Christmas is in the Air.

I'm one of those people that gets the Christmas itch about mid November. So it's no suprise that I spent my entire vacation collecting holiday accesories and decorations in lue of my favorite holiday. We had our tree up well before thanksgiving, but it's perfect that way. It was so much fun to decorate for our first christmas together.


And I must note, when I purchased my condo I immediately mapped out how I would decorate for Christmas. It's wonderful to see my vision come to life.





I saw a post over at www.aurajoon.blogspot.com about home made garland. So this weekend Dave and I stopped by AC Moore & Mardens to buy all of the supplies to make this garland. I made about 3 strands while watching it's a wonderful life. To add my own touch I decided to clip my christmas cards to the garland by using mini clothespins. In the past years I'd tape my cards to the doorway just like my mother and her mother did.

I love our tree. I love having our gifts below it. I just love decorating for Christmas. My plan is to purchase more supplies as it gets closer to the big day and then snag some good deals the day after. I'd like more knick-knacks and garland.

Sugar and Spice....

This is my first year making pies for my family. Last year I asked/begged my mom to allow to me to make the pumpkin pie for thanksgiving. Last year she said no. This year, she also said no. But, I was allowed to make two other pies. I was in charge of the apple pie & the cherry pie. She told me I could choose to make whatever pie I liked. Ideally, I would make the pumpkin pie because that is my absolute favorite. But thankfully I was not allowed to make that pie. I did a dry run this year and it was absolutely TERRIBLE!! Dave may say otherwise, but as a pumpkin it was dreadful.

So I stuck to what was easiest. I did an apple pie and than a cherry pie. The cherry pie was truly easy as it only involved dumping out a can of cherry pie filling and then baking for 35 minutes. I did try to mix it up a bit by making my own crust. FYI: pre-made pie crust is my best friend after today.

So this was my cherry pie. I tried to mix it up a bit by making a lattice pie crust. It was as weak as a lattice pie crust can be, but I'm okay with that. I enjoy the simplicity of pouring a can into crust made of salt, water, Crisco and flour.

Dave made this pie. It's a pumpkin cheese cake. We've yet to sample it. I must say it look so delicious. I love cheesecake and I love pumpkin pie. This is the birth of the my two most favorite things. Hopefully it tastes as amazing as it looks.

Here's a quick peek at my pumpkin seed brittle. I was very nervous about making this as I've heard my other make many horrific statements about candy boiling/making. But it was really easy. I found the recipe linked on www.cashmereandcupcakes.com via marthastewart.com and knew I had to try it. I took a small sample and it was amazing. Though I did fear that I lost a tooth! Aside from that it's the perfect seasonal treat!

Finally we baked or rather, set, a banana cream pie. Dave is a bit more adventurous with is holiday pies. I stick to what is simple, and what I'm less likely to screw up. He picks out recipes that sound tasty and brilliant. We've only sampled the brittle (which is to DIE for). The rest we're saving for Thanksgiving day.

This is the first time I've had to share thanksgiving. It's been surprisingly fun to share one of my favorite holidays with someone I love so much. He enjoys the holidays as much as I do, or at least he pretends to.

Poor Ollie has been ill this holiday season. He's been puking and shaking a lot. After a quick visit to the vets he's been assigned daily antibiotics and some seasonal anti_worm shots. Hopefully he feels better soon.

Let it Snow.

My sister came up this weekend and took some adorable photos of Ollie & Annie to use as a Christmas card. Initally I was going to have our card feature only Ollie and Annie, but as I started playing around with different concepts on snapfish I decided to throw in a picture of Dave and I.

The rest of this week shall involve festive pies, decorating for the season, wrapping the gifts I've purchased and listening to Christmas music.

I can't wait for the world to turn white- just for the month of december. After that snow can simply melt away.

Faux Windows....

I stole this photo from a sneak peek listed at www.designspongeonline.com I love this dining room. When I initally began working on my dining room I had a hand-me-down table to work with. I didn't know how to correctly decorate a dining room so I have a few ledge shelves and pictures on the walls. There's a small bench by the door and a wicker basket for shoes.

I live in a condo so my dining room only has one window. But, I was thinking about creating a "faux" window. Dave had the idea of hanging a mirror on the wall and then hanging drapery around the mirror.

If we do that then I'm going to tone down the color a lot. Right now our dining room is rye grass. I'd like it to be more of a tan/grey, as pictured above.

Will I ever be happy with my own design?

home sweet home!

We have the internet!!!! It's so exciting! Now I can finally share some of my holiday decor. I still have my halloween decorations up but I'm gearing up for christmas. I've got egg nog with spirits in the fridge, christmas movies on netflix and a fresh pine scented candle burning.

Annabelle is my new roommate as well as Dave. Annie is about 15 years old and declawed. So while she's fiesty at times I won't fall victim to her claws. She loves to snooze and play and get scratched on her noggin. She spends most days sleeping in this spot on the chaise. The chaise was pretty much my $300 animal bed. If Annie's not sleeping on it then Ollie is.

We re-arranged the living room a bit in prep for cable tv and the christmas tree that should be entering our home after thanksgiving. I'm hoping I win and get a real christmas tree.

We even did some halloween/fall garland for the banister.

This is the final re-do. When it's christmas tree time the bookcase will be moved to where the lamp & magazine stand is, and the magazine stand will be moved by the door. Our home is so cozy. I love it.

Internet soon.. hopefully

My computer has been out of commission since August due to a nasty Home Anti-Virus that my lovely boyfriend picked up while surfing the Internet. In his defense I was 2 years past due on my virus protection.... oops.

So the computer is at the shop awaiting multiple treatments and possibly returning as a brand spanking new, clean computer. While it's away I'm having the keyboard replaced. Little Willows (R.I.P) chewed the keys off.

Once my computer returns Dave and I are planning on getting the Internet installed so I can again begin posting updates. I hate doing a simple text update because I have so many fabulous photos of my home that I want to update with.

My living room is filled with skeletons and pumpkins and gourds- I desperately want to post those photos. Everything in my home feels so cozy and comforting. Everything except the man den. Ugh... I hate that room. Dave knows I hate that room. It just feels like a hodgepodge of mismatched furniture and sports memorabilia. I'm hoping at some point to get a decent couch in there or chair, and update some of the furniture. But for now I just ignore it as best I can.

Our bedroom, the old office, is coming together nicely. We need a new duvet and some night stands than that room will look decent. This weekend we hung some pictures above the bed so it's looking less disheveled and sparse.

Ollie and little kitty Annie are adjusting well. Annie spends her days camped out front of the heater and Ollie spends his hiding under furniture. Hows that for role reversal?


So soon, so soon I will have photo updates.... please stay tuned. I swear this space will updated on a more frequent basis when we finally have online capabilities.

Wow.

It's been close to two months since I last made a post. I've really been meaning to post, it's just so hard to do without the internet and all.

My boyfriend is moving in with me- this is HUGE.

So, that means I have to completely re-design our space so that it works well for both of us. I'm excited and stressed about that prospect.

We're also having cable & internet install on Sept 26th. So, once that happens (and once my PC is fixed) I'll be able to make lots of updates again.

I miss blogging.