It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.......

Good Monday morning to you!  We had a very relaxing weekend.  Early Saturday morning, my husband ran up to the mountains to clean out the dryer vent at the cabin.  He said that after seeing how much lint was removed from our house, and what a fire danger it was, he couldn't sleep knowing that the cabin has probably never been done.  So off he went, with his new dryer vent tool.  Our nephew Joe was up there so he helped him do it.  He removed a lot of debris, and even some weeds and bird nest material!  Some of you have asked how much this tool cost.  It was roughly 35 dollars at Lowe's.   So I spent Saturday finishing up the Christmas decorating.  I drug out all of my garlands and placed them about the house, leaving pine needles, and mess along the way.  Since the house was empty, I wanted to get it done, and then give the house a good vacuuming and mopping.  Phew...done!
Later on that day, Eri and I did a little Christmas shopping.   When Geeps got home, we went to Sam's Club, bringing home one of their ready for the oven pizzas....and boy was it good, then later watched the movie Money Ball......which we both loved, and had a nice relaxing evening at home.
Sunday I wrapped, and worked on the bazoodles of orders I have for Christmas.  It was a very nice weekend.
This morning when I got up, I was struck by how pretty the sun looked casting a morning glow across the fireplace.

This wicker tray sits on the coffee table.  Inside is a simple stitchery, and an antique red tin lunch box that I have filled with some greenery and Christmas bells.

This basket filled with Christmas greens sits atop a wooden bench on a table in my family room. 

Sitting atop that table is a framed Christmas photo that we used as our cards one year.  We borrowed my Dad's antique truck, put a fresh cut tree in the back, and all of us loaded up inside.  We did some in the grove too.  Loved these photos!

Below is a Christmas boot I painted when Drew was a baby.  Noah's elf Billy is sitting amongst the candy

canes inside.

 

Several months ago I found this vintage, 100% wool ski sweater.  Greg and I used to wear ski sweaters like this in the 70's and loved them.  I snatched this up for one dollar!  It was in perfect condition,  but only a large, and a small large at that!  I washed it, and line dried it and couldn't decide whether I wanted to cut it up and use the arms for different projects that I have seen on Pinterest, or just leave it.  I hated to cut it, so I wrapped it around a down pillow I have.  I whip stitched the neck closed and used a red yarn to make a decorative blanket stitch along the top of the neck. 

I simply tied the arms together and formed a knot across the back, and using gray  yarn, I stitched the bottom secure to the back.  To remove the stitching will be as easy as one snip of the scissors, and I can do something else with the sweater if I choose.

I love it!

 My kitchen table is casually set with some dishes that my Mom brought to me one Christmas as a hostess gift.  

These winter themed dishes remind me of Big Bear, of course.

On the backs of the wooden chairs are red table runners, woven through the slats of the chairs and tied with a bow.  I bought these a few years ago at the Dollar Tree.

In the corner of the kitchen is my Cooking themed tree.

My buffet with garland and a favorite holiday cookbook on my stand.  Rooster lamp with scarf, and domed glass plate stuffed with candy canes.

This particular garland I bought in a favorite shop in Big Bear.  I usually leave this out all winter.  It looks so natural.
A little collection of Christmasy things sitting out on the counter tops.

Message on the wall.

A green Bauer Bowl with Christmas cards for all to see upon coming into the kitchen.

These Christmas dishes I bought many years ago, at Kmart.  It was a set complete with service for 8.  It included sugar and creamer set, and platter, and large bowl.  As well as 8 dinner plates, 8 salad or bread plates, 8 cups and saucers and salt and pepper shakers.  I love taking these simple every day stoneware dishes out every year. 

The living room is where we put our Christmas tree.  Always in front of the big picture window.  My living room is very small, and every  year, I have to remove furniture in order to make room for the tree and gifts.  Then, come Christmas morning, you can barely move in there!  I bought this tall skinny tree the day after Christmas at Tai Pan a few years ago, and what a difference it makes in there!  So much more room, and I love the way it looks.

It is loaded with ornaments that Noah helped to put on this year, selecting just the right spot to hang each one.

The tree is topped with a shimmery copper colored bow I made.  The tree skirt is one I made many years ago.  I did a blanket stitch around each of the reindeer and all of the appliques, but by the time I got to the words Merry Christmas, I was ready to toss the whole thing in the garbage.  So I just left the hand written message as is, with the intention of finishing it, but I never did.

I wrapped, but haven't put on the bows and tags yet.  Each gift has the recipients name written on the bottom in tiny letters so I know what the tag should read.

An arrangement of greenery and lighted twigs, in a crock behind the chair in the living room.

 More garland above the hutch in the living room.

A cloche filled with Christmas bulbs, our old ones, and a set of antique bulbs my sweet friend Holly sent to me.
The entryway table, with more garland over the mirror.

That's it.  Our Christmas home.  I didn't take out all of the decorations this  year, and only did the minimum outside.  I sent Drew and Diana home with a box of decorations for their place yesterday.
Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you are enjoying the season!!!!!
XO  Kris