NumberNineteen

Santa Baby

Oooooo, Santa Baby, you were good to me this year!  But, what year haven't you been?  Just look at what I found under the tree:

Yes, gift cards to two of my favorite places...Santa, could you also arrange a babysitter so that I could have time to shop??

These luscious soaps....

This fab-u-lous cd that has got some of the best dance tunes ever...

Come on, you know that you can't listen to Billie Jean without wanting to shake it :)

Vintage-y reading for a vintage-y gal...

Some inspiration to work on my family's heritage album...

Lest you think that Santa forgot this home-y girl's home, never fear....

From the fabulous P.O.S.H. in Chicago...I *will* visit that store in person one day!

To add to my glittery Christmas village (courtesy of Bayberry Cove).

This set of apothecary jars....

OH!  The possibilities! (photo from Sam's club website)

And, more vintage pretties than you could shake a stick at! A sweet set of small Victorian plates, vintage Christmas ornaments, vintage cookie cutters, a gorgeous framed cottage print, and a vintage edition of a favorite childhood book (any other Betsy-Tacy fans out there?).

Wow.  I'd better be good to make myself worthy of this!

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons....

Oooooo, just looking at that delicious paper, all lined up like that, makes me want to wrap more presents!  Its true, I just love wrapping Christmas presents.  It truly is one of my favorite parts of the season.  I spread out all of my goodies (wrap, ribbons, etc) & then carefully pick the pieces that coordinate the best. 
I particularly like to make fluffy, pretty bows....

Or, to add a little something extra to the outside of the package (can you see the candy cane nestled inside the bow?)

This is the best part...standing back & admiring them! 

******
My Christmas vacation will officially start tomorrow when we get on the road to my parent's home in Pennsylvania.  Yay!  I can't wait! We've been telling Hope all week that we are going to Nana & Grandpa's house & that Auntie Terri (she calls her "T.T.") & Uncle Ezra will be there.  AND, that Santa will come to visit her there!  I'm not sure that she gets that last part, but it might sink in when she sees what he left her under the tree!

We spent the whole evening packing -- gosh, we cannot pack lightly to save our lives!  But, Glenn, being the engineer that he is, always manages to make it all fit into the car.

I hope that all of you are enjoying these last days of preparation.  Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Sweets for the sweets

One of my most favorite things about Christmas time is the excuse to bake cookies, cookies & more cookies!  And, to share them!  I wish that I could have cookie exchange in which we all could get together & share these sweets with a cup of cocoa & delicious conversation.    Since we can't be together in reality, how about via the wonders of the world wide web?

Hugs & Kisses!!!

The Christmas Party

I was going to post about our Christmas party days ago, but I couldn't get my photos to download from my camera!  I got a new camera (woo hoo!), but apparently, our computer is too old for the downloading process to work on it.  Its crazy when an item that is 6 years old is basicly a dinosaur, huh?  In any case, I've found a way around it & I can share our party!

Every year, since the year after I graduated from college, I've held a Christmas party that has been my big shindig of the year.  When I met Glenn, he became a willing & enthusiastic co-host.  Its a great, great way for us to share our home with our friends during the holidays & share our love of the season.  Last year, we didn't do the party & we really missed it!  So, this year, we are back on track.

Here are some photos of the yummies, our friends, and the decorations.  It gives you a good idea of how we have the house decorated, as well.

The family room, all cozy & waiting for guests

The dining room, set with mountains of cookies



The finished basement, with bar set-up & "Glenn's" tree

One of my favorite decorations this year -- a candy bar!  We put out bags & encouraged guests to take goodies home with them.  Everyone LOVED the candy "tree", which I made last year, inspired by Cindy of  My Romantic Home. Cindy, thank you so much for the idea!!  It fit just perfectly in with the theme.

A couple pics of friends...not too many because not everyone wants to share their lives on the internet (I know, imagine that!)....

We had a fabulous time this year....I think that it was one of the most fun parties that we've ever had. 

I hope that you all are having lots of fun getting ready for the holidays!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

In the continued spirit of sharing my Christmas decorations (and I just Loooove Christmastime so much!!!), I thought that I'd share my growing collection of Santas.

I would first like to state that I'm a believer.  Yep, there is a fat man in a red suit that comes down my parent's chimney (we spend Christmas at their house) every Christmas Eve.  If he doesn't come down your chimney, well then, I feel sorry for you! :)

In homage to one of my favorite guys, my collection....
 

I hope that you are having fun with your holiday preparations!

 

Vintage Christmas Village

Here is another corner of my Christmas decorating, also in the living room, right beside the table shown in the last post.  These are some of my favorite new decorations--vintage Christmas houses!  I discovered them last year & fell.in.love.  All sparkle-y and colorful & vintage-y...I can't resist.   

I put them in the secretary, to have a safe little place to show them off.

Both of these are reproduction houses. The one on the left is from Target, which I purchased last year.  They don't have anything like it this year -- drat!  The one on the right is made by a woman in Maryland who does craft shows around here, Aimee Gomberg .  I love her work & am so disappointed that I won't be able to make it to any of her shows this year.

These two are both vintage, one found in an antique shop in Glenn's hometown & the other at The Big Flea .  So, so cute.  I also found the vintage bottle brush trees at an antique store in PA., which round out the scene.  Maybe next year, I'll add some fluffy snow to the picture...