A Tale of Two Thanksgivings

A beautiful table with neatly pressed, white linens.  Cream colored dishes and candlelight.  Cranberries floating in crystal vases.  Delicate decanters of ginger syrup.  Conversations and laughter, flickering jewelry and smiles.

Two oddly shaped tables shoved together.  Stained tablecloths and mismatched plates.  Bowls of creamed vegetables, spilling over.  Lasagna as a side dish kept in the kitchen.  Loud laughter and chaotic conversations.

These are the two Thanksgivings of Sharpe Designs.  Abby and her family celebrated with style and class.  As for me and mine?  Well, we celebrated with volume and vigor.  And despite the massive differences between our two days, the similarities were all that mattered.  Lots of love, fantastic friendships, incredible enjoyment, delicious food, and overwhelming thanks.

(Send us photos of your thanksgivings or a description of how your day was different than ours and we may post it.)

Sometimes Work Is Too Fun To Be Called Work

On Friday, we conducted a training seminar for approximately 100 teens at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Our topic was Social Marketing, and the purpose of the training was to encourage teens to use social media pages to help them raise awareness for their cause. That sounds serious and important, right? Actually, it was incredibly fun! It was so much fun that it seemed like a good thing to blog about, even though we usually reserve this blog for things we do 'off the clock'.

The kids that attended the seminars were helpful and enthusiastic.  The venue was perfect.  The day was clean and crisp.  The other speakers were interesting and knowledgeable.  And we had a blast!  Especially during the final event of the day.  We designed a game show style review, complete with challenges inspired by Fear Factor.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and to Reality Check of Rockland County for hosting such an awesome training event.

Hello Chocolate, My Old Friend

It is not an exaggeration to say that in this world there are few things I value more than a really good piece of chocolate.  The hunt for it is endless.  There are so many poor quality chocolates masquerading in nice wrappers and pretty boxes.  But when I find a rich, creamy, smooth, velvety chocolate - ah!  The sweet, delicious satisfaction!

Chocolates created at The Chocolate Mill

I am partial to dark chocolate, preferably accompanied by a glass of full-bodied red wine.  During the long, winter evenings, I curl up by the wood stove and read a book with Chocolate and Merlot, my dear friends.  It is enough to make me thankful for short, cold, sunless days.

My favorite chocolate of late is the Caramel with Sea Salt sold at the The Chocolate Mill in Glens Falls, NY - who also brew an incredible cup of coffee.  On my latest trip there, I had sweet potato soup and a house salad.  Both were delicious.  After eating my fill, I purchased chocolates to bring home.  And as soon as this blog is finished, I think I will open the box and uncork the wine.

The little chocolates are the caramels with sea salt

This seems like a good time to wrap up this post, don't you think?  After all, my friends are waiting.

Tantalizing Textures

The only conflict we ever have here at Sharpe Designs is the occasional disagreement of the use of texture over color. Abby's natural inclination is to use a monochromatic decorating scheme, heavy on texture to keep things from being mundane. I tend to choose color, with no thought to the weave or grain of the object. The things that catch my eye are bright and citrus hued, rainbow drenched or rain forest florals. But from time to time, Abby's love for texture wins me over. Like recently. Abby went visiting some of her favorite shops in Saratoga Springs, New York. There, she took pictures of items whose textures caught her eye.

 

Here's a dress from Aggies Boutique on Broadway. What I wouldn't give for an occasion to wear it! Anyone want to invite me somewhere yummy for a holiday party?  The skirt falls like rippling water, and the sequins shine like light dancing on a stream.  A liquid dress.

Paper flowers seen hanging in the window of Miss Scarlett's on Phila Street. Over-sized texture. Light and airy.  Crispy like the fall leaves, but reminiscent of spring.  Gorgeous.

As the world around us starts to shed its color in preparation for the long winter ahead, it's nice to remember that beauty is still to be found in layers of texture.

Things that make you go ooooh!

The way the low slung winter sun shines off the fading leaves, setting them ablaze again.

The large flock of turkeys crossing the corner of my back yard in the early morning hours.

The crisp, clean air that fills my lungs with a sharp, sudden freshness.

The feel of my faithful, trusted sweater, recently pulled out of storage, now providing me with soft warmth.

A mug of warm apple cider in my hands and a scarf round my neck while cheering from the sidelines of the soccer game.

Board games and candy with my family while the fireplace roars and crackles.

The cat purring on my lap while I read.

Fall has come, and will soon be gone.  But while it remains, I revel in all its wonders.