Winter Wonderland Project

Last year I meant to do this project for Christmas but ran out of time to put it up, but I found some time this year, however.........

I call it the "Winter Wonderland". I suppose, because of the icicles, that's what it reminds me of.

The glass icicles I bought two years ago at an after-Christmas sale for a steal. The silver "twists" I also bought at the same time. The "snowy" branches and other sparkly elements I already had from when I did my White Birds and Snowflakes theme tree in 2010. Some previous owner of our house had put some small nails in the molding above the large mirror over the parlour fireplace mantel, so I used some floral wire and wired everything together and attached the whole thing to the nails. Then I used some white thread in different lengths to hang the icicles from ornament hooks, and added a short string of white lights to it.
It was a little difficult to hang up, mostly because we have 10 and a half foot ceilings, so I had to get out the big ladder to be able to reach that high, and it was awkward.  It turned out so pretty though!

I also can't resist sharing some of my photos that I edited with my new photo editing software, Lightroom.

Thanks for stopping by!

2012 Christmas Theme Tree

I had hoped to post this BEFORE Christmas....but alas! Good intentions and all..............

Every Christmas I do a "theme" tree in my front hall. Last year it was a Peacock Themed Tree (click HERE)
The year before that it was a White Birds and Snowflakes Tree (click HERE)

This year, I did a tree with birds again. I have been calling it a Twigs, Birds and Tartan Bows Tree.

All lit up!

It was a fun tree to put together...but what tree isn't? I love coming up with ideas for my next "theme" tree. I haven't thought about what I'm going to do next year, however.

Hopefully all of you had a nice holiday season......I had the flu...like a million other people!
The hubby and I did find time to take in a performance of Handel's Messiah by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which took place in a very old cathedral in Milwaukee.

                              Erik looked very dapper in his black suit. He loves to dress up.

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Built in 1847.

The Cathedral was built in an architectural style known as "German Zopfstil". It was very popular in Milwaukee in the 1840s until the 1860s, which is when many Germans settled in the city.

                    I  did find time to bake many yummy cookies!  Here are just a few!

The outside of the house looked very festive.............

The Victorian tree looked splendid, as usual..........................

Astrid got her ornament this year (it matches the ones I bought last year for Olive and E.B.)

E.B. and Olive really enjoyed the flannel sheets and the Christmas bedding.......

Astrid likes the couch the best..............

 Or this cardboard box in my craft room............

I hope your Christmas was very merry!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Thanksgiving Tablescape

I did not host Thanksgiving at my house this year, but I still found time to put together a Thanksgiving tablescape anyway!
I'll be linking up with Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!
I did my napkins in a fan fold, reminiscent of a turkey's tail fanned out!

Autumn centerpiece, complete with a velvet pumpkin..........

The cover.......

Pheasant S&P shakers and a silver domed butter dish......

Of course, we must use the good silver flatware!

I have really no Thanksgiving decorations, so I thought I should treat myself to a new tablecloth which has turkeys on it!  I bought this recently at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It's very beautiful!

Paisley figured placemats in  mustard/gold are perfect for a fall table.....

A trio of glassware at each place; water goblet, wine glass, and champagne flute.

I also bought two turkey votive holders at Bed, Bath and Beyond, along with the tablecloth. Notice I have "fake" votives in them. This is due to my cats, who like to go up on tables when I'm not in the room. I often put these battery operated candles in my candle holders for "effect". If I was hosting a real dinner, I would have put real candles in them before my guests arrived!

 Monogrammed individual spreaders go on the bread plate at each place setting.

Each place setting also gets an individual salter, or salt dip.

A crisp linen bread basket liner proclaims there are "HOT ROLLS" to be had.....

The red color of the napkins is perhaps unexpected, but works well for a fall table.........

Lights on!

Thanks for stopping by!
I'll be joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and
Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish!