The traditional tree....

To cap off the Christmas season I want to share my Christmas tree.

First, THANK YOU BRIAN!!! For the last few years I have struggled with my tree. It was a beautiful 9' pre-lit tree, but about 2-3 years ago sections of lights started going out. I add the large colored lights every year, but I hated having to add the small white lights so I would spend HOURS messing with it trying to get the white lights to work. That just made my whole "tree" process frustrating!

This year Brian surprised me with a brand new 9' pre-lit tree. TOTALLY AWESOME! It was up and fluffed and fully lit in no time and ready for decorations.

So again, thank you Brian! You always know exactly what I need!

Now, on to the decorating!

My tree consists of just a few elements. The white lights. The colored lights I add. Draped beading. And ornaments.

That may not seem like a lot, but each and every ornament is special! When my oldest daughter was a baby, my mother began the tradition of giving her a few special ornaments every year...Lenox, Precious Moments, Thomas Kincaid, etc...most representing something important for that year...an ornament from my parent's travels or an ornament representing a special time or event in the child's life.

She continued this tradition with each of my children.

A little Lenox moose ornaments the year the boys shot a deer....

A Precious Moments White Sox ornament for Mitchell...

A Jim Shore Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus....

Precious Moment ski ornaments the year we all went skiing.

Beautiful glass globes made from the ash of Mount St. Helens.

A Precious Moments plane ornament for Matt (he is a pilot)...

Boyd's Bear football and baseball ornaments for both Mitchell and Matt..

....the Cinderella glass slipper and Jim Shore "kitty" ornaments for "Kitty Kate." Ornaments for each "baby's first Christmas" and something special the year each graduated from high school and college. And soooo many more!!!

Every year beautiful and expensive ornaments...each representing a special time or event! Just too many to photograph and feature...all so very special!

My oldest is now 32 and I have given her all her ornaments! But I still have the ornaments for my sons and my youngest daughter. And since they are 25, 24 and 16, you can imagine how many I have since each child has received 2-3 ornaments a year.

It is a spectacular tree adorned with ornaments filled with meaning and love!

It is one of the many traditions I am so grateful for! And honestly, one I look forward to each year! And while a 3 or 4 year old child may not seemed too thrilled with a simple little ornament, it is a tradition that will mean the world to them when they are older!!

Start your tradition now. Whether it's pajamas on Christmas eve or special ornaments or caroling or reading a special book every Christmas eve!

It is never too late! Don't think about the years you missed, think about the years to come! It goes by fast and while your children will be hard pressed to remember what gifts they received every year, or whether it snowed, or what you made for dinner...they will NEVER forget the traditions...the special things you do each and every year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Info

Comment

Christmas wreaths....

Christmas wreaths are one of the simplest and least expensive ways to decorate!

Every year I add a few here and there. I featured the one I made this year for my funky little clock here.

A few years ago I decided I didn't want to spend so much time and energy stringing garland and ribbon on my bannister...so I made 6 identical wreaths. Now I just fluff them up and tie them on! Simple and beautiful!

I decorate my interior doors and dining windows with small "candle wreaths" tied with festive ribbon....simple and inexpensive! And since these are so inexpensive when they are on sale, I don't mind going with a "fad" like teal and green peacock feathers!

In three of the den windows I have large wreaths tied with festive ribbon.

I added these last year.

And then there is the BIG one above my fireplace. It is hard to tell just how big this thing is because my fireplace surround is massive. I love that it is lighted so at night it is pretty even when you can't really see all the decorations on it!

Keep in mind, I am NOT a florist...it honestly doesn't take a lot of creative talent and ability to make these. A wreath, a little Christmas garland, a few holiday picks and flowers and some festive ribbon. Simple.

I would suggest finding an "inspiration" piece (check out the blogs or Pinterest), take a picture of it to your local hobby store (don't forget your coupons!) and have the floral design person help you get the supplies you need! Most hobby stores have someone there who will gladly help you find the garland and picks you will need to achieve the look you want!

I make mine with zip ties or floral wire. So when I get the urge to change the colors, I simply snip the wire or ties and take everything off the wreath.

Only ONE week until Christmas!!!!

Info

Comment

Holiday gift wrapping made simple!!!

Gift wrapping for Christmas can be a messy, tedious and tiring job. Especially if you are like me and let lots of gifts pile up before you finally break out everything you need.

Last year I decided to make it easy on myself...specifically my knees. An hour or two on the floor wrapping gifts was killing me!

On top that, I just got sick of dragging out the mess...then trying to find the tape and the scissors and the labels...it was driving me NUTS!

So I set up a "wrapping station" in my room.

It is still a mess...but at least it is an organized mess and it is all right there at my finger tips!

Last year I borrowed a table from a neighbor, but this year I splurged and bought one of those 5' plastic fold-up tables from Sam's. I put it up over the truck in my bedroom and I can leave my scissors, tape, and all the wrapping goodies all right there! After the holidays I take it down and store it in the attic with all my leftover wrapping stuff!

And while we are on the subject of "making things easy," let me share my little wrapping "tips."

Wrapping gifts can get expensive...with all the paper and bows and labels and tape. So I have found a few cost saving ways to wrap Christmas gifts and still have beautiful gifts under the tree....

First...the paper. You can buy lots of really pretty Christmas paper just about anywhere. And I am going to strongly suggest that you skip it...no matter how cheap it seems!

I stick with 2-3 papers, all in the same "color theme," and I buy it on sale at Hobby Lobby every year. Each roll runs around $3.50 a roll (after 50% off) but the paper is heavy and there is a lot of it on one roll....about 60 s.f. per roll. Look at the "square feet" on the rolls you normally buy...most only have 10-15 s.f.! And if it is light weight you will waste a lot when it tears!

Second, the ribbon. Again, I buy it at Hobby Lobby. Not the little "Christmas bows" but the big rolls of craft wired ribbon...anywhere from 2-3" wide and it is usually 90-100' long...that's A LOT of ribbon! I have some ribbon I know I have reused for 5+ years...and it is still as beautiful as the new ribbon. And since I stick with red, silver and gold, it pretty much goes with any paper I use. I just wrap the ribbon around the wrapped box, then tie a big bow...the wire ribbon makes it super easy to fluff and form to get a really pretty bow! After we unwrap gifts, I just pick it all up, roll up each individual piece and then throw it all in a plastic tub to reuse next year!! And the next year...and the next....

My daughter likes the butcher paper and twine wrapping. It's pretty...and it can be dressed up with candy canes or sprigs of evergreen! And it is inexpensive as well since you can buy rolls of brown paper and huge rolls of twine (jute) at Lowe's for a few bucks. Check out the huge rolls of brown paper in the paint section! Go to Pinterest and search "gift wrapping." You will find all kinds of beautiful and creative ways to dress up brown paper wrapping!!

Labels. Not a big deal, but having to find and buy labels can be a pain. So every year I wait until vistaprint.com has a special on their return address labels. They will usually run a deal where you can get 240 labels for $5, shipping included. I just order one that looks "Christmasy" and then instead of a return address, I order TO: on one line and FROM: on another. Perfect little gift labels that are super simple and super inexpensive! BTW, I always put my labels on the BACK of the gift, so it doesn't matter if they aren't all fancy.

Tape. I buy tape on sale with coupons throughout the year. And I discovered a nifty little secret. If you break away the plastic tape dispenser around a roll of tape, the roll will fit perfectly in your heavy duty desk top tape dispenser, which is a must if you are like me and only have two hands!!! This is awesome because that kind of tape is often on sale whereas the tape that is specifically designed for dispensers is not!

I know some people like to do fancy, crafty, scrapbooky kinda wrapping. And I think that is wonderful for special gifts. But I have 5 kiddos, 2 grandkiddos, my mom and Brian to buy and wrap for...so there isn't a lot of time for doing special wrapping on ALL my gifts. And I like to spend my money on giving, not wrapping!

Happy shopping and wrapping!

Info

Comment

A break from the holidays for a little peak...

I have spent the last few days redoing my laundry room! I will feature it after Christmas. A few simple, inexpensive changes have made a world of difference.

But I have to share my "laundry birdies!" I featured my obsession with wall murals here...one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add a little "wow" to any wall or room!

So when I painted my laundry room, I decided to add a tiny touch of "wow." I printed these little birdies off the internet months ago...not sure what I wanted to do with them until today....

I'm not quite done with the laundry room so I don't want to feature it just yet. But I did want to share the little bird murals because this is a simple project that can easily be done during these cold winter days when you are cooped up with nothing to do!

Just print off a design on regular paper (google whatever trips your trigger), trace it onto the wall with sewing trace paper and then paint it with latex paint! I happened to have black paint laying around, but you can use the small bottles of acrylic paint you buy at the craft stores or even the little pots of latex sample paint at Lowe's ($2.99!)

Simple....

Info

Comment

It's the simple things that make the holidays bright!

Simple...the older I get, the simpler I try to make it. It takes one day to set out all the decorations and hang wreaths (I'm up to 19 now!) and one day for the tree. Then I get to sit back and enjoy my very own holiday wonderland!

Here are just a few "simple" ideas for easy decorating for the holiday....

Outdoor lanterns. I bought 4 of these on summer clearance a few years ago. I gave two away and kept two. I painted one black. These are great for both Christmas and fall decor! In the fall, I fill them with pine cones and add a "fall" pick and bow. For Christmas I just switch out the bows and picks and add a few ornaments. I don't even have to pack them away...they are pretty year round, even without holiday decorations!

This candle holder is another example of something that is used year round. During the holidays I set it in the middle of a foam wreath adorned with holiday garland and picks. Simple....

Don't forget your guest bath!!! I stick with colors that match the bath decor...a few little hand towels, glass rocks with a candle, a holiday soap dispenser and a few little knick-knacks! After the holiday, I just store it all under the cabinet! Nothing fancy but very festive! It takes about 2 minutes to decorate this room for Christmas....

Okay, I need to explain this one. All of my kids hunted when they were little. The boys and Katie all shot their first deer when they were 8-9 years old. Me...um, never happening. But they loved it. So I have all these antlers hanging around that I really don't have anywhere to "feature." Right now they are all hanging in my garage. A few years ago I broke the base plate on one of them and then got a quirky little bug and decided to do something fun.....

I glued and painted the base red, painted the antlers glittery silver and stuck a red nose on it! IT'S RUDOLF!!! I was going to do the others and put little name plates on them...Rudolf, Donner, Blitzen, etc But my grandson is only six...not sure he would find much humor it it!

A few berry stems and picks will dress up any vase! And a beautiful Lenox angel from my mom! Not every tree ornament has to be displayed on a tree! Sometimes they are just as beautiful sitting out on a shelf!

This little guy traveled all the way from Colorado. Every year when Brian and I vacation in Colorado in the fall I pick up something for the holidays! This year it was my snow birds, last year my little snowman!

Again, simple little touches that are easy to set out and store!

You won't find this happy couple in any home decor department. My grandmother made the Raggedy Andy and Ann dolls for my oldest daughter...32 years ago!! Last year I made little Pilgrim outfits for the fall and Santa outfits for Christmas. Sometimes the most precious holiday decor can be cherished heirloom pieces dressed up for the holidays!!

Garland, pine cones, ornaments...the simple touches here and there are what make a house feel "festive."

A little garland and a few little snowflake ornaments.

A simple little "Santa" cover for the lamp shade.  I made it out of the scraps from the Raggedy Santa outfits! — A simple little "Santa" cover for the lamp shade. I made it out of the scraps from the Raggedy Santa outfits!

A trio of Snowmen.. And the tree?  FIVE DOLLARS at an auction...and it works...seriously! — A trio of Snowmen.. And the tree? FIVE DOLLARS at an auction...and it works...seriously!

These are just a few of my holiday decorations...

Keep in mind...I have been collecting and decorating for the holidays for MANY years. In recent years I have avoided the "fad" decor in favor of more traditional pieces that I know will last many years. Fad decorations are great here and there...but they shouldn't take up so much of your budget that you don't have the ability to add quality pieces every year!

And remember...you can buy holiday decor at garage sales, clearance sales and auctions throughout the year!

In the next week I will feature my simple holiday wreaths, simple and inexpensive gift wrapping and the crown jewel, the tree!

Info

2 Comments

'Twas the LIGHT before Christmas....

I did it...a clever title....hahahahaha!

Okay not so clever...I try. But I do think some of my holiday decorating is clever. For the mere fact that it is relatively inexpensive, super easy to put up and makes a pretty big impact!

Several months ago I featured a few light fixtures I spruced up with a little paint...my dining light being one of them!

It is a tad more "traditional" than my current design tastes, but as I pointed out it is one of my favorite things to decorate during the holidays.

In the fall, it gets a simple fall garland....

And of course, Christmas....

A strand of plain ole' green garland, stick in a few berry picks, and then maybe a few hanging ornaments. This year I added some white picks and some little "crystal" doodads I got on clearance at the fabric store last year.

This year I didn't change out the shades. I have a set I bought on clearance and painted gold. One year I am going to cover them in plaid or paint them red...maybe add some beaded edging...something. But it isn't on my list of things to do this year so...whatev.

Simple. Inexpensive. Big impact. Perfect.

Info

Comment

Simple decorations for the cabinets...

Last week I featured the Christmas lighting above my kitchen cabinets.

When I added the Christmas lights, I felt like I should spruce it up a bit for the holidays.

Fortunately I had some left over ornaments, glass beads and some berry stems I usually just stick in a crystal vase!

Since I was adding glass beads and ornaments to the vase, I decided to put the berry picks in something to hold them in place, as well as take up a little space. I used a paper towel roll cut down to size, stuck the berry picks in the roll and then I poured the beads and smaller ornaments around it!

The last few years I have been buying the Southern Living holiday cookbooks for my daughter and myself. They have some great recipes and they are great for displaying because the covers are so festive and beautiful. I display the most current on a plate holder on my counter and the others are displayed on top of my cabinets....

HINT! When you are taking down your decorations after the season, use a sharpie, ziplock bags and masking tape to label where everything goes....put all the beads and ornaments in bags, use tape on garland, wreaths and bunches of picks and sprays, and mark the underside of all your display pieces.

There is no reason to break the bank when decorating for the holidays. Use what you have. Shop after the season clearance and garage sales. You would be surprised what you can buy for practically nothing!

I bought all these ornaments and the little metal trees on 90% clearance in MARCH last year!!! I bought boxes of holiday glass beads on 75% clearance at Pier 1 several years ago. And of course the holiday cookbooks are something I have been collecting for the last few years...but they are also something I see all the time at garage sales...for pennies!

I buy seasonal decor throughout the year...on clearance, at garage sales and auctions and then I stick them up in the attic. Every year I add one or two little elements...trust me, before you know it you will have more than you know what to do with!

Info

Comment

Cabin fever....

We are on day 4 of a winter storm. The sleet and ice came in Thursday, followed by about 8 inches of snow Friday. High temperatures in the low 20s so nothing is melting.

Day one isn't so bad because of the anticipation and I knew I was prepared. Day two is okay because it is so nice to wake up and know you have no where to go (and couldn't get there if you did). Fire is cozy. Chili and soup in the crock pot. Maybe a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Day three I start to get a little stir crazy...but there were a few good football games on so it wasn't horrible. Pretty much a typical Saturday without an auction!

But by today, I was done with this stuff! I had Brian take me to Walgreens and Target just so I could do some non-essential coupon shopping!! And as soon as the leftover chili and soup had been served for lunch, the rest went in the garbage disposal.

The only highlight today was a small spike in the temperatures...a whooping 30 degrees! But that was enough for Katie, Brandon and his girlfriend Taylor to get out and make a snow man.....

And the Ginger dog even got in on the action.

No school tomorrow...and the roads are still pretty bad! It's days like this I am reminded why I have to live somewhere with four seasons! As much as I love Colorado, I don't think I could do this for 6 straight months!!!

Info

Comment

Adding a little Christmas lighting to your kitchen....

I always admire all the decor some people put on top of their kitchen cabinets! But other than a few pieces of crystal and a few VERY old bottles of wine, I really don't do a lot.

As a matter of fact, I had so severely neglect my cabinet tops, the grease and gunk had run amuck. Then I saw this nifty idea on Pinterest about putting wax paper down and I featured that little chore here several months ago. Before Thanksgiving, I changed out the wax paper and wiped down the crown molding. I was soooo proud of myself for actually following through with the plan!

Anywho, the tops of my cabinets usually get neglected during the holidays as well. But I had a lot of "leftover" stuff and I am so in love with my UNDER cabinet lights that I decided to give the tops of my cabinets a little festive facelift!

Stringing lights without the ugliness of extension cords is really not that hard. I decided the best place to hide an extension cord is through the cabinet above my refrigerator. It is a small cabinet with little use and the refrigerator would hide the cord!

The first thing I had to do was move the fridge so I could drill a hole in the underside of the cabinet. Okay, seriously, move your fridge a few times a year and clean! I do at least once a year and still had this nastiness under my refrigerator!

After moving the fridge and sweeping up the nastiness, drill a hole big enough for an extension cord to pass through in the underside of your cabinet and another one directly above it on the top of the cabinet. I used a hole saw attached to my drill. (Seriously, I am not left handed...I just can't take a picture with my camera while holding the drill with my right hand!)

String the extension cord through the holes leaving the end you will plug your lights into (the "female" end) on top of the cabinets.

I used a strand of small white lights. I SERIOUSLY advise you to test the lights BEFORE you string them out! Nothing is more frustrating than doing all this work only to find that your lights don't work!

I just strung them out and laid them on top of the cabinets...really no need to "anchor" them.

I attached one of my "remote plugs" to the extension cord so I could use my little remote clicker to turn the lights on and off. You can buy the remotes at Lowe's. They usually come with three plugins and a remote clicker. Neat little devices that let you turn your lights on and off with a click of a button so you don't have to climb behind your trees! On some of my decor I use timers...but I don't want the trees or these lights on a timer so I used the remote!

After adding your timer or remote to the extension cord and plugging in your lights, plug the extension cord into the outlet behind the refrigerator and move it back into place.

After my son-in-law installed my under counter lighting (featured here) I decided I might-kinda-eventually want some lighting above my cabinets. Now I am convinced.

But for the season, the little Christmas lights will do. And since I was putting up festive lights I had to give some of my crystal a little festive uplift as well. I will feature that, and a few other little "Christmas pops," in the near future!

Again, soooo simple...big impact...inexpensive!

Info

1 Comment

First Winter Storm....

We normally don't get hit this hard this early. But the ice started falling around 11 this morning and we are expecting up to 8" of snow tonight!

For the northerners or mid-westerners, this might not seem like a lot. But a few inches of snow in Northwest Arkansas can grind our lives to a halt. School was cancelled last night before an ice pellet ever hit the ground and the grocery stores were packed!

The bird feeders are full, fire wood is stacked by the door, fridge is stocked and the truck is in the garage...I'm ready!