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My Blog Has Been Discovered On Heidi Klum.com

I looked up my blog site on google this morning and saw that my blog has been mentioned by Heidi Klum! (See below). At first I though she was using my name ;- / and immediately emailed my techie son Chris. He said she is simply giving me a referral. I thought that was pretty cool. Thanks Heidi! And back at you!


Fabulous Soirees - Heidi Klum on AOL

heidiklum.aol.com/category/lifestyle/fabulous-soes/ - Cached
Aug 15, 2011 – Go to MakeItDelightful.com for some incredible ideas for table decor on a budget! Wednesday at 1:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate ...

How To Post A Comment & Sign Up To Follow A Blog

Many of my friends verbally share with me how much they like what I share on my blog, or post a comment as a Facebook response when I post a blog there. I so appreciate that! It is my desire to share things that will inspire or help you in some way. That's something I love to do; help other people achieve their goals. I am no expert, but I'm told I am creative and should share my ideas. I am not selling anything, just sharing ideas :-)

Many of my friends navigate email and possibly a few programs, but find it challenging to post comments on a blog. Therefore, to assist, I'd like to tell you how you can do it because I sooooooo love to read and memorialize your feedback!

When you go to a blog, you first read what the blogger has posted. Posts appear in last dated one posted first in order. If you access the blog by web version vs. mobile version, there are indexes on the side where previous posts are listed that you may also access by title under "Blog Archive".

Once you read the post, you will see a choice at the bottom of the post that says "0 to any number of comments" ie, the number of comments that have been made. Click on that place, no matter what the number is, and a box will open up. It will say: "Post A Comment". Type what you wish to say in that box. :-)

Once you are finished click on "Post Comment". It may ask you how you want to be identified. Click on that box and choose what applies. Your comment will then be posted for all to see!

Additionally, there is statement near that box that says, "Follow by email". If you enter your email address there, you will automatically receive my blog posts as soon as I enter them.

One last thing, I would really appreciate it if you would sign up to be a "Follower" on my blog if you have not already done so. You can accomplish that by going to the first page of my blog. Under the picture of John and me, is a place that says "Followers" where you can enter your email address and your profile picture (if you have one) will show up). If you do not see these pictures, another place you can sign up to be a follower is at the top left-hand bar where it says "Follow". Again, simply click on that word and enter your email address.

I hope this is helpful and I hope to see you as a ""commenter" about relevant things and that you will sign up to be a "follower" real soon if you haven't already. Have a DELIGHTFUL day!











Patty's "Bachelorette After The Rose" Ceremony

Welcome to the "After The Rose" Ceremony
Patty's entryway covered with roses.
Roses and candles.
Patty's Amazing Chocolate Raspberry Cake
The framed invitation from Jesus.
Appetizers, rose pedals, candles and framed invitations.
Patty getting ready to present a rose.
Patty presenting the rose to her daughter-in-love, Shelley.
Can you see Simone, me, Shelley and Patty?

Okay, I have to admit that I am a ROM-COM addict. To that end, somehow I got hooked on The Bachelorette the season Ali met Roberto. I thought she was so positive and confident for her age. I was really glad she picked Roberto! These young people are my son Chris' age.

Well, I'm not the only one my age who watches! I have several friends my age that watch this show religiously "pun intended". While we were a tad disappointed with the latest season featuring Ashley and JP. We held on any way--always hoping it would get better!! I must say we all agreed with the man she picked; however, we really felt sorry for Ben's feelings, but we are confident he can find someone who is much better suited for him.


Thanks to a friend of Patty's, a group of us were lucky enough to obtain tickets to the final show, called "The Bachelorette, After The Rose". You can see four of us within the first two minutes, full screen!!

My very creative friend, Patty, invited those of us who watched all season, and texted each other during each program, to her home for our own "After The Rose" Ceremony.
I was so amused when I got out of my car and quickly noticed red rose pedals strewn across the walkway accompanied by burning votive candles. Upon entering, there were more crimson rose petals lavished on her entryway floor into the dining area. The dining table was sprinkled with more roses, candles, and a framed invitation for each of us from Jesus, that read, "Our name, will you accept this rose? Jesus, The Rose of Sharon

Each of us brought an appetizer. Patty made the MOST AMAZING DESSERT, my favorite of hers, Chocolate Cake with Raspberries and Raspberry Mousse and Puree!! Two of our friends hadn't seen the last episode, so we had to keep mum until they learned who she picked. After that we watched the episode we attended the taping of. It was such a fun evening. I can't tell you how much we laughed! I thought we would have to send out for a case of Depends!

After the show was over Patty told us she was having her own Rose Ceremony and proceeded to ask each of us if we would be her friends FOREVER. Each of us received a loving speech from Patty and the invitation to accept her rose.
It was so creatively performed, loving, and amazingly comical! I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard.

Upon leaving, she presented each of us with our own personally wrapped chocolate rose. All items purchased at the Dollar Tree. I hope you enjoy the pictures I have featured of the evening. Perhaps you can plan a delightful rose ceremony of your own next season ;-). If you do, I'd love to hear about it.

Love to "Sea" Your Friends

To greet my guests: "Welcome!" Message in a Bottle
Fashioned from a framed picture, embellished with sea shells, rocks, and a message in a bottle!


Welcome "Ocean Splash" Champagne Cooler
Made with 1 teaspoon blue sugar rocks (for more bubbles), 2 tablespoons Blue Curacao
& Brut Sparkling Wine.


Delicious Caribbean Shrimp Appetizer
Marinated in Caribbean Jerk Sauce, wrapped in bacon & grilled. Yummy!


"Where The Fish Are Biting" Chowder (Cheese cutout & green onion bubbles)



Napkins create a splash of water look, accompanied by sea rock look place mats, sea water and rock appetizer plates and the table is adorned with many treasures of the sea.


These pictures truly don't do the table justice. It is so much prettier in person!

Menu

Dining, Dining Over The Ocean Blue

Pacific Coast Welcome

"Ocean Splash" Champagne Cooler

“Where The Girls Are...The Boys Will Follow”

Cabernet & Chardonnay, Or...

Beach Bum Beer ;-)

(If The Flip Flop Fits…)

Artichoke “Dip In The Sea” & Chips

Grilled Caribbean Shrimp

(Jerk Marinated & Bacon Wrapped)

“Where The Fish Are Biting” Chowder

“Beach Blanket” Crescent Rolls

Sea Shell & Sand Dollar Butter Dabs

“Treasures of the Sea” Shell Pasta Salad

Baja Broiled Mexican Sea Bass

Grilled Green Beans

(AKA Landlubber Seaweed Delight)

"Wipe Out" Chocolate Cake

With Raspberry White Chocolate Starfish

“See You In September” Hazelnut Cream Coffee

If you read nothing else, please read the LAST paragraph. :-)


Usually for me, a dinner begins with a "plate" or "theme". Like the chicken and the egg, which one comes first? Either one! I can take it from there. I saw these beautiful plates at Home Goods and had to purchase them. I have shied away from beach themes in the past because nothing in my home says "Beach, Ocean, Sea or Nautical". But I said to my self: "Self, you can work with these!"

At first, I thought I would actually spread sand on the tablecloth. But I was rescued from that messy idea when I watched a segment on the news from Home Depot. A decorator demonstrated how he used a paint drop cloth as a tablecloth! I was at Home Depot the very next day to purchase one of those inexpensive cloths! They come in all sizes, and some even have a plastic back. After washing it, I achieved the perfect sand effect. it was a little wrinkled and it looked perfect!

While at Home Depot, I wandered into the floor tile section and saw that I could buy vinyl floor tiles for 99 cents each. :-) I decided the easiest, and cheapest way to solve the underside challenge was to simply buy another tile for the other side and stick them together. This worked like magic. They can be used indoors or outdoors. They clean up easily, and most of all, achieved the
rock look I wanted.

Moving on, I stopped at Bed, Bath & Beyond and discovered these small square appetizer plates. The colors were ideal as I knew I had blue water glasses (purchased from World Market) at home, and wanted to use sea blue napkins (also from World Market) to make this table pop. Now, I was really performing the "Snoopy Dance" as it was really starting to come together.

A field trip to Pottery Barn was now warranted ;-) for sea shells and glass candle holders where I could insert sand and the shells. Across from PB was. Z Gallery, where I discovered sea shell napkin rings! At this point, I didn't care how much they cost, I had to have them. Yes, I could have come up with another idea, but this was so beautiful to me.


Another trip to Home Goods and now I was seeing things I hadn't before. I saw this beautiful aqua blue bowl with an underside of silver. With its geometric designs it looked awesome, and it was only $10! While at the check-out stand, I noticed these sparkling aqua blue rocks and shells for $4. Had to have those too to mix with the other more monochromatic shells and rocks. There were enough left over to fill the bottom of the bowl and place another white pillar candle within and balance the other side of my table.

I noticed a great pinkish starfish the first day I was at Home Goods and decided to buy it on this trip. When I returned, it was gone! You must buy what you want the day you see it there, or it is gone. So instead I found these little resin sea shell and coral picture stands for $5 and purchased them. I decided to place welcoming words on the prongs and give my dinner guests something to talk about.



For the finishing touch, I knew I wanted to find some driftwood, so I was thrilled when I found it at Z Gallery. It gave me the height, depth, and total look I wanted to accomplish. To add a touch of whimsey, I purchased little olive oil bottles at The Container Store, ($3.50) filled them with about two tablespoons of sand and inserted my guests names on scroll-look paper for place tags! This "Message In A Bottle" was an element I couldn't wait for them to see.

I learned a lot about the menu I planned: first the good: the Sparkling Wine Coolers with Blue Curacao and blue sugar crystals were a big hit and started the evening off with a big splash! The artichoke dip and Caribbean Shrimp were also favorites. The chocolate cake was scrumptious!

What was disappointing: The pasta salad didn't turn out as wonderful as I'd hoped. :- / The idea was to provide a bit of coolness to a warm summer evening
. The problem was the pasta shells were ginormous and the chopped vegetables within were lost at sea. It didn't seem to be a favorite. I never claim to be a gourmet cook, but I failed miserably at the grilled green beans. Although I cooked them according to the directions, they weren't fully cooked, therefore, they were a disappointment. :-( Thankfully....the Mexican Sea Bass with Mango Salsa was absolutely delicious. All in all, we had a delightful evening!

I must state here and now, that what is MORE IMPORTANT than the menu, table settings, sea shells, driftwood, and all the other elements is what made this dinner "SEE" Worthy! Seeing people I love, giving them delightful surprises they wouldn't find elsewhere, engaging in fun conversation, and just spending time together is what makes all of this worthwhile! Without people you care about and enjoy, any dinner is just dinner. This was DINING!





"Sea Rock" Indoor & Outdoor Place Mats $2 Each!


Embossed shell plate, topped with a large sea shell (for now) sitting atop the rock-look tile.

I am planning a "Sea Worthy" Dinner soon. I can't wait to show you the table setting! (Have to wait for my guests to come over first! ;-)) This is one of the funnest designs I have ever come up with. For now, I will share this idea that came to me for place mats that I believe you are going to LOVE!

You can purchase 12" by 12" floor tiles at Home Depot for 99 cents each. The ones I chose have the word "Moroccan" in their name. Remove the backing and paste them together so that they are reversible. Be very careful as they are sticky and you can't undo then after you stick them together.

I wanted a sea rock effect, so these are what I choose. I used the same tile for the backing but you could choose another pattern and have two unique sets of eight, or however many you want. (I believe these are vinyl)
They look a hundred times better than shown here. Look for my Sea Worthy Dinner coming in a few weeks!