The other day you got a sneak peak when I showed you my candles covered with music.

My inspiration for my Christmas vignette came from wanting to use natural materials and white elements.

Here’s how I did it after playing around with the whole thing for a while.

I started with laying a piece of folded burlap and then placed little white lights underneath the fabric.

Then I just started adding things I had on hand.

These little elephants are from a trip my husband took to Africa before we were married.

The smallest white one is ivory and given to me when he returned. This was before we were going out together and It has always meant so much to me because it wasn’t an obligatory gift but one that said, “I was thinking of you.”

The little nativity tree ornament on the far left was given to us by a tenant many years ago.

And finally, a full shot in daylight.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.  Thanks for stopping by.

Paper Cutter

and

Tape

so let’s pretend it is, okay?

I saw this idea the other day (maybe on Pinterest?) and thought it was so cute.

It’s such a simple project. It took me less than 5 minutes.

I had some vintage looking Christmas music I had saved from another project that ended up being a big Fail…:(

Isn’t the cover adorable?

…so I took that and used my paper-cutter to cut the music to the size of the candles.

And here’s where the tape came in to perform its part.  I taped the music to the candles.

The music doesn’t go completely around the entire candle, there’s about a 1/2″ gap, but I don’t think it’s a problem.

This “craft” was so simple and easy but I think it really adds a nice touch.

Joining up with

Kate @ Centsational Girl

At the Picket Fence

French Country Cottage

We’ve already gone on 2 dates this month.  I could really get into this!  I like eating out.   No cooking, no dishes…  Are we on the same page?

First we went to Wal-Mart since Audrey wanted to go shopping.:)  Shopping she did – all up and down the toy aisles v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y., pushing buttons on everything she saw.  We finally had to prod her after about at hour, saying we should probably go eat.

Audrey wanted to eat at Golden Corral since they now offer cotton candy and they have a chocolate fountain.  Ohhh, boy.  Now, we’re talking.  This is totally her language.

Then we were off to see gingerbread houses.

I thought this battleship was great but it didn’t even win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.

Here’s an up close picture of Santa. Can you see his breath? I thought that was clever.

Penguins Sledding

Notice the penguin on the back of the hill bungee jumping?

I thought this one looked homey.

This display did a great job depicting the Prescott courthouse and everything around it.

I’ve made a few gingerbread houses and it’s not as easy as it looks, not to mention it’s a lot of work, so I was impressed with everyone’s creations.

It was a lovely evening.  Further updates on Audrey:  she lost her 2nd tooth this week and she’s started her phonics program.  My last baby has started school!

I got my Christmas tea set out that my mother gave me several years ago.  She purchased it from Spiegal.  (Are they still around?)

They’re so delicate and have such a bright crisp pattern that I love.

d

Tea Time! Hot tea, shortbread, cucumber sandwiches… Mmmm… sounds warming!  The temperature outside right now is 29°F.

Sending you some warm Christmas Cheer.

Linking up with:

Romance on a Dime 

The girls had their own private photo shoot Christmas morning and afternoon and evening.  (Just how did you think they managed to take over 1,000 photos?) They have such good times when they get together. (they live 3 hours away)

After we opened gifts, at least half of them being handmade…  (Handmade is the best, don’t you think?)

(Cousins -Wesley and Enoch.)

and signed socks…

the boys retired to their old bedroom, now turned playroom for a game of RISK – an old favorite…

and the ladies went to the kitchen to cook

young and old…

Our menu this year was:

Cauliflower Bisque

Turkey w/ Dressing

Ham

Cranberry Relish

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Yams w/ a hint of Maple Syrup

Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy

a wonderful and refreshingGreen Salad with apples, Craisins & feta cheese – I don’t know what the dressing was but it was marvelous!

100% Whole Wheat Butter Crescent Rolls

Everything was so good.  It hit the spot, let me tell you!  Sometimes you labor so long and then the food tastes mediocre – but not this time.  It was spot on!

Our table set and ready for all 20 of us.

My sister and the big bird…

the ham…

roasted yams…

roasted green beans…

mashed potatoes mixed with butter and cream cheese…

and the deliciously light and buttery whole wheat crescent rolls.

Wesley showing his name card.  I really like using name cards and they’re always fun to make.

I’m going to be a great aunt soon. February 1 is the due date the midwife gave.  My nephew Jordan & Martha (my new niece ) were married last February in Florida.  We’re really glad to have Martha in the family.

Costco had a smokin’ deal on Carhart overalls – $20.  So the boys headed to town one day and stocked up!  This was Grandma’s kind of Christmas shopping.  Merry Christmas, boys, from Grandpa and Grandma!

Thank you to all of you who come by and read my blog and leave comments.  It makes writing that much more enjoyable.  Thank You! 

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year in 2011.

This picture was taken without a flash. My apologies for the poor quality.

This centerpiece I put together using a silver tray I had on hand (got this idea from another blogger but can’t remember who- never would have thought of it).  I found garland for 75% off at Goodwill, the cranberries from Salvation Army, candles and flower from Wal-Mart.  I am totally pleased with how it turned out.  It was so little effort and yet it looks quite nice I think.

Another view from the top. Just because…

This view is taken with the flash. I found the tablecloths at Wal-Mart for $4.50!  They still have a lot of them so you could probably pick up some if you wanted.  The white plates I’ve had for forever and the red bowls are courtesy of Solo plastics. I plan on making a Cauliflower Bisque for a first course. I like trying new recipes and this will be one of them. Fortunately, I have a very forgiving family so if it flops, they’ll probably still tell me how wonderful it is. They’re nice like that.

Thanks to Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Tablescape Thursday and for helping me branch out in new areas! You can check out other lovely tablescapes here.

“Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

“6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made… 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 3, 14).

“And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1Timothy 3:16).

“And I will shake all nations, and the Desire Of All Nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of Hosts” (Haggai 2:7).

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee” (Psalm 2:7).

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD” (Luke 2:11).

“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

“30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the LORD God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:30-32).

“33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:33-35).

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law” (Galatians 4:4).

“7 But [Jesus] made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of The Cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He [Jesus] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” (1John 4:2).

“16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:16-17).

“1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed… 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child” (Luke 2:1, 4-5).

“6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).

“8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night… 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8,10).

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

“15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15-16).

“Hath not the Scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42).

“And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

“22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, Which said, Thou art My Beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli” (Luke 3:22-23).

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18).

“And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn Son: and he called His Name JESUS” (Matthew 1:25).

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).

“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3).

“And again, when He bringeth in the Firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6).