Shopping for Christmas?

Started out to do more shopping this morning and discovered my new tree had been delivered early. It spent the night on my porch, in a dense fog, but was none the worse for it.

This is how it looked after I brought it inside:


This is how it looked 15 minutes later:


So, I was maybe a half-hour later with the shopping than I had planned, but all things considered, I didn't mind. I mostly bought groceries for Thursday's family dinner - Chicken Mole with Roasted Vegetable Salad.

I still have a few favorite things to put on and under it. I will show you it finished after I'm done.

Ann

It looks beautiful, Ann!

I think so, too, and can say so because I didn't do anything to it other than pull it up out of the box. I still need to tweak the lower bows and add my few items, but I am pleased with it.

Ann

Well, let's see if I can do this again, and not have the site crash on me this time.

I was sayin'
I now have the most important older ornaments added, the beaded star and matching ornaments I got several years ago, along with the gold brocade skirt (which looks a little out of balance in the pic). I have a few gold balls in the same shade as the skirt, and have a brocade-like look to them. I think I might add them to the bottom. I don't want to do too much. The point was to avoid having to decorate it myself. The less time on the tree, the more time I will have to work on the tables, and all will be ready in time for the Thursday dinner.



Ann

So far so good. No crash this time. I had also said, in my lost post, that I'm thinking maybe I should just use solid red, green, and gold papers, and get a large roll of that plaid ribbon, like is used on the tree, for all of the bows. I can make coordinating gift cards on the computer.

Ann

DK, I've noticed my list getting smaller since I'm not working on anything other than my stories. It is just as well, I suppose, since I no longer have the funds from those jobs, either.

I like your idea of shopping year round.

Ann

12/13/2011


I bought this book for a friend for Christmas, boy is she
going to be surprised....She's a Marilyn Monroe fan..I hope
she likes it..

Cheers...Joe...

She was a beautiful woman. Personally, I would think figures like hers and Jane Russell's would have more appeal to men than today's size 2's. And were probably a lot healthier as well.

Ann

12/13/2011


Have you seen the photos of Lindsay Lohan in
playboy ? This girl is a disgrace to the word
" FAME !" In the old days her career would have
been finished, she's been arrested more times
than I have fingers and toes...


Cheers..Joe..

Today's fun is about decorating the rest of the house. So far, I have redesigned my front door piece, using several of the velvet-y clip-on roses that, for the past several years, were major tree decorations:


Moving in to the entry, I used the gold gauze roses from my old dining table centerpiece and re-arranged them for the entry cabinet. The topiary candles are from my house in Houston. I think I posted a bit last season about not being able to find candle shops to replace the candles, which I did eventually manage, as you can see:


And, finally, at least for now, the dining area. Last year I started a new tradition. Since I no longer have the big Christmas Day dinner at my house, I make every Thursday Family Night in December a Christmas celebration (missed last week but catching up):
Designed a new centerpiece from old ornaments, etc, and set the table with the Christmas china:


Still more to be done. Tomorrow's dinner will go together quickly, so I should have time to finish.

You know, sometimes, decorating by oneself can be blissfully fun.

Ann,

It looks very warm and inviting.

Just saw your tree and love it too.

It looks elegant, Ann. Your mother would have been impressed. That's no small feat!

Finally somebody understands!

Thanks guys.

Ann

How darling! Are they on a window shade or siding?

Ann

Your grandsons will love them, Alice!

love the decorations shown here. Decorating can be fun especially when creativity is required. My Charlie Brown Christmas tree needed much creativity and it looked great.

Hanging chocolate ornaments on the tree is a problem. It's always a bit of luck that some remain hanging.

Just got back from Christmas shopping and visiting the Christmas market. The Gluehwein topped it off. The cheery mood of people make it even more delightful. We always stop at the book store for special gifts. I like giving books. They last.

They are on the siding of the house. They are old, Dave cut them out and I painted them.

They are terrific. You did a great job.

Ann

12/14/2011


New book out for Christmas..

Cheers..Joe

Good, Joe, You have been very busy.

12/15/2011

Alice...


I have a fire lit under me, next one will be a " SHOCKER !"


Cheers,.....Joe...

Thursday dinner: Chicken in red mole sauce - so easy - Rick Bayless' Frontera brand prepared sauce and cut up rotisserie chicken and Roasted Root Vegetables with Goat Cheese Vinaigrette from a recipe blog site
http://healthy-delicious.com/2011/11/roasted-root-vegetables-with-blue-cheese-vinaigrette/
(I used the alternate dressing)

(Here is the vegetable dish finished:

Roast the beets, carrots and parsnips, wilt the beet greens with garlic and shallots, and toss with vinaigrette of olive oil cider vinegar, and crumbled goat cheese)
hors d'oeurves were veggies and corn tortilla chips (homemade) with guacamole, pico, and green chili salsa - Chris and Lynn standing, Chris' mom sitting down


Ann

Looks like heaps of fun.

alice wrote:

Looks like heaps of fun.

We had a good time.

Ann