Christmas Time is Here

Monday was a day filled with cyber shopping for me and the hubby. We actually decided to plant ourselves in a quaint local coffee shop so we could focus on getting a huge chunk of our Christmas shopping completed.  I was so happy Redefined offers up yummy gluten free options like this pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting!  

Afterwards, we decided to run by and pick out a tree.  Nate was very pleased when we walked away with the first one we looked at.  It was nice to get both things marked off our "To Do" list. Even though the tree isn't decorated yet, it still looks pretty and smells so amazing sitting in the corner of our living room. 

In between family and work and and meals and laundry (whenever I can catch a minute) I'll pull something else out from the Christmas storage boxes. I'm actually down to three now and am quite pleased I've been able to whittle down the decor.  Little by little Christmas is starting to spill out all over the house.  It's feeling pretty magical. 

It doesn't take much to make a room feel festive.  It's small details like these that helps to put us all in the holiday spirit. Thankfully, I have a number of holly bushes in the backyard. Tucking in a few sprigs here and there really adds a nice touch. 

Sentimental things passed down to our family, like this sweet poinsettia plate that used to belong to Nana, sure bring back good memories of times spent together. I hope to be creating little visual images that my family will remember for years to come. Happy Holidays y'all.  P.S. See more Christmasy ideas on my Instagram feed ~ you can follow me here.  

XO ~ Dana

***Merry Christmas***

After our family attended a candlelight service at church yesterday evening and enjoyed dinner together, we all settled in for the night.  Here's what our family will awaken to today ~ this Christmas day.  A simple but peaceful setting in our living room, is where all the activity will begin.  My sons requested a real tree this year ~ one filled with all of our sentimental ornaments that have been made or collected over the years.  It's nothing like the funky ladder tree we had last year (if you are interested, you can see it here) but it's so charming and smells so Christmassy. 

Felt stockings, I've sewn over the years, hang from the mantle.  They're nothing fancy by any means, but were made with a lot of heart and the boys are quite attached to them ~ favoring them over something I might purchase at a store.  Penny ~ our American Bulldog, still doesn't have one of her own ~ hopefully she will by next Christmas.  

We will linger here for a couple of hours ~ with Christmas music blaring (courtesy of Pandora) from a nearby room.  My favorite channel this year has been Tony Bennett ~ holiday.  It offers up a delightful mix.

And as you might suspect, there'll be lots of laughing, sharing, opening of presents, picture taking and memory making.  

When all the opening of gifts is over and done with, Nate and I will move into the kitchen to start whipping up our traditional Christmas breakfast of whole wheat, chocolate chip, peanut butter pancakes.  My mouth is watering already ~ just thinking of them slathered in butter and puddled in a plate of maple syrup.  They are so yummy ~ I most certainly should share the recipe with you someday.

Then most likely, we will sit around the table for awhile longer and reminisce about Christmases past and Nana and Papa and life as it is today.

Christmas Eve dinner with Nate, Corbin, Reagan and Gavin

It's days like this, with us all together as a family, I feel especially blessed and I'm thankful.  And I realize all over again, the most simplest things in life are often the most meaningful and treasured. 

I hope today is filled with good things for you and yours as well~ blessings and peace to you this Christmas day ~ Merry Christmas!!!  XO ~ Dana

Hope, Joy and Peace

In lieu of the fact that the last few weeks have been crazy around here (ie. a bathroom remodel, Gavin's wisdom teeth surgery, Mimi's knee replacement, a couple of weddings, sadly some funerals and Gavin's very close call last night with a severe allergic reaction) and with the most recent tragedy our nation has suffered, I'm keeping it light today. 

I decided to take a break from my day to have a cup of tea, reflect and say a prayer on my back patio. It brought me a sense of calm.  Realizing that even though life is filled with unexpected events, I find it helps to push the pause button and focus on the truly important things in life. 

During this hectic time of year, my wish for you is that you will experience hope, joy and peace throughout this Christmas season.  XO

Candy Cane Straws

 

I know, I know ~ it's not even Thanksgiving yet and I'm already jumping to Christmas.  It's hard not to when you run across something as cute as these nostalgic paper straws ~ they remind me of sugary candy canes. 

Image via

I thought they would be nice to have on hand when guests stop by during the holidays.  They're not only for the young, but for the young at heart ~ and for just a few dollars, they're sure to put a smile on any one's face.  You can find them here at West Elm.  Hoping your Thanksgiving is filled with good things.  XO ~ Dana

Merry Christmas ~

I hope today has been a wonderful Christmas day for you and yours.  As I wind down from the activities of the day, I'm thankful for family and friends that are near and dear to me ~ and feel tremendously blessed that our three sons were home to share Christmas with us.  

Before Frostie comes down, I thought I might share another tradition we have around our place during the Christmas season.  We always hang this vintage Frostie Root Beer sign above our mantle.  Don't you think he resembles Santa?  :)

Snowflake stocking holders from Target ~ I love the way their mirrored surface reflects the glowing candlelight.

Hurricane globes ~ via my friend, Jill.  Candlelight always make things seem magical.  I snipped the fresh holly from a bush in our backyard. 



As this Christmas Day ~ 2011 ~ comes to a close, I hope it has brought you much joy and many blessings ~ Merry Christmas!

Christmas ~ Kitchen Window & Wreath

 

This is my kitchen window ~ I spend a fair amount of time in this very spot during the holidays.  So why wouldn't I want to make it a place worth being in?  I always hang my favorite wreath right above the sink to enjoy.  I'm enamored with square wreaths ~ I found mine here.  They come with pine cones already wired on and they smell heavenly.  I vacillate every year whether or not to tie on a floppy ribbon ~ but I think the wreath is so beautiful in and of itself, I always talk myself out of it.

Underneath the wreath on the window sill I line up some vintage scale weights ~ I think they look artistic, stately and strong.

 

My decorations by choice for Christmas ~ pretty + simple = a calmer me.  :)

A white ironstone pitcher (thrift store find ~ for only a dollar!) holds "candy cane" spoons.

Old silver glass ornaments lay nestled in a milk glass compote bowl ~ it belonged to Nana.

A little helpful hint:  I spritz the wreath with water every couple of days and it holds up nicely until the new year rolls around and it's time to pack Christmas away. 

That's all for today ~ I'm off to tackle some Christmas shopping ~ I hope you've gotten more done than I have.  I don't have one present bought yet ~ yikes ~ nineteen days and counting! 

P.S.  Be sure to check out my last post about my Ladder Christmas Tree.  XO