Our 2014 Christmas Great Room ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!</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;">Come on into our great room, where the colors of the season have taken over everything!</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/AVvXsEjen4xL8P3REOvKoXcxd2He3q5bRytWiimp0xmEM0jfrGFSPv5spVxFJip1cRih_11hApd7ZH-lXjuwazWHAZvgD6KSSeijClwrJv3lac575Iv1ye7Ak8fN2PxMhCHwYnQyNbG9Y5-d9oQ/s1600/xmasnewgreatoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjen4xL8P3REOvKoXcxd2He3q5bRytWiimp0xmEM0jfrGFSPv5spVxFJip1cRih_11hApd7ZH-lXjuwazWHAZvgD6KSSeijClwrJv3lac575Iv1ye7Ak8fN2PxMhCHwYnQyNbG9Y5-d9oQ/s1600/xmasnewgreatoverall.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's start over here where inexpensive wreaths from Michael's dress the windows and festive "Vinter 2014" red/white pillow covers from IKEA add a splash of holiday to our sofa.</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/AVvXsEgMiyg_4tBihay-AVxwFoFmxgeor5Ekvaups0gkNV1nASVxACRR8Qfcu3kmL7d27tZpW-mfnEPV7OTxXoy3lj0bIPL5Yu5Ah_Ynon7_Ky9zUMfDFhl_JUvEm8suqo3aQk0pGx6L2I_kWhA/s1600/newxmassofa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiyg_4tBihay-AVxwFoFmxgeor5Ekvaups0gkNV1nASVxACRR8Qfcu3kmL7d27tZpW-mfnEPV7OTxXoy3lj0bIPL5Yu5Ah_Ynon7_Ky9zUMfDFhl_JUvEm8suqo3aQk0pGx6L2I_kWhA/s1600/newxmassofa.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5cPlyR_MJNQUXNDIMmbkDuT90pBbiosf-v09Rfgxaer4-Qh4ufL8p1VWvG71RyL__1hHg9jQwNZAIhAuJcXTQNdLSItvT2ZFXSiJymr6ZiI4rfjcZqmd1klIged5KiDdH0jInzsv7s8/s1600/newxmasgreatbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5cPlyR_MJNQUXNDIMmbkDuT90pBbiosf-v09Rfgxaer4-Qh4ufL8p1VWvG71RyL__1hHg9jQwNZAIhAuJcXTQNdLSItvT2ZFXSiJymr6ZiI4rfjcZqmd1klIged5KiDdH0jInzsv7s8/s1600/newxmasgreatbasket.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leftover scraps of ribbon were "saved" and tucked into the garland around a simple hurricane ... </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxLQHPv_DuCuLHSmA6gv4l3pZI5jKNh6EQUUv371w_EXsRUmL0W3rzeYbat_-KNrNr_UutjgRnZEWBMJ0bITyY3LidGI7FJ5MzCSBZGO7SWPTcIKeNsIgh4QT6RmhunxUh-M6YWbz89U/s1600/newxmasgreatcandle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxLQHPv_DuCuLHSmA6gv4l3pZI5jKNh6EQUUv371w_EXsRUmL0W3rzeYbat_-KNrNr_UutjgRnZEWBMJ0bITyY3LidGI7FJ5MzCSBZGO7SWPTcIKeNsIgh4QT6RmhunxUh-M6YWbz89U/s1600/newxmasgreatcandle.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Speaking* of our mantel ... there it is ... still not thrilled with it, BUT, I'll do better next time (hopefully)!  You can see more of our mantel, along with 10 other mantels that are beyond inspiring by clicking <a href="http://adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com/2014/12/our-2014-christmas-mantel-and-blog-hop.html"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RCuoezzVuNzjMrXdpHUUwZfEB9TIJebgJRoJFaWPwJOr9GhDBVDKnxOyUVxX-UOoqypgR8nmNoJMRVZaoG79eX1k99CI3WehwRW7HiReOYF1xNb6fYe_AAuIR3IvZsFGcytEvgBu2s/s1600/xmasnewmantelclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7RCuoezzVuNzjMrXdpHUUwZfEB9TIJebgJRoJFaWPwJOr9GhDBVDKnxOyUVxX-UOoqypgR8nmNoJMRVZaoG79eX1k99CI3WehwRW7HiReOYF1xNb6fYe_AAuIR3IvZsFGcytEvgBu2s/s1600/xmasnewmantelclose.jpg" width="426" /></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;">A red, cable throw from IKEA is an easy way to add color to our white slipcovered chairs.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfhX6tAS23BznrntqK9aCke_g55luVYtYZLrWVwDTT2EgTBsw_DA07W9tlCnGsyxpWNvkxRuUTZZnALFYqWDR9VuXy21aK3WLUS9LyvyrU7DbeQYneZopIUTFHpB3ITeR0S-abjFHx7Q/s1600/xmasnewgreatchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfhX6tAS23BznrntqK9aCke_g55luVYtYZLrWVwDTT2EgTBsw_DA07W9tlCnGsyxpWNvkxRuUTZZnALFYqWDR9VuXy21aK3WLUS9LyvyrU7DbeQYneZopIUTFHpB3ITeR0S-abjFHx7Q/s1600/xmasnewgreatchair.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we used to have a 9 ft. tree in our great room in our old home (thanks to vaulted ceilings), it was a tad bit too tall for this room, sooooo, we bought a new "faux" tree from Lowe's ... a nice, fat tree ... and we love it!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh75kiAC9p3isYnFB8B3a4uKz3-Vhb8vZw-tLq7EJYL2EaL84pz8hOyQOrFrXbkXn-RMpmWS6OvElRmYVKhuAkXst2A4jmOmh-d2UvYOWLMw5HVzerA7wU2eEqb8dYpMAICPMGWgJUdY/s1600/xmasnewgreattree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh75kiAC9p3isYnFB8B3a4uKz3-Vhb8vZw-tLq7EJYL2EaL84pz8hOyQOrFrXbkXn-RMpmWS6OvElRmYVKhuAkXst2A4jmOmh-d2UvYOWLMw5HVzerA7wU2eEqb8dYpMAICPMGWgJUdY/s1600/xmasnewgreattree.jpg" width="426" /></a></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;">When I spotted these cute "chalkboard" ornaments from Target, I knew that they'd tie in nicely with our "chalkboard" sign above the mantel ... so, in my cart they went!  </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZrU-AjGNX6i7oKk32kGj0LVA4Et3iTMH6rnAa-4D3col0ZPlIWASZtwWYg39ltbe79SyMe6fIStSqEZHRfh2_njgKmvdmylVGTU9_kDSddZycNzXyOI-ckgVZi4qzKaUeyzImuHgCKQ/s1600/newxmasgreatorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZrU-AjGNX6i7oKk32kGj0LVA4Et3iTMH6rnAa-4D3col0ZPlIWASZtwWYg39ltbe79SyMe6fIStSqEZHRfh2_njgKmvdmylVGTU9_kDSddZycNzXyOI-ckgVZi4qzKaUeyzImuHgCKQ/s1600/newxmasgreatorn.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Glittery white reindeer and large snowflakes that I've collected over the past few years are great fillers!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx9z_KNz99B9CXGBRRLTtNXxkfQ-oOwA8Lnq92bU0aiPgA6QUpcCfZJ-8kNBa7JRPZPywdWvDfDrqOB5bS7NBlMHM5a0zc4zJwwH0RvEnD9Q3i1qJVQ2VWuwEKh-OVfgyNFsB8kZgZOc/s1600/newxmasgreatorn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx9z_KNz99B9CXGBRRLTtNXxkfQ-oOwA8Lnq92bU0aiPgA6QUpcCfZJ-8kNBa7JRPZPywdWvDfDrqOB5bS7NBlMHM5a0zc4zJwwH0RvEnD9Q3i1qJVQ2VWuwEKh-OVfgyNFsB8kZgZOc/s1600/newxmasgreatorn1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Admittedly, I love the room "all aglow" at night!</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/AVvXsEhVZtpoQcAALGkL5L1d0vurkIzw8yxH9V5dmGpDOKBZCH11U8b4z64lmvqukGaAK1w_yCFZR6POHD4hMS4Jh9ti4dIBb0CvGYuTuZgFBpMAQdKjhidBYCRbqOvNWBcyeXP6DbNOnY3DBW8/s1600/newxmasgreatnight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZtpoQcAALGkL5L1d0vurkIzw8yxH9V5dmGpDOKBZCH11U8b4z64lmvqukGaAK1w_yCFZR6POHD4hMS4Jh9ti4dIBb0CvGYuTuZgFBpMAQdKjhidBYCRbqOvNWBcyeXP6DbNOnY3DBW8/s1600/newxmasgreatnight1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does Christmas "have" to come so soon ?!</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/AVvXsEiazGZFmanpbgE9bKVhTIk-Vkv3WVcLCR7kBkf6v95L0CDZ_4R7g4cTkl-KlLxeCDyEohErOO42HAcNcHw-G2BY9nGO8lahaRwiDqMD142ticwDjEFETEKjBfWfCanK2Veli8kjFFqWN6k/s1600/xmasgreatnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazGZFmanpbgE9bKVhTIk-Vkv3WVcLCR7kBkf6v95L0CDZ_4R7g4cTkl-KlLxeCDyEohErOO42HAcNcHw-G2BY9nGO8lahaRwiDqMD142ticwDjEFETEKjBfWfCanK2Veli8kjFFqWN6k/s1600/xmasgreatnight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you'll join me again soon in our Christmas kitchen ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9leGGYwl6uNus8bGQBnFeTurmd20B3Fp0hsBIx1WuBeAhxrfBClj8FZ3DfxlZwPy3qjUlDx_M-ZbSqMKxy5EmxMMv2VHApWOfFJo-rpZcJO8ZS9lqKriPLv9AV31Y-kQ2kWPo3fPi2s/s1600/fbxmaskitskirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9leGGYwl6uNus8bGQBnFeTurmd20B3Fp0hsBIx1WuBeAhxrfBClj8FZ3DfxlZwPy3qjUlDx_M-ZbSqMKxy5EmxMMv2VHApWOfFJo-rpZcJO8ZS9lqKriPLv9AV31Y-kQ2kWPo3fPi2s/s1600/fbxmaskitskirt.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Our 2014 Christmas Great Room ...

Greetings, friends! Come on into our great room, where the colors of the season have taken over everything! Let's start over here where ...

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Our 2014 Christmas Mantel and Blog Hop ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greetings, friends!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I'm happy to be joining 10 incredibly talented bloggers as they share their beyond beautiful Christmas mantels!  </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/AVvXsEh0ShF2SNNCOwLO5e9qv9uLGQqFEn4uL2UNH2bb0tI31v26vFYLTwLCbf2v_GIUYhmQ4c8FixyHLy3OAH1afGEAdka_Zs8gxLJ_UMxtrLeBXRRfjuLVnMUo-jz8KfcwCiv65hCwK08FVhg/s1600/mantelhop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ShF2SNNCOwLO5e9qv9uLGQqFEn4uL2UNH2bb0tI31v26vFYLTwLCbf2v_GIUYhmQ4c8FixyHLy3OAH1afGEAdka_Zs8gxLJ_UMxtrLeBXRRfjuLVnMUo-jz8KfcwCiv65hCwK08FVhg/s1600/mantelhop.jpg" width="480" /></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;">And, while our mantel is far from a show-stopper, I'm humbled to join these fabulous ladies to spread a bit of Chistmas mantel cheer!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here it is:</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/AVvXsEjUsYuMbzYed1ZaL1W8Z2bHPhhPHEJmWjPGxwhyi_coqUNFpr6CyVHgQLi7e-n2Z4FUU0Zw__CriOka3uL-Yrf4_7RRrPemzciGJuxOsFg1bZP4QDD5z9iEsylLuXhTpKJTiWP7kC3TknI/s1600/xmasnewmantelclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsYuMbzYed1ZaL1W8Z2bHPhhPHEJmWjPGxwhyi_coqUNFpr6CyVHgQLi7e-n2Z4FUU0Zw__CriOka3uL-Yrf4_7RRrPemzciGJuxOsFg1bZP4QDD5z9iEsylLuXhTpKJTiWP7kC3TknI/s1600/xmasnewmantelclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit, I was in a bit of a holiday mantel "slump" this year ... maybe it was the new house ... maybe it was missing our old fireplace ... I just couldn't get with it!  And, then, as I was wandering through the aisles of HomeGoods, with my typical "deer caught in the headlights" look, I spotted it!  There it was ... at long last ... my mantel inspiration!  (My sincere apologies to the sweet  group of ladies whom I almost knocked over getting to it!)</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/AVvXsEhenn-c5hS3YDEcYL6__vTrXCEZ3tTdBZL39YWgrop2jckZHbMMB5yEYvK0SjXaKhqZIr4fNej92Tr-4Qxxi_86h__0aLI026o7-3Psqnqj-htLxOsm-_PTtIi_t86CTZz3YGnoGaAdr08/s1600/xmasnewmantelsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenn-c5hS3YDEcYL6__vTrXCEZ3tTdBZL39YWgrop2jckZHbMMB5yEYvK0SjXaKhqZIr4fNej92Tr-4Qxxi_86h__0aLI026o7-3Psqnqj-htLxOsm-_PTtIi_t86CTZz3YGnoGaAdr08/s1600/xmasnewmantelsign.jpg" width="640" /></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;">Once I put 50 holes in the wall trying to center it and hang it at the proper height above the mirror, it was time to start working my way down, with red, black and white being the main colors.</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/AVvXsEikL1cN3GU9Wl0hUoIIGGkJZF0iqRY2k5h6dpoVyB15X-4Q6RO18Nr1esY6GadFhC1bjI_NcNKmv-SxQ8GSwUC41-eblMNy0FCfSJdRxneEMm1YKVHPaFp4DaskVYwNL-aq9RExTLg82sM/s1600/xmasnewmantelcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikL1cN3GU9Wl0hUoIIGGkJZF0iqRY2k5h6dpoVyB15X-4Q6RO18Nr1esY6GadFhC1bjI_NcNKmv-SxQ8GSwUC41-eblMNy0FCfSJdRxneEMm1YKVHPaFp4DaskVYwNL-aq9RExTLg82sM/s1600/xmasnewmantelcloseup.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This cute reindeer from Hobby Lobby was then cast as the centerpiece on the mantel!  While he was so handsome and whimsical on his own, I wanted to add a bit of "oomph" behind him to help show him off a bit, so, I hung a simple wreath behind him and then let green and silver join the fun, too:</span></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/AVvXsEjy1MaP3zuHKwDIjcyteFQhAxXQPch22pxxA96S6Zr0TJgrGc1VtpyHnO5AoBokDEdtehhhrWGGPdfq5fdjBJFbGkP0odQ57MZJ5FeY2MFjFfJIFag9SXcQbJTcTsQMbvNJlAVG-o_hHPE/s1600/xmasnewmantelrein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1MaP3zuHKwDIjcyteFQhAxXQPch22pxxA96S6Zr0TJgrGc1VtpyHnO5AoBokDEdtehhhrWGGPdfq5fdjBJFbGkP0odQ57MZJ5FeY2MFjFfJIFag9SXcQbJTcTsQMbvNJlAVG-o_hHPE/s1600/xmasnewmantelrein.jpg" width="426" /></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, okay, "bow maker" will never make its way onto my resume, but, I was on a mission to add a few to our flocked garland, to tie in the black and white colors in our cute chalkboard sign.  So, thank you, Youtube, for the tutorial!  </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/AVvXsEiZ1G7vrA06BGekDH0iMaQokR7kv89NRZ6VeFbL7nyncCghc2gMJE0twAAANUty3Yhn21c7YoCDAHzZd3qJO6rlIV6jJwgDd6-3qltW3ca42oRqxodyOcipNFURKBd8ifTCdqkLnL3RlRk/s1600/xmasnewmantelbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1G7vrA06BGekDH0iMaQokR7kv89NRZ6VeFbL7nyncCghc2gMJE0twAAANUty3Yhn21c7YoCDAHzZd3qJO6rlIV6jJwgDd6-3qltW3ca42oRqxodyOcipNFURKBd8ifTCdqkLnL3RlRk/s1600/xmasnewmantelbow.jpg" width="426" /></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;">I then added leftover ribbon to a pillow (from IKEA) to carry the black and white theme around the room, which I'll share later ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X6ue3y7R387W-R5wCW_wULFW5D1ZtscvTtG5JaLZV-u3hoTWHbU-llg1kXYuC3JL5FlUEu-ZlX-rSYG_XtWc-cGIIofH8Iy8COe9Vnm6iHy6vjQ8t-RbB_t0Gw9D89Y7SqaLLZRt3lI/s1600/xmasnewmantelsider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X6ue3y7R387W-R5wCW_wULFW5D1ZtscvTtG5JaLZV-u3hoTWHbU-llg1kXYuC3JL5FlUEu-ZlX-rSYG_XtWc-cGIIofH8Iy8COe9Vnm6iHy6vjQ8t-RbB_t0Gw9D89Y7SqaLLZRt3lI/s1600/xmasnewmantelsider.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was "shopping" our Christmas bins, I had forgotten I had these cute red trees (from Wal-Mart a few years ago) ... don't you love free decorating?!</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/AVvXsEhKCVUy-yBpOI0itFUK8hmiTjWuloX4TJwo951cOmvpOHXl529kSJyjh931UpqH1JPIN0HFv3mF0iBP9EwqdAGR8XkHmud2f2iN-lZNt8iiXEUBUEMyzhbSHbk92tK4yJp-E_JJpCP26Ws/s1600/xmasnewmanteltrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCVUy-yBpOI0itFUK8hmiTjWuloX4TJwo951cOmvpOHXl529kSJyjh931UpqH1JPIN0HFv3mF0iBP9EwqdAGR8XkHmud2f2iN-lZNt8iiXEUBUEMyzhbSHbk92tK4yJp-E_JJpCP26Ws/s1600/xmasnewmanteltrees.jpg" width="426" /></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;">Originally,  I didn't plan on using our nutcrackers this year, but, as I closed the lid on the bin where we keep them, I'm pretty sure I heard a muffled cry ... so, out came a couple of them!</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/AVvXsEgcDtd5tQcnB3KHX5rbvYwDG9ztZND3OLPZv7qnwBkU_gY15-KOtK7LFHtBUkTxuW_mWnX81zlIZ1Vy7zAHH7_aTy-MlLNJ7VpEG9ITw5xT53cPFcqXoC8iAAgThhznGaaG2GDGT7o8P78/s1600/xmasnewmantelnut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDtd5tQcnB3KHX5rbvYwDG9ztZND3OLPZv7qnwBkU_gY15-KOtK7LFHtBUkTxuW_mWnX81zlIZ1Vy7zAHH7_aTy-MlLNJ7VpEG9ITw5xT53cPFcqXoC8iAAgThhznGaaG2GDGT7o8P78/s1600/xmasnewmantelnut.jpg" width="426" /></a></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;">We can't have a sad Nutcracker, now can we?  I'm happy I added this fella and his twin because, no matter how hard I might try to stay simplistic, I always *need* a little bit of bling!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNTV7UMKdVJfKTg-d8Slyb6z3almxZpB9tsM48NyoMjQy9OdkFp_UNRnYsbHLGn-orDcyq2coBP82bK5xMfvnZ2wZHGGmNwSu6hUpequVQqtXTtFAruGHYpo6pXUjd6ejSqpD9klKhBE/s1600/xmasnewnutclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNTV7UMKdVJfKTg-d8Slyb6z3almxZpB9tsM48NyoMjQy9OdkFp_UNRnYsbHLGn-orDcyq2coBP82bK5xMfvnZ2wZHGGmNwSu6hUpequVQqtXTtFAruGHYpo6pXUjd6ejSqpD9klKhBE/s1600/xmasnewnutclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our colorful view as we relax on the couch ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusqk9oOjSbvuaVz23MmdScVQ9pDvF2X5BoZsU3NtfB_PZAzaM13NjeREr9i2nd01MQRfWpEhWK2uPWJMFYfkMI1XiKKhTj8sCZXJq6enL6l-XVmTd49HAZmBJMctFFODLjmnniSxIZjc/s1600/xmasnewmantelsidel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusqk9oOjSbvuaVz23MmdScVQ9pDvF2X5BoZsU3NtfB_PZAzaM13NjeREr9i2nd01MQRfWpEhWK2uPWJMFYfkMI1XiKKhTj8sCZXJq6enL6l-XVmTd49HAZmBJMctFFODLjmnniSxIZjc/s1600/xmasnewmantelsidel.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can never go wrong with a faux poinsettia from Michael's, can you? </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH2JXCxLBVeVlgk6M_sKpH-5gMroIqMASMxZ4ShtW95hyqwBZQe-Zlb1_iWiv-ZbutXhRS5miz5p_5Eyut7TQ4D44QuPZ6f27V_hj-uQx_-DtBeY3ULNVMUZloNPc5uRS6kS3HTN6-cM/s1600/xmasnewmantelpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH2JXCxLBVeVlgk6M_sKpH-5gMroIqMASMxZ4ShtW95hyqwBZQe-Zlb1_iWiv-ZbutXhRS5miz5p_5Eyut7TQ4D44QuPZ6f27V_hj-uQx_-DtBeY3ULNVMUZloNPc5uRS6kS3HTN6-cM/s1600/xmasnewmantelpoint.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, I had to carry the black, white, red, green and silver theme over to our tree, too!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDEWz72uhw3IRECPntOXH37pczXFpl_PT9cY8rFPFF71eWF1RUQWInMIFQ0BJY_z0S2_-mxOcxmWN1nx0nquWwrLmyZDkVBmU-SMb0HW1GWb_7vzix9RJojxbGmaSt4UN_q6aLU8XXFw/s1600/xmasnewmanteltree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDEWz72uhw3IRECPntOXH37pczXFpl_PT9cY8rFPFF71eWF1RUQWInMIFQ0BJY_z0S2_-mxOcxmWN1nx0nquWwrLmyZDkVBmU-SMb0HW1GWb_7vzix9RJojxbGmaSt4UN_q6aLU8XXFw/s1600/xmasnewmanteltree.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I hope you'll come back soon to see that and the rest of our room.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVmnvj41BLh6yk5C8RBoDRrZyRbxqmazwvKIxPXoTXRK18fk0KYAuASD_k_2MpM-N5HOugsMx15vdy76LsQEWW4vxP6r-8g-YSsjVGQGlbUTJcP2zHed_2_123Qfx9AIN70okkz2pVY/s1600/xmasnewmantellast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVmnvj41BLh6yk5C8RBoDRrZyRbxqmazwvKIxPXoTXRK18fk0KYAuASD_k_2MpM-N5HOugsMx15vdy76LsQEWW4vxP6r-8g-YSsjVGQGlbUTJcP2zHed_2_123Qfx9AIN70okkz2pVY/s1600/xmasnewmantellast.jpg" width="448" /></a></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;">You won't want to miss the other mantels on the tour ... they'll undoubtedly inspire you like they did me!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.attagirlsays.com/2014/12/08/christmas-mantel-decor-tour/"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Atta Girls Says</span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQOCk1U0Bt-4uaMza1muQq85exKGYYD4frbTK3Z9UMqyUiJ8x1rhJSOsnxpRj2ZPCOVGCsGCqw-VbCjER8XmiWCWR_M-zF3HzH6dWWchgWsewNEEe4KYtDtyUBREJNT046-ll4Syjkf8/s1600/attagirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQOCk1U0Bt-4uaMza1muQq85exKGYYD4frbTK3Z9UMqyUiJ8x1rhJSOsnxpRj2ZPCOVGCsGCqw-VbCjER8XmiWCWR_M-zF3HzH6dWWchgWsewNEEe4KYtDtyUBREJNT046-ll4Syjkf8/s1600/attagirl.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chateau-chic.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-mantel-in-pastels.html"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chateau Chic</span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr6DbT6W5QvYjdsVHepvSt72L1im5GQPghVIR09SaTZiOBwJzsTQTuaChRN5S6n9jIFFblXEdpxV23vivbFJEpYgqkFhAonkXpk1eC9JhzcIiiSppfsdIZ16v_hz00AfrLRqFulHyb-4/s1600/chateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr6DbT6W5QvYjdsVHepvSt72L1im5GQPghVIR09SaTZiOBwJzsTQTuaChRN5S6n9jIFFblXEdpxV23vivbFJEpYgqkFhAonkXpk1eC9JhzcIiiSppfsdIZ16v_hz00AfrLRqFulHyb-4/s1600/chateau.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com/2014/12/cottage-christmas-mantel-and-blog-hop.html">Far Above Rubies</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMQN1wRhwddtYeD5OfktCj-ADv6aZ4mJRTLIqC52CovlnzXfWMexYw6Zru_rpH0pZ34Ol9f2i2h4daMTTDcItYuutRFA_0fRli8hTHMhhiYaEJKpXacQJI5HhOHN4v-9XpIs1jbVxV1g/s1600/farabove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMQN1wRhwddtYeD5OfktCj-ADv6aZ4mJRTLIqC52CovlnzXfWMexYw6Zru_rpH0pZ34Ol9f2i2h4daMTTDcItYuutRFA_0fRli8hTHMhhiYaEJKpXacQJI5HhOHN4v-9XpIs1jbVxV1g/s1600/farabove.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2014/12/cottage-christmas-mantel.html"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">French Country Cottage</span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV7DOqCFmeNydtj6tzuYno87jJdWLrDaaz6ek3JxqkbPGb4fZJipwI4K9dnyQWOFohvPf5Dww0CYOgCedYqMIGQVCiNePi4CjUxLkstjVOMIFovi5lLNDQ8rPyCQhvC6eEzLeVdlaDbE/s1600/frenchcountry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV7DOqCFmeNydtj6tzuYno87jJdWLrDaaz6ek3JxqkbPGb4fZJipwI4K9dnyQWOFohvPf5Dww0CYOgCedYqMIGQVCiNePi4CjUxLkstjVOMIFovi5lLNDQ8rPyCQhvC6eEzLeVdlaDbE/s1600/frenchcountry.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2014/12/christmasmantel2014.html"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From My Front Porch to Yours</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82CruthV-AWI8M3YA91JvKsBomMEPFO-WAdZjm2_r1rMflpw4yUUTL9XALJLSVSQDBu88Rz-S4gEOkQiGr6OpMX9vTpwI3Ftr8phDfmNqMgwoau1bIzkcp2rcIqzRgXcvVRZTVtv85k4/s1600/frontporch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82CruthV-AWI8M3YA91JvKsBomMEPFO-WAdZjm2_r1rMflpw4yUUTL9XALJLSVSQDBu88Rz-S4gEOkQiGr6OpMX9vTpwI3Ftr8phDfmNqMgwoau1bIzkcp2rcIqzRgXcvVRZTVtv85k4/s1600/frontporch.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.housepitalitydesigns.com/2014/12/08/a-wintery-christmas-mantel/"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Housepitality Designs</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOA9nuMFupSF_awa9Qk02FobpCVo9SzEFXFs-64hXHOTbvBFpWIeqxnVyfXL_SyKVyY39hiOvDViMVyLJN_tQzRZi2DZ2l1nDYoYRJU1lHqQn9h501BwngYF1J4y0ndEt9XWwkAjBHL4/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOA9nuMFupSF_awa9Qk02FobpCVo9SzEFXFs-64hXHOTbvBFpWIeqxnVyfXL_SyKVyY39hiOvDViMVyLJN_tQzRZi2DZ2l1nDYoYRJU1lHqQn9h501BwngYF1J4y0ndEt9XWwkAjBHL4/s1600/house.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2014/12/into-woodschristmas-mantel.html"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpe4NJSwC3lrUsmmBoi-u783RLeKVhl9hjxJE_9z9Z-9V8NCOoV3Jluml4YZVmyxyqA-72X8ZkrUZ0OuGw2LhQRTpJB8bW8Cl3KI_6K8U9Br3lNfcP_PYim1SH_x_cg-EXSiXOkBMivb8/s1600/savvy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpe4NJSwC3lrUsmmBoi-u783RLeKVhl9hjxJE_9z9Z-9V8NCOoV3Jluml4YZVmyxyqA-72X8ZkrUZ0OuGw2LhQRTpJB8bW8Cl3KI_6K8U9Br3lNfcP_PYim1SH_x_cg-EXSiXOkBMivb8/s1600/savvy.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://shabbyfufu.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-mantel-styling-ideas-and.html">Shabby FuFu</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwzhhtVB3FY_iP1bD2gYij6prn8TQaO4ZobMyjyIEaOZsU5iOKZJNaomsW7tZ7ZxABVLLeYspnTF1xZX_P-TFNSuWUpUzH063H7Y7Lu-YizQeGZPbhL9FqYb3q8Jk-aRPfUlfiiVqM3E/s1600/shabbyfufu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwzhhtVB3FY_iP1bD2gYij6prn8TQaO4ZobMyjyIEaOZsU5iOKZJNaomsW7tZ7ZxABVLLeYspnTF1xZX_P-TFNSuWUpUzH063H7Y7Lu-YizQeGZPbhL9FqYb3q8Jk-aRPfUlfiiVqM3E/s1600/shabbyfufu.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/?p=20126"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stone Gable Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMCYawZEl_p4wdzzYThB2v1fgggPQLwvjuBIWQlXA4IviQ2JqmbO4MBRyWVKo7_AjG_HotFba6bVOq03NMu1e7CQTEn7C3Za5Y94kix5B2m-BvCMu8oEPdZ02t7gt9j_PPmr2uTfB6Ls/s1600/stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMCYawZEl_p4wdzzYThB2v1fgggPQLwvjuBIWQlXA4IviQ2JqmbO4MBRyWVKo7_AjG_HotFba6bVOq03NMu1e7CQTEn7C3Za5Y94kix5B2m-BvCMu8oEPdZ02t7gt9j_PPmr2uTfB6Ls/s1600/stone.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/2014/11/mantel-party/"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">White Lace Cottage</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xpCPZGfatNjZIKftllPuYxT5rSaJry3DoyHCbCdFYdiHm44XYgjZ-dNAr37Kpbmy52NZdfoAyVjfpm4f3hXnm37WlOMyzTWdGZtwj0j1i8esMQ_fB9dXZ1Z7sKj_WocCq9fyyEUxMcI/s1600/whitelace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xpCPZGfatNjZIKftllPuYxT5rSaJry3DoyHCbCdFYdiHm44XYgjZ-dNAr37Kpbmy52NZdfoAyVjfpm4f3hXnm37WlOMyzTWdGZtwj0j1i8esMQ_fB9dXZ1Z7sKj_WocCq9fyyEUxMcI/s1600/whitelace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by,</span><br /><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Our 2014 Christmas Mantel and Blog Hop ...

Greetings, friends!   Today, I'm happy to be joining 10 incredibly talented bloggers as they share their beyond beautiful Christmas mant...

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Our Christmas Foyer ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Holidays, friends!  </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;">Can you believe we're already into December?  Not me!  But, that hasn't stopped us from decking the halls and "fa la la la la-ing" around our new home.</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;">When it comes to holiday decorating, I'm a fan of "themes," whether it's colors or a "story."  Like here in our foyer, where I've gone with a simple, traditional theme with hints of a vintage Christmas.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZlC0viOZ5A140za6PANg_8fWeHo99Ci6Wz5DbPT6h6uDFsh62ZrX1fNs8re0wRMUtDGhIFIDsg-qqIP1jgoUaL-uiBmry188z7FI2TRTp_00dg6qgGVmdIvWHX_enXNpxaxpYkSwVmk/s1600/xmasnewfoyeroverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZlC0viOZ5A140za6PANg_8fWeHo99Ci6Wz5DbPT6h6uDFsh62ZrX1fNs8re0wRMUtDGhIFIDsg-qqIP1jgoUaL-uiBmry188z7FI2TRTp_00dg6qgGVmdIvWHX_enXNpxaxpYkSwVmk/s1600/xmasnewfoyeroverall.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you first walk in, you're greeted by our accent chest and the first (of 12, yikes) trees ... this one dressed in reds, golds and greens.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJimuhpc2SAOcNm7fxbr4b_bHB22hRTaAtSd1JrYRo4KI-XhAcOfczh7LLyv0YDneMG02BGAdcqiacbO8mr3ASdOmcBraL-aHlONpL6nTAH0Q7ugcQ5FQTyl_xCxLNYnD6SZAlTz-7M8E/s1600/xmasnewfoyerchestclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJimuhpc2SAOcNm7fxbr4b_bHB22hRTaAtSd1JrYRo4KI-XhAcOfczh7LLyv0YDneMG02BGAdcqiacbO8mr3ASdOmcBraL-aHlONpL6nTAH0Q7ugcQ5FQTyl_xCxLNYnD6SZAlTz-7M8E/s1600/xmasnewfoyerchestclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></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;">Our Victorian carolers are ready to serenade you ...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimavgh0GcblY00vCzMvq5R1QgR_UztEDand2dL4cJPZQ0dpqoXQ-Qo2n5l4Ci1pEDB3EQOT-vWFRiCTMIglYfwyD_e99_9KjVO97xaQnk2ojbCHReQ7PihagLz_p6hHrJ9aBUQCm3g0zw/s1600/xmasnewchoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimavgh0GcblY00vCzMvq5R1QgR_UztEDand2dL4cJPZQ0dpqoXQ-Qo2n5l4Ci1pEDB3EQOT-vWFRiCTMIglYfwyD_e99_9KjVO97xaQnk2ojbCHReQ7PihagLz_p6hHrJ9aBUQCm3g0zw/s1600/xmasnewchoir.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">singing "Silent Night," as large snow flakes fall.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ_QtenCI0tE11SVE5VBcupg1Yn1E1FERkCqeNOiHPlsJhAiE6plB9W8YUViqi8zK8SvL4Of7ILmmko00edWxSZ4VOcAHg35knVnBODys5FDhGkSrh8-Hyg3prbx80dQuF2eaf4GF7w0/s1600/xmasnewchoirclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ_QtenCI0tE11SVE5VBcupg1Yn1E1FERkCqeNOiHPlsJhAiE6plB9W8YUViqi8zK8SvL4Of7ILmmko00edWxSZ4VOcAHg35knVnBODys5FDhGkSrh8-Hyg3prbx80dQuF2eaf4GF7w0/s1600/xmasnewchoirclose.jpg" width="426" /></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/AVvXsEhOCQ8VSkONhZ9YB3eT2dbnud2P9hM9-07s4J6SqMSlPXLpkglHIAQV9MkqgXQW0hCDpNotSi1HIg0Qfy-rE_Xeic_ubO2iCQar5bmTDACABVm4m0O-q_3ogwI2gKrnMDTV6yE7nUjNA9U/s1600/xmasnewfoyercarclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCQ8VSkONhZ9YB3eT2dbnud2P9hM9-07s4J6SqMSlPXLpkglHIAQV9MkqgXQW0hCDpNotSi1HIg0Qfy-rE_Xeic_ubO2iCQar5bmTDACABVm4m0O-q_3ogwI2gKrnMDTV6yE7nUjNA9U/s1600/xmasnewfoyercarclose.jpg" width="426" /></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;">Over on our tree, of course, I had to start with a crazy topper ...</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/AVvXsEjPT8Pd0-EI-Uqh89sne3NojUPgeJxoN-Tr6yWEdDnjOpVOXbBmqd-VqToc3Ba-yIv2dHiFHtynIizY5uaHRkF5zMNo71Zk1Tn4BiI7_ph__PA0SQtnhLXtflgtqBqJfJGcr8EwK-WFU9w/s1600/xmasewfoyertreetop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPT8Pd0-EI-Uqh89sne3NojUPgeJxoN-Tr6yWEdDnjOpVOXbBmqd-VqToc3Ba-yIv2dHiFHtynIizY5uaHRkF5zMNo71Zk1Tn4BiI7_ph__PA0SQtnhLXtflgtqBqJfJGcr8EwK-WFU9w/s1600/xmasewfoyertreetop.jpg" width="426" /></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;">and then filled it with glittery ribbons, poinsettia leaves and the "12 Days of Christmas" ornaments (another song for our carolers to sing).</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/AVvXsEgijqUyNkxC0yPnTtD_26lWLFwl4iyWsfDUSH74I20NrbHHHmFuE_xlyfvYdPcRsmS4CUoKpMiLQkpfyo0LF-ZaHvmYmR812j4YSJIPpZ-6_Jc9lqmCHHkzszj734aD4-ofZQQ91ADFmqc/s1600/xmasnewfoyertreeclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijqUyNkxC0yPnTtD_26lWLFwl4iyWsfDUSH74I20NrbHHHmFuE_xlyfvYdPcRsmS4CUoKpMiLQkpfyo0LF-ZaHvmYmR812j4YSJIPpZ-6_Jc9lqmCHHkzszj734aD4-ofZQQ91ADFmqc/s1600/xmasnewfoyertreeclose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also added our oversized musical instruments to serve as background music as the carolers sing to our special friends, whose Christmas cards from years' past are lovingly tucked in the branches.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MJA6NewUID2Grsr71eSdjSotZEEniERUvgBgMsB_VxcL10BjKbrwxy1jy3ZwpdsYlCEtmBZznTTvp3PuWd3cEe_E4Bp68zibPPFCuSFqlSEx5RRyGRYkiYBfOG4ir8opb-FxiDLUyIw/s1600/xmasnewfoyertreeclose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MJA6NewUID2Grsr71eSdjSotZEEniERUvgBgMsB_VxcL10BjKbrwxy1jy3ZwpdsYlCEtmBZznTTvp3PuWd3cEe_E4Bp68zibPPFCuSFqlSEx5RRyGRYkiYBfOG4ir8opb-FxiDLUyIw/s1600/xmasnewfoyertreeclose1.jpg" width="382" /></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, at the back of our foyer, I added a bit of Christmas, too, with pretty plates and holiday pillows.</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/AVvXsEgBpynbywS5gF6j-oAWEr8slSVP6KN1lp5WZPdn0viPXVH-VjVjS_BqkgVOGYKwdX8deZYVVAA7hqe4DFkS3Nw7S568zmHzLRPjtQY0_Vhk38DEsxuZ1k8DEh_8TA94zTMcXfwumR3jwUc/s1600/xmasnewfoyersec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpynbywS5gF6j-oAWEr8slSVP6KN1lp5WZPdn0viPXVH-VjVjS_BqkgVOGYKwdX8deZYVVAA7hqe4DFkS3Nw7S568zmHzLRPjtQY0_Vhk38DEsxuZ1k8DEh_8TA94zTMcXfwumR3jwUc/s1600/xmasnewfoyersec.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love BHG's line of Christmas plates (Wal-Mart), even wishing I could step into the scene:</span><br /><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/AVvXsEgpafdBHtl5tuD_RdI145GU9ifUkAelAoWt_naK-qD3brU-6MrSNaj5rZt1YVQv-k0-R-_kUGjCdI6v5Sh1elEJTpXLT2s8IlaioeAbQq8Z8iIMQNBQegm1wfBKNAkdDNjDyKb1F7ADS5w/s1600/xmasnewfoyerplates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpafdBHtl5tuD_RdI145GU9ifUkAelAoWt_naK-qD3brU-6MrSNaj5rZt1YVQv-k0-R-_kUGjCdI6v5Sh1elEJTpXLT2s8IlaioeAbQq8Z8iIMQNBQegm1wfBKNAkdDNjDyKb1F7ADS5w/s1600/xmasnewfoyerplates.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They even added a few new plates this year, like this sweet one:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqg64Lye2R0EBLJgCrmBbfWwIMH3bcrvahmQu6iqQOZGVWjmo-PohgYwmq7kw8NAZTqS2KXJpHwTTWuLrpfB2YhPLS_7VrWtbKlE9PBB-vkKO6A-l5CdrY9Dj5IisFcQV5Gxa-gUco80/s1600/xmasnewfoyerplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqg64Lye2R0EBLJgCrmBbfWwIMH3bcrvahmQu6iqQOZGVWjmo-PohgYwmq7kw8NAZTqS2KXJpHwTTWuLrpfB2YhPLS_7VrWtbKlE9PBB-vkKO6A-l5CdrY9Dj5IisFcQV5Gxa-gUco80/s1600/xmasnewfoyerplate.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A simple wreath hung on our secretary reminds us of the "JOY" of the season!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesZNOJazmDUsKNCSlgMV9yIIK38q0cbjuCA7PRFv6HR603oRR_4AySgmdb9BxkXHXpGQnPRR7g1GHZED9Qeul0DONyyQlewL1BBWvrl7SohSn6KK90sFSSJxKYt6sKvD-KpOLOrnvnms/s1600/xmasnewwreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesZNOJazmDUsKNCSlgMV9yIIK38q0cbjuCA7PRFv6HR603oRR_4AySgmdb9BxkXHXpGQnPRR7g1GHZED9Qeul0DONyyQlewL1BBWvrl7SohSn6KK90sFSSJxKYt6sKvD-KpOLOrnvnms/s1600/xmasnewwreath.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love it all "aglow."</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUz_TfeWUCIuPGdxbXV2lRttx2YfdS1LKJ9K3r_w7L8zoFRMIkrRdF6cQwrYPILVq4PXSrqM2nXA-rjSkKuEYpKso4jE63nAiJc-2HJ_3aqcSvR4OKqT_pOeTQb9nmGKtZiVD5cx2Ofg/s1600/xmasnewfoyertree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUz_TfeWUCIuPGdxbXV2lRttx2YfdS1LKJ9K3r_w7L8zoFRMIkrRdF6cQwrYPILVq4PXSrqM2nXA-rjSkKuEYpKso4jE63nAiJc-2HJ_3aqcSvR4OKqT_pOeTQb9nmGKtZiVD5cx2Ofg/s1600/xmasnewfoyertree.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you'll join me as I share more of our holiday home in the days to come, including our mantel, where I'm excited to be a part of this upcoming blog hop!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG-_YbtIb_ttRrT8IYyb9_pifKNti5di1ra0Pi3R4lFB4lgkixJ7Q175VyvnCax3w1FzgfZ29dceSFqJK7VggbmEFG-el7xnGiiPGcMBL2IIblwzeOSpE-qx1IPHtKagle3gBLxFqr84/s1600/mantelparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG-_YbtIb_ttRrT8IYyb9_pifKNti5di1ra0Pi3R4lFB4lgkixJ7Q175VyvnCax3w1FzgfZ29dceSFqJK7VggbmEFG-el7xnGiiPGcMBL2IIblwzeOSpE-qx1IPHtKagle3gBLxFqr84/s1600/mantelparty.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr68/jbbecca/blogsig_zps4ebbd032.png" style="width: NaN%;" />

Our Christmas Foyer ...

Happy Holidays, friends!   Can you believe we're already into December?  Not me!  But, that hasn't stopped us from decking the halls...

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