Hello, hope you had a great weekend.

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching,  I don’t really decorate for Valentines but I decided to make a few little quick and easy treats…adorable too!

I purchased Oreo Cakesters (who doesn’t love anything Oreo!) and by using a small heart cookie cutter I cut out hearts and then rolled them in pink sprinkles to make them festive.

By the way, these are really fattening but really good, so I sat down with some tea and a design magazine to have a few.

I am Linking to:

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/make-it-pretty-monday-week-33.html

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2013/01/manic-monday-linky-party-121.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/clever-chicks-blog-hop-18-and-country.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/01/cowgirl-up-50-with-stone-gable.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/old-chippy-shabby-chic-vintage-mirror.html

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-tea-of-roses-for-tea-time-tuesday.html

http://www.kathewithane.com/2013/01/youre-gonna-love-it-week-38.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2013/01/live-show-me-what-you-got-tuesdays-at_21.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/winter-blues-wednesday-its-party-101.html

http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/01/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_22.html

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/01/wow-me-wednesday-87.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://www.southernlovely.com/2013/01/show-share-76.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2013/01/creative-inspirations-linky-party-blog.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/01/open-house-party_23.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/01/tutorials-tips-and-tidbits-32-and-winner.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://katherinescorner.com/2013/01/23/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-72/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/01/celery-rose-and-simple-sweet-fridays-47.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://thrifty101.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-thrifty-thursday-98.html

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/shabbilicious-friday.html

http://thebusybhive.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-busy-bees-thursdays-blog-hop.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/01/home-sweet-home-103.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  It is supposed to be rainy for the next couple of days in NJ.

These photos are of our coffee table in the great room.  One of the things I love about this table is that it is large enough to house different decorative items as well as using it for a tea or a romantic dinner for two.  In the winter it is lovely with the fireplace going.

This is the way we have it decorated for Christmas time.  I enjoy these rustic artichokes and some sparkling wispy Christmas picks I purchased.  I added candle holders that I purchased a while ago from Home Goods.  I paired those with a bottle brush tree that I also found at Home Goods last Christmas season.  The Bow and the greenery make for some final touches.

Enjoy!

I am Linking to:

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2012/12/inspire-me-monday-week-50.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/clever-chicks-blog-hop-13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2012/12/146th-table-top-tuesday.html

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/12/knick-of-time-tuesday-65.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/12/youre-gonna-love-it-week-35.html

I hope everyone is having a good day.

I wanted to take you on a tour of the wreathes that I made and hang on all the doors in the house.  Mostly I keep them simple, since they’re throughout the house. I think for next year a couple may be getting updated (new posts! lol)  Enjoy the photos.

I am Linking to:

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/12/inspiration-friday-no-93-welcome.html

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/12/feathered-nest-friday_13.html

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/2012/12/thrifty-things-friday-87_13.html

http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/2012/12/frugal-friday_13.html

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/12/manic-monday-linky-party-1217.html?utm_source=feedburner

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-28_17.html

http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/newbie-with-a-twist-party-started.html

http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/12/live-show-me-what-you-got-tuesdays-at_17.html

http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2012/12/cowgirl-up-46-with-guest-host-home-by.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.primpjunktion.com/2012/12/primp-your-stuff-linky-party-75-and.html

 

I hope everyone is getting things finished for the holidays.  I have so much to finish when I really think about it, I have to make favors for a party we are having, finish some handmade gifts I am doing and wrap and bake.  YIKES!!!!

Tonight we are going through the kitchen for Christmas time.  I love the large ornaments I found at a store in NJ named Ivanka’s that I have mentioned before in previous posts.  I make one big splurge for decorating every year and this was it for this Christmas.

I just love the filigree and color of the oversized ornaments, they go so lovely with my large green bowl that I purchased a while ago from Pottery Barn and are mixed with some greens. The combination Apothecary jars and Christmas placemats makes for several different textures.

Some other small vignettes include a Christmas box filled with ornaments (some from Rosemary at Villabarnes) near my cloche that is now filled with  glass ornaments.  The Fruit beaded topiary stands on the other side of the cloche along with some old world figures.  The window over the sink has some home-made wreaths with sugar fruit and some sugar fruit on the window sill.  Of course, the Peanut and Reeses ornament takes center stage on the window!  To the side of the sink I have a lighted candle (sort of like a lava lamp!), a glass vase with beaded fruit, a Byers’ Choice figurine and a mint stick tree. 

Just little things to remind me of Christmas while I’m in the kitchen.  Sit back with some tea or cocoa and enjoy.

 

I am Linking to:

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/home-and-garden-thursday_12.html

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/12/time-travel-thursday-127-talented-time.html

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/12/open-house-party-winner.html

http://www.thevintagefarmhouse.com/2012/12/creative-things-thursday.html

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2012/12/home_12.html

http://faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com/2012/12/pearls-and-lace-thursday-117-yummy-laces.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2012/12/home-sweet-home-97.html

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2012/12/shabbilicious-friday-christmas-link_14.html

http://www.commonground-do.com/2012/12/vintage-inspiration.html

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2012/12/vintagethingie-thursday-vintage-gifts.html

Hi…

We have several trees in our home for Christmas, a few in the dining room and some over our closets in the open foyer.  These are either lighted or have picks added for detail.  The two main trees are in the living room and the great room…these I do in a very traditional style, just lights and ornaments for a simple elegance.

Our great room ceiling is very high so we purchased a 9ft. tree a few years ago.  This tree has is beautiful before it’s decorated; full down-swept branches touching the floor and a realistic color and feel.  People are never sure if it’s real when they see it for the first time they are here for the holidays.  Then they realize if a real tree had this many ornaments on it, it would fall over.

I love glass ornaments and have a very large collection, some of them are Olde World ornaments and some are from Poland and Germany.  I had to squeeze some Irish in for John and one Italian for me.  The topper is mercury glass and very traditional.

In our living room we have a 7.5 foot tree, this too is decorated with glass ornaments, some Olde World and some Polish and German.  I enjoy having the tree in the living room…since it’s a bit more formal room it encourages guests to stop in and have a chat or a cocktail in there during gatherings, when the others may be in the kitchen or great room.

Here are some shots of the trees, lit and unlit, along with a few shots of some of my favorite ornaments (even Reese’s and Peanut have their own too; I showed one of Reese’s)  Sorry if there are a lot of pictures, but no big deal; just keep on scrolling.

Great Room Tree:

 

Living Room Tree:

I am Linking to:

http://www.househoneys.com/it-is-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas-blog-hop/

http://www.primpjunktion.com/2012/12/primp-your-stuff-linky-party-75-and.html

http://www.southernlovely.com/2012/12/show-share-70.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2012/12/family-favorite.html

http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2012/12/holiday-open-house-week-3.html

http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2012/12/creating-christmas-partyvintage-decor.html

http://katherinescorner.com/2012/12/13/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-66/

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-party-2012.html

http://restorationhouseinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/12/home-for-holidays-linky-party-christmas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

Today I wanted to show you a real simple Christmas project.

During the fall, I was at Michael’s and saw this paper top hat. I was thinking that I could do something with it for Christmas, so I grabbed it for four bucks!

This weekend I went to Lowe’s and saw textured black spray paint and I began to think of the paper hat!  So I sprayed the hat black and added a ribbon around it tied in a bow along with a little flower.  It was just enough to add to the buggy bench in my great room as a holiday touch…as if a fine Victorian woman had placed it there…a hundred years ago! LOL

I forgot to take a before picture of the outside of the hat, so I took a picture of the inside after I sprayed the outside.

I’m sure there’s lot’s of things one could do with little projects like this during the Christmas season.

I hope you enjoy my hat.

I am Linking to:

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/12/wow-us-wednesdays-96.html

http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/fall-into-fall-its-party-95.html

http://housepitalitydesigns.com/2012/12/12/a-merry-and-bright-home-and-the-better-late-than-never-christmas-inspirations-linky-party/

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/12/wow-me-wednesday-81.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/12/7-recipes-and-wednesdays-adorned-from.html

http://www.newhousenewhomenewlife.com/2012/12/all-star-block-party-christmas-is-coming.html

http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2012/12/sparkly-silver-blue-and-white-tablescape.html

http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2012/12/treasure-hunt-thursday-85-highlights.html

http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/12/creative-inspirations-linky-party_12.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-whimsical-tree-and-simple-sweet.html

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.

I thought I would show you a few of my Christmas vignettes.  I try to place them in various rooms about the house to make the house as festive for Christmas as I can.  It brings back memories of my childhood Christmases. 

 

I am Linking to:

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2012/12/145th-table-top-tuesday.html

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/green-and-red-christmas-sparkle-in-the-kitchen/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Linky%20Party

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I made these sprays for outside about an hour ago from some leftover greens, I thought they added a nice touch to our coach lamps.

I put some of rest in our bird bath and made a small spray for the urn we have in the main garden.

To the side of the front door, I put out my childhood sled that I painted years ago (its wearing off lol) and I place a spray on it.  It adds a bit of my past to the season.

The wreathes on each of the windows got new bows this year and they’re tied on with ribbon that I tie into a bow on the inside to add a little touch.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the outside pictures decorated for Christmas.

I am Linking to:

http://www.onsuttonplace.com/homespun-christmas-link-party-doors-and-wreaths/

http://lifeonlakeshoredrive.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-bouquet-of-talent-14-fabulous-features.html

http://www.serendipityandspice.com/2012/12/manic-monday-linky-party-1210.html?utm_source=feedburner

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/atlanta-botanical-gardens-garden-lights-holiday-nights/

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-27.html

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2012/12/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no143.html

http://www.kathewithane.com/2012/12/youre-gonna-love-it-week-34.html

http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2012/12/cowgirl-up-week-45.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/12/knick-of-time-tuesday-64.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2012/12/natural-christmas-decor-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.theironstonenest.com/2012/12/tis-season-outdoor-holiday-decorations.html

Happy Friday, I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

In our living room we put a gas fireplace since it is a tad more formal and I didn’t want wood getting dragged through the whole house.  Our mantle in the living room is decorated simply with fruit garland and mercury glass ginger jars that are there all year round.

This year on the hearth, I used one of my French flower buckets that I used the mod podge transfer method on with white Amaryllis.  I thought with all the color of Christmas I needed a corner of quiet for the eyes.

On the other side of the hearth I placed a large mint glass candy ornament, a large Christmas ornament that is onion shaped and this year I felt the urge to find a top hat.  I wanted one that was whimsical instead of the serious kind for my Christmas decorating.

I will show the rest of the living room in an upcoming post.

I am Linking to:

http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/12/overflowing-with-creativity-51/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed

http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/2012/12/tis-season-holiday-link-party-2012.html

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2012/12/little-changes-seasonal-sundays-129.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/Clever-Chicks-Blog-Hop-12.html

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2012/12/inspire-me-monday-week-49.html

http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2012/12/fmfpty-2nd-annual-holiday-mantle-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/12/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-130.html

http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/2012/12/home-for-holidays-mantels-link-party.html

Hello everyone, I hope you all are finishing your decorating and shopping.  It seems as if time is moving at a rapid speed to me now.

I recently posted about our dining room table setting for Christmas and I thought I would take you on a trip around the rest of the dining to see it all decorated.  I have some small trees in two of the corners in the dining room to add Christmas flair.

One smaller table I have a few of my collection of Byers’ Choice, which I started collecting a couple of years ago and some were given to me as gifts.  I love them and the fact they are made in the U.S.A.

Also on that table, is a small tree with Old World glass ornaments and two felt ornaments that represent Peanut & Reeses.  I made a crisscross slit in a cloth napkin to make a tree skirt.  I have a mercury glass apothecary jar filled with some Christmas balls also on the table.

On one buffet I illuminated two of my copper-colored mercury glass jars with battery operated candles to give them a glow and around the centerpiece I wrapped some greenery around the bottom.  On the other buffet I placed a bowl with a bunch of beaded picks I had in my Christmas supplies, I like the way this turned out, I may use it again next year in a different spot.

On the last table in the room I placed my French flower-pot with my Christmas bottle brush tree inside, which many of you  have already.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the dining room.

I am Linking to:

http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2012/12/feature-friday-link-party-59.html

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/12/inspiration-friday-92.html

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2012/12/kitchen-garden-inspiration-and-simple.html

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/shabbilicious-friday-christmas-link.html

http://what-about.co/show-friday-33/