Monday, December 14, 2009

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays...

I haven't shown much of my Christmas decor, it is pretty basic and simple. I love to see what others have done and I even love what they have done... but it isn't me. I am a pretty simple kind of girl, with simple, plain, hopefully sweet ideas.

If you look closely at the too dark photo below, you will see the creche in amongst the greenery in the star. I love my vintage suitcases.

I have a love affair going with old silver. I pick it up for a song at GoodWill all of the time.


My chippy old chair. I am still trying to decide what to do with my table and chairs, to paint or not to paint, that is the question.


My little Christmas village that the grand loves love so much. The first things Naomi does when she comes in the door is turn on the lights of the village. Then she stands back and takes it all in.



A simple side table.



My mantle all ready for Christmas.

Looking into the sun room/music room.







Seen above is my only Christmas tree this year. I really don't have room for my table top tree or a full size tree. I have kept things pretty simple this year because we are in the middle of renovating our kitchen and the dust has been unbelievably bad. Cutting through old plaster creates a cloud every time. So please forgive any plaster dust that you see, it has been cleaned off several times and will be again.
I have not joined any of the blog parties, I have been so tired lately and busy that I haven't taken the time to do so.
Have a wonderful week,
Hugs, Cindy

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas at Carolyns

My daughter, Carolyn, lives in the state of Washington and they have sold their sweet little house and have bought another in the same area. The new to them house, has a huge back yard and is much larger than their current home. She sent me these photos a couple of days ago. I will post photos of her new home once they are moved and settled and photo ready.


She is a minimalist decorator ordinarily, but not quite this bad. Her books are already packed, they are moving December the 30Th.




She just recently purchased the foot stool, I LOVE it!


The timeless red and green.




A pretty little candy cane tree. Carolyn's sweet hubby usually goes out and gets them a real tree, but it would be in the way this year. So they will do without it this time.



Of course, these are by far the sweetest ornaments she could have decorating her house!!



I hope you are enjoying a relaxing weekend. I am going to go out for a bit, but nothing stressful. Everything is bought and my big package is sent to the grand loves in Washington. So only the fun remains.
Hugs to all, Cindy

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

We Have Snow

Barely, but it is snow, it comes down very slowly and the flakes are just itty-bitty little things. We have had a tiny bit more since these photos, but not much. I was looking at what some of you people in the more southerly climes have and I am so jealous! I love snow, in places, that is where it is expected. I hated it on the west coast because it just snarled up traffic and didn't get cleared very quickly at all.
I have pictures of how they manage snow here and it is quite amazing, to say the least. Two graders, a loader and a tractor all working together with huge dump trucks ready to haul it away, clears up snow very quickly.


The weather has been cold here. Yesterday evening it was minus 20 deg. Celsius., that is 5 deg. below 0 Fahrenheit. It is forecasted to reach minus 30 deg. Celsius by Friday, that is 30 deg. below 0 Fahrenheit. Now that is seriously COLD!

I went for a lovely walk today, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is so blue, I love it! It is minus 15 deg. Celsius right now, which is only 3 deg. F. It doesn't sound so bad in Fahrenheit, now does it.
Hope your world is merry and bright today!
Hugs, Cindy

Monday, December 7, 2009

It's Still About the Love

I hope you are taking some time to enjoy the Christmas Season. Listen to beautiful relaxing music, grind your own beans for some really good coffee and enjoy a little laugh. Then don't forget to take in some Christmas eye candy.
This is something I saved in my inspiration file a long time ago, but I think it is still very pretty. I have never had a stair case with a rail, but if I did, I would use this lovely idea to show off my stockings.

I love white with yellow along with a pop of red. That is a particularly beautiful shade of yellow, too.


As you can see, I am completely taken with Christmas, I love this time of year so much. When I was a child my folks always made a big deal of Christmas. We always had a hand cut tree, from our property when possible, with nuts and candy. My dad always made his sugary fudge, that I have been craving and don't know where to find the recipe for, and snow ice-cream, if we had a fresh snow fall. We were always together and that made it special. As we grew up, got married and moved away from home, when we all got together there was always so much love to go around. We all loved on every bodies babies and now we are loving on each other grand babies. It is still about the LOVE, not the gifts, although we do love to give them, too.
I hope you are enjoying a beautiful day, I am! We finally have a couple of inches of snow and it is -15 Celsius.
Hugs, Cindy S.

Friday, December 4, 2009

A Poetic Christmas



Christmas is here,
Merry old Christmas,

Gift bearing, heart touching,



Joy-bringing Christmas,


Day of grand memories,



King of the Year!
~Washington Irving
All images are from Canadian House and Home
We finally got some snow, not much, but I'm not complaining.
Have a wonderful weekend dear friends.
There is no update on our kitchen remodel this week, because nothing has
changed. But tomorrow I am going to a seamstresses home
and she is going to make place mats for my new kitchen.

Hugs, Cindy

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Christmas Gift Suggestions

To your enemy, forgiveness;


To an opponent, tolerance;



To a friend, your heart;


To a customer, service;



To all, charity;


To every child, a good example;



To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold


All images taken from Canadian House and Home website.


Wishing you... my dear reader, a beautiful snowy day.


Cindy







Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas is Coming!

Soon!
Our youngest granddaughter was only a year old when I excitedly said "Bethy, Christmas is coming!" Her little eyes brightened up and she said "Christmas is coming?" in a voice as excited as mine. For the rest of the day she kept repeating that little phrase.
I am listening to David Klinkenberg's CD "The Carol of Emmanuel". I love Violin music. What are you listening to?

For me this whole season is one full of joy and excitement.

This card is from the 1940's, I found it amongst my mom's things after she passed away. I try to use it, along with two other vintage cards, in my decorating every Christmas. This year it is on my mantle.

My wish for you today, is that you will find much joy as Christmas draws closer.

With love to you all,

Cindy