Feast of the Seven Fishes

Feast of the Seven Fishes, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

Angelic Glow

Angelic Glow, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

You are Now in Bedford Falls

You are Now in Bedford Falls, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

Merry Christmoose Mantle

We are a casual family, and love the outdoors. Greenery with lights, ornaments keep our spirits bright. It's my blog, so I can be as corny as I like. ;)

I have a collection of moose, I just love these huge awkward guys.

This year I placed em' in the Christmas place of honor, the mantle. Another take on that woodsy theme I love.

They look right at home with my Robert Woods painting and the snow capped mountains. 

My favorite moose, he's actually a puppet. Someday I'll make up  Christmas Moose stories to tell my future grandchildren.

Do you have a special collection? How do you display it?

Shared here

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The Bell's will be Ringing . . . it's Christmas time again  . . .

The dining room is ready for Christmas. 

This hand-carved swan is my absolute most prized possession. My dad carved him just for me. Isn't it a thing of beauty? Each unpacked box of Christmas decorations hold so many happy memories. Make this promise, slow down a bit and take time to connect with those that are far and near. 

Silver, snow, berries, and twigs are all aglow. 

.

Both hurricanes are filled with snow, flocked bottle brush trees and a votive .. I'm careful to keep the flame  clear--A tabletop bonfire wouldn't do.

 Can't you hear Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy?

Snow, snow, snow, snow . . .

SNOW (From White Christmas) ~  Writer: GREANEY, MARK WILLIAM 


It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing 
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep 
And dream 
Of snow

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, surrounded by those you love.

Shared here:


The Inspired Room

The Nester

Elsah Holiday Home Tour: House 2

A mantle dressed with pewter and pine cones, the dining room window (stone houses have such deep walls), and a gleaming tea service. Simple and beautiful. The bottom pic is of the entry foyer, fresh pine garland and red bows. Perfect.

The Parlor. I love the grass-cloth wall paper and how they have the art cover the whole expanse of wall.

The cozy kitchen. I just love those copper pots, the island and the backyard view. The kitchen is located in the basement of the house.

Historical homes can be on the small side, so the homeowners placed their dining room downstairs. It works, since the basement is a walkout.

 Both the kitchen and dining room look onto the side yard patio.

A quick visit to Oma's Barn. Woodsy greenery, silver and white caught my eye here. I especially love this stone house print, notice the full moon and the shadows it casts on the snowy roof. 

At Three French Hens this Moose is one of my favs. Not sure if I would want this guy on my wall, but I do find him adorable!

Combine 3 compatible ribbons for a gorgeous effect. 

Trees and greenery at Three French Hens get the full treatment. Flowers, sparkle and ribbons. I love the lighted jars, must look up this frosted technique. Simply cluster a collection of bottles, using a string of lights, stuff a bit of the string in each. Plug in. Ta da.

I am so drawn to this woodsy nature type decor. Possible it reminds me of the hikes I take . . . only no moose sightings in Missouri. 

This victorian sleigh is bedecked with greenery, ribbons, present and St. Nick himself.

This was my first visit to Three French Hen's and I will definitely be back.

The Village of Elsah Christmas Home Tour: House 1.

The Village of Elsah is a short 30 minute drive North of St. Louis. The original landowner gave away land for free with two stipulations: 

1. They must build a stone home. 

2. They must purchase the stone from his quarry.

Elsah is snuggled in-between the Mississippi River bluffs on the Great River Road, North of Alton, Illinois. The town is a historic treasure and features a white steepled country church, a music hall and a few Bed and Breakfast . The Christmas Home Tour is an annual event and is held the first weekend of December. 

Upon entering this modest stone cottage we had to wonder if we were still in the quaint historic Village of Elsah or Taos.  The homeowner,Ute, knits the stockings herself. Using the yarn at hand she creates the patterns as she goes. An early riser, she starts knitting before sun up and each sock takes her about 4 hours.

Ute, adorned with a bouncy Santa hat and silver ornaments earrings, greeted us warmly. 

Her style, Southwest meets Midwest Organic, with a big kick of fun. The guy in the middle .  . . I can't even begin to categorize. We had a pleasant visit and loved her original take on Christmas decorating.

Check back! House 2 is coming later this week.

Merry Christmas!

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Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

One of my favorite photo's of our Eskie's in the snow.

Thanksgiving Dining Room

Thanksgiving Dining Room, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.

Our dining room is back into commission after a year of being a storage facility. Gone is the wallpaper and brass. We used a oiled bronze spray paint to refinish the brass chandelier. Projects on the to do list: wainscoting, crown molding and window treatments.

A photo after the dinner. I love the glow of candle light.

Mr. Gobble reigns as the table's centerpiece. 

I received this fall platter from my sister-in-law, isn't it beautiful?

Thanksgiving Place Setting

Another Thanksgiving for the memory book. 

Company's Coming! Timely Cleaning Tips for the Holidays.

Holiday's are upon us. Here are some timely housekeeping tips so your home can sparkle and shine.

Have a Game Plan.

Source: smallnotebook.org via Diane on Pinterest

Freshen up Upholstery.

Source: imperfecthomemaking.com via Diane on Pinterest

Shoe polish to the rescue.

Source: theboatwrightfamily.blogspot.com via Diane on Pinterest

Magical Carpet Cleaner.

Source: elizabethbryant.blogspot.com via Diane on Pinterest

Make your granite shine.

Source: granvillehouse.blogspot.com via Diane on Pinterest

Baking Soda paste for oven window cleaning.

Source: somewhatsimple.com via Diane on Pinterest

Forget Windex, make your own window cleaner.

Source: thecountrycook.net via Diane on Pinterest

The ever so handy lemon.

Source: allyou.com via Diane on Pinterest

Renew your pans.

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Diane on Pinterest

Aluminum foil for glassware... who knew?

Source: realsimple.com via Diane on Pinterest

A soak with baking soda water, line the water container with aluminum foil. 

Source: realsimple.com via Diane on Pinterest

Grout cleaning recipes.

Source: tipnut.com via Diane on Pinterest

Wood rescue: Wax spills, water stains and scratches.

Source: marthastewart.com via Diane on Pinterest

After all that cleaning, keep it fresh with this handmade air freshener.

Source: imperfecthomemaking.com via Diane on Pinterest