celebrations – Page 13 – Karla's Cottage

Holiday Mom-style Stress

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2016

What was the best part of your Christmas?

Mine was these smiles. And lots of them.

The grand fairies seemed over joyed with all their gifts (even though Dewdrop didn't get the two front teeth that she needed).

We were blessed with multiple celebrations starting with a Solstice party on the 21st, then our big family dinner and gifts to each other on the 24th.

On Christmas morning, we checked out what Santa brought, then had a big, buffet, brunch-bash with relatives.

With a table set for TWENTY THREE! (Did I mention how much I love my newly enlarged space????) We snaked three tables through the kitchen into the living room, and all seemed to fit just fine.

I'd had planned to set the table and make it fancy, but I was lucky to even get food done. So, everyone had to get their own forks and plates and drinks, which seriously, no one minded, or noticed. There is only so much time, and I overestimated how much time I had.

Which brings me to admitting that I over extended myself right along with the tables.

Which I think is pretty typical for the mom of the family to do.

After prepping all of the big meals, I was done in.

I loved, loved, loved, the family parts and the holiday traditions, of the weekend, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy fixing all of the food. While trying to please everyone and make sure they all got their favorite things, making vegan, vegetarian, meat lover, and gluten free versions of the foods, I forgot to keep my Christmas spirit. I got tired, I got cranky, I got resentful that I didn't have time to decorate cookies with the kiddos.

I don't know if it was because I'd been ill this year and am not back to 100%, (a medicine that I am on for another month or so can cause tiredness and muscle aches) or if I'm simply getting older and slowing down, or if I really did over plan and do too much.

Or maybe:

I had shoes that were too tight.
My head wasn't screwed on right.
My heart was two sizes too small.

Cause I acted a little Grinchy while pulling it all together. I'm a bit ashamed of myself.

Yet, on the other hand, I sincerely, honestly love the holidays and it all means so much to me. I did make a huge effort to stay positive and loving with the grand fairies, but I think I grumped and grinched a bit too much with the older family members and really shouldn't have let that happen.

And no, even though Honey looks a little like Max here, I didn't force her into pulling a sleigh. I wasn't full on Grinch, just annoyed that the food preparation never seemed to end.

Like I said, it often is the way of many moms to stress out to make things perfect for Christmas. Normally, I can kind of roll with it and keep our holiday simple while pretty. This year, I'm not sure why, but it got away from me, and I was in over my head.

At least I learned a lesson. Next year we will do a simmering pot of soup instead of a full restaurant menu with enough food to feed a restaurant full of people. I have to be able to treat my family special while not forgetting about myself too.

Yes, I'll change the dinner next time, but there isn't one other thing I'd change, it was delightful to be with people I loved and there is nothing better than that.

(and the leftovers were pretty tasty)

Aftermath

celebrations, cottage, family

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2016

We had a very full Christmas, and I still feel a bit like Dewdrop did here at the end of our evening, over the brim with holiday celebrations.

A holiday dinner party at the cottage

celebrations, cottage, friends, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 12, 2016

Last week, I hosted the annual holiday book club party. Here is 2014 and here is 2015. In the past, I've just done snacks and treats, but this year, I thought it would be nice to have a sit down dinner.

Since we have the new space, I was thrilled to have a chance to use it. Plus, the book club ladies are a nice group, it is good to have a night where we can kick back and chat about things other than books.

The new space is ideal for entertaining. I picked up a small, drop leaf table that I keep in the hearth room by the door, and we carried it to the dining area, slanted the main table and added the drop leaf one onto the end of it.

Originally, I thought I'd get a gigantic, rustic, farmhouse table to fill the space, and to seat my large family.

But then, I saw the price tags.

So, I bought a $60 drop leaf table to create more seating instead.

The drop leaf fits nicely, and solves the problem when needed. It is wonderful to have plenty of room to seat everyone without bringing in a folding table. In the past, I'd have to move the island (I built it on wheels), set up a folding table from the studio, and cram in a few extra chairs.

Now, all of the guests fit comfortably without having to move the island.

As much as I like the look of a farm house table, I think I prefer having a more flexible set up. My dining table has 3 leaves and expands to 110", the little drop leaf adds space for 5 more people. We had 11 for the party, and I think I can probably make three more fit if I got creative with where the chairs go.

Nothing on my table matches, and all of it is from garage or estate sales. Sometimes, I think, maybe I should go buy some matching silverware, or glasses…. but honestly, I don't think anyone minds. The lights are dim, the candles are lit, there is plenty of wine.

For this party, I used white dinner plates, table cloths and napkins, clear and gold salad plates, floral bread plates, and clear glasses. I added a string of battery power lights to a bowl of painted pine cones topped with Shiny Brite fruit, and put some sparkling branches with lights, a pink glass garland, and gold Shiny Brite balls.

My local grocery store has $1.99 flowers on Mondays, and just happened to have some perfect ones for the party marked down and waiting for me. Pink and green, with a touch of red for the holiday.

I was going for a white on white look with a splash of color.

I made vegetarian lasagna, and stuffed shells with chicken and butternut squash a week ahead of time, then pulled it out of the freezer to bake up that night. I always believe in as many short cuts as possible when planning a party. Everyone brought wine to share, I baked some bread, bought packaged salad, and kept the dinner part simple.

Add a nice bunch of ladies, and it was a very nice party!

A girlfriends’ day out on the town in the Big City

celebrations, friends, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 10, 2016

My pal, Angie, once again, generously invited a group of us to visit her apartment in the sky over looking the Plaza in Kansas City.

We started the afternoon with a late lunch at Union Station, and ended up with wine and desserts at Angie's home to enjoy this view of the Plaza lights.

As always, she went all out making it special for us.

Beth says that Angie is determined to bring some culture into our lives. She takes us to museums, botanical gardens, and other big city things that I never think about doing, but adore visiting when I'm taken there.

On this day, I did something WAY, WAY out of my comfort zone! We explored Science City at Union Station, and all of us rode the sky bike.

I'm terrified of heights, and have no balance. But apparently, this thing can not tip over, it is balanced by the load of bricks that hang beneath it.

Hmmm…

It felt like I was going to plummet to the ground. Bypassing that net somehow, of course.

But I did it. Twice! I did not enjoy either time, but it was good for my soul to give it a try. Just like all of the culture Angie has me soaking up, that is a nice change from my typical days, a little change of scene has been good for me.

We checked out the Kaufman Gardens to see the Poinsettias, and goofed off with a photo shoot. I'm channeling my inner Zoolander here.

Silliness was the main part of the day, we played like little kids, giggled, and belly laughed all afternoon.

In my opinion, adults need to get some childlike, joyous, laughing fits going every once in a while to stay sane.

I started out my day with some crafting, so was already in a very happy mood. In the last month, I've not spent much time with my glue bottle. I made up a few of these ornies to pass out at our lunch, and it felt wonderful to be doing things I loved again.

My heart rate seems normal, and at Science City, I could run up and down stairs without needing a break or getting light headed. Looks to me like my cardiac procedure was a success, and I was celebrating feeling normal again.

I don't think I realized how bad I'd felt for how long. Most of my summer was droopy and tired.

Of course, spending a day with fun friends, is always helpful.

I've been throwing myself headfirst into holiday happenings, and for a while was feeling like I'd over scheduled and it was too much, but just this week, I've gotten past that and am loving all of the activities and excitement.

Now, my problem is trying not to feel guilty about not getting any work done…

I'd told myself earlier that I'd just take it easy and not worry about work for a while, so I haven't updated my Boutique with new items for Christmas. That was fine when I was still a little weak or droopy, but now that I'm flying through the sky on bikes, that seems a bit hypocritical.

Well, too late, the holiday selling season has about passed. I need to let go of the guilt, enjoy feeling better, and plan for getting some work done in January instead.

For now?

I am Merry Christmassing it up. Going for the glory and the joy of the month. And I am blessed by my new found good health!

The annual Zombie walk

celebrations, family, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 23, 2016

The zombie walk gets better every year. This season, we had 4 grand ghouls in it.

Including this one. Her baby sister stayed home, though. She isn't ready to join the ghoulishness yet.

Avahni and Kia did fabulous jobs with the makeup and costumes, but the girls were in such constant motion, it was hard to capture at the parade.

Luckily, I got to see the process. Look away if you are grossed out, because the gashes and sores that they made with tissue paper and liquid latex look very authentic.

Seriously, LOOK AWAY!!!

Last warning, here comes the gore….

I warned you. Here comes another.

Awfully well done. But a bit stomach turning.

Here is a fluffy bunny to make you feel better.

And here is a cheerful, funny, Marge Simpson.

Maybe you need a little nourishment to fortify yourself.

Still feeling rough? Here is a nurse to the rescue.

Lawrence goes all out for the night.

We try to get a table on the patio at a good restaurant to enjoy the show.

This spooked up car was parked across from us.

I already can't wait til next year's spooktacular!

An Autumn dinner party and some views of the new room

celebrations, cottage, Hearth Room, Kitchen remodel

By Karla Nathan / October 21, 2016

While I was setting the table for a dinner party my husband was throwing for co-worker friends, I thought I should get some pictures of our new space while the area was cleaned up. (You know how fleeting that window of time can be with a houseful of kiddos!).

This is from the new room, looking into the kitchen.

From the new front door in the hearth room looking through the space into the living room.

And from the kitchen into the living room.

From the kitchen into the new room, with a view of the mantel.

I can't wait to have a Christmas tree set up in there! I'll be counting down till the holidays just like the grand fairies do.

This one is taken from the stairs.

And here are the stairs. They are covered in rose pattern wallpaper, that I glazed over to blend in better. The bold, rose pattern stood out too much before. Now, it is subtle and muted.

The ceiling is 15', and my son put in the pine floors, with my husband's help. In front of the fireplace and both new doors, is a pebble mosaic that I did. Ryan hung all of the shelves and curtain rods.

It is nice that we all had hands on in creating something for the space, even though the big job of it was done by a contractor and his crew. It feels good to have a part in doing some hands on work ourselves.

I had planned on putting curtains on the doors, but Honey voted against that. She prefers being outdoors for most of the day, but likes to keep an eye on what we are up to. Recently, she learned how to open the door knob, so she comes in whenever she feels like it.

Now, if she'd just learn to SHUT the door behind her. You'd think she'd been raised in a barn.

This is from the living room looking into the kitchen. I still can't believe how wonderfully open it is, and also, how well the new floor matches the original 90 plus year old floors once all were sanded down and re-stained. I beat up the new floors with crow bars and hammers to help the aging process a bit.

This party was also in celebration of finishing the room. That very day, the last of the construction items were crossed off the list. What a good feeling.

You know what will be an even better feeling? The first day we light a fire in that new hearth and cozy up by the flames to read a good book. I'm a Spring/Summer person myself, but this redo could be the impetus to switch me into becoming an Autumn gal.

Wicked

celebrations, family

By Karla Nathan / October 18, 2016

Wicked is my favorite play. Of course, I haven't been to that many… but I do love it, I've seen it four times now.

Each time, I've gone with someone different. The first time with my husband to the fabulous Fox theater in St. Louis, which is so special, it is worth going to even if there is no play to see.

This time with 3 of the grand fairies, and I have to say, that was pretty special.

We made a weekend of it, and stayed at a nice hotel in Wichita. They were great company. And it was fun to watch Sugarwings' emotions as the story unfolded.

It was a special birthday weekend for KiKi, we brought cupcakes to the hotel and watched an in room movie.

Now, I can't wait til Dewdrop is old enough to go see a play with us!

Tri-Unity

celebrations, family, Sacred Circus, Travel

By Karla Nathan / October 2, 2016

Isn't this cute as a bug?? We got it so we could go to the performances that our kids do at festivals.

I even hippy-ed it up with some swirly lights for the weekend that we were at Tri-Unity.

It is small, only 16', but with a canopy and a pop up tent out front, we had plenty of space. Will I fix it up? I'm not sure. After the big remodel job we just went through, redoing something isn't feeling all that enticing right now. We'll see after I recover. For now, it's pretty cozy and nice inside.

And when we will camp, we won't spend much time inside. I know we didn't this time. The grounds were beautiful, and the event was child friendly, with a cute area set up just for the little ones.

And it was even prettier at night.

The Sacred Circus rig was under a lit tent and the silhouettes of the performers were mesmerizing.

Watching the aerialists through the tent was almost like watching mermaids swim in a colorful sea. Their movements were graceful and flowing.

There was non-stop entertainment, too.

A series of musicians filled the stage late into the night, and the day was started with a drum circle.

During the days, there were workshops. I took the nature walk and learned about edible plants. You could learn to belly dance, hula hoop, fly through the air on a trapeze, meditate, drum, among a few dozen other classes.

Or just hang out with the kids and get your face painted.

And then join them in a parade.

And relax with yoga.

I liked watching the many painters, and petting dogs.

There were some interesting painters there.

But the best part? Time with family.

And friends.

I'll leave you with some more pictures of the weekend, and will show you the circus performance in an upcoming post. Be prepared for lots of grammie style gushing over grand fairies!

Between the Beach and the Hard Rock- thanks to Gloria Gayner, I Will Survive

celebrations, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 25, 2016

Our trip to Orlando started with a drive to Cocoa Beach. Years ago, we started going there because it was the closest ocean access to Disney. Now, we go because we really like staying at the La Quinta by the pier. It isn't a fancy hotel, but has a beautiful balcony view of the water, and is a comfy place.

This year, Sugarwings was old enough to rent a boogie board. Kia and I mostly bopped up and down with the waves and played in the surf. She kept trying to catch tiny fish in her hands and actually managed to do it, too. I told her that she'd be perfect to be stranded on a deserted isle with. She can catch fish bare handed, plus is a vegetarian and doesn't eat them, they'd all go to me.

My handsome husband isn't an ocean guy, so he didn't get in much. He is more of stroller along the shores than a swimmer.

And our oldest teen? She refuses to let sun touch her body. She is an expert at staying lily white. Which I wish I was at her age, then maybe I wouldn't be so wrinkly and spotty…

Due to our flight being cancelled on the way out (we had a fun day in KC, going to movies and lunch while waiting for another flight), our time at the beach was cut short. We had a full day there, then moved on to Universal Studios.

If you stay at one of the on site hotels, you get a free pass to skip most of the lines. Or you can buy one for EIGHTY NINE BUCKS. geesh!

Good thing we got free ones, because if I'd bought those, I'd have been sad, many attractions didn't even have lines and we wouldn't have needed them anyway. There were times I was very glad to have them, and they were helpful. And we were thrilled with the Hard Rock Hotel. My sweet husband, who is not a fan of Disney, puts up with a lot of princess foofala on trips, and since it was Father's Day week, we thought he should have a place he would like to stay.

It was one of the nicest places ever. The pool was ideal, Sugarwings and I hardly left it when we weren't at the park. She participated in all of the poolside games and contests that she could.

Avahnni even entered the hula hooping event. Sugarwings won the hula hoop water relay twice. So, when the DJ asked for adult volunteers, I figured that I'd get up on the stage and maybe be in a water balloon toss, or something along those lines.

But dang, once I was out of the water, chosen as a volunteer, I discovered…

oh my…

It was a lip sync contest.

oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I don't sing. I can't remember words to songs. I have no rhythm. I dance like Martin Short, if I'm at my best.

The other contestants were cute college girls, swaying to the music and holding up their cocktails. Girls who knew how to dance.

When I was asked what genre of music I wanted, I requested "grandma music". Maybe something from a cartoon or from the 70s? I was given Disco. Oh no. I do not Hustle. Panic was setting in.

Then, I looked around and realized that while there might have been 200 people there, Sugarwings was the only one I knew. So, I went for it. I went as silly and dramatic as I could.

I let the Martin Short in me come out full strength in my dancing and that won the contest for me.

It was a highlight of my trip. Thank god there are no photos. I still am surprised that was me, up there in front of the crowd in a swimsuit, dancing and being silly. My mom would've loved it, she was goofy too.

As much as I loved the Wizarding World, I could've been happy at that pool all week. It even had night time family movies, with underwater speakers.

No matter how much fun a trip is, it is wonderful to be home. And to see progress done on the new room while we were away.

When Sugarwings started reading the Harry Potter books, I told her that I'd take her to Universal to see Hogwarts when she finished them.

Then, her Daddy married the mother of the biggest Harry Potter fangirl ever. So, we decided to change the trip to a "Welcome to the Family" vacation for the fangirl and her sister.

We are lucky to have these two girls in our lives. They are smart, polite, talented, funny, sassy, and cute as can be. We love it that they are such good influences for Sugarwings and Dewdrop.

And we love it that they are now our very own grand fairies.

Plus, I got a bonus trip to Florida out of the deal!! I'm missing those seashells already. Tell me again, why do I live in Kansas instead of near a beach?

Graduation Day for our Hippie Chick!

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / May 18, 2016

Sugarwings' mama is a full time RN, and working her way up into higher degrees until she reaches her goal of nurse midwife. She conquered another step of the journey this week as she graduated from KU's school of nursing.

We are pretty dang proud of her.

It was a beautiful day to watch the procession of graduates down the hill. I'd never been to a KU ceremony before, it was quite a celebration and a festive parade. Hundreds of grads walk down the hill while families line the sidewalk applauding, then all file into the stadium for the speeches and diplomas.

Nursing was a later group, so we picnicked on some popcorn and pretzels while we waited. (I didn't realize until editing photos, that I'd dressed Dewdrop in rival, K State's colors, she was a purple speck in the sea of blue and red).

Our girl had the BEST cap! It was all rainbowed-up, like the rest of her life. She topped it with a sunflower, a symbol of our state.

Schools of Nursing and Education had the most fun hats, and we noticed that the business students didn't do much decorating on theirs. There was a variety of students, of all ages and ethnicities. Some people had their children walk with them, some carried dogs. Many girls in beautiful dresses had bottles of champagne. Families rushed out onto the sidewalks to hug and photograph their loved ones, grads squealed and ran to the ropes to squeeze friends they saw in the crowd. One group had an old school, boom box and sang together, and we saw a few Go Pros filming the whole march too.

This was quite a fun filled, moving experience, and even though I only knew one of the people in the procession, I enjoyed every bit of the parade of black robed people marching down the hill together toward their futures.

Dewdrop called the grads "Hogwarts people", and liked the robes a lot.

Afterwards, we had a party at the cottage. Sugarwings wasn't happy with the display and said that it wasn't a celebration without streamers. And of course, my studio is magic and can provide any craft supply needed at any time, so I had red crepe paper on hand for the sisters to decorate with.

Her idea was to use bandage streamers, since her mom was a nurse, but I couldn't come up with that.

I was able to provide some bandaids that she wanted to stick onto the balloons, though. Cute idea, huh?

We put the decorated cap on an easel in a place of honor on the food table. The lace curtains came down and I found some red rose curtains to hang instead, since our girls like things colorful. There are two different, vintage curtains with red roses on the windows now, and I kinda like it. I might leave them up for a bit. I see no reason to change the curtains again, since that wall will be torn out soon for the remodel anyway. I'll enjoy a splash of color for a while.

Caike said she felt like she was at the Mad Hatter's Teaparty in this dress anyway, and that it seemed like she was the red queen while I was the white queen, painting the roses red for her.

Things got colorful outside too.

The kids at the gathering made use of the boxes of chalk I'd set out for them.

When they weren't blowing bubbles in the woods.

Or hula hooping and jumping in the mulch piles.

It was cute to watch the kids at the buffet table. I'm impressed with hippy family kids. They load up on veggies and fruits and honestly seem to love them, taking them voluntarily, not being bribed or forced. Every kid there filled up a little tin pail with healthy foods, and carried them down to the Fairy Berry Trail to have a picnic in the tree house.

Of course, I'm a grammie, the one who spoils the littles, so I came out into woods and brought a tray of cupcakes for them.

All day long, I was afraid the weather was going to turn bad, but we lucked out. It did cool off a bit, so we lit the bonfire and that was fine. You never know in Kansas what to expect weatherwise, especially in the spring.

We had our air conditioner moved for the remodel project, and in doing so, the furnace was unhooked too. I didn't think it would be a problem on that beautiful 80 degree day when the workman were doing the job. But, after a week of chilly nights and drizzly days, I'm missing the thermostat! I've had to tell grand fairies they couldn't stay all night with me because it is too cold in my house at night.

Brrrrr!

But for the special day of the party, the weather was lovely, the rain held off till after everyone had left. And while my house got cold that night, my heart was warm with memories of the day.