Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Tuesday Tablescape

 Today's table is graced by Santa and candy!



I have had my dishes for years and I still love using them each year.

The plaid chargers came from Michaels a few years ago.


The simple centerpiece is a Christmas cactus that's now four years old and has plentiful blooms this year. I always provide it 12 hours of darkness a day for a six week period in the fall to generate blossoms. Scattered peppermint candies accent the table.
These are my favorite glasses and are from my childhood. They have been around so long that I think they now qualify as vintage! πŸ˜‰




I hope your day was a good one!



Thursday, December 5, 2019

Christmas Mantel

Today I helped my mother do the Christmas mantel at my parents' house and I loved it!


This Oh Holy Night sign was a gift to my parents a few years ago and rather than hanging it, we are displaying it on an easel. 
It nicely balances the angel duo. My parents received the handsome earthenware candleholders many years ago from my aunt.

The wreath anchors the mantel and adds both depth and color.

Their slim tree is decked-out in treasured ornaments, all of which have a story. Some were purchased by my mother when she was a new teacher fresh out of college. Others were bought by my parents when they got married. Many were gifts, souvenirs from trips and crafted pieces lovingly made by others for our family.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
everywhere you go. 🎜🎝🎜🎝🎜

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Happy Cookie Day!

Today is National Cookie Day. What kind do you like best? Do you prefer soft or crunchy? One of my favorites is this cookie. Crinkles are easy to bake and yummy to eat, plus they are very versatile. Use any flavor of cake mix to create whatever suits you! I featured this recipe in my blog four years ago, but it is worth repeating since this is the time of year when many of us are baking.

 
Crinkles
cake mix of your choice
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
 
small bowl of granulated sugar
small bowl of powdered sugar
 


Mix ingredients and roll into small balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar first and then powdered sugar. Bake 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.


Click here for a printable version.
Chocolate crinkles are always popular, but using a lemon cake mix instead of chocolate creates a pretty and flavorful treat. For the Christmas season, try using a red cake mix.


Happy Cookie Day!


Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Tuesday Tablescape

Tonight was Advent by Candlelight, which is a wonderful annual Christmas event at my parents' church. Each year my mother hosts a table and this year its theme was Silent Night.

It all began with this set of faux transferware. Does the scene make you think that all is calm and all is bright? We used silver chargers and silver napkins (with matching table runner). The red glittery cross ornament served as a napkin ring and favor for the ladies to take home.

The centerpiece is my old church rested on a bed of greenery. I found this little gem at a yard sale a few years ago. Click here to read about its transformation.
Surrounding the church are three little angel candles. They are family treasures which belonged to my paternal grandparents and were used when my dad and aunt were children. By the way, in the background, you will see one of the water goblets we used. Those, too, are family keepsakes as they were wedding gifts to my maternal grandparents. 
Eight of these flameless red glitter candles graced the table (I should have turned them on before snapping the pictue) and we also included three copies of Silent Night sheet music.

It was such an enjoyable evening and a terrific way to mark the beginning of the advent season.

Silent Night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright!

Monday, December 2, 2019

Dog Christmas Tree

We are officially in Christmas-decorating-mode! For us, it began Friday morning and is still in full swing, but will be all wrapped up by Wednesday. That will be just in time for hosting my first gathering of this wonderful season. Getting the house in its Christmas splendor brings me a lot of joy and part of the job is preparing our multiple trees. Each has its own theme and today I am sharing the one which is for the dogs...so to speak!

Buffalo check ribbons are very popular and I love the classic look, but deciding whether to go with red/black or white/black was such a ruff-ruff decision for me that I combined the two!
Over the years, we have acquired a doggone plentiful collection of Boston terrier ornaments and each is such a treat to us. It's fun to display them!



The collection of Bostons under the tree is also something to bark about!
This little 6 foot slim tree is perfect to tuck on the landing and it makes me paws-itively happy. 

So far, I have seven trees decorated along with the other dΓ©cor. 
'Tis the season! 

Have a blessed day! 

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

May we all be grateful for our many blessings. Please know that I am thankful for you! I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Tuesday's Tablescape

Is your Thanksgiving table set?




Mr. Turkey, some Indian corn and an autumn candle serve as the centerpiece. 



Let the Thanksgiving preparations begin!