Christmas Past

I hope you are finally having some time to sit and relax while you peruse the wonderful Christmas tablescapes linked to Between Naps on the Porch hosted by the seemingly never-tiring Susan. The kids and significant others' have all gone back to their respective residences and I'm looking forward to some "me" time!

I haven't had a chance to upload my pics of this year's Christmas Table so am showing one from days of old (before I had a blog).  This was the 'scape I created for Christmas Eve last year when I hosted a family dinner for numbers that stretched the confines of my dining room table.

Mr. Delight created a plywood platform (hidden by tablecloths) that sits on the table top.  It extends width and length-ways allowing for a bit more elbow room - and room to create a centerpiece!

Although I seem to be acquiring lots of different Christmas salad/dessert plates, I actually only own one complete set of Christmas dishes and they don't even have a "name" on them.  They were just a cheap set I got at a local hardware store a few years back as I liked the pattern on them.  

The napkin rings are poinsettias made from red & green felt.  They are special to me as my children purchased them years ago at a sale at their elementary school as a gift for me. I've dressed them up here with some acrylic crystal napkin rings my sister-in-law gave me.

This Santa beside the Christmas Tree is actually an old Partylite piece.  The top of the gift box opens allowing a square votive to burn.

Excuse the mismatched chairs but this is a given at our house when guests number above 6. Do you have to resort to a mish-mash of chairs for large gatherings? 

Best wishes for the New Year! Are you planning a quiet evening at home or heading out for a night on the town?  Either way, I hope you have fun and 2010 has lots of good things in store for you!

Looking Ahead

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season full of good cheer and happy memories. We have had lots of fun with family and friends but I have to say, I'm looking forward to a bit of quiet time in the New Year as I will still have a week of vacation time then. That is when I really get to enjoy my decorations as I will be able to spend time reading and relaxing in front of the fire.


If any of you are in the process of planning a New Year's party, here is an idea for your buffet table.  This is a pic of what I did 2 years ago for a party we were having. White mini-lights are covered with gold-starred tulle topped with candle-vase trio, glass bowl of gold balls, faux white poinsettias, party hats, champagne and martini glasses and a clock to symbolize the ringing in of the New Year! 

Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

First off, I'd like to wish anyone who might happen to be reading my blog, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday and may God Bless You Now and Always!

I have been so busy lately (aren't we all!) but have finally managed to post a few pics of my Christmas decorations which will follow this week's Tablescape Thursday 'scape.


This is a tablescape I did last year before I started blogging so only have a few pictures.   I got this snowman & snow-woman at our local Dollar Store and created a "Frosty" scene for them.

 I used my square plates & bowls with silver chargers.

 

 I also got a set of the acrylic trees which change colours and used one of them for this 'scape.

Here's a little look around my home at some of my decorations...
Since no one has time to read much these days, I'll just leave you looking.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.....and to add to your holiday enjoyment, be sure to head over to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for a Delightful Christmas Tablescape Bonanza!  

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Although I have been decorating for almost a month, I haven't had a chance to take the pics of the different areas in my home where I've added some Christmas magic.  I am hoping to get some time this week to take you on a tour.  Hope you will check back later.

Our Christmas Wine Tasting

A couple of weeks ago, we hosted our 2nd Annual Christmas Wine Tasting Party. 

We had approximately 30 guests who were asked to donate to Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child (a charity we support) in lieu of a hostess gift so it was actually a fundraiser (raised $300!). This is the donation box which was at Wine Tasting Station #1 near the front door.



 As guests arrived, they were given a wine glass with a charm specific to that glass so they wouldn't lose track of where they set their glass.  They also received a notecard to record whether they liked/disliked the wines they tried.  Although we all dressed in semi-formal attire the actual wine tasting is pretty casual and we don't go into all the particulars of specific wines. Its just fun!

We didn't have enough wine charms so Mr. Delight handcrafted some out of old pins he had by drilling holes in them and attaching them with wire ornament hangers.  He made the Rolling Stones (tongue) charm for himself! 

We created six Wine Tasting Stations in different areas of the house. 

Wine Tasting Station #1

Wine Tasting Station #2

Wine Tasting Station #3

Wine Tasting Station #4

Wine Tasting Station #5

Wine Tasting Station #6 (Dessert/Ice Wines)

I forgot to take pics of the food which were a variety of appetizers but of course, we had cheese!

It was a fun party with lots of laughs and good times.  It is something different to try as a theme for your Christmas Party - just don't take it too seriously and enjoy a chance to sip some wine and treasure the friendships you share.

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch as I did create a few mini-tablescapes at the various wine stations.  Be sure to stop by BNOTP for many other terrific ideas for your holiday table.

Marty's Cloche Party

I'm joining in my first Cloche Party hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.  She has a beautiful blog and hosts a terrific party!

I don't own an actual cloche so had to improvise a bit with some apothecary jars and open glass vases but hope Marty won't mind.   

Not sure which lighting I like best but probably the picture below allows you to see the detail inside better.

Since it is also a Thanksgiving Cloche Party, here is a pic of what I did back in October for a Thanksgiving Centerpiece.

Be sure to pop on by A Stroll Thru Life and to see some very imaginative displays for cloches of all kinds.