Merry Christmas

We made it to Grandma's at 3:00am this morning, slept for a few hours and had a great day here in the snowy east. After a few of Grandma's cut outs and about a gallon of coffee we were in business. We're looking forward to a couple of quiet days here with the family. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

She's Seven

Into the Snowy Wild

A 'two-cinnamon roll day' has been officially declared by my first born....I'm so proud.

I'm actually going on a road trip today, one similar to the scene above, there will most assuredly be snow and windshield wipers, but I'm not sure about the man in the sequined scarf. I will see him later though, when Jingle-Jingle Wedding Bells hits the stage in 'Donutland' tonight. The show must go on folks, we laugh in the face of inclement weather. Well, maybe we don't laugh exactly, maybe more like a little snicker....a nervous, little, snicker. My cream stick awaits, my reward for traveling into the snowy wild. I'm pretty sure I'd drive through anything for an Amish Door creme stick, oh and for my friends and co-workers who are waiting for me there too, I'd drive through anything for them too, uh-huh I would:) See ya on the snowy flip-side.

More Decorating

I finally got my mantle done, it took for-ev-er, but it turned out pretty well I think.

And this pesky pantry, what a job.

You know I don't have much to work with people, what did you expect.

I think if I just had a few more things, then I'd be in business.

Yes, now that it is all up, I think I'll do a few things different next year.

I'm sorry, I had to do it. This is not my house. It is The Arms Family Museum in Youngstown, Ohio. I had the great opportunity to go in and photograph it for them. They do not allow photos in the museum, so they decided to have some in print for people to take home. It was an amazing experience. If you are in the area, you have to see this special Christmas Exhibit. My friend Rebecca works there and would be thrilled if you came. If you love vintage, old mansions and Christmas in general, it will blow your mind. Rebecca was kind enough to give me some passes and I decided that I would like to give two of them to you. Leave a comment telling me about your favorite Christmas decoration and I'll stick all your names in a hat. I'll draw one out and announce the winner on Tuesday morning, that gives you two and a half days or so to comment. You have to play to win people! Oh, and when you go to the museum you will have the opportunity to meet the people who really did the decorating, because it wasn't me. I'm pretty sure some planning was involved and remember from yesterdays post, that's not likely to happen around here:)

P.S. The drawing will of course work best for my local readers, but it you're interested in a road trip, Mi casa es tu casa.

Christmas Decorating

I've been slowly decorating little corners of my home the last few days. While most of my Christmas things are vintage and collected over the years, I have added a few new things too.

I painted these letters last year and decided to put them in a new spot this year.

This brings me to one of my little quirks. I very rarely want or can do things the same way twice. I don't know where it came from or what made me this way, but it is terribly annoying at times. The downfalls are numerous; like instead of feeding the dinner guests a recipe that's tried and true, I will always try out something different, and I don't mean different in a good way always. When it comes to clothes, I might nail down a great outfit, but I won't often wear it that same way again, even if people really liked it. Most of my furniture is on castor's, for obvious reasons. I have friends with iPhones on speed dial, so that they can get me back on the right road when I get turned around after trying to blaze a new path to no avail. You get the picture. Calendars and routine schedules are not my friends. Don't get me wrong, I think traditions are great..... if you change them every year. See? I am crazy.

There are so many times when I would love to say, "The Christmas Village goes here, the nativity goes there, the tree always sits in that perfect spot in front of the window."

I really would like to know those things sometimes, but I just can't, it's not in my DNA. If there was a pill for it, I'd be tempted, because I really do bang my head on the wall sometimes. And I think other people would like to bang my head against a wall sometimes too.

My friend ...the one with the iphone ...that I call for directions, took this picture when we were in in Columbus this summer. I just dug through my emails to find it, it's perfect for this post.

So I told you my Quirk, what's yours?

Scenes From a Snowy Monday

Two-Donut Weekend

Any weekend that involves these beauties can't be bad.

A party with friends,

some tree trimming, and....

...... a visit from my oldest nephew, his wife and pooch. Yes, it was, a Two-Donut Weekend.