~We Wish You A Merry Christmas!!~

Well, our halls are all decked; and we're settled in for the holidays! 

In my last post, I promised to share my entry table.

I kept the table decor very simple this year. A wreath was placed on the mirror; and crystal rose bowls, with votives, provide ambient light in the evening. It's such a warm welcome for our guests, with the tree just ahead, in the family room.

The tabletop is a great place to leave small gifts, so I keep some surface space open for those.

At this point, I am going to take some time away and just enjoy my family. The time flies so fast; and I am more than ready to just sit back and enjoy it all!

I'll still pop in to see what all of you are up to...I just won't be posting for awhile. I love seeing all of your holiday decor!

So, from our family to yours...We wish you a very Merry Christmas! May your homes be filled with peace, love, and joy this holiday season!

Linking to:
The Dedicated House-Make It Pretty Monday
Under The Table and Dreaming-Sunday Showcase Party
Life on Lakeshore Drive-Bouquet of Talent
Imparting Grace-Grace At Home
DIY by Design-Winter Blues Party

~Simple Holiday Coffee Table Decor~

Today, I am sharing my simple coffee table decor. Since we moved the family tree to this room, I felt I had enough going on, with the tree and the mantel. So, I just added some seasonal touches to the coffee table. The table is oversized; so, it can accommodate a lot...and still leave space for snacks and beverages!

The iron bowl sits on the table year 'round. I love to change the accents in it seasonally.

I left the pinecones from my fall decor and simply added ornaments and colorful jingle bells. I love having my seasonal magazines nearby, as well.

I added a bronze candle holder that currently holds a candle from, "Nest". These candles are fabulously fragrant; and the scent lingers long after the candle has been extinguished. I am currently burning 'Moroccan Amber'. Ron, at 'The Uptown Acorn', did a wonderful post on the 'Holiday' scent. You can read about it here.

I love the crystals on the holder; and they work well with all of the other crystal in my decor...

I collect Old World Santas; and I try to add a new one each year. I found this one at Cracker Barrel, in Alabama, over the Thanksgiving weekend. I shared many of the others in my collection last year. (You can see them here.)

I just love his 'expressive eyes'!

So, that's my coffee table...nothing fancy...just a few touches to embrace the season!

Today, I'll be tweaking my entry table. I'm using lots of crystal this year. Here is a sneak peek...

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Happy Decorating!!

Linking to:
Debbiedoo's Newbie With a Twist Party
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
Imparting Grace-Grace At Home
No Minimalist Here-Open House Party
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
Housepitality Designs-Better Late Than Never
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
Not Just A Housewife-Show Me What Ya Got
Southern Hospitality-Christmas Vignettes
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Top Tuesday
The Dedicated House-Make It Pretty Monday
Be Colorful-Motivated Monday
Three Mango Seeds-It's Party Time
Life on Lakeshore Drive-Bouquet of Talent
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
House on the Way-Deck The Halls Table Decor

~Just A Little More Christmas Sparkle~

Today, I want to share with you my Nativity vignette. It seems to find a new home every year; and this year, I chose to display it on the buffet island, between the family room and the kitchen. 

The display is staged using another of my silver trays. It gives a beautiful reflection. Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus are sheltered in a new crown that I purchased, from one of my favorite shops, 'Elegant Home', in McKinney, Texas. At 25% off, I couldn't resist! I have had this ivory porcelain set for years. I purchased it at 'Garden Ridge' for a steal; and I absolutely LOVE it!

A beautiful angel is watching over the entire scene...

I think she's beautiful!
Her gown is a stunning mix of gold shimmer fabric and sheer tulle overlay. It flows beautifully, across the back of the vignette.
Her peaceful facial expression speaks volumes!

The animals rest peacefully below...

I wanted everything to shimmer and sparkle; so, I added these mercury glass votive holders. (I love using candlelight.) They were purchased at Target. The shimmery candle rings were a gift from a friend, a few years ago.

The crown even has a little 'bling' around the base...

 This beautiful scene is a constant reminder to us of the true meaning of the season!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a blessed day!!

Linking to:
Imparting Grace-Home For The Holy Days
Dixie and Dottie-Countdown to Christmas
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
Housepitality Designs-Better Late Than Never
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
Not Just A Housewife-Show Me What Ya Got
Southern Hospitality-Christmas Vignettes
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Top Tuesday
The Dedicated House-Make It Pretty Monday
Three Mango Seeds-It's Party Time
Life on Lakeshore Drive-Bouquet of Talent
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
Common Ground-Vintage Inspiration
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
Katherine's Corner-Thursday Favorite Things
Imparting Grace-Grace At Home
Kathe With an E-Mantels and Tablescapes
No Minimalist Here-Open House Party
Southern Lovely-Show and Share
From My Front Porch To Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday

Christmas Coffee Station

The Christmas decorating has begun in the kitchen. One of the first things that I wanted to do was set up a "coffee/tea/hot chocolate" station. 

("Hey, we all drink different things around here...lol!") 

I have seen so many great ideas around blogland and on Pinterest, that I wanted to design one of my own.

Last year, one of my dear friends gave us these lovely Christmas mugs from 

Williams-Sonoma. (She knows I love that place!)

They came as a set of 6. You will see the other two, in a vignette, later this week.

I set everything up on one of my silver trays, adding a vintage crystal sugar bowl and a silver creamer to hold sweetener packets.

Everything is readily available, near our trusty Keurig beverage machine. It really gets a workout this time of year! The K-cups for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are easily accessible in the cabinet overhead. The white Italian stoneware platter has a fruit motif and sits on the counter everyday. With a small swag of holiday greenery, it fits right in. A mechanical Santa has also joined in to add a little festive cheer!

To complete the station, a cluster of candy canes sit in a Ralph Lauren double old fashioned glass. It is from his "Glen Plaid" collection. An apothecary jar holds the tasty marshmallows.
Christmas greenery and red berries finish off the tray.

This week, I'm playing with vignettes in the kitchen. I'll be back to share, as I complete them. I hope you are having fun decorating your own kitchens! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Linking to:
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
Katherine's Corner-Thursday Favorite Things
Imparting Grace-Grace at Home
Kathe With an E-Mantels and Tablescapes
Southern Lovely-Show and Share
From My Front Porch To Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall Party
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
House on the Way-Twirl and Take a Bow 
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Top Tuesday
Be Colorful-Motivated Monday
The Dedicated House-Make it Pretty Monday
Under The Table and Dreaming-Sunday Showcase Party
Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers' Party
Debbiedoo's Newbie With A Twist Party
My 1929 Charmer-Sunday's Best

Christmas Tree 2012

Well, the Southern feel continues with our Christmas tree this year. I shared our mantel with you earlier this week; and today, I am sharing our tree. For the first time ever, the tree is not in the foyer. We decided to place it near the fireplace and enjoy it in the family room, since this is where we truly spend most of our time. The tree sits in a rotating stand, so that we can enjoy all sides.

The tree is decorated with the remaining magnolia branches that I brought back from Alabama. I allowed these to dry faster, to enhance the copper and gold colors used on the tree. I used them to fill in any gaps in the branches.

The tree is also decorated with more of the pewter fleur de lis ornaments from Hobby Lobby. (I think I cleaned out the store!) I also purchased the coordinating poinsettias.

I didn't use any ribbon on the tree this year. I just wanted to fill it up with ornaments. I love all of the sparkle and glitz! I pulled all of the gold, copper and crystal ornaments from my stash; and went to work!

I added snowflakes and tons of our collectible ornaments...

If it was copper, gold, ivory, or crystal, it went on the tree!

I raided my stash of the remaining magnolia branches, glittery flowers, stems, and pheasant feathers to create the topper; and my tree was complete.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today! As I complete more of the house, I'll be back to share! Hope you're having a wonderful time decorating your own homes!! Have a great day!

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Linking to:
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays-Christmases Past
Life on Lakeshore Drive-Trees and Wreaths
Housepitality Designs-Better Late Than Never
A to Zebra Celebrations-Christmas Tree Contest
Not Just A Housewife-Show Me What Ya Got
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
The Dedicated House-Make it Pretty Monday
Under The Table and Dreaming-Sunday Showcase Party
Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers' Party
Debbiedoo's Newbie With A Twist Party
My 1929 Charmer-Sunday's Best
Three Mango Seeds-It's Party Time
Life on Lakeshore Drive-Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
House On The Way-Deck the Halls 
Be Colorful-Holiday Highlights Living and Family Rooms
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating-Flaunt It Friday
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
Katherine's Corner-Thursday Favorite Things
Imparting Grace-Grace at Home

Christmas Mantel 2012

Happy Monday, Everyone! I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This year, we spent the holiday with Dear Hubby's family in Alabama. While there, my sweet sister-in-law supplied me with an abundance of magnolia branches from her 'humongous' magnolia trees. They were just the accents that I needed to get my decorating under way.

My Christmas plans evolved from the purchase of these 

fleur de lis ornaments from Hobby Lobby, several months ago. 

It was love at first sight!  
I thought the pewter color would be pretty, when mixed with ivory, gold and copper. 
(That's my color scheme for this year.)

I started with a pre-lit faux pine garland. After I fluffed it and wrapped it with ribbon, I simply stuck a few magnolia branches in; and proceeded to decorate. The wire branches in the pine garland can easily be used to wrap and secure the magnolia branches in place. I love the thickness that the magnolia branches add.  

I left the fall lanterns in place and added the guilded reindeer. 
I finished the mantel with our monogrammed stockings from last year and crystal embellished candlesticks. 
We will be using lots of crystal this year.

The garland is also decorated with fleur de lis ornaments, glittered magnolia ornaments, cherubs, beaded grape clusters, pheasant feathers and copper ornaments.

So, that's the mantel for this year. Dear Hubby has put the lights on the tree; and I will start decorating it today. Hopefully, I'll be able to share it with you soon.

Hope you're having a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Decorating!!!





Linking to:
Houspitality Designs-Better Late Than Never
From My Front Porch To Yours-Annual Holiday Mantel Party
Kathe With an E-Mantels and Tablescapes
The Lettered Cottage-Christmas Mantels
Cedar Hill Ranch-Cowgirl Up Link Party
Three Mango Seeds-It's Party Time
Life on Lakeshore Drive-It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Savvy Southern Style-Homespun Christmas Vignettes and Mantels
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating-Flant It Friday
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
From My Front Porch To Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday
Katherine's Corner-Thursday Favorite Things
Imparting Grace-Grace at Home
StoneGable-Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits
Southern Lovely-Show & Share
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
House on the Way-Twirl and Take A Bow Party
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
A Delightsome Life-A Return to Loveliness
The Dedicated House-Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Top Tuesday
Curb Alert-Deck the Halls with Glitter