Tempus Fugit!

 I'm still trying to get the "big ticket" chores out of the way this week so I can concentrate on the decor details for the luncheon next week and then, if my plan works, have the week leading up to Christmas pretty much free except for baking cookies, wrapping gifts, etc. And, the way I'm going, I will be writing out my Christmas cards as well with a note of apology in each for once again being late. Lol

Today I set my sights on cleaning the floors in the kitchen and dining room and then putting all of my throw pillows in the dryer on "fluff" to brighten them a bit and get rid of the dust. I use Bona on my wood floors so that really only requires a good vacuuming and then spraying and scrubbing. But, since I have had so many dogs visiting of late, it also requires getting all of their hair off of the bottom of the chair and table legs as well as all of the other places it may have gotten caught and able to avoid the vacuum. It also gives me a chance to wipe down the legs of the chairs and all of the scroll work on the bar stools. And, by the time I have done all of that, moved everything out and then back in again, most of the day is shot...as well as my back. Lol I will admit that once I get the rooms stripped down this far I find myself cleaning baseboards and everything else that doesn't move. Lol Also, I never quite remember just how big my house really is until I see it empty of furniture.

I must admit that once I got everything back I was tempted to call it a day but then I caught a glimpse of the calendar and decided I had better get it together and get us into one more room of this very late tour...so, welcome to the kitchen.

I only changed up a few things in the kitchen this year. 

The Santa that I got at one of our favorite antique stores still sits in a sleigh that my mom found for me in a different antique store. It was very obviously made by a home craftsman as it has no fine detail but I love it...not only because it makes me happy to think of someone somewhere many years ago crafting this for use in their home or possibly as a gift but also because my mom found and it got it for me because she knew how much I loved things like that. And, the small Santa and bag salt and pepper shakers on the shelf were a gift from her another year and also found in an antique shop.

I changed up the embellishments on the pizza paddle this year and added one of the timered candlesticks on the shelf.

And, even though I had so many other places I could have used that "My Texas Home" tree that I was so excited to find before it sold out, I decided to use it here and I think it's a huge improvement from the live plant-that really didn't speak to Christmas at all-that has been here in the past.

I also found spots for the small bowls and cocottes that I found. I love those colors-those are the colors that say Christmas to me every time. And, another candlestick. Lol 

I added the candlesticks here as well. I figured since I already had them...

And, I went ahead and brought back the dough bowl from last year. I like that I can fit in my cookie mold, chocolate molds and all of the bee's wax Santas I made from those molds so many years ago. I also still love those candy canes that I made a few years back. I made a lot but still wish I had made more.

Here's a close up from last year-I forgot to get one today. Lol

I told you I have been buying the new "real touch" garlands when I can find them. The plan had been to get rid of some old garlands I had that were shedding more needles then they were holding on to. Except, I must have done that last year because the ones I have left are ones I bought from a designer years ago and they are still too nice to throw away. So... that meant finding even more places for garlands this year. I decided to try to area above the cabinets in here. That seemed easy enough and, if I hadn't gotten myself so excited about it, it probably wouldn't be there because it turned out anything BUT easy.

I got out the ladder and headed up. I thought I could figure out a way to attach the garland onto the crown molding but that wasn't happening. And, from the ladder apparently nothing else was as well so up I climbed on to the counter top. Now I used to do that all of the time in my younger days when I was painting or cleaning or whatever. But, these days my balance isn't as good as it once was and, let's just say that I am lucky I figured this out as quickly as I did. I really did not want to give in. I ended up balancing the most weight of the garland behind the crown and then just folding down a branch here or there. I love it but this may be the only time you see it. We will see what next year-and one more year of age-brings. Lol

So that is it for today. I'm going to try to get back tomorrow after I tackle a few more things on the list-the end is in sight. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.