Christmas Smiles

The faces of Christmas are everywhere. As I walk briskly through the shops for those last minute items, I look at faces. Some are serious, even sad, happily most have a smile or even a grin. They sip on little complimentary cups of hot coffee, or frozen mocha chocolate mint cream something or others ~ I was handed one in a bookshop yesterday. Who makes up those fancy drink names ~ the same people who come up with the colors for lipsticks? Who buys those full size drinks which cost the same as a half pound of great coffee beans that will last 'til New Year? Oh well, it's Christmas, and despite the fragile economy, somehow we all find ways to celebrate the season be it a pricey holiday drink, or giving a few dollars to buy a toy for a needy child ~ I like the last one best.

These little faces around my home aren't really smiling, more like thinking, pondering, wondering and dreaming. They make me smile though because Christmas requires cherubs, angels, old Santas, even fairies, to bring the magic home.

Pretty Little Treasures

I have to share these lovely items made by Kelly at Dove Grey Art Studio in Canada. They arrived a couple of days ago - don't you just love opening the mailbox and finding a package waiting?

Before heading to the garden with dh to rake ten tons of leaves today ~ and in 73 degrees ~ I hung the pretty charm on my rosemary topiary. One side is a vintage picture of a little girl and her puppy standing by a Christmas tree, the reverse is sheet music with the words 'Sweet Child'. There's a tiny heart hanging at the base. All these pics should enlarge for you.

The NOEL banner is made from vintage sheet music - I like how Kelly used pinking shears when cutting them out. Since taking this pic I've added some tiny clear lights behind the angels - looks very pretty at night.

This is a little garland of sweet vintage music swallows. Holding silky white ribbon they are perfect flying across the top of my Welsh dresser in the dining room. As you can see I have a Nature theme going on there with the English Country Diary china, birdhouses, and my decoupaged pots.

Go visit Kelly's blog ~ she has lovely things for sale. Thanks again Kelly ~ hope you enjoy seeing your pretty treasures hanging in my home.

Touches of Gold

Welcome - come on in and enjoy some of my golden touches for the Christmas season.

I was reminded today that there are just 3 weeks until Christmas so it's time to decorate, if that's your thing. There are many really beautiful homes dressed for Christmas being shown on blogs - and the most spectacular has to be sweet Pat's at Back Porch Musings.
Pat's gorgeous home has been chosen for the Old Painted Cottage 'Cottage of the Month' award - go here to see it. If ever a warm and loving home deserved this award, Pat's certainly does.

The runners up are wonderful too - be sure to visit and view them following Pat's pictures - perhaps they won't mind if we borrow some decorating ideas!

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la."

Candle Glow

Although we often burn candles throughout the year, the candles of Christmas somehow seem more beautiful. Perhaps because other special displays around the room help with illumination, the shadowy dark corners suddenly light up, the room is different, more homey and cozy. Heidi at Celebrate the Seasons shared an easy candle decorating project using things we already have. She asked that we post pics if we came up with a design..............this is what I did last evening while decorating the living room.

I've had these wonderful old world map candles many years but hesitated to burn them - don't you do that, buy lovely candles and then want to hoard them? I wouldn't even light these when the power went out in a major ice storm a few years ago and we were without electricity for well over a week!! This is the first lighting and they really are beautiful. The heavy painted glass plate is the perfect base, and with a few sparkly tree ornaments, some real pine cones and faux pearls, voila, a great hearth display when the fire is not burning.

While by the hearth - my favorite Winter spot - I started on the mantle decorations. I love pears, to eat, to cook with and to use in my decorating. When setting up my Christmas vignettes I usually blend in Holiday items along with what I'm already using - partly because I have a shortage of storage space, but also because I like this look and don't feel rushed to take it all down after the Holidays. Closer to Dec. 25 I will add fresh greens and berries to the mantle.

A little whimsy is always fun - these stocking holders come out of storage each year and always make me smile. I'm still working on my new stockings for this year - they're hanging but later today I plan to decorate them so will show a close up another time.

Well I'm starting to get the Christmas spirit now. Will have photos from the dining room next time - my favorite place to decorate.

Have a fabulous weekend.............stay safe if traveling, have fun if cutting down or picking out the Christmas tree, enjoy being with loved ones whether family or friends.............and decorate because Christmas will soon be here.