I am going to start baking...I AM! But I keep getting distracted. Movies, reading, hanging out with the family, napping. I have finally consoled myself with the fact that the sweets will be fresher if I do it closer to the parties. We have three family events in a row starting the 23rd. The problem is narrowing it down to what I want to make, there are so many great recipes out there in Blogland. I could eat it, I mean, make it all!
Would you believe that we have a dog grab bag? Yep, there are a lot of dogs in our family and they are our buddies, so we treat them good at Christmas. I found an etsy shop that has all things good for your puppy. I got a gift basket for my grab bag victim. filled with homemade treats and a few cute toys. As always with etsy, everything is wrapped up so sweetly. If you need anything, visit Trish.
Over in Christmas Central, or my den as we usually call it, I have been a real elf. All that remains to be bought is The Husband's gifts for the boys. I do the girls, he does the boys. He loves to shop last minute, he's out now with the throngs. 
I am also forcing paper whites in the den because it is so dark in there. I was told to water the bulbs and keep them in a dark area for 2 weeks and then bring them out in front of a window and they should bloom. I don't see that happening before Christmas. These babies are just starting out and it has been a week. Wish me loads of luck.
I don't think you have ever met Nina. She is our Quaker Parrot and lives in the den where we don't have to listen to her. She has a couple of great lines and makes a smooching/kissing noise constantly. She will also dance on command. But alas, she is mean. I avoid her. 
I have been immersed in Christmas movies. Last night The Husband had two work related parties and I got to lounge in bed and watch The Bishop's Wife and part of Christmas In Connecticut. I fell asleep as usual, but I do love that ice skating scene with Cary Grant and Loretta Young and of course, the taxi driver. What a great movie. Last week when we stayed in that little town in Michigan, The Husband decided to take a nap once we were back at the inn. I turned on the TV and look what I found. I think The Holiday is my favorite {non~classic} Christmas movie. Love the story, love Rose's little English cottage, love Jude Law. 
So, unless I can coerce The Husband into going out for dinner, it will probably be a very quiet night. Love those, but could really use some restaurant atmosphere tonight. They are all so decorated beautifully now. 
I was able to download that picture from my phone of Milo sleeping in his new thrifted dog bed. He really only uses it when there isn't a couch or chair available. I think he looks comfy.
So, that's all I have for today. We had a little snow last night that melted today and it is 32 degrees right now. I went outside for a little while today and it felt quite cold. I just hope we have snow on the ground for the big day. Take care! :-)
I missed the party for the Christmas Vignettes so I thought I would share some of mine in this post. I love decorating windows and I have been lucky that Milo has stayed away from this one. He loves to terrorize the mail lady and UPS guy {my best friend lately}.
I also decorated my kitchen window with lots of candles and whimsical snowmen.
I decorated the coffee table a bit...it works for me now that my son with the big old feet has moved out. This was a perfect resting place for them. 
This frosted glass tray was something that was going to go into my donation bag and then I fell in love with it all over again. Once I thought outside of the box, I came up with different ideas to use it for. 
This tiered stand is a thrift store find from last summer in Michigan.
I kept it simple...
I LOVE my Christmas geese, they look so darn happy!
And here is a little plant stand with ornaments on sticks pushed down into the plants. My living room is small so I have to decorate where I can. 
I found this hurricane on sale at Kohl's. I love how big it is. I set it on a rustic tray I had with vintage salt and pepper shakers. I have been burning candles that smell like evergreens since we put the tree up. It seems to have lost some of it's smell, or maybe I am just used to it.
Now I have some randomness for you, maybe a nice break from all the Christmas stuff...we ordered 2 new counter chairs from the home furnishings company Emily works for. I love them...they are very comfy.
And then this dog bed. I was out with Emily and Abby the other day. We went to a thrift store because they needed sweaters for the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater parties they go to every year. So, there was the dog bed sitting there, bragging that it was $5.00. Considering I had been looking in L.L. Bean at dog beds for over $100.00, I was ecstatic! I went to Target and got this bright pillowcase and then stuffed it with two old throw pillows so it would be nice and lumpy.
Milo definitely loves it. I had a picture on my camera of him snoozing in it, but I couldn't download it for some reason. He really loves to curl up in it. I think I did good for under ten dollars.
The days are moving a little slower now that things are done. As soon as I buy a gift or UPS delivers, I wrap right away, mainly because my daughters are peekers! I can't even use gift bags, Emily will pry them right open. I've always loved surprises, The Husband can put a bag in the closet and tell me not to look and I am not even tempted. I get my pleasure in the anticipation, I guess.
So tell me how far along you are with your Christmas plans. Still decorating? On to baking? Any good Christmas parties? I'd love for you to share! :-)
I think December was quite a good month for The Husband and I to get married in. We have spent so many anniversaries on little get~away trips, albeit in the frigid Midwest, I don't think I'd have it any other way. Sometimes it has just been the 20 minute ride to downtown Chicago, staying in a nice hotel and shopping the Magnificent Mile. And then we have ventured out into western Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Never a tropical vacation, and never just a dinner out. Always a fun, and cold, cold trip where the sights are fun and full of Christmas spirit and the food is warm and delicious.
This past weekend was spent in St. Joseph, Michigan, a wonderful little town right on the lakefront. We stayed at The Boulevard Inn and Bistro right in the heart of the downtown area. We dropped our bags and went out to explore. The first place I found was this unbelievable kitchen store. Cooking utensils, spices, aprons, dishtowels, small appliances, everything and anything for the cook or baker.
I found some things I needed for the kitchen and even a few gifts. In the spirit of the season, a bottle of sparkling pear cider was given to every customer. And that's another fun part of shopping this time of year, all the hot chocolate and sweets the shops offer. Yum! On the left side of the picture above you can see the pink apron I bought daughter Emily for Christmas. Isn't it cute? 
This is their festive window...
...and I couldn't resist a picture of this fun mixer. Isn't the color great?
I was curious to stop in this cafe but we never got around to it. But the name says it all. I bet the desserts are heavenly.
There is always a Kilwin's in every little town I go to in the Midwest. Do you have one near you? They make fudge and chocolates on big marble slabs and it's really fun to watch. The Husband bought some peanut brittle and I got some fudge and we finished it off in about 5 minutes! 
As frigid as it was, we had to take a little walk on the beach. 
And this is a shot from out hotel room. The inn was very nice and comfortable, decorated just beautifully for Christmas, but somehow I forgot to take pictures. When we arrived, there were two big gift baskets in our room filled with mugs and hot chocolate and candy. Wow...I really hit up on the chocolate this weekend! And one last surprise, I happened to open my purse to find a little box! Inside was the watch I have been wanting, a platinum men's style watch that I was hoping to get from Santa. We usually don't exchange anniversary gifts but since this was the big 25, The Husband is SO thoughtful.
I have some visiting to catch up on and I'll be back later in the week to post some pictures of our Christmas decorations. It's hard to believe it's only 2 weeks away. I'm really enjoying the season...I have the spirit big time. I just wish it could last longer. :-)
The party's just keep going on and on. This is Honey's party for Christmas Trees. You can visit her and all the ladies participating at her blog, 2805. If you missed my post on Holiday Dining, just scroll down. These are all part of the Christmas Bloggers Block Party and I am having fun!
Here we have our monster tree, Douglas Firbanks, Jr. He was much smaller at the nursery, I think he might have grown overnight tied to my car roof.
Here are a few of my favorite ornaments. After my father passed away last year, my sisters and I picked out a few special things before his house was put up for sale. I really wanted some Christmas ornaments, ones that I grew up with. They hold a special place in my heart. You can also see the little sheet music ornaments I made last week, they are simple and fun. 
I have a few of these 'popcorn balls' that are actually made out of Styrofoam pieces used for packing boxes. Aren't they cool? And next to that is an embroidered Santa I made years ago {when my children were little and I had time!!}
I love this one, it's very sweet.
I found this guy on clearance at Target last year. Look at those eyes. Awww...
If you have been with me since I started blogging, you may remember me showing you this ornament. It's a mini shopping bag from what once was my favorite store in Chicago. It's now Macy's, but I still call it "Field's"
I did my best taking a picture of the tree at night. I think it turned out okay. This is the best tree we've had, even if it is on the large size for my living room. Now I just hope that if I feed and water it everyday, it will live until January.
And finally, look what arrived today! I can't believe I have been waiting for this island since October. The kitchen is now COMPLETE! Don't you love it? I am so ready to bake cakes and pies and cookies!
Now I'm off to see some Christmas trees done up by some talented ladies. Pop over to Honey's and you can see some, too! Happy Holidays! :-)
I think the holidays are officially here. People are putting up lights on their homes and I see Christmas trees dotting the windows as I walk by. I think this time is the best part of Christmas in a way, before the pressure to get things done on time, before the crowds of shoppers start to get annoying. When you still have hope to get that wrapping done and the cookies baked. You wake up every day with that little thrill...it's Christmastime! 
Last night we went to get the tree and wreaths. This is the nursery that I go to for flowers in the summer and pumpkins in the fall. I always get my tree here, too. There used to be elves working here, but I didn't spot one. They would have been helpful playing mediators between The Husband and I as we debated over the best tree. 
I love coming here at night with all the bright lights and the smell of evergreen. I think we were the only ones here. I hope I am not getting my tree too early. 
I busied myself picking out boughs for the mantel while The Husband walked up and down the aisles trying to find the perfect tree. I of course, let him do this although I had already found one. When we finally narrowed it down to a few, mine was it. The key is to let them think THEY found it. 
And here he is, Douglas Firbanks, Jr. I say it every year, but I think this is the best tree we've had. Afterward, we tried a new restaurant for barbecued ribs. It was the perfect ending to a fun evening. 
Here is Douglas strapped to my car this morning. The Husband is ready to take it off and get it in some water. It rained all night, I hope that helped it stay fresh.
So this was a quick post to let you know what I have been up to, since it will be awhile before I get the tree and decorations finished up. I'd really love to join some of the great parties going on and see what all of you guys have. I am almost done shopping but the wrapping is lagging behind. I haven't baked much since Thanksgiving and I hope to have some time this week to play around making and decorating sugar cookies. Just for fun.
Hope you have had a lovely weekend. Hopefully I'll bump into you at a party! :-)
I am going to start baking...I AM! But I keep getting distracted. Movies, reading, hanging out with the family, napping. I have finally consoled myself with the fact that the sweets will be fresher if I do it closer to the parties. We have three family events in a row starting the 23rd. The problem is narrowing it down to what I want to make, there are so many great recipes out there in Blogland. I could eat it, I mean, make it all!
Would you believe that we have a dog grab bag? Yep, there are a lot of dogs in our family and they are our buddies, so we treat them good at Christmas. I found an etsy shop that has all things good for your puppy. I got a gift basket for my grab bag victim. filled with homemade treats and a few cute toys. As always with etsy, everything is wrapped up so sweetly. If you need anything, visit Trish.
Over in Christmas Central, or my den as we usually call it, I have been a real elf. All that remains to be bought is The Husband's gifts for the boys. I do the girls, he does the boys. He loves to shop last minute, he's out now with the throngs. 
I am also forcing paper whites in the den because it is so dark in there. I was told to water the bulbs and keep them in a dark area for 2 weeks and then bring them out in front of a window and they should bloom. I don't see that happening before Christmas. These babies are just starting out and it has been a week. Wish me loads of luck.
I don't think you have ever met Nina. She is our Quaker Parrot and lives in the den where we don't have to listen to her. She has a couple of great lines and makes a smooching/kissing noise constantly. She will also dance on command. But alas, she is mean. I avoid her. 
I have been immersed in Christmas movies. Last night The Husband had two work related parties and I got to lounge in bed and watch The Bishop's Wife and part of Christmas In Connecticut. I fell asleep as usual, but I do love that ice skating scene with Cary Grant and Loretta Young and of course, the taxi driver. What a great movie. Last week when we stayed in that little town in Michigan, The Husband decided to take a nap once we were back at the inn. I turned on the TV and look what I found. I think The Holiday is my favorite {non~classic} Christmas movie. Love the story, love Rose's little English cottage, love Jude Law. 
So, unless I can coerce The Husband into going out for dinner, it will probably be a very quiet night. Love those, but could really use some restaurant atmosphere tonight. They are all so decorated beautifully now. 
I was able to download that picture from my phone of Milo sleeping in his new thrifted dog bed. He really only uses it when there isn't a couch or chair available. I think he looks comfy.
