Winter Break and A Happy New Year

Can you believe how fast this 

past year has turned into a memory?

Hope you have had some time to 

play...

We took advantage of a few moments...

but not nearly enough.

We live in a lovely part of the world.

Not only do we get some hot and sunny summers,

but we also get crisp, snowy winters.

Okay, not everyone would say that that is LOVELY, 

but, I would. :))

I hope you are getting the time

and opportunity to enjoy your 

neck of the woods too. ;)

Alright,

let's go inside and warm up!

We are getting ready for our 

New Years Fondue.

It is always so nice to sit and eat and visit,

and eat ....did I say eat twice?

It's a tradition that I have always loved.

Here are a few pictures of our 

 faux New Years table.

This was actually a setting for a roast dinner

before our eldest went back to school.

The view from behind

...open concept downfall....

 clutter is in full view!

I am wishing you a year full

of the good stuff...

what ever that may be for you,

family, friends, experiences, 

all the things you can take with you

when you go.

Have a 

Happy New Year!

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/197th-inspire-me-tuesday.html#more

http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/2013/12/scoop-99.html

http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/12/tweak-it-tuesday-71.html

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.ca/2013/12/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no193.html

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.ca/2013/12/happy-new-year-i-hope-you-have.html

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2013/12/frugal-friday_26.html#more

http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.ca/

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/12/amaze-me-monday-39.html

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.ca/2013/12/mod-mix-monday-133.html

Our Christmas Trees

We had every intention of putting

up our 13 year old artificial

 green tree this year.

We grabbed that duct taped 

box from the top shelf in the storage 

room and dragged it out to

the rec room.

We pulled and bent and twisted

 those poor, loose limbs

on that tree, spreading them as best we could.

"Wouldn't a white tree be fun?"

That's all she had to say to convince me!

She knows me well, that girl of ours,

"ummmm YEAH!"

I have always loved the 

look of a white tree, when
the lights are off and the tree is
 plugged in, it just... glows. 
The recroom is a blue/grey and
 grey and it works perfectly
together.  Just ignore the fact
that we need to complete the
trim work :)

So thats our recroom tree,
my first white tree.

On our main floor,in the living room,
our Christmas tree is very traditional.

A pre-light artifical tree.

And I love it.

I will admit however, that some of the 

lights have stopped working

so there is 2 extra strands of lights 

strategically woven through.

But, it fits perfectly in any corner,

or against a wall or just about

 anywhere it needs to go.

All of our homes have been on the 

smaller scale and it has never taken

 over the floor space.

Under the tree, I love to put

our Christmas stories, games,

 DVD's and our gifts as

they get wrapped.

Yes, I know its not about the tree, 

the Santas, the gifts or  any 'stuff'.

I believe in the magic of this season,

and the hope a New Year brings,

I am wishing you the same.

xo

I am Linking up to some great parties

http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/2013/12/scoop-98.html

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-140.html

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/196th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/12/fabulousy-creative-friday.html

http://shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2013/12/frugal-friday_19.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/2013/12/home-sweet-home-150.html
http://www.elizabethandco.blogspot.ca/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.ca/2013/12/make-easy-last-minute-christmas-gift.html
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-163/
http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.ca/
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/12/tweak-it-tuesday-70.html

Working on my Christmas List

Are you a list person?

I have always been a list
person.  Gives me great satisfaction
to check things off as I complete
my to-dos.

 Christmas is no exception.

There is always so much

that I want to do...
our home isn't big but
I like to stuff it full
of cosy!

There is 

decorating...LOTS of decorating,

baking,  holiday movies to watch
 with lots of hot chocolate to drink,
shopping, gift wrapping, don't even get
me started with the greyhound....
(nvm, this is supposed to be a nice post.)
:))

Anyways, today I needed a day at home,
so  I worked on the baking list.
 The sugar cookies are iced, and

whipped shortbread nests are baked.

Do you see what I am up against!

Ahhaha.

Oh well, it makes me happy that

they like them!

:)

Yep, baking sugar cookies 

back on the list.

;)

Kitchen ,Check!

 The kitchen was kept light and fairly simple.

Just a little bit of green, sparkle and 

some touches of red.

You can see my kitchen
at Christmas last year
 here,

or the year I went heavy
on the garland
 here.

I am trying to get some good 

night pictures...having a little

technical difficulty. :/

 Hope you are having fun trying

to get through your lists too!

Happy Monday!

I am Linking up with
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.ca/2013/12/christmas-memories-and-simple-sweet.html
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.ca/2013/12/mod-mix-monday-132.html
http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/12/be-inspired-168.html?
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/12/tweak-it-tuesday-69.html
http://www.thenester.com/2013/12/welcome-to-the-2013-christmas-tour-of-homes.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/195th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

http://romantichome.blogspot.ca/2013/12/more-christmas-decor-show-and-tell.html

http://elizabethandco.blogspot.ca/2013/12/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-99.html

Collecting Santas

It's that time again!

Pretty sure this is my favorite

time of year,

the lights, the glitter,

food, friends and family.

My decorating usually starts 

with the Santa Search.

Since our first Christmas together

we have been adding to our collection.

( i apologize for the glare on the tv)

Some Santas  have been gifts, some are Dollar Store finds,

and thrift store treasures, but ONLY ONE per year.

He is always special, and usually 

represents that year.

This one is the biggest one so far...

kind of like the year we have had,

and I love the way he is looking up, like 

there is so much more...

 such a sweet face,

 we had to make him our

 2013 Santa.

..there has to be something magical about

Christmas....

these two never share ;)

Happy Monday

:)

I am linking up with

                                              http://modvintagelife.blogspot.ca/

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.ca/2013/11/welcome-to-152nd-masterpiece-monday.html

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.ca/2013/11/flaunt-it-friday-182.html

http://shabbynest.blogspot.ca/2013/11/frugal-friday_28.html

Fall Door

Here is an example of why I love Pinterest!

I think it was about 6 months ago that I saw

 a similar door decoration on Pinterest.

I usually put a wreath with a similar style..

However, Micheals was having a sale and I couldn't resist...

fabric sunflowers with a little sparkle.

Perfect!

 Through a series of twisting and wrapping the plastic covered wires, 

the stems,I made a loop to hang from

 the door as well as securing the flowers together.

Using mini white sunflowers for a clustered effect.

Then I finished with some raffia looped through 

to add a little length. 

And there you have it!

So quick, easy,

and thanks to a sale at Micheal's,

inexpensive.

Happy Autumn

Decorating!!

http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.ca/2013/09/autumn-abounds-recap-linky-party-and.html

http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2013/09/show-me-what-ya-got-139.html

http://thehappyhousie.com/?p=4449