A "Merry Christmas" Mantel

 It's been a busy week--shopping, wrapping, baking, more decorating and attending holiday gatherings.

So, before the season ends and the plants die, here is my holiday mantel reveal!

I anchored the ends with live plants, paperwhites and mini trees in red urns.

Cedar garland and faux candles complete the look along with my tartan Merry Christmas banner that I absolutely love!

All those battery operated candles are simple and easy.

They can be enjoyed every night without too much hassle as they're on a timer.

Plus, I found a few that are on remote control!

I wish I had invented these as they have almost replaced real candles in my life.  But not really!

We have been spending more time in the living room, enjoying the holiday season.

I feel like Christmas is upon us as of today.

Are you ready?

The Holiday Hutch 2013

 This Santa print was the inspiration for the 2013 Holiday Hutch.

I put it front and center where normally a large platter would go.

 And then built the "hutchscape" around it!

Branches from the Christmas tree lot fill the shelves and those little Christmas trees on either side of the Santa print?

They're going to be part of my Christmas Day table!

A few of my favorite Santas are on display on the bottom shelf.

 Behind closed doors, I layered Johnson Brothers' Old Britain Castles Christmas plates in front of red majolica chargers. 

 My collection of bee hives keep the plates from falling forward and add another touch of white and green.

 I had my granddaughters in mind when creating this year's hutch.

I wanted it to be fun and playful and very festive.

The Holiday Hutch
2013

You can find me at:
The Tablescaper
Stone Gable
Savvy Southern Style
Ivy and Elephants

Flashback Friday: The Holiday Hutch

The best thing about having a Welsh dresser or hutch is the endless styling opportunities.

I like to change ours seasonally, Christmas being my favorite time to create a holiday vignette.

Think of it as "vertical tablescaping" or "hutchscaping!"

For instance, three years ago, I used red transferware and paperwhites for my Christmas hutch vignette.

Last year, I relied on mercury glass, white flowers and pinecones for a subtle holiday look.

This year, I brought in some tartan, red majolica and a transfereware platter depicting a a snow scene.  Paperwhites again say Christmas to me.

I never have a plan, I just start playing with dishes.  This is what hutchscaping is all about.  

The red majolica plates that I found while thrifting this year are the background for little roe deer antlers on one shelf.

 

The tartan plates frame it all.

I found the tartan metal flower pots at Orchard Supply Hardware!

The platter is Johnson Brothers, from the Historic America series, "Home for Thanksgiving."

Along the sides of the hutch, behind the doors, I used Johnson Brother's Friendly Village plates with red majolica chargers behind them.

These are classic Christmas plates, and I have yet to set a Christmas dinner table with them.

The Holiday Hutch

2012

It is taking me forever this year to get ready for the holidays.

Hence, the many "Flashback Fridays!"

Be sure to check back later for my Holiday Hutch, 2013.

That is if I get around to it!

Is anybody else lagging like me?

Our Last Big Christmas Tree

 This is as far as we got decorating the tree Saturday.

Wasn't it enough to go to the lot, pick it out, put it on the roof of the car and then schlep it inside?

The bag 'o lights from last year were a tangled mess, but I persevered on Sunday, adding them to the tree that we all know may very well be the last big, live tree for this family.

I was just a little bit short with the lights, but no matter, I started to hang the ornaments anyway.

That's the fun part!

Eventually, a random string of lights was located in the garage and I finished the task.

After two cups of coffee, Monday morning the creative process kicked in and I finished decorating the Christmas Tree, 2013--with Oscar's help!

Only to realize that random string of lights from the garage blinks!

I don't care!

 After all the ornaments were hung, I remembered that 50 yard bolt of tartan ribbon from Costco and decided to wrap the tree.  

It wasn't exactly the right sequence but I like the result.

 A new santa to add to the collection...

 Hanging the ornaments alway makes me feel nostalgic.  

Especially this year as we all wonder if this is the last Christmas in this house.

Either way, I'm pretty sure this is the last big Christmas tree!

Will 2014 be the year to downsize?

Smaller house?  Small Christmas tree?

These are big questions, but for now, I'm just happy to get it done for one more year!

Behold:  "Our Last Big Christmas Tree!"

Flashback Friday: It's St. Nicholas Day And Santa Is In The House!

I love unwrapping my Santa collection every year, marveling at the detail of each and every one of them.

It all started in 1998 when on vacation in Calgary, Canada.  We visited a Christmas store, and my girlfriend Teresa and I went Santa crazy!

This all white Santa was one of the ornaments I bought then.  

As was this one with his red cable knit sweater!

This is my favorite one.  I don't know why, except that I love the lime green velvet coat with pine cone buttons.  He did not come from Calgary, but from TJ Maxx.  Seriously!  

And this one with the fur trimmed, blanket stitched coat also came from TJ Maxx.

Alas, those days are over.  You just can't find Santas anymore this fine.

I mean, look how cute his carved leaf button is!

This one has a leather coat and toggle buttons!

I usually hang the nicer ones on the front of the tree and the boring, cheesy ones on the back or down low.  This one though is front and center with his snow shoes strapped on his feet!

I like how they fit in with my natural theme.  

Some of them even remind me of St. Francis.  They certainly are not your typical Santa with a sleigh!

They're all active in their pursuit of enjoying the outdoors and wildlife.

Here is an example of a Santa who didn't make it to the front.  Why?  Well, his coat is shiny and cheap and his face is a little cartoony.  There really is a difference.  I still treasure him though!

Holding court on the tree top is this Santa.  Or is he?  I've never been really sure.

He could be St. Francis.  I've had him for so long that what he originally came with is long gone.

The lantern disappeared, so I replaced it with a Merry Christmas sign.  The lavender bouquet is from my garden and I glued a squirrel on his arm.  His crown no longer lights up.  

But I love him!

There is also a collection of standing Santas, most of them from Calgary.

I stopped bringing them out at Christmas a while ago.  Just too much clutter.  This is one of my favorites.

This year, I'm bringing  them out again for the granddaughters.  

I think they might think they're really cool!

My sentiments exactly!

This post was written exactly two years ago, so I reposted today on St. Nicholas Day!
I'm still up to my eyeballs decorating, etc., even though I said I wasn't going all out this year.
Hmmm, I wonder if I should bring out the Santas this year.
  What do you think?

Sharing at:
Common Ground

An Everyday Holiday Centerpiece

 For my everyday holiday centerpiece, I once again pressed into service my new dough bowl.

First, I lined the outside edge with leftover garland.

Then I filled the bowl with pomegranates and pinecones.  Easy peasy!

Red apples would also work well too, but the extra large pomegranates at Costco were just too hard to resist.

I now have a centerpiece that will last for several weeks, won't rot or wilt and adds a splash of color to the dining room.

Hopefully the pomegranates will still be edible?

You can find me at:
Ivy and Elephants
Savvy Southern Style

No Minimalist Here
Common Ground

Bringing Home The Tree

 We don't have our tree yet so I'm feeling quite nostalgic about the traditions surrounding bringing the Christmas tree home.

 You see, we always made it a family activity.

But our family is grown and we are hanging on to the tradition by a thread.

 I'm hoping tomorrow night, Mr. A and I, along with Alex and the dog can bring our tree home from Steve's Christmas Tree Lot.

 Then, it will feel like Christmas!

Do you have your tree yet?