CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 2)

<div align="center">Our Hostesses!</div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7moslB6H8ahnhcj-hQtnaN4UDYMaYNaj4-Rxqq0pbM_k-gaa4HamkI5HFo0KGUuYX_kILp9FlxWGRyyqykJpinhjLWe4WeMq-ksx6seRiz_qfn54iSDtBMnGPi1VB02E6MXJb9Tt7ekA/s1600-h/IMG_1707.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290982980254353666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7moslB6H8ahnhcj-hQtnaN4UDYMaYNaj4-Rxqq0pbM_k-gaa4HamkI5HFo0KGUuYX_kILp9FlxWGRyyqykJpinhjLWe4WeMq-ksx6seRiz_qfn54iSDtBMnGPi1VB02E6MXJb9Tt7ekA/s640/IMG_1707.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">House #3 - Susan: </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan is a mother to 5 children, now all young adults. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Santa was the theme at Susan's house. Santa heads, to be more specific. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan started collecting them about 28 years ago </div><div style="text-align: center;">and now has a grand total of 50 smiling Santa Claus faces. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of the faces were small and adorned wreaths, a twig tree and garland, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but there were a couple of amazing larger Santas as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This one looks to be carved of wood and fills the wall near the front door. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwryHfdvX-xyi8ZMAzCODm1Kh5OSWCcxk_hyphenhyphenl53ThVwGsnYpkOjNl37nbVObQSeTaFxoKmq-oEY-jui6smYZzioVdj-OmqDrNHBE9xeYUbHiW9x7sg7hUMCksmNns7YfYijMlH7EvUyXs/s1600-h/IMG_1704.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290982973403624306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwryHfdvX-xyi8ZMAzCODm1Kh5OSWCcxk_hyphenhyphenl53ThVwGsnYpkOjNl37nbVObQSeTaFxoKmq-oEY-jui6smYZzioVdj-OmqDrNHBE9xeYUbHiW9x7sg7hUMCksmNns7YfYijMlH7EvUyXs/s640/IMG_1704.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a> Another large Santa head with an extra long flowing beard. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo685NEadgAaVBnJJmTDF0oprUGfzEg-qZote-MbK0en5icwdnlv2TXKUk5qYG-TLe6JWKg-Mx6k4pGvBoLzuBGacVRZ0GaXV7wKfBBzz0BSzjiV1r1mec65hMdqo7CNUJlaBQEU_qap0/s1600-h/IMG_1705.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290982963744864194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo685NEadgAaVBnJJmTDF0oprUGfzEg-qZote-MbK0en5icwdnlv2TXKUk5qYG-TLe6JWKg-Mx6k4pGvBoLzuBGacVRZ0GaXV7wKfBBzz0BSzjiV1r1mec65hMdqo7CNUJlaBQEU_qap0/s640/IMG_1705.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></a> One of Susan's wreaths adorned with jolly Santa heads. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9FGZjyxWpXMlWgppxl9XhmwvYPruByVftWRKnnMHApifiWNQcr9sHg6D4QHqUfl_LzG4FbMfE3DvCqnbIj_MrEl6ESLhLz7ZCm7ZTeHmAnLFg_pNxwo-T38VTqxI-wHKaGXZpa9hEc/s1600-h/IMG_1706.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290982960297923650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK9FGZjyxWpXMlWgppxl9XhmwvYPruByVftWRKnnMHApifiWNQcr9sHg6D4QHqUfl_LzG4FbMfE3DvCqnbIj_MrEl6ESLhLz7ZCm7ZTeHmAnLFg_pNxwo-T38VTqxI-wHKaGXZpa9hEc/s640/IMG_1706.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>Rounding the corner I was pleased to find this portrait of Susan's five children, now all grown. She actually commissioned this from me several years ago. When I drew it, I used photos she had of the children all at similar ages. It was the first time I had seen it framed and was pleased to discover it is one of her most prized possessions.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4DJH1wka1NYtkkaZbfybJlnvtbRwP-yosBYAOhe0v1sy51eIhYlTnTejSngZ6nynERmt2DOG47jope5Aq0FlAFWqwpQ3uN3YbM6I4jCmu1-nUVPLvuvpIagKn5iiToRY5iowWQAbXbU/s1600-h/IMG_1703.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981963280113010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4DJH1wka1NYtkkaZbfybJlnvtbRwP-yosBYAOhe0v1sy51eIhYlTnTejSngZ6nynERmt2DOG47jope5Aq0FlAFWqwpQ3uN3YbM6I4jCmu1-nUVPLvuvpIagKn5iiToRY5iowWQAbXbU/s640/IMG_1703.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan decorates her home each year in much the same way, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and enjoys the familiarity of her family treasures. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4blT5a4bFGIARHBdHvaE74Uc-IHDaE9cqbWL6o3XckXVXiVow8Xupbmy_wegPWYR9vHzNZuMvHPQP0eUkMe6AVjOlpnXVdSOY_DcAVmylHqHGXP-Yd28ZjFu42Rej33o_LJhpRbNeW4k/s1600-h/IMG_1702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981958442064690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4blT5a4bFGIARHBdHvaE74Uc-IHDaE9cqbWL6o3XckXVXiVow8Xupbmy_wegPWYR9vHzNZuMvHPQP0eUkMe6AVjOlpnXVdSOY_DcAVmylHqHGXP-Yd28ZjFu42Rej33o_LJhpRbNeW4k/s640/IMG_1702.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A Steinbach nutcracker collection of 5, one for each of her children, sit cheerfully in a bookcase. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan's family Christmas stockings were all hand-knit by her sister-in-law. Each new child born in the family receives a hand made stocking from Aunt Melinda. To date, she has made over 40! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzGLvZrsIA-T9h7J6BjDmp4Z1nIgzvkVtTSzWd9h6hlOI6P_iRzWl60oj9mHM8FYfNbleky5uhjBcElUM-Eyh6PN62c07scND23PvAnURPge2ppw5OQ3g1ZM8-OCOXHFqwlTnVsD_V-I/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzGLvZrsIA-T9h7J6BjDmp4Z1nIgzvkVtTSzWd9h6hlOI6P_iRzWl60oj9mHM8FYfNbleky5uhjBcElUM-Eyh6PN62c07scND23PvAnURPge2ppw5OQ3g1ZM8-OCOXHFqwlTnVsD_V-I/s640/IMG_1701.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Susan's grand staircase is bedecked with garland, lights, poinsettias, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">ribbon and the smiling faces of Santa.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcul8w_MjqYNhp9OxeVHmM4UWCXArBnq5Jk9Fkd8sXMfWAgyLs35NdRR5sLiCDLUH3Zk7VbNbvQB_EgXFNHYHlntVBICbknm9Iqf2Bc6MDzdq2ab6p1-ZfzlWrMHmns6ItzuRJxcg3eM/s1600-h/IMG_1696.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981947962139874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcul8w_MjqYNhp9OxeVHmM4UWCXArBnq5Jk9Fkd8sXMfWAgyLs35NdRR5sLiCDLUH3Zk7VbNbvQB_EgXFNHYHlntVBICbknm9Iqf2Bc6MDzdq2ab6p1-ZfzlWrMHmns6ItzuRJxcg3eM/s640/IMG_1696.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan's festive outdoor decorations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Drc48EJ31nEksm5pUOi0k135xa1GfFzQN12fWkTMfh9wGaW4xHhbkODGRTpfD5-xU6sBSGf2pA4CH6aH_fJbiRSDgEApJcDuvfumc4VSdJ0a3uF_yxKHHNNoLgQhDktvn_EATQdWM4/s1600-h/IMG_1695.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981348062566258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Drc48EJ31nEksm5pUOi0k135xa1GfFzQN12fWkTMfh9wGaW4xHhbkODGRTpfD5-xU6sBSGf2pA4CH6aH_fJbiRSDgEApJcDuvfumc4VSdJ0a3uF_yxKHHNNoLgQhDktvn_EATQdWM4/s640/IMG_1695.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Susan for sharing your cheerful home with us! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">House #4 - Mattie</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mattie is mom to 4 and grandmother to 2.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Her busy household is often filled with the smell of delicious food, as cooking is one of her hobbies and part of her generous italian heritage. Mattie had some lovely decorations, but needed a theme to pull it all together. We purchased just a few things - garland, ribbon and some sparkly twigs - and used what she already had. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7Ktp5jk2aRR_zHSf1-onY9wPutqIVaMVcMwEPsp4q3IJBDZ5Y8ATKGzDa7lPnnCPPxWhwXAC7d2cqoX6pGoZlVDl70F4MWUSuEF9_zWl_tgBNYodqWxYfMw5eI95K6FG1b7jqbdTYj4/s1600-h/IMG_1694.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290981339248120130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7Ktp5jk2aRR_zHSf1-onY9wPutqIVaMVcMwEPsp4q3IJBDZ5Y8ATKGzDa7lPnnCPPxWhwXAC7d2cqoX6pGoZlVDl70F4MWUSuEF9_zWl_tgBNYodqWxYfMw5eI95K6FG1b7jqbdTYj4/s640/IMG_1694.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; 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text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Our defining theme began with the poinsettias she loves and a vibrant red throughout. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I created the wreaths, (two identical wreaths for her double front doors) using new ribbon and green wreaths and silk poinsettias she already owned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyoK597mJgQGJb6J-9T1JpftfkZA-2CWEk5FGaWB6UfX3QHQr3CWAs0pdvoF24-3XFOf95N2I2ZVUHPWpU5O2U1jDvWhcR5FRxXNu9brmR_BdDzKtXY-zl2M6bAyB1miQu_8ksPap4NQ/s1600-h/IMG_1693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290980977110790562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyoK597mJgQGJb6J-9T1JpftfkZA-2CWEk5FGaWB6UfX3QHQr3CWAs0pdvoF24-3XFOf95N2I2ZVUHPWpU5O2U1jDvWhcR5FRxXNu9brmR_BdDzKtXY-zl2M6bAyB1miQu_8ksPap4NQ/s640/IMG_1693.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We added Christmas touches to her entry table. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Also in the entry, we added garland to the top of her curio cabinet.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOswoRvMOLoqSmG-I2sbTC8PDeaBOJJwTwdrBOBl4DCZpPFlEMCB34nRu1IEr5Hne_Xz0ZzFoJjuej3GB9ee0k8RCTIBkR0y_88x6o34zMJhCsBXn3BqUu4_2Fg3ML400dj6bvU1vRp4/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOswoRvMOLoqSmG-I2sbTC8PDeaBOJJwTwdrBOBl4DCZpPFlEMCB34nRu1IEr5Hne_Xz0ZzFoJjuej3GB9ee0k8RCTIBkR0y_88x6o34zMJhCsBXn3BqUu4_2Fg3ML400dj6bvU1vRp4/s640/IMG_1688.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I used green garland on Mattie's grand staircase, with a glittery green wired ribbon and red silk poinsettias. The look was simple and elegant - just like Mattie. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYm6A8EzpuiYocsVJto-OqXxl0nR1w-WEr1HRaJ5uPlMtMDDVnYFjCO3YO9dD0IRmrr2KnypzJ7tCwuZ16-ujnR-R8V9xJ9lb4fVde3Qu_w3_nF44qoBAsW3hYGINtebR_hrcqpWUWS4/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYm6A8EzpuiYocsVJto-OqXxl0nR1w-WEr1HRaJ5uPlMtMDDVnYFjCO3YO9dD0IRmrr2KnypzJ7tCwuZ16-ujnR-R8V9xJ9lb4fVde3Qu_w3_nF44qoBAsW3hYGINtebR_hrcqpWUWS4/s640/IMG_1692.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">The family trimmed the tree in Mattie's favorite blown glass ornaments. We added ribbon and glittery ice twigs for sparkle. <img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290980250458222674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_EEYSp5m6TQOb-bN_WGmUMUEu7iUnOZLjGI_MiBAmDHpVFVgM8UyKIdOReT5OZETnkYfde3doluVp1VOyYjNSWFsErQYRuYOeP95Q9ZkUD4RHk8h7ihm5IDD-i4oBlcv-i4O1TfFl5E/s640/IMG_1691.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We placed the family nativity set in the formal living room and made it the centerpiece and focal point of the room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl1wudMSdHAVtvzxZUDLpBQWjCS4nN8fVBVcvkqtrNPqRrIv6MR8TJkpXwDo0ksUEU4GL3reV15RXfi7InppQbHR3iTOydJtFRT3gdnbxnBx6elwaC-AeO2y2gkP2MhVCcptQHAz2PzA/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl1wudMSdHAVtvzxZUDLpBQWjCS4nN8fVBVcvkqtrNPqRrIv6MR8TJkpXwDo0ksUEU4GL3reV15RXfi7InppQbHR3iTOydJtFRT3gdnbxnBx6elwaC-AeO2y2gkP2MhVCcptQHAz2PzA/s640/IMG_1690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mattie's dining room needed a punch of red on her side table. She had two amaryllis stalks and a pretty urn. Using a 'found' candle wreath, I was able to create a floral arrangement. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Framed Christmas cards and family photos complete the vignette. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzpxSi8aJXy4qP0uJPpzOooGG_WOlfMlCICmKTa1jFt8WneeHU3S4VXv8zDB6FkGf7yGY_bGf5xO-EKc_osTVL-0UA4DwTguajXklnWDPe5kz0lx-zChQFrL5JRP_qxGd3n8gUlU88U4/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzpxSi8aJXy4qP0uJPpzOooGG_WOlfMlCICmKTa1jFt8WneeHU3S4VXv8zDB6FkGf7yGY_bGf5xO-EKc_osTVL-0UA4DwTguajXklnWDPe5kz0lx-zChQFrL5JRP_qxGd3n8gUlU88U4/s640/IMG_1687.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A garland on her chandelier and greens in a lovely italian pottery vase were all that was needed to bring beauty to her table in the formal dining room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290979366190117618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SU2QeyuM5ESevxjwpao-Pm7KgNQw4jI5eewKzoATHpfwBt9xXgR5-zYSVuBMkeqHs5rQFozwAsPVynnUDzLTcl1MKVsaj3JAssX_YnqJzmsJ15fY90YsWwm5xpmPj0clPGYgsepwnhU/s640/IMG_1686.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /> We brightened her cozy kitchen with red placemats and a centerpiece of bright beaded garland and ornaments in apothecary jars. We topped it off with a berry garland on the chandelier. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeauNRvTBaDaJpvKGePGNmDuicjii_sG0Rwjb-AwgjYuRkY7do3KxciiGAFtvN4w3RdKDoN3P2Ybt5jWD2hAw2z1fXqEzivZ7pjdyuGhyphenhyphenyO3NR_FOIBRtx9Z5BCBH8urDPq1FZyYiz7pg/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeauNRvTBaDaJpvKGePGNmDuicjii_sG0Rwjb-AwgjYuRkY7do3KxciiGAFtvN4w3RdKDoN3P2Ybt5jWD2hAw2z1fXqEzivZ7pjdyuGhyphenhyphenyO3NR_FOIBRtx9Z5BCBH8urDPq1FZyYiz7pg/s640/IMG_1685.JPG" width="469" /></a></div>A cluster of nutcrackers is nestled atop an armoire with garland and glittery fabric. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjOdKzVb0W53DMi_0RPK4B2DEU2qS1616m4WDkuypX4mt28PzlxlenS3jbTvU96RYgUlbxWNSZVJ8Nr5V_SOOw31gtt6sx7U_IHCbIwS6Fh-b1WIavftAzfSDyEEC3cLxfagNsaH7uzU/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjOdKzVb0W53DMi_0RPK4B2DEU2qS1616m4WDkuypX4mt28PzlxlenS3jbTvU96RYgUlbxWNSZVJ8Nr5V_SOOw31gtt6sx7U_IHCbIwS6Fh-b1WIavftAzfSDyEEC3cLxfagNsaH7uzU/s640/IMG_1684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The family room's natural focal point was the inviting fireplace. I hung a berry wreath over the mirror and added green garland and lights to the mantle. The centerpiece of the mantle was created with a metal tray and three red candles. We added a touch of the italian with faux sugared fruit on the tray and on the green garland. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB4oZGqPKBXbFphv3iQV0yqNQ9kBBd1dIDkATIs5mwmrU_iqb7-cPh0SsAf6Hs8FWUBNthBJuBjtn-XNjYggSaJNV3xJNtE53NVhxz12PqmI9JpasvxhOX57j7Cgz7ubR_s8Q95XHJnU/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB4oZGqPKBXbFphv3iQV0yqNQ9kBBd1dIDkATIs5mwmrU_iqb7-cPh0SsAf6Hs8FWUBNthBJuBjtn-XNjYggSaJNV3xJNtE53NVhxz12PqmI9JpasvxhOX57j7Cgz7ubR_s8Q95XHJnU/s640/IMG_1682.JPG" width="520" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a few more touches - a framed favorite Christmas card, candle and pop of red floral - are all that is needed to complete the decor. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_proFfUbjSgy2nkQHSqejG9BkL7BaxcuM04o3SvpXd-_gZnPm29KS-x0Xt1qAmIRr4PGeFcMNxPf2Ga3evzx19GtdSV8l6lQXHisHwhm8SzZnHVySInc1h2ARhOZxIobKqoMlfNpowo/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="458" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290978664099121714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_proFfUbjSgy2nkQHSqejG9BkL7BaxcuM04o3SvpXd-_gZnPm29KS-x0Xt1qAmIRr4PGeFcMNxPf2Ga3evzx19GtdSV8l6lQXHisHwhm8SzZnHVySInc1h2ARhOZxIobKqoMlfNpowo/s640/IMG_1683.JPG" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Mattie - we appreciate your hospitality and thank you for participating in our tour.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 2)

Our Hostesses! House #3 - Susan: Susan is a mother to 5 children, now all young adults.  Santa was the theme at Susan's house. Santa he...

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CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 1)

<div style="text-align: center;">Now that our family is finally past colds, flu, and taking my son to college - </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm catching up on our fabulously fun Christmas Hospitality Tour. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We had 9 participating homes  - and a good turn out. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope our tour inspires you and that you enjoy the photos! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">HOUSE #1- Ashley</span></strong>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashley is mom to two little girls and a baby on the way. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is their first house - </div><div style="text-align: center;">a house that Ashley said she chose because she could imagine her family having Christmas there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Just starting out in their new home, her decorations were mostly hand-me-downs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas for Ashley is all about the kids. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just look what we did with a budget of only $150. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The nativity set was a gift that Ashley adds to each year. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We featured it in a prominent spot under her mirror, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">which we adorned with an amazing natural looking wreath. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HfmHvQis6JbulIWIgrgsTWMMq2hMBjIzaCtkII2J5zk6dhgzkfGH4LwvKrUNYQuRWDBrlpTYJWuXYs7laFEYU9uMVkC4zW5-oJ2-1H0Ebr5FyTVEI2JPRD7s4rBNwUxFuzWMfarHyA0/s1600/IMG_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HfmHvQis6JbulIWIgrgsTWMMq2hMBjIzaCtkII2J5zk6dhgzkfGH4LwvKrUNYQuRWDBrlpTYJWuXYs7laFEYU9uMVkC4zW5-oJ2-1H0Ebr5FyTVEI2JPRD7s4rBNwUxFuzWMfarHyA0/s640/IMG_1668.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We bedecked her fresh tree with inexpensive glittered snowflakes and shatterproof (for the kids) ornaments in red and silver. We added a touch of whimsy with a red and white tinsel pompom garland.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgNBEeveWO-cx6UpUxI9QekjqZ13Qh4c1GH_D1cvWpM1L-mb6U8M7MFEazk7hfIQIlcefqHSQWchf1UxgGy1K3tBB-Vl58QI9AyOZqmU2DS7TexXiHVJCMT8kcq15M6psxAUP_lzvoBg/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgNBEeveWO-cx6UpUxI9QekjqZ13Qh4c1GH_D1cvWpM1L-mb6U8M7MFEazk7hfIQIlcefqHSQWchf1UxgGy1K3tBB-Vl58QI9AyOZqmU2DS7TexXiHVJCMT8kcq15M6psxAUP_lzvoBg/s640/IMG_1669.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintBgL2A4NAzRFEmOKcOgD9tibDgSD7cJOSlzqo5V0hM5g1sGN9JB4_pPeLNnw9vKqhG-3eXmq7V5p4ZcAP1Oj7lX6-H7oYEneJYRRcDVDxFnVn0sm16DZOcJEcmnw_s93TVWQBzgzk9I/s1600-h/ashley+tree+closeup.jpg"></a>Ashley picked this vintage suitcase up at a flea market. We felt it deserved a little Christmas cheer. The green fits in naturally and provides an inexpensive centerpiece with the addition of a little greenery and a silver Noel sign.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktjTs0KO-rG4UQPaqunkR2-sgzgKLbzdQslZvsCLbnFeAOfqgtcVw7ObFuslhrMNjlFAfdAJI41x4HAJlgmFk24LpP15F-E0zrTUHMO-Iy4GQIg11mMTOj7rhzsI_NNGGN_YdTVOxyH0/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktjTs0KO-rG4UQPaqunkR2-sgzgKLbzdQslZvsCLbnFeAOfqgtcVw7ObFuslhrMNjlFAfdAJI41x4HAJlgmFk24LpP15F-E0zrTUHMO-Iy4GQIg11mMTOj7rhzsI_NNGGN_YdTVOxyH0/s640/IMG_1670.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Ashley's entry we were met with a large blank wall. We rounded up photo frames that Ashley already owned and arranged them to fill the wall. She quickly chose family photos and had them printed in black and white. Now, everytime she enters her front door or comes down her stairs, her wall says "Family" and makes her smile.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ2b3NJLIo4zFiTjikYBeVjgsLhIxdlxklaia8Pyek9MME9K0IKbRTN_TQ2bviJbc_w3Hqc5fBKpt_pUgrrzzLBkoFC0npy_JI1HfYK66FNdepwT4b2xBQPRzf4Koqzj6s6rK_XMECk/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQ2b3NJLIo4zFiTjikYBeVjgsLhIxdlxklaia8Pyek9MME9K0IKbRTN_TQ2bviJbc_w3Hqc5fBKpt_pUgrrzzLBkoFC0npy_JI1HfYK66FNdepwT4b2xBQPRzf4Koqzj6s6rK_XMECk/s640/IMG_1671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We were confronted with another blank wall over the fireplace, but found an unused mirror in Ashley's garage. We hung it horizontally, added greens, berries and ribbon and completed the mantel with a purchased garland, lights and silvered glass votives. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FFtuvPJiksX2tZxLUxK6X_g9pYuLhjXyu7LZS5ekQxU_TPLXreVruTqaFbPVI-pI8ob2AanD_xTeurXoM0yg_XGF3UoAqpgGkMVYi9AWri3-3jXkLn6bjJrIq_ElLF5_bDK54JFofM/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FFtuvPJiksX2tZxLUxK6X_g9pYuLhjXyu7LZS5ekQxU_TPLXreVruTqaFbPVI-pI8ob2AanD_xTeurXoM0yg_XGF3UoAqpgGkMVYi9AWri3-3jXkLn6bjJrIq_ElLF5_bDK54JFofM/s640/IMG_1672.JPG" width="489" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">   Thanks to Ashley and her family for allowing us to tour her home!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">HOUSE #2 - Ginger </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger is a busy mom of 5. She wanted a new look for her Christmas decor this year. We purchased new ornaments, garland and picks and put some of the decorations she already had to work. I actually did a little redesign as well - moving her furniture around in both the living and family room areas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XKgNAa7r9RJ5-0wKacI_uL5quAem5GIIUSa29TIa6EYjSPgGNbBMlrHwTosmdRp1EmJm2rMBuggk4AmAo00x8K0xAfeCEX2PuJAy-3j9c0tRmXGN-30gTNoP0um7qe0fJx7Hgr_Fvo/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61XKgNAa7r9RJ5-0wKacI_uL5quAem5GIIUSa29TIa6EYjSPgGNbBMlrHwTosmdRp1EmJm2rMBuggk4AmAo00x8K0xAfeCEX2PuJAy-3j9c0tRmXGN-30gTNoP0um7qe0fJx7Hgr_Fvo/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting at her front door, with a big Christmas welcome, we added pillows to two mid century metal lawn chairs. (We found adorable red placemats and Ginger made them into pillows.) Topiaried Christmas trees were decorated with lights, ribbon and handmade wire star ornaments. A natural green wreath was topped with a wreath of shiny red berries to complete the porch area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Doesn't it look welcoming?</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZWSrE7gpeEqToDXhQvQV7frHyRUx6qglURB_9Ajz4UgqpKeQEEb4rdtZg3mIdebhSQT9uUadT0H8B8p05iEu8Al2seBuYdvLj2BQuDtrBhvU6qnl3ZsQOH1QxU1UvgwKxbVLHwFDnJE/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZWSrE7gpeEqToDXhQvQV7frHyRUx6qglURB_9Ajz4UgqpKeQEEb4rdtZg3mIdebhSQT9uUadT0H8B8p05iEu8Al2seBuYdvLj2BQuDtrBhvU6qnl3ZsQOH1QxU1UvgwKxbVLHwFDnJE/s640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="453" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Her formal living room was the perfect spot for the Christmas tree. We used golden sisal ribbon and shatterproof ornaments, along with 900 twinkle lights for the 8 foot tree.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCA21zmW5a-VgbvsBJ_PTr0O-DlDVruvrfR1kMU1xkeouYQNpJfRe-120rIkXy3DU0Q5V0GL5hb_-R1P01urxN0DB6GpnxWmGpgw_eqZJvEPPP1xDdjsVCLVsBge31ByPPOhZTHMo7jQ/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCA21zmW5a-VgbvsBJ_PTr0O-DlDVruvrfR1kMU1xkeouYQNpJfRe-120rIkXy3DU0Q5V0GL5hb_-R1P01urxN0DB6GpnxWmGpgw_eqZJvEPPP1xDdjsVCLVsBge31ByPPOhZTHMo7jQ/s640/IMG_1676.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also added garland and sparkly picks to the bannister and a big red bow.</div><br /><br /><br /><br />   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-hNL3aVAA1sf1AiX2akUbGODXegRPuARAfcwUOn1CxkfAWA2GTecf-iriNDVfntf8dCNa1KWT8ED7lFU3602svvLWHCLTTI0og5IlPdFFWV3o99JR5wRoWmut5kBHut_5Trkalsdrg/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k-hNL3aVAA1sf1AiX2akUbGODXegRPuARAfcwUOn1CxkfAWA2GTecf-iriNDVfntf8dCNa1KWT8ED7lFU3602svvLWHCLTTI0og5IlPdFFWV3o99JR5wRoWmut5kBHut_5Trkalsdrg/s640/IMG_1677.JPG" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her family room's natural focal point is the fireplace - which is charmingly decorated with photos of the kids. We added garland, candlesticks, candles and Christmas stockings. </div><br /><br /><br /><br />  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cl9MW5cwQyMEwP3eXf3s7gkQ_MtXtxcItA0vQeY3CReD6OiRfSV9qqr4iMh1nW1B9pawbapcakuxDzH53dLA6OJSY0eNr1jtCHJfAHGATD0oSml8Zo7WtdmdtNcgOo83auTS5jjvFeU/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cl9MW5cwQyMEwP3eXf3s7gkQ_MtXtxcItA0vQeY3CReD6OiRfSV9qqr4iMh1nW1B9pawbapcakuxDzH53dLA6OJSY0eNr1jtCHJfAHGATD0oSml8Zo7WtdmdtNcgOo83auTS5jjvFeU/s640/IMG_1678.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her table was set with handcrafted napkin rings and freshly baked gingerbread men - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">all made by Ginger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_do-Q9BznEEF9wwJ5sHbAaVvLWpSMqdwWv5U0cvpRTlrTvLVjsSs9Os1hPYzCoHOa6W2AYeKS60iXF2-TYbu3yfTogurwExqbeff7_UIzap5eakAc4IYALoWbJ7WUcCgsfWZm6-WCvM/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_do-Q9BznEEF9wwJ5sHbAaVvLWpSMqdwWv5U0cvpRTlrTvLVjsSs9Os1hPYzCoHOa6W2AYeKS60iXF2-TYbu3yfTogurwExqbeff7_UIzap5eakAc4IYALoWbJ7WUcCgsfWZm6-WCvM/s400/IMG_1679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Ginger's spacious kitchen has amazing display space above the cabinets. We added greens and berries to coils of grapevine and bedecked her chalk board with ribbon and garland.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd891JIlU37PHVTnP-InCpr_KaOPSLDK3eJ2OVQUOrmtPPnlaDovWd0l7sr-nMNbZ7b5wx3MiRBobFMVozFeUC1104WX8L6wMcLrR9lOOx7D_s92dBSXkN4nYWiHw4Pf6w6nTI5KckjY/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd891JIlU37PHVTnP-InCpr_KaOPSLDK3eJ2OVQUOrmtPPnlaDovWd0l7sr-nMNbZ7b5wx3MiRBobFMVozFeUC1104WX8L6wMcLrR9lOOx7D_s92dBSXkN4nYWiHw4Pf6w6nTI5KckjY/s640/IMG_1680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk-PRGZqgbj1KG_lDGMiTWw6uap_Z7lguV6kikRZc3c_mpY1d32pBteF-qa_5PT2h6-rXkmeudUa-CjaUwrjlrkU_Q-k60ufQvSKxt1g03dfTF26rRco-9GeyCsV7pz7fbMqhi-ZRARE/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk-PRGZqgbj1KG_lDGMiTWw6uap_Z7lguV6kikRZc3c_mpY1d32pBteF-qa_5PT2h6-rXkmeudUa-CjaUwrjlrkU_Q-k60ufQvSKxt1g03dfTF26rRco-9GeyCsV7pz7fbMqhi-ZRARE/s640/IMG_1681.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We found adorable gingerbread men and added ribbon to decorate her cabinet doors, and used ribbon to pull back her curtains. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Thanks Ginger, for allowing us to tour your lovely home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UiTCjRj9HkI/SWrAA5zjSKI/AAAAAAAAAnI/5h_GSVGB1rQ/s1600-h/IMG_1672.JPG"></a></div>

CHRISTMAS DECOR: Christmas Hospitality Tour (Part 1)

Now that our family is finally past colds, flu, and taking my son to college - I'm catching up on our fabulously fun Christmas Hospitali...

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FALL DECOR: Fabulous Fall

<div style="text-align: center;">I love the beginning of Fall. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The days are still warm, but the evenings have a little nip in the air </div><div style="text-align: center;">and as the nights get cooler the colors of fall heat up, bringing reds, magentas, golds, </div><div style="text-align: center;">browns and oranges into play. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Fall is excitement! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It is the color of fire, of warmth, of spices. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What a wonderful opportunity to infuse our 'nests' with the glow of seasonal color. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter what colors you have used to decorate your home, </div><div style="text-align: center;">there are fall colors that will coordinate or compliment your color scheme. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Blues become bluer and more beautiful with oranges. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Greens come alive with the compliment of red, burgundy and terracotta. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple loves gold. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You can find a brown to compliment almost any color, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but brown especially makes blues, teal or pink more appealing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a time saving trick: </div><div style="text-align: center;">Put your seasonal green garland on your banister and mantel now (use artificial garland) - </div><div style="text-align: center;">tuck in autumn leaves, berries, pumpkins, sunflowers or fall picks with acorns and mums. </div><div style="text-align: center;">For Halloween, add spiders, crows, skulls and black ribbon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">These elements are simple to remove after the Fall celebrations and replace with </div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas picks and ribbon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll have a head start in the seasonal decorating game! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uTH4MmTfkpzphcTxIXXmX57KUr2iJDjKNeLX1RQncoZUw6jxNH0_Ye50sIx9Ux6CU7GpJ3aoYGbhLcE48FeWPpl3dumcPrVol1JRIJJBOEBgd7FdK1dmLfKgpE7zky0zxMY2v3asB4Q/s1600-h/IMG_2727.JPG" onblur="function onblur()<br />{<br />try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}<br />}"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252448845355603922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uTH4MmTfkpzphcTxIXXmX57KUr2iJDjKNeLX1RQncoZUw6jxNH0_Ye50sIx9Ux6CU7GpJ3aoYGbhLcE48FeWPpl3dumcPrVol1JRIJJBOEBgd7FdK1dmLfKgpE7zky0zxMY2v3asB4Q/s640/IMG_2727.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> You can add Fall color to your decor in the form of toss pillows, place mats, tea towels, and florals - and don't forget the pumpkins! Bring those amazing colors into view on the outside too. Color pots of mums and daisies in vibrant colors and a wreath on the front door with autumn leaves will practically shout 'welcome'. Greet trick or treat patrons with a wreath of black feathers, or skulls and black roses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oS1aFHLBPaNVIGjY6nP99dABTIDG2D1i13VL7OBp6g6paSHjUieQZbz33ErdGzmHECIL-1P8x1g6-vTUvAl1gZl7cMoc3t33bJ3vqO4QTQlMaUtAdsAbwmH5hjYk9EBXvH-PxibjdhQ/s1600-h/IMG_3011.JPG" onblur="function onblur()<br />{<br />try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}<br />}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252442329597409426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oS1aFHLBPaNVIGjY6nP99dABTIDG2D1i13VL7OBp6g6paSHjUieQZbz33ErdGzmHECIL-1P8x1g6-vTUvAl1gZl7cMoc3t33bJ3vqO4QTQlMaUtAdsAbwmH5hjYk9EBXvH-PxibjdhQ/s640/IMG_3011.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="426" /></a>Autumn is full of nostalgic childhood memories: pumpkin pie baking in the oven, the crackling sound of shuffling through fall leaves, and merry laughter while making popcorn balls for Halloween. Halloween night in Southern California seems to be the very first time you feel that promise of a nip in the air. We look forward to that nip - its as close to a seasonal change as we get here. Or maybe its just the first night we are out long enough to notice. I think I'm enjoying Halloween even more as an adult. It is definitely the only time of year that I actually invite spiders into my house and create cobwebs instead of sweeping them away. I'm planning a very spidery entry this year - so I'd better get busy. Halloween is just around the corner! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEKkwo5vu1stfcz8yceGhIgcwQDsf-671HqQp7fRW-gJDkjZe4exifqvd8UyLMnk-NY1rQsnEo6YRKjiSc4puagZyUTKk68bgoEv-mVjfm5ui2JwOyVKE4sME2jq7AHBJWXnUGByaB0Q/s1600-h/IMG_3006.JPG" onblur="function onblur()<br />{<br />try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}<br />}"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252444082708282274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEKkwo5vu1stfcz8yceGhIgcwQDsf-671HqQp7fRW-gJDkjZe4exifqvd8UyLMnk-NY1rQsnEo6YRKjiSc4puagZyUTKk68bgoEv-mVjfm5ui2JwOyVKE4sME2jq7AHBJWXnUGByaB0Q/s640/IMG_3006.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>

FALL DECOR: Fabulous Fall

I love the beginning of Fall. The days are still warm, but the evenings have a little nip in the air and as the nights get cooler the colors...

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