Holiday Home Tour

This should be fun. If you have time, pop over to Tracey at Notes From A Cottage Industry where she is hosting a virtual Holiday Home Tour for next week.

You can read the directions if you'd like to be included. Even if you, like me, have already posted pics of your decorating endeavors, many blog friends, old and new, will enjoy them again as part of this Christmas extravaganza being held next Wednesday.

Just think, travel to all those lovely homes without having to bundle up in heavy coats and boots, or trudge through snow or ice, or pay admission! You can have a hot chocolate at your side, fuzzy slippers on your tired feet, and you won't even have to drive home!

Look forward to seeing your home on the tour.

Pull up a Chair

Know what? I'm decorated out. I'm tired and I just want to sit down in a comfortable chair -~ perhaps with a few of those squishy pillows we talked about yesterday ~ with my feet up on an ottoman.

This evening I'm going to do just that - watch a movie and enjoy a snack and a glass of red! Netflix delivered 'Practical Magic' which I know is a chick flick set in what some say is the perfect house and decor for we vintage cottage gals. Perfect, dh is trying to get out of snowy Boston on his way to Phila. and not back here until tomorrow night, weather permitting. I'm almost done penning my Christmas cards ~ will finish tomorrow morning ~ tonight is my night to find a chair and flop!

These are pretty but don't look comfortable for watching the movie. The one above, with the amazing scarf, is at Anthropologie.
These are in the Brocade catalog ~ OK for dinner but not for watching the silver screen.

These below are elegant and French - from La Grange - again more for dining at an elegant country French table in Provence, or at my brother's home in Southwest France.
And of course this one I've shown before and it's the favorite of everyone ~ where did she get it?Well guess this is going to be the one ~ it's mine and I can sink into it wearing comfy clothes ~ perhaps even my jammies - bring me a pillow and that remote. I'm ready to punch buttons and be lazy for a change. Will let you know if I enjoyed the movie later.

Pillow Talk

Have you noticed how the majority of men dislike pillows and cushions? They never know where to put them. Whereas, women adore them...................placing them, piling and stacking them, throwing 'throw pillows' hither and thither, lounging back on them................feeling elegant, comfy, even romantic.

Women like fringes, ruffles, quilting, buttons, tassels, I even like writing...................embellishments adding luxury, elegance, even a quirky look.

Luckily my dh has a place to pile them at bedtime - he dislikes them but he knows I love them and that they're here to stay! My current pillows from the bed piled on the loveseat for the night.

Why the discussion about pillows? A friend told me that pillows are also the easiest way to decorate for Christmas. She collects beautiful Christmas inspired pillows and tosses them on sofas, chairs, beds, all around the house - instant comfy Christmas. I must discuss this idea with dh - but of course I already know what he's going to say!

Perhaps this Irish Father Christmas pillow might change his mind - after all it would remind him of his heritage.......................

Then perhaps I could add this one which immediately caught my eye - I love anything with pears and there's writing too. Goodness me, I think I see a possible collection for next Christmas!

Two Gifts

We received an early Christmas present. Open immediately ~ use now. The box was flat but huge. On removing the wrapping paper the words Pottery Barn appeared - ooh! this is going to be something really nice. Sliding out the cardboard took four hands ~ and there it was, a pretty metal tree card holder which fits perfectly on this wall.

Our treasured friends are more than generous with their gifts. Their enclosed Christmas card is the most beautiful Madonna and Child I've seen. Later I'll add more cards but for now I love to look at just these two gifts........................ simple, pure, and very beautiful.

'The Sleep Of The Child Jesus'
Bernardo Luini

Blue Box Baking

Have you seen this blue box?

I rarely bake anything from a mix ~ exception being brownies. These I sometimes gussy up with a layer of Grand Marnier flavored orange butter cream topped with melted chocolate ~ a great party take along, everyone loves them!

I love Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) cookbooks and when I saw these coconut cupcakes with her name, and as they were on special, I decided what the heck, give 'em a try. I haven't made cupcakes in years and they do seem to be in vogue right now. I especially liked how she included a little note on the box telling you what NOT to leave the shop without in order to be ready to bake when the call came.

Quite easy to pull together - supposed to make ten, I got eleven good size cakes, and the amount of cream cheese frosting and coconut was very generous. They baked up a pretty pale gold and flat on top so easy to frost when cool.

Bottom line - the first day when just baked, OK but not fantastic, still crispy around the edges, somewhat crumbly - dh wasn't too keen. Second day, much better, cake more moist and coconut flavor more developed.....................and today, third day, really great - richer tasting and we split one for dessert because all this taste testing was putting me on a guilt trip! I've put a few in the freezer so see how they fare. I would recommend keeping this blue box on the shelf for a quick sweet treat ~ but try to bake a least a day before you plan to eat for the most enjoyment.

Christmas baking coming up soon. Being English, I have to bake traditional mince pies with a glob of rich rum butter plonked on top while still warm, yummy! My cookies are always ginger krinkles and almond slices.

If you bake, what glorious concoctions come from your kitchen?

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.

Time to care

If you've visited Deborah at Pictures, Pots & Pens you will remember that we discovered each other via our blogs a couple of months ago. We live in the same city so have managed to go thrifting and have lunch together.

Deborah's post on Thursday was very sad as it announced the passing of her sweet Mother.

This afternoon my husband and I attended the memorial service for this lady whom we unfortunately had never met. She was apparently a pillar of strength in her congregation....................the words said were generous and kind, comments from people we conversed with enlightened us. This was one sweet and feisty lady who will be long remembered.

I understand how Deborah is feeling having lost my own dear Mother a few years ago. I traveled 'across the pond' and reached her side just hours before she passed away.

You may wish to leave a few words of condolence on Deborah's blog. I know she will appreciate you thinking of her at this difficult time ~ she is a very sweet person.