Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all my family and friends!

I don't know where the time has gone as I had planned on doing this post weeks ago...

It's been a pleasure and a challenge writing this blog and I appreciate everyone that has crossed my path and I look forward to a great 2010!!!

We decided to put the tree on a small table this year and place it in a zink style container. My sister has done this for years and I always think "why don't I do that?" So this year I did.


Here's a close up....

It's hard to tell but we used blue and small pearl lights....

The living room mantle

I mixed fresh and artificial garland together-I love the smell and texture of the fresh garland but the artificial has great sparkle and built in ornaments. The stars are from Wendy Addison for Cannon Falls (now several years old).

Close up showing a vintage post card and one of my favorite things from Goldbug Studios...

This picture is of one of the easiest and yummiest-quick appetizers, great for any last minute party invitation...
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Fresh dates (Trader Joe's has them in the fresh fruit area)
Pecan Halves
Cheese (I used Fontina)
Bacon cut in thirds (just enough to wrap around date and secure with a tooth pick)
Tooth Picks

If your fresh dates have pits remove
Stuff with a bit of cheese and a pecan half
Wrap with a third piece of bacon
Secure with a tooth pick place on rack and cookie sheet pan (with sides)
Cook on 425 for about 12-15 minutes or until crispy to your liking.


Here's the Dining/Kitchen fireplace mantle. We had removed the 1970's mantle many years ago and I've been bugging my husband to make a new one for me this year...so with my lack of patience and knowing how busy my husband has been, I went to Home Depot, picked up some moulding and a piece of pine and whipped this together. It's 10" deep which allows for lots of decorations. There is also an outlet perfect for plugging in lights.

You will see this mantle go through many transformations in 2010.

Some of my Boston statues made there way to the hearth...

The garden-gate firescreen had sat in front of the fireplace for a year or two then one day my husband thought "I bet this will fit in the opening?" and it did!


I hope you enjoyed my first Holiday Dollops of Goodness! Best wishes for your and your family in 2010!!!