12/24/16

Merry Christmas!



 The Joys of the Season
Christmas 2016

We hope this year has been a good one, bringing more happy days than sad ones.  

At this time of year, amid the chaos and sometimes grandiosity of the season, it’s easy to find ourselves reflecting more on missed opportunities rather than simply enjoying “right now.”  

Maybe it’s beyond our capability to recognize simple happiness when we see it....missing those authentic times in the hope of finding something better.  Maybe we just need to make more of an effort to keep our eyes and hearts open. 

Our Christmas wish for all of you, are days filled with more 
mindful moments and joyous pleasures.

Warm hugs to all,
Carol and Rick

And a special "Merry Christmas" wish from the Grands!


12/22/16

Christmas Snippets, Pt.3 & 4

Where 'o where has December gone....in the blink of an eye, it is whizzing past, so I decided it was now or never going to be the time to share the rest of our Christmas house.  I had planned to break this into Pt. 3 & Pt. 4, but now it will be two-parts "photo-overload!"  Feel free to stop by the "hot chocolate/coffee station" for a cuppa and then help yourself to some sweet treats, as you will definitely need sustenance to get you through all of the photos!  All set?  Let's get started! 

The kitchen and breakfast room are taking center-stage first.


I still love this snowman-snowball wreath that I made a couple of years ago.



It's always fun to put this little wooden tree together each year and remember the lovely shop where we found it in Switzerland.



This is a "coloring" page that I found on the internet, but I cannot remember the sweet person who made this lovely drawing.  I apologize, but just know that I had a great time coloring it!

Why is it that a "hot chocolate station" is just so much fun to put together?

Be honest....doesn't this adorable little set just make you giggle?  I found it at HomeGoods a couple of weeks ago, but it's not just for Christmas....this will be hanging in my kitchen forEVER!



A cute bow on the "everyday and ordinary" elevates them to "decorations!"


This guy (my favorite Nutcracker of all) pitched in and helped a couple of days ago when 
Ms. Betty Crocker decided to pop in and whip up a few goodies....of course, a couple of naps were thrown in for good measure!

Plenty of goodies for some of our very sweet neighbors, and....

Enough for Santa & Mrs. Claus to munch on!

Banana bread, Christmas cookies, Lemonies & Toffee....can we all say "YUMMY!"





A bit of "holly jolly" in my craftroom!


Isn't she the cutest?

Guest Bath




On to the outside!

It's kind of difficult to see, but there is a wreath on each of the garage door lights.  I love how they look at night.





Yes, "Tis the Season to be Jolly," and to survive this deluge of photos!  If you are still with me and haven't nodded off, thank you so much for stopping by.  It brings me such joy to share our home with all of you, but I truly wish it could be in-person.  Thoughts of you and yours this holiday season, are on my mind and in my heart, and I wish you the merriest and happiest Christmas of all!

Warm hugs,
Carol


 I often party with these lovely bloggers:


Monday
 Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Tuesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Thursday
Jemma at  At Home With Jemma for Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home













12/18/16

Snippets of Christmas Pt.2

YIKES, a week from today "that right jolly old elf with a belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly, will be coming to town!"  I've spent the last week or so just enjoying the season....the sights, the smells, candles glowing and twinkling lights.  I don't care how old mature I get, Christmas is a "most wonderful time of year."  Today I wanted to share more Snippets of Christmas, aka: Pt.2; but if you missed Pt.1, you can find it HERE.  Betty Crocker hasn't shown up yet to do any baking, or I would surely offer you something delicious to nibble on....where is Miss Betty, anyway?

Some of you may be use to seeing my cloth-covered old singer sewing machine here, but we did some furniture rearranging a couple of months ago and came up with a new look.  This is still the first place I decorate, so everyone coming in the front door feels welcome.

HO! HO! HO!

This was a fun centerpiece to pull together for the dining room table.

All of the small house/shoppe pieces had belonged to my sweet MIL.




BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.....Brrrr!


Very simple, but I love it!




I love the look of cotton stems and red berries.

This is where the old singer now lives.


SANTA'S SLEIGH IS FILLED WITH TOYS FOR ALL GOOD LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS!



Who needs a bar cart when you've got a "bar buffet!"




This is the first time I've added the small trees to the half-walls in the dining room and living room, and I absolutely love how they look!


"Hey, Miss Betty, you need to get over here and whip up some more of these little yummies!"

Well, that's a wrap for Snippets of Christmas, Pt. 2.  Hopefully, Pt.3 & 4 will be posted soon!  I do hope the holiday crazies haven't completely taken over your life, and you are able to enjoy the season.  If you are located in any of the areas that are being hit by the Arctic Blast, I'm sending warm hugs!

Carol


 I often party with these lovely bloggers:


Monday
 Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Tuesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday
Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Thursday
Jemma at  At Home With Jemma for Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home