Wednesday, December 2, 2015

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 
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

Ivy and ElephantsVintage Inspiration Party

40 comments:

  1. Karen, I've got the same wall hook in my kitchen and I hang cookie cutters up.
    xox

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    1. I will think of you every time I look at it now, Manu! xoxo Karen

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  2. So glad you enjoyed your holiday time, your little Grandson looks so sweet. Your house is looking splendid as usual with it's wintery changes. Who would have thought that red and white twine would make such a good decoration! x

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  3. Dear Karen, my friend, so nice, you are back! Thank you for all those lovely pictures from your wonderful home! Baby Ethan is such a sweet Boy :O) I am sure, he will bring you lots of fun and Joy all the time!
    Wishing you a wonderful, joyfull and blessed Advent-Time!
    sending Love, hugs and blessings,
    Claudia xo

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  4. Well, Karen, you were a busy girl while you were on break! It looks just beautiful! You did a wonderful job dressing your home for Christmas. While I love all the pictures the one of Ethan steals my heart. I LOVE how he is so intense there! You must grin like a fool every time you look at that image. Have a wonderful Wednesday! xo Diana

    ps. WHERE did you get the red & white twine - I have been looking all over-xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana - Thank you for your sweet visit! I found the twine at my local Ben Franklin Store - http://www.benfranklinonline.com/ . Not sure if they sell this in all stores. You might have to call your local store and find out. (They are in small towns across the country). I hope you find some! xo Karen

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  5. Hello, so glad you had a nice break and a happy Thanksgiving. Ethan is just adorable. I love your kitchen and all the pretty decorations. Kai is a cutie too. Have a happy Wednesday!

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  6. You certainly are in the spirit. Your kitchen draws me right in with all your lovely vintage things. I'm sure that apron will get a work-out. Ethan is such a cutie. What an adorable face. I'm all about wreaths this year and yours is beautiful. Give all the dogs a hug for me. Deb

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  7. Your vintage style is so cozy and charming, Karen. I love taking a peek around your hom. However, it's your cutie pie, Ethan, that just made me smile! What a sweet face, even with his "dirty look".….. Adorable!

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  8. New follower here. I so enjoy seeing your decorating ideas and collections, and admiring your view off the deck. Lovely. We also share a love for little grandsons (we just had our second) and they do tend to dislike the papparazzi! Grand daughters are much kinder to the cameras. :D
    Debbie

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  9. Welcome back! Your kitchen looks so sweet and cozy with its festive touches Karen. I didn't know one could buy spray chalk paint! I'll have to see if we have it here yet. Sometimes we're a bit behind the rest of North America. :) Your little Ethan is adorable with his serious expression. Our youngest, Liam at 15 months, LOVES the camera and the iPhone when we Face Time so I'm sure Ethan will get used to it. Happy December to you. Enjoy all the festivities. Blessings, Pam

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  10. Karen, you grandson is certainly puzzled about his Gram! Great pictures to share with us today.

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  11. He is adorable! I didn't know it came in spray cans? I still need to paint some PB baskets for my daughter, because she wants them white or gray. I was going to paint them with a brush, but this looks easier. xoox Su

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  12. Glad that you had a good break and that you are enjoying your seasonal decorating changes. Everything looks very pretty! xx

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  13. Dear Karen ~ What a sweetie pie little Ethan is.

    Your home and decorating skills are lovely as always. I love your style.

    So far I've got my Charlie Brown Christmas tree set up with lights on it.

    Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing how else you decorate your sweet home.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  14. Your grandson is adorable...what a cute face! And I love the special places you have to decorate, like above your stove with the pinecones. And the baker's twine....so many pretty things to enjoy this month. Holiday hugs, Diane

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  15. Your house looks lovely.
    Merle..........

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  16. I love all of your red holiday touches Karen! Your home is just so cozy and sweet. You just want to snuggle in. ;) And that pic of Ethan is adorable (& hilarious!) I kind of feel the same way about cameras on me. Lol
    Blessings my Dear! Welcome back. xoxo

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  17. Hello Beatrice,

    I am stopping in through Rose of Inspiration.

    I have to say how much I love your kitchen and all the pretty details - so fresh and very nostalgic.

    What a beautiful wreath you made, hanging above that cozy wood stove. Your home seems very inviting.

    I enjoyed my visit here today.
    :) Hope

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  18. It is always a joyous experience to visit your lovely home and have a little peek inside at each little nook. Each nook is crammed with gorgeous 'pretties'!Your Ethan is so very sweet....I don't blame him for scowling at the camera as I am a little camera-shy as well. Oh that red gingham apron is adorable, what a find that was and I would kill for that gorgeous wood burner!! =)

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  19. I love the white vase and the glass house! So cute! I have not started my decorating yet, but did manage to get the two fake trees together and figure out the lights! A plus for me!

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  20. Karen, I really enjoyed seeing pictures of your kitchen at Christmas time. It has splashes of RED, which I love. That picture of your grandson, Ethan, cracked me up. That is priceless. Your vintage apron is cute. Nel asked for one last Christmas, and I couldn't find one cute enough to buy her. The red bowls in your cupboard look so charming, and I love Celestina's pitcher. Aahh, your sweet angel - I smile ever time I see her. She looks lovely gracing your deck. And your wreath above the mantel is very nice, so simple and pretty.

    I'm glad you are in the Christmas spirit. I am too! It's the most wonderful time of year!

    ~Sheri

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  21. Your grand baby is sure a little cutie! I love all of the wonderful pics of your home! Looks so warm and cozy! Have a great week, Lynn

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  22. oooooh you have done a lot and i love all the "soft" decorations. they say christmas but in a more subtle way!!! the apon is quite a find, i adore anything with hand embroidery!!!

    cute little guy, but not a fan of the camera, you need to change that pronto ;)))))))

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  23. Ethan is such a cutie. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before he's all smiles for your camera. Thanks so much for sharing all your vintage treasures with Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  24. Karen your photos are so beautiful I don't know where to start complimenting you! Oh that baby face is too cute! Love the sweet apron. Your red bowls against the white is just beautiful. Thanks for all the eye candy. :)

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  25. Oh your grandsons expression is just too cute, probably can't figure out why you have something covering your face :) Love the pretty touches your brought to your home for the holidays. I had no idea chalk paint came in spray cans either. Glad you had a great time with family!

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  26. You've been busy, Karen! Evert hing looks so inviting!!!
    Enjoy the season.
    Hugs,
    Lin

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  27. Karen, welcome back! I love your kitchen. It looks so warm and inviting. Not for me the cold, streamlined contemporary look. Yours pulls me in and makes me want to sit down and have a cup of tea and something hot out of the oven.

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  28. Karen, welcome back! I love your kitchen. It looks so warm and inviting. Not for me the cold, streamlined contemporary look. Yours pulls me in and makes me want to sit down and have a cup of tea and something hot out of the oven.

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  29. Karen looks like you are all set to cook Christmas Goose.
    Beautiful Kitchen yvonne

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  30. Karen, that is one cute grandson you've got there -- love his scowl. And I see it's beginning to look like Christmas at your house -- warm and inviting. Pretty apron too.

    Don't know if you saw my comments on your previous post but you won one of the giveaways on my blog for a Jacquie Lawson e-calendar. I need to get your email so it cane be sent to you. (For some reason, the contact link in your sidebar says I don't have permission to use).

    Hope to hear from you soon. My email link is in my sidebar.

    Wishing you a beautiful day...
    Brenda
    xox

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  31. Such fun items you have! I like the glass rolling pin and sifter....sigh! Fun to have things from the past in your family. I have a few things as well. It's chilly here and raining today...last night as well. Warmer during the day and a storm coming through today but tomorrow supposed to be better, even though are plans were shot for our getaway....oh well! Must move on! Decor here i come! I laugh at your little grandson's face. My little guy would tolerate a foto or two then he was done. One time I had my camera out and was taking photos of sister and a then from the couch Owen says...grandma take a picture of me! He's been more tolerant now. Am excited that we have grandbaby 3 on the way..May 2016! Take care!

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  32. Dearest Karen,
    You are my last blog I manage tonight, my eyes are so heavy but it was a delight to come here. It brought smiles of happiness to my face. Such warmth as usual and with Kai posing for your blog friends; so special and sweet.
    Baby of course is incredible, can't believe how Ethan is frowning upon your camera! Those eyes... one wonders what thoughts go through their mind.
    Oh and I love those tiny junipers, that looks so very special.
    Also your pine cone wreath, seldom did I see such a natural beauty. That's exactly what I love, not an artificial looking one that is ready bought.
    Sending you hugs and blessings and thanks so much for your sweet comment. I've lived through a rough time for the past seven days. This afternoon prayers were getting answered as Dad does not need surgery and also one of my brothers turned around in such way that he did hook up the TV, Radio, Phone and Internet for Dad which the hospital provides. Of course did Dad need help with this, he's not used to modern gadgets but with a little thinking this should have been done the very first day to make him settle in.
    Now he was being isolated from all of his elderly choir friends that can no longer drive... They could not call him either, nor could his Australian brother and his American eldest daughter. Today I celebrated my 22nd birthday as an American and this all came together. One could not wish for a bigger gift. Family means so much and I wish they all would understand that too.
    Sending you hugs and blessings and thanks again.
    Blogger friends mean so much!
    Mariette

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  33. Lovely lovely Christmas touches you're a girl after my own heart

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  34. adorable little face. and i love your pups playing models. :) sweet pinecone wreath.

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  35. Oh my, little Ethan is just too precious! His face made me giggle :)

    How my heart sings with joy when I visit your, dear Karen. I love the warmth and love you share on your blog posts - you are a blessing, you know.

    Thank you so much for joining Roses of Inspiration. May you have a delightful weekend. Hugs!

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  36. Hi Karen, love the tour of your gorgeous home decorated for the season. Everything is so warm and cozy. Looks like you had a busy break. Little Ethan is precious and that look on his face is priceless. What a darling little one. So fun to see how you used the pitcher in your home and thank you for the mention. So very kind of you.
    Have a blessed weekend!! xo

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  37. Everything looks wonderful! I just love the red accents all around. The apron and bowls are so cute. Thanks so much for mentioning my shop and blog! The treasures you got from me are perfect for your kitchen! My kitchen is cobalt blue and white and I can't resist adding red in when I can!

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  38. Your red touches in your kitchen are perfect and make such a happy room.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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