Friday, December 19, 2014

So when all is said and done…

I finally have free time…minus some last minute Christmas shopping – but then it wouldn’t be Christmas if that didn’t happen.
I thought this day would never come. It has been MONTHS since I’ve had free/me time and that’s not an exaggeration. From getting orders done, wholesale orders finished, craft show over with and getting the house decorated for Christmas I’m wiped! It has been a push to get it all done.
I feel great because of that but the body isn’t all that good, but that’s for another day – I’m not going to let it stand in my way of my ‘finally’ free time.

Today was my annual Christmas luncheon here at the house for my former co-workers. We have not missed a year celebrating Christmas together for the last 30 years – I find that amazing.  We are a very tight group of friends.
Normally I have a sit down luncheon or evening dinner – but we all are getting ‘older’ and lunch and a light fare seems to be the way for most of them.  And a light lunch at that and most of them take part of theirs home with them lol.

HL group

HL group 2

Our light lunch was Chicken salad wraps, Turkey wraps and Ham wraps along with baked beans, Asian salad and a Strawberry Jell-o whip and Éclair cake….very simple but tasted great.
lunch
A basket of Cranberry nut bread and Banana nut bread that got overlooked and they didn’t make it home with the ladies…so sad.
breads

On Monday night we have our friend Dan DiPaolo and my brother and sister in-law coming over for evening cocktails and dinner.
For the last 3 years we have been going to have Dan over and it just never worked out but FINALLY it is going to happen.
Hopefully we can get some pictures taken!!

Christmas decorating is done as far as I’m going to do it so here’s a few pictures.
I did get around to visiting some of your blogs and see your beautiful decorating – I wish I could do some of the things you all do and especially with your fireplaces.  We have the little ones yet and so I keep with the Snowmen and Santa's – one day maybe I will be totally like our tree is decorated so our family room especially is kind of half and half – fancy and fun.  But I guess it’s a good mix.

Didn’t get a picture of the front door decorating and by now it’s too late so here’s what greets you at the back door – but basically our main entrance.  I like how the reindeer fits in with the rest of the decorating.back door porch 1

I don’t ever seem to change out the back porch bench – my head just can’t wrap around something different and then what would I do with all that’s there?
back door porch

A little over a week ago we had a dusting of snow and I loved how it sat on the bow and wreath
wreath with snow

Kitchen
shelf on counter 
Pantry 
Candle on pantry

Flicker Candles

shelf on counter

Paper Mache houses/churches on top of Armoire in bedroom
village on Armoir

Simple little tree in guest bedroom
Tree 2nd bedroom

In hallway outside the guest bedrooms
upstairs hall
Basket upper hall

Family Room
Family room 1 2014

Our  crazy Charlie Brown tree!
Christmas tree 1 2014 
Toys by tree

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Dining Room
Dining Room 2014

Dining Room 3 2014 

This close up is  from last years pictures – I couldn’t get a good shot this year for some reason but it’s very similar to this years.
Riser dining room table 2

Pine pie safe 1

Pine pie safe

Bowls 1 

 Red pie safe 1

yellow bowl 

bowl box 2 

Top of pie safe 

On pewter table

red doll on pie safe

Dining Room tree

Basket wth lights

Den

Bowl box den

 Crock and greens

Santa in basket den

Bathroom
 
bathroom tree

 bathroom tree daylight

Towel basket

Screen Room
nest in screen room

DSC05764

DSC05763

Thanks to everyone for staying with me this past year with all the times I’ve been MIA – it was a crazy year.
I am making some very much needed changed to my business this year so hopefully I will be able to have more free time to do what I want.  You all heard that from me before but this time it’s going to stick…it has to!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AL ALL

KAREN

Wreath

 

24 comments:

  1. Well everything looks fabulous. It is perfect. I like the fact you forgot your breads that doesn't make me feel quite so bad.lol My, there is nothing like old friends is there. Dolly Parton and Kenny rogers have a song, You Can't Make Old Friends and I love it. (New friends are wonderful too and soon become old friends.) Well it is almost here and I certainly hope your Christmas is a blessed one, as I am sure it will be. Merry Christmas

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  2. How wonderful that you've all been getting together for 30 years! Looks like a fun time :) Your decorating is always so pretty!
    Merry Christmas!
    Kim

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  3. Merry Christmas ans Happy New Year Karen!!
    Loved looking at everything....your the best!
    Hugs
    Earlene

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  4. Happy Holidays Karen! Wishing you Peace and Love for the holidays ~ with the wish that good fortune follows you and yours through 2015! xo

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  5. Love it - just so nice! I also enjoy the penny rug I bought from you at the YMCA camp craft show. Merry Christmas

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  6. Karen you are amazing in all that you achieve! Your home looks fabulous for the holidays and all the entertaining you do not to mention the crafting! Really awesome displays! I loved seeing them!
    Have a very happy Christmas
    Christine

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  7. Oh Karen, your home looks so beautiful. You have the best stuff and really know how to display it! How wonderful it is that you can get together with your old friends every year...that's what you do when you stay in one place! Have a very Merry Christmas and New Year with your families. Love to you both. Joy

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  8. Your home is truly "Christmasy" and beautiful. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas~Sandra

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  9. Beautiful pictures! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  10. Karen, Your home is beautifully decorated for the season. Your home is lovely.
    Love it. Love it. Love it.

    May you have a very Merry Christmas! This new year to come will be here soon. Can you believe it? I am trying to thin out and de-clutter my home. Hope it happens soon 'cause it has been on hold for 8 years. Gosh time flies. Blessings to you,
    d

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  11. Everything looks wonderful. I really love the tree. I'm were you are finally over the hump/rush and ready to enjoy a little of the season.Sometimes you just gotta push through the pain. Stinks to be young in mind but the body says differnt....Smile... Merry Christmas! Amy

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  12. Your home looks so warm and inviting. I do like the tree in your bathroom and how you decorated it.
    The Charlie Brown tree is wonderful, I purchased a wooden pull toy to put under my tree and the two little grand girls totally love it. They play with that more than anything. here.
    I just finished all I am going to do too. My knee says "enough"!
    Happy Christmas to you
    Betsy_

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  13. As always, you create a post I go back to again and again. Not only for the beautfiful photos but for your ideas and for rading all the lovely things you do. Merry Christmas and I hope the new year brings you good health and happiness every single day. Maggie

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  14. Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year to you and your family!
    Your house and photos are just fabulous! I can't imagine how long it takes for you to do all that decorating but it is so worth it. Your family must really enjoy it. You are making the best memories for them. What a beautiful gift you give to them!

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  15. Enjoyed the tour through your beautiful Christmas house!! Everything is just wonderful!! Merry Christmas!

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  16. Bless You Karen, Big House an you fill
    it to the brim with Beautiful Decorations in
    every little corner. Plus you Celebrate with
    Family & Friends so to me you are a Super
    Woman !!!
    Merry Christmas to you & your Family,
    Wishing you All a Healthy Happy New Year.
    Blessings & Hugs ~ Connie xox

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  17. I love your decorating; everything looks so beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to post. Merry Christmas.

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  18. Karen ~
    So good to hear from you and know that you finally have a minute for yourself. It is a crazy time of year.
    Your house is beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to share.
    Merry Christmas!
    Lauren

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  19. a beautiful home and beautiful friends !!! Merry Christmas !!!!!

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  20. Love all of your holiday decor. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Janice

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  21. Thanks for sharing your lovely home and all your Christmas decorations. It looks ao warm and inviting. Good luck with simplifying your life.

    Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy New Year!
    Charlotte

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  22. I finally am able to sit down myself and look at my favorite blogs now that Christmas madness is behind us. All of your photos are so beautiful, but none so much as the one with your friends of 30 years. You have to work at it to keep a group together for that long. Wonderful.

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  23. Hi Karen-- I'm behind on my blog reading. I love all your Christmas decorations everything so prim and pretty! The ladies luncheon looked like fun with all that wonderful food.

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  24. Karen....your home is gorgeous and filled with prim ware! I just LoVe everything my eyes rested on. Everything! You make it all look so easy! You must LoVe the different seasons for decorating! I LoVe your back door welcome as well as front door welcome!
    Hope you are enjoying good health. Looks like the girlfriend is just the " cats meow! "
    Hugs Marg.

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So glad you came to visit - feel free to leave a comment.
I will try and answer as many as I can - maybe not immediately but I will get to you!

Karen