That Christmas Feeling All Over The Place !!

OK..

So I know this is not a “True” post.. but I thought since we had been on the topic of Christmas decorations.. I thought I’d share my small ( very small ) attempt at making my cubicle at work seem a little bit merrier.

THIS … is what I have dangling just over my head..

And THIS:

Is on the wall just behind me.

Ahhh Yes…. Nothing gives you more Holiday Happiness than some Glitter Reindeer and Christmas balls..(right?)

Well then... now that I've made your day so much brighter.

My Job is done.

Carry On.

Christmas Tour 2011

Hey all !!

Since I actually had the camera in my hands again at Thanksgiving.. I decided I was going to try and keep up with the picture taking…( stop laughing)

So I thought why not give the 2011 Christmas house tour via photos.

Many years ago my mother in law, sister in law and I would go on the local Christmas house tours , We just loved being able to walk around in peoples homes to see how they decorated for the season.

Often the houses were in pretty fancy schmancy neighborhoods.

We would float through these magazine like places … dreaming of what it would be like to live in beautiful homes like those.

In fairness some of the homes on the tour were much much older, and had a more shall we say “rustic” look.

These homes were often on the tour because of some historical point of interest.. either way, I am not ashamed to say I LOVE being a voyeur into how people live…their surroundings and how they decorated their personal space.

So even though my home has not been chosen to be on my towns’ Christmas Home Tour… and … I do not live in a Fancy Schmancy neighborhood… nor does my home have any particular historical significance…(other than it is old)

I will give you the tour anyway…

So…Please take your shoes off at the door (that’s what we had to do on these tours… lovely grey haired old ladies at the door would give you a plastic bag to put your shoes in if you were a newbie and hadn’t brought your own.)

Let’s start in the Lady Den since that’s where I am right now..

I have tried to put at least one thing in each room that brings out the holiday season..

Admittedly this room is a little sparse on the holiday cheer..however I do have a small little clip on bird on the outside of the birdcage, as well as my cute little mod wire Christmas Tree.

I’m thinking I might put some red and gold balls ornaments inside the cage to spice it up a bit. Whatcha Think?

On to the Master bath.

There is only one item in here that has any Christmas feel.. and it is the handy dandy all purpose tree branch.. that doubles as a Bat Tree at Halloween.. and an Easter Egg Tree at Easter.

I like the look..and the functionality.

Good Job Melissa and Martin.. Wedding Centerpieces that keep on giving.

Next stop the Master Bedroom.

Here we have Wino Santa.. I call him that because the only thing keeping him propped up, is a bottle of wine under his skirt.I know that sentence didn’t sound good.. but it’s true.

*NOTE that is his purpose.. Wine Bottle Cover.. I am not a Santa Sicko

A dear friend of mine gave me this cute holiday decoration many years ago and I just LOVE him.
Again, we have here another example of a piece that is both decorative and functional.

You may remember him being in the kitchen last year.. he’s found a new home this year on our dresser.

*Bottle of wine in the bedroom mere coincidence?… I think not ; )

Speaking of the kitchen.. let’s move on and see what we have waiting for us in there...

On the ledge over the sink… we have Two Tiny Reindeer. and a cool (Love Love Love this color) burgundy tree.

*Ooooh.. Shiny !

Also on the counter a new piece.

A snowman plate.. Love this guy..

I’ve mentioned before that Mr R used to play trumpet in high school…Perhaps I bought it because subliminally I think it kinda reminds me of him.. not to mention he was a steal from Home Goods..( The Plate … not Mr R )

I will tell you here and now.. I am an admitted Home Goods & Hobby Lobby freak. My addiction to these two establishments has gone far beyond my control.

I hear the first step is admitting you have a problem..

I don’t know….

I keep repeating over and over again..

I can stop anytime!

I can stop anytime!

I can stop anytime!

And just when I think I have it licked, some shiny object catches my eye. drawing me closer and closer .. sweetly whispering my name.. begging me to take it home.

I guess I’m doomed.

I won’t burden you any further with my issues.. let’s continue on the tour..

I am happy to say this urn is old…the Christmas ornaments are old..and the charger underneath is once again an item from Martin and Melissa’s Wedding that I have been able to reuse.

SCORE !

Yo Yo-ing now to a new item…

I found these two giant glass ornaments at Target..

There I said ..

I saw them..

I bought them

and

I am OK with it.

One step at a time.The mantle is pretty much the same as last year. Except for the feathery looking greenery on top.

It is from Hobby Lobby… I really like the “light ” look of it.

Stockings all hung..

( Ever notice that the colors of Christmas are also the colors of the Italian Flag?)

Just saying.

Here we have our good old Snowman family..

Since Our fireplace is a two way style.. I have to show you the other side as well.

I like the way it turned out…again I do think the new greenery looks quite natural.

Speaking of looking natural…

I cut some fresh greenery from one of our pines and placed them around the outside..

I love the smell of fresh pine right by the front door.

Too bad the internetz doesn’t have Smellovision.

Back inside.. we have the sleigh that holds our incoming Christmas cards.. If you can you believe it we have already received our first Christmas Card !!

The Tax man … Thinkath ahead !

In the dining room…

Underneath this small cabinet, the depression glass holds some festive ornaments.

As do the other tall curio cabinets

Last but not least, We have a lovey new violin playing angel, and two burgundy candle holders..

There you have it.. some of the old..

mixed in with the new.

While I love the way it all comes together to give the house a warm Holiday feel, it will be the friends and family that will gather here filling it with love and laughter that really make the Holiday special.

Thus endth the tour… as you exit the rear and begin to put your shoes back on please hand the lady your bag…

Happy Holidays !!!

Thanksgiving… 2011

Ahhh Thanksgiving..

You gotta love it.. It is mainly the celebration of gratitude for all that we have.. for the great land we live in.. for the love of family and friends .. and of course FOOD !!

Lots and lots of food !!

Every year my brother and sister in law host Thanksgiving mainly because my nephew was born (11 years ago) on Thanksgiving. (It's kind of a two for one if you will )

This year was no different.. these are the pilgrims that set out the feast for our Thanksgiving celebration.

They still act like young and in love whipper snappers..

Guys… guys.. For the love of all that is holy…. get a room !

Speaking of young whipper snappers.. my father in law was also in attendance .. ready to raise a glass.

While on the topic of celebrating..

this year in March there will be a LOT to celebrate.

Both Maria and Erin are expecting…( a week apart !! )

Can you believe THIS young face belongs to a soon to be Grandpa?…

This was to be a double celebration..

Thanksgiving and…

Thanksgiving.. for Luca’s birth !!

Everyone enjoyed each other’s company… & all were in a good mood..

everyone except....

This guy…

Look…

We all gotta go sometime right? It was just his time.

He was delicious !!

as were his compatriots..

Ham and pasta..

( What?… pasta could have been at the first Thanksgiving ! )

Mashed and Sweet Potatoes cranberries and dressing

The works…

As usual everything was GREAT !!

Don’t let this steely exterior fool you..

inside she is wiggling with delight

As are these two..

These two have not yet quite grasped the concept of masking the emotions.

And so….the event that takes a week to get ready for.. was over in 20 minutes..

The tryptophan kicked in right away.

Some worked off the meal by racing cars..

some just relaxed the bellies with T.V and the internetz.

Others cold crashed on sofa contact.

Once everyone had a chance to recuperate…it was time for phase II of Operation carbs..or..
Luca’s Birthday cake!

The Brothers were geared up.. locked and loaded ready to roll.

I’m sorry but aren’t they the cutest bunch of knuckle heads you’ve ever seen?

Everyone was giving Luca some love.

Uncle Marty… putting the “LOVE SQUEEZE” on Luca..

you can see how much Luca enjoys it.

If I am being totally honest here… (and I’m not)

It was a pretty violent birthday this year for Luca.

First the “LOVE SQUEEZE” from Uncle Marty… Then round II with the sucker punch from the Dad..

Not to worry… Luca is as strong as an ox…

And got his licks in as well.

When the clowning was done… the important part began..

Dante was pretty impressed with Luca’s lung capacity.

This kid’s smile just kills me..

Luca .YOU are our favorite part of Thanksgiving !!

All these people seem to think so too !

The over 50 crowd kinda likes you too.. they raise an empty glass in your honor.

Gino and friend pull off to the side and take it all in.

After dinner Mike and Maria joined the party… ( they alternate as do my sister and her family… so dinner was at Mike’s parents home this year)

They got there in time for the birthday celebration… I’d say they have impeccable timing…

Getting there just as the sweets were being served

Apparently Mike needed something sweet to tide him over.

Like I said before… PEOPLE…GET A ROOM !!

So there you have it.. our wild and wacky family’s idea of Thanksgiving..

I am pretty grateful for them all !!

Thanks again Gino and Nancy… I know it’s a lot of hard work.. but every year you do a great job..