Deck the Halls….All Through the House

Welcome to Deck the Halls! I’ve been having such a good time visiting with you in your homes and the places you’ve visited. I am constantly in awe of the creativity and talent I see every week in the land of Blog! Thank you for sharing it! Now that you’ve been at my house for a while, and seen lots of our house, I thought you might…you know….need to find the powder room :). It’s okay, it’s one of my favorite places to decorate. Right this way--

This is in the powder room off the kitchen. So many of you have darling snowmen collections; I thought you might like to see this. “The baby” (you may remember him as baby Jesus here) gave this to me when he was about seven years old. He spied it in a Hallmark shop window and had his grandmother take him back to get it….and pay for it, I’m sure :). It’s one of my favorite decorations.

This angel is always in the powder room. I think of her as our family guardian angel and she always holds potpourri appropriate for the season.

I love pretty linens almost as much as I love pretty dishes. I like guest towels and tea towels in particular. Don’t worry about your hands…I’ve provided alternative paper guest towels :)

This little snowman has always been in the boys’ bathroom….now he is downstairs. I made this for my husband’s mother while we were still in high school….two fish bowls :). Now that you’ve visited the powder rooms , I thought you might enjoy sharing “the cupcake experience”. Many of you have children at home or grandchildren who visit. I’m a “tweener”—no little ones of my own, so I have to “borrow” them. This morning I had godchildren over to decorate cupcakes.

I made the devil’s food cupcakes and cream cheese frosting in two colors yesterday afternoon. I laid out six different types of decorations and sprinkles. I bought a darling apron for Miss M to wear and take home. I planned for everything….I thought.

She is three and baby brother is one. And all went well….for a while. There is no excuse for me. I used to teach school and have given more birthday parties than I care to remember. I forgot the first and most important rule: Activities NEVER keep them occupied as long as you think they will. So my 30-minute activity lasted about 12 minutes and then went from the preparation stage to

the eating stage faster than you can sing Jingle Bells! Fortunately we ended up with a few cupcakes to send home---some decorated by me and some by them.

There will be enough to leave a snack for Santa

Fortunately for me, my co-host stepped in saved the day..

Sorry Charlie, this is an every-dog-for-himself situation. I appreciate the help!

I’ve met so many new friends during December and truly appreciate each one of you. I hope you and yours have a Christmas filled with the joy, love, and hope of the season. I also hope you will be back to visit in 2010! And finally one of my favorite tea towels

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