Everythings All Christmasy

Oh the weather outside is frightful. We've had snow for the past two weekends.  But everything inside is so delightful.

  

I made this wreath a few years ago with a grapevine wreath and ribbon bought from #DollarTree.  It usually hangs on the armoire but this year I decided to use it on the front door.

Bought this, this year at the dollar store.  Could not resist.  Isn't it cute?

Finally bought a new tree.  It's nice...tall, yet slender. 

Santa hat chair covers courtesy of #DollarTree.

This centerpiece is just a wreath that I wrapped with berry garland and a couple of pinecones.  Then I added a hurricane lantern in the center. 

Buffet in the dining room.

I just love my kitchen...98% of the decorations come from #DollarTree.

I think this is my favorite tree out of the ten I have.  #DollarTree

I had gingerbread ornaments left so I used them on this little tree which sits on top of the fridge.

Found this tree magnet set in the dollar store.  So cute I just had to get it.  The little gingerbread village and people were also from... you guessed it, the Dollar Tree.  

Guess what's hiding under this little dress?

LOL.  Not sure how long ago I bought this but it only cost me $1.  

This tree sits in the guest bedroom.  

This tree sits in the master bedroom.  I bought these ceramic ornaments from Dollar Tree about 8 or 9 years ago.  I had more than this but over the years many of them broke. 

I even have a tree in the bathroom.  The nutcracker was a gift from my neighbor.  They know how much I love the holidays. LOL

Now that my little palace is all decked out for the holidays, it's time for me to get moving on my annual Christmas Eve family dinner.

It's The Holiday Season

Yes the holiday season is in full effect!!!

Since Friday I have been decorating my little palace from top to bottom.  Only thing left for me to do is get a new Christmas tree for the living room and all will be complete.

I am working real hard to enjoy this holiday season.  Last year ended on extremely sad circumstances with the loss of loved ones.  But instead of feeling down and walking around depressed, I have decided to celebrate with them, in spirit, by remembering all the great times we've had together.

Last night I turned on the Christmas lights and hung out on the sofa watching Hallmark and ABC Family channels while eating leftover apple pie (wishing I had ice cream to go with it).

Tonight after work I need to finish writing up my Christmas cards and put them in the mail.

I'll post pictures this weekend.

My First Christmas Card

I have this bad habit of not checking my mail box daily.  Not really sure why that started. Probably because it's mostly junk mail.

Anyway today I decided I'd better go empty my mailbox (I know the mailman screams every time he opens that box lol).  Not to my surprise, it was packed with junk mail.  What was surprising was I received my first Christmas card for the year from one of my friends over at Magical Holiday Home, Snowey.  I don't want to open it yet so I have a basket to place it in for now.  After Thanksgiving, when I start decorating for Christmas, the basket will sit on my coffee table.  I have a special day set aside to open all my cards.

So excited.  Thanks Snowey!!!

Gift Idea

Every Sunday since football season began I have been gathering with friends to watch our Ravens.  Over the course of the season we have taken so many pictures of all the good times we have.  Which gave me a great idea!

I thought about a few years ago when I made dvds for family members.  I gathered pictures from all the past Christmas Eve dinners and burned them on dvd to music.  Then at the end of the dvd was the invitation to that years' Christmas Eve dinner.  They were well received.  So that's what I plan to do for my friends...put together a collection of pictures from all the football Sundays so far and burn them on a dvd to music.  And I have the perfect song to use.  It's the Ravens fans' chant song - Oooh, oh-oh-oh, oooh, oh!

First I had to find out the name of the song and who sung it (Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes). I honestly did not know it was a real song. I just thought it was some chant the fans started. It wasn't until we won the superbowl earlier this year and I heard the actual song playing in the background when the City of Baltimore held a huge parade for the team.

Anyway, I know my friends will get a kick out of that.  They can play it over and over and over again when they want to.

Catching Up

Today, I made the decision to spend the entire day in the house.  I have been running rampant since the summer with friends and family. Every weekend (and sometimes weekdays) there has been something going on. I need to get focused or else Christmas this year will be a disaster.  So here I am, sitting at the dining room table, in my pajamas, watching the Hallmark channel and fighting the urge to put up my Christmas decorations. Later I'll going over my Thanksgiving shopping list and maybe pin more holiday decor and food ideas.

My friends over at Magical Holiday Home have been busy following the Christmas Countdown and I need to catch up.

I have all of my lists started: gift ideas, holiday menus, shopping lists, addresses for Christmas cards, etc.  I created and printed an events calendar.  I've gone through my decorations making note of what I need to get or replace.  Even took inventory of the pantry and discarded any expired spices, herbs, and so forth.  Next week I'll hit the grocery store to restock.

For gifts this year I am having difficulty coming up with ideas.  Out of 30 gifts I will be giving, I only have 12...gift cards, couple movie baskets, and something for a cousin of his favorite NFL team.  This is bumming me out. Sure hope things turn around as I don't have much time.

Holiday Grand Plan

It's that time again. Holiday Gran Plan is in full swing.  Week one started with making lists and cleaning off the front porch.

I'm a little behind (big surprise huh - LOL)  The plan started Sept. 1st. While I'm still working on week one, my friends at Magical Holiday Home are starting week two.

Any who. Let me tell you what I've done so far.  I sent out text messages to family and friends earlier today letting them know that I have started planning for this years's Christmas Eve dinner.  Everyone responded within minutes.  I was able to get RSVPs as well as updated address information.  I think my family is more excited than I am.

With that out of the way I started working on other lists: Gifts, Parties/Entertaining, Menus, Freezer Meals and shopping lists.

This year I have 35 gifts to make.  My dilemma now is coming up with gift ideas.  I've given some really great gifts in the last 10 plus years but don't have a clue for this year.  So far I have only come up with 15 gift ideas.  I think I'm losing my touch. hahaha  Hopefully some ideas will come to me.  I'll need to somehow stir up a few conversations about gifts without them knowing that I'm looking for ideas.

After making a list of names and budgeting how much to spend for each person, I then started working on a calendar I created where I plug in all activities I have planned for the next four months.  Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and my brother and I are taking her out to dinner.  Then on the 18th is my brother's birthday and his wife and my mom have been working together to plan a dinner for him.  I have a wedding in October and I am hosting an Autumn Celebration Dinner with a few friends that month.  Also this year I will be hosting Thanksgiving as well as Christmas Eve dinner (This should be fun).  The menu is all planned for Thanksgiving but I still have Christmas Eve and autumns dinner to do. I will talk more about my plans for Thanksgiving on my Harvest blog.

Next I moved on to making a list of freezer meals.  These will come in handy as the holidays get closer, not to mention busy.  There won't be time to create good home cooked meals regularly.  I'm going out later this week to start shopping for some of the ingredients I will need.  My meals will include lasagna, homemade chili (my favorite comfort food during the colder months), chicken enchiladas, chicken & biscuit casserole (another favorite), calzones, meatloaf, chicken & dumplings and pizzas.  The pizzas and lasagna I think will be store bought...making it less meals I'll have to prepare.  This year will be the first time I make chicken & dumplings.  I love it but never made it myself.  I was worried about making chicken enchiladas and storing them in the freezer, but after talking to the ladies at MHH, I learned that I can freeze them.

Tomorrow I hope to finish all of my lists.  In addition to the two menus, I still have my shopping list and goodies list to get started.  I think I may have already started on the shopping list.  I'll have to check my notebook.

112 Days to Christmas!?

Are my eyes deceiving me?  Is this really true?  Christmas will be here before I know it.

Me thinks me better get it in gear.