Charlotte NC Holiday - Event - Seasonal Decorators


Charlotte NC Holiday - Event - Seasonal Decorators

As fall moves in so do the holidays, and they are approaching us fast! Peggy Johnson of Redesign + More and Tonia Mosteller of Innovative Holiday-Event Decorating in Charlotte, NC are here to tell you to start planning for your holidays in North and South Carolina! Stores have been decorating for the holidays since July...yes, we said, JULY! This means, decorations are going to move fast too! If you are finding it difficult to plan for your holiday event, dress up your homes for the fall season and Thanksgiving holiday or need help adding some festive cheer to your home or business…then you need to meet the decorators of Charlotte, NC and schedule a free holiday/seasonal/event consultation this holiday season

Not only can these delightful ladies and their teams dress up your home or business on the interior, they can also add some sparkle with the exterior and outdoors by adding some Christmas lighting and holiday decor. Their companies provide residential and commercial services to all of CharlotteNC and the metro area, including upper SC

Meet the holiday-event-seasonal decorators of North Carolina and Upper South Carolina. Now, keep in mind these ladies also do Real Estate Home Staging and Interior Room Redesign/Design. They are filled with passion about their work and it shows to the attention detail they give to homes and businesses throughout the holidays and all year long. 

Tonia Mosteller
Charlotte, NC 
704-651-8878

Tonia writes: I love Christmas, it's been my favorite holiday since I was a very young girl. Creating memories with family and friends, it's priceless. Decorating homes and businesses for the holidays, events, and the seasons are a true passion of mine. I believe beautiful spaces can be achieved through creativity, even on a small budget. I am thankful for the gifts God has given me, because I can share them with others. Creating memories for a lifetime.




Peggy Johnson       
Charlotte, NC 
704.880.7901                                   

Peggy writes: During the holiday season sharing your home with family and friends is a wonderful way to bring in the holiday season. Holiday, event, and seasonal decorating allows me to bring out my creative side. It allows me to create beautiful, festive homes and offices. I get very excited about the holiday season. Simple love decorating for the holidays and seasons! My philosophy is to give each of our clients a special experience during the holidays.









The holidays are a wonderful time of year and we all enjoy having our homes decorated for the Christmas holiday season. However we don’t always have the time or the energy that’s needed to create an inviting & festive atmosphere.

We can decorate using themes, keep it traditional, add in a little whimsical and incorporate your special holiday decorations. Services available to residential and commercial clients for interior and exterior holiday decorating - seasonal decorating - event decorating & Christmas outdoor lighting installations.

Our holiday - event - seasonal decorating services can create a simple or elaborate display whether it‘s for your home or a corporate business event function.

Our team of professionals will create a customized holiday decorating plan that will enhance the unique features of your home or business. We can use your existing holiday decorations or purchase new decorations. Schedule your free holiday or event decorating consultation today!

Let our team of Interior and Exterior Holiday Decorators take the hassle out of holiday decorating so you can relax and enjoy the holidays.

Holiday - Event - Seasonal Decorating Companies in Charlotte, NC.


  • Home & Corporate Business Holiday Decorating Services
  • Custom Holiday Decorating Plan
  • Holiday Home Staging
  • Decorated Wreaths
  • Decorated Garlands / Swags
  • Decorated Staircases
  • Decorated Christmas Trees
  • Fireplace Mantels
  • Front Entrances
  • Holiday Displays
  • Holiday Centerpieces
  • Holiday Shopping
  • Holiday Gift Wrapping
  • Holiday Event Decorating
  • Outdoor Exterior Holiday Decorating  Christmas Lights
  • Affordable Budget Holiday Decorating
  • Holiday Photography Prop Decorating

Holiday - Event- Seasonal Interior and Exterior 
Residential and Commercial Decorators - Charlotte NC
Adding festive holiday decorations and outdoor Christmas 
lights to your home or office!

Happy Holidays from our homes to yours!

Top 10 Best Fall Places In NC To See Color!







TOP 10 BEST FALL PLACES!
TO SEE BEAUTIFUL COLORS IN NORTH CAROLINA!


Fall is here and it's one of our favorite seasons! Our fall foliage is gorgeous in the Western North Carolina mountains. Okay I may be a little bit biased but it's so true!!! NC is a beautiful state and we have so many great places to visit during this beautiful season. You can see fall color from Blowing Rock, Asheville, to Great Smoky Mountains, and beyond in North Carolina. You are sure to have a beautiful show of fall color this 2012. My family and I are planning our October weekend to the mountains, so I'm on the internet looking for "peak times" in NC on the places we love to visit. The pictures you see on this blog post are from last year but I'm sure the fall color will be just as glorious if not better this year!




My husband, and I coming back from Mount Mitchell in NC, and we witnessed some glorious fall color along the way!



Our favorite ride is along the Blue Ridge Parkway during the fall and capture the beauty of mother nature. Remembering how much fun we had last year camping in NC during the fall and stopping by our favorite places along the way. While searching on the Internet, I found this great article of "Top 10 best list of the places to see colorful mountain scenery." So guess where we will be this fall season?! Of course, one of our favorite places...Asheville, NC was listed in the top 10! Actually we've been to all of the top 10 listed on this article from Mark File, editor of RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide. Now, while you are in Asheville, NC you must stop by Sunny Point Cafe! Oh my gosh....it's the best organic place to eat and it was featured on GMA! My family and I make it a point to visit every time we are in Asheville! :)


Seasonal Fun and Fall Color Report 2012






Traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC is the best during the fall season!


Looking for the best places to see color this fall? Please read the article below of the "Top 10 list of the best places to see colorful mountain scenery" from Mark File, editor of Romantic Asheville.com Travel Guide.

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a summer of generous rain and sun, fall foliage color this year should be brilliant in western North Carolina. And with a 5,000-foot elevation range near Asheville, the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains have one of the longest-running fall shows in the country. Peak color begins in early October in the highest elevations and ends in the lowest valleys by early November. According to RomanticAsheville.com Vacation Guide, these are the best places for fall views:

1. Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of top scenic drives in the USA. Stop at overlooks, picnic and hike. Best color is the last three weeks of October, varying with elevation. So if you don't immediately see color, keep driving!

2. See the first fall colors from Mt. Mitchell, highest peak in eastern America, with panoramic views from the observation deck.

3. Picnic while soaking in spectacular 360-degree views atop Craggy Pinnacle, accessed by a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike.

4. Visit Graveyard Fields for some of the most brilliant color on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Relax by the waterfall or walk through the highland valley. Nearby, hike mountain balds at Black Balsam Knob for endless views.

5. Capture the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina, Linville Falls. Nearby, see stunning views of Linville Gorge from Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain.

6. Watch elk graze in Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each fall, male elk make their legendary bugling calls.

7. Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest and stop at Looking Glass Falls.

8. Hike in DuPont State Forest to see three waterfalls, or hike to Cedar Rock for mountain views.


9. Explore the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate by foot, bike, car, river raft, horse or Segway. See colorful fall gardens with thousands of mums.

10. Ride the elevator or hike to the famous Chimney Rock with 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure. Peak fall color here extends into early November.

For details on these and the weekly fall foliage report for western North Carolina, visit the 500-page free online travel guide atwww.romanticasheville.com/fall.htm.

Mark File
Editor
RomanticAsheville.com Travel Guide
336-430-4245
mark@romanticasheville.com

This release was issued through WebWire(R). For more information visit http://www.webwire.com.



Fun fall day at the Biltmore House Asheville, NC.

Thank you Mark, for helping us all discover the best places to visit in NC for fall color in 2012! Counting down the days....picnic in the great outdoors, my camera with extra batteries, and my family gathered in the jeep for some fun filled seasonal fall memories in NC!!!



This will be us again this year, traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC!
So I will post our pictures from our 2012 Fall -Seasonal trip later this month! ;)






Professional Holiday Decorating Services - Affordable Holiday Decorating - Commercial Holiday Decorating - Seasonal Christmas Decorating - Event Decorating Services - Charlotte NC - including South Charlotte - Weddington - Concord - Mt.Holly - Huntersville - Cornelius - Davidson - Belmont - Lake Norman Statesville- Mooresville - Hickory - Winston Salem North Carolina and South Carolina. 





Late Fall Scenic Drives in NC!


Here is the last post on viewing places in NC for fall color, thanks to Explore Asheville again for providing this wonderful information on "Late Fall Scenic Drives."  My husband and I have traveled to all of these places listed below in NC, and they are absolutely beautiful during the fall! So grab your car keys! Happy Fall and make some great memories!


LATE FALL SCENIC DRIVES in NC!

Chimney Rock Park

Chimney Rock Park, located in Hickory Nut Gorge, offers expansive views of the gorge and Lake Lure. The quickest way to Chimney Rock Park from Asheville is via I-26 East to US 64 East to the park.

Reems Creek Valley

Follow US Highway 19/23 north to the New Stock Road exit. Turn right at the light and left at the next light, onto US 25. Follow this highway less than one mile to Reems Creek Road and turn right. Drive five miles to Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace State Historic Site, site of a working 1830s-era farm once owned by North Carolina's Civil War governor, Zebulon Vance. From Vance Birthplace, turn left and travel half a mile to Ox Creek Road, winding through the picturesque community to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn south on the Parkway. You may want to shop for mountain handicrafts at the Folk Art Center and drive a little further south to the North Carolina Arboretum before returning to Asheville.

Hickory Nut Gorge to Black Mountain

From Asheville follow I-26 South to US 64 East and into Hickory Nut Gorge. Continue on to Chimney Rock Park, the setting for the movie “Last of the Mohicans.” Take in the views of Lake Lure, where Patrick Swayze danced in the film “Dirty Dancing.” Head back to Bat Cave and pick up NC 9, a true mountain road with spectacular views of the cliffs around the Lake. Wind your way to Black Mountain and explore the many galleries and artisan boutiques that make this small town worth the stop. From Black Mountain, take US 70 through the Swannanoa Valley back to Asheville.

Kimberly Avenue/North Asheville

Located just north of downtown Asheville, Kimberly Avenue will be canopied by the orange tint of sugar maples. A drive offers views of the historic Grove Park Inn perched on the hill above the street. From downtown Asheville, take the Charlotte Street exit off I-240 and proceed north on Charlotte. Turn left onto Edwin Place and follow through the light as it turns into Kimberly Avenue. Follow Kimberly to Beaverdam Road. Turn right and drive through the scenic Beaverdam Valley before circling back to Asheville.

North Carolina Arboretum

Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, the North Carolina Arboretum is nestled amidst one of the most beautiful natural settings in the US and is a great place to see Mother Nature's fall color finale. The Arboretum is located south of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393, or take I-26, Exit 33 (formerly Exit 2) and proceed 2 miles south on Highway 191/Brevard Road.

Thanks www.exploreasheville.com for all of the great information and directions to get us from Charlotte, NC to the mountains! Article courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com.




Professional Holiday Decorating Services - Affordable Holiday Decorating - Commercial Holiday Decorating - Seasonal Christmas Decorating - Event Decorating Services - Charlotte NC - including South Charlotte - Weddington - Concord - Mt.Holly - Huntersville - Cornelius - Davidson - Belmont - Lake Norman Statesville- Mooresville - Hickory - Winston Salem North Carolina and South Carolina. 




Mid Fall Scenic Drives in NC!

As I mentioned on a former blog post from "Early-Fall Scenic Drives in NC, Explore Asheville.com" they continue to share helpful information from their website on places to visit mid fall in October. I'm so excited and can't wait to take tons of pictures! I better make sure to pack extra memory sticks! ;) Below is more information on mid fall scenic drives provided by Explore Asheville! Now, make your fall driving list and enjoy the beauty of mother nature this season and make some great fall memories!

MID FALL SCENIC DRIVES In NC!

In mid-fall, the fall color is moving to new elevations and there are many splendid scenic drives and day trips for soaking in the autumn beauty. Here are some suggested drives for mid-October.

Waterfall Country

From Asheville, head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway and exit onto US 276, following it south. Along the way, stop by Sliding Rock, the Cradle of Forestry with its many interpretive exhibits and special programs, and Looking Glass Falls. The Looking Glass Rock trailhead (parking on the left), provides access to a 3.1 mile trail set amidst brilliant fall color. Continue on 276 to NC 280 north to NC 191 along the banks of the French Broad River past the Biltmore Square Mall and the Western North Carolina Farmers Market and on into Asheville.

Hot Springs

Take a trip to Hot Springs via NC 63 west through Leicester and to Trust, where NC 209 intersects with NC 63. Take NC 209 north to Hot Springs and return by following US 25/70 to Weaverville, and connect with I-26 which leads back to Asheville.

Maggie Valley and Cherokee

US 19 from Maggie Valley to Cherokee boasts several excellent leaf-viewing sites. To get there take US 19/23/74 west from Asheville. A return trip to Asheville via US 276 through the Pisgah National Forest to the Blue Ridge Parkway offers many overlooks from which to enjoy the autumn panorama.

Happy Fall!!!




Professional Holiday Decorating Services - Affordable Holiday Decorating - Commercial Holiday Decorating - Seasonal Christmas Decorating - Event Decorating Services - Charlotte NC - including South Charlotte - Weddington - Concord - Mt.Holly - Huntersville - Cornelius - Davidson - Belmont - Lake Norman Statesville- Mooresville - Hickory - Winston Salem North Carolina and South Carolina. 



Early Fall Scenic Drives in NC!




Cool and crisp days are here...gather your family or friends, pack a picnic and don't forget your camera! We are counting down the days...for our weekend to the NC mountains to see some glorious fall color in 2012!
Our last year trip to see beautiful fall color in the NC mountains!

Thanks to the great website of www.exploreasheville.com, here is a wonderful article with "Early Fall Scenic Drives" in NC! So I am making my list of the best places to visit this fall season! Thanks Explore Asheville for the the helpful website and the article below! 

In the early fall, the best scenic drives are at the highest elevations in the Asheville area. Here is a list of great fall scenic drives for late September and early October.

Grandfather Mountain

Visit Grandfather Mountain to view native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and picnicking and test your courage on the mile high swinging bridge which also provides a great vantage point for viewing autumn’s rich colors.

DIRECTIONS: From Asheville, take I-40 East to exit 100 (Morganton). Take NC 181 North straight to the park.

US Highway 19

From Asheville, follow US 19/23 north from downtown, taking US 19E to Burnsville. Continue your drive along 19E to the town of Spruce Pine, stopping along the way to take in the spectacular views of the Black Mountains and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern U.S. at 6,684 feet. To return to Asheville, take US 19E back to Burnsville and US 19/23 south into the city.

Pisgah National Forest/Cold Mountain

Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville toward Mount Pisgah, where you will find picnic areas, hiking trails and a restaurant. Travel north on US 276 through the magnificent Pisgah National Forest, which affords a spectacular view of Cold Mountain, made famous by the novel and motion picture of the same name. Continue on US 276 into Waynesville. Take US 23 north to US 19/23/74 east, which will return you to Asheville.

Up next, Mid-Fall and Late-Fall places to see fall colors in NC from ExploreAsheville.com

Wishing you and yours a fun filled "fall day"! 
May you create wonderful fall memories too! 
Tonia Mosteller NC decorator of
Innovative Interiors - Holiday - Event - Seasonal Decorating Charlotte, NC. 



Professional Holiday Decorating Services - Affordable Holiday Decorating - Commercial Holiday Decorating - Seasonal Christmas Decorating - Event Decorating Services - Charlotte NC - including South Charlotte - Weddington - Concord - Mt.Holly - Huntersville - Cornelius - Davidson - Belmont - Lake Norman Statesville- Mooresville - Hickory - Winston Salem North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Harvest - Autumn - Fall - Seasonal Decorating

 Holiday Seasonal Decorating

Getting our homes ready for the change of season 
from summer to fall and Thanksgiving holiday.

Girls Craft Day # 2

Well after having so much fun on our first "Girls Craft Day" making our holiday tinsel bear and sleigh Christmas ornaments we just had to make it another fun day hanging out making Autumn (Fall) seasonal wreaths and eating delicious food!

We planned another day to Michaels and Hobby Lobby, gathered our shopping list and away we went. The decorations/crafts we purchased were: grapevine wreath, twig wreath, wire, fall autumn leaves, owl, initial letter, faux pumpkin, green ivy, and leafy fall sprigs.


As a holiday-seasonal - event decorator of Charlotte, NC I had a ball creating these wreaths for my friends and teaching them some "decorating tricks on making wreaths".  Missing one picture of a wreath, waiting on my friend to send it to me and I will post it soon. :)


Boo-hoo....do you see Mr. Owl? 

Our Autumn Breakfast menu for our GCD (Girls Craft Day)


Nothing states Autumn (Fall) like a warm, delightful, smell so yummy, 
homemade loaf of pumpkin bread! Yum!

We forgot to take pics of the pumpkin bread, because we were too busy eating it! After smelling the delicious aroma in the kitchen, we couldn't wait to taste everything! Photo and recipe courtesy of Steaming Gourmet

Here is the pumpkin bread recipe we found on Steaming Gourmet! 
It had 5 stars and we give it 5 stars too! 


Ultimate Pumpkin Bread 

Author: Amy Wilson
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 mins
Serves: 14

A fabulous pumpkin bread and the best you’ll ever taste.

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter, really soft, half melted really
3 large eggs
1 16 oz can of pure pumpkin
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Method

Preheat oven to 350˚F and spray two medium loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, spices, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the wire whisk attached, dump in the sugar. Take the butter and put it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, so that it is half melted. Dump it into the sugar. Add the eggs. Cream these three ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Add the pumpkin and combine well.

In three batches, add the dry ingredients and mix gently until each batch is just incorporated. Scrape the sides between each batch.

Pour half of the batter into a one of the prepared pans. Fold the pecans into the remaining batter and then pour it into the other prepared pan. Bake side-by-side for about one hour or until an inserted knife comes out clean the top is golden.
Notes

Yields 2 loaves.





Holiday Breakfast Quiche to die for! 

This is a recipe I got many years ago from my sweet friend Julie, 
it's an old recipe from her mother. 
I call it "Holiday Breakfast Quiche", because of the colors from the peppers 
that gives it a colorful and festive holiday appearance. 

Holiday Breakfast Quiche Shopping List and Recipe
  • (1) Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage 
  • (1) 9" fold out Pillsbury Crust Pie Shell
  • (1 1/2) cups Grated Swiss Cheese (note...use a good quality cheese, makes all the difference)
  • 1/4 Cup Chopped Green Pepper
  • 1/4 Cup Chopped Red Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped Onion
  • 4 Eggs (slightly beaten and set aside)
  • 1 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
Preheat Oven to 375, bake 40 to 45 mins (depends on oven)


Crumble sausage as you allow it to cook and brown until it is done. Drain and immediately add in Swiss cheese, mix it together. Then add all the ingredients listed above, including eggs and mix together. Follow directions on pie shell box and place pie shell in your quiche dish. Note....within 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover quiche lightly with tinfoil to prevent it  browning too much on top and the edge of crust. 

Enjoy, the Holiday Breakfast Quiche it's divine!!!


Of course no breakfast is complete without a cup of hot Pumpkin Spice coffee! We bought our Pumpkin creamer at Bi-lo, and added some cinnamon and 
homemade whip cream on top as the garnish! It was fabulous! 

Wishing you all a fabulous "fall", may you make some harvest memories this year with your family and friends! 

Tonia Mosteller
704-651-8878

Holiday - Event - Seasonal Decorator
Charlotte, NC

Please visit my website for information about our services: 

Happy Autumn Decorating! 











Holiday Decorating Tinsel Christmas Bear and Sleigh Ornaments

 Holiday Decorating 
Girls Craft Day! 

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living.

Last year I was searching for some rustic Christmas ornaments that I could make as a craft and add to my rustic Christmas holiday decor and tree. I found these adorable bears from Martha Stewart Living! After viewing her website, I called my girlfriend Christina and told her about these cute bears, "That we must add them to our rustic Christmas trees and holiday decor." I immediately got on the internet and ordered our bears from Lindahl Woodcrafts. Less than a week, these cute wooden bear ornaments made it to our front door. Hassle free, fast shipping, and great customer service! Thanks, Lindahl Woodcrafts! 

So we gathered our holiday shopping list and took off to our local stores in Charlotte, NCMichaels and Hobby Lobby to get our supplies. I must say...I adore Martha Stewart's line of Tinsel glitters, they are absolutely beautiful! Since I was a busy girl, decorating homes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday last year, our bears and girls craft day got pushed aside until recently. We know it's September, but Christina and I knew if we didn't do it now, my holiday schedule would not allow us to do it over the next 3 months. After all the spirit of Christmas should remain in your heart all year long. At least it does in mine, I'm like a little kid when I comes to the holidays...my heart and soul radiant's with Christmas cheer and I LOVE to decorate for the holidays and seasons

Photo courtesy of Panera Bread.
So my friend Christina and I decided to have a Holiday Girls Craft Day. We watched the Charlotte weather and the perfect day was coming...a cool, and rainy Tuesday! We made some holiday goodies, turned on some holiday music (LOL), and rented a chic flick to watch after our craft day. While working on our bears, we decided let's head back to Michael's and get some more holiday Christmas ornaments! We found some adorable wooden sleighs for 49 cents and grabbed Martha Stewart's "red" tinsel glittered. Tip...if the product isn't on sale at Michaels don't forget to print or use your smartphone for the 40% off Michaels coupon! Heading back to the house, we stopped by Panera Bread's and got their yummy Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte...it was heavenly!!! 

"We had a fabulous day playing with our holiday Christmas crafts, laughing, eating, drinking our Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte, listening to the holiday music (that still makes us giggle) and watching our girlie chic flick to end our day. Great memories!"

Below is the complete "How To" list on how you can make these Christmas Glittered Bears for your tree and holiday decor

Give your Christmas tree and holiday decor an extra sparkle with these critter glittered bears from Martha Stewart Living and Lindahl Woodcrafts! When your Christmas lights capture these adorable ornaments, your decorations will be beautiful glistering on the tree! You can even hang them on a garland or fish light with ribbon in a window and the natural sunlight will make them sparkle too! :)

How-To Glittered Bear and Sleigh Christmas Ornaments

Tools & Materials:

Craft brush
White glue
Wooden bears
Glittering tray
Tinsel glitter
Skewer or toothpick
Plastic squeeze bottle with fine tip
Ornament hooks

Glittered Bear Christmas and Sleigh Ornaments How-To
Using a paintbrush, apply white glue to one side of wooden bear.
Place bear in glittering tray, glue side up, and shake tinsel glitter on to glue until completely covered. Let dry, about 15-20 minutes.

Once dry, shake off excess glitter and repeat glittering process on other side of bear.
Once both sides of bear are glittered and dry, wipe along the edge to remove any excess glitter. Use a skewer or toothpick to clean in tighter areas, if needed.
Using a plastic squeeze bottle fitted with a fine tip, apply glue along the edges of the bear, working in sections, gluing and glittering as you go.

Once glue is completely dry, attach ornament hook to bear and hang on your Christmas tree or holiday decor
Our finished Tinsel Christmas Bears and Sleighs Ornaments: 






Gather a friend or friends and make it a Holiday Girls Craft Day!

Happy Seasonal & Holiday Decorating!