It's Not Over Yet!

I hope everyone had the most glorious Christmas.  At our house, we continue to celebrate Christmas until 12th Night (traditionally January 5th).  Start counting your nights on Christmas Eve and ending on the eve of Epiphany.  Most all of the decorations stay put until then.  I find it so sad to see what once was the treasured tree now on the curb for fish habitats!  (Do you know what I'm talking about?  The trees are lowered into a wetland/lake/pond/river where fish 'need a home'.)

  

I just hate to see the joy of the season go out with the trash.  I suppose all of this celebrating could be us Southerners looking for another excuse to get together and eat!  12th Night is the first time in the season that we make a King Cake--oh, yum!   You know, it's a 'King Cake' to commemorate the arrival of the Wise Men/3 Kings to see the baby Jesus.  (I know I'm jumping ahead--but, we quit baking King cakes at Mardi Gras--just before Lent begins.)    

What do you do at your house?  Are you somewhat relieved to have your routines back in order or do you want to carry on the celebrating?  

Christ is Born!

Christmas Decorations Spectacular Part V

THIS is how you deck the halls!

Here are a few beautiful images from around town to remind us of what a wonderful season this truly is!

Sit back, sip your chocolate/cider/coffee...and enjoy.

Notice the organ pipes behind the nativity?  

Savor it all my friends!

What I'm Thankful for Today

I was tagged by Blondie of 14kt Blonde.  I'm supposed to tell you five things that make me happy.  

#1:

My dear, sweet, most Don Draperishly handsome husband.  Today is our anniversary!  Am I a lucky girl or what?!   

(Yes, this is Mr. Donald Draper from Mad Men on AMC.  You see, Mr. Green's a bit too private for his actual photo to be posted here.)

#2:  Peppermint Ice Cream

#3:  Children's hands

#4. Happy phone call from a new friend

#5 The great gift of Baby Jesus

Nativity Photos

This blogger has major photographic talent.  I just found the blog and I am quite impressed with how he captures people and emotion.  Check out The Nativity pictures.  Precious.  

In the Dog House?

Ever wanted to put him "in the dog house"?  My husband sent me the funniest email the other day.  It's actually a mini-movie/advertisement.  Our anniversary is just around the corner (and Christmas), so I guess gift giving was on his mind.  Apparently, some fellows just don't get "what a girl wants".      

Now, in the literal sense of the phrase:  The dog house pictured above belongs to Rachel Hunter's pooch.  If you are interested in having your home replicated for your dog simply make your request know to La Petite Maison.  They make play houses too!

Christmas Decorations Spectacular Part IV

Lovely library...

Great little pantry/bar between the family room and a masculine den/office.  Interesting choice of backsplash, don't you think?  It's not tile.  It's leather with wooden cross pieces.  

This kitchen was amazing.  I wish I had taken a panoramic shot.  Remember the beautiful window shot of the kitchen windows yesterday?  

The island (not pictured) had a stunning mahogany top.  I was surprised that they didn't use teak or walnut.    Just look at those hand painted tiles on the backsplash.  Incredible.  This picture doesn't do them justice.  

Different house now.  The urn is actually a small bubbling fountain.  The bay window is the "Mrs." office.  (You saw the "Mr. " in yesterday's post)

This is what I'd call a real "parking court"  I don't see a basketball hoop here, do you?  (Mind you, this is the same house that had the adorable play house in yesterday's post)

Thanks for bearing with me and these poor quality photographs.  I should have presented them to you all of one house at a time.  Oh, well.  I'll just keep you on your toes this way!

Let me know what has inspired you the most.  I hope you are having a wonderful week!  

  

Christmas Decorations Spectacular Part III

By request I am including more interior photographs. I apologize for the poor quality. I do hope that the beauty of these interiors comes through. The families were so generous to open their doors to several hundred people.  

The top two photographs are from the same home.  

The first photo is in the library.  

The kitchen.

This is the parlor of one of the churches.  Holiday perfection if you ask me.  

Wouldn't you like to blog from this desk?

I'd like to hear your comments on these.  Have you seen any notable interiors or decorations this holiday season?

Christmas Decorations Spectacular Part II

Don't you just love it when someone thinks of the smallest details?  These are tiny boxwoodand rose wreaths.  They aren't but about three inches in diameter.    

This 800lb "woman" lounges quietly by the pool.  Behind her is an amazing city skyline--visible from almost every room of the house.    I'm fond of how the pool was painted quite dark.  It makes for great reflections.

This "house" was on the home tour too--the playhouse.  Isn't this adorable?  The inside was decorated and had a gas fireplace too.  

I'll leave you with this image from the Hollywood Regency house.  The bath was incredibly peaceful.  Now where are my bubbles?

Christmas Decorations Spectacular Part I

The home tours this weekend were such fun.  Here are the first of a series of pictures I'd like to share with you.   I hope you will be inspired to try and recreate something similar in your own holiday decorating this year.  

I may try this one.  Cloves in fruit--always a classic.  It was on a limestone kitchen island.  

Doesn't this garland make you sigh!  Doesn't it say, "Come in, sit by the fire, let's talk and have some cider".  This is a 1925 Norman Revival style home.  

I seemed to see a fair amount of complimentary colors this year--not the usual contrasting red and green.  Most were like this example of orange/copper and red.

This lamp post is from the same house as the two pictures shown above.  The two ribbons are red and copper.

Here is a backyard shot from a 1934 Hollywood Regency styled home.  Everything was white, even the pickled floors.  Decorations were all white, silver and pale green.  

Festive Weekend Ahead

Look what I saw this morning!  Oh, how amazingly beautiful!  Preparations are well under way for what looks like a glorious Christmas.  We are celebrating the birth of The King you know!    

Several churches in town have a Christmas Home Tour this weekend.  I hope to dazzle your eyes with the images next week.  Until then,  have a wonderful weekend everybody!

I have a Thing for a Pretty Table

Every year, a local church has a Christmas preparations party showcasing great recipes, floral ideas and my favorite, table settings! Here are a few tablescapes for you to enjoy.

Look, the charger is a serving tray.  Each place setting was different on this table.  

Cranberries!

The Gifts of the Three Kings/Wise Men

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

I'd love to see your tables this season!