Head 'em up, move 'em out...

It's that time a year round these parts...its rodeo season. Oh yes, here in Texas there is a whole season for the rodeo. Like Christmas its one or the most wonderful times of the year! However living in the BIG city like Houston (because we know nothin' is small in Texas) it can be quite the adventure getting to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with all that stinkin traffic, but in the end...well worth it!

So if the timing or the traffic detour you away from the spirit of the rodeo how about throwing a party in its honor... as my mom would say its better than a stick in your eye.

SETTING THE STAGE

succulants, bandanas used as flag banners or napkins, rope tied around cans or laid out on tables and old vintage jugs perfectly placed.

 EATS

homemade bbq competitions, chili cook-offs, and roast corn in husk. delish.

GAMES

Off to the races...have kids make their own horse on stick! Great tutorial at lightbluegrey

ENTERTAINMENT

clint eastwood...nuff said. get a projector, throw blankets on the lawn and watch old western classics. good times.

I'll leave you with my Fox segment and the ever so funny Tom Zizka to inspire you to throw down one fantastic rodeo shindig.



Giddy up y'all...

kjoy

7 tips to make this love day off the charts & ridiculously awesome

Change it up this valentines, get creative and be you.

1. Instead of fighting the crowds at restaurants make it more intimate and have a picnic at home. If you don't want to cook order in.

2. Instead of spending too much on a gift, make your own. Both of you write down on pink and purple hearts (purple for him and pink for her) 14 things that you love about your partner. Take turns picking from the jar and reading them out loud to one another. Its thoughtful and a great way to hear how much your partner likes being with you.

3. Choose an outfit that's cute and comfy. Better yet grab a shirt from his closet, pair it up with skinny jeans, go light on the makeup and you will come out looking easy, breezy and beautiful.

 

4. Tie blankets from the ceiling and throw pillows on the floor; create a romantic getaway right next to the fireplace. 

 

5. Candles are the easiest way to illuminate the room and bring a heavenly glow to your night. oh and its super cheap. Do it, it makes everything better.  

6. Bake together.  Cooking together brings connection, and the best part is, when its all said and done you get to enjoy the hard work together. Dessert anyone?

7. The most important thing to make your valentines night a success is being confident with who you are and what you bring to the relationship. Someone that likes who they are and can laugh at themselves is the most attractive quality that one can possess. The one you love choose to be with you on this designated love day, remember that...you are the one they love.

Now to all the single ladies, like myself, I'd say bring on the picnic, just throw out the boyfriend shirt because its probably an ex's and well that just depressing.

Love is the greatest gift ya'll...

kjoy

New Years 2011

I cannot believe we are entering into another decade, here are some ideas to go out with a BANG BAM BOOM!

• Champagne Mixer Bar with Vintage Glasses
• 6 Month Resolution Reminder Photo
• Handmade Balloon drop

Check out segment for the details.

For more ideas, check out last year's New Year's segment  Take time to celebrate a whole new year to be a whole new you. Forgive others and yourself, Love BIG, Fight for your dreams, & get creative. I'm believing for my dreams to come to pass this year, believe for yourself and we can have a tag team victory dance.

Happy New Years Folks, make it the best year yet!

kjoy

Merry Christmas

I love Christmas. I love red and green. I love all the warm fuzzy feelings you get from the season. I hope your holiday was blessed, bright and full of laughter. Enjoy the segment.



Merry Christmas!

I'm so thankful...

I sit here as one thankful woman. I have clean water, a family who are alive and love me,  and friends that are beyond amazing, they are heaven sent. I also had the best turkey dinner ever...from dressing, squash casserole, broccoli salad to apple pie, sweet potato & pecan casserole, and homemade yeast rolls. I'm still full.

But one of my favorite things is creating a festive atmosphere to enjoy this holiday full of thanks...ck out my latest segment on Fox for festive ideas.

P.s. My Christmas tree is already up...yes it is.
Happy of all happy thanksgiving to you.


kjoy

what?! summer is over already...

who likes to party? we like to party.

whos we? everybody.

Watch HERE as I guide you through on my Great Day Houston with Debra Duncan segment; how to throw an end of the summer party!

Let’s Go Crazy Kid’s Party



1. Bring back the classics.



Activities: Three legged race, potato sack, limbo, water balloon toss, and winners get a crown or an over-sized lollypop
Drive in classic: create an outdoor theater to end the night watching kid classic flicks. The Parent Trap, Ferris Buller’s Day Off, Indiana Jones, etc. While kids are sprawled on blankets on the grass, hand out bags of popcorn. Take home gifts are fun pinwheels or water balloon kits.

2. Bag it or Box it


Food: get old shoeboxes/ or bags and have them supplied with premade meals with napkins and treats. Can include corn dog, corn, fruit kabobs, etc. and Cotton Candy all wrapped up.
Water station: blow a whistle and say, “Water break!”

3. Say Cheese


Pictures: Create a photo booth. Have kids throughout the day take pictures with friends. Have a trunk full of props, hats and costumes. If you have instant photo printers you can have kids take home pictures as their take away gift. If not, you can have your child bring photos to school which will be a great way to engage with classmates.

Take it Easy: A Light Night in White

1. Keep it simple


You can use curtains, sheets, or painter’s cloth as table linens. Stay with neutral/white as your constant color then add just one color as your wow factor. Let summer fruit be your color inspiration: lemons, watermelon, cherries, grass. Use what you got! Bring your lamps outside for lighting, use your lampshades with candles to create soft lighting. Have easy food that is simple and light so that guest can mingle without having to balance a plate.

2. Create talk


Frame a Map and have guest pin where they traveled with one color and where they hope to travel next summer. Encourage guest to talk about travels.

3. Kick back & relax


Blow up an air mattress and put white sheets and pillows for people to lounge on. Have an old classic film for people to watch and enjoy. Have a wine bar where people can pour themselves (maybe ask guest to bring favorite new summer wine they experienced this year) or have a pitcher of an already made beverage: mojitos or lemondrops—“Just Add Vodka and Shake” bar. It’s good to get people interacting with things. For dessert, a twist on a favorite summer treat-white chocolate ‘smores bar/station near a fire pit.

***Maybe hire a college kid or someone you know that takes decent pictures to go around taking pictures for an hour. An extra 60 bucks is worth it!

whoooaaaaa...party in the u.s.a.

kjoy

LOVE LOVE LOVE...Its All About Love.

This book The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman has not only helped relationship but also changed lives; but was my inspiration for my segment on Fox.





What is your love language?

Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.



Quality Time
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.



Receiving Gifts
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.



Acts of Service
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.



Physical Touch
This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Take the Test Here

Another great book on relationships is Love & Respect. ummm I think I need to pick up that book again. just sayin'.

For all that need to know my love language is quality time.
kjoy

Backyard Rodeo

When you think of the Houston Rodeo...

you think of fun...

you think of action...

you think of hot performers...

but do you think of your backyard? I did...

YEEHAW Y'ALL!

kjoy

New Years Explosion

New years is a fine blend of last years memories and this year's expectation.

5 Ideas to Ring in the New Year

• Clocks- have a hodge podge of clocks set up all over the room to go off at midnight!
• Stick to Black & White, add your pop of color with your guest!
• Champagne Mixer Bar. You provide the Mixers & your guest provide the champagne!
• Photobooth. Set up your camera on a tripod next to a window and have a huge sign that says the new year on it... A box of props is a bonus!
• Have midnight celebration packets with confetti and H2O pre-made to hand out at 11:59pm. Now celebrate!

Have an amazing new year!
kjoy

Making Memories with Ornaments!

Watch Sibila Vargas from Fox talk with me about Christmas traditions!






Now before each segment, I like to test out my ideas and crafts on the family. Here is Uncle Matt (my handsome bro) with our nephew Carson making ornaments of his little hand using glitter, paint, felt and more. Aprons are definitely neccessary!!!


I pulled a lot of these craft items from my mom's place and after squeezing that paint so hard my face turned red, I guess it's safe to say the paint quite possibly could be as old as I am!!

Share with me some of the fun crafty stuff you and your family do together around the table during the holidays! I'm all ears!

happy birthday jesus! boom.

kjoy

Christmas with Kristen.

Many thanks to my friend Liz Jordan for the recent post on her afternoon show blog!

"Kristen Hilyard is one of the most creative and gifted designers and stylists I’ve ever known. She primarily works with Chef and Author Domenica Catelli styling food for TV segments, photo shoots and much more.

Kristen has traveled all over the U.S. using her gift for design and eye for a bargain to help others discover creative ways to decorate, celebrate and make lasting, colorful memories.

Kristen is pictured here with her family and you can watch her live tomorrow morning on Fox Morning Extra just after 9 a.m. Click here for her recent appearance with awesome tips on setting the table!

Check out some of her latest decorating and memory making ideas for the entire family!

Gingerbread Man Decorating Race!
·Pre-bake Gingerbread men
·Race kids vs. kids / Adults vs. adults - decorate gingerbread men and have an adult race where kids cheer on adults. Give extra time for kids and minimal time for adults to decorate the cookies.
· Everyone vote and declare winners for the race. Make a crown for the winners to wear and maybe give a gift.
·Turn on KSBJ Christmas music to create an atmosphere of excitement and Christmas cheer!

Making Simple Tree Ornaments:
· It can be as simple as tracing your hand on felt and decorating it.
· Get a plain ornament and decorating it. Place a photo inside as well!
· Make sure to write year and name of the person who decorated it on ornament creating memories for years to come!

Extra Fun Stuff:
Go watch a Christmas movie with the family
Go look at lights and bring a thermos of hot cocoa with you
Go pick up a Christmas tree and decorate
Go help out at a charity
Make your own hot cocoa mix.

Staying Jesus Focused:
Have everyone sit around and read scriptures from the Bible about the birth of Jesus
Go to Christmas Eve service at church
Bake a cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus
Sit around and sing Christmas songs and teach them to kids
Ask what Christmas means to everyone? Favorite Christmas memories from the past!

Santa Fun:
Read T’was The Night Before Christmas out loud
Bake cookies and leave out for Santa! (Parents: make sure you take a bite out of cookie so kids know Santa really came!)
Make reindeer treats and eat while you watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Santa Clause the movie or Miracle on 34th Street
Follow Santa at http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

My Family’s Tradition:
Easy dinner: Turkey Chili from Domenica Catelli’s Mom-a-licious cookbook
The children wrap each other’s Christmas gifts for mama and we all watch The Christmas story movie over and over again
Every year we get new p.j.’s from my mom and wear them that night for Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

kjoy