Candyland Christmas Tree

 Even though Christmas has passed, and many have, ...or are in the throes of putting away their decor, I couldn't pass on the opportunity to share my sister-in-law's super cute Candyland theme tree.

Her office was issued a challenge by another office to pick a theme and then decorate for Christmas accordingly.   I'm not sure what the winning team won, maybe just bragging rights!   Leighann's tree brought home the victory,  and rightly so!  She's a talented decorator!  I'll have to share her home with you all one day.

Is this tree gorgeous or what, love all the whimsical touches!
...and the sweet gingerbread accents, certainly over the top!

They placed colored squares in a pattern on the wall around the room leading to the tree to represent Candyland game squares.

A pretty swag was added over the office window...

My SIL has a large collection of ribbon!

Swag over another window...

Job well done, Leighann!  :)


On another note, while looking for after-Christmas bargains at our local Walmart last weekend, I ran across this delightful little book.  It wasn't on sale, but was slightly discounted as many of their books are.  Beautifully illustrated, it will be a family Christmas keepsake!

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed New Years!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all a very Merry

and blessed Christmas!

-Rhonda

Vintage Christmas Kitchen 2013

Many a memories are made in the kitchen at Christmas. 

From recreating famous recipes of late loved ones, to big family meals, to gingerbread house masterpieces lovingly made by the children,  to just a gathering place, kitchens are special places.

And the kitchen is my favorite,  and always the first, to decorate for the season. 

This year I used a lot of vintage items, which add such character!

Atop an old butcher block sits my gingerbread themed tree, a nutcracker chef, and a vintage Lance Jar filled with old tin cookie cutters and colored ornaments.

A recent auction find, the old copper pot is the perfect container for the red poinsettia.

Another Lance Jar paired with an old scale.

The antique ice chest is the center of another Christmas vignette. Three ironstone pitchers, from my collection hold trees, one being well over 100 years from the late 1800's.

...and I just love the red vintage elf, ...a joyful little fellow!

An old prim pitchfork is decked as well!

On another note, my family and my husband's sister's family just returned from a trip to Disney World.  Everything was enchanting, magical,  and beautifully decorated for Christmas.  But to borrow on a similar popular quote,  "You can take the girl out of the Junk, but not the Junk out of the girl," ...Saturday morning I got up early, left the others in the hotel beds, and went junking.  :)  I found a couple of estate sales and yard sales.    I was doing the happy dance when I came across nine boxes of vintage ornaments, along with some other great stuff.  I'll probably store them til next year when I decide what to sell and what to keep.

Don't you just love them???

...until next time, Rhonda

A Very Merry mini Christmas Home Tour 2013

"Something about Christmas time,

that makes you wish it was Christmas everyday..."

                                         (-Bryan Adams)

Seven days until Christmas!

...it's creeping upon us quickly!

That saddens me a little, I certainly would like to enjoy it for a little while longer.

But nonetheless, I'll value that time remaining with family as we savor this festive season while reflecting on the the true meaning of Christmas.

One aspect I love about Christmas is "decking the halls."

If you follow my blog, you may notice I changed things this year, 

which was fun!

The foyer table was the only area that didn't receive a new look,

just a few minor changes.

Over the years, I've gone from a 12' artificial,  to a live, smaller tree,

to this 15 (give or take a few) years old 8' artificial in this spot.

I wanted to finish my decorating before Thanksgiving,  due to planned traveling afterwards, ...so, out came the oldie stand-by, which consequently had to be restrung entirely with new lights.

Loving the two new glam pillows from Stein Mart!

I have a thing for pillows,  I'll admit!

The festive bulldog one below, was a junkin' find last year in Burlington,  NC.

The tree was anchored in an old slighty rusted metal tub.

The pretty Waterford Star Ornament was found recently by my MIL at a local thrift store.

The vignette atop the piano includes two vintage toy trucks, 

a Tonka and Buddy L.

And this is my favorite Christmas decoration... the retro toy pedal car decked out for the season.

Isn't it precious?!?

Maybe, just maybe,
...Santa will fix my "technical problems" for Christmas,
and I can once again blog from my laptop, ...with edited pictures.
...I can dream...

Until then, bear with me!  :)

I'll be back Friday to share a few shots from my kitchen.


________________________________________________________

Linking Post To:

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/12/open-house-blog-party_18.html

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

www.commonground-do.com/2013/12/be-inspired-169-home-for-christmas-and.html

Decking the Mantle and Living Room

My Christmas decorating is complete

and my gift shopping is almost finished.

I'm thrilled to be ahead of my usual game!

I must confess though, I started earlier 

and kept things much simpler, so is it any wonder.

I've enjoyed the "less is more" look,

but I also love the vintage additions!

The first area I decorated was my living room,

...come join me for a little tour.

An antique Dazey Churn filled with greenery...

A vintage Rhinestone pin perfectly compliments the rustic burlap.

Loving the old cow bell I recently acquired at an auction,
and oh man, does it make a racket!

Did you take notice of the new Christmas novel by Mary Kay Andrews,

Christmas Bliss?   It was a wonderful read, as are all her books,

 ...highly recommend it! 

I'll be sharing the rest of my decorations soon!

Until next time, Rhonda