Fa La La!

Today I forgot to turn on the oven when I was baking my raspberry bars and spiced nuts. No harm done -- it just took longer. I'd take a photo of the kitchen but I'm too embarrassed.But I am getting, as Patty often says, "my twinkle." I hope you're finding yours, too!

The stockings aren't yet hung, but the mantle is scaled down this year -- and I'm very happy about that. The lovely arrangement in the center is from my friend Barb, who surprised me when we went to tea.



Tea is an annual celebration with us, going to a local herb farm and enjoying a lovely lunch, wassail and shopping in their gift area.



Yes, I felt the twinkle.



I felt it last week when Greg, Rick and I did Rick's tree. When the kids were little, they always fought over whose turn it was to put Grandma's angel at the top.

This year Greg had no contest!

And yes, I'm decorated enough. Here's a bit of a home tour. In the family room, there are three trees, two small, one tall and skinny. This one has my feather boa wreath as a skirt!

And the cat tree! Some of those ornaments are on my big tree but these all make me smile. The tree topper always gives me a grin.



The skinny tree by the fireplace looks almost like last year when I took you on a journey to the Giant Gingerman. A few less ornaments this year. But who can tell?

In the living room there are a mass of trees. You probably saw the big one (or its details) in the last post. And the "white tree" looks the same as last year! But this one is new -- couldn't resist this tabletop tree when Coldwater Creek had their post-holiday sale. Boy, do I miss Coldwater Creek.



I took the photo of the top shelf here before I put the ornaments on the Solstice tree at the right -- but again, scaled back. Lots of teeny bottlebrush trees, too. (And lots in the window panes as well!)

I took a hint from my Southern Exposure post here to use my quilts and blankets in a festive way -- and my basket collection, too!

My Emil Weddige litho is one of my favorite pieces of art so I kept it simple underneath.

Here's another teeny tree with bits and pieces I like.

And of course, the top of the china cabinet isn't immune to cheer!

I won't worry about sharing the pink bathroom tree or my dad's fishing tree -- those look the same as other posts, too!

Of course there are greens around, even if most of the trees are faux. Last year, friend Barb (of the copper pot on the mantle) used this beautiful glass basket to make a wonderful arrangement. I saved the "guts" of it and added new greens and sticks this year. Not bad!

There are still plenty of things on the to-do list, even though presents are wrapped and I went to the store. Lunch and get-togethers with friends, the annual movie-watch, cookie deliveries. It'll happen. But for now, I leave you with a quick glance at how one gets on the naughty list.

And, along with that, the warmest and happiest greetings for a beautiful Christmas, a Happy (post) Hanukkah and wonderful New Year!