Spreading Christmas Cheer!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, I was extremely flattered when a wonderful family hired me to decorate their home for the holidays!  They have an absolutely gorgeous home, and, of course, I was a bit worried I wouldn't meet their expectations.  They couldn't have been more hospitable or humble in letting me share my ideas and *play* while they were working hard at their awesome Marine Service Center.  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Their bright and beautiful sunroom is painted in a lovely sage green.  It leads out to a gorgeous, deep backyard which hosts a vie</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">w of their awesome pool, palm trees and golf course off in the distance.  I took my time decorating, simply because I so enjoyed being there.  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I chose to add a simple tree in this room, highlighting the browns and plums in their loveseat, as well as highlighting their wall color.  I kept the decorations to a minimum (as everyone is budget conscious these days, especially this time of year), but look forward to adding lots more to this tree next year ... that's *IF* they ask me back (feel free to click on any pic to enlarge)! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54A4DliBpK9p9-Y4VcCD5NGYJ39AOjwq3rOh87lYRMFR2cUny6mJxqqh7lT70B3RyrhqKW1Yy6XzeqgQuv4C1oSiSFGf_Rwcb9Dk5aNFtuEYVbS7XNr1SZ4dxiVN6K94SRKBxzeKF3A/s1600/sroom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54A4DliBpK9p9-Y4VcCD5NGYJ39AOjwq3rOh87lYRMFR2cUny6mJxqqh7lT70B3RyrhqKW1Yy6XzeqgQuv4C1oSiSFGf_Rwcb9Dk5aNFtuEYVbS7XNr1SZ4dxiVN6K94SRKBxzeKF3A/s400/sroom4.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The topper consists of pheasant feathers, gold sprays and brown sticks that I found at both a local Christmas shop, as well as Wal-Mart!</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh8MrEzb9E7UILUf_0EPTY72o-ul7G9cAMT0pnG3opBldfMPI36nshVMWjf3F433GVXKmDGHvbv2bOJPMcy6tgrnpALUYWSNxwhKe_TWhbRibMkRScRwJZNtjOqkc1djl9dhGJIuVFA/s1600/sunroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh8MrEzb9E7UILUf_0EPTY72o-ul7G9cAMT0pnG3opBldfMPI36nshVMWjf3F433GVXKmDGHvbv2bOJPMcy6tgrnpALUYWSNxwhKe_TWhbRibMkRScRwJZNtjOqkc1djl9dhGJIuVFA/s400/sunroom3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, I added pinecones and gold snowflakes as inexpensive fillers (again, found at good ol' Wally-World):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjmdtsk1_sE6Ig5h8_ocwTO9N3vdVFRicZo4tljBUv4r3KKK6qw8hvzmwxbB1q1PzU1wSmePpHucZMYiwJX6zXfpNTpofTMWgphnLR3i223vpcefA9rBuKD3c2tmzEeeNL4-U_POZsg/s1600/stree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjmdtsk1_sE6Ig5h8_ocwTO9N3vdVFRicZo4tljBUv4r3KKK6qw8hvzmwxbB1q1PzU1wSmePpHucZMYiwJX6zXfpNTpofTMWgphnLR3i223vpcefA9rBuKD3c2tmzEeeNL4-U_POZsg/s400/stree3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on to their great room ... this tree was done in traditional reds, greens and golds.  I found t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">he super wide red ribbon at Kirklands ... and used it on my own great room tree as well, LOVE IT!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5rp7A4esOOhNcVaS-4BwhIX1qCWwf-Tb_4DL95uApZxSynXn1ATbmPfQpKorHKmv6K03BaLhu6g3TQKNaJOG0YJvnn_X8Zy7Avg0f82E1s8R44hVLD8YvyTYALtjRs69MiDGTq8VOQ/s1600/greatroomtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5rp7A4esOOhNcVaS-4BwhIX1qCWwf-Tb_4DL95uApZxSynXn1ATbmPfQpKorHKmv6K03BaLhu6g3TQKNaJOG0YJvnn_X8Zy7Avg0f82E1s8R44hVLD8YvyTYALtjRs69MiDGTq8VOQ/s400/greatroomtree.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kayla already had this beautiful plaid ribbon.  So, I selected two more complimentary ribbons and had two *gigundus* bows made (I'm working on that technique) for the topper.  I found the fun and wild apple green spray at a local Christmas shop and scored the gold and red sprays at, you guessed it, Wal-Mart!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i64YsoEthWFe6DlfD3guvakWutq92ATGIKaKOBWUCTUnJN2RQtVz13vwWo1naBhjZB0c5oHOTl-L3gAZXen7U1WzX_1-CJV-Xc__AdIMy7S2K9tpqpYhAoeQH4eAGA2owtNwWyAjKQ/s1600/greatroomtopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i64YsoEthWFe6DlfD3guvakWutq92ATGIKaKOBWUCTUnJN2RQtVz13vwWo1naBhjZB0c5oHOTl-L3gAZXen7U1WzX_1-CJV-Xc__AdIMy7S2K9tpqpYhAoeQH4eAGA2owtNwWyAjKQ/s400/greatroomtopper.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must admit, I was scared to death decorating this tree because of the beautiful collection of Fitz and Floyd ornaments that their children had been given by their Grandmother over the years.  I was *sooo* afraid I was going to drop one onto their tile floor!  Thankfully, no one or thing was injured during the decorating of this tree!  Whew!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi9bUaHUI29aJIj3isjM-Y3u9zE0IP2QIkWp7wiueCpCWXJDVCbDNT7ony7bt3Q_scPQtdI9vYZtm6cKR7VAJqtBOCqJR3VW4mOAHd646OdhQPnXG-NyYVP6SRg-eyUX9FBy75wIcWQ/s1600/greatroom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi9bUaHUI29aJIj3isjM-Y3u9zE0IP2QIkWp7wiueCpCWXJDVCbDNT7ony7bt3Q_scPQtdI9vYZtm6cKR7VAJqtBOCqJR3VW4mOAHd646OdhQPnXG-NyYVP6SRg-eyUX9FBy75wIcWQ/s400/greatroom3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how Mr. Snowman is swinging around the tree, socializing:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC_trNqwxI55VMrQKdS4mqHAvUGT6Y7MaSeMVXX1D2gEkoi20TuHIiloqElUvSkZNLcEtVBbEKy-nSovUZwPvHleULE8WdmRCElNHWfw4S_ClR6CHuSCJiPoKMd8PvcWqYysn9YY5mw/s1600/greatroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC_trNqwxI55VMrQKdS4mqHAvUGT6Y7MaSeMVXX1D2gEkoi20TuHIiloqElUvSkZNLcEtVBbEKy-nSovUZwPvHleULE8WdmRCElNHWfw4S_ClR6CHuSCJiPoKMd8PvcWqYysn9YY5mw/s400/greatroom2.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Onto their dining room ... while we didn't put a tree in there, I did get to play with their table!  I told Kayla I really wanted to add a bit of blue in this room, as there is a rich blue border on their oriental rug.  We found these unique and colorful metal deer at Pier One and simply had to have them.  I knew that they'd be the perfect whimsical, yet elegant, addition to her regal room (especially with that gorgeous shade of blue on them).  I simply </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">scrunched up gold satin fabric in the center of the table and added the reindeer (along with a beautiful amaryllis for height).  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DP3-eVDEzuNQRGGPoAJsp1ACgmrQPU63bK_M9n625-23uzr5gUGH0bZLKdCMQQ_O2uBI1F7bWj_dxT1aO-i5Cwy81wWx5-m5Fcj3-Wez4DCjNr0p731c4NXWlLDFmsGwtg7ZXjp3wA/s1600/kdiningo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DP3-eVDEzuNQRGGPoAJsp1ACgmrQPU63bK_M9n625-23uzr5gUGH0bZLKdCMQQ_O2uBI1F7bWj_dxT1aO-i5Cwy81wWx5-m5Fcj3-Wez4DCjNr0p731c4NXWlLDFmsGwtg7ZXjp3wA/s400/kdiningo.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has the beautiful Lenox "Holiday" china, which pops so well against her gold chargers.  We also spotted these awesome red with gold trim napkins at Pier One and just had to add these in, as well.  I love how "poofy" they are!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiDjarvnhut1yDJNCeP13jhwR3RD8rLQwJL3JpUu6Z2Gohmt9UyWMG2b47cGV2vbZhYTxYU4JDMfkjOc8BZIxwEuL_2OK8El2WRiRRkCGAl3_fWkCcqyop7MrX7yoYZChB05GL4tQ5w/s1600/kdining2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiDjarvnhut1yDJNCeP13jhwR3RD8rLQwJL3JpUu6Z2Gohmt9UyWMG2b47cGV2vbZhYTxYU4JDMfkjOc8BZIxwEuL_2OK8El2WRiRRkCGAl3_fWkCcqyop7MrX7yoYZChB05GL4tQ5w/s400/kdining2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, when I spotted these napkin rings at Pier One, I knew they'd be the perfect pairing to the napkins!  And, hey, they might even be fun worn on one's finger!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH7IOJGyGu1vX73ArRbSiyTx0IGgic5Q3wOZSksPL_GNBEXRqSLTmmBa2AZWQ2BdFSerL_iuMdSwqYQoWUGXRq-QLBvf9Q1XH0xDXIYMYb16_yBAQ252XwJQRer6BxfYlsmT3dce3dg/s1600/kdining4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH7IOJGyGu1vX73ArRbSiyTx0IGgic5Q3wOZSksPL_GNBEXRqSLTmmBa2AZWQ2BdFSerL_iuMdSwqYQoWUGXRq-QLBvf9Q1XH0xDXIYMYb16_yBAQ252XwJQRer6BxfYlsmT3dce3dg/s400/kdining4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, I'll take you into their "study."  I knew I wanted to add a tree in here, but wasn't sure what theme might work.  After finding out that this room is the "hang out" room, where they watch TV quite a bit (and based on the color scheme of the room), I thought it'd be fun to do a movie-themed tree, which I've never done before!</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGajxOdxttQav197OPtO1bnOXdz4XUOeROuPasn1M36VJYw1ckIDT5PhdoufXNcoapkr53zpXxodYMAsA5SdugWqkzz-B6N6VhVQqfEZ3z1Kw29AcLsqVUml0oqPkx9AKLQNSztsUNg/s1600/mtree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGajxOdxttQav197OPtO1bnOXdz4XUOeROuPasn1M36VJYw1ckIDT5PhdoufXNcoapkr53zpXxodYMAsA5SdugWqkzz-B6N6VhVQqfEZ3z1Kw29AcLsqVUml0oqPkx9AKLQNSztsUNg/s400/mtree2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spotted big boxes of movie candy at Dollar Tree (even boxes of Christmas JuJy Fruits), so Kayla grabbed up a bunch of those, along with Goobers, Junior Mints and Gumballs.  I then added DVDs (many of them being holiday ones), popcorn garland, ca-ute "admit one" candies (that Kayla found at Hobby Lobby) and finally added red and blue balls to tie in with the color scheme of this room.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for the topper, while I wanted to add popcorn sprouting out (which I *will* do next year), I simply added the super cute "Elf" movie and, was lucky enough to stumble upon movie film tape (at a party store), which I cut and placed up there, somewhat spilling out of the tree (and, yes, those little popcorn containers will be filled with "faux" popcorn next year, as well).  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb01O14wudRv3rl4mqBphX1-X5-U8sDRZlBXkYu6Njmbwg5h_eRTaRgT6TLSoHnBj1EYYwJl5Xyu8RQhLWxpjW8Q0xwZCApfWiOYETfqJCW0uEy1xDX886CQbKAOJMFLdSKn9T18QkA/s1600/mtreetopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb01O14wudRv3rl4mqBphX1-X5-U8sDRZlBXkYu6Njmbwg5h_eRTaRgT6TLSoHnBj1EYYwJl5Xyu8RQhLWxpjW8Q0xwZCApfWiOYETfqJCW0uEy1xDX886CQbKAOJMFLdSKn9T18QkA/s400/mtreetopper.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you can see how I then added the film tape all over the tree, just popping out here and there.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dkrh6EhsOJTpPID4jFPrzQSeGomqCWgFY20fpC26tz__rW0-0G9bD91dLQjrbI6eCClEng2J6YNpxm43qSCUr-LafBB7b9UWzX-vnqChxfDRssb4v57MGRkJ7Jb_fRouNLUUwIIU7Q/s1600/mtree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dkrh6EhsOJTpPID4jFPrzQSeGomqCWgFY20fpC26tz__rW0-0G9bD91dLQjrbI6eCClEng2J6YNpxm43qSCUr-LafBB7b9UWzX-vnqChxfDRssb4v57MGRkJ7Jb_fRouNLUUwIIU7Q/s400/mtree3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Admittedly, this was such a fun tree to do!  I'm thinking I just might have to add one to our home next year, too!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, thanks for stopping by and letting me share how I've invaded someone else's home with my Christmas ADD ... thanks to Kayla and family (and my wonderful friend, Tammy, who referred me)!  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. Gingerbread Man says "buh-bye" as well.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk1Lc60ijiAxevJEF_xDKpgJ3Y5VliRp1arRQUJ_yYMpFzi_PjIiJmztBS0Oe3v67YAt_CxQ6-kzE99zALexSEipmPdFGT4oWVkOsusTh8Wl2mo4hwKWZmafdheBKEmBOaloxyqut_g/s1600/gingerbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk1Lc60ijiAxevJEF_xDKpgJ3Y5VliRp1arRQUJ_yYMpFzi_PjIiJmztBS0Oe3v67YAt_CxQ6-kzE99zALexSEipmPdFGT4oWVkOsusTh8Wl2mo4hwKWZmafdheBKEmBOaloxyqut_g/s400/gingerbread.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up to these awesome blogs who are hosting fun parties ... come on over:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2010/12/boring-to-better-party-5-and-christmas.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/BTB</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/diy-holiday-highlights-project-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28The+DIY+Show+Off%29">The DIY Showoff/Holiday Highlights</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com/2010/12/wednesday-blog-hopwalk-of-fame.html">Santa's Gift Shoppe/Blog Hop</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-christmas-tree-party.html">TDC/Christmas Tree Party</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-friday-party-no-15.html">Southern in My Heart/Inspiration Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Holidays,</span><br />  <br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Becca</span></em></strong></span></div>

Spreading Christmas Cheer!

This year, I was extremely flattered when a wonderful family hired me to decorate their home for the holidays!  They have an absolutely gorg...

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Christmas Dining!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Sunday!  Okay, I simply canNOT believe that we're already into December!  I hope that all of you have been smarter than me and have started (if not finished) your holiday shopping!  I need to put it into high gear this week and start crossing things off my list!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the meantime, here are some pics of my Christmas dining room!  Admittedly, I absolutely loved decorating this room this year because I recently redid it.  The walls used to be metallic chocolate brown and reds, golds and greens dominated this space.  I lightened this space up by painting the walls BM Manchester Tan.  I also traded the china hutch for an antique sideboard ... slipcovered some of the chairs ... added a huMONGO mirror and floating shelves (that will probably come crashing down any second), and added gold/satin-y panels, raising them almost to the ceiling. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, I'll be quiet now and just let you take a peek (feel free to click on any picture to enlarge it):</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BOW_aANvoDm0Wo_tRqrJKQwZrCW0a_kjyIrPYeKPjN0lufCwX_cp6BicnTK0qelYWNPFnal4FVd1V2Eb8ounbCf_ufXMkDbp1kfpoVAcrFUYSGJF1a51_d7wEoqkWrP3VviKAY27Ig/s1600/xdining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BOW_aANvoDm0Wo_tRqrJKQwZrCW0a_kjyIrPYeKPjN0lufCwX_cp6BicnTK0qelYWNPFnal4FVd1V2Eb8ounbCf_ufXMkDbp1kfpoVAcrFUYSGJF1a51_d7wEoqkWrP3VviKAY27Ig/s400/xdining.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I placed two manzanita branches, along with a few smaller white filler branches in my mercury glass vase and randomly hung ornaments consisting of red/apple green/silver balls, snowflakes and icicles!  All ornaments (except for the icicles) are from Wal-Mart ... score!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PNjVkhR6Z48vSf1Y7oOYE74yjKVdSQStgwGy23gQ7nfmT0kWJ5ACLHRHYkCoFO7JcysIoBLSaOqwMoA-NVedX62UfrfAH1a7yF82hup-8nzB5AQ_Rawv0ZKMIOm0VhpzazvJl2kkjQ/s1600/xdining1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PNjVkhR6Z48vSf1Y7oOYE74yjKVdSQStgwGy23gQ7nfmT0kWJ5ACLHRHYkCoFO7JcysIoBLSaOqwMoA-NVedX62UfrfAH1a7yF82hup-8nzB5AQ_Rawv0ZKMIOm0VhpzazvJl2kkjQ/s400/xdining1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The table is *prettied up* with white and silver snowflake china I found at Target.  I added mercury glass votives to the middle of each plate and dripped silver and clear beads around it.  </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnhtKQOgfUFYHXnC_VJ7oR7UnELjb-uW1Pc_9hLPGNkdwvtGmtpSMHUHlcmMI6mJ8O-t3fWKCLYLHJ8bgugHxMsfhzbgaTlwBCNvEH5bLxZG94PjC8RixrJ4pLkxRsD21acDt0PZZYQ/s1600/dsetting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnhtKQOgfUFYHXnC_VJ7oR7UnELjb-uW1Pc_9hLPGNkdwvtGmtpSMHUHlcmMI6mJ8O-t3fWKCLYLHJ8bgugHxMsfhzbgaTlwBCNvEH5bLxZG94PjC8RixrJ4pLkxRsD21acDt0PZZYQ/s400/dsetting.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love how it looks lit up at night:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-63dShcTazIpBvoAOFoUgZ-hXIFHTv9eLaIq8dpGqRecDGhyphenhyphenfPH1kyhk06kLnwmFPuTgpSObxzqVO8796j-OTYKdzp0nbWdbBuxbHjoCDl1bde4ohXQrUOgOa7MgDL7dfJW8U-MEC5g/s1600/dplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-63dShcTazIpBvoAOFoUgZ-hXIFHTv9eLaIq8dpGqRecDGhyphenhyphenfPH1kyhk06kLnwmFPuTgpSObxzqVO8796j-OTYKdzp0nbWdbBuxbHjoCDl1bde4ohXQrUOgOa7MgDL7dfJW8U-MEC5g/s400/dplate.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Above the table, I *bling-a-fied* our chandie by adding soft garland ... crystals ... beaded garland and glittery words of "joy," "peace" and "noel."</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXQ2fbDz_H3bvCDqGJyiz_xFhaUnL2Z_OdQMghMD4hDSBohAUH3S5IFCjoPKDHeU7Ut4jrc8kLGzDlMVDRnve82xEAhyNxlLfnEjql6jxvxdDVlqlF0IbgElqwOYh8klUGLxZNlcT3w/s1600/dchandie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXQ2fbDz_H3bvCDqGJyiz_xFhaUnL2Z_OdQMghMD4hDSBohAUH3S5IFCjoPKDHeU7Ut4jrc8kLGzDlMVDRnve82xEAhyNxlLfnEjql6jxvxdDVlqlF0IbgElqwOYh8klUGLxZNlcT3w/s400/dchandie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Glancing over at the sideboard, you'll see I added festive, inexpensive garland (from Big Lots), along with nutcrackers decked out in silver glitter and sequins!  I absolutely love the horsemen nutcrackers I spotted not too long ago at Home Goods!</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszN_Kp2aUNinQJ9JK00fGuIgJi4qIdI6mOW1-S4Cooer_F3Ffvo4oRihdvzghLFs0fxdXdma23itnyiCgmfwZ5vps8_jzNgByq-5QS-skSdgu65qHI5Elne2VJ4t-ZViGdKy6mRerrw/s1600/xdining4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszN_Kp2aUNinQJ9JK00fGuIgJi4qIdI6mOW1-S4Cooer_F3Ffvo4oRihdvzghLFs0fxdXdma23itnyiCgmfwZ5vps8_jzNgByq-5QS-skSdgu65qHI5Elne2VJ4t-ZViGdKy6mRerrw/s400/xdining4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQq51NF8ySmvBhmhDbCeREcT5OrLpq-vbeb9kutL_BogTsLyOBEjso7ICm66o03sQpNTFduv-1jC2ncp11hitU69g7IxQgUWHO0I5BK_XZdwwOoGPrwMlBejPMgofJXQsB85ac2XoLw/s1600/xdining3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQq51NF8ySmvBhmhDbCeREcT5OrLpq-vbeb9kutL_BogTsLyOBEjso7ICm66o03sQpNTFduv-1jC2ncp11hitU69g7IxQgUWHO0I5BK_XZdwwOoGPrwMlBejPMgofJXQsB85ac2XoLw/s400/xdining3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, what's an apothecary jar without snow and ornaments tossed in?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMrPog-47qBsIXTcYayRXRzfZ_gd5tpqBjuMcz4ywPjnrT0PUwTq1VFHYPPCubCiFYri5YokyP5h1hLiOrzC-0Jbx3GNZpCjs6R-eZ844TUI_CyVBxTXCKJYAoXDDL88qmcfJ31STvw/s1600/dballs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMrPog-47qBsIXTcYayRXRzfZ_gd5tpqBjuMcz4ywPjnrT0PUwTq1VFHYPPCubCiFYri5YokyP5h1hLiOrzC-0Jbx3GNZpCjs6R-eZ844TUI_CyVBxTXCKJYAoXDDL88qmcfJ31STvw/s400/dballs1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, I had to throw a few ornaments in the bowl perched on my tea service:</span></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT_cqcS9gLYbQSGMmmLR9SwsktqMIK0Emfs_bkYgFW5G3bu22UE61xOd5CnBRRIz6cb8oruknDNWzvKIyOeBiNleA5toQ-jmUAU04sFMuvjKHdB6Sng9Jo9oKKg3j85HaEJlICADkeA/s1600/dtray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT_cqcS9gLYbQSGMmmLR9SwsktqMIK0Emfs_bkYgFW5G3bu22UE61xOd5CnBRRIz6cb8oruknDNWzvKIyOeBiNleA5toQ-jmUAU04sFMuvjKHdB6Sng9Jo9oKKg3j85HaEJlICADkeA/s400/dtray.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd, I added bows to the cream pillows to jazz them up a tad:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH071lkhfwbkGg6QSdszV0fcQl3C2FfeJsnPx1OHib-IfMZWy1v3haEiMOTsVBIZtmLENIFNRL9ZAX6ZXSj0IJfEXWrzwBIOMVtJcI_tFRbTbo4O3oI5JSubXNJHsujmgbQbDZBQ4Sg/s1600/dpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH071lkhfwbkGg6QSdszV0fcQl3C2FfeJsnPx1OHib-IfMZWy1v3haEiMOTsVBIZtmLENIFNRL9ZAX6ZXSj0IJfEXWrzwBIOMVtJcI_tFRbTbo4O3oI5JSubXNJHsujmgbQbDZBQ4Sg/s400/dpillow.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The floating shelves have just a tad of garland from Big Lots, along with more of the snowflake china:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXj0z9Kd5xDixNBcQeKd0WlppnQTejJdlAMF7PPQAhHxu-Z0HlY-WBfraSm77ckELMbIQlD0i33r4Sdd9nfaMFEuvdR4ZbYGo5a4GhziXuM1nNA3DVbpVph0lVYjjKMAWIW9EzazqTg/s1600/dshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXj0z9Kd5xDixNBcQeKd0WlppnQTejJdlAMF7PPQAhHxu-Z0HlY-WBfraSm77ckELMbIQlD0i33r4Sdd9nfaMFEuvdR4ZbYGo5a4GhziXuM1nNA3DVbpVph0lVYjjKMAWIW9EzazqTg/s320/dshelf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, I decided to keep my plates wrapped in twine, with family pictures ... I just added a few glittery snowflakes to Christmas them up a bit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUt5hjih2gUpq6yC6qx2QyOrms6N2pc_1P_MTI4FdElEHP161gYolPx0m_1qTyYVThAXVg3T3B6ola51PDbceSiRC8qYGQ8S9wKQbUHo8tpk_IFtnyC43ETLvPGyMH_GsQNiFf7uR9Q/s1600/xplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUt5hjih2gUpq6yC6qx2QyOrms6N2pc_1P_MTI4FdElEHP161gYolPx0m_1qTyYVThAXVg3T3B6ola51PDbceSiRC8qYGQ8S9wKQbUHo8tpk_IFtnyC43ETLvPGyMH_GsQNiFf7uR9Q/s400/xplate.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, friends, the dinner bell is about to ring !!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSDzgMIvs6wDHU_nmsqShBSzuBVMR2J5VFdIZQivQCRKDSE-zVqY9EOxDnh00VYR-RRscrv94TTsDiAHBvnGDuNRlbIWaLPpAmnUN4WMUDSQ-ferL3JxY3Yq1VOJn_naYVyIk7CYGOA/s1600/dnight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSDzgMIvs6wDHU_nmsqShBSzuBVMR2J5VFdIZQivQCRKDSE-zVqY9EOxDnh00VYR-RRscrv94TTsDiAHBvnGDuNRlbIWaLPpAmnUN4WMUDSQ-ferL3JxY3Yq1VOJn_naYVyIk7CYGOA/s400/dnight1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After you're done eating, you should hop on over to these fabulous blogs and join the festive parties:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/deck-halls-christmas-holiday-decorating.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">BNOTP for Metamorphosis Monday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2010/12/amaze-me-monday-2.html">Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/">Cottage Instincts/Make it 4 Monday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/12/before-and-after-party-festive-outdoors.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/12/42nd-table-top-tuesday.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Stroll Thru Life/Tabletop Tuesday</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/12/christmas-craft-link-party/">Centsational Girl/Holiday Home</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2010/12/boring-to-better-party-5-and-christmas.html">Savvy Southern Style/Boring to Better Party</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com/2010/12/friday-vignette-friday.html">Color Outside the Lines/Vignette Friday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2010/12/christmas-cheer-challenge-and-our.html">Perfectly Imperfect/Christmas Cheer Challenge</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Take care,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><strong><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></strong></a>

Christmas Dining!

Happy Sunday!  Okay, I simply canNOT believe that we're already into December!  I hope that all of you have been smarter than me and hav...

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Nutcracker Mantel

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings!  And, thank you all SO much for your thoughtful comments about my whimsical Christmas kitchen decor!  I really appreciate it ... your sweet notes are the reason why I blog.  Again, thank you!   </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we're all in (or getting in or need to be in) the holiday spirit, and the blog Christmas par-tays are beginning, I thought I'd share my great room mantel today.  Like last year, I chose to embellish it with nutcrackers.  However, this year, I added a few more ornaments, snowflakes and beads:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9A_KjgtXr234m8VHU7GBiyRLKjYXGrJdByIFsaiKIM9NDzKRdGLWjduj08Qk881SGHihfQbwRdsuhJytHMwEk9oEyAkrIt8yZwKT1bd98Ztx8NFFxmGnI0NHdSwjF4oYTv2R6RTGCA/s1600/moverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9A_KjgtXr234m8VHU7GBiyRLKjYXGrJdByIFsaiKIM9NDzKRdGLWjduj08Qk881SGHihfQbwRdsuhJytHMwEk9oEyAkrIt8yZwKT1bd98Ztx8NFFxmGnI0NHdSwjF4oYTv2R6RTGCA/s400/moverall.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo2WQmx7UjiKMbW1jzyFFsV-KBDBUFzX7VAFV-fn5uYtMVLQjAsGfV2H_W7CjC0yX3HgAWRAEV1f7e_M8WXJLdsK5tieLECvy1el-Wkr68zlLPjcmem159oPMYIGUsv1FRqkfMK3EjQ/s1600/lmantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo2WQmx7UjiKMbW1jzyFFsV-KBDBUFzX7VAFV-fn5uYtMVLQjAsGfV2H_W7CjC0yX3HgAWRAEV1f7e_M8WXJLdsK5tieLECvy1el-Wkr68zlLPjcmem159oPMYIGUsv1FRqkfMK3EjQ/s400/lmantel.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These pretty green, red and gold shatterproof ornaments are from Wal-Mart ($5 for a box of 18)!  Love.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhx9N1fVtE_OD9tXIXKNXFpx6m6SlgSUywCvnmyVtLAxU7HZVywJk07ZungjJ7Hh3KacaRf575dqr_JehMmdpOB51n_gasJVaBEWbF_wFNtPWOhLQfyxd5Zy6xdeGSGcja_6ks86TBA/s1600/mclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhx9N1fVtE_OD9tXIXKNXFpx6m6SlgSUywCvnmyVtLAxU7HZVywJk07ZungjJ7Hh3KacaRf575dqr_JehMmdpOB51n_gasJVaBEWbF_wFNtPWOhLQfyxd5Zy6xdeGSGcja_6ks86TBA/s400/mclose.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year, I had one simple row of gold beads (from Old Time Pottery).  This year, I added more ... fun:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-RAoc-tb0R9c_OYfmzWBH7xB_kciFbvkCHq1ErEJkEqaFTA4mihsqC6_Z0dtmFR2hnDjrAsO-A-8Q1jrpxPoVSDjmEWxm3ZlusbYyxkOEMc0jrpSV5l7KzwzpTD41XRcNBN9vSY2sA/s1600/close3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-RAoc-tb0R9c_OYfmzWBH7xB_kciFbvkCHq1ErEJkEqaFTA4mihsqC6_Z0dtmFR2hnDjrAsO-A-8Q1jrpxPoVSDjmEWxm3ZlusbYyxkOEMc0jrpSV5l7KzwzpTD41XRcNBN9vSY2sA/s400/close3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I added the gold, glittery snowflakes this year, as well (from a local Christmas shop): </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6Y6CiqfvwO0Zy3qK_FhEMQyn1Kmxav7-CKPlsswbKvzVfmFdKW9K4v2cymSc7Yt2ipO9ibSnKQZwJSNHneQKPiChzto5AcbNSGraPU21_rxoXsBdrl4nh7e5u5ntII99VCRjnpKq4A/s1600/rmantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6Y6CiqfvwO0Zy3qK_FhEMQyn1Kmxav7-CKPlsswbKvzVfmFdKW9K4v2cymSc7Yt2ipO9ibSnKQZwJSNHneQKPiChzto5AcbNSGraPU21_rxoXsBdrl4nh7e5u5ntII99VCRjnpKq4A/s400/rmantle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also decided it might be fun to add a couple of canisters of the traditional Christmas nuts.  Of course, I just *had* to perch a mini nutcracker right on top.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitREJ5Ja4006x6ZSuWXd2Kkgbw1Bo-VttwiSSjrIHVIrvZjqGHX1A_D9IY7Zx5i_Y1DdmHjE84UFg3Qo5C3yhefBCk8ocfAQGkL0Thhmslw_Ml0n8YgdaBuP-hpHPoHuKN1Rsbc1fooA/s1600/nutcracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitREJ5Ja4006x6ZSuWXd2Kkgbw1Bo-VttwiSSjrIHVIrvZjqGHX1A_D9IY7Zx5i_Y1DdmHjE84UFg3Qo5C3yhefBCk8ocfAQGkL0Thhmslw_Ml0n8YgdaBuP-hpHPoHuKN1Rsbc1fooA/s400/nutcracker.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up above, the wreath is adorned with a few Christmas gold, red and green balls:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLoeHvBeEqnfmtQSBULhJdWtnwl5oOx3PngxxkHctmp4EsVw4WidphmTgyE_WeiJbKLsTh0lpb46kMx3hMp3OH_ZlwFRYaiyz04fEVj0aAfoxAHknmochvPBMmf2j1m3Y9MUfDSrHqg/s1600/wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLoeHvBeEqnfmtQSBULhJdWtnwl5oOx3PngxxkHctmp4EsVw4WidphmTgyE_WeiJbKLsTh0lpb46kMx3hMp3OH_ZlwFRYaiyz04fEVj0aAfoxAHknmochvPBMmf2j1m3Y9MUfDSrHqg/s400/wreath.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, what fireplace would be complete without fresh cookies and cold milk waiting for Santa!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTdNFMf4s9lmjqcAG1X_HiRmx1LIm-mcoyhIznm4YnSQ3VQA2MSn3JMZ2HIPw1fBEwhEHkoZbf4xuMkqWrWSMYmVp5z0t0qZfIdA8sLsTveSUXoWcSYo_xrxJ-J-sS-fO-sLFRk2MJg/s1600/cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTdNFMf4s9lmjqcAG1X_HiRmx1LIm-mcoyhIznm4YnSQ3VQA2MSn3JMZ2HIPw1fBEwhEHkoZbf4xuMkqWrWSMYmVp5z0t0qZfIdA8sLsTveSUXoWcSYo_xrxJ-J-sS-fO-sLFRk2MJg/s400/cookies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I leave you with a nighttime shot, with the mantel all aglow! </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpthYFYvfbP9JxgJ6c2RxNYD7ZofQtG6dVa-4OsAKgL4fHATdklGGIoAodg-2ssOcJ8PPR_36gAc9-SZp2TW5MFKOMuXy5oiWzy_KWB2dsrdFirjfipQ26wiYXOpkaVEih3sYdIiBtVQ/s1600/mnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpthYFYvfbP9JxgJ6c2RxNYD7ZofQtG6dVa-4OsAKgL4fHATdklGGIoAodg-2ssOcJ8PPR_36gAc9-SZp2TW5MFKOMuXy5oiWzy_KWB2dsrdFirjfipQ26wiYXOpkaVEih3sYdIiBtVQ/s400/mnight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by!  Come on over and visit the following blogs who are having fun gatherings:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/holiday-home-linky-party-our-christmas-mantel?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheLetteredCottage+%28The+Lettered+Cottage%29">The Lettered Cottage/Holiday Home Linky Party</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2010/11/traditional-red-and-green-boring-to.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style/Boring to Better Party</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/kitchen-vignettes-lime-and-red/">Southern Hospitality/Vignette Party</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/feathered-nest-holiday-time.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-friday-party-no-14.html">Southern in My Heart/Inspiration Friday</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/2010/12/creche-is-back.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bargain Hunting with Laurie/Favorite Things</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2010/12/everyone-is-celebratingseasonal-sundays.html">The Tablescaper/Seasonal Sundays</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hugs,</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><strong><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></strong></a>

Nutcracker Mantel

Greetings!  And, thank you all SO much for your thoughtful comments about my whimsical Christmas kitchen decor!  I really appreciate it ... ...

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Christmas in the Kitchen

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I had such a great time with my family and friends!  The last few days have been nothing but eating, laughing, shopping ... repeat ... eating, laughing, shopping ... repeat!  I was more than sad to say goodbye to everyone as they headed back to Virginia. :(</span><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Soooo, to take my mind off of missing my family, I kept busy adding a few last touches of Christmas around the house.  I thought I'd share a little bit of my kitchen, decked out for the holidays.  My goal was to keep it fun, festive and filled with whimsy.  Hope I succeeded! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As you enter through our mudroom, you're greeted by this whimsical tree, filled with cookies, candies, cookie cutters and other fun ornaments (click on pic to enlarge if you'd like):</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6FwsrpPLDUDNZLe5fu0UkWlSpBpyp1jZoQIFLhfE8KK0vimTsQly4gZ3qL-N3NqXG_ucPii0rm1AtOQu-JlERD6QZ5uCon1gaDz7raYP8hfxJ8qGU1HPp2shc2xeQ9yBp3U1IPoGkw/s1600/overalltree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6FwsrpPLDUDNZLe5fu0UkWlSpBpyp1jZoQIFLhfE8KK0vimTsQly4gZ3qL-N3NqXG_ucPii0rm1AtOQu-JlERD6QZ5uCon1gaDz7raYP8hfxJ8qGU1HPp2shc2xeQ9yBp3U1IPoGkw/s400/overalltree.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mr. and Mrs. Claus have fresh, gingerbread cookies all ready for you:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yiAhXlexac2iQwrMuKUXAZMWqsPzhNJ_ANEbH-3GqzysKNzZHcl8LCmdNcf2Qs3kdAnEIu4QbEwle0XkRGv1qzsVW8TPjFRh0Tj2KLyNvPm0R0z9zOJAMOyJdqi6flQ8_71-hS1Ddw/s1600/ksanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yiAhXlexac2iQwrMuKUXAZMWqsPzhNJ_ANEbH-3GqzysKNzZHcl8LCmdNcf2Qs3kdAnEIu4QbEwle0XkRGv1qzsVW8TPjFRh0Tj2KLyNvPm0R0z9zOJAMOyJdqi6flQ8_71-hS1Ddw/s400/ksanta.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLNNBnRgszRjsliq_9tHjsr0Y7McO7rqKPySjO960dwnLUvdhZDlC-YBF452tEG7Zb4MsyYun2AVag-zv9lbP_j4S9baGdNccK6fauPVZyUxHWQkWtoQUiQDVKyd-szRtvEBPDvhHXA/s1600/msanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLNNBnRgszRjsliq_9tHjsr0Y7McO7rqKPySjO960dwnLUvdhZDlC-YBF452tEG7Zb4MsyYun2AVag-zv9lbP_j4S9baGdNccK6fauPVZyUxHWQkWtoQUiQDVKyd-szRtvEBPDvhHXA/s400/msanta.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, for those of you who remember my love for these cute cards from KariCraft during the Fall, I loved adding a few to this tree, as well:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJd8sOvuxxiSNkrZjw6QlqRNSFVP71_8BwuxG2I5ZxsPtrqGcc_poReFgm6LR9k8n77kp0SCC6PNz3QNzXj3QfUlVYee1VDOVZkgkijijgu6U_dnLHk7LBRnGmpYuIhFqHksCkv4K0zw/s1600/ktree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJd8sOvuxxiSNkrZjw6QlqRNSFVP71_8BwuxG2I5ZxsPtrqGcc_poReFgm6LR9k8n77kp0SCC6PNz3QNzXj3QfUlVYee1VDOVZkgkijijgu6U_dnLHk7LBRnGmpYuIhFqHksCkv4K0zw/s400/ktree.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S9lSG7ySaJEwF1pEFj_IPo3HR9PHuex185O_46WJHWTfEeRCNy8tQYiqsK8BSajhNpGorQsitANlSlYvajoHl0Km10Rmp5HqPnzIYb4fw0ev9F2PGaFGUClUmX_WDWBvAKV4HhszBg/s1600/ktree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S9lSG7ySaJEwF1pEFj_IPo3HR9PHuex185O_46WJHWTfEeRCNy8tQYiqsK8BSajhNpGorQsitANlSlYvajoHl0Km10Rmp5HqPnzIYb4fw0ev9F2PGaFGUClUmX_WDWBvAKV4HhszBg/s400/ktree2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found these sweet, festive lollipops at Cracker Barrel ... thought they'd be fun tucked in the tree:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAY6kcQB9Pmy_Oo-4k-qrxasTzTVQvoop59JQpBRE1iWkj4oLShaa6GvuBfK2-4BcBeG6ET6JtjAVp8H7MJhQsRjf_K99Rllo-CW7-8_ZZJid3Iq207gFAuLZh5ZPWay0qJW4_U-zDw/s1600/ktree4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAY6kcQB9Pmy_Oo-4k-qrxasTzTVQvoop59JQpBRE1iWkj4oLShaa6GvuBfK2-4BcBeG6ET6JtjAVp8H7MJhQsRjf_K99Rllo-CW7-8_ZZJid3Iq207gFAuLZh5ZPWay0qJW4_U-zDw/s320/ktree4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My wonderful elves are perched on top ... they are busy stringing gumdrops, which then cascade around the tree.  They are such wonderful helpers:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GEAwke1CG7Jcg8iV-bAAh097mJFv1eL69jhyP1x-pWfN0HGJyFSoOfIMHPGKVQFF3eCqb5BBklHKoyNYk3ZwqtZtYb9EG3W0-8DUcj0FAiJjIHQ0dH02E9mMScjbyFB_62Q9cPpvWA/s1600/ktopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GEAwke1CG7Jcg8iV-bAAh097mJFv1eL69jhyP1x-pWfN0HGJyFSoOfIMHPGKVQFF3eCqb5BBklHKoyNYk3ZwqtZtYb9EG3W0-8DUcj0FAiJjIHQ0dH02E9mMScjbyFB_62Q9cPpvWA/s400/ktopper.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I filled my kitchen canisters with calorie-filled yummies, except for the middle one, which I filled with fake snow, ivy and ornaments, topped with an elf:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBUSD_NNaNBd2VW-fIB-j83EHHvAfvAblHAAlFsXiSrkhXtIBQTC6GjmTWJ1OB2u31MfvsGofFf0uNi4_9esK54xjOM3_es2jeaF6nBsJGZSKBpYFoQOVaAGTmKoh2XiLj7ZvF-hSTg/s1600/elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBUSD_NNaNBd2VW-fIB-j83EHHvAfvAblHAAlFsXiSrkhXtIBQTC6GjmTWJ1OB2u31MfvsGofFf0uNi4_9esK54xjOM3_es2jeaF6nBsJGZSKBpYFoQOVaAGTmKoh2XiLj7ZvF-hSTg/s400/elf.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other counters have festive touches, as well.  A polka dot bowl of *faux* fresh bread:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jrGrbaoY-FyxsOubeObd1O0a7uUbMVDXhNkwKLnjK1_5LqdXMyrN6bD7m8Jt0ScTLO1Di1hgTBh94cfk155OHIs6v93wN0ATLNYT0nOgFCQXaCGptT-nHtVM9RY1v-MrO4h9-Rqwaw/s1600/bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jrGrbaoY-FyxsOubeObd1O0a7uUbMVDXhNkwKLnjK1_5LqdXMyrN6bD7m8Jt0ScTLO1Di1hgTBh94cfk155OHIs6v93wN0ATLNYT0nOgFCQXaCGptT-nHtVM9RY1v-MrO4h9-Rqwaw/s400/bread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Christmas cookbook tempting you to make something yummy:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yeVXP-t94xQOAzext2hWnsLkD4Rizj07xs1Bo6Kq92qSAgCmcjRZ9QOnIX6b_Drj5w2VNG4palebd9JONWIJcjHzPfVBxp9G4nDZtJrYPEY00YWkG56TFiJMLFQqP1H2yXe6T_j7HQ/s1600/cookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yeVXP-t94xQOAzext2hWnsLkD4Rizj07xs1Bo6Kq92qSAgCmcjRZ9QOnIX6b_Drj5w2VNG4palebd9JONWIJcjHzPfVBxp9G4nDZtJrYPEY00YWkG56TFiJMLFQqP1H2yXe6T_j7HQ/s400/cookbook.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little vignette has a tiered tray of *faux* goodies sitting next to the sweetest picture of my little fella taking his first walk with Santa a few years ago:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5N9mWdLAjODRHVncJdnyVeH9Cd0L61ZaE98Ccg_ikx5on8RcIMOavtn7JWVOa0lr1NivmlnUZK8DB5P5Fu_0-h7lMmXApPt41IlKd56uq-aQQ59XzEzwmawJUeHvox4seukh5dlRFg/s1600/kpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5N9mWdLAjODRHVncJdnyVeH9Cd0L61ZaE98Ccg_ikx5on8RcIMOavtn7JWVOa0lr1NivmlnUZK8DB5P5Fu_0-h7lMmXApPt41IlKd56uq-aQQ59XzEzwmawJUeHvox4seukh5dlRFg/s320/kpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, I topped my kitchen cabinets with garland, snowflakes and red and white ornaments.  Annnnd, I added a "Holly Jolly" note to my chalkboard:</span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-po27RpCGFQ1gdnyRF4fUi1Twy-y6mhcN8SPjerpkt2IiOEGFDEDGjJ0K8HwZZTbCs-2C1HxCIu0rTQD5owUiPADoVXWQ6-5h7HKi7VHuTezl8UgNhIqz2eUIQbyAbiQXau9Tuttn7A/s1600/chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-po27RpCGFQ1gdnyRF4fUi1Twy-y6mhcN8SPjerpkt2IiOEGFDEDGjJ0K8HwZZTbCs-2C1HxCIu0rTQD5owUiPADoVXWQ6-5h7HKi7VHuTezl8UgNhIqz2eUIQbyAbiQXau9Tuttn7A/s400/chalkboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only thing missing from my kitchen is the smell of Christmas cookies baking in the oven, which I hope Jax will help me with this weekend!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by ... I'm off to see everyone else's touches of Christmas!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Be sure and stop by these truly wonderful blogs to join the fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dittle Dattle for <a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-ever-linky-party-amaze-me-monday.html">Amaze Me Monday</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BTOTP for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/10/fireplace-for-my-dream-library-welcome.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Metamorphosis Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/kitchen-vignettes-lime-and-red/">Southern Hospitality/Vignette Party</a></span> <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hugs,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><strong><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></strong></a></div>

Christmas in the Kitchen

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I had such a great time with my family and friends!  The last few days have been nothing but ...

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