Anytime Table Centerpiece

Just because I'm being a stick in the mud about holiday decorations this first Christmas as a widow, doesn't mean I have given up on decorating altogether.  I just don't want to pull out holiday decorations with memories attached.  Today, I came up with a table centerpiece I actually like.  It would work with most holiday decor AND it won't have to be put away in January.

I started with a large vintage silver tray.  That was an amazing yard sale find.  I got it for a song.  It sells for big bucks on Ebay.  I did not polish it.  In the to polish or not to polish debate, I fall clearly on the do not polish side when possible. I only polish when there's a glaring stain. That old patina is fabulous.

Next I pulled out some old milk jars in various styles and sizes.

I added cuttings from a tea olive bush. I need to go back and trim a few of them again.  In a week or so, I may change to holly or flowers.   I'll probably keep changing until I'm ready to change to a whole new look.

The arrangement in the first photo worked fine, but then I added tiny lights, as shown in the second photo.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  

The string of lights are wonderful.  They are teeny-tiny.  The cord is a copper wire, which means you can bend them this way and that, plus they look pretty.  The lights have an on-off switch and you can even use them on a timer.  I haven't used them enough to figure out how long the timed setting lasts.  One more thing about these lights - you can use them under water.  They could really add a whole new dimension to a vase of flowers.

I bought my lights at a local store, Collector's Corner (in Sharpsburg, GA).  You may be able to find them online as well, but I don't have info on the brand.

After adding the lights I tried adding a collection of rocks and minerals, but it took away from the simplicity.  My collection was multi-colored.  If I had used only quartz rocks or something similar, it might have been nice.  On the other hand, the lights reflecting on the tray is really nice.

By the way, if I had kids around, I would definitely pull out the holiday decorations.  I don't, so this year, I'll keep things simple and focus on the other aspects of Christmas. I'm keeping busy, too, going to parties and get-togethers and lunching with friends.   Since I'll be able to see so many other people's decorations, I won't actually be missing out.  It's really only MY decorations I don't want to see.

Holiday Decor, Courtesy of God

It's December.  So many people have already pulled out their holiday decorations.  I have looked at my decorations a time or two.  I've pulled things out of storage and put them back away.  They make me sad.  Pity Party, table for one please.  NO, no, no!  That's not how I want to spend the month.  That's not how I want to spend my life.  Find me a happy table, please - a big one with plenty of room for the people I love!

Today, miraculously, I think I found my holiday survival trick.  It doesn't require unpacking any holiday decor at all.   It involves stepping outside and paying closer attention to what's around me.

I try to walk at least once every day.  I tend to get lost in thought and I'm sure I walk past amazing displays, like the leaves in the photo above.  Those leaves were on the ground, just waiting for someone to notice the amazing colors, the shiney spots where the lights hit, and the crunchy sound as you walk through them.  This month, I'm going to try to be more in tune with my surroundings and take time to appreciate the beauty around me.  I'll leave the decorating to God.

I'm so thankful this idea came to me.  It has given me an unexpected and happy way to celebrate the season.  I feel sure the idea wasn't mine.  The inspiration came from above.

Pet Friendly Christmas Cheer

Yesterday, I brought out a few holiday decorations.  I can't seem to get in the mood for pulling out everything like I do some years.  In fact, I don't think I'll even do my main tree this year.  Some of our furry four legged babies are getting old and have issues.  A bit of incontinence. (That part is driving me slowly insane.)  Not as sure footed as they once were.  And one of our cats seems to be almost completely blind.  The younger fur babies are destructive crazy overly playful.  Decorating in a zoo can be tricky and I'm not prepared to create a pet friendly Christmas wonderland.  Less will be more this year.

The easiest spots to decorate are those up high.  So that's mostly what I did.

These trees were meant to be part of a porch vignette, near the front door.  Our black labs (also affectionately know as  The Little Heathens) are still requiring a minimalist look on the porch.  They are still in the chew and destroy years.  So, I set up the trees inside.  It's not great, but I wanted to see them.  The Heathens will probably (hopefully) be past the worst of their chewing by next year.  Meanwhile, they are so much fun that it seems silly to worry about where those trees are.

I put a 36 inch tree on top of the old wardrobe in our family room.  This photo doesn't do it justice.  It has some really really pretty ornaments on it.  Many of the prettiest ones came from two different yard sales.  Both were ones where the people these items had belonged to had significant stories that really impacted me.  Some of the other ornaments were ones I've had for years.  I've never really been particularly into the all gold Christmas tree look.  It seems too formal for us.  Still, I'm enjoying it and not letting the fact that it doesn't go with our look bother me at all.

The Christmas card holder hanging on the knob is actually a walker bag.  I had made several of these bags for my sweet mother-in-law years ago.  This one was just for Christmas with a cross stitched Santa. My mother-in-law has been gone for a long time, but I kept this bag and use it to hold Christmas cards.  I sure do miss her.

I usually put old Christmas photos under the glass on this table every year.  I save all the photos and photo cards I get every year.  The table full of photo memories really is one of my favorite holiday decorations.  Yesterday, I didn't even want to bother with it.  What is wrong with me?  I really am happy about the upcoming holidays.  I'm not in a bad mood.  I just don't feel like pulling out all the stuff.  Instead, I stuck a Christmas tree skirt under the glass.  I like the skirt.  I didn't have a Christmas tablecloth.  I wanted some color.  It's a little bit tacky, but who cares!  By the way, the bowl in the center is not filled with potpourri.  It's cat food.  If the cat food is left in the floor, the dogs will get it.  They know not to get it when we are nearby, but they are incredibly clever about getting it when we are in another room.  The food needed to be put out of reach from the dogs.  Since Rudy and I seldom dine at this table, it became the cats dining table.  Oh my gosh.  I am fully aware of just how low we have sunk.

I put out some other decor, too and hope the mood will hit me for a little more.  We'll see!

Calloway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Last night I went to Callaway Gardens to see the Fantasy in Lights show.   It was wonderful!

Doug was our enthusiastic chauffeur. 

Pam, Trish, Sarah and I were his guests.

Doug does a lot of driving for his job and his car is outfitted with all sorts of gadgets.  A navigator, satellite radio and telephone were close at hand, and I must say none interfered with driving.  Sarah had control of the phone for game playing purposes.  The navigator told him about upcoming turns and made the drive a breeze. I think the navigator may be one of the best gadgets to have!  I really think I'm going to have to get one for my dear hubby.

If you are from Georgia or Alabama, you probably already know about Callaway Gardens.

For those who don't know, I'll try to explain. Callaway Gardens has been famous in Georgia for as long as I can remember. It's a big place that where you can stay overnight or go for a day trip.  It has miles and miles of trails to walk or drive or ride bikes through.  It's stunningly beautiful every season of the year. The gardens are legendary. There are huge lakes for swimming or boating.  There are specialty buildings like the  butterfly conservatory, which is magical. In spring, it's a must see - it has the world's largest azalea garden.  There are always special events going on.  The hot air balloon show is one that I'm dying to go see.  This was my first time to see the Fantasy in Lights.

Tickets are bought ahead for certain time slots.  When you get there, it's all very organized and set up in a way that gets people through the show quite smoothly. You drive through the Gardens and everywhere you go there are different themed light displays.  It took us about 45 minutes to see everything.


I took a zillion photos hoping some would turn out.  I had a few challenges other than light.  The car was moving pretty much constantly so I had many blurred shots.  My back seat car window was having issues and couldn't be rolled down.  My camera view was limited. Every now and then I took shots by sticking my arms up through the sunroof.  Considering all of that, I am quite pleased with the shots I got.  

There were lots of animated displays.

These were from the Twelve Days of Christmas them area.

Rows of soldiers were on both sides of the road in one section.

Fairies were everywhere in the Enchanted Rainbow Forest.

The butterflies were in Firefly Cove.  I used photo editing to put them with the flowers.

There were lots of places where you felt enveloped by lights. 

There were quite a few elaborate drive-under light displays.

There were some blurry photos that turned out to be pretty interesting.  

They look a little artsy. Here are two favs-

My favorite area of all was Snowflake Valley.  None of my photos captured how magical it was.  Even the photo of it from Callaway's site doesn't do it justice.  Honestly, I think it's a place that would be hard to capture in a photo. 

from Callaway's site

The show runs through December 30th.  If you're in the area and have never seen it, go!!!  It's best to buy tickets ahead.

Merry Christmas to All!

 

Be sure to check out the latest RE- Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  RE-upholster,     
RE-member, RE-finish, RE-purpose, and of course, we love to RE-lax!   

This party celebrates ALL the RE-'s in our lives!  

I'm linking this post with  -

• All Things Merry and Bright at All Things Heart and Home 
• No theme just let er rip at Funky Junk Interiors
• Favorite Things Friday at A Few of My Favorite Things
• Friday Finding Beauty at Dipity Road

Traveling Toy Vignette

For the last month, I don't think my house has stayed the same from one day to the next.  I have moved entire vignettes from one spot to another.  I have experimented with different pieces and different colors and different styles. 

One vignette that has gone through several moves this month, is the toy vignette.  I have a bunch of toys from when I was little - most are about half a century old!  I enjoy getting them out each Christmas and setting them up to look a bit festive. They would look at home under the old fashioned tree I set up for my darling hubby, but they would be at risk of becoming a chew toy at the paws of our furry family members.  So I try to find them a safe spot up high.  The tree, by the way, was improved a little by being put in a big washtub - see this post.

This year, the toys started out on top of an old wardrobe in out family room.

For a little extra color, I included a painting I'd done years ago.  It was supposed to look all folk-arty and colorful.  My darling husband has no appreciation for my fine artistic talents.  He thinks it looks like some sort of racing sign.  He cracks jokes about it every time he sees it.  The jokes can be pretty funny, but don't tell him that.  Even my mother's old doll disapproves of my display.  She keeled over in disgust.

The folk-art tree painting got packed away  when I had the brilliant idea to incorporate a pair of shutters I had stashed away.  Alas! (said with great drama)... they were all wrong with the toys.

 

At this point, I no longer am enjoying seeing the toys.  I had become completely smitten by silver and white and burlap.   Those shutters may not work with the toys, but I suspected they'd look wonderful with the silver-white-burlap things!  The toys had to be moved.  The perfect new spot would be in the foyer on top of the Hoosier.  But what could I use as the background piece?

Before moving in the toys, a screen door picture was there along with a few other things I moved before thinking about taking photos.  My first thought was to use a wonderful old beveled mirror in a great frame I had in the attic.  It's super heavy, but I lugged it down and heaved it up on the Hoosier.  It didn't look right and even worse, it seemed like an accident waiting to happen. Finally, a better idea came to mind - our old carom board.  It belongs with toys.

With every move, I swear, all the dolls were giving me disapproving looks. 

Is it just me or do Barbies all seem to look a little disdainful?

The grainy photo above shows the toys in their final location. I should have gone back to take more photos when the light was better.  I also should have gone back and tweaked the arrangement. But truthfully --- I am tired of these toys!  They'll be the first thing I pack up this year.  I may not even get them out next year - maybe they need a year or two off.  Time off for bad behavior.

The silver look was more fun to play with, but I wasn't any more successful arranging them.  I already posted about playing with the silver setup on my kitchen counter. I enjoyed seeing the sparkle in the evenings when I turned on the lights, but they really didn't belong there.

Once the toys were moved off the wardrobe, I decided that would be a good spot to arrange the silver - in front of the white shutters I was dying to make work.

It's OK, but not swoon-worthy at all.   This display is fairly near to my hubby's old fashioned colorful tree. The mix of the two very different styles in the same room is all wrong.  Maybe next year, I just need to go all out with the colorful look for my hubby.  He can have December, but the other 11 months of decor will be mine.  Better yet, maybe I need to take the colorful tree and set it up in his barn!  Oh, I like that idea!!!

Finally, the Christmas Decor Shuffle game is over.  The next move these decorations will make will be when they are packed away!

Be sure to check out the latest RE- Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  RE-upholster, 
RE-member, RE-finish, RE-purpose, and of course, we love to RE-lax!   

This party celebrates ALL the RE-'s in our lives!  

I'm linking this post with  - 

• All Things Merry and Bright at All Things Heart and Home
• White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage
• Sunday Scoop at I Heart Naptime

Christmas Trees All Over

I already posted about how our main tree this year would be a four foot tabletop version. I am tired of heavy, cumbersome trees that I can't handle by myself.  I have several small trees.  The four footer is the largest.  I also have a 3 footer and a two footer and I added a few skinny trees to the collection this year.   I've scattered them throughout the house and on the porch.  


I decided to try out a change on the main tree. I had it on a table, with a pretty skirt, surrounded by Christmas tins to ward off curious kitties.  

Yesterday afternoon, I put it in a large washtub.  When I asked my supportive hubby what he thought about the change, he said it looked kind of stupid, but if I liked it, it was fine with him. If the judge is female, I should make parole quickly.

I know.  The washtub is a bit large, but I had to use something really big to hold the large green tree holder.  I think it makes for a neater appearance.  


While I was raiding my husband's galvanized collection, I borrowed a bucket to hold this tall, skinny flocked tree. 

This tree was purchased from Rockin' B recently. I'll be using it for brunch decor at my parents house.  For now, it's on the porch in hopes that lots of the messy white stuff will blow off.  When I took this to the counter to purchase, I was wearing a black coat.  Little white flecks got all over me.  I looked like I had a horrid case of dandruff! Oh, the dangers of decorating!


Here's another tree.  This one is in the foyer. This one is 3 feet tall.

I threw this one together really fast.  It's simple, but it works.  The green pot was something to make do with, but I kind of like the color there.  I love the gold birds.  I had thought about painting them something less flashy, but they really are nice in gold at Christmas. 


Hey!  I forgot to take a photo of my two foot tree!  It's done up in silver.  Oh well.  I'm tired of writing about trees now anyway.  I'm ready to go relax with a mug of eggnog!  

 

Be sure to check out   the latest RE- Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  RE-upholster,   
RE-member, RE-finish, RE-purpose, and of course, we love to RE-lax!   

This party celebrates ALL the RE-'s in our lives!  

I'm linking this post with  -

• Show off Your Cottage Christmas Tree Monday at The House in Roses

Life on a Silver Platter

When silver was sought after and used in the best of homes, I didn't care for it.  These days, it seems to have been cast aside and replaced by other pricey items.  Now, I am loving it.  Is it the urge to root for the underdog?  The love of rescuing the unappreciated?  I don't know.  I just know that it's all over the place and, as my friend Martie says, it's almost cheaper than buying a plastic tray.  I especially love how it looks with burlap or painters drop cloth and bits of white.  

 I found this candelabra at Rockin' B - the antiques store where I have a booth.  We used it when we set up the beautiful white and silver feature booth.  An antiques store display is an ever changing thing.  As pieces sold and new old things were brought in, the candelabra was moved from one spot to another.  I told myself that I didn't need it, but every time I came in and didn't see it, I felt sad.  Luckily, each time it had only been moved and when I found it again, I felt relieved.  

Finally, I gave in and bought it.  For just $15.  The excuse rationale - I am helping to decorate the table for the Christmas brunch. I am using lots of silver.  This piece would be lovely with everything I've pulled together so far. 

It's nice and heavy.  There's enough tarnish on it, to give it a lovely patina.  It's so obviously elegant that it will juxtapose wonderfully with galvanized steel.  I love odd couple decorating.  I just made up that term.  Remember, you heard it here first.  :-)

I have a number of silver platters.  One belonged to my grandmother.  I use that on a vanity to hold my makeup.  The one in the photo above is another Rockin' B find - $6.  Like Martie said - as cheap as buying a plastic tray.  That's so sad.   Look how pretty it is with the reflections of a nearby light.  I propped these pieces on my counter.  They will soon be moved over to my parents in preparation for the brunch.  For now, they are my eye candy. 

 

Be sure to check out   the latest RE- Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  RE-upholster,  RE-member, RE-finish, RE-purpose, and of course, we love to RE-lax!   

This party celebrates ALL the RE-'s in our lives!  

I'm linking this post with these wonderful link parties -

• Friday, Dec. 17 - I'm Lovin' It (a Christmas edition) at Tidy Mom 
• Next Wednesday - All Things Merry and Bright at All Things Heart and Home
• Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl
• Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

Ode to the *Faux* Mantel

I don't have a fireplace or a mantel in the house, but hubby has a fabulous vintage one in the barn.  Go figure.  In order to get my mantel fix for the holidays, I need to browse online.   Luckily, there's a lot of faux mantel inspiration out there.

Just because you don't have a fireplace, it doesn't mean you can't have a mantel.  Years ago, I might have snubbed my nose at them, but now I find their quirkiness very appealing. I even have a few ideas about how to make them useful.  Maybe one day, I'll jump on the bandwagon!  

Faux Fireplaces as seen on Growers Daughter

 As for decorating a mantel for the holidays, one look that is very appealing to me is a mantel trimmed with things from nature.

Vignette Designs did a wonderful post on Decking the Halls with Fresh Greens and Flowers

from Happy to Design

I've already posted once about the faux fireplace from Jaime on Caught in Grace.  She now has it decorated for the holidays!

I love Jaime's quirky chalkboard fire!

How pretty is this!  Six old boards.  Wow.  - as seen on The Little Apartment

 She was inspired by this (me, too):

from Dreamy Whites

By the way, after browsing a bit on the Dreamy Whites blog, it was hard to get back to this post. I love the look she's created in her home.  I love that it's not completely white.  Bits of vintage looking color is everywhere.

Maybe a mantle isn't needed.  A fabulous shelf can 

be decked with holiday trimmings.

Peg Rack - from Country Sampler Magazine

I also write a blog for Rockin' B Antiques - the shop where I rent my booth.  I have written a post with inspiration for decorating mantles for the holidays. There are LOTS of really pretty pictures there, so take a look!
 

  ~~~~~~~~

Be sure to check out the latest RE- Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  RE-upholster, RE-furbish, RE-finish, RE-purpose,  and of course, we love to RE-lax! 

This party celebrates the RE-'s in our lives! 

Take a look at these other wonderful link parties for more clever ideas.  

I'm linking this post with them!

• Homemaker Monday at 11th Heaven ~
• Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T.
• Home for the Holidays at It's a Blog Party
• Mantels Theme Linkup at Funky Junk Interiors 
• Mantel Party hosted by Layla at The Lettered Cottage

Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree...

Putting up a tree this year was much more pleasant than last year.  Last year was the last year I put up a large tree.  I cussed and I fussed and I swore.  (In a Scarlett O'Hara voice) As God is my witness, I will never put up this *^%$#*! tree again!

This year,  I pulled the large tree down from the attic for the last time - I sold it!  Ha!  It's gone.  (In a Wizard of Oz Munchkin Voice) Ding Dong the tree is gone!  Which old Tree?  The humongous tree!!!...  You didn't know I could sing and do imitations, did you?

OK.  Enough nonsense.  

This year, intead of one huge tree, I put up three smaller trees.  The largest is a four foot tabletop model.  It's easy to carry, easy to put in the stand, and easy to decorate.  No cussing or fussing... just peace and joy.

A few years back, I got into pretty trees.  I changed them a bit each year.  Some years I went with all one color - like gold.  Other years, I'd have a theme.  Whatever.  My darling hubby, who let me just say has never helped decorate the tree, began a campaign to go back to an old fashioned looking tree just like he grew up with.  Big multi-colored lights.  A colorful mix of ornaments.  And you know?  I was ready for a change anyway.  We've been happier with our crazy trees than we ever were with the fancy ones.

So, here's our four foot table top tree with the big lights and multi-colored ornaments.  Let me break it down for you.

I have a wonderful quilted skirt that I bought half price after Christmas two years ago.

Our tree topper is a key element.  The first year we were married (or actually I think it was before we were married), Hubby gave me a gift sealed in this can.  I put it on the tree and it's been a tradition ever since.

Truck ornaments - Hubby has fond memories of playing with Tonkas when he was little.

Vintage Ornaments found at a recent yard sale.  I like the colors.

Stuffed felt ornaments.

The twelve days of Christmas - I broke two last year in a tragic decorating mishap.

Ornaments from Loved Ones

Ornaments I made years ago when I enjoyed being crafty.

The final step was putting as many Christmas tins around the base as I could.  
Now, why would I do that?

To protect the tree from the curious critters lurking around our house.

  ~~~~~~~~

Here's the RE-Party!

We RE-do, RE-decorate, RE-organize, RE-pair,  
RE-upholster, RE-furbish, RE-finish, and RE-purpose.
AND... we RE-decorate for Christmas!!!

This party celebrates the RE-'s in our lives! 

Take a look at these other wonderful link parties for more clever ideas.  

I'm linking this post with them!

• Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
• Christmas Trees at I Heart Naptime 
• It's a Blog Party ~
•  Show off Your Cottage Monday at The House in Roses
• Mosaic Monday at Little Red House
• Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
• Holiday Home Christmas Tree Party  hosted by Sarah at ThriftyDecorChick.com