My Christmas Mantel

After 6 years in my Town House I wanted to install a real fireplace but my HOA said there was no way I could knock down the outside wall to build the chimney.
So I took it upon myself to build my own faux.  You can see how I did it HERE
Since then it's been a joy to have a mantel to decorate every Holiday.  One thing that was not in the program for me was, "The Mr. insisted on his flat screen up there"  But I've made do and found ways to work around it.
The first thing that must be on the mantel throughout the year is a little ceramic rendition of my Mom sitting with all her grandchildren.  It was a gift from my Nephew after Mom passed away 16 years ago.  Each of her grand children's  names are hand painted on the sides,  and how I love it.

I collect Nutcrackers and they  are scattered for all to see, around the mantel and wall unit.

Each a gift from friends and family.

Since my kids have moved on to their own lives I've toned down my decorating a bit.  It's just not as elaborate as it once was. Now I think of putting it all back at the end of the season so over the past few years I've given my children some of my collectables  for their own homes.

My decorations are not romantic or elaborate and at this point in my life, it's just the way I like it but I will say, each item displayed has a meaning to me and my home feels like Christmas.

I'm sharing this post with

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style's Homespun Christmas

The Better Late Than Never Christmas Inspirations Bloghop.

Barb from The Everyday Home

Laura from Top This Top That

Shirley from Housepitality Designs

Amy from Atta Girl Says

and for the letter "C" over at Jennys
Alphabet Thursday 

Holiday gifts and experimenting with knitting . . .

I bought some really nice colorful yarn with hopes of finding a design for a  scarf and gloves,  a Christmas gift.  It was  light weight and the colors are perfect for my grand daughter.  
It has purple!  Eve lives in Juneau and it is cold and snowy up there, so what better gifts than warm knits.  And, I'm so enjoying making her many different items.

I have such trouble reading knitting patteren's and gloves have not been my strong suite, so I bought a simple pair of gloves.. you know the ones you can find that look like a child's but stretch to fit any size.  These were all of a dollar in JoAnns.  I chose a blue color to contrast with the colors in the yarn. 

 Using my crochet hook I popped a hole for each stitch around the wrist and created a fringe of sorts to go with the scarf.  Once the scarf was finished I added the same loopy element down the lower edge.  Different?

As for the scarf, the way I knitted it created a wavy design.  It does not hang straight but has a swivel look and it's long, and can be wrapped around the neck several times.

There's me, modeling this set and I might add,  it looks rather nice.  Sometimes I wish I were able to wear such knits but as most of you know,  I'm in Florida.

At the moment I'm working on a Hat and fingerless glove set for her mom, my daughter-in-law. 

Don't you just love the colors and feel of today's yarns.  We have so much to choose from.

 
  "Another few Christmas Gifts will be on their merry way to Juneau"

What have you been working on?

I'm sharing this post with

Pinterest Pinning Party

Sunny Simple Sunday 
Overflowing with Creativity
Party Time Every Sunday 

Cupcakes and Crinoline
Setting For Four
Three Mango Seeds
Make it Pretty Monday 
BFF Open House 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Show off Your Stuff Party 

My Boys and their Christmas Jammie's

The Boys got their box yesterday and they just love their Christmas Jammie's.

I did a post a few weeks ago on how I made them, you can see this post  Here

I also made Mom and Dad a pair and amazing enough all fit, except little Alex's are a bit too long so mom did a quick hem.

The Perez Boys, how I love them all.

I'm sharing this post with Jenny over at

Alphabet Thursday

Inspiration Friday 

Grandparents say it Saturday

My Holiday Decorations are almost finished...

Yesterday I went to Michaels after Thanksgiving Saturday sale and all the Christmas decorations were 60% off and I also had a 20% coupon for the entire purchase,  if I used it before noon.  Haha, I bought some really good items and for some reason it boosted my spirit.

Mr. N is the prez of our HOA and I told him, "We need to decorate the entrance signs" and we got to work.  Looks good  at both enterence's  of the complex.  

For the past several months I kept thinking of Christmas with a bit of sadness.  "No one will be here this year."  All the kids have made plans of their own when I'm so used to them coming to me.  Even my sister told me her winter visit will not start till after Christmas.  So I told myself "I'd not be decorating this year".  Well maybe just a wreath on the front window.

I went into the storage room and pulled out last years wreath and the poor thing was bent and looking  frumpy. 

 

With all the goodies I picked up at Michaels I got to work trying to revive the old wreath.

A new ribbon and a few sprigs of faux pine  did wonders.

I also think I'm not going to put lights around the eves of my house like in the past, so I put a string of 100 colorful lights on the wreath.  Looks good!

(yes those are  Hibiscus flowers you see there, "I live in Florida after all")

Well one thought and thing,  lead to another and I went in the storage room and pulled out the boxes of decorations.  Might as well make the house festive!

(My Daisy did not understand what all the stuff was in the kitchen hallway.)

Ok, now I'm going overboard. One peek into the box of Nutcrackers and I had to put a few on the bookcase.  There are so many more in the box but these few have meaning and are gifts from friends and family.

Ok, now for sure I've gone against what I said.  Cyndi gave me this really cute snowmen garland several years ago.  It had to be put out.

Boy this decorating thing sure did get out of hand.. but know what,  I'm feeling great and am into the festive mood now. 

"Egg Nog", I need to go get some Egg Nog for this evening.  I've even got a bottle of Spiced Rum.

It's going to be a good night.

Once it's dark outside this evening I'll get some photos of my Christmas lights on the window wreath.  (If I don't watch it I'll be on the ladder tomorrow putting up the icicles... ?)

The front porch so far, I had to put my little "Charley Brown" tree on the end table.  Might just go get a ceramic "Charley" to stand next to the tree. 

Think I need to put up the icicle lights? Maybe a few more poinseatia's and I'm ready.

"Let the Holidays begin"

 

Anyone else working hard on  their Christmas decorations on this after Thanksgiving weekend?

(fala-la-la-la)

 

Have fun,  don't forget the Egg Nog!

I'm sharing this post with

Outdoor Wednesday 

Frugalicious Friday 

Christmas Stars for the entire family. . .

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us it's time to get serious about Christmas gifts.

This year along with their #1 gift, everyone in the family will be getting a Christmas Star ornament  for their trees.

I simply cut a paper star stencil that I found on the internet.  
Had some scrap muslim and batting in the craft box, cut out the stars, then sewed them all together.  Used pinking sheers to cut around them, put on a little red DMC string (to dangle) then used a black marker for the lettering.  Then a bit of raffia for a bow, hot glued it on. 

 Sew simple!

The simple letter looked a bit necked so I chose to add some color with fabric paint.  A Holly leaf with berries... wanted the stars to be country.. If I was thinking I should have dipped the fabric in tea for the old look,, oh well, next time.

 

  I even made a few for my friends two daughters.  

Lets not forget Cheryl and her better half, next door  (my go-to neighbor)  She always puts up a large fresh Christmas tree.

"J" is for my sweet "Joell"

I know he will inspect his star with a million questions.

My little Christmas Tree is set up on the coffee table and it was perfect to show off my stars but they will be going out in the mail in Christmas cards next week then I put up my floor tree.
  
It's "Black Friday" and no I did not venture out to shop.  Today I made some really good Oatmeal Cookies with a spoonful of Guava Jam in the center.  Go's wonderful with a hot cup of tea on this chilly day while I sit here thinking of all those people battling for a parking spot at the mall.  

(with a big smile mind you)

  
I just love using PicMonkey for editing the photos.. as you can see I had a bit of fun with this one.

"Happy Shopping"

I'm sharing this post with

SNS Saturday Night Special 

Overflowing with Creativity 

A Meaningful Christmas  

12 Days of Christmas

Party Time Link @ It's so very Cheri 

Settings For Four

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Three Mango Seeds

Make it Pretty Monday

BFF open House 

Tuesdays To Do List 

Create and Share

We Did It Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday 

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

Show off your Stuff Party 

Vintage Inspiration

Thrifty Things Friday

Family and Homelife@ Wow Us Wednesday

Old Time Farmhouse

Vintage Inspirations

Remember November 24th is Shop Small day....

This week kicks off the unofficial holiday shopping season and marks one of the busiest weeks for small businesses.
According to the Small Business Consumer Insights Survey, released Nov. 19 by the National Federation of Independent Business, among consumers that are familiar with Small Business Saturday, 67 percent are planning to “shop small” on Nov. 24.
Shopping small generally refers to buying goods and services locally. It is part of the national Small Business Saturday campaign.

Please stay away from the large retailers on this day!

 The top five places that consumers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are restaurants (52 percent), bakeries (35 percent), clothing stores (34 percent), gift shops (31 percent) and bookstores (29 percent).

"Remember, "Shop Small" Saturday, November 24th"

"Support your local business and all our Bloggie friends with shops on line" 

Let the shopping begin!

A Thanksgiving memory.....

 Thanksgiving has come once again and for the past 26 years it's been a time of sadness and thankfulness for me and my family.  

My big brother Tom passed away on Thanksgiving Day, 1986 and it left such a hole in my heart.  He was much too young and had so much more living to do.

 Of all the photos of my brother I think the above is the one that brings back the most memories.  Tom was always in the Fourth of July parade back in Champaign, Illinois and walked the parade route collecting for the Jaycees.  Although at the time I lived in Jersey, the kids and I always came for the parade.  You can see my Mom and my then  two young children sitting on the side line, looking on.

A tear comes to my eyes when I think of how my children have missed a lifetime of fun and love from this great guy.    They spent so much time together and were always wandering through the woods on weekends and just spending good time together.

Now all I can do is be so very thankfull to have had Tom in my life for as long as I did, but the sadness will never go away.

Sending love and a promise into the heavens to my brother "Tommy"

I'll be with you once again and  

  we can continue.

 Oh, how we all miss you!  

(((((hugs)))))

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I can smile when I think of all I have to be thankful for this year.  My 101 yr old mother-in-law, bless her heart.  My children and grandchildren who are the lights of my life.  For Mr. N who has been there for me through it all.  For all my friends and family who have kept me going and given me love.  For my Sister who has been there since  birth.  For the people of my future who will come to me,  I'm excited to meet you.

And lets not forget Dr. Walsh, the one who has kept my heart beating.

"I love you all" 

"Sending wishes to all  of you out there in Blogland"

I'm sharing this post with

Alphabet Thursday

Vintage Inspiration