Monday, December 20, 2010

The Cottage Is Ready For Christmas..... Trouble Is.... I'm NOT!

Christmas is only FIVE days away.... Remember when it was summertime and we thought we had alllll the time in the world? YIKES! I still have tons of presents to wrap and a few things left to make. I could fib and say I'm planning to finish the Christmas baking too, but I haven't actually finished that in years and years. It's always at the bottom of the list, so it gets short shrift... No problem.... It's so much better to have a nice organic veggie, right? Yeah, I'm not buyin' that either.



About five years ago I started thinking how cute it would be to have feather boa for the garland on our tree..... so I started using lots and lots of my 40% off Joann coupons to buy them. I think it looks like fluffy snow.... and I LOVE it.... It's a happy little tree. I actually used to have a white Martha tree and sadly I couldn't find it this year. Remember how I keep complaining about that HORRIBLE garage? Yep, it's going to get some serious spring cleaning this year. My daughter and I actually ran to Big Lots (very unfamiliar with that place, but it's my new BFF) and picked up this great little tree for fifty dollars... AND, it's PRE-LIT! Whooopee. I especially like it because it's a space saver and here at the cottage that's just DEE.LIGHT.FUL.





I really adore this little black cabinet. It's so strong you could use it for a home foundation. I paid seven dollars........YES! SEVEN dollars for it at the Goodwill about 20 years ago. ALL my husbands have HATED it. Don't you just wish you could use that phrase??.... ALL my husbands... :-) Oh dear.

But it holds a ton of things and is very slim so it fits in well everywhere. I don't know who built it, but one door is wider than the other. I think it's charming.




Several years ago my daughter and I went to Victoria, Canada. The Villory and Boch store was actually closing and everything was 50% off. I got those fab.u.lous candlesticks there. The girlie there thought they should be the the same size. I LOVE them like this. I know she thought I was a smidge cuckoo..... yeah, probably right.




I am crazy about felted fabrics. I have made 469 gazillion of these little ornies. They're fun to make and are easy to take along.




Do you have a pickle for your tree? Apparently folklore says that it's supposed to give you good luck for the coming year. I really don't believe all that hokum, but what the heck! It's cute.




I can't wait for the After-Christmas sales at the Goodwill.... Last year I got enough of those little green balls to use for YEARS to come for FIFTY cents. What a bargain.




I'll be up to my eyeballs in paper today. Nope, the presents don't match my tree very well this year. I'm trying to use up some of the HUGE stash of Christmas paper. Remember the Garage Spring Cleaning? :-)

I almost never use only one paper on a pressie. I like LOTS... you're surprised, right?

And, I make my tags every year. Not too crazy about this year's try.... But I love a little sparkle on a pressie, don't you?





So, how are you chickies doing? I suppose there are LOTS of you who are kickin' back with a nice cup of cider and enjoying the season?


I think I'll get to that tooooo.......right about Christmas Eve. :-)



Huggies and Lovies... And, Christmas Blessings!


Spence


I am linking to these fabulous parties! :-)


Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Make It For Monday

Made By You Monday

Making The World Cuter




23 comments:

  1. You'll be ready, just don't stress and you'll be fine, sugar!
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  2. Girlfriend, I LOVE those boas!! LOVE THEM!! Love them in the tree and LOVE them on top of the awesome black cabinet too! AND I am one that can also say, ALL of my husbands!! Yes, I can! Lucky for me, third time was a charm...I am done...keeping this one! lol

    Everything is beautiful! I am not done shopping, I have not wrapped a thing....I need to get busy!!

    Merry Christmas Sweet Friend!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  3. I think we all work best under pressure..I know I do. I was "finished" two weeks ago but then I just can't stop decorating. I simply decided that I will not feel guilty about not taking my Christmas decor down until the last day of January!

    Loved your decorations..so dreamy!
    By the way, not drinking cider but warm spiced tea as I have a fever and I'm enjoying staying home from work today!

    Hugs,
    Deanna :D

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  4. I love it all girly. :) I promise to write back and answer your sweet letter soon. You are one precious girl.

    My son's life was spared this morning when he totaled his SUV. I dreamed two nights ago he as killed in an accident...now this today. I believe MORE THAN EVER that our prayers matter...

    Love to you and Merry Christmas to you and your amazing hubster...

    Love,

    Rebecca and her AGPMan >~~<3

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  5. Spencer, sweetie, I'm on my way OVER to save the day!!! Your home is gorgeous, your decor exquisite, your Christmas will be organized, complete & joyous ...

    You are too cute!

    Merry Christmas ~
    Have a beautiful celebration week ~
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

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  6. Oh how I wish I was drinking cider with my feet up...maybe on the big day but too much to do now! Love the boas and those little green balls, what a steal:)
    Have a wonderful day Spencer!

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  7. Hello! I found you at Cottage Instincts and I am loving your blog! I wanted to invite you to enter my $50 American Express giveaway and my link party that are both going on this week! Keep up the great blogging and happy holidays! -Dana

    http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/2010/12/50-american-express-giveaway-ends.htm

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  8. Merry Christmas!
    Love your Christmas tree, the sweet little felt mitten and the little crown on the puppy!
    Try to sit down and have some cider tonight!
    Warmly,
    deb :)

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  9. Very cute idea. It looks very luxurious and sensuous, like Marilyn Monroe, lol....Christine

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  10. Ohhh Cupcake! Your decorations are just divine!! And the prezzies...delectable!! I love how lovely you make everything you touch! And your little mitten ornies are sooo sweet!

    I have much left to do as well, but am not fretting one little bit. What gets done...gets done. What doesn't...just doesn't!!! Keepin' my focus where it should be, and that is all that matters! {well, except for baking and decorating the gingerbread men...oh and making White Christmas mix...oh and.....} :o)

    Praying God's best for your celebration and for a joy-filled new year! You're a delight, Spence! Really!

    Merry Christmas!

    Love you,
    Becky

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  11. Your cottage looks spectacular! I think all the paper colors looks very pretty too, not mismatched at all. Have a Merry Christmas Spencer, may it be full of blessings for you and yours!

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  12. Good morning you precious soul you. I LOVE YOUR PICKLE!!! And the feathers, now I THINK THAT IS A SPLENDID IDEA!!!

    Oh Spencer, what a wonderful year of blogging my dearest. I am going on my second year in January and it has been the most wonderful experience getting to know you. Your world is a delight and thank you for making me smile every visit. BLessings to you at the cottage...Anita

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  13. I love the title of this post! Are we ever ready?

    Thanks for the inspiration and the smiles. I look forward to more posts from you. Merry Christmas!

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  14. Your pastel decorations are so pretty Spencer! I think your idea of the feather boas is fantastic. It's so light and festive and...girlie! All your husbands, LOL! Too bad we aren't neighbors, we could help each other clean out and find our "good" stuff! I've got several things I couldn't find and some I just plain didn't have the ambition to get to. There's always next year...
    Have a wonderful Christmas!
    Dawn

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  15. Hi Spence,
    It all looks lovely. Your little mittens are adorable. And you are ahead of me with Christmas :>( Yikes!!
    Have a very Merry Christmas,
    Annette

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  16. Spencer, the boas are awesome...now why didn't I ever think of that? They look dreamy. Your tree is so pretty. I think you sound like you are right on track, at least it sounds normal to me.lol
    Merry, Merry christmas sweetie...
    hugs to you

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  17. Hi Spencer! Everything looks gorgeous, my dear! Hope you get a chance to sit down and relax and enjoy the beauty you have created! Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!!!
    Michelle

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  18. Hi Spencer!

    I love your Christmas tree!! The boas are so unique and pretty!! I never thought to use something like that in a Christmas tree...I will have keep my eyes open for boas...very pretty! I also love your little hand-stitched mittens...I love felt ornaments too!

    Merry Merry Christmas and may God bless you and your family as you reflect on the beautiful meaning of Christmas!!

    Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

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  19. Merry Merry Christmas! May your stocking be filled with blessings!

    Hugs, Carrie

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  20. Spencer, I love your tree with the boas...at first glance I thought you had a feather tree. Your gift wrapping looks wonderful. This year my family is lucky to get their gifts in a bag. I had to laugh at the comment about "all my husbands". Take care and have a Very Merry Christmas.
    Sherry

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  21. Hi Spencer!
    I just wanted to stop by to say Merry Christmas and thanks for participating in my giveaway - it's so nice to meet you :)
    I absolutely love your feather boa tree! However, all of my husbands would have hated that! lol You're so funny that I have decided to become a follower.
    Hugs,
    Sabre'

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  22. Hi Spencer,
    Everything looks just beautiful!! I used to have a pickle ornament that I hid on the Christmas tree. Whoever found it got an extra gift. After moving several times I seemed to have lost it. We were just talking about that ornament today.
    Have a very Merry Christmas!
    Jane

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  23. Merry, merry Christmas Spencer and to your family, have a wonderful day. xx Sandi

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Sweet and dear little Chickies....thank you so much for your comments. I read each and every one. I always try to make a return visit........sometimes I fail miserably... but you're alllll soooo special to me!

Many, many hugs!
Spencer