Merry Christmas y’all!

I’m sending all of you a great, big, huge sized, Texas hug!!!

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John 3:16

I LOVE Christmas!  I LOVE that we get to celebrate Christ’s birthday on December 25th.  I feel blessed to know Jesus Christ.  To know that he is with us always – even in the worst of situations.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Enchanted Gardens

I don’t want too many presents this year.  I just want all of the beautiful decorations in and around my home.  The presents are lagniappe.  Of course I shop for my family, but I’m just after the prettiness of it all.  We usually open everything on Christmas Eve with family.  So, Christmas morning around our house is fairly anti-climatic.  We do stockings on Christmas morning and sometimes we do wait for the big present to be unveiled.  It’s different every year.  Adam, my 13 year old, is so into the Fortnite craze that I fear all he’ll want is cash on his Green Light card for Fortnite.  Goodness, child, don’t you want clothes or new tennis shoes?  Those two items are at least tangible gifts.

One of the many reasons I LOVE Enchanted Gardens is the photo ops.  Those are real Christmas trees and poinsettias in the backdrop and the owner dresses as Santa.  No long lines.  It’s just fabulous! Enchanted Gardens has knowledgeable folks running the place.  Visit often for all of your yard or gardening needs.

Front Porch

I love this little, red, wooden sled!  It was given to me by my dear, little sister, Becky years ago.  Isn’t it lovely?  I need to add ribbon to the wreath on the front door.  Do I make the sled and poinsettia tree ribbon all match?  I don’t want it to be too matchy matchy.

These lit up outdoor presents have seen better days, but they will work out fine for one more year.

Wine Grotto

I’m having a whole lotta fun adding small, Christmas décor in the Wine Grotto.

In going through my pictures, I realized that I had left one of my Halloween decorations in the Wine Grotto.  Do you see it?  Adam says that I should leave it there.

Advent Calendar

I purchased this Advent Calendar back in 2010 at Saks in the Galleria Houston with a dear friend that now lives in California.  I need my shopping buddy – where are you?  I have had to glue a couple of things back together, but all in all, it has held up very well.  What in the world do I put in it this year?

Santa from my Grandmother

This Santa Claus from my grandmother, Kay Wegener, is over 20 years old!  It’s still in perfect shape.  Some things just never go out of style.  And now, that my grandmother is no longer with us, I cherish it even more.

Fireplace

I haven’t added any new additions to my Nutcracker collection this year.  I will, however, have to begin replacing a few.  This is a great item to look for in the after Christmas sales.  I find these deals better than any Black Friday sales.  Granted, your options may be limited, but it’s also about having a little faith.  And, if you find nothing, then it just wasn’t meant to be.  Or, go visit a different store.

Christmas Tree

I LOVE this tree, but it’s too fat for our new home.  In January, when I visit Dallas Market, I will look for three slender trees.  Three slender trees will fit nicer that one fat tree.  If you don’t have one, I cannot recommend enough a rotating Christmas Tree Stand.  It just adds another level of greatness.  Now, it will force you to decorate the tree all the way around.  But, it’s well worth the effort.

Homemade Christmas Ornament

Trey’s Homemade Ornament for his Mom from years ago.  This is just a great piece of history.

Our Black Labrador, Trigger

“Trigger”, our black Lab acts like a toddler all the time – under my feet all the time and wants to be right next to us.  I could not get Trigger to sit still for very long.  So, the vacuum cleaner is captured in the background.  Sorry guys.  All of my photos will not be perfect.

I LOVE these seahorse Christmas ornaments from Pier 1!

This little boy is 30 years old this year.  Where has the time gone?

Everyone needs Tiffany, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Robert Graham under their tree.  What’s on your Christmas Wish List this year?

Fitz & Floyd’s Christmas décor.  This is a great little music box.

Look what Adam found at Sam’s Club

Nativity Scene

In the familiar version of the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Because there was no room in the inn, the baby Jesus is born in a stable and placed in a manger.  His humble birth is celebrated by choirs of angels and shepherds, and he is given precious gifts by the mysterious Magi.  (Source)  The Gospels of both Matthew and Luke place the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  Although Matthew does not explicitly state Joseph’s place of origin or where he lived prior to the birth of Jesus, the account implies that the family lived in Bethlehem, and explains that they later settled in Nazareth.  (Source)

Even after 10+ years, this Nativity Scene is still one of my favorites.  Trey (DH) and I purchased it from Sam’s Club years ago.  Look at the detail – the clothes, the jewels, the camel.  I only have to add straw or snow to make it look complete.  It’s displayed beautifully on top of the piano.  Ann, my dear friend now in heaven, has always encouraged me to collect a nativity scene from every country I visit and to place one in each room.  I have three others that are very special to me.

In case you were wondering, Bones will come back out in January.  He’s currently hibernating in the garage.  Hopefully, chasing the field mice away and thinking about his New Year’s Resolutions:  how to get skinny; stand taller; smile more.

Dining Room

Shop my Tablescape

William Sonoma Nutcracker Christmas plates – I love these plates!  However, I’m disappointed that they chip so easily.  Compared to my Mikasa plates, these Nutcracker plates would never hold up with daily use.

The reindeer soup tureen is from Fitz & Floyd’s.

Gold Flatware – similar here

Mirrored Place Mats –  similar here

Shot Glasses – Pottery Barn – We use these shot glasses to get a shot of Squash Bisque Soup that DH makes (I try very hard not to cook).  My DH (dear husband) does most of the cooking at our house.  I make reservations and pretty tablescapes very, very well. I found similar ones here.

Riedel Wine Glasses – Lovely wine glasses.  They feel fragile but are actually quite sturdy.  We have used these many times in the last year.

Antique Wine Glasses

These antique wine glasses have been handed down by at least three generations.  These glasses are well over 100 years old.  DH gets nervous every time I use them, but I love to show them off.  They are far too special to be hidden in a cabinet far, far away.

Hot Cocoa Station

I LOVE my Hot Cocoa Station!  The Santa mugs (similar here) are a new addition.  They were purchased from William Sonoma.  The white tiered tray was a wedding gift years ago.  The silver tray was picked up at our local Dollar Store.  We have approximately 10 of these dollar store trays.  We use them all the time.  The black boot on top says “2015” on it.  I just turn it around and no one is the wiser.

Rosemary

The rosemary is from my garden.  The red & white striped containers were found at Home Goods.  The ceramic cupcakes were found at Kohls (They are candles, but I never use them for that purpose).  The artificial greenery/Christmas pick was picked up at Wal-Mart.  This is the same greenery I use going down the middle of the dining room table.  The Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe I used is from Delectabilities.

I made this Peppermint Sugar Scrub as Christmas gifts for friends and family.  The glass jars came from the Dollar Store.  I had to go to two stores as I bought all of the jars.  The twine was found at Home Goods.  The candy canes were purchased from HEB.  The rosemary was plucked from my own garden.  I created the message in MS-Word and personalized it with Adam’s name.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe

1. 1 Cup of Sugar
2. 1/4 Cup of Coconut Oil
3. 15 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

I also use rosemary in a Christmas Top Hat on our Breakfast Table.  I have used this top hat on my front porch as well.  I move him around each year.

Back Porch

Shop my Back Porch

The pillows are from Amazon.  The inserts I purchased were 18″ x 18″, but 20″ x 20″ will fit also.  The birdhouse came from Hobby Lobby and the lantern came from Costco a couple of years ago.

Christmas at the Condo

Jumping over to Navarre Beach, Florida (aka The Great Escape), I love the following items:

Gone to the Beach, Love Santa Kitchen Towel is adorable.

I don’t do a lot of decorating at our Florida condo as it doesn’t usually get rented out in December or January.  It’s a bit too cold.  Although, the sunrises and sunsets are quite beautiful this time of year.  This is a great time for me to do any updates that are on my ongoing “To Do” list.

Do you ever want to feel like a mermaid?  Well, these acrylic mermaid blankets are sure to make you feel warm and special:

Click here for the Mermaid Throw.

Driftwood Christmas Tree

For the condo, I would also like a small driftwood tree that I can set on the dining room table.  This will be something that I can be working on all year long.  It’s also a great excuse to take a stroll on the beach.

Update:  My beautiful sister, Becky, found a driftwood Christmas tree for me.  It’s perfect!

Christmas List

On my Christmas list this year are these great Bose Wireless Ear Buds:

And, new Beach Themed Kitchen Towels:I need two of these to turn the Christmas Tree and the Mantle on and off.  How great is this Remote Control for 3 Plugs:

From our family to yours, have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!!

More Inspiration

For more Christmas inspiration, please take a look at Between Naps on the Porch.