Joke's On Me!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This year, I wanted to keep our Christmas mantel simple.  Ha Ha ... *who* am I kidding?!</span><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Meet our new buddy, "Buck."  He's the reason my thoughts of simplicity went right out the Christmas window!  He's a Virgo ... likes long walks through the snow covered forest ... annnd, if you stare at him long enough, you'll swear that he has winked at you!  The moment I spotted him at "New River Pottery" (an a-MAZING Christmas shop in Wilmington, NC), I knew I just had to have him as our holiday mantel guest of honor.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRZZCz0nIFAJaBa1OxgsuF79OhHDhRqtBQQOJ-hu4UfTm7R6_pe02a7ORbr0B-rSBt97HDAvKRjl9MJpnbopvu_ArrjRxMCYEyfKSwUJfmaxqZtgMTgHFnSO_JWusKNNQbXjvic_cg/s1600/xmasmanteldeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRZZCz0nIFAJaBa1OxgsuF79OhHDhRqtBQQOJ-hu4UfTm7R6_pe02a7ORbr0B-rSBt97HDAvKRjl9MJpnbopvu_ArrjRxMCYEyfKSwUJfmaxqZtgMTgHFnSO_JWusKNNQbXjvic_cg/s640/xmasmanteldeer.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, to properly welcome him to the family, I saw it only fitting to splash a few lights and ornaments to the wreath that came with him.  </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">From there ... it only got worse!  Ornaments began to hang themselves from the top of the mantel:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BPRFlWavYNfR4fMQ5vWAV5W6IjtIeYWJTN4vq_lcCgrY2j70fvFJ2YY3L5K_aUr9Hma6mCwHPiat0k8tZl_c7C0HcjIHxLuF4cTGAbUt9W3bo8_XHfTCQUH3iokGcelyK4aYukJUKg/s1600/xmasmantelorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BPRFlWavYNfR4fMQ5vWAV5W6IjtIeYWJTN4vq_lcCgrY2j70fvFJ2YY3L5K_aUr9Hma6mCwHPiat0k8tZl_c7C0HcjIHxLuF4cTGAbUt9W3bo8_XHfTCQUH3iokGcelyK4aYukJUKg/s640/xmasmantelorn.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A big, lush garland arrived on the scene ... only for me to add lots of ornaments, glittery garland and snowflakes:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnCXuMjx-TNeVRu89_eoxRaW_wmgFa-XRZhzQ9NFZLGGyd-pnWRE0djwRsVIkfhckVk44bGlepdI_gD8CH39UEAFQn45TFv2aAGwfm4Q5Vkbzhb2B0jHo1tNcSLNJq9RtxYOktVwF8w/s1600/xmasmantelornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnCXuMjx-TNeVRu89_eoxRaW_wmgFa-XRZhzQ9NFZLGGyd-pnWRE0djwRsVIkfhckVk44bGlepdI_gD8CH39UEAFQn45TFv2aAGwfm4Q5Vkbzhb2B0jHo1tNcSLNJq9RtxYOktVwF8w/s640/xmasmantelornament.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Prelit topiary trees made their way to the mantel, too, but not before I placed them in cream urns I had on hand, along with *more* ornaments:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9_lWaTzWIkAza33is8sJyQaNJzhxU4GLFwU2Ujo1TNcOjSm_0SztPk3jQdl-aMZsD9gNxL-fyA9iQsWz_LzIE8J6uVlK6hLtvpHZa7q7n44knl23QkT2a9-mdcY1wGrya6cSqoyJPg/s1600/xmasmanteltree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9_lWaTzWIkAza33is8sJyQaNJzhxU4GLFwU2Ujo1TNcOjSm_0SztPk3jQdl-aMZsD9gNxL-fyA9iQsWz_LzIE8J6uVlK6hLtvpHZa7q7n44knl23QkT2a9-mdcY1wGrya6cSqoyJPg/s640/xmasmanteltree.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, hmmmm ... where did Santa 1 and Santa 2 come from?  I must've purchased them while in one of my *Christmas comas* at HomeGoods!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjZLY3C6zBKDCrHipBK2SK4PIBwILicprWjvm0AnRfQxJi1H2u8yVK_GGKa5JVHoKAxxMRR1FdLu9VDOVVU9uz14zZx8d0tC_j_R_wWX-IEjHghoM4yvYsXp0ZwpWc0dLntN5BK5FcA/s1600/xmasmantelsanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjZLY3C6zBKDCrHipBK2SK4PIBwILicprWjvm0AnRfQxJi1H2u8yVK_GGKa5JVHoKAxxMRR1FdLu9VDOVVU9uz14zZx8d0tC_j_R_wWX-IEjHghoM4yvYsXp0ZwpWc0dLntN5BK5FcA/s640/xmasmantelsanta.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, after all of that I had to "believe" that I was done!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxasZI74KDxal_12YRusKHeeKHwXTo5xNJ7eVqUw0D_m5H_6ZdL3l6_4Wp7ugmdKdypG-kqunnr3hoxnjruYEgbOTzy2XQIW0geSA7-tw2qgKgAN1GaFdZY1a1Ut7yxFiGeDzR-uU3A/s1600/xmasmantelbelieve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxasZI74KDxal_12YRusKHeeKHwXTo5xNJ7eVqUw0D_m5H_6ZdL3l6_4Wp7ugmdKdypG-kqunnr3hoxnjruYEgbOTzy2XQIW0geSA7-tw2qgKgAN1GaFdZY1a1Ut7yxFiGeDzR-uU3A/s640/xmasmantelbelieve.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Needless to say ... somehow this ALLL came together to create this:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ERzsLdUUj1h0v2Zqxz2ruyIPK39K1ASGrGjjlHtfY3Lz4IKYJYx3egQU6Zy72gok2m_sUjDKKU4nJcP6Us25wcQR6Dj05Tqo4qET9qKwycOjdHzRe3PU7ClghsmNcipUsH_j__vjmQ/s1600/xmasmanteloverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ERzsLdUUj1h0v2Zqxz2ruyIPK39K1ASGrGjjlHtfY3Lz4IKYJYx3egQU6Zy72gok2m_sUjDKKU4nJcP6Us25wcQR6Dj05Tqo4qET9qKwycOjdHzRe3PU7ClghsmNcipUsH_j__vjmQ/s640/xmasmanteloverall.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not exactly *simple,* but we'll take it ...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAqa5iSN3x8d8cGgL3LB5Mjick4_0UX3Pd-ER1a1VkojKdy6VubMfl_TeQPsKA-1QOW2d7pnr8d0SWshGQAvBgzG-jHSOxyL6TJpZNfuGNTce9-nNUUATr7MFoVGx-kcofZ7V438kuw/s1600/xmasmantelclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAqa5iSN3x8d8cGgL3LB5Mjick4_0UX3Pd-ER1a1VkojKdy6VubMfl_TeQPsKA-1QOW2d7pnr8d0SWshGQAvBgzG-jHSOxyL6TJpZNfuGNTce9-nNUUATr7MFoVGx-kcofZ7V438kuw/s640/xmasmantelclose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, while I know our sled would much rather be used to fly us down a snowy hill (that does NOT exist here in Myrtle Beach), I gave it no choice but to be dressed with winter greenery and faux skates and placed by the fireplace:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl4pJbVwFHEDuD_KmolThmvCG7kJR1QvKgVPJfSXrE624eZ43bRSyQtc-OyP7nGXHjrG76SL35-SgtoJO6tf1kAzpQUVltdMAuW24MtEQ1gIl3dMOCoUYbr4mAOlCRMkjVSS5KRQnbQ/s1600/xmasmantelsled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl4pJbVwFHEDuD_KmolThmvCG7kJR1QvKgVPJfSXrE624eZ43bRSyQtc-OyP7nGXHjrG76SL35-SgtoJO6tf1kAzpQUVltdMAuW24MtEQ1gIl3dMOCoUYbr4mAOlCRMkjVSS5KRQnbQ/s640/xmasmantelsled.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So much for a simple Christmas mantel, right?  I s'pose the only missing now is a warm fire ... next time!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvzKQ-yBc7ibYsqhHGLVVlbweUn9RHAwb0RJ6TxH1lwtkLbX13pmyuZa_bugSGqPFZ5dXY-6h_5ZbyRi6ZvFOv6jt-R7BnmWoy5R_G7n-sSLh-bc21YhV1du0JntR5pyspYbX36fJuQ/s1600/xmasmantelside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvzKQ-yBc7ibYsqhHGLVVlbweUn9RHAwb0RJ6TxH1lwtkLbX13pmyuZa_bugSGqPFZ5dXY-6h_5ZbyRi6ZvFOv6jt-R7BnmWoy5R_G7n-sSLh-bc21YhV1du0JntR5pyspYbX36fJuQ/s640/xmasmantelside.jpg" width="328" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2clcUZpwLjfaZ93FtaHIoMfUTAZUzELkhuVExFicZqiAYamhhUvPo_socorUxgNf7O7IpxMsnmuDmQ3aF8o0tvWMVYtiH8Jw9phomSx37pVaAVUbNsqUjWXIX8oiOaRQVXl0or2Ajw/s1600/xmasmantelnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2clcUZpwLjfaZ93FtaHIoMfUTAZUzELkhuVExFicZqiAYamhhUvPo_socorUxgNf7O7IpxMsnmuDmQ3aF8o0tvWMVYtiH8Jw9phomSx37pVaAVUbNsqUjWXIX8oiOaRQVXl0or2Ajw/s640/xmasmantelnight.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, please tell me ... do you always start out with one decorating plan and end up doing the exact opposite?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm joining up with:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Savvy Southern Style/V<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/12/a-homespun-christmasvignettes-and.html">ignettes and Mantel Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lettered Cottage/<a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/christmas-mantel-decorating-ideas-link-party/">Christmas Mantel Party</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">52 Mantels/<a href="http://www.52mantels.com/2012/12/christmas-mantel-link-party.html">Christmas Link Party</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Becca</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Joke's On Me!

This year, I wanted to keep our Christmas mantel simple.  Ha Ha ... *who* am I kidding?! Meet our new buddy, "Buck."  He's the reason my thoughts of simplicity went right out the Christmas window!  He's a Virgo ... likes long walks through the snow covered forest ... annnd, if you stare at him long …

Read more »

Cardinals and Christmas in my Kitchen

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTk3hlxR4rdHM2kdwHgyS95_RmPwrW-o3RHanQL1mDIVtRv6u7mcUC96pBqIGi3gwCaNIgYf6SZf4NU8ZDdWrdc-aD3UaeZ9-h1NToihuOxTeig4P3PqE6d73BYyirZ2tcjpbxGE8tDg/s1600/cardinal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTk3hlxR4rdHM2kdwHgyS95_RmPwrW-o3RHanQL1mDIVtRv6u7mcUC96pBqIGi3gwCaNIgYf6SZf4NU8ZDdWrdc-aD3UaeZ9-h1NToihuOxTeig4P3PqE6d73BYyirZ2tcjpbxGE8tDg/s640/cardinal.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have always loved Cardinals!  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I remember when we first moved from California to Michigan </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and I saw my first Cardinal outside the window in the snow.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I was in love.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I took this picture last winter from my kitchen window.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you telephoto lens you kept me warm inside </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">while I snapped away.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">This Cardinal hangs around in a tree right outside the kitchen </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">for most of the winter. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I watch him as I make coffee or do dishes.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">So I thought it was fitting that I filled my dish cabinet </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">in the kitchen with sweet little Cardinals </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">that I found last year at Target.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Besides, they fit my red and white decor and dishes perfectly.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3iuuQaYN92vOyH5XRLx2PU0m7ejDUhKqD0Ja0DcMH0c7stDJaFDnxRohIIytBr7OpzIdGgZ5IhiBBkW0l16ktws4VM2h72G2g3q29pNYx0xAGG6jvKVJnAfwpvQXs5SQEUX7SWBJsLI/s1600/IMG_6466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3iuuQaYN92vOyH5XRLx2PU0m7ejDUhKqD0Ja0DcMH0c7stDJaFDnxRohIIytBr7OpzIdGgZ5IhiBBkW0l16ktws4VM2h72G2g3q29pNYx0xAGG6jvKVJnAfwpvQXs5SQEUX7SWBJsLI/s640/IMG_6466.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't taken my red and white transferware </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">out of my dish cupboard since I found it </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">at an Estate Sale this summer.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I have found a few more pieces and I am always hunting.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve_aqUg69o57zae7LCE8FQLhecw_sF85NSzjhxsLyKFPYR3X1754ZjrfIFja69gKLhLUo2YegOLTc4CQfNGBlng6su_Drnu9UcSinYIPBsYT521hmADiSbc7A36CBvG6117JcFGbE3Ug/s1600/IMG_6464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjve_aqUg69o57zae7LCE8FQLhecw_sF85NSzjhxsLyKFPYR3X1754ZjrfIFja69gKLhLUo2YegOLTc4CQfNGBlng6su_Drnu9UcSinYIPBsYT521hmADiSbc7A36CBvG6117JcFGbE3Ug/s640/IMG_6464.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I like to mix the old and the new, so I placed some </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">William's Sonoma dishes that I have </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">in with the red and white.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">These are the 12 days of Christmas salad plates.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kdLPSjsHU26fu0YAwW8yZTnLPOHG80Hyog0NSiK82ytP4UJ6a6zOWt7uiqO3u0w6Svou75pPjXbGROvlzw7nRhX9u0snbKDpcvo3jnpBzxJmdGFuInUqzuuLF0mYoEZwYRDf3wD7GTY/s1600/IMG_6454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kdLPSjsHU26fu0YAwW8yZTnLPOHG80Hyog0NSiK82ytP4UJ6a6zOWt7uiqO3u0w6Svou75pPjXbGROvlzw7nRhX9u0snbKDpcvo3jnpBzxJmdGFuInUqzuuLF0mYoEZwYRDf3wD7GTY/s640/IMG_6454.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">More "new" with the old.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I'm always afraid of things looking too much like </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Grandma's house so I mix it up </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">until I find the right balance.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Crate and Barrel mixing bowls </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and an old Johnson Brother's platter pair well.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcG1L3tWd6DilAO-nnayGIgDzHk0SGRxk-pqxhcoWsNOkoB0k4-eRBiY6ctylWlB_scine_cDyIQprdYsdHMS5CzSgTg1uXxxdGJER8a1zDGBImoAwaYOZmWh8CfOIadqR9122thJPAk/s1600/IMG_6453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcG1L3tWd6DilAO-nnayGIgDzHk0SGRxk-pqxhcoWsNOkoB0k4-eRBiY6ctylWlB_scine_cDyIQprdYsdHMS5CzSgTg1uXxxdGJER8a1zDGBImoAwaYOZmWh8CfOIadqR9122thJPAk/s640/IMG_6453.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Just a little greenery and some fluffy snow </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and you get the Christmas feeling.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFuf8ctS7CZSGCUBiddCfUlsf9kTiONJk16scqxX7TYB9GoCscxMXeoXHX1S75UXxdirEd0xTF2edfCIfLjPp1zutjvf77pIj6yvQkGbMI2-FOkEHWN6uA1K-GK4odmbl9GYsMwvvY0E/s1600/IMG_6455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFuf8ctS7CZSGCUBiddCfUlsf9kTiONJk16scqxX7TYB9GoCscxMXeoXHX1S75UXxdirEd0xTF2edfCIfLjPp1zutjvf77pIj6yvQkGbMI2-FOkEHWN6uA1K-GK4odmbl9GYsMwvvY0E/s640/IMG_6455.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Bs52HjsAOx7pG9dHg9dbLJKOjbvtQglpowlt-eLvnrJCwbIALhr_LtmXLJEUV4qDuNbScmGy2JBMihsuM9-9B_bVFsvwqoB4wj6GT34rOEGROhNfmOaNhs-V49zrMd1_AqLgLLNTHPU/s1600/IMG_6459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Bs52HjsAOx7pG9dHg9dbLJKOjbvtQglpowlt-eLvnrJCwbIALhr_LtmXLJEUV4qDuNbScmGy2JBMihsuM9-9B_bVFsvwqoB4wj6GT34rOEGROhNfmOaNhs-V49zrMd1_AqLgLLNTHPU/s640/IMG_6459.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Little mini stockings from the dollar bin at Target </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">mixed with a runner from an Estate Sale.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAdWj1x7eazfLE4-E4-I6aEaDmcFemMcB0UyvOSQj2D-v803FyTlS_vslanCDBLRgxxhKZFo1NrbxYS1pkQKwe9vlugF-LeLjAWnYmC_eZ_kFHrAg_CHB7AerIQDVorXiYJnjjCk99XY/s1600/IMG_6448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAdWj1x7eazfLE4-E4-I6aEaDmcFemMcB0UyvOSQj2D-v803FyTlS_vslanCDBLRgxxhKZFo1NrbxYS1pkQKwe9vlugF-LeLjAWnYmC_eZ_kFHrAg_CHB7AerIQDVorXiYJnjjCk99XY/s640/IMG_6448.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFuBHoBJxzPreJcvav2oDE2dcEosMJxBAnGxWVQoR3LIJk7ZE4OMhViATzWysJX4t4-9rB5uGT-vrF0nLPyr9R0qNCwWQR1y3riyMQngI9O6SzYZHUjuHcSKRbZ7RrEi4DN-K4pjE1Yo/s1600/IMG_6449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFuBHoBJxzPreJcvav2oDE2dcEosMJxBAnGxWVQoR3LIJk7ZE4OMhViATzWysJX4t4-9rB5uGT-vrF0nLPyr9R0qNCwWQR1y3riyMQngI9O6SzYZHUjuHcSKRbZ7RrEi4DN-K4pjE1Yo/s640/IMG_6449.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Vintage stockings hang below.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">My toile linens are wrapped up like a gift </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">with a green grosgrain bow.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMkhb3kuuv4gy1HU4zQ-XX_moIXDfwXOubvYOgecWRjudX-W4xHZn4CjfFT9xdSio7_LjYJVyIn2HLA6Sw5AUPzW-X-Z59v8OBxCBxLJzY9hOXzjZdJSnxIBgNWHPmcY2Zfl7C6ZZKWo/s1600/IMG_6440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMkhb3kuuv4gy1HU4zQ-XX_moIXDfwXOubvYOgecWRjudX-W4xHZn4CjfFT9xdSio7_LjYJVyIn2HLA6Sw5AUPzW-X-Z59v8OBxCBxLJzY9hOXzjZdJSnxIBgNWHPmcY2Zfl7C6ZZKWo/s640/IMG_6440.jpg" width="420" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I think it's going to be Christmas for a long time </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">in this dish cupboard!  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I love this arrangement.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2tacynQiT3__EKkyFLDpS9QQbmZeaXBDDc0Szs589lN-rz-rvrY8k0bJW54ssmIrmblRo6iYaLUCD_WrgZnbomjneioMOdI3Tr_FzuhwE4E6_MLZA1kxCuh8HiPEdE2lWwVeSjA7dZk/s1600/IMG_6446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2tacynQiT3__EKkyFLDpS9QQbmZeaXBDDc0Szs589lN-rz-rvrY8k0bJW54ssmIrmblRo6iYaLUCD_WrgZnbomjneioMOdI3Tr_FzuhwE4E6_MLZA1kxCuh8HiPEdE2lWwVeSjA7dZk/s640/IMG_6446.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Of course you know that I decorated the top of the cabinet.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">More transferware in the lantern and an ironstone platter that I embellished by sticking letters onto it.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Don't worry they will wash off.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlXfM2J8KjQyQbn0mNP8JqmTRzmaYLgCMeCTIvF7sYHUljP_vcqdWti3UjkbU0dpjUUsy3XgjcyQKDaGefRcwhCA3etYGcsl7715T7WGxv4EV1G0JkVIcfNTIBvRUs3fuwlwWdXPtc7U/s1600/IMG_6439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlXfM2J8KjQyQbn0mNP8JqmTRzmaYLgCMeCTIvF7sYHUljP_vcqdWti3UjkbU0dpjUUsy3XgjcyQKDaGefRcwhCA3etYGcsl7715T7WGxv4EV1G0JkVIcfNTIBvRUs3fuwlwWdXPtc7U/s640/IMG_6439.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">My new olive bucket is filled with real and fake greens.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I tucked in a toile pillow for color.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I hung up my new transferware pieces </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">above replacing the green plates<span style="font-size: large;"> that <span style="font-size: large;">hung there.</span></span> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyR4nF-CZbWb0Dqb2LkGDsPVVAb5Gf87hk1u6kx7uUekQxq_BTyLw-vpdfCwXlLRczSgLEf_YoAAsOi6o8cn2lPMwVflasl0V_o-i7axpsBXdtrCuHyESqUWFYXng5AnNKPKuiR1blTw/s1600/IMG_6438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyR4nF-CZbWb0Dqb2LkGDsPVVAb5Gf87hk1u6kx7uUekQxq_BTyLw-vpdfCwXlLRczSgLEf_YoAAsOi6o8cn2lPMwVflasl0V_o-i7axpsBXdtrCuHyESqUWFYXng5AnNKPKuiR1blTw/s640/IMG_6438.jpg" width="312" /></a><br />Yep, that's a lid up there too!  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Well, sometimes you have to improvise right?  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">It's so pretty I can't let it sit in storage.  </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLoIQeMe3BVkpYnTJLYbHVoN9NrigxUSVXQiLZ9MBCjpaAv2dIwn2nRlpv0qRBNe42v5Khx3zUvThOFfv3ikx84DnFB-PN3SeaBecSPuwbvmVMNm04Mbla4SGkB3apI9KMF9z9iC1Aus/s1600/IMG_6445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLoIQeMe3BVkpYnTJLYbHVoN9NrigxUSVXQiLZ9MBCjpaAv2dIwn2nRlpv0qRBNe42v5Khx3zUvThOFfv3ikx84DnFB-PN3SeaBecSPuwbvmVMNm04Mbla4SGkB3apI9KMF9z9iC1Aus/s640/IMG_6445.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your decorating is going well.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I loved having the music on and trimming the tree with Miss Beaux yesterday (OK, I had to bribe her with a Starbucks).  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We had fun looking at all of the old ornaments </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and laughing together.  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">That's what the season is all about right?  </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Mixing the old and the new... </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">and a few Cardinals too!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Until Next Time,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Beaux R'eves,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">XO Cindy</span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i>linking up to:</i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i>Kim at<a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank"> Savvy Southern Style </a></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMMxpHJxx-Vbk0NIid3Agq9q-weExvWYJI0Nn63wXPPJf_OYlfmgh8o9_GkEqZe0tYfvUVlmC2flBp-NOWDtM4af5VvBCL8za-tQjVNAEs3eQ0WBuOulEotJ57NlGhHIIvfcJkIky-Ms/s400/Homespun+Christmas1+%281%29.png" style="height: 302px; width: 300px;" width="397" /> </i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Susan at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"> </a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Marty at <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">A Stroll Thru Life</a> for Tabletop Tuesday</span></span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Courtney at <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Heather and Vanessa at <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> for Inspiration Friday <br />Debra at <a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a> for Vintage Inspiration Friday</span><br />Sherry at<a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"> The Charm of Home</a> for Home Sweet Home Friday </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span></i></span><i><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Jen at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/">Tatertots and Jello</a> for the Weekend Wrap-up Party </b></i> <br /></i><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>                                     <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Donna at <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Funky Junk Interiors</a> for Saturday Nite Special</span></span></span></i></span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div></div>

Cardinals and Christmas in my Kitchen

I have always loved Cardinals!  I remember when we first moved from California to Michigan and I saw my first Cardinal outside the window in the snow.  I was in love.  I took this picture last winter from my kitchen window.  Thank you telephoto lens you kept me warm inside while I snapped away.  Thi…

Read more »

Christmas Decorating~Let's Start With The Mantel

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where do you start when Christmas Decorating begins?  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I usually start by getting all of my decorations out </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and laying the boxes all over the basement floor.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lots and lots of boxes!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I always have things that I have bought the previous year after Christmas, </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">so I take a look at those items first.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I plan my color scheme.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has been everything from red and green to all white to every color in-between.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But the actual decorating always starts with the Mantel </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">in the Living room </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and everything else is a take-off from that. </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wanna take a peak at what I did this year?  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ptzUoRUSloMd8d22bDqCeVeqS1FAjl4p-Plm5Z8Kc22qPzWlV7FLaQWen0O93Kz2UCXDVXFwdE5GgzmD3OnkXgUFgR5LnV50cMLOXxyGg3eK0Nz3wVl69mRfXybBVbtcaD2NsyB5X8/s1600/IMG_6390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ptzUoRUSloMd8d22bDqCeVeqS1FAjl4p-Plm5Z8Kc22qPzWlV7FLaQWen0O93Kz2UCXDVXFwdE5GgzmD3OnkXgUFgR5LnV50cMLOXxyGg3eK0Nz3wVl69mRfXybBVbtcaD2NsyB5X8/s640/IMG_6390.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Inspiration (because you always need Inspiration right? </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I would never get off of the sofa without Inspiration!) </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">this year is this set of Angel Wings from Decor Steals.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's funny because I had been looking online for Angel Wings or a tutorial on how to make them and then Presto my magic shopping fairy (c'mon you have one too!) </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">put them on Decor Steals for me.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thank You Magic Shopping Fairy!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I Love You!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux, not so much...</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-jwp0QiRWzcx8yNdopaS9tx5WO6Ty17KCTEhdUG22KQlkJOeC31XHUAhSE4vaqGx73bYmEcL-whXEAGj6rtULwLK3fOk9yY-oIVIshmtkET3SXgYtSADVaO12o73I9c07ILqQvs1cdo/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-jwp0QiRWzcx8yNdopaS9tx5WO6Ty17KCTEhdUG22KQlkJOeC31XHUAhSE4vaqGx73bYmEcL-whXEAGj6rtULwLK3fOk9yY-oIVIshmtkET3SXgYtSADVaO12o73I9c07ILqQvs1cdo/s640/IMG_6403.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I did some tweaking to the Angel Wings </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but I am going to wait and show you that later in the post.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am much too excited to show you the finished product!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s1600/IMG_6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s640/IMG_6408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think it's my favorite Mantel EVER!!!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm calling it Ethereal Winter.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No that's too ostentatious.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How about Winter White Fantasy?  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">OK, I'll work on the name.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZhm42msLBREoNG-TYChhKp3Hl3gOrw2mCF-J3DOqwDKAuioARmqhbnPA7eFanebrrqJIPMJfCO1F1qlpr512IfDsQ5M6UKHxZfLX0uR-D8Z2753L3g-SShCmyLcrlZ2BQzVFhYSIfc/s1600/IMG_6392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZhm42msLBREoNG-TYChhKp3Hl3gOrw2mCF-J3DOqwDKAuioARmqhbnPA7eFanebrrqJIPMJfCO1F1qlpr512IfDsQ5M6UKHxZfLX0uR-D8Z2753L3g-SShCmyLcrlZ2BQzVFhYSIfc/s640/IMG_6392.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Snowy white light up Christmas Trees take center stage.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqypHneR0tBeugOAy2-Te9jtryrjnSOrt58VHDJHccm7OUe_iteX0U_bTHXylcEINn5E0e2FIPhcVn7MTeS5_dKGT3VhdKaz5CLaxV2k3XzqwIXEkt84mhDCZjBwTeBFju64opu01F21E/s1600/IMG_6393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqypHneR0tBeugOAy2-Te9jtryrjnSOrt58VHDJHccm7OUe_iteX0U_bTHXylcEINn5E0e2FIPhcVn7MTeS5_dKGT3VhdKaz5CLaxV2k3XzqwIXEkt84mhDCZjBwTeBFju64opu01F21E/s640/IMG_6393.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And white glittery Reindeer flank the sides of the mantel.   </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Feathery birds hang precariously </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">from the abundant real greenery.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The greens make the house smell so good!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ip5o5DkAJQ8xsgX9ej1jfV4i6ahU9dome5gkKyDkYh5u8V5xpE36qXfd0WWv0_poc0epTEbRQOot2ED0N9I1grOjFq-q9JEpYbh2TDHZR14pPGb-kur7OR-A7i5E-pX-_NNDJlr3_s/s1600/IMG_6387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ip5o5DkAJQ8xsgX9ej1jfV4i6ahU9dome5gkKyDkYh5u8V5xpE36qXfd0WWv0_poc0epTEbRQOot2ED0N9I1grOjFq-q9JEpYbh2TDHZR14pPGb-kur7OR-A7i5E-pX-_NNDJlr3_s/s640/IMG_6387.jpg" width="620" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Peace On Earth is written on the Mirror.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I like that it's so faint and quiet.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinotuo5iTSo1-bpCPwGmxoVEpQZLGLtoktpYALFNXIw8P2L43mjuETzJTbBDAjU9fj02MqzeImipMhk5JafiWZw3xhj9lE70A-1AaPmvEUopEMDpv5wuM0TG78HMgb2sIPzUbuIkN8NTw/s1600/IMG_6398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinotuo5iTSo1-bpCPwGmxoVEpQZLGLtoktpYALFNXIw8P2L43mjuETzJTbBDAjU9fj02MqzeImipMhk5JafiWZw3xhj9lE70A-1AaPmvEUopEMDpv5wuM0TG78HMgb2sIPzUbuIkN8NTw/s640/IMG_6398.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Little touches of bling<span style="font-size: large;"> add spark<span style="font-size: large;">le,</span></span> like these vintage chandelier drops </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">that I wired to the branches.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKSe10_pey30NU6T3i5XjR0gBih0tMP5KKQwBYPe7QTOtkEVBVMAGX__LaI5KSs7z_UQGd4LnW47PvkeBNjoHPVAiRjp1HjIZXBP7nHCBMITm2QsLSZNoCy6mf9_V_cqoNuwOgyrv8m0/s1600/IMG_6399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKSe10_pey30NU6T3i5XjR0gBih0tMP5KKQwBYPe7QTOtkEVBVMAGX__LaI5KSs7z_UQGd4LnW47PvkeBNjoHPVAiRjp1HjIZXBP7nHCBMITm2QsLSZNoCy6mf9_V_cqoNuwOgyrv8m0/s640/IMG_6399.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And these snowflakes from Nell Hill's store.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IRzmC0lQ4PSaPrSmPPRLpUVhpbHIpCfPCqz_vCtGbAs45Vm3QeHwwpBFgzAdurPXP-k8p3tkwJUF1L5vfU72f8swyW99crgPuzucd9RJnPPb3RvqnO7fnDCV87VQY8ZquFhM9cIUACo/s1600/IMG_6360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IRzmC0lQ4PSaPrSmPPRLpUVhpbHIpCfPCqz_vCtGbAs45Vm3QeHwwpBFgzAdurPXP-k8p3tkwJUF1L5vfU72f8swyW99crgPuzucd9RJnPPb3RvqnO7fnDCV87VQY8ZquFhM9cIUACo/s640/IMG_6360.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is how I started.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux took a 1 X 12 and routered out the notch so it would just slide into place.  My mantel is not that deep so I wanted to extend it a few inches.  Also, I can staple gun the greens right onto this board and not have to worry about it.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUid6C7SmNLkbIuAe5FBatVPrQIHHzR0P7LIXYOvtQzXnZS2W6YMQR9Gf5IW-4PlfPWJnJK5LcsfW6Scz2bev6fc7Uc7JemI7eLUNEt8j_Zzz-UyCeCXxtK93Ob9Mlka45kcxZXNMc2xc/s1600/IMG_6363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUid6C7SmNLkbIuAe5FBatVPrQIHHzR0P7LIXYOvtQzXnZS2W6YMQR9Gf5IW-4PlfPWJnJK5LcsfW6Scz2bev6fc7Uc7JemI7eLUNEt8j_Zzz-UyCeCXxtK93Ob9Mlka45kcxZXNMc2xc/s640/IMG_6363.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See how the sides go back around the mantel.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It makes it look very finished and not like you just stuck a board up there.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux is so handy!</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wofv6yBvH86JbdLZBYkr3f0m0pgtHhHpPRmf0vCq7dWXPsQ-OHTRU0-FoBCxR8d0V6VoMM_GZ2KbnkQmHNdxtnOsh3V11lezPNivxF4fNlN9NIjEzB241GuvMD-BMR1DBLAFPqyHLMM/s1600/IMG_6370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wofv6yBvH86JbdLZBYkr3f0m0pgtHhHpPRmf0vCq7dWXPsQ-OHTRU0-FoBCxR8d0V6VoMM_GZ2KbnkQmHNdxtnOsh3V11lezPNivxF4fNlN9NIjEzB241GuvMD-BMR1DBLAFPqyHLMM/s640/IMG_6370.jpg" width="564" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I primed it and painted it white.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You don't have to nail it or anything, just set it on top and you are good to go.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCZon5zRlLnutcI0m1Lz6n5J81C2y0STo2ppcaAzeF2YbAtFMBHRWBOlBapciXK3Oj7MSBxHVWlARui4IzojVltzWeUC6Eyzd781SAlVwTCwHKAWVeAIBwcWPou_U6fLDdBzd4QHJe4/s1600/IMG_6371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCZon5zRlLnutcI0m1Lz6n5J81C2y0STo2ppcaAzeF2YbAtFMBHRWBOlBapciXK3Oj7MSBxHVWlARui4IzojVltzWeUC6Eyzd781SAlVwTCwHKAWVeAIBwcWPou_U6fLDdBzd4QHJe4/s640/IMG_6371.jpg" width="588" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See!  It looks like it has been here all along!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux made the edges fancy too.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have no idea how he did that but if you really want to know I can probably get him to do a whole post about it.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But there will be NO pretty pictures... just sayin.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KMzVGTXw0zkMGZqY9fntbtGPlieg9SLc5Ewb6y6WHvVKjfKb_6hWr2pf51-3eSs9ztVfGdvvMhK3TTwylGUxpG2O3YXv6qhYW05hS3ibFnTdN5UqZiP5uqobqdMmTZE9kpJ6VTMQJaQ/s1600/IMG_6376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KMzVGTXw0zkMGZqY9fntbtGPlieg9SLc5Ewb6y6WHvVKjfKb_6hWr2pf51-3eSs9ztVfGdvvMhK3TTwylGUxpG2O3YXv6qhYW05hS3ibFnTdN5UqZiP5uqobqdMmTZE9kpJ6VTMQJaQ/s640/IMG_6376.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I bought a bundle of green roping or garland from Costco and a few swags from Home Depot.  I cut the garland after draping it over the mantel and I stapled it down.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7pqbz1mrLf-kynuZuAMyhYtXDYQRj8OmXzMfQm3RabC3JooMTnMeBa_389_IGg4H9gF7gk6WgQHRLS28wGRAgyJLjYvBsl0N2wI3dGGxQbQIDxsB4lzHUMPTaBPb-TPhJWtGMSnvHdA/s1600/IMG_6373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7pqbz1mrLf-kynuZuAMyhYtXDYQRj8OmXzMfQm3RabC3JooMTnMeBa_389_IGg4H9gF7gk6WgQHRLS28wGRAgyJLjYvBsl0N2wI3dGGxQbQIDxsB4lzHUMPTaBPb-TPhJWtGMSnvHdA/s640/IMG_6373.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I like it really full so I took the swags that I cut apart and just poked the boughs under the garland so it hangs over the front of the mantel.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvhXZ9J8SYX6TF4FS6Z8j6_5TZOdnTuC9209fnMVkp3eI4v09_Z9ESdLXjrItF84JuVAGJ3tdMDjFP1LT5TUxV3kOnx01k_O-Oa1Y9IVlw4mdtwE0FmPtR5VBCxHYDigQ4QzKRklVT90/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvhXZ9J8SYX6TF4FS6Z8j6_5TZOdnTuC9209fnMVkp3eI4v09_Z9ESdLXjrItF84JuVAGJ3tdMDjFP1LT5TUxV3kOnx01k_O-Oa1Y9IVlw4mdtwE0FmPtR5VBCxHYDigQ4QzKRklVT90/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can add as much or as little as you like.  To keep it fresh just spray it with water a few times a day.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-7uq5Sn8-oFDqbd_YVBbPMrTPF7R9yjkXS5t-CMqW0pOqxaW2MTtg6pqQME2cZfCrrcG3se1jimsvVVNsGJV1CmKNK6ne1WaKDou7X5y2eMlBTPS_QaMXSS8yaMwCG9bYzBf3a9Hss/s1600/IMG_6367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-7uq5Sn8-oFDqbd_YVBbPMrTPF7R9yjkXS5t-CMqW0pOqxaW2MTtg6pqQME2cZfCrrcG3se1jimsvVVNsGJV1CmKNK6ne1WaKDou7X5y2eMlBTPS_QaMXSS8yaMwCG9bYzBf3a9Hss/s640/IMG_6367.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I dry brushed the wings with ASCP Old White because I thought they had too much wood and dark showing through.  Then I used Martha Stewart's glitter and glue to enhance the tips of the wings.  I know it's hard to tell in the photos but the one on the left is all glittered up.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJ2Vlen9bp87dM44dE84hflLELXhuB7Vg1XM8xxIZqodNjMlx8PTGETXmBWzhhEK40OJEUOA2KzZSKv6wZifCSTKq7M319DFz9pTByFjJdUIOUQF1oiuRRzqzyS-2tN8qBW-KC0aCtw/s1600/IMG_6369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJ2Vlen9bp87dM44dE84hflLELXhuB7Vg1XM8xxIZqodNjMlx8PTGETXmBWzhhEK40OJEUOA2KzZSKv6wZifCSTKq7M319DFz9pTByFjJdUIOUQF1oiuRRzqzyS-2tN8qBW-KC0aCtw/s640/IMG_6369.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used the white glitter on the tips and edged it with the gold.  And now there is glitter from the kitchen to the Living Room.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am such a messy crafter!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRvKpPj667JJ6ka5OgsGwN92Ii2Hg-qdhyphenhyphenz2OYDnRYESDovyskXat8Zkij3aYxvG4dXujI4CCBrv9ZVmxreNJQ94cAgVgI28oNtI1fNBwV6x5pfKPDQClThhO6Jv4vfmP-WCr1htGss/s1600/IMG_6394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRvKpPj667JJ6ka5OgsGwN92Ii2Hg-qdhyphenhyphenz2OYDnRYESDovyskXat8Zkij3aYxvG4dXujI4CCBrv9ZVmxreNJQ94cAgVgI28oNtI1fNBwV6x5pfKPDQClThhO6Jv4vfmP-WCr1htGss/s640/IMG_6394.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a better picture of the glitterness.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZj0uzYBZwqTtCPpdDrqiRuhh680JvwB5KWUc3HVtghxXi4Sp53o8wPdXJGxUXzst9Vx70RRDoZ-hP5hDNuzrMb7gBLuKHz5zrgw22EmD6ja0m3-0Z9DBVLGhE56XRPb_tkS0LuhO6PM/s1600/IMG_6381a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZj0uzYBZwqTtCPpdDrqiRuhh680JvwB5KWUc3HVtghxXi4Sp53o8wPdXJGxUXzst9Vx70RRDoZ-hP5hDNuzrMb7gBLuKHz5zrgw22EmD6ja0m3-0Z9DBVLGhE56XRPb_tkS0LuhO6PM/s640/IMG_6381a.jpg" width="598" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also dry brushed the mirror with Old White to lighten it up a bit.  Then I took a glitter glue pen that writes on glass<span style="font-size: large;"> a<span style="font-size: large;">nd a stenc<span style="font-size: large;">il to write the words.</span></span></span> The <span style="font-size: large;">glass <span style="font-size: large;">paint is</span></span> also from Martha.  Boy, that Martha has everything!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaicLt7fcQrbb-Qw7CMEv41V3yjUhWpkoWpkSajcoCf0R8nnnGTd7HqTBbUX8KEdjSBNkVbEGezC4Wjj_gDvN2-8ckxSc4f0xfZ2TqfyBmIgMxl5CKfbzzJGXssMeokQ85ksPIhtB49-M/s1600/IMG_6396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaicLt7fcQrbb-Qw7CMEv41V3yjUhWpkoWpkSajcoCf0R8nnnGTd7HqTBbUX8KEdjSBNkVbEGezC4Wjj_gDvN2-8ckxSc4f0xfZ2TqfyBmIgMxl5CKfbzzJGXssMeokQ85ksPIhtB49-M/s640/IMG_6396.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I added my chair that I refinished this summer in front of the fireplace.  The colors really work with my mantel.  And don't you always need extra seating this time of year?</span></span></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s1600/IMG_6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s640/IMG_6408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And there it is!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Peace On Earth Mantel!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now to get busy on the rest of the house.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until Next Time,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Beaux R'eves,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">XO Cindy</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sharing at:</span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Susan at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"> </a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Marty at <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">A Stroll Thru Life</a> for Tabletop Tuesday</span></span></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">  Kim at <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank">SavvySouthern Style</a> for Wow Us Wednesdays   </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"> Judy at <a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/">DIY by Design</a></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Roeshel  at <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stone Gable  <i><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/" target="_blank">Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits </a></i></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here Open House Party</a>  </b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gina at <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a> for Transformation Thursdays<br />  <a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From My Front Porch To Yours</a> for Treasure Hunt Thursday</span></span></span></span></b></i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Courtney at <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Heather and Vanessa at <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> for Inspiration Friday <br />Debra at <a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a> for Vintage Inspiration Friday</span><br />Sherry at<a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"> The Charm of Home</a> for Home Sweet Home Friday </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Jen at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/">Tatertots and Jello</a> for the Weekend Wrap-up Party </b></i> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>                                     <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Donna at <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Funky Junk Interiors</a> for Saturday Nite Special</span></span></span></i><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div></div></div>

Christmas Decorating~Let's Start With The Mantel

Where do you start when Christmas Decorating begins?  I usually start by getting all of my decorations out and laying the boxes all over the basement floor.  Lots and lots of boxes!  I always have things that I have bought the previous year after Christmas, so I take a look at those items first.  Th…

Read more »

Movie Time!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raise your hand if you're still full from yesterday!  I hope all of you enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to share one of my favorite trees that I just finished decorating for a client.  </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's in a room (the "study") where a sweet family likes to unwind, play video games and watch movies.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They'd never put a Christmas tree in this room ... that is, until crazy me arrived on the scene three years ago and suggested a movie-themed tree to add a bit of whimsy to this space:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FetBE4Nc-6alTkilu2L7D-YM5vPelEbmeHzHUFFsTqd34XFsRKZcpwBWm1Lt15fhgzKSQZYkVShWtbZ3Ia1G8kDKZbv9dKJlU6DFSMWHrklVmucA9wsUMWl9AXE3mASCdnliUbxqqw/s1600/kaylamovieclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FetBE4Nc-6alTkilu2L7D-YM5vPelEbmeHzHUFFsTqd34XFsRKZcpwBWm1Lt15fhgzKSQZYkVShWtbZ3Ia1G8kDKZbv9dKJlU6DFSMWHrklVmucA9wsUMWl9AXE3mASCdnliUbxqqw/s640/kaylamovieclose.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tuck their son's favorite movies in here and there (and, this year, I added this fun movie scene prop) ...</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14OQqres0CNU2LhYLTLQO6lM9zBIDsgC0eepWN17xzcA7PvvrrnXWqWLM0ZVS47KLgyq-TRU0iUftqfSIeotMrvhUaY2taPWpIZ0EKba9xrEwbhjnzmhHt3sKNYaSEo09Lqth3H9zrA/s1600/kaylamovieact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14OQqres0CNU2LhYLTLQO6lM9zBIDsgC0eepWN17xzcA7PvvrrnXWqWLM0ZVS47KLgyq-TRU0iUftqfSIeotMrvhUaY2taPWpIZ0EKba9xrEwbhjnzmhHt3sKNYaSEo09Lqth3H9zrA/s640/kaylamovieact.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The movie reel I also added this year is a great companion to the movie reel tape spilling out of the tree.  Who wants a handful of Mike and Ikes?</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><div align="justify"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpXO_C-QuWSsJotthoxvkOO_AWXo3FCCT9ioi9Mq9aykQlzBuOqPUuWMW6HuKn8R9T0to-prQcUKOnaHcfxFT3DGhdMgKFUAcNMGOjsTZ5XoE2ibbaJO4YPNTyZGUxmiUDGJlR8XRw/s1600/movietree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNpXO_C-QuWSsJotthoxvkOO_AWXo3FCCT9ioi9Mq9aykQlzBuOqPUuWMW6HuKn8R9T0to-prQcUKOnaHcfxFT3DGhdMgKFUAcNMGOjsTZ5XoE2ibbaJO4YPNTyZGUxmiUDGJlR8XRw/s640/movietree1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just *had* to add this popcorn "bucket" this year, as well ...</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkdbztUZlMv_0ib8xJJv6wJXbjbM_9sValt1fWmkjrxeRrBywj0MCo9PVTzovyZH3Szj-zyVWEqmpsQsTA9xllMPIbpPjHcC-uqYc4a4IvOgHhKyoB6Sml5_sZ7s8Jl7nFMCiig5Vuw/s1600/kaylamoviepop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkdbztUZlMv_0ib8xJJv6wJXbjbM_9sValt1fWmkjrxeRrBywj0MCo9PVTzovyZH3Szj-zyVWEqmpsQsTA9xllMPIbpPjHcC-uqYc4a4IvOgHhKyoB6Sml5_sZ7s8Jl7nFMCiig5Vuw/s640/kaylamoviepop.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naturally, "Elf" is the perfect topper (I'm hopefully going to add sprouts of popcorn, as well):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPHsQOSPqsQk-ff-8ELuh1U74EWOjdwjvRgIKI7KsAeGEMi04IOmp8IOLsvrKmnT4Bi3qvvagcpHycMyPER6yOI9g2KTuomtE27_1futUdft3W5-J-yPUfB4RcTuJKyz-LI26FXdQ6A/s1600/kaylamovietop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPHsQOSPqsQk-ff-8ELuh1U74EWOjdwjvRgIKI7KsAeGEMi04IOmp8IOLsvrKmnT4Bi3qvvagcpHycMyPER6yOI9g2KTuomtE27_1futUdft3W5-J-yPUfB4RcTuJKyz-LI26FXdQ6A/s640/kaylamovietop.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I appreciate that my clients were so open to my suggestion, and truly hope that they'll enjoy the tree again this holiday season!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99z-oax_tFLLT8i8-sr3Cu6kzO4JXy0om4NW0vogii8E8ESzKCJwbpwHyLh-XcrIL7qqtQfGmNoI09g3zQPv-ImAn2S4I-SnsT4p4jbH8s9rxDR-A2JDwBvJSAnWoYnSMNKm0TH73Rg/s1600/kaylamovieoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99z-oax_tFLLT8i8-sr3Cu6kzO4JXy0om4NW0vogii8E8ESzKCJwbpwHyLh-XcrIL7qqtQfGmNoI09g3zQPv-ImAn2S4I-SnsT4p4jbH8s9rxDR-A2JDwBvJSAnWoYnSMNKm0TH73Rg/s640/kaylamovieoverall.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what about you ... do *you* like creating "themed" trees?</span></div><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/324/23F7A341254AC000A256EF1E6BE921AB.png" /><br /><br />

Movie Time!

Raise your hand if you're still full from yesterday!  I hope all of you enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving! I wanted to share one of my favorite trees that I just finished decorating for a client.  It's in a room (the "study") where a sweet family likes to unwind, play video games and watch movies. They'd…

Read more »