Monday, December 21, 2009

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--

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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.

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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.

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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 :)

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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There will be enough to leave a snack for Santa

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

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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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Don’t forget to add your post link to Mr. Linky after you have published and link back here! Thanks for joining the party!


42 comments:

  1. How adorable these little cooks are...yep..their attention span is fairly short but they sure look like they are having a time!!
    Thanks so much for hosting..
    xo bj

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  2. What is it about pretty guest towels in the bathroom that no one wants to use? You go in after someone has been in there and the towel is still dry! Where DID they dry their hands? Did they even WASH? LOL I like the decorative paper towels, as well. But again... why don't people use them? Your powder room is adorable. Love the cute reindeer accent towels. And those cupcakes- wow sugar overload on the icing. Yummers...
    The kids are cute, as is the dog. How did he keep those suckers on? Mine would have pawed them off in 5 seconds. Thanks for hosting the party again. I know everyone is busy, but I intend to get around as time permits. Gotta get ideas, ya know. Have a happy holiday season!
    ~ Sue

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  3. Love the snowmen! Looks like you had some great help with the cupcakes. Have you ever noticed - Give a child vanilla and they get very little on them. Give them chocolate or colored icing and they color the world with it!! Bet Charlie would love to have had one of his own. :)
    Thanks for hosting again this week.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Glenda

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  4. How fun, even if you did have to borrow the kids!! Love your co-host, too!

    Merry Christmas!

    Big Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  5. How adorable. Love the cupcake party!! Charlie was sure a champ to wear his antelars. Not sure ours would have kept them on. Thank you Susan for hosting this party each week. It's been a joy to meet so many new people and take a walk through their beautiful homes. From our home to yours Merry Christmas.. hugs ~lynne~

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  6. I love the snowman with the tartan scarf! And Charlie looks like he is so happy to be mistaken for a reindeer! Mmmmmm, cupcakes! Thanks for hosting! Happy Holidays, Delores

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  7. Hi Susan! Your powder room is so cute...love those reindeer tea towels! And how much fun to make cupcakes with your godkids! And...I love your co-host! My co-host would not be so cooperative!! lol A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!...hugs...Debbie

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  8. Hello sweet friend...

    Merry Christmas and Happy "Deck the Halls Tuesday", my friend!!!

    Susan, your powder room Christmas decor is lovely! I just adore your little snow angels...and they're even more special since they were a gift from your son!!! Girl, I just giggled when I saw the fun photos of your grandchildren decorating the cupcakes!!! Your precious little granddaughter is sooo cute and I love her little apron!!! Now...the photo of your grandson with all the green frosting all over his face is priceless!!! It's better than a "spaghetti face" photo!!! Hehe!!! Too cute!!! These are what memories are made of, my dear!!!

    Thank you soooo much for hosting these fun filled Deck the Hall parties for all of December! I've had so much fun participating and you've been a fabulous hostess!!! I sure do appreciate all of your hard work and efforts, Susan!!! Thank you!!!

    Warmest wishes and Christmas blessings to you and your sweet family, my friend!

    Chari @Happy To Design

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  9. So cute -- can't wait to have the grandgirls over to do this --- in a few years -- 12 minutes huh? Love the apron! Your powder room is so cute all dressed for Christmas!

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  10. I love seeing the little ones and the cupcakes! I'm not home, so unless I want to link my hotel room with the little $10 tree...I have nothing to share this week. I love seeing what everyone has done. Merry Christmas!

    Sue

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  11. Cute post, Susan! I love your little bakers and Charlie is a hoot. Such a darling apron!

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  12. Aw how sweet! I know, baking with kids is an adventure..flour flying!
    Thank you for the tour of your powder room..and your whole house..and..thanks for hosting this event..the month flew..
    Merry Christmas, Susan!

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  13. I love your powder room decorations, but the little chefs steal the show! So cute!

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  14. Precious Post! Merry Christmas.

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  15. Loved the pictures, loved the spirit, would have LOVED those cupcakes !! Great post , AND I linked in as well. Merry Christmas !

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  16. Your little cupcake decorators are just adorable, as is your fur baby. Thank you so much for hosting this 'event'! I hope that you and yours have a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with health and happiness...Nancy

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  17. Love your little angels..my favorite also!
    Your little bakers are adorable, love where all the frosting ends up!!

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  18. Awww, Susan, what cute pics! How nice of you to plan this special day and the apron is darling! Charlie is just adorable! :-) Love all your powder room decor...perfect for the holidays! Happy Deck the Halls! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Susan

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  19. That apron is just too cute. And your cute helpers what a great memory.

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  20. Love your powder room and how sweet are the pics of the little ones? Just adorable! Merry Christmas!

    Christi @ A Southern Life

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  21. I love all the pretties in your powder room, and I was thinking what a shame it would be to mess up your beautiful towels until I read that you have paper guest towels.

    The kids are cute. I'm a tweener also; my kids are teens and no longer interested in things like decorating cupcakes or cookies.

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  22. Thanks for hosting this...and I love your linens!

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  23. Oh Susan, what a cute post! Love those pretty guest towels. That "hostess in training" apron is just too cute, and the kids look like they are having a blast! Your sweet dog doesn't look so happy in his reindeer hat! Your Deck the Halls party has been such a success. You've done a great job with it. Thank you for being such a fabulous hostess. Merry Christmas to you and to your family. Hugs. laurie

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  24. Lovin' the pretty linens and the green, happy faces!!
    Thanks for hosting!
    Rhonda

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  25. That was all just too sweet, cute, and funny! (dog, and frosting funny!=)

    Think Ill go on over and get a post up to share and join in on the fun!

    blessings and thanks for hosting.

    barbara jean

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  26. Oh', it never works out quite like you dream. The kids look like they had a terrific time and Charlie (dog) looked so cute and festive too. What a sweet God Mother you are.

    Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. Hugs...Tracy

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  27. Susan,
    It looks like you're really getting into the swing of Christmas and boy I wish I was there helping with those yummy looking cupcakes.

    Have a Fantastic Christmas and thank you for throwing this party today.

    xxxxxxxxxxxx Coty

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  28. I joined today!!!

    I love the linens! And the pictures of the kids baking with you are adorable.

    Enjoy your day!

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  29. The "Deck the Halls" parties have been so much fun - all your efforts are truly appreciated.

    I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

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  30. I adore your angel, there to watch over you all. Your doggie with the deeley boppers made me smile, the things we do to our pets!!
    Merry Christmas from Normandy.
    Maggie

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  31. Thanks for hosting. This is great fun!!

    Christmas Blessings for Hope, Peace, and togetherness.

    Barbra Jean

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  32. The grandkids are so precious, Susan and the dog is so cute! Love how you decorated your powder room and I like the idea of the fishbowls. I love angels so I really like your angel too. Merry Christmas to you and your family!...Christine

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  33. Merry Christmas! I love your bathroom decor and your grandchildren are so cute! Those cupcakes look so yummy as well! I'm glad I participated in your Deck the Halls event. I have to apologize for my name being on the Linky 3 times! One of them doesn't link to my post, not sure why so I re-entered the link and it worked creating link #3 up there. So sorry!

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  34. Hi sweetie, I hope this finds you having a super evening. I so enjoyed the party you put on .. You are a great hostess..Did you see the snowmen in the window? I had the best time putting it together... there is sure a lot of talent out there in blog land isn't there. I want you to know you've truly enriched my life these past few months. I'm truly blessed to call you friend.. from our home to yours a Very Merry Christmas..
    hugs ~lynne~

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  35. Susan, those are the cutest pictures EVER! That little green face is just begging to be kissed! LOL! Such cute cuties.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours. Hope it is a very happy one, indeed...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  36. Oops! I really meant to link up on Monday, but the holiday preparation got the best of me. I love your sweet photos of the cupcake decorators. They are so cute and the cupcakes turned out beautiful... in record time!!!

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  37. What a cutie in the apron! Thanks for your sweet visit today -- I just finished up the lasagna for tomorrow -- have a most Wonderful Christmas with all you family!

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  38. I love your family guardian angel decoration. :) The cupcakes look very yummy!

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  39. This is an adorable post. I just realized that I forgot to link to this one. Are you doing this again on Tuesday of this week? If so, I'll link something this week.
    Yep, tea towels are a favorite here too. Can't resist them. Your hand painted towels are dear. Fun decor for your powder room. ~ Sarah

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  40. Hi Susan, loved every single picture you posted. Especially loved the kids and the little one with frosting all over his mouth! Hope you had a delightful Christmas.

    Happy New Year, Bonnie

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