We wish you a very Merry Christmas! While you are patiently visiting all your crazy relatives, and eating too much, and being hyper-stimulated with twinkly lights and laughter, take a moment to embrace just how blessed you are. I must admit, after I got over the angst of the to-do lists, and focused on how happy I am to be so blessed that I can share and I am not alone, I could really relax. May you especially enjoy your holidays.
Blessings,
Kelley
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Elf....simple and WOW!
So....here it goes! With the help of my family, we put up all our traditional decorations. Here I have my snowman collections along the top of our kitchen cabinets. A few twinkly lights and some greenery...
This is our dining room with all the santas, vintage and crafty. Our tradition...
In the living room, we have our tree with all the accumulated ornaments and our village on the piano.
I bought this nativity for my first apartment and my newlywed husband made me the shed to go around it. Every year, the kids negotiate to see who sets it up. This year we have a third stocking for our new son-in-law. It will be a special Christmas.
So, back to my self-imposed "Elf" challenge....With just a ream of copy paper and two glue sticks we created a white, winter wonderland. I did add a few other construction type material: fishing line, cotton string, tape, and a paper cutter (all already on hand). It took the better part of four weeks, cutting and gluing while watching TV.
This is our dining room with all the santas, vintage and crafty. Our tradition...
In the living room, we have our tree with all the accumulated ornaments and our village on the piano.
I bought this nativity for my first apartment and my newlywed husband made me the shed to go around it. Every year, the kids negotiate to see who sets it up. This year we have a third stocking for our new son-in-law. It will be a special Christmas.
So, back to my self-imposed "Elf" challenge....With just a ream of copy paper and two glue sticks we created a white, winter wonderland. I did add a few other construction type material: fishing line, cotton string, tape, and a paper cutter (all already on hand). It took the better part of four weeks, cutting and gluing while watching TV. This is in the living room. Lots of chains and snowflakes...
This is the wonder of our dining room. It will be fun to see what our six foot four son thinks of all this in his atmosphere.
And another look at the living room with the many unique, swirling snowflakes. Never boring at our house.
And in the kitchen, there is a cluster over the island.
This has been a lot of fun. I see so many lovely color palettes and intense decorating ideas for the holidays. I resist investing in all new stuff, year after year. I do the after Christmas sales for a few interesting pieces but still I don't really have a "theme". I really love the look of lots of white, simple, back to basics. I hope you are also challenged to look at things with new eyes. Look for the simple and meaningful.
This is the wonder of our dining room. It will be fun to see what our six foot four son thinks of all this in his atmosphere.
And another look at the living room with the many unique, swirling snowflakes. Never boring at our house.
And in the kitchen, there is a cluster over the island. 
This has been a lot of fun. I see so many lovely color palettes and intense decorating ideas for the holidays. I resist investing in all new stuff, year after year. I do the after Christmas sales for a few interesting pieces but still I don't really have a "theme". I really love the look of lots of white, simple, back to basics. I hope you are also challenged to look at things with new eyes. Look for the simple and meaningful.Blessings.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Praline Bars
At this wonderful time of year, I am always on the lookout for something easy to take to share. This recipe is easy and delicious...makes it tough to save enough to take anywhere. Enjoy!Praline Bars
1/3 (16 oz) pkg honey-flavored graham crackers
1 cup butter (no substitutions)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup pecan pieces
chocolate chips, optional ...just kidding!
Break the graham crackers into 3 sections. Line a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with foil, sprayed with Pam, then crackers. Bring the butter and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour evenly over crackers. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. May sprinkle with chocolate chips after baking and maybe spread a little when melted. Needs to cool off in the fridge a few minutes before breaking up.
I hope you have a truly blessed Christmas.
I hope you have a truly blessed Christmas.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Elf for Christmas
First, I have to say that I just love this time of year. I love all the movies and the music. One of my favorite movies is "Elf" because it shows such childlike wonder. 
I gave myself a challenge: To use the most basic of supplies, totalling under $5, to create a white wonderland in my home. Using just a ream of printer paper and cheap glue sticks, I plan to create chains and snowflakes and garlands!
I started on November 19th, and this is my 
progress after about 2 weeks. My patient, saint-like husband has helped. Over the Thanksgiving break, our son and the newlywed couple got in on the fun.
progress after about 2 weeks. My patient, saint-like husband has helped. Over the Thanksgiving break, our son and the newlywed couple got in on the fun.So here I am about two weeks into this self-imposed challenge and I have had a lot of feedback on the home front. Several have commented that I must have a lot of time on my hands, (yes, I guess I do), and that I must be more bored than they thought, ( I am never bored!), and won't that be a huge mess, ( it will be worth it to see the white winter wonderland ).
So, I say, just have fun with it. I will be sure to post some photos when it all gets up...that must be before a party here in a couple of weeks.
Let me know what you think!
Have a blessed holiday season.
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