Always Yours Occasions, LLC

27/09/2023

I was reading through some notes of what I have learned about hospitality during a very intense season where life has been turned upside down. Some of what I have learned has been from friends. Friends who have hosted us for game nights when we weren’t able to, friends who have opened their home to us in other ways and given us a glimpse into their lives that was deeper than we had experienced.
..

These words stood out as if they were emboldened:

“you have to practice what you want the atmosphere of your home to be.”

https://open.substack.com/pub/alwaysyoursoccasions/p/gatherings?r=2fec6t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

31/08/2023

As humans, the need for community is intrinsic. Gathering around the table does more than feed our bodies. It should also feed our souls.

https://open.substack.com/pub/alwaysyoursoccasions/p/gathering-in-a-world-that-is-pushing?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

22/08/2023

A new Substack post is live today! In it we talk about one of the biggest *practical* keys to preparing for your gathering or event. It makes all the other preparations easier and sets you up to have the space to focus on what's most important.

Your gatherings will thrive with this

10/08/2023

When gives you lemons, make a gluten-free lemon cake that becomes a family favorite and birthday request from friends.

New post on Substack!

...Let's make cake

21/07/2023

We are so excited to begin connecting on Substack! We'll be talking about planning gatherings and events with a gluten-free table. Won't you come on over and say hello?!

This is The Art of the GF Table.

24/11/2022

Happy thanksgiving! We may not be enjoying our usual spread this year and there are no pretty pictures, but we do have hearts grateful for family and friends and the many blessings God has given.

We hope your Thanksgiving is full of celebrating with those close to you and appreciating the beauty in your life.

28/10/2022

Did you know that pumpkins can be used to indicate certain things without needing to outright say it? We’re talking over on our blog about several of the most common ones. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​

There are many colorful pumpkins and various organizations have adopted specific colors. But why? Knowing the reason will help you...

28/09/2022

We know going on vacation or planning a family reunion can feel a bit daunting when you need to eat gluten-free or need to stick to a specific diet. We've been there, too. At Sandals Resorts, you can speak with the chefs at their 5 Star Global Gourmet restaurants to talk about your dietary needs and plan your menu so you can relax and enjoy your vacation!

P.S. This was the prettiest GLUTEN-FREE strawberry petite four Kate ate at . So fun to just walk in and find gluten-free options available.

01/07/2022

As with almost all celebrations, we look forward to feasting this upcoming Independence day. If you are trying to decide what to eat as you celebrate with family and friends, we hope this menu provides some inspiration.

30/05/2022

As we remember the countless lives laid down to protect this country and to protect our liberty, we honor those who have given their all.

07/05/2022

As we prepare to celebrate the moms in our lives, we know you may be wondering what you are going to fix that everyone can eat. We get it. Mom's and mother figures make an inestimable impact on our lives and we want to honor them well.

So we have designed a delicious gluten free menu to inspire you this holiday!

31/03/2022

These Spring scented days make us hungry for Spring inspired food. These gluten free dirt puddings are so much fun for Spring gatherings!

What are you excited about baking or hosting this Spring?

10/02/2022

We know going on vacation or planning a family reunion can feel a bit daunting when you need to eat gluten-free or need to stick to a specific diet. We've been there, too. Check out our most recent blog post (link in the first comment) for a great option to vacation with ease, gluten free.

P.S. This was the prettiest GLUTEN-FREE strawberry petite four Kate ate at . So fun to just walk in and find gluten-free options available.

01/02/2022

Raise your hands if you, like us, surf Pinterest looking for all sorts of inspiring tablescapes! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Creating a welcoming table doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, we've found that a few strategies can thoughtfully create the mood and enhance the artistry for your gathering or event by elevating your table.

Ready to have some fun planning your next tablescape? Check out our blog post on 7 strategies to elevate your table. (Check out the first comment to grab the link! 👇🏻)

27/01/2022

Life can be fast paced, so having a few things handy for quick meals helps make it easy.

These two soups are some of our favorites to stock. What do you like to have for fast meals?

13/01/2022

Gluten-free chicken tetrazzini. What can we say? It’s one of those cheesy comfort foods we are so fond of here in the South. Add in that it feeds a good sized group of people and contains a balanced meal with your meat, veggies, and starches in one dish and this is a good one for hosting.

What are your favorite go to casseroles?

31/12/2021

Have you ever made a 7 Layer Salad? This is an oldie, but a goodie that was traditional for Cheryl’s parents to fix for Christmas and the New Year. They usually added peas, but we’re split in our family with who eats peas and who doesn’t so we have them available as an optional add on.

*Note: 7 Layer Salad needs to sit for several hours to overnight to let all the flavors meld together. That’s probably why it was a holiday favorite…because it’s actually better made ahead of time. (And all the cooks are giving a high five to this right now. 😂🙌🏻)



https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYKe8jsh14o/?utm_medium=copy_link

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Always Yours Occasions () on Instagram: “Have you ever made a 7 Layer Salad? This is an oldie, but a goodie that was traditional for…”

25/12/2021

May your Christmas celebration be full of hope, joy, and peace.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7

24/12/2021

Cheese balls have long been a staple for our holiday events and gatherings (and for food gifts). They are so fast to make with endless possibilities. These two are our go tos, but they can be spiced up however you like.

Do you have a favorite cheese ball?



https://www.instagram.com/reel/CX39pAsBP0T/?utm_medium=copy_link

23/12/2021

We are trying a new napkin fold this year. Isn’t this lovely for Christmas events?!



https://www.instagram.com/alwaysyoursoccasions/reel/CX1aYSyhjLe/?utm_medium=copy_link

0 Likes, 0 Comments - Always Yours Occasions () on Instagram: “We are trying a new napkin fold this year. Isn’t this lovely for Christmas events?! …”

22/12/2021

A simple toast, you say? There’s a story behind this photo. Read on for a peek into our personal lives this year.

You see, it has been an UNUSUAL season and Christmas for us. So much in our lives has been turned topsy turvy. I know we’re not the only ones experiencing that.

In the midst of all the chaos, part of us was ready to skip the Christmas traditions this year. Celebrate the birth of Christ and what it means, yes, but the effort of trying to do the things that typically accompanied the celebrating felt nearly impossible. And our hearts were sore. Raw.

But God. He is in the business of redeeming. And we know that He is working in this time that feels like our lives have been turned upside down.

We don’t want to merely go through the motions as if we have to put life on hold until some future time when life has fallen into place again. We want to thrive.

So we started making plans for ways we could celebrate. To physically engage with our hearts and hands this Advent season. There was so much we didn’t think we would be able to do, even to down to decorating a tree, but we determined to find ways to celebrate that were both light and meaningful.

So we have planned simple things to do this week: gathering together by the fire for family reads that celebrate Advent and what the coming of Christ made possible, singing carols, making favorite holiday treats.

But Cheryl- she knows how much Kate enjoys decorating the tree all together. It didn’t make sense to get one this year for several reasons, still she asked God for a tree with a specific request attached to it.

We needed to pick up some staples ( ) so we went to the grocery store and what do you think was there? Christmas trees. Meeting Cheryl’s exact request. So we bundled it back, over the moon all the way. We were so excited to surprise the rest of the family with this tree a few days later and so grateful to God, who shows His care down to the small details.

In just a little bit, we get to decorate this beaut. Not with our usual ornaments, but with simple, handmade (gf) salt dough ornaments we cut out ourselves. The simplicity seems fitting somehow.

22/12/2021

Handmade salt dough ornaments. We haven’t made these in years. The plan was to paint them or maybe write a word in the middle. Yet, looking at them, there’s something so restful about the sheer simplicity.

What do you think? Are you camp paint or keep as is?

20/12/2021

These salt dough ornaments are so easy to make! Practicing creativity with our decorating this year is puts us in mind of the Advent of Christ as we physically cut out the stars, the hearts, and the other shapes we plan on making. It reminds us what Christmas is about and gives us time to slow down and wonder with gratitude.



https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXuTekjF1aP/?utm_medium=copy_link

posted on their Instagram profile: “These salt dough ornaments are so easy to make! Practicing creativity with our decorating this year…”

20/12/2021

Breakfast casseroles are a special treat for us. They are ideal for a holiday breakfast or brunch. Have you ever had a tater tot casserole before? We were given this recipe by a longtime friend of Kate’s and it is the epitome of comfort food. 🤤

18/12/2021

Here’s a fast and festive centerpiece for Christmas and New Year celebrations!


https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXouLTkF_XW/?utm_medium=copy_link

Always Yours Occasions () added a video to their Instagram account: “This festive Christmas centerpiece is so fast and easy to make. It’s versatile and is beautiful on…”

17/12/2021

Friendly reminder to make sure your car/purse is stocked with gf snacks for all the last minute Christmas shopping! Whether it’s muffins or a packaged snack, this really helps keep the energy up and the shopping fun! For more tips on navigating the holidays on a gluten free diet, head on over to our blog! Link in first comment.

17/12/2021

Fun hosting project: making a long charcuterie board. We plan on finishing this out with handles on the long ends. What type of handles should we choose?

16/12/2021

Holiday event hosting hack: Having a coffee service tray filled with frequently used items makes setting up for an event or gathering speeds up preparation for hosting. Collecting everything on a tray keeps it together so it stores easily. Or you can leave it out to have it ready at a moment’s notice!

Here are some of our favorite items to have at the ready:
*labels for regular and decaf coffee, plus one for gluten free food
*mugs or insulated cups
*several tea options
*assorted sweeteners
*stir sticks
*napkins

A little jar of peppermints or marshmallows would be a fun holiday addition to the coffee tray.

What special holiday items would you include on your coffee tray?

14/12/2021

Our gluten-free lemon cake is one of our most requested desserts. And a definite favorite with family and friends. We tried something different than our usual lemon curd filling for this special event. It was a huge hit! Can you guess what we used?