Seeing Red

Good morning.  Here we are,. only a couple of days from Christmas.  How did that happen so fast!!!?????
Are you all ready?  I'm not.  I have been so busy making earwarmers to fill holiday orders.  I have one more to do and then I can wrap the gifts I have purchased for the little ones, and put them under the tree.   We have squeezed in some fun things this past week.  We went to a birthday/holiday party for a good friend of ours one night.  And Thursday night, we went down to Newport Beach to my brother's boat for the Christmas Boat Parade.  It was so pretty!  It had rained all day, but the night was clear and beautiful.  My only photos were taken on my iphone, and posted to Insta Gram. 
The other day I popped into one of my favorite haunts, and found something that I knew would be perfect on my wall in the new family room. 

I love both the color of the barn, and the composition of the painting.  It was matted and framed nicely, and I knew I had the perfect place for it.

 It looks great on the family room wall that I have just recently painted and arranged new things on.  The only thing I did not care for on this painting was the artists signature.  It was done in much too bold a brush, and although I hate to do it, I think I will paint over it in some wispy grass strokes to blend with the rest.

The price for the painting was 5.99.  What a steal! 
When I was walking out, I spotted this "red" purse.  I love red, and I gravitate towards it automatically.  It reminded me of one that I had in the early 70's.  The printed leather, that everyone seemed to have back then.  I reached out to touch this purse, and oh my goodness, the leather was so soft.  I removed it from the rack where it was held, to further inspect it, and fell in love.  It had a Bohemian side sling style, with a long fringe.  I opened the purse to see who made it.  I know it was real leather though, by touch.

I could have lived without the tag beneath, that read, crafted in China.  But I could not live without the purse.  The stitching on it is beautiful, and the softness of the leather is, well, you have to feel it to believe it.

The leather is embossed and stitched with this vine and floral pattern, with butterflies, here and there.  The design goes all the way up and down the long sling strap.

Sorry, that one is blurry.  The zig zag stitching trims the entire bag, adding to the Bohemian look.  I paid 5.00 for this beauty!

I can hardly wait to drop my red leather wallet inside and step out with this bag.
Before leaving, one more little thing caught me eye, that I could not pass up.  It reminded me of Big Bear, or course.

A cozy little cabin in the snow, trivet.  It will grace our table through the holidays.
Our front porch is also seeing red.   These pretty holiday flowers greet our visitors as they come to the door.

 They were gifted to me by my friend and neighbor, who will not be home for the holidays.  She wanted us to enjoy them, since she would be gone.  This is the little half table that sits on my front porch. 

Dolly Mouse, in her Christmas finery with a little wave hello to all who come to visit.

I hope this finds all of you well, and enjoying the Holiday season.  Today I will be going with my Mom to visit some dear friends who are here for the holidays.  I will bring along my camera and take some photos of the beautiful "farm" home we are visiting.
Hoping that later tonight, I will find some time to sit down with my laptop, and pay a visit to all of you.  I am way behind.
XO  Kris