Monday, December 19, 2016

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to my friends and family! May you be blessed.
Taking a little break to enjoy being with family and friends. I'll see you after the New Year!

With joy,
Cecilia



Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Gingerbread Kisses and Warm Christmas Wishes

What's better than gingerbread at Christmas?
Not much unless it's a hot cup of your favorite beverage along with a yummy cookie.

So of course, the city kitchen got dressed up with gingerbread men.

A train:

Gingerbread tea light houses with cookie cutters in a large jar:




Cute fabric gingerbread man with gingerbread trees:

Wood ornaments painted by yours truly and hung from the paper towel holder and on the wall:


 And old fashioned molasses cookies with a chocolate drizzle on top... or not. 😀

Normally I make cutout gingerbread cookies but all my helpers are grown and out of the house. I miss those days. And while I could definitely make them on my own, this recipe is just as delicious and way easier. The recipe comes from a sweet friend.

I just changed it up a little and rolled the dough in chopped pecans instead of sugar and once they came out of the oven, drizzled them with chocolate. Yum.

Gingerbread kisses indeed!


Sharing at these parties:
Creating Christmas Link Party

Friday, December 9, 2016

Christmas Bits and Pieces

Today I'm sharing some great finds and other bits and pieces of Christmas decor. 

First off, I stopped into my local Good Will and came away with these treasures:
A swag that needs refreshing but will be fun to redo and a small wooden sleigh. It has slight damage to one of the runners but I'm thinking a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint and you'd never notice.

Then I stumbled across the footed bowl for $3.99 so I grabbed it to add to my collection. A really nice wreath and mini Christmas tree that just need a bit of fluffing, and a nice red and white striped bowl. I was very happy with my finds and they will find a spot at the farm!

Then I stopped into Wal-Mart where they had these wood and galvanized metal deer and trees. who knew? Yes, I'll take some! They are perfect for a farmhouse look!

Over in their ornament section, I found this cute truck with presents and a tree. Cute! I removed the hanger and placed it with my Night Before Christmas vignette.

Onto Target where I stopped by the Spot! Oh my, big mistake. I came away with string lights (bells) which got hung in the kitchen window,

plaid bags and tags, and other goodies. In another part of the store, I found these adorable snowman mugs - in 2 sizes! Of course, I had to grab a couple of big ones and one small one.

Saturday was the perfect rainy day to set up a hot chocolate spot at the farm table.

 The red striped bowl I found at GW now holds my marshmallows and the small snowman is perfect for holding candy canes.

Add pumpkin spice muffins for the perfect snack.


The dogs got their own treat area set up on top of their kennel. I used the old red suitcase I found in Kerrville and added treats and Christmas cheer. 

In the kitchen, I added a red pom-pom wreath I made and hung it above the stove.


And in the City House: it's decorated in silver and red this year. The tree is in front of the living room windows. I love how it glows!

A Santa vignette with wood blocks, Santa mugs and plate:

 Our stockings with galvanized initials (also from Wal-Mart). This year we had to add one for our daughter's fiancé. That makes Dylan official! I couldn't find the red snowflake napkins so I used one with white snowflakes for the cuff- it ties in nicely. Fortunately, I had enough green material leftover from ours to make his!

The mantel is all ready with silver and red too and my chalk art canvas I painted last year:

The table is set with my red plates topped with my red tablecloth, Christmas transfer ware dessert plates,

and silver and mercury glass ornaments down the middle.

I also set up my small tree in the breakfast nook and added several of the wooden ornaments I've made over the years.


Gingerbread men in the kitchen and the breakfast room chalkboard with the mason jar ring Christmas tree finish up the Christmas goodies. (Bruce added the chalk art.)
 :o)

Now all I have left to do is bake the cookies and finish some craft projects. How's your Christmas decorating/crafting going?

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Love is Christmas - A Cozy Christmas Tour

Christmas...that special magical time of year when family and friends gather together.

Where memories are made and laughter rings out.


Today, I am joining 14 other bloggers in a "Cozy Christmas blog tour" hosted by Katie of Let's Add Sprinkles. I'm so glad you could join me. (Links at the end of the post).

I remember waking up early...before Mom and Dad said we could get up...and gathering with my sisters, whispering and giggling in anticipation of the Christmas tree loaded with presents underneath it.



At the appointed time, we'd all jump out of bed and "wake" my parents (trust me, they were already awake from our excited whispers).



They'd get up and Mom would start the coffee pot,

Dad would get the boys up and make sure the camera was ready, then finally, we'd get to run to the living room where we would behold the wonders under the tree.



 We didn't have much money but somehow my parents always managed to get us not only something we needed but also something we wanted.



Afterwards, we all got dressed and headed to church. Then it was back home where we spent the day playing with our new gifts and going to my grandparent's house.


Love is what makes Christmas special.

From the special times spent with family and friends to celebrating God's love for us through the Christmas story, it all comes together to create warm, cozy memories.

May the blessings of friends and family fill your home this joyous season.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the farmhouse. I wanted it to reflect a simple and homey Christmas.
I'm the second from the right. Two siblings are not in this photo.
Now onto the rest of the Cozy At Christmas Blog Tour:
Monday:
Let's Add SprinklesHyacinths for the Soul/ Southern DayDreams/ White Spray Paint/ Garden Up Green/ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson/ Ellie and Elizabeth  

Tuesday:
Brookhollow LaneAt Home With Jemma/ My Heart Lives Here/ The B Farm/ Botanic Bleu/ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen/ Art and Sand/ Ash Tree Cottage

Wednesday:
Sweet Nothings/ At Rivercrest Cottage/ Opulent Cottage/ Decor to Adore/ Fern Creek CottageThe Dedicated House/ Bluesky Kitchen









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