Hostess Gifts

What to bring??  

It's such a dilemma, especially in the military community, when there is such a wide variety of events to attend. 
Hostess gifts need not be elaborate and should not be costly, they need only to be thoughtful. And they aren't always necessary, but, an RSVP and a prompt thank you note are.
 As a senior spouse, this is my take on hostess gifts.

If you are having brunch or lunch in someone's home I think a hostess gift is always a kind gesture. 

Some great examples of mid-day hostess gifts are:

Candles...who doesn't love them? And you will probably use them before you have to pack up and move them! Candles are my go to gift to give and one of my favorites to get.

Small bouquet of flowers or

  fresh herbs, you could even attach a simple recipe.

Thick, fragrant bars of beautiful soap. 

Note cards with a monogram or simple design…with some forethought (which is rare for me!) I have taken a photo of a friend's house and had them made into note cards.

My favorite book to give is "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" by  Anna Quindlen, it's such a sweet read. 

I always appreciate homemade gifts or unique gifts that are from the giver's hometown. When I'm in Charleston I try to pick up something regional like jams or coffee that have my hometown written on the label.

Wrapping isn't always a must but at least a bow is nice.

Include a card so the hostess knows who it's from if she can't get to it right away.

At mid-day I don't bring alcohol but if you're good friends with the hostess I think it's ok. 

For evening events…a nice bottle of wine, champagne, or liqueur is appropriate (unless the host and hostess don't drink!) I try to bring something that will appeal to the couple.

 We once received a little basket of mini muffins and coffee for breakfast the next morning…it was a great gift! 

Yum, cookies in a jar...a hit for the host and hostess!

I love cheese buttons, I often give them as evening hostess gifts with my favorite cheese, Manchego. Find your favorite little novelty item and use that as gifts. 

I always keep a list of what I've given to whom.

It's always a good idea to keep a "stash" for that impromptu invitation.

Be mindful, if the invitation says 'No Hostess Gifts', please respect the request as not to embarrass the hostess or other guests.

There are events (hosted by a general officer or SES) when hostess gifts are not necessary. You can always check with your local protocol office when attending an event at their quarters if you're unsure.

Again, always be sure to write a thank you note anytime an event is at someone's home or they have paid for your meal at another venue.  

'Til next time!

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Some other great suggestions:

Dish towels with a unit crest, monogram, or local scene

Any great cooking or dipping oils

Dark chocolates

Local honey with a honey dipper

Personalized cocktail napkins with spreading knife

French Sea Salt 

"I had cast my lot with a Soldier and where he was was home to me".

Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery

Just thought I would share what I found today on our walk through Arlington. I must have walked by her dozens of times! 

Martha Summerhayes penned the phrase we all know and love in her book "Vanished Arizona". One of my very favorite reads, it journals Martha's travels west in the late 1800's with her young husband, LT John Summerhayes.

I highly recommend reading her story!

'Til next time...

Life on the Porch

The lazy days of summer are here to stay and so is living life on the porch! I love bringing the indoors outside and the 4th of July is the quintessential day of the year for outdoor living.
Our house is full this year.  Our kids are home and Bill's parents are here, too.  We are celebrating our first Independence Day in Washington DC.  And who knows, in the Army, it could also be our last so we are going to enjoy it whole heartedly.
Our menu is simple...burgers (beef and veggie), grilled potato salad, baked beans, chips, watermelon, apple pie, and fireworks!

I'm super thankful we have a screened porch... it makes the easy livin' outside so much easier. A patio makes it even better. 
Here's what we did to our outdoor space...

I'm big into green and navy this year with just a touch of red...

View from our kitchen window... this Biergarten sign is from Germany, the Eidelweiss to be exact!

 A few wrought iron window boxes from Italy found perfect spots on the edge of the porch.

This L-shaped porch is old and very worn but I love it none the less. The rocking chairs are great for drinking coffee in the morning and the lounge chairs are a comfy reading spot on a sunny afternoon.

 The view down our street is always patriotic...

Happy Independence Day! 

'Til next time...

My Memorial Days

This year, as always, there were many beautiful and poignant blogs written about Memorial Day.  I didn't add to the blogosphere, not because I am ungrateful, but because I am fortunate enough to to be reminded every day of the sacrifices of so many men and women of our great nation.

I live a short walk from one of the gates of Arlington National Cemetery. In fact, our street is the very street the caissons march down morning and evening on their way to and from their appointed duties.

If you've never been to Arlington I think you would be surprised at its vast size and the fact that it is so very peaceful.  
There are many familiar names like MacArthur, Kennedy, Taft, and Doubleday etched on headstones.  But, there are thousands like Shellace T. Calhoun, Socrates Hoffin, and Cinderella Stineburg whose names and stories have long been told and forgotten. 

There are countless rows of Soldiers "known but to God".  Men whose mothers and wives never knew their fate but who are guarded and protected with honor by the nation for which they sacrificed their lives.

Every day Tippet and I walk quietly through Arlington. I say as many prayers as possible for the Soldiers and their spouses (sometimes children, too) who are buried there. 

I am, like all Americans, grateful and humbled by the service and sacrifice of so many.

I carry Eleanor Roosevelt's wartime prayer in my wallet...

"Dear Lord, Lest I continue my complacent way, help me to remember that somewhere, some how out there, a man died for me today. As long as there be war, I then must ask and answer...am I worth dying for?"

I don't know that I am worth dying for, by any stretch of the imagination, but I try hard every day to be a better person and a giver to the greater common good.

I hope you remain grateful and thankful, every day, for the sacrifices of our military.

'Til next time..

Guest Bath

While I would love, love for our guest bathroom to look like the Pinterest photo above, alas, it looks  like the one below!

Our quarters at Fort Riley had 6 1/2 bathrooms...yes count them...6 1/2.  Our current quarters has 4 1/2; but one is in the basement (spiders!), the master is as big as a postage stamp, and the third floor is...well....that's another blog!  So, this bathroom, long and narrow, serves our overnight guests.

A few after photos...

I'm into stripes...and navy with apple green...this shower curtain is from West Elm. 

I painted the shelves white to lighten up the space. And while I'm all about asking forgiveness instead of permission, I did ask the housing office if I could paint beforehand.

I'm still working on some cute display for bathroom necessities like this photo...

I wish I had room for a chair...

And a chandelier!

Sigh....

'Til next time!

(www.facebook.com/Quartersone)

I'm A Brat

 I am an Army brat but that's not what I mean in this case.  Lately, I have felt like a real B-R-A-T; someone who has everything and still finds things to complain about. When an inner storm is brewing and I see myself standing outside looking in on my life, I know that's a signal to recharge.  
A trip to the beach, some lovely weather, and I think I'm back to my old sweet self! (ok, maybe semi-sweet?)

Truthfully, don't we all feel that way at some time or another? I've said it before. We owe it to ourselves to recharge... so go do it.

Have a great weekend!

'Til next time...

Vintage Nautical Guest Room

...every single day of my life!

 In our new quarters, I needed to blend two previous guest rooms into one and I thought (since the beach is always on my mind!)  a vintage nautical theme would do that perfectly.
Here are the two bedrooms from Fort Riley...

The beachy room above is painted Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams. The room below was vintage Americana and the walls were painted Mindful Gray. 

In my effort to live an uncluttered life, I wanted the clean look of the Sea Salt room but wasn't ready to give up my old quilts and trunks from the Americana room.
This guest was room was used previously as an office, but the real estate was way too precious to me so the office was relocated to the basement.

I painted the walls Intense White by Benjamin Moore which is very cool and clean with a hint of gray.

The beginning of the painting process...

Here's how it turned out.

The headboards for these twin beds are actually the footboards to my bed! 

The moldings that frame the windows are so gorgeous I decided not to hang curtains. I think it gives it more of that vintage beach feel and lets lots of light in. I could hang some IKEA curtains but for now I'm happy with the outcome. Also, one of those pesky radiators is under one of the 3 windows which would make a long panel hang oddly.

The poster above was a photograph turned into a water color by the Waterlogue app I wrote about earlier...see it here.  I used the Over app to write on the photo then had it printed at Staples as an 18 x 24 oversized color print. The cost was about $21.00.  The frame is from Hobby Lobby it was $10.00. I really like the way it turned out but I am sure it could probably be done with less expense...the convenience was worth it to me.

And here's Tippet...always showing up in the best places!

'Til next time!
(www.facebook.com/Quartersone)