Our Christmas Mantle

I wish I could slow time and freeze these magical days spent with a little baby-turning-toddler running around.  I know I cannot, so I try to savor every moment and soak it all in.  I try not to cram too much into our already busy lives and I try to give him my full attention although I know I often fall short.  But I love each new day and we are really enjoying the holidays over here.  I hope you are too, as imperfect and wonderful as each day may be:)



Today our Christmas Cheer Holiday Link Party is showcasing mantles at Ten June.  Can't wait to see your mantles!

Many of you know we don't have a true "mantle" in our home, but that doesn't stop me from creating "mantlescapes" on a console table or, this year, on a counter in our butler's pantry.  I continued with the metallic theme we've got going on in the stairs and tree and used fresh garland from Lynch Creek Farms after reading the recommendation from Centsational Girl. I like the addition of real greenery, especially since our tree isn't real.

I added some vases of varying sizes for height and scattered ornaments, pinecones and decorative birds. 

The large mercury glass vases are from Home Goods, the tall candle holders are from Target.  

I've had these ceramic birds from Hobby Lobby for ages, but recently spray painted them gold.  I love how easily a shot of spray paint can transform anything. 

Snow and holiday ornaments in a glass vase always looks festive.  I've had the snow for years- I bought it on sale at Pottery Barn after Christmas one year.  I keep reusing it!

baby james (20 months)

Is our little baby actually turning into a toddler/little boy??  Ahhhh, where does the time go?  It's so fun to see what he's interested in and the best part is how much he's talking and how he understands what we say to him.



He's singing the ABC's, counting to 10, singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and talking in general.  Too many words to list in a blog post.  Is it weird that he says "Starbuck's"?! :)  And he's learned "no" - as in, "Ready for bedtime, James?" To which he sometimes replies, "No, no, no." Or if we try to give him a bite of food he doesn't want, "no, no, no."  But the cutest is how he says, "okay" to everything. In the sweetest voice ever, like, "Oh-kaaay".



Tantrums are upon us as well as the sweetest cuddles and "love yous".  He runs, twirls around in circles, and climbs like a monkey.  I'm still mostly "Mana" but I love to hear his little voice say it.  

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If you missed it, go HERE to enter the $50 MA Hadley hand-crafted American pottery giveaway.

Giveaway {M.A. Hadley- Handcrafted American Pottery}

Happy Saturday!  Today I'm enjoying a leisurely morning at home, drinking my coffee while admiring the beautiful Christmas tree and then I need to figure out what we're doing today.  I think James and I will do some playing at the park and then start our Christmas shopping while hubby is away at the game:)



If you have holiday shopping to do, you'll love this $50 giveaway from M.A. Hadley.

M.A. Hadley creates handcrafted American Pottery.  They have retailers in several states, or you can shop via their website.  Here's just a sampling of their pottery.

And their holiday patterns are particularly special this time of year.

M.A. Hadley is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate!



To Enter (leave a separate comment for each):

• Visit MA Hadley and leave a comment with your favorite product.


• Join the MA Hadley mailing list


• Follow/Like MA Hadley on Facebook


• Tweet about this giveaway


• Facebook about this giveaway


• Blog about this giveaway


• For another entry, follow MA Hadley blog. (click the "follow" button on the bottom right corner)

The winner will be announced Saturday, December 10, 2011.

Thank you for entering!

Holiday Vignette

Hi all!  How is your week going?  I can't believe we are in December already!  Today is all about holiday vignettes and I'm linking up at Courtney (A Thoughtful Place) blog today.  Come join in HERE:)

A little holiday vignette I put together this year was really simple, with some silver and gold wrapped presents, some faux flowers in a silver Target vase and a little greenery I ordered online to add some freshness.  And that cute green trellis pillow is from Milk & Cookies.

And last year I decorated our butler's pantry with aqua, red, white and silver.

First I filled the glass vases (from Target and Home Goods) with faux snow and ornaments.  Then I wrapped “presents” and made a few bows.  

Snowflake ornaments from Hobby Lobby hang from above.

I couldn't believe that I did all of the decorating and snapped most of the photos while James napped! 

 

I love this “naughty” and “nice” gift wrap I found at Wal-Mart last year.   The other wrap is from Hobby Lobby and The Container Store.

You say it doesn’t snow in Texas?

 

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