Winter Decor || The Stuff That Stays Up For A While

|| disclaimer: so sorry about some blurry photos ||

|| they were uploaded too small & I didn't realize til they were already deleted =( ||

I don't know about you, but I like to leave out some of my wintry decor at least until the end of January.

The winter season has just begun really {December 21} & instead of packing everything away as soon as Christmas is over, I want to enjoy the decor that is in keeping with the winter season.

For me, it's things like pine cones, ice skates, fir & pine greenery ...

even snowmen & my favorite vintage sled.

These things say 'winter' to me.

This was one of my favorite pieces this year.

I tied a pair of old ice skates to the sled & added a new bow & greenery.

So pretty with all the candles aglow.

 

I bought this new candle lamp in the fall at Tuesday Morning.

It's so unique.

We enjoyed many cozy evenings with only the light from the candles & the Christmas trees.

I put this little tree in a small crock & it was the perfect size.

The print in the frame came from an antique store.

It's "A Home in the Wilderness" by Currier & Ives & was in an old, old frame with cracked glass.

I think I paid either $1 or $3 for it because I loved the scene.

Now, since then, we've done a bit of investigating as to whether it's an original or not.

Most likely not, but we do know it's very old & doesn't have any of the immediate markings that

disqualify it as an original.

Wouldn't that be amazing if it were?!

 There's one for sale on Ebay for just under $500!

Now, the following pictures are the things that will come down & be packed away in a week or two.

I added these small wreaths to my living room windows, four in total.

They were a fun addition this year.

And of course, the Christmas tree.

I have to admit, I'll be sad to see it go.

And lastly, the kitchen tree.

I'll enjoy it for another week or so until it's gone for another year.

Until the season comes 'round again.

May the new year be blessed with good tidings
'Til the next time I see you again
& We'll all join hands & remember this moment
And we'll love and we'll laugh
In the time that we had
'Til the season comes 'round again.

 Who doesn't love a good party?!
You can find me here linking up with these great blogs.

Monday           C.R.A.F.T      The Dedicated House
                     I Should Be Mopping the Floor   The Modest Mom
Tuesday        A Delightsome Life   A Bowl Full of Lemons    Titus Tuesday      A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday   Raising Homemakers        Savvy Southern Style         Adorned From Above
                    The Thrifty Home   A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Thursday    Between Naps on the Porch   Serving Joyfully     Lamberts Lately
Friday      Rooted in Thyme  The Thrifty Groove   Farm Blog Hop  Best of the Nest
               French Country Cottage  The Girl Creative
Sunday    Nifty Thrifty Things  Sew Many Ways

Mad About Plaid

My new red plaid pillows have made me happy the whole month of December.

I mean, I'm totally mad about them!

And I made them all by myself!

That makes me even happier.

Although plaid is classic & always in style, seems like it's everywhere this year!

I've been a fan since forever, but I knew I had to incorporate it in my winter decor.

I decided to make some pillows -- actually, to cover pillows that I already had.

It was a super simple process.

I measured my material to fit the pillow, sewed three sides, stuck the pillow in, 

& stitched the final side together to finish.

 I am absolutely in love with them. 

I also made the middle pillow with the white deer all over ... or maybe it's a moose ... I don't know ;)

I just know that I fell in love with the material & had to have it.

It looks perfect alongside the deer pillow I already had.

And since I'm mad about plaid right now, I had to have these note cards at Marshall's.

And, I had some pretty plaid wrapping paper.

Now, I'm hoping to pick up some sheets or a blanket before the season is over, if I can find a good deal.

I've been snapping a pic of the ones I've got my eye on.

I've already incorporated some plaid in our master bedroom, right along with my aqua walls ...

& it looks very pretty.

I'll share a pic or two soon.

Hope your days have been merry & bright.

Love & Merry Christmas,

Who doesn't love a good party?!
You can find me here linking up with these great blogs.
Monday           C.R.A.F.T      The Dedicated House
                     I Should Be Mopping the Floor   The Modest Mom
Tuesday        A Delightsome Life   A Bowl Full of Lemons    Titus Tuesday      A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday   Raising Homemakers        Savvy Southern Style         Adorned From Above
                    The Thrifty Home   A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Thursday    Between Naps on the Porch   Serving Joyfully     Lamberts Lately
Friday      Rooted in Thyme  The Thrifty Groove   Farm Blog Hop  Best of the Nest
               French Country Cottage  The Girl Creative
Sunday    Nifty Thrifty Things  Sew Many Ways

Our Holiday House ~ Christmas in the Kitchen

Welcome to my kitchen!

My husband says this is his favorite tree.

I'll admit, I'm awfully partial to it too.

It's our little country tree nestled in one of my antique crocks.

What's not to love, right?!

This year, I put a sheepskin rug under it.

The rug is a bit awkwardly shaped & I couldn't get it quite right without folding the edges a bit.

I was ok with it though because gifts soon covered the folds.

Prior to the gifts though, Cooper was positively sure I put the rug there just for him.

He had many a nap here under the tree.

I particularly love the ornaments on my kitchen tree.

 There's an assortment ... from gingerbread to aprons to long john's

{the underwear, not the fish!}.

There are ornaments from friends, some made by our boys when they were little ...

and even this snowman that was given to me when I was in the second grade by one of my teachers.

It's 30+ years old!

A few other things in my kitchen ... just simple additions of pine cones to the decor above the cabinets.

I also stuck in a large sprig of winter greenery to my existing bunch.

And I put up a new curtain this year -- bought on clearance at Kmart for .60!

It was a pouf curtain which I didn't want, but after a bit of cutting & sewing, I got just the right look.

And to top it all off, James came home with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers ... 

he said they were my Christmas flowers.

I put them in my favorite vase, also a gift from James years & years ago, 

& I've been thoroughly enjoying them!

All this decor has been such a joy this season!

I've been in the kitchen a lot, which is pretty usual.

I've made some fun holiday treats though, which is not the norm.

Here's the list:

Furnace Cake, Ritz Cracker Dessert, Walnut Fudge, Chocolate Malted Cookies,

Ritz Cracker Cookies, & Pineapple Snowballs.

I'll post some of those recipes in January, so keep an eye out for those.

I'd like to show you the rest of the holiday house ... as soon as I can get another post together.

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Blog Parties

Who doesn't love a good party?!
You can find me here linking up with these great blogs.
Monday           C.R.A.F.T      The Dedicated House
                     I Should Be Mopping the Floor   The Modest Mom
Tuesday        A Delightsome Life   A Bowl Full of Lemons    Titus Tuesday      A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday   Raising Homemakers        Savvy Southern Style         Adorned From Above
                    The Thrifty Home   A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Thursday    Between Naps on the Porch   Serving Joyfully     Lamberts Lately
Friday      Rooted in Thyme  The Thrifty Groove   Farm Blog Hop  Best of the Nest
               French Country Cottage  The Girl Creative
Sunday    Nifty Thrifty Things  Sew Many Ways