Merry Christmas Eve! Nothing like waiting until the last minute to share this year’s Old World style Christmas tree. But if you think about it, it’s the perfect time to share my tree because it’s customary in Germany (where the Christmas tree originated) to put up your tree on Christmas Eve. I don’t know of…
Welcome to Part Two of viewing historic holiday homes in Galena. I shared the first half of this tour on Monday. We celebrated our family Christmas in this historic town last weekend. Lucky for us, we got a light dusting of snow our first night there, which created a great backdrop for featuring some of…
Happy Tuesday, Friends! We’re nearing the Big Day!! I truly hope your holidays are happy or that you’re able to find some joy or peace if life is a struggle right now. Christmas Day is never perfect for anyone even though the movies might lead us to believe otherwise. To keep your spirits energized, my…
This past weekend was our annual family “Christmas in Galena” trip. This was our fifth year staying at the same VRBO home. We always gather together the weekend before Christmas for three nights in this little town located in the hilly, northwest corner of Illinois. I snapped some photos of the historic homes that I…
Kevin McAllister was the star character in the Home Alone movies, and he was obsessed with Christmas trees. I feel the same way about the holidays. The tree is my favorite decoration. There’s something magical about a tree lit up for the season. Today I’m sharing a collection of Christmas trees, along with a bit…
You have less than two weeks to prepare for Christmas! Are you ready? My final gift (to my hubby) arrives in the mail today and then I can officially say I’m ready once I’ve wrapped his present. It’s always good to get the shopping done so you can turn your attention to other things like…
What type of holiday decorator are you? Do you love lavishing your home with festive trinkets and arrangements? Or are you more the “bah humbug” type who grudgingly puts up your tree? Maybe like most people, you fall somewhere in between. Today I’ve got a collection of Christmas vignettes to help you create a cozy…
Have you ever dreamt of spending Christmas in Europe? It’s something I’ve always thought would be fun to do. The historic architecture, different customs, new holiday foods – all of it would create a magical holiday experience. If you can’t make it to Europe, perhaps Canada is a closer option to consider – specifically, enjoying…
Would you dine outside on a snowy day if the Christmas table was set with the most gorgeous red flowers you’d ever seen? I’m not the biggest fan of winter but even I could be lured outside to enjoy the decadent beauty of this frosty scene. Wouldn’t it be fun to rent a cabin…
Christmas came early for me this year! My new pedestal dining table and chairs were delivered the week after Thanksgiving. I gave my large table (extends up to 11 feet) and chairs to my daughter for her new home and found a smaller table so I could move my dining space back to the sitting…
Soft hues can be especially pretty for the holidays, and this pastel Christmas kitchen is proof positive of that. When I was a kid, we always had a live, flocked tree that towered above me to the top of our living room’s vaulted ceiling. My mother trimmed the tree with pink and aqua beaded ornaments…
Get ready for some warm and cozy holiday cheer when you tour this Christmas cabin by VM Group. Located in St. Petersburg, Russia, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of a Hallmark holiday movie. Each photo creates the spirit of Christmas in a warm and inviting home. Photo by VM group You’ll find Scandinavian…
It’s official! I’ve been bitten by the Christmas bug and am now in the mood to decorate for the holidays. Perhaps a few days of snow had something to do with getting rid of the bah humbug attitude. My tree is up and decorated and I’ve created a few vignettes in spaces that I thought…
Christmas trees and mantels go together like peanut butter and jelly. It seems like most people place their holiday tree near their fireplace or mantel, if they have one. So I collected some inspiration to help you pair your Christmas tree and mantel together for a festive and coordinated holiday vibe. A red and white…
Well, I said I was going to enjoy the peace of November before getting crazy with Christmas, but here I am sharing DIY vintage Christmas cards you can make. And on Monday I shared some favorite ornaments to consider for this year’s tree. You can’t control when the holiday bug is going to bite. …
The Christmas spirit is in the air! Stores have stocked their shelves with holiday decorations and shopping ads appear everywhere you look. I actually ordered a new tree even though I vowed not to. But I really like this one! LOL. I don’t intend to buy a lot of new ornaments, but a few favorite…
