Thank you, Santa

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!  On Christmas day, we had brunch at my brother-in-law's house, then dinner at home.  My husband grilled filets of beef outside (I swear to God) and we had a terrific dinner.  Then we went to my sister-in-law's for dessert.

On Saturday, we had all my in-law's for a pizza party -- my kind of entertaining.  Ten adults and seven kids in our Little Red House.  

So, what did Santa bring you?  Every year, I tell my family that all I want is a few books, and every year, they get me something wonderful.  This year, I got a few decorating books, a beautiful fleece sweater, and a macro lens!!!!

Oh, and I got a rhinovirus, too.  But I'm pretty sure Santa didn't bring that.  ;)

My Christmas Wish

Thank you for all your friendship and kind words -- you guys are the best!  I'm taking a little time off to enjoy the holidays with my family.  I wish you all the blessings of the season.  :)

xoxo,

Mary

I'm Dreaming

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas.  How about you?

A Christmas Poem

The mantel is finished,

With ribbons of red,

The stockings are hung, and the paperwhites are dead.

It's the week before Christmas and the tree is still bare,

And "Santa" better get stuff to put under there!  ;)

The Den Tree

After all that trouble, I think it turned out OK.  This one is all browns and golds, to blend with the colors of our tiny den.  Stay tuned for more Christmas decorations later in the week.  But right now, I have so much to do that I don't even know where to begin...  Is there an emoticon for panic?

A Christmas Story

Once upon a time, on a beautiful and temperate winter's day, a lovely family went to the tree farm to cut down their Christmas tree.

They chose a small tree, because they lived in a Little Red House.  They cut it down and dragged it across the fields to their car.

They dragged, and they dragged, and they dragged some more.

Then they dragged even farther.  They tied it to the roof of their Honda Pilot and began to drive home.  They were very happy.

Nothing could mar their happiness, except maybe the sound of the tree falling off the roof of the car.  But they stopped, and tied it even tighter.  And they arrived home safely to their Little Red House.

They were so happy.

And then they put the tree in their wonderful tree stand and brought it inside.  Whereupon the tree would not stand straight, and the *#%??##*** tree stand broke.

I won't burden you with the rest of the story, but you can probably guess how the rest of the day went.

Don't you love Christmas?

Christmas Mantel

This clock, which sits on our mantel, belonged to my maternal grandmother.  We've used lots of red and gold this year, to decorate the mantel.

Of course, I'm a dish-a-holic, and a Christmas mantel would not be complete without a few dishes.  :)  The large brass candlesticks belonged to my mother.

This small framed piece of needlework was a thrift store find.  

More dishes, of course.  ;)

It's been raining cats and dogs for two days now, and I'm beginning to get cabin fever.  But at least it is forcing me to get out the Christmas decorations.  If we ever get some sunshine, I'll take a decent wide angle picture of the entire mantel...  In the meantime, back to the decorations.