Decorating for Christmas!

Just a few photos of our house all spruced up for Christmas . . .

you can never have TOO MUCH mistletoe!

an armoire full of Christmas cheer ready to greet guests!

I haven't decided yet what to fill the vintage cart with . . . picked that up for $4 at our local thrift store!

our mail-sorter filled with sweets for good girls and boys

I found these "X-mas" printer's blocks at one of my favorite antiques shops . . .

found the little choir boy at our local thrift shop {fitting that we have four sons} . . . he has my husband's birthyear engraved on the bottom . . . an added bonus!

my display case filled with white Christmas-themed lovelies

little porcelain dancing figures with large bottlebrush trees in an abandoned flower pot

my collection of vintage santas and snowmen atop our piano

this is one of my favorites, given to me by my mother . . . he looks like he's ready to hug anyone who comes close! SO CUTE!

our diningroom table this year decked out with a mossy sleigh I purchased at a rummage sale for $1.00 and trees I made from heavy cardstock, fabrics, buttons and trims, our stockings hang on the fence in back

my handmade little 'forest'

my grandmother gave me this santa face. I remember it hanging in her house when I was little . . . it has always been my favorite decoration to set out!

moravian stars, once a gaudy gold, painted white and glittered with mica

Remember this tree made from vintage wire fencing I saw at the Holiday Home Tour this year? It inspired me to make my own . . .

. . . here's my version {it sits on the credenza at the front entrance and looks beautiful all lit up at night!}:

 I filled a large jar with white twinkle lights to put in the middle of the tree, and decorated the tree with the letters j-o-y,  vintage mercury glass ornaments, and a 'welcome december' banner

our tree decorated with vintage C9 lights and assorted homemade ornaments

. . . now that the house is all decorated, I'm looking forward to snuggling up with my boys and a cup of hot cocoa, listening to Christmas music, inviting friends and family over for games and good food, and enjoying the holiday season in all its splendor!

Wishing you all a season full of wonder and joy!

Sweetly, Kate

A Christmas-y Girl's Day Out!

I always look forward to the first weekend in December!

Every year, my mom, sisters and I enjoy the Grand Ledge Holiday Home Tour.

We always make a day of it!

First, we meet up at Sweet Linda's Cafe for a light breakfast.

this year, I started my day with their fruit & yogurt parfait with homemade cherry-almond granola . . . 

 . . . and a frostbite {a wondrously decadent hot chocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle}

Then we head next door to The Lamb's Gate Antiques Shop where I invariably leave with a few finds! This year I bought a handful of letterpress letters to spell 'Xmas', a pair of antique white bloomers, and a bag of old monopoly pieces.

. . . but the MOST fun we have at The Lamb's Gate, is in the upper room, trying on old hats!

mother-in-law, mom and me modeling some real lovelies!

my sister, modeling the 'match head' hat

next, we crossed the street to the Grand Ledge Opera House

to see their santa display . . . 

 . . . trees all decorated for the holidays by local businesses and private citizens . . .

 {absolutely LOVE this one made from vintage wire fencing!!! In fact, I made one of my own this year!} . . . 

. . . and festive tables decorated for the holidays . . .  

We visited five beautifully decorated historic houses this year, but this one was our absolute FAVORITE!!!

We saw this house last year too, and it was WELL worth coming back to see! Peg had her home all decked out with vintage finds and salvaged pieces! She has an amazing eye for style, and we were surprised and delighted to see what she could do with a handful of cast-offs!

 . . . mom, Jenny & me in Peg's DELIGHTFUL upstairs bedroom!

. . . then, it was back to Sweet Linda's for lunch . . . 

mom's veggie croissant with a frostbite to go!

and my heavenly tuscan chicken panini with a raspberry-strawberry french soda

the lovely {and, yes, very sweet!} staff at Sweet Linda's who serve up wondrously delicious food! . . . Linda, Mike, their son, and this lovely gal with wonderfully amazing pink hair! Just like cotton candy! :)

Such a delightful girl's day out! And a wonderful opportunity to start feeling the holiday spirit! Even my sister Jenny, aka 'the glam queen' who despises all things old and vintage, couldn't wait to come this year after having a wonderful time last year!

Wishing you all wondrously delightful family moments this season!

Sweetly, Kate