Moving On to a New Collaboration
Posted: January 13, 2013 Filed under: Celebrations | Tags: The Gracious Posse 2 CommentsI have been frantically working on my New Year’s resolutions since I last posted. Not surprisingly, some are going better than others. At least the house seems to be better organized than during the holidays. Most of the flurry of activity, though, has been leading to this one big Collaboration:
The Launch of
Starting now, The Gracious Posse is a new lifestyle website celebrating the art of living in an emptying-nest. This site seems the natural progression from the me-center of Avad Fan to the we-focus of the Posse who share our life journey. Join my dear friend Ellen and me, along with a growing Posse, as we use our blessings to create our way into a gracious life that no longer is almost completely devoted to raising children.
The Gracious Posse will be posting everyday with a weekly round-up on Sundays. Posts will range from inspirations to recipes and how-tos to good and beautiful works happening around town, as well as across the country. We will also soon begin offering unique and hard to find products that we believe will appeal to our Posse. We hope that The Gracious Posse will become the one place that you want to visit with your cup of coffee in the morning or your glass of wine at night.
Avad Fan will remain on-line so that you can get to the Recipes (it’s one feature of this site that I use all the time, especially in the grocery store), as well as the Archives. I have loved building Avad Fan with your wonderful support. This blog has taught me so much about the on-line world. Now I feel ready to embrace my new career as a creative entrepreneur in collaboration with my smart, fun and practical friend, Ellen. I sure hope that you will come share the journey at The Gracious Posse.
Thank you for everything!
With grateful love, Alison a/k/a Avad FanP.S. Definitely stop in at The Gracious Posse tomorrow to find out who in the heck the Gracious Posse is after all.
Happy 2013: The Year of Living C
Posted: January 1, 2013 Filed under: Celebrations, Family & Friends, Lighten Up | Tags: 2013, Christ, God, Happy New Year, Jesus, random act of kindness cards, Random Acts of Kindness, Sandy Hook 1 CommentHow is it 2013 already? Annually I inevitably ask, “Why does the end of year have to come at the same time as Christmas?” There’s just too much to do and plan in such a short amount of time.
I do have some big plans for 2013, and the resolutions that go with them all happen to begin with the letter C. Hence “The Year of Living C”. By posting these resolutions, I am now accountable to you for putting them into action. Please help me to remember them.
Condense
This is the healthy living portion of my annual “Lighten Up” resolution. This year I want to focus on condensing (a/k/a reducing) my consumption and my stuff. We all know that too much of anything (except love) is not good. I hope that the word “Condense” can become my mantra
for shrinking this 50-something belly fat (thank you, menopause) and leading me to a more organized life with less clutter in my home and in my brain.
Consider-ate
I really want to “Consider” all others whom I meet. Years ago, I was part of a DOCC (Disciple of Christ in Community) group at my church. One of the many wonderful results of it was the renewed conscience awareness of Christ’s presence in every human being. The awakening of what should not have been a revelation helped me begin to really try to make a connection with each person whom I encountered. Over time since that year-long course, I have gotten lazy in my efforts, but the recent wave of “Random Acts of Kindness” have reminded me that it is time to start refocusing on others.
Free Printable Random Act of Kindness cards from Thumba-Lea
Free printable RAOK cards from Justina’s Random Acts of Kindness blog
Random Acts of Christmas Kindness from MOMumental Savings
More RAK’ed printables from Make Them Wonder
Ironically, this wave of kindness, sometimes accompanied by a cute little card like the ones above that I spotted on Pinterest, has arisen from the ashes of the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook and has reminded me that the light of God dwells in each one of us. How then can I not be considerate of each person whom I encounter? I also need to remember that consideration starts at home, and then I can carry this practice out into the world.
Collaborate
My son’s school has been telling us that the buzz word for education in the 2010s is “Collaboration”. Without collaboration, our children will not be able to navigate the global economy that they will face as adults.
2013 is the year that I embrace collaboration. Much more news on that will be coming soon, so please stay tuned. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
In the meantime, what have you got planned for 2013? I look forward to seeing it all unfold.
The happiest of New Years to you and your loved ones!
A Smoked Turkey Makes Quite the Savory Gift
Posted: December 29, 2012 Filed under: Bon Appétit | Tags: Casserole, Christmas, mesquite smoked turkey, smoked turkey, Tamale Casserole Leave a commentOne of the most delicious gifts that we received this Christmas was a mesquite smoked turkey prepared by dear friends on Christmas Eve. Turns out that a smoked turkey is the gift that keeps on giving.
Don’t let the blackened crust scare you.
After being the centerpiece of our Christmas dinner, the carcass became 26 cups of smoked turkey stock the next day. I placed two cups each into quart freezer bags, then placed them on a tray to put in the freezer.
Now I’ve have stock in convenient amounts that will serve as the basis for many a smoked soup in the coming winter months.
I also had enough leftover meat to make three casseroles. In addition to the family favorite, Tamale Casserole, which was particularly delicious with the smoky flavor, I experimented with a basic turkey and wild rice casserole recipe that I found on Cooks.com. With some simple adjustments, I added a bit of green to this otherwise very white dish and got loads of compliments to go with it.
Turkey with Wild Rice and Spinach Casserole
1 medium onion, chopped8 0z. sliced mushrooms 1/2 C butter
1/4 C flour
1 1/2 C chicken or turkey stock 1 1/2 C half and half 3 C cooked turkey, cut up 1 box Uncle Ben’s Original Wild Rice 8 oz. package chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dried of as much water as possible 1/2 C slivered almonds
Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
Cook onions and mushrooms in butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until onions are transluscent but not browned. Gradually stir in flour until thickened and well blended. When it begins to bubble, stir in the stock and half and half. When blended, bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Once boiling, continue to stir for one minute.
Remove from heat and stir in spinach, wild rice and seasoning packet and turkey. Pour into prepared casserole and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for one hour. Remove aluminum foil, sprinkle evenly with almonds and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
Serves 6-8.
So many delicious dinners from one little ol’ bird. What a wonderful gift!
Have Yourself a Funky Little Christmas
Posted: December 24, 2012 Filed under: Celebrations, Fun | Tags: Funky Christmas Tree 1 Comment
Spotted this decorated tree on a walk in an adjoining neighborhood last week, and it brought a full-blown smile to my face.
May your home be filled with full-blown smiles this Christmas Day!
xoxo,
Alison
Share Your Sweet Side with Peppermint Cookie Trays
Posted: December 22, 2012 Filed under: Bon Appétit, Celebrations | Tags: Baking, Blueberry-Banana Mini-Muffins, Christmas Cookie, Peppermint Meltaways, Pinterest, Red Velvet Black & White Cookies, Rosemary Clementine Thumbprints 1 CommentWhile baking Christmas cookies is always a tradition around our house, the kind of cookies that we bake is not. Every year something new comes out of the oven, and this year is no different. Not surprisingly, this year’s inspiration came from Pinterest and a post from the blog, Joy the Baker, forwarded by my dear friend who had also forwarded on the letter from the Newtown PTA about the Sandy Hook snowflakes.
When the flour and powdered sugar dust had settled over the weekend, we had Peppermint Trays filled with these:
Rosemary Clementine Thumbprints
Red Velvet Black & White Cookies
A few filled trays were gifts to neighbor students studying for exams. The rest of the cookies are being inhaled right here at home.
The Black & Whites are definitely this year’s favorite, no doubt because they are the most time-consuming to make. I really like the grown-up, not-so-sweet flavor of the Thumbprints. The Meltaways were super-simple and are egg-free, while the mini-muffins are an old Southern Living recipe that I have been making in a variety of sizes for years.
Next up on the baking agenda: Christmas Morning Scones. In addition to Cheddar and Canadian Bacon Scones, I’ll be trying Cranberry Pumpkin Scones using the basic scone recipe but substituting ½ cup pumpkin for the sour cream. What are you baking this Christmas?
P.S. The Rosemary Clementine Thumbprints and the Red Velvet Black & White Cookies were prepared for a blogger cookie swap with Ina Garten for Better Homes and Gardens. Can you imagine being one of those lucky bloggers? What a Christmas gift!
Christmas Holiday Project: Make Snowflakes for the Sandy Hook School
Posted: December 18, 2012 Filed under: Family & Friends, Project Home | Tags: make snowflakes, Newtown PTA/PTSAs, Sandy Hook 11 CommentsNB: See Comment below regarding closing of Sandy Hook Snowflake Project due to overwhelming response and consider the idea of creating a local wonderland as a sign of support.
A friend passed along an email from the Newtown PTA/PTSA about a project that we can all work on when the kids are out of school for the Christmas holidays:
Dearest Newtown Families & Newtown School Staff,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you today.
We know that our town is looking for a way to support Sandy Hook School and
all of Newtown in this hour of need. Your local PTA/PTSAs met on Sunday with
representatives from Connecticut PTSA with that goal in mind and this is the
result:
“Let’s Give Sandy Hook School a Winter Wonderland”
Snowflake Drive – Like our children, no two snowflakes are alike. We invite
you to create snowflakes to decorate Sandy Hook School’s new home. Be
creative! All colors and designs are welcome. We know that children will
enjoy creating art that can adorn the walls of SHS’s new elementary school.
CT PTSA has been contacted from schools across the state and this is a
project we can all share. “Snowflake” drop boxes will be available at all
schools or can be mailed to: Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building
12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.
“Newtown Teachers & Staff, We Love You”
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Luncheons – Newtown public schools will host
potluck lunches district-wide on Friday as a sign of appreciation for our
teachers and staff. We will also provide a catered lunch for the staff at
Central Office. Stay tuned for details from your individual schools.
“What Else Can We do?”
Sandy Hook School Fund — Many people are looking to help by making a
donation. Please be cautious before contributing money and make sure the
fund is legitimate. With the help of CT PTSA, we have created the “Sandy
Hook School Fund” and donations will be accepted through CTPTA.ORG. You can
pay online or send a check to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway,
Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514 (if online contributing is made
available, we will let you know). No fees are charged and all monies raised
will go directly to help Sandy Hook School and Newtown. The beauty of this
fund is that we can designate its use farther down the road, when we can
determine where it will do the most good for the families of SHS and our
town.
Newtown PTA/PTSAs thank both the CT PTSA and National PTA for their support
at this time. Soon the media attention will fade and we will continue to
support each other in private. We love Newtown and our wonderful families.
Don’t hesitate to contact your local PTA/PTSA officers with any of your
concerns; we are here for you and each other.
Newtown PTA/PTSAs
With snowflake inspiration all over the internet, this project seems like the perfect way for all of us who want to do something for this devastated community and let them know how much we love and care for them. Just click on the pictures to link to the how-tos.
And from the queen of crafts, Martha Stewart:
Spending time with our children on this project might help heal us all a bit, as well.
Updated information regarding the Sandy Hook Snowflake Project via Peanut Butter Fingers: the snowflakes should not have any writing on them, but please include a note explaining their origin (school, class, town, state) to display along with your snowflakes.
Christmas Floraspirations
Posted: December 15, 2012 Filed under: Celebrations, Floraspirations | Tags: Christmas, Flower, Kent-Valentine House, Three Chopt Garden Club 1 CommentI prepared this post to be published before yesterday’s unfathomable tragedy. As we all mourn for the innocence lost and made even more painful by its occurrence during this season of hope and light, we know that we cannot let evil stop our preparations for the coming of Jesus. With unbound sympathy for the parents and families of the victims in Newtown, Connecticut, I pray that these Christmas decorations and traditions will comfort and remind us how much we need the grace and comfort of Jesus Christ not just during this incongruous holiday season but all the year long.
The annual Christmas decorations are finally up, and all but a box or two has been returned to the attic. Now it’s time to find and arrange the flowers and greenery that will hopefully take us past Christmas Day. My Three Chopt Garden Club has been my source of floral inspiration (hence “Floraspiration”). These designs that a small group of us created for the Kent-Valentine House, as well as the elegant green and white arrangements created by some talented ladies for our Club’s annual Christmas party, have inspired me to try some new looks this year.
(Drooling over this mirror-top. It’s a perfect idea for my dining room.)
Are you feeling inspired to get arranging yet?
All photos by Avad Fan on iPhone.
Lucky 12!
Posted: December 12, 2012 Filed under: Family & Friends, Monogram Mania, Project Home | Tags: 12-12-12 birthday, EleganceLetters, wooden 12 5 CommentsOnce in a Lifetime Happy Birthday
My niece is one special girl. eDe turns 12 today, 12-12-12. This darling and delightful girl is a spiritual gift to our whole family, so I had to find the perfect gift to mark this profound occasion.
With 12 on my mind, I turned to EleganceLetters, the etsy shop that created the wooden monogram for my daughter’s dorm room decor.
The shop owner behind this site eagerly accommodated my special request with three different design choices, and within a couple of weeks, I was working on this.
Since my Paintbrush and Pearls workshop, I am much more aware of how a painted piece can be improved so much with a bit of fine sanding in between coats. After a bit of wood putty, light sanding, primer, fine sanding and a couple of coats of high gloss white paint, I am so excited for eDe to receive her 20″ Lucky 12.
Happy 12th Birthday, eDe!!!
Sure hope that this will always remind her of this unique day and how remarkable she is.
All photos by Avad Fan.
Let the Christmas Decorating Begin
Posted: December 9, 2012 Filed under: Celebrations, Lighten Up, Project Home | Tags: Advent, Christmas decoration, St. Catherine's School Holiday House Tour 4 CommentsBetter Late than Never
After twenty-five years of collecting Christmas decorations with the Hub, I am up to my eyeball in red and green boxes. Of course, we don’t use all of the items contained inside them, but I do take a walk down memory lane with each box opened. Like everything else, I should lighten up and let many of these go to Goodwill, but then will the memories of Christmases past go with them, too?
I can’t risk that. Nevertheless, while I am digging through this pile to create our 2012 Christmas, I will keep reminding myself of the simple beautiful of this stunningly executed tree. It is such an inspiration to lighten up.
Tinselled tree spotted on the St. Catherine’s School Holiday House Tour last weekend.
Another Must See: The Chihuly Exhibit at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Posted: December 5, 2012 Filed under: Art Scene, Richmond Rocks | Tags: Dale Chihuly, holiday adventure, Richmond Virginia, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 2 CommentsGirls’ Day
Some of the posse finally met at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to tour the Chihuly exhibit that continues until February 10, 2013. Ever since our Fine Arts and Flowers visit when we spied Chihuly’s stunning blue and gold chandelier hanging at the main window of the Museum, Ellegram and I have been anticipating our return.
I have recurring visions of this divine glass confection, which weighs about 3,000 pounds, consists of about 2,000 pieces and took a small army of workers and volunteers four days to install.
The exhibition exceeded expectations. In addition to the chandelier (which the Museum’s board would be crazy not to acquire and leave right here facing the Boulevard forever) and the outdoor red reeds in the water garden adjoining the Best Cafe, Dale Chihuly’s works are spread throughout seven display rooms that each contain completely unique and jaw-dropping glass works.
Ikebana Float
When you get downstairs to the exhibit rooms, you have got to purchase the audio tour. Don’t be a cheapskate: for $5 you will hear Mr. Chihuly describe the inspiration for and execution of these larger than life creations. The background information enhances the whole breathtaking experience.
After having our minds blown open by this colorful art form and filled with wonder as to its actual installation, our Girls’ Day included a stop in the wonderful VMFA gift shop and concluded with lunch up on the Third Floor at Amuse, the members-only restaurant that creates its own locally-sourced and constantly changing culinary masterpieces.
The Chihuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Exhibit Book
Family Holiday Adventure
I am only including a few iPhone snapshots to pique your interest and because my photos cannot convey the beauty of this exhibition, which you do not have to limit to touring only with your girlfriends. This presentation is so accessible that the whole family will enjoy it. With only seven rooms to visit, the tour itself goes very fast.
I wish this were my Christmas tree, don’t you? Maybe next year.
The kids will not be bored, and in this season of light and wonder, a visit to Chihuly should prove the perfect complement to your family’s festivities.
Looking for Holiday Greens in Richmond?
Posted: December 3, 2012 Filed under: Floraspirations, Richmond Rocks, Shopaholic | Tags: Christmas, fresh greenery, Grace Baptist Church, Holiday Gifts & Greens Market, holiday greenery, Pinterest, The Boxwood Garden Club, Windsor Farms, wreaths 1 CommentFind beautiful arrangements plus unique greenery for your own creations at
The ladies of The Boxwood Garden Club create fabulous wreaths and table arrangements for you to purchase at the Holiday Gifts & Greens Market at Grace Baptist Church in Windsor Farms. The key to scoring something wonderful for your holiday home is to get there when the doors open. The outstanding designs sell out very quickly.
I bought these two topiaries last year and put them in the large metal cachepots. Though the boxwood and magnolias were live and green when purchased, I have let them dry throughout the year, and they still look beautiful to me.
A lot of the arrangements that you will find at the sale look similar to these greenery arrangements gracing the pages of Pinterest.
In addition to arrangements and a small selection of curated vendors selling Christmas presents, you can also purchase fresh and often hard-to-find greenery to create your own holiday designs.
Put December 7, 2012 on your smartphone calendar and be at Grace Baptist Church in Windsor Farms by 10 a.m. This is one shopping event that you really will not want to miss.
Small Business Saturday: Shop Local at The Pink Palm’s Lilly-licious New Richmond Location
Posted: November 23, 2012 Filed under: Fun, Lilly Love, Shopaholic | Tags: Black Friday, Lilly Pulitzer, Small Business Saturday, The Pink Palm 2 CommentsThe Pink Palm Has Moved Just Across the Street . . .
to a bigger and brighter location. With the new pink doors now open,
Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to stop by The Pink Palm and support one of the happiest places in Richmond. You can not help but smile when you enter this big confection of a space.
No longer crammed all together, you can fully see and appreciate the artful designs of all of the Lilly Pulitzer inventory,
as well as treasures from curated vendors selected by creative owner, Lizanne Jeveret.
After too much food and too much Black Friday, drop by The Pink Palm at 5019 Huguenot Road (River Road II Shopping Center) and relax.
Let your blood pressure drop and your spirits rise.
You are sure to find the perfect gifts for all of the Lilly lovers and beachniks in your life.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
All photos by Avad Fan from my iPhone.
Welcome to Richmond, Brocante Home!
Posted: November 20, 2012 Filed under: Fun, Outta Town, Project Home, Richmond Rocks, Shopaholic | Tags: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Brocante Home, DeCOR design center of Richmond 2 CommentsThanks for bringing Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint to the Capitol City
You have been reading about Annie Sloane’s chalk paint for awhile now as I have been freshening up the old brown furniture around our abode. My source for the paint has been the fabulous French shop in Irvington, Brocante Home. Though it’s a bit of a hike from the West End, every time I head to the Rivah with friends, we make a point of stopping in and leaving with at least one new can of paint.
The owner of Brocante Home, Rachel Pugliese, loves to teach her customers about the wonders of this paint. In fact, most Thursdays you can find her in the store paintbrush in hand transforming an old piece into something wonderful. She is always full of tips and has started offering two-hour workshops to help her customers get comfortable with this easy and clean medium for transformation. She has even named the workshops “Paintbrush and Pearls” to further her point.
One of the posse and I decided to try the workshop the other week, and sure enough Rachel was wearing her pearls as she took us through different finishing techniques to use with the chalk paint and waxes. Of all of her pearls of wisdom gathered from experience, the most valuable to me was the importance of buffing after waxing and sanding. A really good going over with 800 grit sandpaper makes all the difference to the final look and feel of the piece.
The other information that we picked up during our workshop was that Brocante Home has just opened a small outpost in DéCOR, the design center in Carytown! For now, Brocante’s floorspace is mostly Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint, but the shop has plans to expand as room becomes available in this wonderful design haven. Several local designers have set up small shops within these walls, and Brocante Home is the perfect addition. Rachel also plans to be on-site on Wednesdays so that she can answer customers’ questions about the chalk paint.
Now you have no excuse to postpone your own furniture transformations. The paints are nearby, as is the expertise. Plus the paints are so easy to use that you can just set up a workshop in your living room just like this Avad Fan.
Happy Painting!
#thankfulfor Tweet trend
Posted: November 17, 2012 Filed under: Celebrations, Fun | Tags: Natalie Morales, Social Networking, ThankfulFor, Thanksgiving, Twitter 2 CommentsAre you on Twitter?
If you are anything like me, you probably don’t know the difference between a tweet and a trend. Several months ago, I asked a twenty-something to explain the Twitterworld to me. After three hours I still didn’t get it, and my tweet-free world remained unchanged.
Recently, however, a good friend encouraged me to join her on this social medium, and in my ongoing effort to remain relevant in the 2010s, I decided to give it a try. Signing up was a breeze. Then I tried looking for people to follow. Well, but for my previously mentioned friend, it doesn’t look like my posse has jumped into Twitterdom. Hey ladies, it is time to figure out what your kids already know.
Just sign-up here. You will be prompted to look for friends and interests to follow (don’t forget to follow me, listed as Alison Fauls). Then help me try to get a trend going.
You know how you hear Natalie Morales on the Today Show always mention what is trending online? With Thanksgiving only five days away, let’s get a trend going about what we are thankful for (I know that I shouldn’t be ending a sentence in a preposition, but it just doesn’t work otherwise). In the box on Twitter where you can add a Tweet, type in what you are thankful for and finish it with #thankfulfor. Then hit the blue Tweet button that shows up.
Can’t wait to see if we can get a positive trend going. How cool would it be to hear it mentioned on the Today Show? Listen to that little blue bird calling to you to take the challenge and get tweeting.
Tablescapes from the 2012 Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball
Posted: November 3, 2012 Filed under: Floraspirations, Fun, Richmond Rocks | Tags: 2012 Children's Hospital Foundation Ball, Country Club of Virginia, Greig Leach, Junior Board Children's Hospital, The Nutcracker 3 CommentsThrough the Eyes of a Child
Under the leadership of Cameron Cummings and Martha Bowden, the talented Junior Board of Richmond’s Children’s Hospital Foundation once again transformed The Country Club of Virginia into a fantasy world. Take a look at these pictures that I snapped yesterday afternoon before the evening’s festivities got underway. Hope you can appreciate all of the little details that the Tables, Flowers and Decorations committees included to make “Through the Eyes of a Child” come to life in each of the rooms of the Westhampton Clubhouse.
Royal Palace set in the Main Ballroom
The crown is filled with red roses.
Which patrons ended up in the throne chairs?
The hanging lanterns were lit before the Ball began.
Underwater World in the Big Tent
The shimmery blue table toppers covered by fishing net highlight these elaborate coral creations.
Members of the Tables committee fashioned coral branches from tree twigs.
Fairy Land in Ollie’s Bar
The lucky diners in this room found the sweetest nosegays at their plates.
Such a darling fairy house.
Do you see the butterflies?
Where the Wild Things Are in Ollie’s Dining Room
The moss crowns are straight out of this favorite children’s book.
Truly a wild room
A Boy’s Treehouse in the Westhampton Room
Aren’t those stump vases fabulous?
How many little boy trinkets can you spot?
Look at that rope bridge in this amazing room.
Candy Land and Sweet Treats in the Windsor Room
A confectioner’s delight
that must have thrilled the dentists, too.
The Nutcracker Ballet in the West Ballroom
See the snakes on the plates referencing the snake charmer in the ballet?
Love the Children’s Hospital Foundation nutcrackers made locally here in Richmond.
This amazing tree was created from corrugated box.
The window inserts were painted by Junior Board members under the guidance of local artist, Liz Kellinger.
The Carousel in the West Porch
Meadow flowers reflected in the mirrored candelabra
This curved room feels like a carousel come to life.
Like the Bal du Bois, the Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball is always one of the social highlights of the year in Richmond. This seated dinner for 700 followed by hours of dancing raises important capital funds to help improve the lives of children who come from near and far. As a former member of the Board, I am so fortunate to be invited back annually to help with the flowers that enhance each year’s unique theme.
Cheers to another fabulous Ball!
All photos by Avad Fan from my iPhone.
Avad Fan 