Thanksgiving Accomplished

I had my parents over for the Thanksgiving Holiday. It was such a nice visit. We made all the traditional stuff, Turkey, Stuffing (I have an AMAZING out-of-the-bird stuffing recipe), Mashed potatoes and Gravy, Fruit Salad, Sweet Potato Casserole, which is a recipe I have to share with everyone because whenever they taste it they want it, and rolls and veggies, etc. etc. 

I just dropped them off at the airport (their flight was at 7am which meant waking up at 4am), and now I'm playing my Bing Crosby Christmas music and getting ready for the day. 

Peaceful, but the house feels...empty. I think one of the highlights of their visit included a trip to Magnolia, in Waco TX. 

To say that we were underwhelmed was more true to the mark...it's a nice little shop and bakery, but Waco really was put on the map by Chip and Joanna Gaines (who, sadly, until my HGTV-watching dad filled me in I didn't know who they were), and there isn't a ton there. So, my parents picked up a couple of (**way overpriced coughcough**) souvenirs and Mom and I hit the Spice Market Village and I saw a wall of Funky Socks that my older son would die over:

This is the women's side. The men's is on the left. But you get the idea. My favorite? Socks with buffalo wings and celery with ranch. Yes, seriously. 

It was a beautiful day, and the trip wasn't too long, but I don't need to go again. 

I found out my dad is in love with taking"artsy" pics and I let him. This one was my favorite:

Gotta love Moonlight Rose by Royal Albert. I just love the simple things, but I love the not-so-simple things too. ;-) 

The Table, ready for our Thanksgiving Feast:

 This is our wedding china. It's "Greenbrier" by Noritake. Hubby and I fell in love with it in the mid 90's, but now, he hates it. (Too "stuffy," I imagine.) Hubby is With The Times. And sadly, transferware and old-fashioned china are OUT. But I persisted and he gave in. It sure makes a pretty table. (Dad took this pic too.)

Making my Sweet Potato Casserole. No marshmallows! 

 I went pretty neutral with most of my decor. It makes the house look more like a "Winter Wonderland."

*Sigh* I love Christmas time!

 

Merry Merry!

I so loooove Christmastime. Top holiday, EVER. Halloween is a close second, but Halloween is skulls and spiderwebs and grimoires and eerie bone-shaped candles--CHRISTMAS is festive lights, beautiful trees and presents and happy bright love and goodwill towards other humans. :-)

I usually go a bit nuts decorating for Christmas, and this year, so far, I've held back a bit. I currently have five trees, and I normally have seven. ;-)

 My new home is not the warm palette of my last home, this one is more Modern Farmhouse with lots of cool gray and white. So I did a sort of "Winter Wonderland" look for my front foyer. Down to the wrapped presents. I think white and silver trees may be my new favorite look:

And I found a SUPER glitzy wreath for the front door!

The Living Room I kept gold and cream and brown, and a little kitschy. 

 Then there's the Blue Monster:

Twelve feet tall, but I love it with my soaring beamed ceilings. And there's just something about blue and silver...

This was my Thanksgiving table; my dad decided to try an "artsy" angle. Nice, Dad!

The breakfast nook was simple, gold and cream. Color just didn't look right in this room:

And the kitchen was cool and minimalist:

Amazing to me how simple things can be so pretty. You should see it at night with tea lights...

Then there's the office tree, which I kept VERY traditional. 

 That's it so far! We added red and white lights to our home yesterday, and I'm loving it. I think I am almost ready for Christmas! I'll post more decor soon!