Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy 2012!!!

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2012!

Photo Credit
Photo Credit


And since it is the Chick-fil-A bowl is just about to start . . . . Go Hoos!!


Credit




Until Next Year . . .

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thank You Notes

Merry Christmas Everyone!  I hope that Santa was good to you all, and you and your families had a wonderful Christmas weekend.


Since I was a little girl my my mother has impressed the importance of writing thank you notes to people. It is always nice to acknowledge the time and thought that another person put into selecting a gift or hosting a dinner party with a nice note.  And with my love of all things paper and pen as I have grown older, thank you notes are no longer a chore to write.  I tend to pick them up whenever I see some that I like so now I have a whole drawer full just waiting to be used.


Target


Target


Crane & Co.


Crane & Co.


Crane & Co.


Minted


Caspari
sugar paper


Until tomorrow. . .

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Holiday Decorating Part 2: Department 56 Houses

Growing up for most of my life in Southern California, land of the freeway, I was not often exposed to the "small-town, Main Street" feel.  But I am always drawn to the scenes of lit shops and restaurants lining a street with people walking around taking it all in.  With Christmas being my favorite time of year, I especially love this with snow on the ground, decorations in the window and a tree in the square.


Many years ago, my mother and I found a way to make this part of our holiday decorating with lit holiday houses from Department 56.  We chose the Dickens Village for our collection and it was always my job to "put up the houses."  I loved creating not only the scene but the story that went along with all our our buildings. 


The company now has many village themes and houses to choose from to make your own holiday memories.




Christmas in the City


Potters Tea Seller


Cathedral Church of St. Mark


Engine Company 10


Grand Central Railway Station


Haberdashery


Dickens Christmas Carol


Sir John Falstaff Inn


Ashbury Inn


London Gin Distillery


Nephew Fred's Flat


Scrooge & Marley Counting House


The Original Snow Village


SVPD Precinct 76


Chick-fil-A


Christmas Cove Lighthouse


Jingle Belle Houseboat


Our Lady of Grace Church


Santa's Wonderland House


And my new favorite, Williamsburg.  This is the village I hope to start for my own decorations.


Tarpley's Store


Barton Parish Church


Kings Arms Tavern


R. Charleton's Coffeehouse


Taliaferro-Cole House


Until Tomorrow. . . .

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Holiday Decorating Part 1: Nutcrackers

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, and part of the holidays at my house is our mantel full of Nutcrackers.  My parents have been collecting them for years and as their number has grown so has their presence in our living room.  I love how my mom groups them in clusters -- rather than in a straight even line as I tend to set them up.


And it isn't just full size nutcrackers, they are a great motif in many parts of the house.


Part of Our Collection


Caspari Cocktail Napkins


Gingerbread Nutcracker Scene
 
Placecards


Crate & Barrel Ornaments


Nutcracker Soap


And my favorite Nutcracker ornament. . . .


Wahoowa!


Until tomorrow. . . .



December Photo Project 12.21.11: Home!

I'm home!!  Every time I get back to California it just feels right.  And who can beat this view for lunch?


Huntington Beach Pier
  
Until later. . . .



Sunday, December 18, 2011

December Photo Project 12.18.11: Christmas Cards

Every year, when the holidays come around I have a the most difficult time making a decision about which Christmas cards to send.  This year, I wasn't as pro-active as I should have been, so I ended up getting them at Target.  There were a lot of great options, but I do wish I had planned a little bit better and ordered them from somewhere online.   I just love stationary and cards at any time of the year and it amazed me when I started to look around just how many cute and unique cards are available.  With this in my head, hopefully I will take the time after Christmas to buy next years cards. . . . and maybe even find a great deal.


My 2011 Cards




Photo


Nantucket Christmas


Felix Doolittle Cards


My kind of Christmas!!!


Minted


Minted


Minted


Caspari


Caspari
Pumpernickel Press
 
Until tomorrow.  .  .  .