New Blog Header for January | Paperwhites and Hot Chocolate with Blue Plates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2vwu5EaUXKhCNjZVTFqQL6bfPwFPmF126wSLi7G5oqD-msGeHWKqX_HWw5pCdYFhaoQsjuUuHMZo4XdWt206r7oOELJsJUzt0hBhJLOvGPMYeg6vq8V0UIu9Ix2dBSBnlXFjo_Y6kp0/s1600/IMG_8612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2vwu5EaUXKhCNjZVTFqQL6bfPwFPmF126wSLi7G5oqD-msGeHWKqX_HWw5pCdYFhaoQsjuUuHMZo4XdWt206r7oOELJsJUzt0hBhJLOvGPMYeg6vq8V0UIu9Ix2dBSBnlXFjo_Y6kp0/s640/IMG_8612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's January!  Ok, so I'm a little late to the party.  After last week's computer meltdown, my month is off to a slow start, but I have finally changed my header from holiday to January.<br /><br />I thought you might be curious to see what my process is to create these images... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_rlPaaD4Ksl6uwUABzAXiBi-OtFyCbN3EwP6Zp6dpUCESPHwXlXvpCCsgMD_aE8LL4Io3Cr5NpJm1COF6OtW1HJFARgxCNPaXhXLNX79unGJYEYCUYstj12SDgT1GT4htgGg25psT3Y/s1600/IMG_8607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_rlPaaD4Ksl6uwUABzAXiBi-OtFyCbN3EwP6Zp6dpUCESPHwXlXvpCCsgMD_aE8LL4Io3Cr5NpJm1COF6OtW1HJFARgxCNPaXhXLNX79unGJYEYCUYstj12SDgT1GT4htgGg25psT3Y/s640/IMG_8607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is one of the early versions of the shot including what is not cropped for the final image.  See me standing on the chair in the bottom right... Do you like my house shoes?  Part of my official uniform.  In and out of the house.  To the store, to Emma's school... I have no shame.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIZxPS5njbN1A1cNoKCi9AZurdosdWyIqKlP5FKCn7d_h9jfAiF1nxcoeP3u65810VperLlXX9d5yz7W4fJ4P9X95mYJuY1gVUodNtSoo3Gse0PuMoVAjRJbDms0TsypmHNPWflR8BWE/s1600/IMG_9849.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIZxPS5njbN1A1cNoKCi9AZurdosdWyIqKlP5FKCn7d_h9jfAiF1nxcoeP3u65810VperLlXX9d5yz7W4fJ4P9X95mYJuY1gVUodNtSoo3Gse0PuMoVAjRJbDms0TsypmHNPWflR8BWE/s640/IMG_9849.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I pull my table near the window in my dining room covered with white linen sheers to create ambient light vs. harsh shadows.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv0uAp8uot-_bcusLI7Ok1XyinfOiB6MLH1abl5mxUzR5aAW_E0eK3RtyYzhIbYe7KGwRZeQ6hcA52O6HOa8f2Kj7HTe2xeHo9OHXTVDk8aMQHI_JhBuHwMGySyPev_jIQPv1PtHw76s/s1600/IMG_9843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv0uAp8uot-_bcusLI7Ok1XyinfOiB6MLH1abl5mxUzR5aAW_E0eK3RtyYzhIbYe7KGwRZeQ6hcA52O6HOa8f2Kj7HTe2xeHo9OHXTVDk8aMQHI_JhBuHwMGySyPev_jIQPv1PtHw76s/s640/IMG_9843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here is a close-up of the cut paperwhites.  The overhead shot just doesn't do them justice.  I'm so excited to enjoy these this week. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjrcwyhnqLPOhz6NtbFD7gQTJUihpe4lk5QOUWr7tWWR_x-XQ00c924kWLXclfpl1_L0FlsiuBho4Z_08dJ3dikEyNo2bbybpuwscVmf-BdLymcitbpKlj5V30Vmru6P9NIULaHZ3cHk/s1600/IMG_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjrcwyhnqLPOhz6NtbFD7gQTJUihpe4lk5QOUWr7tWWR_x-XQ00c924kWLXclfpl1_L0FlsiuBho4Z_08dJ3dikEyNo2bbybpuwscVmf-BdLymcitbpKlj5V30Vmru6P9NIULaHZ3cHk/s640/IMG_9845.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love soft powder blue in January.  Such a welcome relief from the bold reds and greens from the Holidays. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7tdwH6JP9gYNbD_S7Q2Z1CU78a4ak3J5FlGi1yyeCtHXzUUAWpC-GASzcQZLDj0xuVvVz1SIU3RGgkaQv2_dhOpo6Hl0ZJDFCUhGc2fUmOo_Bg-Uz_nmfFtT3hZAewBw_iH1SA9uWmw/s1600/IMG_9846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7tdwH6JP9gYNbD_S7Q2Z1CU78a4ak3J5FlGi1yyeCtHXzUUAWpC-GASzcQZLDj0xuVvVz1SIU3RGgkaQv2_dhOpo6Hl0ZJDFCUhGc2fUmOo_Bg-Uz_nmfFtT3hZAewBw_iH1SA9uWmw/s640/IMG_9846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These coffee cup potted violets were a runner up, but I wanted to keep the palette more simple than the deep purple... even though these will be on my table for the rest of the month.

New Blog Header for January | Paperwhites and Hot Chocolate with Blue Plates

It's January!  Ok, so I'm a little late to the party.  After last week's computer meltdown, my month is off to a slow start, but...

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Williams-Sonoma Blog | The Blender

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRkZ_A2haQgpEyKic41VuZ5sI07zDRXOKV23x0Nxqfij9QDXgzjpmuJLOYlSNVWUGWx9lW7YdxQfKLM9Ky7uzxmzYwMsBeXR_vNdM_GDldPT_zPkb0qrU82bXWrtt9psk9vZ_MzwrIss/s1600/intouch1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRkZ_A2haQgpEyKic41VuZ5sI07zDRXOKV23x0Nxqfij9QDXgzjpmuJLOYlSNVWUGWx9lW7YdxQfKLM9Ky7uzxmzYwMsBeXR_vNdM_GDldPT_zPkb0qrU82bXWrtt9psk9vZ_MzwrIss/s1600/intouch1.jpeg" /></a></div> For the past couple of weeks I've been contributing to <a href="http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/author/jsteffens/">The Williams-Sonoma Blog, The Blender</a>, on all things entertaining.  It has been a lot of fun to reach out to new readers for such a well respected brand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhgkN102-KuOLjipPGwsWIxUyTrBPP8XxZ0Fh-0-nSVtbeS0jK300DNOXAzBikdkKiA0MNqAmrxdWaSWSwCL70w88NBgwFRNB267jttURNSM9fdkD0hpfRZ0w_wXfal4fpxSTyQ34ooU/s1600/IMG_7010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhgkN102-KuOLjipPGwsWIxUyTrBPP8XxZ0Fh-0-nSVtbeS0jK300DNOXAzBikdkKiA0MNqAmrxdWaSWSwCL70w88NBgwFRNB267jttURNSM9fdkD0hpfRZ0w_wXfal4fpxSTyQ34ooU/s640/IMG_7010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24-OALzwIKOi-1B3fNTC_Jp6IBHJIWWiJioR9jfDddg0kG2dXIib_w5Iz0A86V85YuJ-QURHA30mjV3nOB1fEAAN3pShwSnxYe3ift8R05jQoKzFe3wMhEwBe6RjXUEp5SRjaqjifvWw/s1600/IMG_7069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24-OALzwIKOi-1B3fNTC_Jp6IBHJIWWiJioR9jfDddg0kG2dXIib_w5Iz0A86V85YuJ-QURHA30mjV3nOB1fEAAN3pShwSnxYe3ift8R05jQoKzFe3wMhEwBe6RjXUEp5SRjaqjifvWw/s640/IMG_7069.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>The first submission was a <a href="http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/hosting-a-fall-harvest-dinner-party/">Fall Harvest Table Setting & Dinner Party Menu</a>.  I featured a table set with heirloom pumpkins and <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/10/mini-pumpkin-candle-holder-diy-fall.html">mini pumpkin candle holders that Mike and I created</a>.<br /><br />The post includes a Harvest inspired menu that would be perfect for a small, intimate gathering of friends. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28r8Zmuj-4Mgpc4euiXcYvwEMssmUMJNtVwJzgm90mAdObdjq1aeyUVuLh3cJHyqv1n-NxVIFGyRXvaDk0DiW6G-KeWBUl8NH1SFOBJ6MXU2RHgEa6cRENu5EpGF2qYtgQm4iECjged2-/s1600/IMG_7082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28r8Zmuj-4Mgpc4euiXcYvwEMssmUMJNtVwJzgm90mAdObdjq1aeyUVuLh3cJHyqv1n-NxVIFGyRXvaDk0DiW6G-KeWBUl8NH1SFOBJ6MXU2RHgEa6cRENu5EpGF2qYtgQm4iECjged2-/s640/IMG_7082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMFYybsOBC-TIWvnnK9oNU9gYVr7cOUwpWiqjpQ6U0jm0dXltBEfaUKdYLSwiDZ1oJgAtppKq3VuFYT0cDugm52a5aQdaC8TgrGg4jcPq63LdVXasTBLDtPfN2WKV9cQCAV8nnx5dRLk/s1600/Fall+Tailgate+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMFYybsOBC-TIWvnnK9oNU9gYVr7cOUwpWiqjpQ6U0jm0dXltBEfaUKdYLSwiDZ1oJgAtppKq3VuFYT0cDugm52a5aQdaC8TgrGg4jcPq63LdVXasTBLDtPfN2WKV9cQCAV8nnx5dRLk/s640/Fall+Tailgate+Party.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVMx2kaMsNvsb43ibZjrjkkY6cRFGKz0hJKYnI7DJo_geHzhTEhZebxSUTSUwoDganiUV1nDtrRtnFKvL3RNVuKBGuKEfAPrNAyZ8Bpl_Ot88meKYEC9dKBBLpiItCdrMiUYV7QAxBzQ/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVMx2kaMsNvsb43ibZjrjkkY6cRFGKz0hJKYnI7DJo_geHzhTEhZebxSUTSUwoDganiUV1nDtrRtnFKvL3RNVuKBGuKEfAPrNAyZ8Bpl_Ot88meKYEC9dKBBLpiItCdrMiUYV7QAxBzQ/s320/IMG_6088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For my second submission, I expanded on my <a href="http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/tips-for-hosting-a-tailgate-party/">Game Day Tailgate Party</a> idea with more details on how to set up a great game day spread and how to incorporate team colors into your decor. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIL6FV3nA_W4mGIm85bI_WJAEg8cCqL7WkM3NRv-NED1rs4swHSewHTwKLoEWqGoZzASdr2x7IBGF1YlGkIwHixjP680h6qW4XdvdihJQYIy4fczG8jtin05-rJifyPmPGrlPmavB8pE/s1600/IMG_8041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIL6FV3nA_W4mGIm85bI_WJAEg8cCqL7WkM3NRv-NED1rs4swHSewHTwKLoEWqGoZzASdr2x7IBGF1YlGkIwHixjP680h6qW4XdvdihJQYIy4fczG8jtin05-rJifyPmPGrlPmavB8pE/s400/IMG_8041.JPG" width="393" /></a></div>Check in at <a href="http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/author/jsteffens/">The Blender</a> often to see what else I've been up to... here's a hint : the next post might include piles of pumpkins.

Williams-Sonoma Blog | The Blender

 For the past couple of weeks I've been contributing to The Williams-Sonoma Blog, The Blender , on all things entertaining.  It has been...

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Comment Comments - Sorry to leave anyone out!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR_hYI2rTqb8R5RZRgwpgLA7EhVwXtE8FuvgMrnWum5MAQyDi-nYv6FTmooITsdjDr7JMwlNT0C5CbEN_Ax8pJjDKEByBVz8ZZxbBGWAHChBjtQjRAKJbqg2J82rdrBsIMXMUE0FLdtM/s1600/I_0010webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR_hYI2rTqb8R5RZRgwpgLA7EhVwXtE8FuvgMrnWum5MAQyDi-nYv6FTmooITsdjDr7JMwlNT0C5CbEN_Ax8pJjDKEByBVz8ZZxbBGWAHChBjtQjRAKJbqg2J82rdrBsIMXMUE0FLdtM/s640/I_0010webres.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qsGl51q4ltDuIeGhwczXPyWwC-EdiUxbyWAFA3iITec8FfGiGQUz5SqKuHbVSnV2MyLMgXFw-HrBwvOBlENoVyNECpKeDYES2WE8D3INBeQ_LNijgQ2NOhY9WM0sdk88FUPAwGUjIvcq/s1600/I_0006webres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qsGl51q4ltDuIeGhwczXPyWwC-EdiUxbyWAFA3iITec8FfGiGQUz5SqKuHbVSnV2MyLMgXFw-HrBwvOBlENoVyNECpKeDYES2WE8D3INBeQ_LNijgQ2NOhY9WM0sdk88FUPAwGUjIvcq/s320/I_0006webres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Okay... so, my sister told me that she had trouble commenting on my blog - 1 year ago.  I never thought much about it until now (sorry Jill).  I thought, "Maybe other readers are having trouble commenting, too!?"  Turns out, I had a setting on my blogger account that only allowed registered blogger users to comment - oops!  I've made the correction... let the commenting begin!<br /><br />This only decent photo I had of me sitting at my computer...  it was taken 3 years ago - even before this blog existed!  Isn't Mr. Darcy adorable in this photo?  It was his first photo shoot - he was a little shy.

Comment Comments - Sorry to leave anyone out!

Okay... so, my sister told me that she had trouble commenting on my blog - 1 year ago.  I never thought much about it until now (sorry Jill)...

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Blogs I Read | My Blog Roll | Food Blogs, Home Decor, Pretty Things

<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyC-Pe0peRPaeJkw8AxH0hK_BMSz2aCVvLm6XLqc7gL7UfaKsi_JpWIy2jLAzJmHTQceRC77Ew30HVkILAbOu9Vc2FlUDKfAMJRTW04hYlu2GVrMdJMELrDu9DzmHpZ3GBMh98Ft1H5eL/s1600/I_0010webres.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyC-Pe0peRPaeJkw8AxH0hK_BMSz2aCVvLm6XLqc7gL7UfaKsi_JpWIy2jLAzJmHTQceRC77Ew30HVkILAbOu9Vc2FlUDKfAMJRTW04hYlu2GVrMdJMELrDu9DzmHpZ3GBMh98Ft1H5eL/s400/I_0010webres.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/">For The Love of a House</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/">The Handmade Home</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.katyelliott.com/">Katy Elliott</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com/">Cannelle et Vanille</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.themarthablog.com/">The Martha Blog </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/">I Am Baker</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://goop.com/">GOOP</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bossacafez.blogspot.com/">Evan's Kitchen Ramblings</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/">The Lettered Cottage</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://youngmarriedchic.com/">Young Married Chic</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ontobaby.com/">On to Baby</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://sunday-suppers.com/">Sunday Suppers</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://acozykitchen.com/">A Cozy Kitchen </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.joythebaker.com/">Joy the Baker</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tarteletteblog.com/">The Tartelette </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://eatathomecooks.com/">Eat at Home</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Blogs I Read | My Blog Roll | Food Blogs, Home Decor, Pretty Things

For The Love of a House The Handmade Home Katy Elliott Cannelle et Vanille The Martha Blog I Am Baker GOOP Evan's Kitchen Ramblings The ...

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