Christmas Highlights

We had the BEST Christmas.

Hope yours was special too.

Last Minute Wrapping

It's the 23rd...if you are in the midst of wrapping gifts and need some help, look no further.

Whisker Graphics has some super cute download-able gift tags available here. Other gift tags are available via one of my favorite design blogs, How About Orange, and The Long Thread.

Also, for wrapping inspiration, check out all of the images on these two sites:

The Decorologist

Stylish Eve

Happy wrapping!!

Christmas Rewind

Here are a few photos taken in our house back in the early '60s. 

Short and fat -- cute tree! I think I see a few Shiny Brite ornaments that are a lot like mine. And isn't it nice seeing wrapped boxes under a Christmas tree instead of gift bags? Call me a traditionalist -- I prefer boxes to bags.

Our tree is in the same corner of the living room right now. This is my Aunt Sharon. What a cutie.

Okay, this is great. For all of you Christmas crafters in 2010 -- here's a reindeer made out of dishwashing detergent bottles. My mom made this in 196?. I think it's kinda cute. I believe it's sitting on top of a television or hi-fi (Google "hi-fi" if you don't know what that is).

7 Days of Rain

Wet clothes.

Dirty floors.

Stinky car interior.

Cabin fever + toddler = not fun.

Rainbow. Breathtaking.

Jingle Bells and Other Stuff

Santa -- Still Bad

He was excited before we got there.

He was excited as we waited in line.

He was excited at the 6-foot mark.

Then he wasn't excited anymore.

 

Ha! Sorry, but it makes me laugh.

I was hoping Ruby the Bear would help. Nope.

 Here are a few more...

If you're keeping score at home, 

that's 3 Santa, 0 Nate (proof here).

Have a nice weekend -- only 8 shopping days left!

Simple App

We took this appetizer to a party last night and everybody seemed to enjoy them. My only gripe is that I went by the recipe in the Pioneer Woman's cookbook and not by the recipe on her website. She neglects to tell you in the cookbook to buy small jalapenos -- I just picked out what was at the store and they were too big. So big that we ran out of filling before we were halfway done filling them up. She's also made a few modifications in the cookbook by adding cheddar cheese & green onion to the filling and brushing BBQ sauce or apricot jelly on top of the bacon before putting them in the oven. Can you say yum?? Click on the recipe name below to see PW's glorious photos.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

(source)

DR Dolls

After making this doll, I kept going. Here are four more....I couldn't help myself. It's addicting. Anyway, these little ladies are on their way to the Dominican Republic. My mom's work is sending a huge box of toys to a school in a remote area of the DR. These kids have never had a Christmas party before so they're in for a special treat. I'm so happy that four little girls are going to have these dolls! Eeek, it's so exciting I can hardly stand it. 

Ahoy Santa!

We've already seen a train covered in Christmas lights so what's next? Boats! Lots of boats during the Christmas boat parade in Marina del Rey on Saturday night. Nate danced and ran around in between looking at the boats (he said he liked "the ones with music and guitars"). That kid has an abundance of energy. He entertained many of the parade attendees and I think most of them were thinking "wow, that is one crazy kid. Good luck to his parents." I used to think that too when I was single and now I AM that kid's parent. Oh boy. 

Christmas Home Tour

Our Vintage Christmas in 2010

Let me show you around (ps -- if you're new to my blog -- I live with my husband and 2 1/2 year old son in the house my grandparents built in 1941 in Southern California).

 

Welcome to our home! Here is our tiny entry way. A couple Christmas birdhouses sit atop my Grandmother's childhood desk.

 The entry takes you directly to our living room. We have a 6-ft. Noble Fir in the corner covered in vintage '50s Shiny Brite ornaments I've collected the last few years. And, yes, we store toys in our fireplace. We're strange like that.

 A close-up of our fireplace mantel.

 This is one wall in our dining room. I love Christmas cards but have never found the right way to display them. This seemed like a simple solution -- draping a garland around a framed print and tying on the cards. That way I get to look at them all the time.

 My '60s Santa light purchased for $5 at a thrifty store. He sits on the hearth. Nate was scared of this light last year (go here for the story) but this year, he's done a 180 -- LOVES Santa and kisses him goodnight.

 A little Christmas vignette on our built-in china hutch.

 The Man Cave needs a little decorating too.  
Go Santa! Go Saints!

 

It's going to be a very Merry Christmas for us

and, we hope, for you too!

If you'd like to continue the home tour, click on the links below and keep the party going!

 

and

Kelly's Korner

It's Santa! -- Choo Choo!

We saw Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive tonight by train..... 

Lots of lights. Lots of people.

 

I know most women don't want to hear this, 

but she looks like she could be his mom.  

Couldn't they find an older santa??

Soap bubbles in the air. 

Snow -- California-style.

 

One last shot of the train before heading home for dinner.

Shoes that Shine (in my mind)

Nate's first real pair of shoes.

He wore them practically every day as he learned to walk.

I just tossed them in the trash because, seriously, 

they're gross (and I never want to be on that Hoarders show).

But I love these shoes for what they represent. 

I had to take a picture of them.

Aren't they beautiful?