Before It All Comes Down

I can't motivate myself to take my decorations down yet. Kind of like I couldn't really motivate myself to put them up in the first place. Not sure what my problem is this year, but I'm hoping that this lack of motivation doesn't last long.

At any rate, I cleared off some surfaces and tried to snap pictures of some of my favorite vignettes this year. I didn't put nearly as much greenery or lights up as I usually do. AND! the lights that I did put up seemed to peter out on me. Could be because they are years and years old. Who knows?

Here is my entrance:

There are lights in that greenery. I didn't get them plugged in until around December 23rd and the timer never worked-so, those lights only lit up the first night. Whatev...

I was on a bit of a cloche kick. Who am I kidding, I'm always on a cloche kick. And a button kick. And a plate kick. And a red kick. You get the idea. But I did like the nativity set under glass.

Next up is the kitchen.

I have a ton of counter space, but this counter is a thorn in my side. For one thing, the wall had a horribly placed light switch/outlet plus a sink. Also it is clutter central. But I did manage to find an arrangement for the wall that I think I actually like. I'll talk more about that another day. For Christmas, I just put some ornaments on a couple of the plates.

This corner holds a vignette I love really just because of the polka dots.

The "Ho balls" (or "OH balls" depends on how you read them) are some that I bought and some that I made. The white ones are ceramic and bought. The red ones are red ping pong balls that I painted "ho" onto with a paint pen. I love them! Here is a close up for comparison of the two varities.

Last up is the sun porch. Some other changes have taken place in there, but let's just look at the tree and one corner.

I bought the burlap birds from Ballard's and the red snowflakes I got last year on clearance.

Thanks for dropping by! I'm off to procrastinate a little bit longer!

The 2011 Mantles

For those of you who were bored with me only showing previous mantles(Elise :) ). I'm finally showing off the 2011 mantles. And my new white brick...

There are lots of people having mantle parties. Check down at the bottom and go visit them. If you haven't done your mantles yet, you are sure to find some inspiration or some more pins for pinterest if nothing else!



I'll start with the upstairs mantles.

My "Fa la la" has made it's 3rd appearance, the window is back for it's second year. This year I decided to use my red, silver, and blue ornaments that were on top of my kitchen cabinets last year.

I just stuck them on white and or glass candlesticks that were nestled among the garland.


This vignette sits on the hearth. The presents are just empty boxes, but I love that blue and white polka dot paper too much to let ALL of it get ripped to shreds!



Alright, let's move downstairs.

This mantle is very similar to the upstairs one. I used some favorite ornaments that I found at Kirkland's about 5 years ago. I'm using more black accents downstairs so I used black candlesticks and black polka dot ribbon in my garland.



On the hearth I stuck some miniature trees into red buckets and added some light green filler.

Here's a full fireplace shot. What do you think of the new white brick? That one oddball brick had some interesting writing on it and I didn't want to paint over it.

The new paint job definitely lightens up the downstairs. I've done some rearranging down there, but I may wait until after Christmas to share the new views.

I'm linking up at:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
From My Front Porch to Yours

Southern Hospitality

Stories of A to Z
Thanks for stopping in, drop me a hello so I can return the friendliness!

Christmas on the Table

As my kickoff to the 2011 Holiday Blog Posts, I'm linking up with Layla for her "Tabletop Party."

There are lots of ways to interpret that,

but I chose to feature the two tabletops that we eat off of.
First up is the one we gather around the most-the kitchen island. I try to keep this area simple because we are usually spread around it and I need room for the ketchup and ranch dressing!

I took an off-white urn that hubby bought me at an auction for about $7, filled it with red ornaments (with some bags in the bottom for filler), stuck in my favorite light green eucalyptus and some sparkly berries. Then I tied a big red bow on it just for kicks.

Then I leaned this big ole paper mache ornament on it. I don't even remember where I found this, but it was one of those things that I loved the minute I saw it and I had no idea where I would put it.

I forgot to mention that I put it all on a tray. To make it easy to move if I need more room for ketchup and ranch dressing.

Next table top is my dining room table.

Honestly this room doesn't get much action

because I am too lazy to carry everything the extra 10 steps.

I started with a polka dot table runner, added a silver tray and gathered up a large reindeer and silver trees.

I added some greenery and different tones of silver ornaments.

I hung these "peace," "joy," and "noel" ornaments from the chandelier.

Christmas Mantles-Past

Happy Black Friday!

Yes, I braved the crowds, got pushed around a little, but managed to come home with everything that I intended to. (And a few things I didn't plan on).

I did hear about somebody getting backhanded over a $1.30 towel at the Wal-Mart that I was shopping in.

Craziness, I tell you.

Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, I am working on my getting my house decked out.

Until the house is company ready, here is a look at the past 2 Christmases in this house (at least where the mantles are concerned.)

The look this year is already different from the last 2 but you'll have to wait a little bit longer for those pictures. In the meantime, let's get in the time machine and go back to 2009.

Remember, this was before the fireplace went white. And the backs of the built-ins went blue, then went darker blue. And the walls went blue. Lots of changes in 2 years people.

I'm nothing if not consisent in my indecisivness.

Downstairs mantle before it went white.

Oh, that's right. You haven't seen that finished product yet

I'm slacking on you people. Sorry.

Then we move on to 2010. Here's the upstairs mantle, which I really loved.

And the downstairs mantle.

New stuff in the works for the 2010 holiday. Come back for ideas (good or bad :) ) or just to be nosy!

Fall Entrance

I do not enjoy working outside. But I DO enjoy driving up to a house that has some hint of curb appeal, so I press on.

One of the reasons I do not enjoy working outside is that I cannot keep plants alive. Maybe if I remembered to water them I would have more success, but that is just too much remembering for this old girl to do.

When it came to my front entrance, I had visions of mums and pumpkins dancing in my head. Then I decided that it was ridiculous to fork out a bunch of money on mums that would probably not make it through Halloween.

So here's what I did.

I have used and used and used these square wreaths on my front doors. However, when I got them out for the fall they were looking rather, well rather used.

They were terribly faded. I was very sad because they were kind of expensive and I just couldn't replace them. Then I thought about the leafy green spray paint I had in the garage. A couple quick shots of spray paint and they were as good as new!

I covered some cushions in red vinyl tablecloths. I spent $6 on mini pumpkins and gourds at the local farmer's market. I also allowed myself to spend $6 on 3 mums. (They probably won't make it til Halloween, but I can stand losing $6.) Oh and I didn't repot the mums. I just wrapped them in scraps of burlap tied with raffia.

I thought about putting a mum in this basket, but I liked the look of piled up pumpkins instead. Actually it is just 3 pumpkins, the orange one is sitting on a small paint can. Oh and the ivy is fake. Yeah, I'll probably be that old lady that puts fake flowers in her flower beds. I kind of care that it's not real, but then I remember that I don't have to water it and that I can't kill it. So then I stop caring.

Now here's some close ups...

And some wide shots...

Oh and that giant mum. I didn't buy that one. I'm just babysitting it for a friend :)

It is hoping she returns soon!