

[K. Winch]

have a safe trip looking forward to seeing your Christmas house

[Samantha]

What a pretty coffee bar! Have a great trip!!!

[Freda Butler]

What a great idea with the coffee bar. Must remember that.
How about 1 million comments. Unbelievable but with your blog I can believe it.

the star with the baby is really neat. What a keeper for her.

Have a great time in Virginia and be safe.

Hugs

FredaB

[Jane]

Your home is stunning and so festive, the perfect setting for your book party!

I can identify with you in the book reading department. Since blogging involves so much reading, I have been reading books less and less and when I do, they are 'quick' reads. Nothing to mention! ;-D

Your coffee station looks wonderful and all of the food so tempting. Where do you find the time to discuss books?

Have a good trip!

XO,
Jane

[Diane]

You have a beautiful home and sure do go all out when entertaining, everything looks just perfect~ Have a graet time away. Hugs, Diane

[Janis]

Hi Karla,
Love the name Starbrite!
Love your lovely decorated home!
Love...the coffee bar!
Love.........the pretty bottle of 150 year old Grand Marnier!!
Love.............little Agnes on the stairway. : )

Hugs,
Janis
P.S. I would also love your turkey meatloaf recipe...
I'm looking for one. It sounds so good.

[Melinda]

Sounds like a fun time.
Have a safe trip.

Melinda

[Lisa Super]

Beautiful. And I hear you on the books that don't make too many book club lists. I'm crazy about the "Nerd" series by Vickie Lewis Thompson. They are the absolute funniest romance novels I've ever read. Check them out when you feel like a gratuitous read.

[Holly R. Moore]

Your home makes me sigh. Such elegant beauty. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Gypsy Purple-Chamara]

Absolutely fabulous!!!

[Christine N]

Your holiday decor is so beautiful I'm definately heading over there to give you some votes!!!

[Soarenth]

Sounds like you had a lovely time! Sorry that you didn't have a book for the White Elephant Exchange, but you can't always read top-notch literary titles every year. And if you did, how would you know since you have nothing of lesser quality to compare against? Besides, having too many good blogs to read sounds like the perfect reason to me. ;->

Thank you again for sharing your party with us all. Travel safe this week!

[Elaine L.]

Two things caught my eye. The first was the stained glass star with Starbrite and the other was the "bottle of 150 year old Grand Marnier"! It was the Grand Marnier that was 150 years old and not the bottle, right? Uh, where might I obtain a bottle of 150 year liquior. That would surely make my Christmas.

~elaine~

[Myrna]

Omygosh I LOVE that gilded candleabra!! So beautiful with your tablescape!
What a fun and festive party you put on..lovely idea with the 'coffee cart'.
I'm impressed that you can get thru one book a month! I don't know how you do it with all your art, grandbabies,dogs,blogs,and house!! You should do a tutorial on how you manage it all!! ;-)
Have a great trip~I'm off to Rate my Space 'cause I can't wait and I will be sure to vote for you!
Blessings,
Myrna

[Lesley]

Starbright is the perfect name for the new little one. May she be blessed with all the good things the Earth can offer

[Karla Nathan]

Yes the grand marnier is pretty special. Someone gave it to my husband. I sure wouldnt spend $250 on alcohol!!!but as a gift? Im lovin every drop!!!

Sent from my iPhone

[Wendy Wirth]

OMG!!! That picture with Agnes hiding under the cart is sooo cute!

[Bobbi]

Good Morning Karla! Your home is lovely, as always... That is a space where I would be delighted to be crowded a bit during the holiday festivities.
Probably old news to you, but I recently read (and re-read, as I devoured it too quickly the first time) The Host by Stephanie Meyer (I think...the woman who wrote Twilight). If you haven't read it by some chance, it is really good...I can't believe it took me so long to hear about it! Bobbi

[DeniseLynn]

Seriously gorgeous!!! Oh how lovely everything looks.

[Ricki Jill Treleaven]

Karla, I am so excited to read about your Book Club! I am a member of a Book Club called the Dixie Divas, and I blog about our meetings and what we are reading, etc.... I will be posting our selections for 2011 on my blog later this weekend.

Your home is so pretty. Everything looks so festive. I know your book club members enjoyed themselves, and are now in the holiday spirit after visiting you pretty home!

[Lyneen]

What a setting for a book club... your decor is AMAZING... I have gotten so many ideas from looking at your blog!!!