It Snowed at the Top of my Stairs....

I needed something at the top of my stairs, so decided to create a winter scene. Ms. Mink (Snow-woman) and her new buddy stand at the head of the stairs and welcome you to the game room. I love the little red snow suit on the sled...it reminds me of the movie, "A Christmas Story" with the little brother who could not put his arms down. I remember when that movie first came out and my cousins and I went to see it after Thanksgiving in Oklahoma. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a movie. I know we disrupted the entire theater, but we had so much fun. Every Christmas Eve, my aunt has the TV on the station that shows this movie for 24 hours. We watch it and I still laugh out loud although I have seen it a million or so times. GREAT MOVIE!

The Rest of the Tables....

Here are the rest of the tables we used at the party. We somehow got all 50 party goers seated and fed. I also had to show you guys the wonderful desserts we had! Everyone got to try a few pieces of each. This was just the display...there was a TON more hidden for later. I just can't think of how much sugar was killed in the making of all of this! I particularly liked the butter cream bars....YUM! The food and the company was great.

The Shabbier Side of Christmas at My House...

These are some of the Shabbier Christmas spots in my house. I LOVE the vintage Christmas tree that I had to twist Dorothy's arm to get (The Shabby Y). She had two of them in her booth and neither were for sale. I called her and cried, whined and pleaded until she caved in and sold me one. I have wanted something as you walk into my master bedroom to catch everyone's eye, and thanks to Dorothy, I finally have it. Pictures are from my master bedroom, my office, upstairs game room, guest room and hallway. So a little Christmas Shabby scattered all through the house (a lot of it from Amy @ The Funky Monkey, Felicia @ Bountiful and Dorothy @ The Shabby Y). Much of it intended for the Antique Mall, but you see where it is now!

The Den...

No tables for eating in the Den, but it was a very popular place to hang out. I usually do the mantel in red and silver, but tried something different this year. I did not realize how many tree decorations I had until someone starting walking around the house and counting. I guess I like trees! Who knew? I got the vintage green bird cage by the Christmas tree at the Funky Monkey...isn't it GREAT. Next post, I will show you the awesome vintage shabby tree I got from Dorothy at the Shabby Y....you are going to LOVE IT!

The Party Was a Hit!

What a GREAT NIGHT we had! Great Food...Great Wine and Great Friends! Life does not get much better than that. We had seating for 46 and ran out. So guessing a little over 50 showed up (we had 6 who RSVP'ed and did not show...it really would have been crazy with them). These pictures are of the upstairs game room. Remember when the Beverly Hillbillies ate at the "Billiard Table" and used the pool cues as pot passers??? Well, that is us! We bought some sheets of insulation and put them down in the pool table to make it flat, covered it up, decorated it and sat 14 for dinner. I love the old dishes at this table. They are "Ballerina"...not sure if that is the pattern or brand. I don't think they are designed for Christmas, but have all the right colors and are lovely. I love them with the old Bakelite red handled flatware. I found the goblets boxed up under a table at a junk store. This is the exact pattern my Grandmother had and I love them. The upstairs Christmas tree we affectionately refer to as the "Easter Tree". Several years ago, Nordstrom's had these wonderful trees decorated throughout their store. Mom loved them and mentioned that she wished they would sell the lights. The next year they did, so I bought her several sets. She quickly put them on her tree and decided the colors were not traditional Christmas enough for her and it looked like an Easter tree...so I took them back and have used them since. Gotta go start putting up dishes and stuff. More to come!

Table for 8....

I had to travel this week for work and you can imagine my surprise when I get off the plane in Dallas from Phoenix in my short sleeve shirt and it is 42 degrees! Yikes...it got cold while I was gone. I am putting the last minute touches on the party for this weekend. Here are some pictures of the dining room...where 8 of the 50 guests will eat. Thanks to Lisa and Amy at the Funky Monkey for convincing me to buy this shade of green...who knew I would make a whole table out of it. I bought the dishes at an estate sale with the idea of putting them in the antique mall, but I think they have now found a home. I also got a Christmas Tree for $10 at a going out of business sale and did not have a clue what I was going to do with it. We put it in the corner of the dining room and Mom starting decorating with tea cups and cream & sugar bowls. We ran to Michael's and bought the magnolias and tree topper and I think it looks GREAT! The last picture (beside the red cabinet) is the "Giving Tree". Each year, folks that visit my house get to take an ornament off this tree and take it home with them. I buy ornaments throughout the year and still came up short. I have a bag full that I just ran out and bought that will have to go on the tree before Saturday. Well, gotta go and do some more work! Wish me luck on feeding 50 and I will post pictures of the other 42 place settings later.