I’ve had several requests to show the decor I used for Christmas.  So I will show some today, and the rest tomorrow.

I must not take all the credit.  My sweet friend, Tina, took a day off work to come and help me decorate.  We have such opposite personalities.  As scattered and ditzy as I am…she is organized and focused.  She has tried over the years to help me work in an orderly fashion…start at one end and go to the other…instead of starting 6 projects and doing a little bit here and a little bit there.  And, I do pretty good, as long as she is with me.  But, when she is gone…so am I!  Her daughter, Amy, came over and helped us and ran errands, too.  And, my friend Patty came over and added her willing hands.  Patty helps keep me straight, as well.  I am so blessed to have friends like these.

First, the mantel.  I used the trees that I used on the table last year for the mantel.  I did not want the trees to be in the way for the party.  Remember these trees were the ones that Mom had bought for me before she died.  I love them as much this year as I did last.  And, friends, if someone tells you that your whole stone fireplace will crack and crumble and fall to the ground if you put a nail in it…..don’t believe it!  See!  safe and sound!

On one side of the fireplace, I put these 3 trees.  And, on the other side I used this lantern on a pedestal.

The buffet, I kept simple also.  My mixed berry garland, and the teeny, tiny seed lights, and these two very rustic candlesticks.  Oh, and two super glittered snowmen….guess, it’s not too simple after all…:-)

Now, to the table.  When we began building the Creek House, my sweet Daughter-in-Love, Suzanne, began getting me these beautiful pots.  I have had them sitting on a bakers rack, and have had plans to fill them with plants.  But, I had an idea that they would look good down the center of the table…filled with something.  After I had decorated the tree, I had quite a few mercury balls left over.  (Can we just say ‘excess’ here?)  Anyway, I gave Tina my ideas and away she went.  We tweaked a little here and a little there, added in some votives, and it was done.  What do you think?

And, speaking of the tree…here it is…

And, last for today, I reused the twigs from fall, and added ivy and holly to this tall basket.

That’s it for today.  I’ll show you the rest tomorrow. 

I just LOVE Christmas!  I love the colors and the smells and the sounds and the parties!  And, I love to decorate my home.  We are blessed, and give thanks to God for all he has given to us.  But, please know that as much as I love all these ‘things’ about Christmas,  that’s all they are…things.  All that will last, and all that really matters, is that one perfect gift…Jesus.  That must be the focus of all we do during this season.  It’s His birthday, and He deserves our praise.

I know who I am and I know I’m a lost cause.  I know I have ADD and when I start doing a massive project like decorating the whole house for Christmas, it shows up…BIG TIME. 

My plans are big tree in den, decor over TV cabinet, small table in den, buffet in DR, table in DR, cupboard in kitchen, back foyer round table, front foyer.And, that’s what I am sticking with.  But, here’s the problem…I have a little bit done in every space and NOTHING completed!  I know that’s not the most efficient way to work, and I don’t mean to do it that way…it just happens.  And, all of a sudden, I look up and am so strung out that I don’t know what to do next!

So, working away as hard as I can, and here comes Alex.  I have to take him all the way across town because his nurses at his visit with his Dr. yesterday wrote his prescription wrong…AGAIN!  This infuriates me because if Alex wasn’t aware, and checked it, he could get in big time trouble taking too much of this med.   And this is not the first time, either.   So, off we went.  It’s just not good for me to go away from a project once I start.  Then I get even more off task. 

I went to my closet to get a sweatshirt….it’s cold here today.  As I walked back through the den, I glanced into the library as I passed by.  When what to my wondering eye should appear?     A certain little dog had left a puddle….ON  MY  ZEBRA SKIN!!!!!    He’s not allowed to come into the main house, but sometimes he will sneak out when Alex does.  I think he had it planned and was just waiting for a chance to do it.  So, I had to stop and clean a zebra!  Clean a zebra!  Have you ever had the chance to say that?  Here’s the culprit!

Coming back home, I need to get some of my things in the storage room.  But to do so requires a t-a-l-l ladder.  Taller than the one I fell off the other day.  So I cautiously lean the ladder against the shelves, and begin climbing.  Uh! Oh!  Here comes Alex!  He starts fussing at me and telling me to get down.  “You’re old and fragile now, Mother”, he says. “Well empty out that box of ornaments and shove this old body in it there and be done with me!”  🙂  I do love that young man!  He is always looking after me!

So, why am I writing this post when there are boxes from the den to the studio to the kitchen to the storage room?  Don’t know.  Just saw the computer and picked it up.  Now, I’m not going to hold you responsible for slowing me down and taking my mind off decorating.  Why!  You didn’t even know when you started reading this that I should not be writing…I should be about my day’s work.  I know if you had known, you would have told me to sign off and get back to work.  You would have said for me to keep my mind focused on what I was doing because I have a BIG party here in 3 days!  I can just hear you now.  Ok, I’m going, I’m going!  BYE!

PS…I don’t even know what a ‘plum pudding’ is!  But, the meltdown, I’m familiar with……

25 days…….4 hours…….46 minutes !

 The countdown to Christmas has begun.  And, if you are ‘smarter than the average bear’ you have already started your preparations!  I have begun, but am nowhere near finished.  I have a big party here on Friday night, so I’m going to be working fast and furious till then.  Don and I have been working on the tree today, and I will have it finished before I go to bed.  But, there’s the mantel….and the kitchen cupboard…and the front door….and the studio…and Alex’s room!  No, it probably will NOT all be finished by Friday.  But, that’s OK, not to worry.

OH! MY!  I just saw a woman on TV who says she decorates her cat’s littler box to look like a giant present!  Obviously, she needs something to keep her busy!

Anyway….Gather your thoughts…….

Make your list…..

Eat a good breakfast…..

And…get going!

You’ll find some way to get it all home!  Be creative!

25 days…..4 hours…..29 minutes !   Enjoy!!

Whew!  I’m tired!  So, I may not get through this tonight. 

I compromised.  I did.  Never let it be said that I don’t try to keep the peace….  I decided that I would take some plates.  But, I didn’t have 6 of 1 style that would coordinate with the decor.   I was (as usual) the last one to decorate.  But, that’s OK, cause I had it done a good 3 hours ahead  of the time to start.  And, I work better at ‘the last minute’…that’s just the way I roll.  Table decorated…centerpiece…crows, pumpkins…place mats….and PLATES!  I had 4 of the bird plates, and 4 of the pine needle plates.  I was unable to get more of the bird plates, but I could have gone and gotten some more of the pine needle plates so I would have had 6 matching.  But, I didn’t.  Used what I had, alternated them on the table, and it looked just fine!  However, I did not think it necessary to haul glasses and silverware, too.  So, I didn’t.

 Good Morning!  Sorry, had to go to sleep last night!  So, as I was saying………

The dinner was lovely.  Some of the most beautiful tables.  Will show you some after I finish my story.  I worked on my centerpiece and got it to my liking.  Here is the way my table looked before the dinner started.

And, some close ups….

 The bags hold scented candles.  Each of the guests took one home.

 BTW…I punched out everyone of these little crows to make my own confetti…there were hundreds…..

Several of the men were there to be the ‘waiters’……..including DH….(far left)…

I ‘lifted’ this picture from a friend, who had  posted her pictures last night.  I haven’t asked her yet if I could use it…but, I’m pretty sure she would say ‘yes’…so…picture courtesy of April Cobb.

 DH came from work, so when he got there he looked over the tables.  He said, “Your table is the only one without glasses and silverware.”  Well, it was not the only one…but then a someone came by and told me that I needed to get some glasses for my table, or we wouldn’t have anything to drink out of.    I think I heard a “told you so” from a masculine voice.  So, thinking maybe I really had messed up, I went to the closet and hauled out 6 fancy nancy glasses.  Someone had already come by to put out the silverware.  OK…it’s all ready, have the blessing, and the waiters start serving.  First they bring us a salad, in a clear plastic plate which we set on my plates.  Then, they bring our drinks…IN PLASTIC CUPS !!!  So here I am with this stem ware on the table, and now the drinks are not even in them.  DH was assigned to 3 tables…one of which was mine.  So, after he brought our tea IN PLASTIC CUPS !!!!!, I had him remove the glasses from our table.  Because my table was very full and they were in our way.   Even those who had brought glasses did not use them…they used the plastic cups also.  Our main course and desert were also served in plastic plates.  The meal, prepared by Janice Kelley, was delicious!

So, to sum it up…I had a plan, and it was a good plan.  I should not have changed it.  I should only have listened to the lady in charge.  I compromised on the plates, and I should have left it at that.  I would have had much less stress that way.  Next time I decide to ‘go my own way’…..no one will talk me out of it!

My sweet friend, Pam, came last night.  She is so dear to Joy and I.  Pam is our former organist at church, and she is the one we chose to sing at Mom’s funeral.  So good to spend time with her.

Here, then, are some of the other tables that were fixed last night.  So sorry that I do not remember all the designers names.

Here, the campfire in center of table glowed, and the ones seated at this table wore the hats and kerchiefs…

LOVE these chargers…

 Great ‘coffee’ theme!

Note the scripture on the plates…beautiful ! 

This table was decorated by the incomparable Monty Clark.  Love the silver and lime color scheme.  Sadly, Monty did not get to speak last night.  She had a lovely talk all prepared, but, alas, someone else was on the program…so we’ll have to hear from her later.  (If you hear of my demise…it was Monty who did it!)

This is the table done by April Cobb.  She so graciously lent me her photo.  She is also the ultrasound technician that is keeping track of my grandchild while he/she is still in the womb.    I just know she loves looking at that beautiful child!!! 🙂  Her table was full of fun!

Using the child’s game Candy Land as inspiration.  Very clever.  Done by one of the youth in our church.

A dear lady, Dot Arnold, had a birthday yesterday.  So someone did a table in her honor.  Her daughter was our speaker last night.  She did an excellent job.

There were 23 tables all together.  Wish I could show you all of them.  The lady in charge (Linda Mills) had secured some great door prizes…which is always fun…especially when you win one of them…and I did.  I figure it was a reward for putting myself in a ‘compromising’ state of mind.

It was a wonderful night.  Several of our friends who had moved to other churches were there and it was wonderful to see them.  Wonderful speaker, as well.

It is now 3:04 pm. and it’s looking kinda doubtful if the things in my trunk will make it in today.  There’s always tomorrow…they’ll wait!

Psalm 34:8       Amen.

Does this picture make your mouth water? I’m a candy corn lover. When I buy a bag, I open it and pour it into a big zip-lock. Then, I pour in a big handful or two or three of peanuts. I shake it up well, and then, dig in! Yummy!

However, there are some other ways to use this confection. From Women’s Day magazine, check out these fun crafts.

Simply find a branch from the backyard and secure it into pot. Then just hot glue candy corn in groups of two or three. Simple. Cute.

This one takes a little more time. Purchase Styrofoam balls in your desired size. Spray paint with orange spray paint. (DUH…what else would you spray paint orange with?) Then hot glue the candy tightly in rows with the largest end next to the ball. Then pop into a flower pot or urn filled with more candy.

I’m quite sure I do not need to give any instructions with this one!

Now this one is just a little more difficult. Purchase a Styrofoam wreath and cover with wide black ribbon. Then begin hot gluing the candy on in circular patterns, alternating the direction of the candy. Finish off with another strip of the black ribbon to hang.

If you wish to save these to use another year…spray them with a clear acrylic sealer.