A Busy Time and Sunday Morning Coffee

What a week it’s been! Between Prime Big Deal Days, filming a commercial, hosting a dinner party for charity, attending two Dodger games, and two new craft projects, it’s been a very busy time!

But I am not complaining. I love being busy. And you know how much I love entertaining, sports, and crafting. I always say that Sunday Morning Coffee is my favorite time to slow down, reflect, and connect. It’s a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun. After a week like this one, I’m especially grateful for this little moment of calm and creativity with all of you.

Season 5 Volume 40

About Me

Yes. It’s been a busy week.

Between Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, filming a commercial, hosting a charity dinner party, attending two Dodger games, and diving into two new craft projects, I feel like I’ve lived an entire month in just a few days — and I’ve loved every minute of it.

Prime Big Deal Days kept me busy from morning to night, sharing my favorite home, kitchen, holiday, and entertaining finds. It’s always so much fun helping all of you discover great deals, and this year’s event was one of the best yet!

And during that whirlwind, we filmed a commercial (yes, a commercial!), and it was crazy but fun.

Then, of course, came one of my favorite nights of the week: the charity dinner party that Dave and I hosted at our home. We auctioned off the dinner months ago, and it was such a joy to welcome the winning guests, plan the menu, and make sure every detail felt special. Between the laughter, the food, and the sense of purpose behind it all, it was truly a night to remember.

And somehow, I still found time for a bit of fun — two Dodger games (with excellent seats!!!) and two new craft projects (which I shared this week). I may be exhausted, but my heart is full.

So I wasn’t kidding, it’s been a very busy time!

My Latest Project

A Dinner Party for a Cause: A Night to Remember

Last night was truly something special. My husband and I hosted a dinner that we had auctioned off earlier this year for charity. After weeks of planning, the evening could not have gone better.

Knowing this dinner was both a fundraiser and a celebration made it even more meaningful. We wanted to create a menu that felt elegant yet approachable. Since our guests had several dietary preferences, I took it as a creative challenge to make every dish inclusive, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

The night began with cocktails and a trio of appetizers that set the tone perfectly. We served Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Shooters, drizzled with a maple-chili oil that gave the smooth soup a hint of spice and sweetness and a cozy start to a fall evening.

Alongside them were Mini Potato Pancakes topped with crème fraîche and chives, and Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds with lemon-dill yogurt and microgreens. Each bite was flavorful, seasonal, and designed so everyone, from vegans to pescatarians, could enjoy something delicious.

For the salad course, we served Autumn Greens with Roasted Pears and Candied Pecans, tossed in a lemon-shallot vinaigrette. It was the perfect balance of bright and crisp, with an option to add goat cheese for those who wanted it. The presentation was beautiful … fall colors on a plate.

Every course was served family-style, encouraging conversation and connection at the table. Our guests enjoyed Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Reduction, perfectly seared and tender, alongside Roasted Salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc, and a Wild Mushroom Risotto with Roasted Cauliflower that was both vegan and gluten-free. The accompaniments tied everything together: Parmesan Whipped Potatoes, Honey-Glazed Carrots with Thyme, and Garlic Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds, all comforting and seasonal, yet refined.

Dessert was a highlight all its own. We served a decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake with Fresh Raspberries and a dollop of coconut cream, paired with a Seasonal Fresh Fruit Platter for a lighter finish. It was the perfect end to an evening filled with laughter, conversation, and a true sense of gratitude.

Hosting this dinner reminded me of what I love most about entertaining: the joy of bringing people together around a table, creating something thoughtful, and watching guests connect over good food. What began as a charitable donation turned into a night of warmth, community, and celebration.

I’m so glad we had the opportunity to host this dinner. It challenged me creatively and reminded me that the best meals aren’t just about the food, they’re about the experience, the generosity, and the joy shared by everyone gathered around the table.

And just so you know, I will share all of my recipes next week in a blog post detailing everything about this dinner party!

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

I tend to over-schedule things.

Last Tuesday, on the first day of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, I also agreed to film a commercial at our house.

It seemed like a good idea at the time until the film crew brought their own internet on-site and knocked out my internet for the entire day.

Instead of spending the day on the third floor crafting and avoiding the film crew, I struggled to find internet access.

But I survived, between hot-spots and borrowing someone else’s connection.

There is one thing about filming that always comes as a shock. Our house is always a total mess while they are here. Cardboard is everywhere, lights are uninstalled, furniture is moved, and a hundred people are coming and going from our home.

But at 9:00 pm, when they are done, the house always looks even better than it did before they arrived.

And that is why I agree to filming every single time.

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• Finish the next two crafts for A Handmade Christmas. I can’t wait to share them with you.
• Get ready for surgery on Tuesday! (More about that later …)
• Relax and take a bit of time off to recuperate.

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And what a week it was!

• 
  Seven Creative Ideas to Set a Christmas Table
  Today I am sharing Seven Ideas to set a Christmas table. Initially, I intended to share ideas from seven different tables I had already created. But then I got an idea. What if I set one table with seven creative ideas…
• 
  DIY Ceramic Christmas Tree – A Handmade Christmas
  It’s week ten of my 16-week series titled A Handmade Christmas, and today I am sharing this beautiful handmade Ceramic Christmas Tree. One of my favorite parts of my A Handmade Christmas series is finding new ways to make holiday décor…
• 
  DIY Embroidered Handmade Christmas Ornaments
  There’s something so special about handmade Christmas ornaments … the kind that hold a story, a little bit of creativity, and a whole lot of heart. Every year, I enjoy discovering new ways to create unique and meaningful decorations for our…
• 
  Creative Ideas for Christmas Gift Tags
  A well-wrapped present always adds to the fun of gift-giving. Today, I am sharing some creative ideas for gift wrapping with hilarious gift tag ideas! I am sharing my favorite Christmas tags, and I hope you have some fun with them.
• 
  Decorating with Christmas Ribbon in the Dining Room
  It’s fun to look back at decorating for Christmas and today I am sharing how to use Christmas ribbons to decorate your dining chairs. Sometimes the simplest touches make the most significant difference. I decorated our dining room and added Christmas…
• 
  Stocking Stuffers for Christmas Morning
  One of my big jobs every Christmas is filling our kids’ stockings. I am always on the lookout for great ideas for stocking stuffers. As kids, my siblings and I opened our stockings first thing every Christmas morning. I’m excited to…

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I am hoping for a relaxing week next week. But we have some really great things for fall to share!

• Elegant Glass Water Bottles for Entertaining
• My Favorite Friendsgiving Ideas
• Pumpkin Alfredo with Sage Butter
• How to Make a Sourdough Starter
• A Handmade Christmas (new craft!)
• Pie for Breakfast

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• Shopping Amazon Prime Big Deal Days – S5/V39
• Two Weeks in Portugal – S5/V38
• A Fabulous Bike Trip – S5/V37
• A Trip to Portugal – S5/V36
• Crunch Time – S5/V35
• Fall is Here – S5/V34
• An Amazing Summer – S5/V33
• A Fun Celebration – S5/V32
• Fall is Coming – S5/V31
• A Hawaiian Vacation – S5/V31
• Aloha and Sunday Morning Coffee – S5/V30
• Summer Beach Dinner Part Two – S5/V29
• A Time to Celebrate Friends – S5/V28
• Early Prime Day – S5/V27
• Summer at the Beach – S5/V26
• Why I Love Summer Travel – S5/V25
• My Favorite Summer Decor Finds – S5/V24
• A Year Older – S5/V23
• A Birthday Week – S5/V22
• Summer is Almost Here – S5/V21
• A Golfing Week – S5/V20
• Mother’s Day Memories – S5/V19
• Kitchen Garden Progress – S5/V18
• A Growing Family – S5/V17
• A Happy Easter and Crafting – S5/V16
• Heart Breaking Week – S5/V15
• Celebrating Family – S5/V14
• We are Filming This Week – S5/V13
• My Love for Spring – S5/V12
• My Love for Gardening – S5/V11
• The Inspired Home Show – S5/V10
• The End of an Era – S5/V9
• Spring is Coming – S5/V8
• East Coast Travel – S5/V7
• The Best Place to Dine on Valentine’s Day – S5/V6
• Is Needlepoint a Dying Art? – S5/V5
• Crafting and Sunday Morning Coffee – S5/V4
• My Love For January – S5/V3
• A Week to Remember and Forget – S5/V2
• A Good Year – S5/V1

You Might Also Need…

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Designer-Inspired Christmas Decor

My Favorite Pottery Barn Inspired Christmas Decor!

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