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…
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…
Can you believe Christmas is just four days away?? We celebrated our family holiday this past weekend in historic Galena, Illinois so my Christmas day will be fairly quiet. A couple family members might come over for brunch, but all the presents have been given. I rather like it this way. It provides more time…
The Christmas week is upon us, friends, and I wish you peace and contentment in the days ahead. No one’s holiday is perfect, but we can still find joy and appreciation in the small things. Like a child’s smile when opening a gift or the comfort of a warm blanket on a frosty night. And…
I don’t know about you, but I’m a little in shock that Christmas is right around the corner. Our family celebrates this weekend in Galena so it really snuck up on me. I’m hoping to get a couple batches of cookies made before we leave. I don’t know if that’s going to happen though. My…
When it comes to celebrating Christmas with my loved ones, I prefer to host an evening holiday meal. I love the glow of candles and the tree lights while dining. It creates a warmth and ambiance that everyone appreciates. With that in mind, this year I created a natural and somewhat romantic Christmas table for…
