deck the halls...


Between our busy schedules of working, chauffering children around, home keeping & remodeling there has to be time to deck the halls...

This is my kids advent calender. My sister & I worked on this together 6 or 7 years ago.
I got the idea from a pottery barn catalog. 



My kids look forward to waking up each morning & open their little goodies.



Each pocket is 4X5 inches.
Sometimes, I will combine the gift-a game they can play together-actually  for this year they will get a gingerbread house kit to work on together.
For larger prizes I put a note in the pocket and keep the prize hidden elsewhere. 



Bye bye backsplash! Yeah!

Between decorating for the holidays, I'm removing the faux brick backsplash.
This has to be finished for Wednesday-countertops will be installed!

Here is the vintage holiday box with "port oxford cedar" trimmings.

Love this vintage looking holiday sign I bought years ago.
I have it hanging over my kitchen window.
Are you noticing the wall color?

Love these wispy greens!

Anyone that knows me well knows that I like things to be simetrical :)

Another simple idea I found and loved!

My mom gave me this old coal bin.
I actually filled the bottom with bubble wrap then placed ornaments on top-totally appears to be filled with ornaments!

What is really cool about this fireplace is that there is an outlet above the mantle. I highly recommend this for anyone building a house! It's one of those little things we probably wouldn't think of. This is a simple garland with some pine cones, gold painted leaves & few gold berries. I added these pine cone covered lights to add warmth and ambiance. Very cozy looking at night.

Oh, and here is my Thomas Kinkade village. Where my daughter and I dream about living in a small town like this.