Spirit of the Season

Hello, Dear Friends, I enjoyed my little break

and have missed all of you! 

I've had too much turkey and pie,

and wonderful moments with family, 

which always goes by too soon.

This photo of my baby grandson, Ethan

on my lap Thanksgiving day, makes me laugh. 

He hates the camera and gives dirty looks

whenever it gets too close. 

He's 6 months old now

and I can't get enough of him! 

xoxo

I have been doing a little winter decorating. 

Just a bit to usher in the new holiday season. 

On my break I did some vintage holiday shopping

with my daughter Jennie, and found this 

wonderful apron. 

I love the cross-stitch snowflake design. 

I spray-painted the basket on top of my pantry, too. 

I used two shades of gray chalk paint. 

Who knew chalk paint came in a can? 

It took me all of 10 minutes and I love how it looks now. 

I've added some red dishes to my Kitchen Queen

cupboard to brighten things up. 

I had a few things already on hand, 

and added the sweet little bowls

that I found at my local department store. 

I bought enough to use for my annual

Christmas brunch with the whole family. 

They will make a pretty place setting

on top of my white dishes for fresh fruit salad. 

I like to decorate my kitchen for the holidays 

with vintage utensils in red and green :)

The sifter and biscuit cutter were my Grandmother's,

then my Mother's and now mine <3 

The glass rolling pin has the 'Good Housekeeping' 

seal of approval! 

The Lenox vase was my Mother's. 

Even the spices and preserves (sweet gifts from my sis-in-law)

 get some new festive caps! 

Vintage enamelware and tart pans 

from Ann Marie's Etsy Shop @ Musings of a Vintage Junkie blog

and red handled kitchen helpers 

I found on my shopping trip,

spark up the stove. 

Red and white towels 

are ready for lining baskets

and trays for holiday baking. 

Spools of red and white twine 

on the kitchen window-sill 

are convenient for wrapping

brown paper packages :)

My French enamel pitcher from Celestina Marie Design

pretties up my open shelving. 

I've replaced the autumnal hues on my daybed

and windows with light and bright 

lace curtains and red striped grain-sack pillows. 

This area is a work in progress....

The pretty red cyclamen was a gift from 

dear friends. 

Kai says hello! 

A flea market painting

with a wintery scene. 

Kai looks out on a beautiful, sunny morning. 

We've had very cold temperatures

with clear skies, but today is warmer

with rain in the forecast. 

I've moved my Angel to 

the vintage bird cage on the deck. 

I can see her from the kitchen :)

I also potted up some junipers in terra-cotta 

pots that I painted with latex porch and floor enamel. 

Painting the inside keeps the water from seeping into

the clay and eroding the finish.
These pots will get wonderfully mossy by spring. 

These can be seen from the living room. 

I'll add a lighted garland to the top of the window later 

and maybe some ribbon bows to the pots. 

The mantel gets a rustic update, 

but I'm sure it will get tweaked a bit
once I get everything out of storage. 

I made the Pine-Cone Wreath a few years ago. 

So that's what I've done so far.

I'm starting to get into the Christmas Spirit!

xoxo

"Winter is the time for comfort,
for good food and warmth,
for the touch of a friendly hand
and for talk beside the fire;
it is the time for home."

- Edith Sitwell -


Today I am linking with:
The Enchanting Rose - Roses of Inspiration

Ivy and Elephants - What's It Wednesday

My Salvaged Treasures - Vintage Inspiration Party