Natural Christmas Ornament...

These adorable floral Christmas ornaments were found in this months issue of  Sunset Magazine.  Suggested as a gift idea, which in my opinion is perfect for those who love the outdoors and nature.  Living where I do, I would hang them from some of my tropicals that have the up lighting on them, and that would add sparkle to them in the evening.  You could either make them yourself for the glass balls can be found at any craft store, and you can chose the tiny air plants, moss and other plants from your local florist.  If you live here in Florida, or any warmer climate all these items can easily be found at any park, or even beach area. No matter where you live, there are such natural resources everywhere to make them to your own specifications.  If you love the beach, as many of us do, this would be a time to add some beautiful shells to the plants and tiny twigs and moss.  Something so simple can be so beautiful at the same time.

If you would rather purchase them they are from Flora Grubb Gardens.  http://floragrubb.com/idx/index.php

Our Christmas Decorations...

Finally finished all my Christmas decorating over the past weekend.  Don't have any idea why it always takes me almost two weeks to finish...my family laughs at me each year.  They can't understand why I just don't put everything up and let it go, but no, not me, always changing things until I get it just the way I want it, then I change it again...but I'm done (I think).  Here are just a few areas of my home.  I've started some of the shopping but our annual trip to Orlando is coming up, and I try to save most of it for there...getting very excited!!!  The weather has been so cold here that I am totally in the holiday spirit.   Time for the baking to begin this weekend.  I look forward to that so much each year with my daughter, she is always coming up with new recipes.  Though we bake cookies and other desserts, one of our favorite are homemade mini cupcakes...so yummy!  What a wonderful time of year, ready to make new memories!

Holiday Party Vignettes...

When decorating your home for the holidays, it's always nice to have a special area designated as what I call "little vignettes" for your party guests.  It can be over the top, or just something simple and intimate.  I found a few pictures from different websites of some vignettes that aren't just for cocktails but ones of special candies, desserts, and unique edible treats for those special family and friends.  The ice sculpture is bit extravagant, but it gives an idea of something you can create in your own home maybe in a cute design like a Christmas tree or just a smaller version of a fountain.  I just think the sparkle from the ice, adds such a beautiful effect to any holiday party, especially in warmer climates, since we don't get snow.  Something I try to do is prior to Christmas, set up a very simple but special vignette for my family to have hot cocoa, spiced hot tropical teas or cider, unusual goodies, like homemade Churros, and even a huge plate of nachos, fresh fruit and dip, or anything that probably won't be served for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  We will sit around listening to Christmas music and wrap presents or if the weather permits, have it set up in the Lanai.  Our backyard is 80% saltillo tile, an in the ground spa, surrounded by palms and other tropicals, so we will turn the on spa light, start the fire pit or the Chiminea, sit and look at the stars and just enjoy the quiet after a busy day or week.  I love those special moments with my family, and whatever I can do to for them to make it even more memorable, makes me the happiest.

Here are a few very adorable items I found at Pottery Barn that would add to a nice cocktail party vignette...I just love the faux fur stole and the snowman cocktail shaker...oh who am I fooling, I love them all!!!

This is just too adorable, reminds me of a "Old Hollywood" fur stole

These crystal and white light strands would add such drama to any cozy vignette area

The wine stoppers are so perfect for the holidays

Who wouldn't love a nice holiday cocktail made with this...he is adorable

Santa outfit and a cozy scarf and hat for wine bottle, too cute

Fireplace Mantel...

 

A week ago, I was a head of the game...most of my decorations were completely up and ready to bring on the holidays.  I am a huge list maker, and I stick to them so, I had my list(s) all ready, recipes ready, table settings ready to be put on the island...  I felt so happy!  Well, as of today...my tree is up, but no lights or decorations yet.  Here I am in the greatest of holiday moods, and I just can't find time to decorate the tree.  I even planted dozens of poinsettias throughout the yard.   I have to take one of the fur-babies to the vet tonight for her check-up, but as soon as I get home...the tree will be decorated!!!  I am determined.  One of the first things I decorated this year was our fireplace mantel.  I just love the metallic copper, gold and mirrored look...and the best part is, this evening is suppose to be really cold, so we can enjoy a nice cozy fire and sip on some hot Mexican chocolate as I finish the tree...(hopefully)

 

Vintage 1950's Christmas...look how far we've come...

Christmas...what does this one beautiful word me to you?  For me, the first word that comes to mind is "love".  The love of what the holiday is truly all about, first and foremost.  Along with that comes the love of being with family and friends.  Why do most of us spend hours upon hours to decorate our homes for just a short few weeks?  The reason I spend so much time decorating, preparing the perfect menus, making my home warm and inviting for all who come to visit is knowing deep in my mind, that each moment I spend making things special will be a legacy, for  my daughter, that she will carry on for the day she has her own family.  But, most of all it's to make my family have beautiful, warm  and happy memories of each and every Christmas we have together, and what a wonderful celebration it really is.  I read many blogs and during this time of the year it is so wonderful to see how everyone decorates their own special way, each so beautiful and unique just to them.  It is no secret to anyone who knows me, I love anything mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency, I think I've mentioned it more than once!  Though my home is in Florida, the builder was from Southern California so it's not your typical Florida home, but no matter how much I love those mid-century desert modern homes, it's not that either...nor is my decor, maybe someday, but there is still that obsession I have for them.  My Christmas decorations are very contemporary but with some traditional mixed in.  As I was looking through some decorating ideas this season...I came across some really sweet vintage (1950's) Christmas decorations, party ideas, and gifts.  Now, I was just a little baby during the end of the 50's, but I remember my wonderful Grandparents home and how beautifully it was decorated and those  "silver trees" and the color wheel for them.  I think these pictures will take those of you back that was born in the 50's and 60's...hope you enjoy going down memory lane....

Christmas Season...

The holidays are here....what a wonderful feeling this time of years brings, the beautiful memories of years gone by, and the news ones we are creating today.  My husband and I went to a park here locally today, one for which we haven't been in almost 27 years, it is right on the water, and it is so peaceful and beautiful.  Upon driving into the park, we came across this beautiful tree of red berries, don't have a clue as to what they are, so if anyone knows, please tell me.  They reminded me so much of the berries on holly, I just had to get some pictures.   When I came home and downloaded the pictures, I noticed this particular picture, with the white Bokeh in the background, reminded me of snow.  Now, being I live in Central Florida on the Gulf Coast, and it was 74 degrees out today, it obviously isn't snow.  But, though I am already totally in the Christmas spirit, just a little simple picture such as this, just brought so many memories back of those cold winters when we lived in Ohio and then in Utah.  Now that all, well most of my Christmas decorating is done (took me over 4 days),  I am so ready to get out there and start shopping and enjoying all the wonderful sights and sounds, and oh yeah, those beautiful fragrances of hot cocoa, pine, and all the others that are so symbolic of this magical time of year.  As I drive around town, I am so surprised at how many people have really gotten into the spirit this year and have decorations up...hope it that way where you live too.  Enjoy every minute of these beautiful days leading up to the holidays, and happy shopping...

Old Fashioned Thanksgiving...

                 Happy Thanksgiving

I believe all of us have some wonderful fond memories of Thanksgivings long ago or maybe not so long ago that just stand out in our minds, and will forever be with us.  Each Thanksgiving with my family is a precious memory being made.  I am so blessed for my wonderful husband of 34 years and my sweet loving daughter.  But in times of reflection, it is those Thanksgivings of long ago, when my wonderful Grandparents were still with us, and each Thanksgiving the whole family would gather at their warm beautiful home, some traveling from around the country to be together on that special day.  There was so many of us, the whole basement was full of people, laughter and love.  A warm wood burning fireplace, kept us all so warm on those cold Ohio winter days.  There were two ovens downstairs and one upstairs, with turkeys cooking, pies baking, and the laughter of children, games being played and everything else that made our Thanksgiving so special.   The scents and sounds of those Thanksgivings are forever etched in not only my mind, but of all of who were there.  Though that was so many years ago, and many of my wonderful family members have since left us, they are always in our hearts and on this special day, their memories are more vivid than ever. 

I can say I have truly been blessed in my life to have such a wonderful huge family, though I lost a brother 4 years ago, and another just several months ago, both only at the age of 49, and I am so lucky to have them as my brothers, each so special in their own way.  So, instead of me getting sad of all those that are no longer here with me, this Thanksgiving, I am thanking God that I once had them, and  that kind of love lives forever!!!

My wish for everyone who reads this is that they have a wonderful happy, loving and memorable Thanksgiving.

Norman Rockwell - 1943  "Freedom from Want"

Doris Lee -  1935  "Thanksgiving"