Country Christmas Mantel

 Hi Everyone!

Now that we have turned the page, and it is officially the Christmas season, I wanted to show you how I dress my living room mantel.  I "may or may not" be in a rut, but I have kept the mantel decor in this room pretty much the same the past few years.  It still make me happy - so why mess with success?! I tend to like traditions!

I start by taking down all the decor.

I add in the Santa picture Mr. Bluebird gave me a few years ago.  Of course, I add our stockings - made these for our daughter's first Christmas.  Every time I think about replacing them with something more trendy, I have to think again - they are too sweet and precious to change after twenty three years!

Then, I add in an assortment of barn stars of all shapes, sizes, and materials, tucking them in the lighted garland.

Of course, some shiny mercury glass and other sparkly ornaments get thrown into the mix.

Before you know it, things are looking pretty and Christmas-y!

My little rocker that once sat beside my parent's fireplace, holds a cute Polar Express Santa.

I have had this Santa for ages, and he always sits on the hearth.  I love putting out all sorts of children's Christmas books....my great nieces and nephews like to check them out when they visit.

Our kitty thinks laying by the fire or under the tree - or around any holiday decor is the cat's meow!

I have been trying to get a jump start on all of the Christmas prep so I can sit back, relax, and be a part of the season instead of stressing about what I need to get done.  Have you been decking the halls lately. too?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Linking with:
Amaze Me Monday
DIY Sunday Showcase
Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Creative Country Mom's Christmas in the Country

Black Friday Haul

Hi Everyone!

My daughter and I ventured out early this morning (4:30 a.m.) to partake in the Black Friday hoopla.  We aren't the kind that go out for the doorbusters or anything like that - we just enjoy the festive atmosphere and look for some great deals. This year we even bought matching long sleeved "Black Friday" screen tees, lol!

(Super bad photo taken with my phone!)

The mall we went to had opened at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving (boo to that!), so it was very quiet when we arrived around 5 a.m. (after our Starbucks stop!) and we scored a fantastic parking space to boot!(Important since it was lightly snowing AND only nineteen degrees (with an eight degree wind chill!). After lunch, we ventured to another mall - big mistake! It was i.n.s.a.n.e.!  I let my daughter go in while I tried to find a parking spot.  By the time that happened, she was already done - so we got out of  Dodge and moved on to the nearby Target - ahhhhh, back to tranquility.  

I was really excited to find flannel sheets in a red plaid at Target.  The last two twin sets, and at $16.99 each, they were quite the bargain in my estimation! They will be fun to add to my black, white, and gold guest room beds for the holidays.  We also scored a great deal on holiday candles at Bath & Body Works - love the Balsam Fir & Evergreen this time of year.  Their Black Friday deal was buy three - get three free, plus I had two ten dollar coupons, making it truly a deal.

Also, if you bought $40 worth of products, you could purchase a tote bag for $20 - along with a large tote bag, it contained a smaller makeup case that says, "Sparkle" on the front,  a yummy, seasonal 3-wick candle, body spray, lotion, soap, and perfume.   Great score!

My little Elf on the Shelf guy is especially excited about my Philosophy  purchase today - "Hope for the Holidays." It contains three products tp help with wrinkles...."hope" it works is right!!!! And lastly, I picked up two cute, vintage-y peppermint lollipops to add to my Christmas decor.....if you come over, please don't eat them (although they are edible!).  I have a lot of peppermint candies that I save from year to year to use in my kitchen Christmas displays...so most of them are probably a bit stale!!

Anyway, we had a super fun mother-daughter day together - shopping, drinking Starbucks, and lunch at The Cheesecake Factory - o.m.g. delicious!  Now we are home, propping up our "toesies" by the fire, and hanging out together as family.

How about you? Did you venture out into the Black Friday world?

Black Friday Fun

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday.  Ours was a laid back kind of gathering this year, just five total.....very relaxing and fun! I usually host a crowd, and will definitely do so next year, but for 2014, this was just the kind of Thanksgiving day I needed.

Tomorrow, of course, is Black Friday! My daughter and I are heading out in search of deals at the crack of dawn.....I have my eye on some cute, wintery-themed flannel sheets for our guest room.

One of my buddies is helping me out with scanning the ads.......

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

Look for Me November 28th!

Hi everyone!

I have been terrible at blogging lately - life has just gotten in the way and I just have not made time to post.  So, I have made an "executive decision" to just take the  month of November off, lol!  My plan is to come back in a blaze of glory the day after Thanksgiving with tons of holiday ideas, decor, recipes and such. Look for a post almost daily.  I am hoping you will be there when I throw the doors open once again.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane