The Christmas Breakfast Table

The first rooms I always decorate for
Christmas are the kitchen and breakfast area.

That's where we spend a lot of time and I 

want to enjoy it right away.

 In the breakfast area, I changed the colors 

from blue and yellow to red and white.

 I covered the seat cushions with red checked

 pillowcases and added 2 candy striped
pillows and 2 quilted pillows to the backs.

I used a Longaberger Holly table overlay and

topped that a red table runner.

It has a green satin embroidered 

ribbon and bow border.

For the centerpiece I used a sleigh I found

 last year for $1 in a Texas thrift store.

I filled the sleigh with fresh poinsettias.

The red candles are trimmed with 

mini wreath bobeches.

 I got a dozen holly trimmed glasses 

in a North Carolina thrift store for $1.20.

The table square, pottery, glasses and 

vintage salt and pepper set are

 all in a holly pattern.

The Longaberger Christmas Holly tea set.

The Longaberger Christmas Holly pottery.

I always reset the table after breakfast.

So that come dinnertime

 It's time to light the candles.

 It's always ready, inviting, 

and relaxing when we sit for a meal.

I added a lighted garland to the breakfast 

area's window ledge.

I tucked in glass Kosta Boda snowballs.

I've had these for years, but only have 5 left.

 They hold votives.

 It's a favorite little corner at Christmas.

White lights and garland

so simple

yet such a cozy feeling.

 I can never get enough.

Lucy likes when the lights come on.

It's a good ending to a day.

(No matter what's going on in the rest of the

house during the decorating flurry!)

Cheers!

links: No Minimalist Here ,
The Charm Of Home, Laurie Anna's
Between Naps On The Porch,
Somewhat Simple, My Romantic Home,
French Country Cottage

POOCHini In The Bedroom

Here's a little peek at the Christmas bedroom.

My little poochini.....Lucy.

She couldn't wait until I had the pillows in 

place to find herself a good spot.

Princess likes the lighted garland.

The girls do not want to be left out of

the activities.

I covered the wicker settee with a red down

 coverlet. I used red rose embroidered 

pillowcases and matlesse shams at the back.

I accented it by adding a handmade 

grapevine wreath. I just tied on a little

ribbon and Christmas bow . 

Where should we put the lighted garland?

Princess is looking for a good spot.

Just a peek into the bedroom brought

 to you by my little poochinies.

Cheers!

Christmas Kitchen Cupboard

After getting out all my Christmas dishes 

I didn't want to hide them.

I thought 

"Why not take off the cabinet doors?"

 Larry removed the doors and shelves. 

I thought

 "Why not add  Christmas paper to the back?"  

We attached the wrapping paper using

 a little double-sided tape in the corners.

 We cut the paper using a straight edge

and Exacto knife.

 In go all the dishes for Christmas. 

I swap out my regular dishes and use 

Christmas dishes everyday 

starting right after Thanksgiving.

I have two sets in here.

 Longaberger - Holly

Spode - Christmas Tree

 more mugs

 extra pieces

 Then I thought....

"Why not add a little trim to the shelves?"

 I got a paper edge punch from Martha.

I punched the edges of copy paper, folded in 

a crease and added them to the shelves. 

 It finishes it off. 

Wanna see the kitchen before I got it all Christmasized?

 I cleaned up after removing all the fall decor

to get ready for Christmas. 

Cheers!

See more kitchen cabinet monthly makeovers;

Winter (January) cabinet HERE

Valentine (February) cabinet  HERE

St. Patrick's Day (March) cabinet  HERE

Spring/Easter (April) HERE.

Links: My 1929 Charmer,
Debbiedoos, Dittle Dattle,
A House In The Roses, Coastal Charm
Between Naps On The Porch,
Under The Table and Dreaming,
The Lettered Cottage, A Stroll Thru Life,
Savvy Southern Style

Remember November

It went by so fast! Here's what I was up to.

The day after Thanksgiving was all
about our traditional way to start the
Christmas season off right.

It was time to eat more pie!

Here's how I organize my napkin rings.

I did a bedroom makeover by selling our bed
 and finding a new bed on Craig's List
without spending a dime.

Here's the  Blue Guest Bedroom.

I managed to magically squeeze everything
into our tiny red convertible on our return trip
form North Carolina.

Here are some of the thrify finds
that I brought back.

I showed you the 10 HouseThings I can't
live without.

Christmas mugs were unpacked after Thanksgiving
 and hung for the mug shots.

 The Thanksgiving table this year.

The November mug shots.

I looked back on October.

Tucked a little food gift into some of my 

thrift store mugs to give along with

 the Christmas checks.

I found the perfect music to wake up to
each morning.
******
If you click on any of the blue highlighted
 words it will take you to the complete post.

Cheers!

Links: How Sweet The Sound

Snacks From My Childhood

I remember cream cheese on toast

 with hot cocoa.

My mother would make this for me.

It was the perfect 'after-school snack'

or 'come-in-from-the-cold' snack,

and 'before bedtime' snack.

I would make this for my daughter, 

and she would make it for her daughter.

 So, this afternoon when I wanted a little 

something, but couldn't put my finger on it

 I remembered this.

 Cream cheese on toast....

so simple and yet so satisfying.

My favorite cocoa mix made with hot milk.

I sat and remembered.

Cheers to all the Great Grandmothers, 

 Grandmothers, Daughters, Mothers

 and Great Granddaughters!

Links: The Charm Of Home