Be merry, Kate

WE'VE MOVED!

2012-01-09T11:50:00.001-05:00

Thank you for stopping by! The blog has officially moved to www.bemerrykate.com.

Please update your bookmarks and blog feeds friends!

If you are not automatically redirected, please click here.

New Blog for the New Year!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Update your blogrolls friends...

Be merry, Kate has a new home and a new look!

A big thanks to everyone who has helped me through out the move - particularly Brandi!

The new site is:

www.bemerrykate.com

Do stop by and say hello!

Isn't it refreshing to start the new year off on a clean slate? I think so!

twenty eleven

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that 2011 is already over. Where did the time go?!? I can't say too many exciting things happened this year for us but here is a quick recap of some of the highlights.

becoming godparents and a trip to texas

{please excuse this super rough picture}

my sister's wedding in Bermuda

training for and running in a 5k

an anniversary trip to West Virginia

We wrapped up the year with a trip south for Christmas and will be quietly ringing in the new year together back home. Did you do anything exciting during the year?

resolution recap

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's time again to see how I fared on my new year's resolutions for 2011. I really ought to do this again in July this year to make sure I'm staying on track. Here's a quick recap of my resolutions for the year...

Be a morning person

Do more of what I love

Pray more

Try new things

Be a better friend

{photo}

I don't know if I can say that I successfully accomplished any of these... but I did manage to do a little bit of each one...

I'm not a morning person, but I am every once in a while.

I did do quite a bit more sewing and crafting.

I caught myself praying more.

I don't know if I tried many new things, but I did try a few.

Sadly, I think I became a worse friend over the year rather than a better one.

The best thing about this is that there is always next year! It's time to start thinking up the new resolutions for 2012 and hope that a bit more gets accomplished!

How did you do with your 2011 resolutions?

on Christmas Day

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo}

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on Earth, good will to men!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

do it yourself :: Christmas cards

2011-12-21T22:15:00.001-05:00

I had hoped to get this post out to you a wee bit earlier today, but I hope you enjoy it all the same. This Christmas, I decided to make my own cards rather than search high and low for the perfect ones. I will tell you right now that I will never do this again. I did enjoy the process but I get caught up sending cards to so many people that well... it got a little draining. I sent out 75 cards and still managed to leave out cousins {sorry guys, I included you in your parent's cards though!} and quite a few friends. I have no idea how that happens...

Anyway, here is what you'll need:

blank folded cards

seasonal scrapbook or wrapping paper

glue stick

various holiday rubber stamps

coordinating ribbon and ink pads

First thing you'll want to do is figure out how to snip up your paper. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it should fit on about half of the front of the card. Then once you've got it all cut up, glue the pieces onto the card and trim off any excesses.

Then I took my red ribbon {not pink. because I totally got pink on accident} and tied the simplest little double knot around the card. You could probably get all fancy with bows, but I am horrible at bows. I didn't glue this on in anyway, I just tied it really tight.

Inside, I stamped a little Christmas greeting. I couldn't resist this stamp and I'm sure I will use it for many Christmas cards in the future {ones that will not be handmade to this extent!}

On the front, I also stamped a little tree to finish it off. A few cards have our last name on them instead, but as I only have alphabet stamps and not a custom name stamp, that became very obnoxious very fast. So a tree it became!

{pretty sure this was some of the pink ribbon. look closely!}

Once they were done, I wrote brief little notes and sealed them up. I decorated the envelopes a bit with more stamps. Hopefully people smile when they open their mailbox!

--------------------

Despite all of my complaining, I really did enjoy making these. Had I not done so many, I wouldn't have sworn off my little craft for eternity. It does go to show that anyone can make something like this! It really took no creative abilities on my part.

I'm linking up with Caroline again today for her Christmas Craft Along this week!

do it yourself :: Christmas Place Card Holders

2011-12-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

This Christmas we are heading down to my brother's house. Christmas dinner is going to be packed, complete with my family as well as my sister-in-law's family. So, when suggested the idea of place cards at the table, I jumped right in trying to think of a good idea. I found this DIY and decided to try it myself.

Here's what you'll need:

The washers can be found in the sewing aisle of craft stores, they're typically used for shower curtains and whatnot. Make sure you get the right size as mine were a little too big for the ornaments I ended up with. I found key rings in the jewelry making aisle.

Step One

Hot glue the washer to the bottom of the ornament. This makes it so the ornament can actually stand on its own. If its not directly in the center the ornament will be wobbly or just look ridiculous. {See how ridiculously large my washers are?!?}

Step Two

Wind the key ring on to the top loop of the ornament.

Step Three

Put a dab of hot glue to keep it in place. Make sure the part of the key ring that splits (the two ends) are not directly at the top. I made this mistake on almost all of mine!

Tahdah!

You're done! Pretty easy right?

Now making the actual place card is an entirely different story. I have no talent in that department, so I leave you with this.

Hope you enjoyed the little DIY. I'm linking up with Caroline again today! Swing by over there and check out some other people's projects!

I hope to have a couple more for you this week, so stay tuned!

the return

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo - original source unknown}

Hello again! Sorry for the unannounced blogging break last week... not too sure what happened there! I did quite a bit of reading {finished my most recent book and started a new one} and crafting and shopping. Now, I am feeling geared up for Christmas {less than a week away... what?} and I ~~promise~~ will try very hard not to abandon you like that again!

{hello holiday} :: for the bookish

2011-12-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

For this final installment of the {hello holiday} gift guides, I wanted to share a few ideas for your book loving friends. I had one particular friend that I had in mind while I was making up this guide. If you have any friends who always have a book in their hand, here are a few ideas!

{1}

A print representing one of their favorite books would be a great gift.

{2}

For the more modern reader, a classic kindle cover.

{3}

Every good bibliophile needs a good set of bookplates. These should do the trick.

{4}

A mug like this has made an appearance here before. It's just too perfect not to share again.

{5}

This tote is perfect for frequent trips to the library.

{6}
Who wouldn't love a few bookmarks of their favorite authors?

I hope you have all enjoyed the {hello holiday} gift guides! Be sure the check the rest of them out!

getaway weekend

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

On our way down to the in-law's for Thanksgiving we stopped in West Virginia for a little getaway weekend. We stayed at a sweet little B&B and didn't have any plans for the weekend. We ate some delicious food and trekked around the New River Gorge for most of the day. Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend.

On Saturday we ate at Pies & Pints, a delicious pizza place in town. If you're ever driving down 19 in West Virginia you must stop. They are also in Charleston, WV. We ordered a half margherita and half classic pizza and it was absolutely delicious. Seriously some of the best pizza I've ever had.

After a post-pizza coma nap, we went exploring around the gorge. This was so much fun. There is a huge high level bridge over the gorge {as you can see there on the bottom left} but we took the windy back road down one side, across and up the other side. It was quite a long drive but it was so worth it!

I'm already itching to go back to the sweet town of Fayetteville, WV. But until then, I'll just have to remember it through pictures!

on the menu :: pumpkin carrot cake

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

This past summer I had most every evening of the week free as J was taking an evening class. I got sucked into quite a few summer shows, but mostly I became obsessed with Master Chef. I've never gotten into reality shows or cooking shows, but this one hooked me. Then, there was an episode where the contestants were required to make a cake. Ben Starr made his signature pumpkin carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and candied hazelnuts. Instantly I put it on my list of things to make.

As this isn't my recipe, I'll just direct you here to find it. I followed it word for word. Right down to toasting the spices. I was trying something a little different though and used two bundt cakes instead of regular cake rounds. It was suppose to look like this. But it didn't. It's okay, it was still delicious. Here is a quick visual of the process of making this cake. Caution: you will be drooling by the end.

1. All of the ingredients laid out.

2. Mixing all of the spices before giving them a nice toasting.

3. Stiff peaks! I messed this part up a bit. Still worked though!

4. Mixing it all together.

5. The cake that loved its pan too much to leave it.

1. Making some candy coating.

2. Covering the hazelnuts in candy.

3. Whipping that cream cheese frosting!

And finally...

Drumroll please...

THE FINISHED CAKE!

It took me nearly all day to make it. I took quote a few breaks of course, but it really was labor intensive! It was all worth it in the end, though, when it was time to slice it up and eat it!

From what I hear, the in-laws were mightily impressed.

{hello holiday) :: for the crafties

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

I've been a craft lover for most of my life. My momma use to craft all the time. I lost it somewhere along the way and lately have been coming back to it. Honestly, I kind of can't get enough of it lately. If you have a friend or family member like this... here's a great gift guide for them!

{1}

Notecards for knitters from Jack & Ella.

{2}

May seem silly, but these vintage train cases make excellent sewing boxes. I know because I have one myself.

{3}

A cross stitch pattern that you can stitch up yourself or you could make a little gift basket of all the materials needed for her to do it. Sewing Seed has quite a few options {but this pig makes me giggle.}

{4}

These mini sewing set of rubber stamps would be great for a friend who sews. They would be great to add to business cards, tags and notes.

{5}

This print from Yellow Heart Art would be a perfect to frame and give to someone who does indeed make pretty things all day.

{6}

One of the sweetest pin cushions I've ever seen from Sea Pinks.

do it yourself :: festive wreath

2011-12-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

I'm always coming up with fun little crafty projects and I tend to start more than I have time for. For this one, I forced myself to have the time though. After all, I wanted to finish it in time for the Christmas season! I'm sharing how I made it with you today as part of Caroline's Christmas Craft Along. Have fun!

So here we go - a fun festive wreath that may take a little while to make but it is relatively pretty easy!

what you'll need:

basic foam wreath

{wrapped in 2" ribbon}

felt in festive colors

{lots of it. I used about 20 sheets for a 9" wreath}

scissors

hot glue gun

{and some glue sticks of course}

coordinating spare ribbon

{you don't need much}

Step One:

cut felt sheets into four squares

snip corners of squares so they are rounded off

{you can use extra felt to make additional little squares,

I ended up not using these}

Step Two:

cut each square into a spiral as shown

{don't mind the mail in the background. no bigs.}

Step Three:

roll the spiral up into a rosette, glue as you go

{apologies for poor lighting, but I think you'll live}

{if you've never made a rosette before, roll one up before you start hot gluing so you get the picture}

Step Four:

glue and/or pin the extra ribbon to the wreath to make a hook

I don't have any specific tricks for this, whatever works here friends!

I just wrapped it around with a loop at the top

Step Five:

Start gluing the felt rosettes to the wreath in any fashion you prefer!

I did blocks of each color {about 8 rosettes per section} and alternated

It's better to have too many rosettes on the wreath than too few. Be sure to cover the inside of the wreath and of course avoid the back as that will be against a wall or door anyway!

Step Six:

hang it up and sing Christmas carols.

I told you it was pretty easy! Oh, and if you hot glue some rosettes in the wrong spot and you don't realize it until the glue is already cooled and dried {nope, I definitely didn't do that} just grab your trusty hair dryer and blast the rosettes with some heat! They will come right off!

-------------------

Hope y'all enjoyed the little tutorial! Let me know if you make a wreath because I will want to see it! Until then, check out some of the other Christmas crafts over at Caroline's blog!

roses in December

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo}

God gave us memory so that we might
have roses in December.

J.M. Barrie

Couch to 5k :: Race Day!

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Whoa. I managed to forget to update you on my 5k! Yikes! Sorry about that friends. Well, I did it! My original goal was to finish under 35 minutes {the program assumes you can run a 10 minute mile by race day. hah!} Considering I had totally slacked off in the last two weeks of my training, I decided to forego my goal and just do my best. My new goal was to finish under 40 minutes. Well, this "flat course" had a hella crazy number of hills. They were tough!

J runs faster than I do, but I can run for longer than him. He sped right past me as we started and I figured I would pass by him in a few minutes once he started walking. I kept an eye out though and I never saw him. After about 15 minutes of running {well, and a bit of walking myself, really those hills were killer!} I was starting to get discouraged. Not that I didn't want him to do well, I just kept thinking that he was running as I was expecting him to and I was running slower than that!!!

{cool story. my number was actually 66. way to go me}

At the halfway point I checked my watch. 18 minutes. Sigh... instead of seeing that and saying, "oh that'll put me around 36 minutes, that's not bad!" I said, "geeze, that's practically 20 minutes. I'll never finish under 40." Needless to say, as I got to the last mile I realized that I must have passed J without noticing it {I did, at about the 3 minute mark} and that I was doing much better than I thought. So I pushed through that last mile and finished!

37:26

That's a pace just under 12 minutes, similar to my last reported training run. I'll take it! Thank you again for all of your support friends. I will keep you updated on my future races. I hope to keep up with running throughout the winter, but we will see!

PS - Shout out to Melissa and Taylor who ran with us! It was such a fun morning. Oh, another cool story, Taylor came in 6th overall!

dear december

2011-12-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

Why hello December, you sure did sneak up on us didn't you? November flew by, as it usually does. It was a good month, but I do love Christmas and the start of winter.

{photo}

My favorite part of the month is without a doubt the twinkle lights. Mixed with a little evergreen and little snow, they really can't be beat. I've always thought of December as such a romantic month...

{photo}

... between sharing the love at Christmastime and the glitz of New Years, I think everyone gets a little bit of a spark in their heart.

{photo}

Am I making sense? I hope so.

{hello holiday} :: for the bests

2011-12-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

I love buying gifts for my friends. Sadly, I've had to cut back on that lately, and probably will have to for quite a while! If I did have the extra cash though, here are a few of my favorite picks for your favorite friends.

{1}

I don't think I could ever have enough little pouches to store stuff. I love this one from Petunia Blooms. Plus, it comes with an adorable matching hair clip! Use the code BEMERRY for 15% off!

{2}

This market bag from simple things is so sweet and simple. It would be an instant favorite of mine!

{3}

I adore these sweet little initial necklaces from Anne Kiel. Certainly better than better than those BFFL half heart necklaces from when you were 5.

{4}

Chances are, your best friend has the same fashion sense as you do. The line of Farmer's Market dresses at oh, sweet joy! is perfect. Use the code GIFTGUIDE for 10% off!

{5}

Rings don't often catch my eye, but this libra ring from elephantine always does. I can think of a few friends that would love it too.

{6}

This Cotton Lane Bake Me a Cake apron is perfect for your friend who can put the Ace of Cakes to shame. Use the code BEMERRY for 15% off!

PS - Check out the rest of the {hello holiday} gift guides here!

{hello holiday} :: for the momma's

2011-11-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not going to lie, I usually have an easy time shopping for my momma. Though I do think I have hit a rut of getting her solely kitchen things lately. Hopefully I can mix things up a bit this year! Here are a few of my top picks for our moms this Christmas...

{1}

This sweet floral locket with a picture of her favorite child {you of course} would be lovely.

{2}

A vintage inspired hot pad from Moxie Mandie for her kitchen.

{3}

A batch of striped tea towels from One Sydney Road are something she'd appreciate.

{4}

Get her excited for spring gardening with an adorable apron from pam wares.

{5}

If she's anything like my momma then she would love this super rare Fenton hobnail milk glass bowl.

{6}

Mom's are always writing notes to people. How about gifting her these flat notes from Starshaped Press to encourage it.

PS - Check out the rest of the {hello holiday} gift guides here!

{this day} louisa may alcott

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo}

Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors!

November 29, 1832

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, PA

an expectant hush

2011-11-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

{photo via A Holy Experience}

Let's approach Christmas

with an expectant hush,

rather than a last-minute rush.

Anonymous

For the record, if a quote ever says "anonymous" I usually skip right over it. But this one I couldn't pass up. Part of the reason why I love starting my Christmas celebration so early is so when it finally arrives, I can calmly enjoy it. Granted, this never actually happens. I have hopes of finishing cards and shopping by Thanksgiving, and they never get fulfilled.

So despite the fact that I will be in a slight rush to finish, I am challenging myself to truly take in this Advent season and fully prepare for Christmas. Wish me luck, and I do hope you join me in this effort!

{hello holidays} :: for the kiddos

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Next to guys, I've always thought kids can be tricky to shop for. Typically its the older ones that are hard {trust me with a 12 year old nephew and a 16 year old niece, I know!} But even the littler ones can be complicated sometimes especially if you are aiming for handmade gifts rather than the usual loud plastic toy. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

{1}

This onesie from Witty Bitty speaks for itself.

{2}

This handsome Jack Tee from es+es would have any little girl swooning.

{3}

I'm obsessed with all of these wooden toys. Particularly the little cars.

{4}

A headband from much love illy is perfect for any little girl. Check out her post here for some great discount codes for the weekend! {Use BLACKFRIDAY30 for 30% off today only!}

{5}

A fun crinkle toy from Alexandra Rose for the little ones.

{6}

These knit elephants from 72stitches are too cute and I'd imagine are fun to play with. This guy is pretty awesome too.

thankful {day 4}

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for...

{photo}

hope for the future.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I hope you all enjoy the day and remember the true things we need to be thankful for.

guest post :: mkdesign & decor

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hello there, Be merry, Kate fans! I am so pleased to have the chance to blog swap with Kate. If you are wondering where she is, you can find her over at my blog, MKDesign & Decor. If you read her post over there, you'll find out that Kate and I are old friends from our college days (not that it was all that long ago that we tromped around campus). After seeing each other about a week ago (the first time since both of us have had blogs), I tossed out the idea of guest posting. And she liked it!

So here I am today to share with you what is my "ideal" Thanksgiving tablescape. Before I begin, a little prelude is in order: I am a tad eclectic in my tastes. Because I am not typically drawn to dark-hued colors, what I think of as a perfectly ideal tablescape for Thanksgiving isn't necessarily comprised of a palette of browns, maroons, oranges and beiges in large scales.

Very pretty, just not "me" {photo}

Now that you know where I am NOT going with this tablescape, then where AM I going? Oh, I am so glad that you asked! To begin, since we are giving thanks to God for all of our blessings, we need to be concerned with what is above our heads, and what is giving us the light to feast upon the food in front of us:

{photo}

Down on the table canvas, I don't want to clutter too much with decor because there needs to be room not only for serving platters, but also I do not want guests to feel too overcrowded by what is going on in front of them on the table. Having a couple of good statements on the table is much better than a heap full of little things.

Because one large centerpiece could block people from seeing who is seated across from them, I like to create a "multi-faceted" centerpiece, using a couple of simple objects that together create a statement.

{photo}

Place settings are a perfect point in your tablescape to highlight how really special of an occasion it is. I love this picture because of the gilded silverware, laid across the china place with a rose and cloth napkin (cloth napkins always signal something special!).

{photo}

As for place settings, I might also be tempted to let my eclectic side come out and choose to use a delightful painted plate...also with the cloth napkin :)

{photo}

If you have a lot of guests joining you for the holiday, whether it because you come from a large family or you just have a ton of friends (either option is quite fun!), guide people right to the food with some beautiful, cute, and fun place cards.

{photo}

If you think (like I may) that place cards are trouble, yet you still want something to draw people to their seats, I would be a big fan of whipping together something a-la this chair dressing (sans the pumpkins...no one wants pumpkin mash on the pants).

{photo}

I believe you must have multiple dessert options for any holiday, therefore I would need a dessert "buffet" to be spread across my sideboard for my dear guests to visit after they joined the Clean Plate Club. To make the dessert a little extra special, I love to treat my guests to little accents sprinkled through my buffet lines. Not too much to overwhelm, just enough for them to say, "Oh, that is so pretty!" as they put another cookie on their plate.

{photo}

------

I hope that my ideal Thanksgiving tablescape gets you excited for tomorrow and gives you a little inspiration for dressing up your table as you dress up your turkey. Have a very merry holiday!

{hello holiday} :: for the boys

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

I decided to start with the hardest person to shop for... the men in our lives! Seriously, sometimes buying gifts for guys is just down right impossible. I have gotten a few compliments lately from my husband about how I am "the best gift-giver ever" so hopefully this little guide will help you earn that title as well.

{1}

A decal for his beloved mac. All boys are Star War's fans, rights?

{2}

Along the classier lines, some personalized stationery. I'm a big fan of Manzanita Press' simple designs.

{3}
A print of his favorite city from Albie Design.

{4}
For the meat eaters, this ridiculous baconotarian shirt. More amazingness here.

{5}
Another city print, this time a bit different. Studio KMO has a deal going to Facebook fans only through 11/28!

{6}
One of my favorites, soap made out of good Irish beer. Made with real Irish Stout from Dr. K Soap Company

looking together

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

{photo by Jesse Holland Photography via Style Me Pretty}

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Today is the 2nd anniversary of our wedding day! It's amazing how fast time goes. We celebrated by spending the weekend in a sweet little small town in West Virgina. It was a quick trip but a fun one! I'll be sure to share some of those photos as soon as I can!