A Little Christmas PEEK!

It is almost here!!! I am so excited!! I thought I would give you a look at what I have been up too. How about a peek at my Christmas words and wrapping!!

I love letters, words, numbers so when I was inspired  last year by Emily’s Christmas words I just knew I had to have them on my mantel.

I chose the words LOVE, WISH, and what is most important to me, FAMILY!!!

I also have smaller words, Joy, Peace, Believe, and Hope on my tree and scattered throughout the mantel garland.

I purchased this vintage trophy at the Alameda Antique Flea Market this fall. I have really enjoyed having it on my mantel this year. The touches of black just work well in my home, plus it adds just a touch more sparkle.

I used black letters on my white mantel, they showed up better than white words. I was surprised by that!! I added some glitter for my Christmas sparkle, and a little bling around the base of the words.

Here is a glimpse of one of the smaller words that I used.

I am like the rest of you and I am still busy baking, and wrapping gifts. 

This year I stored my wrapping paper in a French Market basket that I purchased the same day I bought the trophy in Alameda. 

I like to use my wrapping paper as part of the decorations by the tree. It is also handy to grab a roll to wrap a gift. Sometimes I have my rolls of ribbon in a pretty basket, but I ran out of room to display it  this year.

I love to mix patterns and textures in my wrapping paper. My colors are black and white with pops of red and lime green. My favorite paper is the iridescent snowflake pattern. I love the way it captures the lights.

This year I used a touch of the curly ribbon in a lime green with sparkles!! It is so fun!!! I also like the texture it adds to the packages.

This is my favorite wrapping paper and ribbon. I bought the ribbon from William Sonoma a few years ago. I had it personalized. I like the personal note for the recipient.

I still have a few packages to wrap and I am going to bake the apple cider caramel cookies today.

A very special friend is coming by for our annual Christmas cup of tea. I better scurry around here and get things wrapped up!!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Falala Day!!!

In my next post I will show the whole room and the tree so I hope you can come back!!!

Merry Christmas,

Kathysue

This is Not A Test!

This is not a test, no time for trials and errors!! (well maybe for a few errors) It is now time to get all the final details wrapped up.(literally)

How are you all doing? If you are like me you are now down to finishing  the baking, wrapping and making plans menu for your Christmas breakfast, lunch, dinner, or all of the above.

This is a fun week for me because I am feeling the full blown Christmas spirit!! My mind is spinning with ideas all wrapped around, food, gifts, and most importantly my family being here to celebrate and spend time with us.

During this busy time of year I like to set up a card table in my living room. I buy a Christmas puzzle and have it set up and we work on it through the week clear to New Years.

It is amazing how a puzzle will draw you in before you know it, you are sitting down and putting pieces together. Or in my case, trying to put pieces together.

I am definitely a color coded gal. Even in putting a puzzle together I do it by colors, not shapes. I also shop by colors!!

I am baking four types of cookies this year

 The good old standby, chocolate chip, everyone's favorite.

If you want the recipes just click on the link printed below each image.

Chocolate Crinkles

Source: cannellevanille.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Lemon Crinkles

Source: sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I made these last night and they are definitely keepers. They are so easy(they are made with a cake mix). Soft, light and fluffy, really tasty! Three ingredients are needed, lemon cake mix, cool whip and eggs, that’s it! 

If you are running out of time these would be easy to whip up!! I found it really helpful to put the dough in the freezer to firm up for a short period of time. The dough is really sticky, but by dropping it and rolling it around in the powdered sugar, it is easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Caramel stuffed Apple Cider Cookie

Source: scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I am going to make these today or tomorrow. I think these sound like they would be a fun addition to the mix. I love apple cider flavor and add caramel, how bad can that be?!!!

As you all know, my table was rearranged ,by Abigail “The Elf!” so I will be doing something simple, but festive for our Holiday table. It is fine, because I had plans on changing it so I can add some leaves.

Time to get off of the computer and make my menu and grocery list!!!

I am ♪♫ Falalaing♪♫ right along!!

I hope you are ………..

“Enjoying the Process!” Of:

Making your Christmas plans!!

Kathysue

BTW: It has been brought to my attention, from a few of my readers that you might not be getting my post via Feedburner. I think the only way to continue getting my post via email is to sign up, again! Sorry for the inconvenience. I had to do this a couple of times on certain blogs. I am not sure why certain subscribers get dropped, but apparently it does happen.

How I Came up with my “Next” years Christmas decor

When I decide to decorate for Christmas I  start by finding elements that I am attracted too. Then I decide on what colors will complete the look in my home.

I usually find something that inspires me the year before, and I think about throughout the year. It is fun because if I see something that will complete the look I am going for I can get it ahead of time.

Last year I was inspired by the dining room with Angel wings on the chairs………

Source: countryliving.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This was my interpretation………..

As  bloggers we are all inspired by what we see in blogland, and on the internet. We creative types can’t help but create new ideas in our minds and in our homes.

This is year is no exception, I am already being inspired for next year. This is how my thinking process goes………

I started seeing a consistency  in the elements that I liked so, I start a file of those images. Next year when it comes time to decorate  I will already have somewhat of an idea of the direction I am going.

I think it is a good idea to line up the elements, then I can see how they need to be connected, by color and design.

This year I have been drawn in by stars……….

Source: camillaathome.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I actually had this image from last year. I think this is the one image that really drew me in and made me want to decorate with stars.

Source: decoratinggallery.bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This image shows  Monrovian stars. This is another image that really made me want to use stars for next year.

Source: hviturlakkris.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: sears.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I am especially drawn to the Monrovian stars with all their points, they just fascinate me.

Source: bhg.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love the bucket that is used to hold the tree.

Source: shelterness.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Speaking of buckets it reminds me of galvanized metal which reminds me of tubs full of presents!!

Source: onceinabluemooniris.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Another darling idea using tubs. This is more of a coastal theme.

Source: robomargo.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This is so clever and I love it!!

Source: mychristmas.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: southernliving.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I also love the idea of putting the tree in an oversized basket. I think the rough texture would be a nice contrast to the shine of the silver trays!!

Source: room-galleries.myhomeideas.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

The use of silver trays is also appealing to me.

Source: hollyjollychristmas.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: musingsfromafrenchcottage.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This would be nice in a silver tray. I really need to learn how to do calligraphy, or better yet, find someone to do it for me!!!

This next element is something I just love and never seem to think about until it is almost too late. Thank goodness we can now buy them already blooming……..

Source: spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: nestegg.typepad.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I have many more images for my inspiration, but I think you can get a good idea where my brain is headed…….

• Stars
• Buckets
• Galvanized tubs
• Silver platters
• Chalkboard
• Baskets
• Paper whites

With all of these elements in mind I think I might be using a green, silver and white color scheme next year!

By making a list of elements and having images to refer too, you can almost automatically come up with a color scheme that will work.

The stars are the theme and the buckets, platters and baskets will give me a variety of textures. The paper whites give me a good color scheme to use as my base. Of course there will be a bit of black thrown in there in the form of chalkboard, which will work perfectly since I already use that in my kitchen!!! Yay!!

I think I am good to go, and will have a fun time throughout the year pulling my elements together!!! I told you all, I love this time of year!!!

Kathysue is:

Thoroughly Enjoying the Process!!