2011 Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2011

This is a great time

to reflect on the past year

and look forward to a fresh start in 2011

With the chill in the air a snowflake print place mat is perfect addition to this tablescape.

Who doesn't love a little "bling" for New Year

The candles are draped with vintage rhinestone belts. necklaces, and bracelets.

The cloche is full of vintage black ribbon and a paper flower

and adorned with "bling"

The French Chateau Flatware adds a crowning touch to the place setting.

My friend, Ruth, makes these vintage scrabble tiled decorative glass-charms.They work great to keep track of your glass.  If you are interested in having her make you custom charms, let me know by leaving a comment or by the "Contact Me " Button under the blog header and I will get you in contact with her.

This tablescape is dressed for a fun night on the town.

If you would like to see the 2010 New Year's post click here.

Wherever you are to usher in the 2011 New Year

I hope blogging in the coming year brings you happiness and joy with

much inspiration for decorating your home with a touch of the past. 

If you would like to be inspired by other blogs,  I'm linking to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado lady

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

Feather Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Black Friday at

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Spend time with friends and family and 

remember the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Jesus

Christmas with Friends

Sharing the Holidays with friends is so fun and we always look forward to our Christmas Potluck at Cindi's.  Cindi has a beautiful home in the country.  She always decorates every nook and cranny.  She is a kindred spirit.   If you follow this blog, you have met the Gadabout Girlfriends on several occasions.

Sandi, Cindi, Gail, Beverly, Ruth, Linda, Sally

This is the one time of the year that we ask the guys to join us.

The immense dining table has room for everyone and the table was so eloquently set.

The dining area opens into the parlor so Cindi carried the purple, silver and green to the tree.  

This photo does not do the Christmas tree justice.....it is absolutely breathtaking.

I am hoping this photo will give you a better idea of the gorgeous tree.

 

The beautiful colors were extended to the fireplace mantel.

Cindi is a Collector and Decorator so I will let you enjoy her amazing work.

In the Family Room

Cindi always makes ALL the desserts. 

As if the desserts weren't enough, there was eye candy in the nook, also.

Thank you Cindi and Chuck for a delightful evening.

If you would like to see Cindi's Christmas last year click here

or click on the sidebar under labels click on Christmas to see more ideas.

I read all comments and would love to hear about your visit to this post.
Just click on the "Post a Comment" below.

Merry Christmas to All

I'm linking to:

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage 

Vintage Christmas Girl Tablescape

I have been collecting Vintage Christmas Girls for many years. 

 

This vintage Christmas girl is dressed for Christmas in a beautiful green ruffled dress with a red overcoat.  She has her white hat and gloves and a darling fur purse with a sprig of holly.  She can be singing a Christmas carol or reading a Christmas story.  I elevated her on  a poinsettia cake stand with the same colors as her outfit.  The cloche just gives her a place of honor.

The sugar and creamer that matched the cake stand adds more texture color to the setting.  

I wanted you to be able to see the detail on the cake stand pedestal.

Some of the Christmas girls are angels.  She is dressed in her fur trimmed red coat.  She holds a lantern to light her way.

This darling Christmas girl has a cute holly detailed hat with a muff but she still can't be without her purse.

The Christmas girl's dress matches the dinner plate in this setting.  

Who doesn't love presents?  This Christmas girl would be welcome any place.  See her red shoes peeking out of her ruffled dress.  The details are so great on these vintage pieces.

This Christmas girl has a Christmas card  and candy canes to share.

The contrast of this Christmas girl's dark green coat  with her red and white striped dress.  Again, her white fur purse and cute gloves and hat are so cute.

I used a vintage lace tablecloth to give a feminine touch to the Vintage Christmas Girl Tablescape.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the vintage Christmas Girls, just click on the Ebay Items for Sale under the blog header and you can check out the auctions. I have been collecting Vintage Christmas Girls for years and now they need a new home.   I will be adding more in the next few days.
Please feel free to ask any questions.

This candy cane salt and pepper shaker set has vintage style.
I used this mini gift bag with the "Legend of the Christmas Candy Cane" that I would love to share.

"A candy maker one Christmas many years before,
created a special candy as a testament to the Lord.


He made it with red and white this candy cane you see,
respresenting the blood Christ shed and His everlasting purity.


The shape is a shepherd's staff "Believe", the Lord proclaimed.
Turn the candy to a "J" as in our Lord Jesus' name.


So remember always at Christmas when you hang this candy cane,
the love and sacrifice our Lord gave as testament to His name."
I can't read who this poem is By


HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON

I'm linking to the following blog parties:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

It's the Happiest Season of All

We've never been able to travel at this time of the year but now we can. We had a fun time visiting with family and friends but now that we are home, I had to change my ideas on Christmas decorating.  Simple decorating has never been in my vocabulary but it is now.  This phase of my life is the dawning of a new season of life and I'm learning to be content with what I can do.  That said, when we returned home, we had Grandparent days and we were so proud of our grandkids.  I would love for you  to see some more pictures, please go to my daughters blog by clicking here: My Fleet of Fords. 

Grandsons:  Eli, Davis, CJ

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

'Twas the Day After Thanksgiving

(My version of a poem with a "Twas the Night Before Christmas" rhyme.)

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving and not a Christmas decoration in sight
Mr. VH and I could not believe our eyes
No stockings were hung and our chimney was bare
So we went to the Christmas decor shed in total despair
But much to our surprise when we opened the door
Our boxes had been labeled as never before
After Christmas last year, much to our delight
We finally managed to get our Christmas decor packed away right


........Okay, I know I'm not a poet.
I wish I would have taken a photo of the shed....maybe later I can include it.  It was so nice to start out decorating with the items organized and labelled by room and content.


Since we were getting ready to leave on an out- of- state trip, we were trying to decorate for Christmas as much as we could before we left.  I like to begin on the outside of the house and the front door so we started working on that and moved on to the entry hall.

On top of the armoire in the entry was the first of my Christmas decor.  

Lighted garland makes an instant impact when decorating at Christmas.

This is a tin box I included in the vignette.  It greets guests as they enter our home.

This fine feathered friend was used for Autumn but found a new perch on a small vintage suitcase.

The whimsy pine wreath made a colorful background.
While birdwatching......vintage binoculars are needed.

This group of vintage trophies adds some bling.

While shopping at an antique show, I found this unique piece of art.  It is a vintage leather glove filled with plaster and mounted on a block of wood.  It just seemed to work in this vignette.

The frosted fruit floral arrangement gives added height and color. 

 I will probably add frosted fruit to the garland and feathers when I get home.

Let the Christmas Decorating Season begin!