Only a Few More "Sleeps"

 Time is moving quickly and there are still a lot of things on the to-do list so, while I have a minute, I thought maybe we should head into the family room.

Things in this room are pretty much as they were last year but I did find room for the new Christmas image that I made this past summer.

And now that I've shared the family room let me share my day yesterday. What a day it was! We had our "Girls' Day'-which daughter #3 started last year-at another one of "the girl's" houses. These three have been fast friends since elementary school and we moms were friends as well. Then, as happens, as the girls grew up and got on with their lives, they stayed in touch but we moms not so much. My daughter thought it would be fun to bring the six of us back together last year and it was...so much fun that her girlfriend hosted us this year.

Her friend has a house on a huge family compound and they have 4 dogs, horses, donkeys, cattle, chickens and I'm sure some other things I may have missed. Lol We had the most wonderful lunch and then headed out to feed and pet some of the animals before heading back and having dessert out by the pool.

It never fails to amaze me that we are still learning things about each other after all of these years and that our conversations always seem to be able to pick right back up from where we last left off.

I absolutely fell head over heels in love with this horse, Bob...and, he apparently with me. Yes, I fed him a carrot but so did everyone else. For whatever reason, he followed me and nudged up to my face and just won me over totally! He is the sweetest, gentlest soul and I would still be out there with him if I could be!

I'm still reeling over what fun we had. I can't believe how many years these ladies have been a part of my life and I'm already looking forward to next year!! Lol

I still haven't wrapped the first gift or baked the first cookie but that is all about to change this afternoon. I am starting on my cookies. I am not making as many different types this year because by the time everyone else adds theirs to the mix, we could open a bake shop-and, of  course, then I am compelled to eat them all so....

We have just a bit more to tour-and probably just in the nick of time-no pun intended. Ha-ha. I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Moving Right Along

 Once again I am shaking my head and saying "where has the time gone?". I just can't seem to get caught up on my dates in my head but, I am fine as far as being ready for the holiday. Now don't get me wrong, I haven't baked the first cookie or wrapped the first present but, after the last few days, I at least have the presents to wrap. Of course now that the "kids" are older, Christmas shopping for them is a breeze. It's money all the way-not even gift cards any more because they are almost all at the age where they are paying their own bills and, as I remember, a little extra cash always came in handy-many times to help pay the rent or electric. I also still do the ornament for the year things but the four oldest are now just getting a "nana original" for their trees because, let's be honest, once you have your own home and you're out there in the every day work force, there aren't that many new things added that I can find an ornament for...if someone gets a new address, wedding, baby, etc. I will be fine but none of that is happening right now so a Nana ornament it will be for them. Of course, I personalize it for each. The three youngest are still having "firsts" in their lives but it still takes some searching these days for a cute idea-unless you were lucky enough to just see the Taylor Swift Era's Tour in Miami-then it's a no -brainer.

In any case, I have been out and about pretty much the last few days and I am happy to be home today. I have all of the lights lit, Christmas music on and I'm doing all sorts of little things that make me happy-and that is what brings me here. Let's head into the sunroom today.

Both of my Christmas cacti usually bloom for the holiday but this year they are being a bit stubborn. I have been checking every day and I am finally seeing enough buds that I think they might be making a bit of a showing by the big day.

 

So that is pretty much the sunroom for this year. I will be glad I have kept it so minimal next week as I start moving things around to accommodate the second eating area for Christmas. It worked out well last year-I hope I remember how I did it!

So over my last few days I have been able to fit in a few little errands and pick up some things to help me do a bit of tweaking that has been on my list.

Any time I add something new, it takes me awhile until I feel as if I might finally "have" it. That is the case with the new shelf in the living room. I felt like it needed a touch of light and have looked a number of places for the little candlestick candles-battery lit BUT they need to be on a timer. Those things are sold out everywhere although I did see some that had some sort of extra plastic thing on it to be used on a window. I wish I had grabbed them because now I am thinking I might have been able to use my Dremmel and cut the extra plastic off and because of where they would be, no one would be the wiser...and, believe me, if I find myself anywhere out on that side of town in the next few days, that might still happen.

But, I stumbled on another answer and this works for me for now-although I still think the dark shelves could use a bit of brightening. Lol

I was looking for more generic garlanding to stick in my tree to "fatten" it up more but none of that stuff is left so I spied another garland and realized it would make the perfect ring for my PB candle holder that lost its embellishment this year to another container...and I missed the greenery and the pop it provided. And so, I bought the garland , brought it home, cut off a piece and twisted it for here.

And that made me happy until I realized that I still had about 8' of that garland left...and then it hit me. And, since I had grabbed batteries, I brought out a strand of fairy lights-with a timer-and had this.

That definitely helps a bit and I swapped the pillow on the chair for the Santa pillow because of the other Santas in this vignette.

And then because I had the new batteries I added another set of fairy lights to the nativity. I just love the glow they add. And I bought a few strings of white lights-just to hedge my bet-and got the little outside tree sparkling again also.

And, I had one of my serendipity moments in Dollar Tree of all places. I don't remember of I have posted about the vintage looking metal easel images that bloggers have been posting about for over a year. They were only available at the "Plus" stores and we didn't have any of them until last Christmas. I searched often last year but could never find one-and then again at Easter for the vintage rabbit-again, nothing. Imagine my surprise when I was in there the other day grabbing a wood tree that I had never been able to find either when I just happened to gaze down and there in a large box on the floor-no where near the Christmas stuff-was this guy. He was the only one left and he was bent a bit and I think he is perhaps printed a little wrong because he does looks a bit blurry but, since he is supposed to be vintage I'm OK with it. My first thought was that I would repaint it like the flags but I think I have let that thought go...at least for this year. He looks so cute and serves a purpose here by the tree-he is hiding that ugly electrical cord until I can get some presents under there. Lol Then, he might stay by the tree or he might find another place of honor. I was SOOO excited to find him. As they say, good things come to those who wait.

And, because HL had their Christmas up to 60% off, I grabbed a bunch of greenery. Because I didn't have an immediate use for it I just stuck it in the little black vase. But then I realized that if I added anything else to it it could become another small centerpiece so, I grabbed the Santa a friend made for me many, many years ago. I loved him so much I made a bunch as gifts that year as well. And then for the color, I popped in an extra candy cane and it's cute. Not sure where he will end up either as things seem to be moving quickly these days but for now he looks good against the colors of the doily my mom crocheted one year for each of us as gifts for our homes. I love that doily so much!

And that is where I am for today. I have a few more little things I want to do and then I think it will be a feet up-movie watching afternoon before the fun starts again tomorrow. I have a bit more to share so I will be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

Oh Holy Night

 It is an absolutely beautiful chilly day...definitely feels like Christmas. I don't think it's going to stay like this for long so while I'm still in the holiday spirit, let's head into the dining room. And, happy Fri-Yay!

We went to see Mannheim Steamroller two years ago in the St. Augustine Amphitheatre where grand daughter #3's boyfriend works. I couldn't get a poster that year but they recently came back and he got me one this year. They only make so many so I am definitely feeling special.

The nativity still needs some of the fairy lights around the greenery but I am totally out of batteries...wish I owned stock in Eveready. They're on the list! 

I changed up the decor in this room a bit last year...looks like I didn't change much this year but, since it's the only room in the house without a Santa I kind of feel like it is where the nativity should be and the rest of the room should reflect that message...oops, as I wrote that, I just spied that Santa on the love seat at the end of the room. He just might have to find a new home. Lol

I am off on another adventure tomorrow. Daughter #3, grand daughter #5 and I are headed for our traditional trip down to Eustis and Mt. Dora. We're later than usual this year so I'm expecting it will be pretty crowded and we might run into a holiday parade or two, be that will just add to the fun! Then, I have a hair appointment and a holiday luncheon this week-as well as trying to play catch-up with the shopping, baking, cooking and cleaning that I still have to do but, I'll be back. We still have a few more rooms to go before the big day. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Next Up

 My to-do list continues to grow...not because there are more things needing to be done but because I am just continuously remembering things that need to be done that I had forgotten about. There are many parts of my house that I really don't think about until I am having overnight guests and then they need to be freshened up. I've made a calendar and as long as I stick to it-which I have already had to carry something over-I will be fine. Again, Thanksgiving shouldn't be allowed to be so late-or, I should learn to pay more attention to the date!

In any case, I've got a minute so let's head into the kitchen today. I changed it up just a bit this year.

I love that my green Dutch oven has made another appearance.

I didn't fill the carpenter's box with the candy and cookie molds this year. You'll see in a minute where they ended up.

Since I had made the Ribbon Candy container for the little tree I decided to put it in the dough bowl and then surround it with the candy canes I made a few years ago and the candy molds with the beeswax Santas from many years ago. I also added in the cookie mold and I think I like it better than all kind of spread out amongst several places as it has been in the past. The Santa dummy board wreath is in here now as well since the new Santa sign in the living room has arrived.

I usually have a larger floral arrangement here but I needed to borrow it for the living room as the one in there had just seen better days so I brought out this small lantern and elevated it in a footed red dish and I think it will serve the purpose.

So that is the kitchen so far this year. I still may tweak a few things as I get more time but if not, it's good to go.

I'll be back. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.