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.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 I am still not quite finished with the Christmas decor and packing up but I'm far enough along that we can begin our tour. Let me say, I'm not sure if it is my eyes, my camera or my total lack of photographic skills but these pictures leave something to be desired. I hope they are clear enough to give you a bit of a glimpse into Christmas 2024.

There are supposed to be lit lights on this tree but since I decorated, they have gone out. That makes a total of 4 strings of lights that I have thrown away this year...and they were all new last year! I'm not making a special trip but the next time I'm anywhere that has a set. I'll pick it up and get this glowing again.

I found some beautiful poinsettias at Lowes but no fresh wreaths so I went ahead with the faux wreath I found at Walmart. Again, if I happen upon a pretty fresh wreath I will get it because I do miss the scent but if not, I'm OK with this one.

This is where the new sign and the glass tree ended up. There are some timer lights in this arrangement that come on in the afternoon and make it extra special.

I love how this very old Santa music box pretty much mimics the Santa in the cross stitch that I did many years ago.

This is where the new shelf ended up and I love it but, that being said, I may have created a bit of a dilemma for myself. After it was hung, I realized that there is a big empty spot that bothered me and would need to be filled. That was a no-brainer for Christmas because I already had this framed vintage Santa but it might pose more of a problem for my other season/holiday decor. I guess I will have to be on the lookout for ideas to fill in the space starting in January. I could move the lamp to the middle but I'm not sure I will like that, so we shall see.. That can be an issue for the new year.

So that is the living room this year. I must say, I would not have been able to hang that shelf without my brother and sister-in-law. They came down for the weekend and helped me with that-which I definitely could NOT have done by myself-and a couple of other things as well. And then, they also took me downtown for our Light Up Ocala and dinner at Harry's. For whatever reason, I didn't take any pictures of downtown this time-although it gets prettier and prettier every year-but I DID take a picture of my entree at Harry's. We actually started with a favorite-their fried green tomatoes-and then when it came time to order dinner, I took a total 180 and ordered one of their seasonal specials. I almost never order anything other than my all-time favorites so this was very unlike me but I took a chance. I eat fish but only if it doesn't look. smell or taste like a fish so it's always a gamble. This time the gamble paid off. I had flounder in a white wine butter sauce served over lobster risotto with artichoke hearts and asparagus. This thing was absolutely delicious and worth every penny!

And then after dinner we headed out to the World Equestrian Center where we enjoyed all of the activities. The lights are beautiful but the most fun came from seeing all of the families with children and the smiles on all of those faces. It is definitely a happy place full of holiday magic!

Every year their head pastry chef does a gingerbread exhibit-this is this years". It was magnificent.

So that is it for today. Not sure when I'll be back because I have a pretty long to-do list waiting for me this week but, I have more to share so it won't be too long. Stay safe and stay tuned.