One of These Things Doesn't Belong Here

So, even though I just can't take down my Christmas decor until Monday, I also can't help myself from thinking ahead to what comes next.

While we were in Mt. Pleasant, we stopped at a Home Goods looking for some things for Caitlin's new house. I was immediately drawn to the new Valentine's decor. I was hesitant to buy much until I look at last year's photos to remind myself what I bought and made but, I knew I didn't have a heart shaped pot for the stove and, since I've now gotten so used to having one there, I snatched this up.

It is ceramic not enameled cast iron like my others but I don't think I will find one of those so this serves the purpose.

I added it to my beginning pile of Valentine decor and craft ideas. I bought the beads in HL for 70% off. I knew I didn't want them for Christmas because red and white reads more Valentines to me. I am pretty sure I will just repaint the tag.

And then, somewhere along the way I printed out the Valentine picture ( as well as one for St. Pat's ) and picked up the cutting board so I'm pretty sure some decoupaging will be happening soon also. I really need to sit down and look at last year's decor so I know where I'm going this year.

And, when I got home from S.C. this beauty was waiting for me...right on schedule! And, doesn't it look pretty on the crocheted doily that my mom made for me. It is actually a bit of serendipity because this beautiful, large plant was once a tiny little one-leafed plant given to my mom for her room in the nursing home by a sweet G.S. troop. Look how much it has grown and flourished!

So, back I go to mop up a few more little loose ends before sitting down on this rainy New Year's Eve to finish off some of my long list of yet watched Christmas movies before moving into the new year. Stay safe and stay tuned.

I'm Home!

 I'm home and what an incredible Christmas I had. Almost the entire family made it for Christmas. We were missing my son-in-law, Todd, who had recently had hip surgery but everyone else made it. We started the day at daughter #3's house for appetizers. The only pictures I got were the tree crudite' and Mexican dip wreath.

Once everyone was in town, we headed to my house for presents and dinner. Once again I wasn't very good with picture taking but I gathered what I have.

The next morning, as many of us as could, loaded up and headed to S.C. My second grand daughter recently accepted a job up there and we all wanted to see her house and neighborhood. She is actually living in Summerville which is a bit out of Charleston so the first day we explored downtown Summerville and then Mt. Pleasant.

We found some comfy couches outside and got to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

The next day we were off to Charleston. We started with brunch at Poogan's Porch-which was delicious! The meals were great but the pimento fritters for appetizers were unbelievably good!

Then we were fueled up for shopping on King and Meeting Streets, sightseeing all of the beautiful buildings and a visit to the City Market.

Before leaving Charleston we drove through Rainbow Row...

...and the Battery where the historic homes are absolutely gorgeous!

After that we headed back to Caitlin's for our last evening where we did a bit of decorating consulting, shared a beautiful charcuterie board that she made for us and ended the evening with a Christmas movie.

The ride home the next day was loonnnggg! We discovered that not only was there a lot of holiday and snowbird traffic but the the University of South Carolina was playing in the Gator Bowl so tons of fans were on their way. The drive definitely took a lot longer than it should have but most of us are home now. Daughter #3 and her family stayed an extra day so I have their Golden keeping me company now. They got a chance to make a visit to Caitlin to see her new house and actually got a picture-which I just realized that I never did. I am notorious for not taking enough pictures. I get caught up in what is going on and by the time I think of it, the event is usually over! Lol

 So with that, Christmas 2022 is officially in the books. I am going to have a lovely quiet weekend and then head into the new year on Monday. Of course, before I can start that I will have to take all of the Christmas decor down but I can't do that until the new year.

I hope everyone has a safe a happy new year's eve and I will be back in 2023! Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.

 

 

 

Unexpected Visit!

 I really hadn't planned to be here until I got back from Charleston and all of our Christmas celebrating but, my house is ready, my food is ready and I have a bit of time before I am due at daughter #3's house for appetizers so, I thought I would post about my wonderful Christmas Eve.

We went to the early Children's Service at church this year. It is always one of my favorites because for many, many years I was in charge of the Christmas pageants at our church. I LOVE seeing the children in their costumes, I LOVE not being able to hear their quiet, mumbled parts, I LOVE them not knowing where to go and when it is their turn...and there's always one who knows everything and is telling the others what to do. I love everything about their naivete! They are so pure. And, it is something that has gone on for so many generations. The kids yesterday were saying the same thing my girls said when they were young and the same things that my grand children said when they were young. The story never changes. I absolutely love a candlelight service as well but, if I have to pick one, I'm going with the kids!

And so, that is what we did. After church, we went back to Jen's and sat and visited as we all pitched in a bit to make the most incredible dinner. My son-in-law made his famous beef tenderloin with garlic and herbs. Then there was twice baked potato casserole, brussel sprouts in caramelized onions and garlic, a winter salad, rolls, cookies and hot apple pie a la mode.

Dinner was delicious but time with the family was the most important.

I am off to finish getting myself ready before I head. I will once again wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy and healthy new year! Stay safe and stay tuned.

Let's Wrap It Up

I just got back from my last grocery trip for this season...thank goodness. I am taking a Christmas tree crudite' platter to my daughter's house for one of our appetizers and, even though I was able to buy everything for our meal last week, I wanted the veggies to be as fresh as possible. I know I could have waited until Saturday but I have done that before and never again! I just made it today. I didn't get as early a start as I had hoped and, by the time I was leaving the store, there was not ONE empty parking place anywhere near the store. Maybe everyone thought the way I did and went today and it will be empty on Saturday. Lol

In any case, I'm wrapping up lots of little things today, I will clean a bit tomorrow and start to cook and set tables on Saturday before I head over to Jen's for church and dinner. That means, I need to finish up this tour that feels like it started months ago. We've got the baths and master bedroom left to go.

This is my bathroom with, once again, just a nod to the holiday so things are still functional.

And, of course, I have to have a bit of the holiday spirit in my bedroom as well...not to mention another place for all of the extra pictures.

All of the guest rooms are decorated now as well...but you'll just have to take my word for that. I forgot to take pictures. Lol

I had a bit of time yesterday and I also had an unfinished piece of laser cut wood that I had picked up at HL for 70% off so I decided to put on some Christmas music and sit down and paint it. I know there are dozens of things I could have done to it to make it fancier or have a bit more of a presence but, I enjoy just the peacefulness of simple painting-so that is what I did. I used three different greens for the leaves, a basic red for the words and copper for the branch. When the paint was dry, I gave it a bit of a sanding to distress, pulled a ribbon through the hole and hung it on the closet door in the corner of the family room. There are probably many other places it could go to look better but, since everything else already has a place this year, that will have to wait until next year.

 I probably won't be back to share our holiday photos until after we're back from Charleston so I will just wish everyone the merriest of Christmases and a blessed new year! And, until I "see" you again, stay safe and stay tuned.