A Christmasy Kitchen

As we make our way into the kitchen, watch out for the mistletoe! This is a favorite spot in our house. :0)

MIstletoe
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

My fern plant wasn't doing so well in my bedroom so I moved it to a top shelf in the kitchen. My mom painted the poinsetta plate when I was little and I added my candle tart warmer and silk poinsettas to tie everything together.

Plate
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I drapped a garland of poinsettas along the top of my hutch and got out my silver tea set which was a $7.00 yardsale find!

Hutch
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I found these pear ornaments at the craft store and for some reason fell in love with them! Phillip has been kind enough to humor me, they are after all *pink.* ;0)

Pears
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Here's another one of my Martha Stewart ideas. Since I can't go skating on a real pond, I created a mini one in my kitchen!

Skating
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I added little mini wreaths, made from gold and white beads to the backs of the chairs. I like how they look but I never realized how close I come to the chairs, while walking through the room. I should count all the beads I knock of these things each day!!

Wreath
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Dot, you asked about the Christmas goodies. They are hidden in the pantry, bottom shelf on the left. ;0)

Well, that's the end of the tour. Thank you for coming along!!

A Christmasy Livingroom

Good Morning! Thank you for all the sweet comments yesterday! Today I'm going to show you around the livingroom.

Since we got a real tree this year, I was able to cut off some of the lower branches to use on the entertainment center, coffee table and mantle. Our stockings have been hung by the chimney with care. ;0)

Mantle
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

We found this village nativity on sale after Christmas, many years ago. The houses light up at night.

Nativity
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I use these candle sticks year round and just change out the rings. For Christmas I made some from greenery, pinecones and holly berries.

Candles
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

We have a small collection of Chrismtas books and I went to the library this past Sunday and got alot more. It looks like Fern is getting a head start on her reading. ;0)

Books
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Here is my coffee table. I got the idea for my "Rustic Woodland Scene" from the December 2003 Martha Stewart. I glued cinnamon sticks around paper covered candles. I found the deer figurines at Michael's. I like to use the word "rustic" when things are uneven or you can see dried hot glue..hehee.

Deer
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I added red bows to the scones in my livingroom, in addition to the ones in the entryway.

Sconce
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I had a little of the tree trimmings left so I gathered them up with some ribbon and berries and placed one on each of the windowsills in my livingroon. I nestled a candle in the greenery.

Windowsill
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Thanks for taking a look. I will show you the kitchen and dining room next!

~A Christmasy Porch and Entryway~

This week I thought I would take you on a little tour of my home, now that I have all my Christmas decorations up.

Let's start at the front door. These are my ice skates from when I was a teenager. I grew up in Canada and remember spending entire winters with my skates on. ;0) I haven't been skating in many years because I don't like indoor rinks. I guess I'm spoiled!

Skates
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

My friend, Susan fromA Place Called Home does something with ribbon that she calls "Ribbon Magic." I have used her ideas in many places around my home, while decorating for the holidays, including the pillow on my front porch. It looks just like a present!

Pillow
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Let's head on inside and take a peek at the entryway. Here is a view from a distance so you can get an idea of where things are.

Entryway
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

This wreath hangs on the inside of the front door. I made it 10 years ago and have only had to replace the silk poinsettas.

Wreath
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I added a gold bow to my moss wreath.

Wreath
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Even more "ribbon magic" on the wall sconces!

Sconce
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I have had this wooden sleigh for many years. I filled it with pinecones, and more poinsettas and gold ribbon.

Sleigh
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

The last thing I want to share with you are my Velveteen Rabbits. My mom bought them for my sister and I when we were little. They look quite at home. :0)

Rabbits
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Next up is the livingroom. Thanks for looking!

Cookie Exchange

Last night my sister-in-law and mother-in-law hosted a cookie exchange.

Everyone took 5 dozen of their favorite kind of holiday cookie, and then came home with a sampling of all the cookies that were made. I took Gingersnaps-mine are the soft kind.

Gingersnaps
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

All packaged to go in a snowman box.

Box
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

The girls and I made more tree ornaments yesterday. I was "blog hopping" earlier in the week and saw these lovely ornaments at Posy Gets Cozy.

We glittered the tops of an upside down pinecone. Then glued a mini nest with a cardinal inside. I took them as hostess gifts.

Nest
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

We skipped the nest on this one but I think I will use gold glitter next time.

Pinecone
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Grace made hers with two little birds at the top. So sweet.

Birds
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

The party was fun and I brought home lots of delicious cookies! Hmm..which one to try first!

Cookies
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

Advent~One of my favorite things

I have always loved Advent Calendars. My Grandma still sends me a paper one each year. We have several around our home during the month of December and we never wonder how many days are left until Christmas! :0)

This advent calendar has little velcro pictures to put on each day. It was a gift from some friends of ours.

Calendar
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I got this countdown calendar from Avon about 10 years ago!

Santa
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

I got one of my Christmas present early this year. It is a wooden Advent House with a lovely scene on the front of it.

House
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

There are 24 wooden doors that open up and reveal little spaces inside. I have filled them with candy, stickers and mini tree ornaments.

Window
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

As much as I enjoy our Advent Calendars, about 3 years ago I discovered that there is alot more to Advent than opening little windows and eating a piece of chocolate.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and the focus of the 4 weeks before Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.

Here is our Advent Wreath. Have you seen one and wondered what it was for?

Wreath
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

It begins with a simple evergreen wreath. Why use evergreens? God never changes. The evergreens signify God's endless mercy and undying love.

Why is it a circle? God is eternal, He has no beginning or end.

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6).

Why are purple and pink candles used? Purple symbolizes that it is a time to prepare. Pink tells us the joy of Christmas is near.

What is the white candle for? The larger, white candle is placed in the center of the wreath and symbolizes the purity of Jesus.


Here is the Advent schedule for this year.

Week one begins on December 3. A purple candle is lit.

Week two begins on December 10 . A purple candle is lit, as well as the one from last week.

Week three begins on December 17. A rose candle is lit, along with the other two purple candles.

Week four begins on December 24. It will only last 1 day this year. The last purple candle is lit. Also the center white candle is lit since it is Christmas Eve, although some families wait until Christmas day.

As the light grows brighter, we are reminded that the Light of the World will soon arrive in glory. "I am the light of the world." John 8:12


During the week, the candles are lit at the evening meal or whenever the family gathers together. This is also a nice time for a family devotion. There are lots of Advent devotional books available and Lindsey over at Advent for Evangelicals is sharing wonderful weekly themed devotions.

Books
Originally uploaded by pwinn.

We will be reading Tabitha's Travels-A Famly Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide. Each day we will be joining Tabitha on her travels to the stable at Bethlehem.

I hope this gives you some ways in which you and your family can celebrate the season of Advent. It is a wonderful tradition to help us not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas!