new year + some fun new things

Diposting oleh Unknown on Selasa, 11 Januari 2011


What is it about a new year that makes you want a fresh start in everything? Well, with our new year at the Willows' having begun, we have lots of fun new goodies and amazing new pieces. If you haven't been by in a while, we'd love to see you! And for those who are far away, here's a little peek inside our doors...



More aboutnew year + some fun new things

happy monday!

Diposting oleh Unknown on Senin, 10 Januari 2011


Hope your week is off to a good start!
More abouthappy monday!

paper wreath

Diposting oleh Unknown on Jumat, 07 Januari 2011


A couple weeks ago, I saw this ever-so-lovely wreath on Velvet and Linen's blog and decided I had to have a go at making my own (I may have had a brief moment of jealousy...). I threw this together last week at the beach and hung it up to add to our New Year's decorations. I love the way it turned out, so I just thought I would share!


Have a wonderful weekend!
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family parties are my no.1

Diposting oleh Unknown on Rabu, 05 Januari 2011


This year for Christmas we decided to have a grown-up dinner party and gift exchange. Brian and I grilled steaks and lobster and the other couples all brought side dishes. Everything was delicious. My son Peter who is a bit of a game enthusiast (to say the least - check out this party we had last year...) was put in charge of coming up with some games for the night. So, we ate, drank, exchanged gifts, played games and had plenty of laughs. I am thinking this is a good tradition to start for years to come. Now, if only we could figure out that private jet to get our Chicago Burches here for the night...


The party favors I made for each of the girls to take home...


We were put into teams of two for the night and played various games and holiday trivia. One of the games Peter came up with was "sleigh pull" (really just a truck, but we were trying to stay with the festive theme). The guy of the team had to pull the truck while in neutral into the driveway, then back it up and pull it into the side carport (basically a three-point turn), while the girl had to steer and break. I think we were on the floor laughing through this entire thing. I mean, who comes up with a game like this, especially for a nice holiday evening? And I may or may not have crashed the car into my own house... breaks and clutches can be very confusing. I admit nothing...


Then it was back inside for dessert, coffee, cocktails and presents...


The next set of games for the evening were a series of holiday related ones that my son Peter more or less made up. Sitting on the table were five holiday items - an ornament, a hershey kiss, a marshmallow, a candy cane and a string of lights. Each team got to choose one of these items without knowing what the game would be. My team was first up and we picked the marshmallow. Any guesses? Yup, how many could you fit in your mouth...


There was also how many hershey kisses could you unwrap in a minute, how many ornaments could you hold in your hands, how many bulbs could you screw into a strand (duds not counting) in a minute, and how many candy canes could you and your partner hang from one another's heads in under a minute...


Can I even tell you how hard we were laughing all night? It was an excellent evening and wonderful to all be together.
And the winner walked away with this fantastic vintage play fridge. Fully stocked.


Hope you all had a wonderful time with your families over the holidays and made lots of memories!
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a new year's toast

Diposting oleh Unknown on Selasa, 04 Januari 2011

A friend shared this inspiring little new year's toast with me, so I thought I would pass it along...
enjoy!

image


New Year’s Toast

Here’s to the new year...
May it bring more joy and success
And less grief and regret.

To our dreams...
May we never stop believing in them
And taking the actions that will make them a reality.

To our friends, loved ones, associates (or colleagues)...
May we take the time to let them know
How much it means to us
To have them in our lives.

Let us encourage more and criticize less,
Give more and need less.
And whenever we can,
Let us create harmony and peace.

To new beginnings...
Let us start fresh, right now,
To make this the very best year ever.

A very Happy New Year to all of us!

By Joanna Fuchs


Dare I even ask if anyone has made any difficult or daring resolutions for this coming year?

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happy new year!

Diposting oleh Unknown on Senin, 03 Januari 2011


We headed back to the beach again for the New Year and had a lovely time. Relaxing and fun. Just what we needed. Lots of walks, coffee, wine, games and a few dance parties to round off the festivities. All in all a great way to ring in the new year...


Happy, happy new year to everyone!
DId anyone do anything especially fantastic? Do share...
More abouthappy new year!