Christmas Tour 2016

Welcome to The Stone House at Christmastime.  I've been blogging for almost ten years, and most of my peeps that had blogs quit posting.  Not me, I just keep rambling on and on.  I've added some new blogs to my sidebar and today I am joining in with the young, clever, pretty moms that blog for a Holiday Home Tour.  Show and Tell Tuesday on Momfessionals.  

Come on in and take a look.

 In 2012 I did a Nativity Series on the blog and you can read about it here.

 I love this set and it is big.  Some sweet lady named Alice made it in a ceramics class in 1983.  She signed the camel.  I couldn't be happier with her color choices as they match the living room perfectly.

 The living room mantle hosts my Eddie Bauer snow globe collection.  I wrote about it in 2010.

 

There are a few vintage ornaments on our main tree.  I should have counted and then we could have had a fun contest.  There is a new to me vintage angel tree topper and her face is darling.

 A nativity, ornaments and lights are on the dining room table.  I arrange this in a tray so I can pick it up and change the tablecloth easily.

I've seen so many Christmas tree forests and I put one together this year in the dining room.  It's not as easy as it looks.  I am still not convinced that my forest doesn't look a little goofy.

Last year I did a huge Christmas decor purge and sort.  It seems I had a few tree toppers in the attic.

They are on the mantle in the dining room. Really Shelly, I had no idea.  I've always hung the stockings there but the reality is I don't have stockings for the guys' gals yet and we use shopping bags.

I did a few different things in the kitchen this year and moved my vintage blow molds and Santas out of the laundry room,

This corner is cheery with some colored lights. 

 I have my Christmas music ready in the kitchen.

The sitting room is a cozy spot for tea in the afternoon or a cocktail in the evening.

 The tree spins and the light spins and the record player spins.  Too many cocktails are not a good idea or everything will spin.

 I love the snowmen on our liquor cabinet.

In the master bedroom we enjoy a woodland tree and the deer I made one year.

 My guys, about 20 years ago on a ornament that Jodi made for me.

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on the deer, glittered their antlers and tied on some burlap scarves.

 The remote for the lights, on my nightstand is the best!  So dreamy. Santa has been busy sorting the stocking stuffers so please, excuse all of the bags under the tree.

 A cozy reading spot in our bedroom.  I used a pretty tray as a coaster for two this year.

This little gold and silver tree is in the master bathroom.  I build most of my vignettes on trays so I can clean under them and keep snow and bits rounded up.

I'm cleaning upstairs today, changing all the sheets and doing some decorating for Christmas.

Getting ready for family to gather.  Here is a previous post on the guest room.

Some things I do the same every year and some things I change up a bit.  Hubby takes care of our outdoor lights and he is working on something very clever for the fig tree this year.  We are taking our vintage trailer for trip soon and Huakai' Annie is going to be decorated for Christmas.  So check back next week because there is more Christmas coming up at The Stone House.

Today, I need to sit down and make a list cuz it all feels a little disorganized here and Christmas is coming!

Merry Merry

On Saturday evening we went to BIL Bill and my sis, Jodi's house to watch the Lynden Lighted Christmas Parade.  They live on Front Street and have a covered porch.  This was great as it was raining.  Jodi sets up a hot cocoa bar and her cocoa is delicious. She shared her recipe and now I'm sharing with you.  It should be called Christmas in a Mug!

• Creamy Crock Pot Cocoa
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, I think milk is fine, I mean you don't want your entire daily caloric allowance in one cup on cocoa.
• (1) 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 6 cups milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 cups of chocolate chips (milk chocolate OR semi-sweet)
• Pour all the ingredients into a crock pot and whisk together until well combined.
• Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Whisk well before serving.
• Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles and for the adults whipped cream vodka, or chocolate vodka or Irish Cream.

 Jodi has an Elf on the Shelf house.  It's a two story, dreamy, Christmas palace for Elf. She is on Instagram @homewithelf and you can follow along to see what Elf is up to during the Christmas season.  Every detail is adorable.

I laughed so hard visiting with these friends that I went home with a side ache.

Totally worth it though!

Hubby and I had a wonderful weekend, watching one of our favorite movies, Auntie Mame, decorating for Christmas, church on Sunday, Christmas shopping, going out for lunch and enjoying the parade with friends.

 It's snowing this morning and I love snow.  I don't think it gets any better than snow in December.

'Tis the season!

Ten Favorite Gifts

It's time for ten of my favorite things.  My shopping is almost finished and of course, I cannot share my very favorite things to give this year because then my guys  and their girls wouldn't be surprised on Christmas.  Hubby and I are making some gifts this year.  I love it when that works out.  Sometimes it's painful, remember last time?

1.  The Microplane is great for zesting citrus or for zesting ginger.  We drink a hot "tea" of fresh ginger, fresh mint, fresh lemon and honey before we go to bed and so our Microplane gets used a lot.  It's also great for topping a chocolate pie with chocolate shavings.  Doreen gave me one for Christmas and I had no idea how badly I needed until I owned it.

 2.  Sheryl got me started on Aveeno whipped souffle.  I love the texture and the smell.  It is great for tired, dry, winter skin.  I like not having to pump or squeeze a tube.

 3.  I haven't gotten one of these scarves yet but my Old Navy cart is full of them.  Two bucks!  Hello, these are great stocking stuffers for all of your friends that walk for exercise.

4.   As much as I love flannel pants the thermals are taking over.  They are just cozier.  Wear them with a thermal top or a tank and a soft cardigan.  I think my jersey knit cardigan is my new bathrobe.  These are from Old Navy but Gap has some great colors too.

5.  For guys that work outdoors or spend time enjoying the outdoors on the weekend the fleece lined work pants from Eddie Bauer are fantastic.  I bought some for Sam for his birthday last year and Karen bought some for Braden, we weren't sure they would like them but they got a thumbs up.  Eddie Bauer also has flannel lined jeans for men and women.

6.  Do you give gifts with the formula of something to wear, something you need, something you want and something to read?  Some of my favorite books include The Education of Dixie Dupree.  Get out the box of Kleenex and settle in because you won't want to stop reading.

I also enjoyed the Winter Street Trilogy by Erin Hilderbrand.  Sometimes an easy Christmas read is just what we all need.

I'm going to start reading Uninvited this week and it looks interesting.  I'll keep you posted. 

7.  I love my little Chatbooks app.  I keep my Instagram account connected to the Chatbooks app.  Every 60 photos I get a book in the mail for $6.  Besides connecting your face book or instagram photos you can pull photos from your phone and create a book.  I made one of our restoration of Huaka'i Annie.  Last week I was watching the football game and quickly made a photo book for friends.  The custom ones are $8 and include 60 photos.  It works on your phone or your computer.  It's nice way to get some of your photos actually printed.

8. I {love} my Fitbit tracker.  Even if I am slacking with my walking or on tear and walking twice a day, I love the accountability.  I like the tracker attached to my bra strap but many people wear the wrist Fitbit.  Hubby got me one for Christmas two years ago and it gets used every day, all day.

9. Trader Joe's treats, snacks, nuts, cheeses, beer, soaps, and more.  Honestly, Trader Joe's seasonal selections are fantastic. 

The candy and cookies make me want to forget to bake and just buy a selection.  Their cheese case!  The beer aisle where you can create your own six pack combos. The soaps, lotions and skin care aisle, I love it!  Stuff the stockings at Joe's cuz they have the treats.  Even for the the granddoggers!

10. Paper mouse pads are the bomb!  I love making lists, jotting down my order numbers, flight numbers and hotel confirmations on my paper mouse pad.  They aren't always easy to find but I've found them at Anthropologie, Kennedy Watson and Amazon.

I need a new one so hint, hint guys.

Enjoy your gift giving.  The shopping, the wrapping and particularly the thought and love this time of year.

*Reminder, I do not get paid to write this drivel and have no sponsors.  Nada. Zilch.

Good Times

 We had a nice Thanksgiving Day.  Everyone fit in our house, we all enjoyed good food and a good family time.

Jonny is so important that he gets phone calls on Thanksgiving, at the dinner table.

 On Monday it was the annual Sisters in Seattle shopping trip.  We shop on our own and then always meets up at Pottery Barn.  That way we can sit on one of their sofas until everyone arrives.  Most of us have owning a Pottery Barn sofa on our bucket list so until that day arrives this is a good time to enjoy a PB sofa.  They are the best.  Of course, surrounded by all of their beautiful Christmas decor is nice too.  Another bonus is that Pottery Barn stores have really nice bathrooms. It's my shopping tip.

We had a fun day yesterday and now today I need to get my Christmas decorating game on!