Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas Lights!









As a child, one of my favorite annual Christmas traditions, was the evening our family loaded up the station wagon and drove slowly up and down the streets of our neighborhood. Oooh and aahing over one house after the other. Our family lived in Oak Cliff, a Dallas suburb, in a part of town where decorations were 'over the top'! Two streets over from our house was, Snuffy Smith, a Dallas Car dealer who year after year had a crane lift up a snazzy red convertable to his roof top, which was filled with bright packages. Car dealer by day, Santa by night, he donned his merry red suit, shouted "Ho Ho Ho" and passed out candy canes to the long line of cars passing by. On the end of our block at Meadow Heath and Oak Trail, lived the Meyers. They had a teenage daughter, Kathy, that played the piano very well. So their contribution to the neighborhood decor was....one well lit house, a pink Christmas tree in one bay window, a blue in another and a white one in the centered picture window. Featured in the center window was Kathy,dressed to match and playing Chritsmas carol's which were heard nicely by several outdoor speakers. There were many more, and needless to say to a child, it was magical!


After spending several days helping Beth unpack and set up their new home in San Antonio, it was a real treat to eat at Pappasitos and then go check out the 'Christmas Lights'. I really did enjoy it!....but the highlight of this year was watching 4 year old Carter and listening to her sweet little voice 'oooh and aaah'....house after house!

If you haven't already, let me encourage you to grab family or friends, a Starbucks Hot Chocolate and hit the streets and look for lights! The magic is still there!



Well, I better get back to wrapping packages......Merry Christmas to all!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

A Rather Sweet Lunch!

Last week we loaded up Beth and Carter and headed to their new home in, San Antonio! We couldn't pass through Fredericksburg though, without stopping a couple of our favorite places, Red and Rather Sweet Bakery and Cafe!
Red, now online, is fun, hip, vintage and retro...a great combination of old and new.
Housed in a historic building on the west end on Main Street, Red offers a unique gathering of gifts and decor.

After a brief stop we were off to the Rather Sweet Bakery and Cafe to celebrate Donna's birthday with lunch and a visit! Carter was so excited to see
her 'Nonna'.

The cutest tree, decorated with forks, spoons and paper mache' cake slices, cookies and cupcakes was on display as we walked in the door, and was made by the 5th grade students at Fredericksburg Elementary.

I love this! Forget about 'Sugar Plums', I can't these paper pastries out of my head!!!. I want to make them, all day long and hang them on a little white tree tonight! Want to help?.....they're calorie free.

Our cute waitress gave Nonna birthday cake. Carter decorated the gift wrap.

Happy Birthday!



Check out those goodies!




...and all the framed magazine write ups, hanging on the wall.




Thursday, December 10, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

Help yourself to the hot apple cider and stroll through our house!

Deck the halls!


Antique light bulbs and ornaments hang out in modern pottery.

Song birds sing non-stop carols.











I'd love to see your decorated home when your finished. You can invite me by leaving a comment with your link. Thanks for stopping by!


Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Where's Christmas?

Little Miss 'C' has come to town and we're looking for some Christmas fun! Here's a great idea especially if you live near pine trees! Dip pine cones into thinned down paint (any color will do) and sprinkle with glitter. Display in an a fancy apothocary jar, a big bowl, hang on a tree or fashion into a garland.
What a quick inexpensive way to get that 'winter wonderland' look! ...Speaking of which, check out the magic that occured in the bottom of a bowl water at my art class last Tuesday. Can you see it?
Tonight we're going up in the attic to begin to bring down the decorations but before we get started we're heading out for a little lunch , shopping and decorating inspiration. Carter is ready to go with her team of reindeer!

I LOVE vintage everything!!! So, while we're out gather goodies and preparing for the 'decorating party' this afternoon. I'll leave you with pics of a few of my favorite things...taken recently!












It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the neighborhood....





More decorating....coming soon!