#pinkchristmas

Make a Basic Wreath Look Upscale, Trader’s Pink Poinsettias, a Tahoe Outfit & Last Minute Gifts

December 16, 2022 By kimwheeler 44 Comments

On this weekend meander.. last minute gifts for friends and neighbors from the grocery store, make a basic wreath cool with cuttings from your yard, and an outfit for Tahoe.

Trader Joe’s Pink Poinsettias..

Right now the cutest gift for a neighbor or friend – or just for your holiday table is the pink poinsettias in these nice pots that you can use later for $8! The pots alone are worth the price. I loved the two different pinks and they work with the green of my runner. I moved my wooden bowl to my island and kept the plants here. Hopefully these won’t sell out. It’s rare to see such pretty pinks and who wouldn’t love one of these for a gift?

The world needs more pink poinsettias, if you ask me!

More Last Minute Gift Ideas- from the grocery store..

Sometimes finding a gift is as easy as dropping by your local grocery. Some of the things I like to give from the grocery are tea, candy, and baked goods. Our local stores like Lunardis and Whole foods have piles of Italian cakes, and gourmet chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company and Lake Champlain. They also carry special hot chocolate mix in glass bottles, high end teas from places like Tea Pigs, and others in pretty tins. I like to tuck tea into a bag with some home made cookies or scones or just bottle of local wine, or preserves.

Food is a very appreciated gift and I would say greener as it its more likely locally made, and actually consumed. Older folks really appreciate these little goodies at the holidays. Nice for neighbors too.

At Homegoods and TJMaxx, you can find bunches of cute tea towels inexpensively. Buy a few and wrap them around loaf of banana or cranberry bread, scones or cookies with a pretty bow. Not a baker? Then pair them with a nice box of tea from the grocery or World Market! ( World Market is a fantastic place to get nice teas in pretty tins, German stollen, and chocolates.)

Some of my favorites from WM below. All their teas can be found here online.

Get a custom look with a grocery store wreath and yard cuttings..

This year I decided to save some money and get a basic grocery store wreath for $19 and zhuzh it up with succulents and cuttings from the yard.. I’m hoping it lasts for a while.

I started with the basic noble fir wreath with a few pinecones and juniper already on it…

I was lucky to have a plant with dried hydrangea balls that was perfect to tuck in here. I went around the yard a snipped bits of succulents, then wired or worked them in.

I ordered this ribbon from Amazon and I am surprised how much I like it. Took me about 15 minutes total.

On my French doors, I always buy two small advent candle ring wreath from Trader Joes to hang on the doors. Love the small size and kept it simple with orange ribbon that was leftover from a Hudson Grace gift. I use command hooks and black string to hang which sort of camouflages against the black trimmed doors.

A Tahoe/ Ski Holiday Look

I am excited to get up to our small cabin during the break and we just got 48 inches of snow! A lot of you get to the mountains or Tahoe at this holiday break and I thought I’d do a ski/winter look with some of the darling pieces I have noticed lately..

Madewell had me at this beautiful sage green parka made by Halfdays. If you want a longer jacket, there is also this adorable jacket and this even longer one.

These booties have a toasty lining and water and snow proof suede upper, but are cute enough to wear here in California in the cooler months (so are these.) The cold weather fleece tights will work for hikes and days out and even some skiing with a second layer( these with Stirrups are also cool.) Love the Barbour Sweater, also here, which nearly sold out as soon as I made this collage, but there are more fair isle options here and here . I’m kind of crazy for them now. I also love this cozy one for Tahoe and it’s a good price, as is this one. The shearling tote is now 40% off and this one is also cute.

Lastly, the new Mega Wayfarers are on my wish list and this green is especially pretty.

People are often asking what to pack and wear for Tahoe, so I did add clothing options for colder months and ski trips on my Lake Tahoe Cabin Style page, which is on the drop-down under Home & Decor at the top of the blog. I’ll keep adding to it.

Donate a coat

This has been one of the coldest winters in California, and elsewhere in many years. Many of us have a closet full of coats that we rarely wear. This is one of those years, where shedding a few might really help others. One Warm Coat is one of my favorite charities and such an easy one to help. You can find a local drop-off place where your coat or jackets will be distributed to nearby charity. It’s also easy and simple to hold your own coat drive. Directions how here.I did one with my kids when they were younger. You simply put out a box, either at your home, or it can even be at your kid’s school, or a library or public spot for a stated time, and then pick one of several local charities to deliver them to after.

#Blingit

Our #BLINGIT hashtag is still going strong and so many of you are sharing your lovely family heirlooms and brooches you have collected! Keep sharing them in Instagram, just tag us and we will share on our stories. It’s been a treat every day. More than a few have said getting these pins out really brought back so many special memories of their moms and grandmothers, and holidays past. That is kind of what I was hoping for! It makes me so happy to hear. It’s great to see those special pieces get a little day in the sun and out of the drawer, and remember those who once wore them at this time of year…

Just some of what you all have shared from Dana, Contessa, and Kathy, and so many others. I consolidate them daily on my BlingIt Instagram Story Bubble if you missed it!

Thank You Guys!

This is my last blog for the year and Juliet and I will be taking time off until the 7th of January. It’s been a great for me to do the Weekend Meandering with Elizabeth and Juliet and I can hardly believe we have done it every weekend since beginning in February! I’m hoping taking time off to recharge will be good and we can come back with more fresh ideas for the new year.

I also want to say thank you for being here and the kind comments and feedback! It’s truly the best part of the blog for me and I so appreciate you taking time to stop here. I feel like this is a circle of friends and I am so grateful.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season and wonderful New Year. Hugs to you all.

See you in 2023!

Kim

Please stop over at Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If your missed last weekend’s post, I shared my neutral Christmas Decor, holiday nights at Santana Row, vintage holiday pins, cute runners and napkins, an easy Christmas cookie to make and more…

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Holiday Home Tour- Think Pink for Christmas

November 30, 2022 By kimwheeler 40 Comments

Welcome to the 2022 Holiday Home tour! I’m very excited to be part of Jenny Williamson’s Holiday Tour Week. Each day you’ll see festive rooms from different blogs to give you some ideas and inspiration. I’m sharing my pink Christmas tree that I put up in my den just for me!

If you came here from Postcards From the Ridge, welcome! I’m Kim and live in Northern California.

The list of blogs collaborating on this Christmas tour

I am neutral lover and my home is full of natural elements, lighter colors, and wood tones. I generally go the same way with our main tree and keep it natural and light.

Still, I have always thought pink Christmas trees were fun. One year, when I was small, my grandmother had one -and it was thrilling to me. Last year, when I took over the small space off the kitchen for my own personal den/office, I had a lightbulb moment thinking why not to get a small pink tree? I absolutely am so glad I did it. It was fun pulling it together and it gives me a little joy and I think of my grandma. She would have loved it.

Pink Christmas tree with mercury glass ornaments in a den.

As I am the only women in this family with three men, the main tree could never be all pink. I keep our family tree more traditional and natural, and will share that next week.

I found my pink tree at Homegoods last year. I found these pink mercury glass bulbs on a garland that are the perfect size when cut off the ribbon. The pink tweed ribbon I found last year on our annual Christmas trek to San Francisco at Neiman Marcus at surprisingly $27 for a huge spool. I also use a pink faux fur throw for the skirt, which sort of continues the glam fun feel of this tree.

The tree takes on a warmer pink, almost copper hue when lit that I love. I added this small oriental carpet pillow to my office chair that I had in the same tones.. I love this pink/sherbert orange mix.

Pink Christmas tree with mercury glass and warm pink accents.

I had some Eiffel Tower ornaments that I added here and this star garland.

I also snuck in a little pink house from my dad’s vintage snow scene he had as a kid…

Since last year, I’ve noticed pink trees are becoming even more popular. There is a cute version here in two sizes, and here in many colors and options.

Other pretty pink Christmas items.. This wreath at Target.

I could not find the original ribbon, but this light burlap pink at Joann’s is a soft color look for a tree ribbon and Neiman’s has a beautiful hot pink taffeta ribbon – 25 yards for $39, which isn’t bad for a luxe ribbon.

These bulbs are pretty with a crackle finish and this is a pretty collection. Both good deals.

an assortment of soft pink bulbs for the Christmas tree

I love this copper and pink wrap and this ribbon for presents from Anthropologie.

And if you’re a pink lover , and can’t have a tree…why not have a rose colored stocking?

This patchwork one is adorable as is this one, and this Anthro woven knit version, and this Grand Caravan stocking I love too.

And if you just want a pop of pink and some sass, this pillow from Furbish is a hoot. I might need this in my den or by the front door. This quip is from Home Alone, if you don’t remember..Ha. I think we need a rewatch of that this year..

Home Alone pink Christmas needlepoint pillow

What do you think about pink Christmas decor?

Please be sure and pop by the next room on the tour, Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick, who I think you will love!

Don’t forget to visit each of the homes on the tour each day…

Monday, November 28th (Front Porch/Outdoor Spaces)
Evolution of Style | Maison de Cinq | Home by Heidi | Southern Hospitality | Cindy Hattersley Design

Thursday, December 1st (Mantels/Kitchens/Laundry Rooms)
Southern Hospitality | Cindy Hattersley Design | Home with a Twist | Sincerely Marie Designs | Citrine Living

Friday, December 2nd (Bedrooms)
Dimples and Tangles | This is Our Bliss | Shine Your Light | Sincerely Marie Designs

Thanks for stopping by. More holiday fun coming next week!

Kim

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A Holiday Table and Menu Idea for You

December 24, 2021 By kimwheeler 15 Comments

Hello and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! I hope everyone is able to enjoy the holidays and take a break from the day to day and be with those you love. Cooking, eating and just being with my family is my favorite part of the holiday and I can’t wait to have my guys all here. We do Christmas Eve dinner and then sit by the fire after and exchange gifts with my father.

I think I’ve written about this before, but my family has a tradition my mom began which is staying in our own homes in our pajamas on actual Christmas. The hardest thing this time of year is thinking about my mom and missing her, but my dad and I started a new tradition where we exchange food after Christmas Eve dinner here. He gives my his famous cinnamon rolls to have for Christmas morning and I give him a lasagna to cook on Christmas day. We’ve done it now 6 years and it makes for a very relaxing day and so nice after all the rush. My dad’s cinnamon rolls are amazing and we pop them in the oven when the kids first get up and we only let them open stockings. Then we sit down to have rolls and juice and coffee. No presents until we have cozy breakfast with candles at the table!

Tonight we are trying something a little different for the Christmas Eve meal. My husband has always loved cheese fondue, but it’s a lot of bread and cheese and I often feel like it’s a bit much with all the Christmas treats. A week or so ago we had some friends over for a dinner exchange we do and we tried out a new menu and set a Christmas themed table. It was the same night I tried out this holiday cocktail on this post that was a hit with my friends. The dinner was so easy and had something for everyone, non meat people also, so we are replicating it tonight and I will set the same table.

If you need some ideas for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve menu and festive table this is what we did..

The Table

I had just put up a pink tree in my little den and liked the idea of continuing the theme in the table with pink bulbs scattered on juniper and evergreen branches that I laid out in the center. I added clear votives and a mix of the pink Christmas bulbs I had on hand, small and large and different tones. I found the branches at the grocery store in the floral department, but you can look in your yard or trim your own Christmas tree if you have a live one. I also added pinecones to this mix, which looks great, but I forgot to photograph it.

I don’t have red napkins, so I used some black and pink napkins I bought at Pottery Barn and with the black table, some pretty vintage glassware from my friend Elizabeth, my new plates from Anthro and a cute San Francisco made gourmet chocolate bar as a little gift on each place setting.

The napkins are here-now on sale and these red and green paisley ones would also be cute for a holiday table. I love the idea of taking regular napkins and making them work with the just the addition of matching bulbs in the same colors- so shop your tree (literally) and don’t limit Christmas to just red and green! I used these mini wreaths I found at Joanne’s as napkin rings and tucked a cutting of greenery in each.

The Menu

Ginger Marinated Chicken Breasts Sliced and plattered (we do both meats on the grill.) A recipe here.
Tri-tip with a rub. We often buy it already rubbed at the store, but this California recipe looks good.
Butter lettuce, pear, persimmon and toasted pecan salad. I whisk together a vinaigrette of 1/4 C olive oil,1 T pomegranate or any fruit vinegar and 1 T maple syrup and a squeeze of any citrus plus sale to taste.
Julia Reeds’s Gratin de Macaroni (a fancy and so easy take on baked mac and cheese everyone will love.)
Dessert is Christmas cookies and chocolates we have received on a pretty platter.

As we lost the wonderful Julia Reed in 2020, it’s hard to fins her recipes online and she never had a website. The book I take this from is called Julia Reed’s South and it’s a beautiful book filled with her actual dinner parties and great inspiration. It was a gift from my pal and fellow blogger Juliet who writes Make Mine a Spritzer.

I am copying this directly from the book with her own words to describe. I will never make the usual mac n’ cheese again as this is so much easier than the roux route. Also, if you want to eat lighter, you can change out the whole milk for a lighter fat content and when I made it, I used a whole box of penne (1 pound) and just 1 cup of creme fraiche and it was still super yummy..

Julia Reed’s Gratin de Macaroni

Butter for greasing the
gratin dish
½ pound penne pasta
1½ cups crème fraîche
1½ cups whole milk
1 cup grated Gruyère
cheese
¼ cup finely chopped
Italian parsley leaves
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black
pepper
2 tablespoons grated
Parmesan cheese

“My mother used to make a noodle casserole with egg noodles,
butter, sour cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Neither of us
can find that exact recipe, but I discovered something similar
in-of all places- an out-of-print book on French bistros. This is much
lighter and far speedier than a proper macaroni and cheese made with a
béchamel sauce, and I prefer it, especially with daubes and stews. Feel free
to get creative with the cheeses. I like the way the Parmesan browns on
the top, but I’ve substituted everything from Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
to Thomasville tomme (a buttery Pyrenees-style cow’-milk cheese from
Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy) for the Gruyère.
170
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Butter a shallow glass or earthenware gratin dish
or casserole.
Cook the penne in boiling salted water according to the directions on
the box. Drain and place in a large bowl. Fold in the crème fraîche, milk, and
Gruyère. Stir in the parsley, salt, and pepper, and taste for seasonings.
Spread the mixture in the prepared dish and sprinkle with the Parmesan.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is browned on top and the liquid has
been completely absorbed. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.”
from Julia Reed’s South cookbook.

I also wanted to take the time to say thank you to everyone who subscribes and visits. I truly appreciate you reading and being here and it’s what keeps me going on this blogging journey of almost 11 years! The connection with you all, and the community that comes from doing this is everything to me. I have finally had more time to devote to this with my sons on their own and I hope it will be more fun and interesting to read in the coming year..

Thank you and I wish you a wonderful holiday season and let’s hope an even better and healthier 2022 for all of us.

Much love and happy wishes from my little spot here in Northern California,

Kim

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

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