Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Monday, December 10, 2012

First Christmas Tea of this 2012 Season.

It was so nice the last 3 days, temp was in the 70's and sunny, but I should have known that it would not last forever. Today I was awaken by lightning and thunder. It is so dark outside and it is supposed to go down to the 30's tonight. It is already starting to get cold so I decided to put some fire in the fireplace.

I always enjoy sipping tea when it is cold. I am indeed enjoying the coziness the fire brings.

I just got this from Annie's Tea Time. Lychees and mangoes are my most favorite fruits and how lucky to find out that they have a tea in this combined flavor! It is delicious and now my favorite among all the Whittard of Chelsea flavored teas.

I took out my Spode Christmas Tree for one but I did not use the cup under the pot. Instead I used another Spode teacup and saucer set.

John bought this tray with a winter scene and a bird when he went to Baton Rouge before going to the airport to pick me up after I flew from Florida. He really can read my mind because I already own a sugar and creamer set but I am still on a lookout for a teapot in the same pattern. Last weekend, I found some dessert plates and I bought 4. Eventually, I can complete the set, I hope! I really like that bird that is attached to the tray.

Thanks for stopping by. Wish you could really stop by and join me for tea. I will even bake some goodies if you do. Today I just had some candy coated fruits to eat with my tea.

Thanks especially to our gracious hostesses:

Kathy's A Return To Loveliness

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com

Sandi's Teatime Tues

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Martha and Terri's Teacup Tues

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Tuesday Cuppa tea

http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Thursday~
http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 7, 2012

3 Mantels Decorated For Christmas, 2012

I'm late, I'm late, but better late than never and I want to join Kathe with an E's Mantel party.

We have 3 fireplaces at home so I have 3 mantels to decorate and I have so much fun decorating them.

I'll start with the family room below.

I don't elaborate too much because it gets quite overwhelming but I like to decorate them in different ways. I bought the puppy stockings for my grandson Brendan when he first visited here 5 years ago. It plays music and dances and when it did that, he got scared and started crying, lol. I always take it out because it reminds me of that moment.

A hurricane candle holder on each end, little Christmas trees in 3 colors ansd sizes, various wooden santa and snowman, 2 snowflakes, 2 santa plaques, a "Merry Christmas" sign and a lit garland and I am done.

Next is the formal living room. I have 2 lamps there and I just let them stay. Then I added a santa on each end, 2 votive candle holders, 2 cherubs, small trees and a "Noel" sign completes the decor. This is where I hang John's and my stockings.

Last but not least is the kitchen mantel. We have a TV here so I just inserted holly berry cuttings under the TV from our bushes outside, placed more holly berries in vases, tapered candles in santa and snowman candle holders and birds perched on cones. Then I added a ribbon.

The round dining table is getting ready for my next Christmas tablescape, which I will share with you next week.

One side of our driveway is lined by holly berry bushes and we have a long driveway so I have a lot of hollies to cut from and use.

I would like to link with

Kathe's Mantel Party at
http://www.kathewithane.com/.

Sarah's Homemaking link Up Party

http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Susan's Metamorphosis monday at

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpieces Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Check out the other Christmas parties too that are coming soon.

Thank you so much for your visit and thanks to all the gracious hostesses.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Babies Update

The babies are growing fast so I thought I would show them again. These were taken last October so they are even bigger now again. Rea, the twin in a helmet is walking. She is so cute, so little and walking, started at 10 months.

We had 3 granddaughters born 15 days apart including the set of twins apart but the twins outgrew Reese who was born first

Halle is so sweet. Here she is petting their dog Coco, who is really enjoying it.

They are good eaters.

They love to read their books.

They love their big sis, AJ. When I am holding them and AJ passes by, they reach out for her and then they start crying until she gets them.

This is Reese. I think she will be more lady like than the twins.

They say she looks like me. She definitely has my Filipino nose.

I got to enjoy watching Brendan on his soccer game. The last game of the season, he scored 2 goals and we were all so proud and happy!

The 2 brothers just clowning around at Michael's.

This is Wren. He turned 1 last October. Such a big boy, he started walking at 10 months too. Wren is Heather's only baby and Heather is John's younger daughter.

AJ and Kerri's 3 kids helped celebrate Wren's birthday party. Kerri is John's older daughter.

This is the lastest photo of AJ and the twins taken for their Christmas card.

And here are Tina and Scott's babies.

I miss the grandkids already. It's time to plan for another visit to Florida.

I am linking with

Katherine's Favorite Things Thursday

http://katherinescorner.com/

Last year, these babies were my Christmas presents, this year, they are my Christmas treats so I am also linking with

Beverly's Pink Saturday

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Mostly Snowmen With a Little of Santa

Christmas to me is not complete without a Nativity. After all, that is the true meaning of Christmas. But it is not complete to me without the snowman and Santa either. They just add to the fun in celebrating the season and the birth of our Lord.

I set the table in the breakfast nook, just for 2, not too much work since I already had the centerpiece set there.

The centerpiece consists of a big heavy wooden snowman I bought from Lynne's Gifts and More about 3 years ago (has it been that long, really?), flanked by 3 Christmas trees in varying sizes and candles.

The wine glasses are by Mikasa and the small Bohemian flutes are from Ebay.

Snowman hitched a ride on Santa's sleigh (salt and pepper shaker) and as to be expected, 2 big guys can be cramped in a sleigh, lol.

The white and blue table runner has more snowmen.

Do you like my chair covers (2 santas and 2 snowmen)? I bought them from another booth in the store where my booth used to be. They were so cheap, can't remember exactly remember how much though but something like $8 for all of them. That's what I miss most about having the booth, shopping from the others, lol.

Snowmen napkin rings, deep blue napkins, blue San Remo flatware from Horchow. I like this flatware pattern very much and I have them in black and red also.

I thought the tin white lace plate charger works well here.

The salad plate has 1 snowman and look at the Christmas trees, it matches what I have on the centerpiece. I did not even notice until now.

The dinner plate has 2 snowmen on it.

A little snowman hot chocolate cup and some tea light candles make the table cozy, in spite of all the snow.

I love the blue light of the pool in the background. Let's just pretend it's a blue light reflecting on a white snow, lol.

Do you see my big snowman peeking from the floor against the wall?

I really like snowmen. Here's another one on the kitchen island next to my fully bloomed Christmas cactus. He is a cookie jar and I also bought him from another booth when I still had mine. I think I was the #1 shopper there, but I was the #1 seller too.