Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Merry all Around!

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(Archive Post 2018)

Sometimes the least laid plans become the Best! We had a wonderful family Thanksgiving here, but plans for no major company during the Christmas season...kinda a put a damper on our holiday decorating. AND the insane Chicago weather screwed with any plans outside---much like the rest of the country---you just don't know from one day to the next.

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We had to put the tree up....especially with all the work we both did on the antique tree stand. Two years ago---we gave up our space grabbing huge Christmas tree, when i got the stand. I found a thrift store tree for $15.00 I think it was. Downside, it can only hold half of our ornaments. Upside---It only holds half of our ornaments----lol. Six totes instead of 14 or so Yay! on our backs. 

After 50 years of marriage and inheriting so many ornaments---we really do need to 'down-size'. 

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The tree stand is home to some old toys---and stuffed animals. The only new ornament this yearis the wooden deer clock. Lots of toys are included on the tree----Santa magic, I guess!. 

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The tree takes about 1/3 the space of the old one---actually better for our small house. 

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Lots of wildlife, fish, snowmen and color---we fill the tree from the trunk out! The porcelain loon, is one of 12 birds from Marshall Fields, the last year they were open. Such memories riding the escalator---it's just not the same now as a Macy's, sigh. 

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These antique looking horses were from the 1990's. The cute pig at 12o-clock was by an artisan who worked with vintage and her creativity who has retired.

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The six boxes we brought out---held a lot of red and white. 

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Again, lots of red and white.

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Having done art shows for almost 40 years, I have many ornaments hand-created---this little raccoon is a favorite by an artist in Illinois.

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Next to the tree is my mom's maple rocker with a big throw on it...perfect for Santa to rest...some toys, a favorited snowflake pillow, a hand made gift from my friend Dot. 

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Trees are magical---and we have it on when we are home. 

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A stoking and hat---on the yarn winder---we are a bit silly here.

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The antique Yarn winder stages a few Christmas things. I put bags around my big plants----and a nutcracker stands watch in front of our spinning wheel.


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Dusk began falling when we finished....the magic of the lights took over the room.

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On the TV wall..we have a string of lights---and a few Christmas items out. I try to work around our regular items. 

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The Grand's Owl...has taken up residence...some potpourri with pinecones collected on a Fall walk fills and old saucer from the early 1900's. 

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A hand-pieced angel adorns a candlestick. The statue was a gift from my husband, many years ago. 

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The lights snake over the Victorian China cabinet. I shoved some snow into the ivy arrangement that is always there. Our Royal Copenhagen Polar Bears share space with Father Christmas-


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Snowmen landed here along with a vintage linen, old tin box, and a mechanized, singing puppy sock which the Grandgirl loves. The adorable vintage looking printable came from https://lorabloomquist.com
The puppy sings "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" and flaps his ears.


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His ears wave in time with the music and lights up.

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Another artisan set of snowmen---and a little box red station wagon. 
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A battery candle made to look like a snowman. A felted snowman from a craft show.

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On the buffet, Dancing singing Mickey and Minnie---Happy 90th Birthday, Mickey!.
I kept this very simple this year---lights under the snow and spotlights make it very magical at night. 

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My vintage plate cookie tray holds molds and candy molds, until we have company and fill it with cookies.

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An Old Currier and Ives tin...is the center focal---with snow balls and sisal trees.

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I'll try and do a video with these two---they are so darn cute!

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We bought the carousel and ferris wheel in place of putting out the entire village---a two day---torture session. Next year the Grandgirl will sleep over and help Gramma put up the village, a much better idea.

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so.... HAVE yourself a Merry Little Christmas---
we will have a laid back one here, for sure!


All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.


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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Finally---gettin' it Together!

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....bit by bit, getting it together. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of family and friends.

We aren't celebrating the Christmas holidays here---but, probably will have family over the next weekend or New Years Day for a traditional Smorgasbord.

Our Kitchen is the HEART of our home---so I will begin there, between cookie baking and special treats our kitchen is a working kitchen. Really hard to get pictures when so much is going on-ALL-the time.
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The center of the kitchen is the island, where I always have some vintage on display. The Grand's apron is still here from cookie day---so it's on her chair. 

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But so is this fun towel---which describes the last two weeks...LOL. I'm blessed with an incurable romantic for a husband---so we having been overdosing on 'Christmas movies'.

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The old wooden tin cookie press/decorator--is the focal surrounded by vintage candy forms.
My kitchen always has touches of red, but not like Christmas!

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My favorite apron---with a magical Santa and a sleigh full of toys and goodies.

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My mixer is out all the time---too heavy for an old lady to bend down with .

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We've made pumpkin bread, poundcake, pepper nuts, sugar cookies and gingerbread, so far. I'm planning on popcorn balls, coated pretzels, Klejner(Danish fried cookies) and Rosettes--yet to do. I'm to bring Christmas desert on Christmas Eve...so also whatever we decide to bring for that. 
Now that my kids are in their mid-forties...we take turns on the holidays! 

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Our most important corner (besides the dishwasher) is the coffee machine. I haven't put out my Christmas mugs this year...when we have family---my girl's want to use cups and saucers...and the guys mugs. So it's easy enough to add cups. The blue bowl holds pepper nuts.

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Tea and cocoa, marshmallows and everything else you need for a 'hot beverage'. 


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The snowman jar holds marshmallows. Grab a mug and join me.



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I have spices and orange peels simmering on the burner. 

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I was out cutting some greens from the yard...a bundle of greens from a tree lot would be $20 here in the suburbs...? 

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Besides spices and baking, we love the scent of fresh greens. I will put some in containers and sprinkle them through the house, with simple red bows.

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I really picked quite a bit. 
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On the kitchen sink counter---I have the fish poacher filled with fun vintage toys and tins. The ginger bread couple are resting in a brass/copper frying pan by a local artist that works with vintage items.

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The window bookcase in the eating area...is filled with tins, plants, baking molds. The tree is my fresh ivy tree, that is really getting thick. I skipped the lights this year, and used a straw ornament chain and a bow on top. The old pot it's in is covered by a plastic gift bag of cottages.

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The vintage, probably antique red throw is a triple, maybe quadruple weave, and reversible. I've heard some call this Turkey red. Our antique coffee grinder and old scale work well.

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I love old tin boxes/shapes/containers. And I use them somewhere every year.
 I found the vintage Nestle box buried in some of my mom's things. 

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The detail in the linen is amazing, and it has a lovely 'hand' to it...soft and pliable.

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In the corner of the kitchen is our hutch. I've added extra red to my traditionally blue and white. 

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Here's another vintage crafted gingerbread pot---doesn't he just make you want to eat cookies and have a cup of tea.

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We have so much Christmas decor in totes...we only brought up about a third of it this year. 



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The top of the hutch has greens, lights and my gingerbread ribbon. 

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One side has a Julen Harten...Christmas Heart which is traditional in the Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark.

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On the other side is my old wall plaque, a woman with a broom....



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She says, "If everyone would sweep in front of their own stoop....the whole world would be clean!"
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I have to laugh this is as clean as it will get over the next two weeks. 


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Of course there are things hidden in the corners....

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Right now---the table is empty---except this bowl of fresh greens. I think a great decoration maybe a few popcorn balls and maybe a gingerbread cookie or two...we will see. I have more molds---? 
It definitely needs some red!


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From our Red holiday kitchen to yours!


All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.


Thanks ALWAYS for visiting!

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.