new year wishes

Happiest of New Years to all of my wonderful friends. Whether you are partying tonight or staying at home and trying to stay awake until midnight to watch the ball drop, like me, I hope you jump into the new year with open arms. Thank you all so much for being with me this past year. I cherish each and every one of you and I am so grateful that you have come into my life. I see this new year as being one filled with love and understanding. I believe there are great things coming for all of us in 2012.


Please stay safe tonight. I can't wait to start the new year with you. 

 

lovely winter whites

We haven't gotten our first snowfall of the winter, here in central Kentucky yet, but I am looking forward to its arrival. 

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Yesterday, as I was heading out the door for my celebratory birthday lunch, I grabbed my winter white wool coat and starting thinking about how much I love white in the winter. There is nothing more beautiful than a layer of fresh fallen snow outside, and winter whites inside are a wonderful reflection of that beauty. They provide a timeless, warm, yet chic look with their range of shades. 


The other day, someone was telling me how they think tablecloths are so out of fashion. I totally disagree. I love the look of a pretty tablecloth, especially if it is vintage.

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What could be cozier than lounging by the fire with a soft warm throw.

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then slipping on a pair of warm white slippers to ward off the chill 

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and heading off for sweet dreams in a fabulous canopy bed

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when morning comes, even if the world outside isn't white yet, a winter white kitchens certainly beckons for that first cup of tea or coffee.

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Has it snowed where you live yet? We are forecast to have our first snowfall next week. I'm really looking forward to it. 


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Birthday Celebration SALE

Yes, a few years ago (well, more than a few, but who's counting) I sprang forth into this world on December 27th. 

So, while blatantly trying to earn some money while at the same time doing as little work as possible on this joyous occasion, I am putting everything in both ImSoVintage and GossamerMemories on sale now through Wednesday the 28th. Yippee!!  


To receive 20% off any and all purchases you must use Coupon Code BIRTHDAY at checkout.

 

Christmas Greetings

From my vintage home to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with joy, magic, family, and most of all love. 

 

gift wrapping disclosure

I am going to bare my soul and make full disclosure here. (I am going to whisper it, because I don't want anyone else to know). I DON'T LIKE TO WRAP GIFTS! Oops, that seems to have been a very loud whisper. 


I have tried to analyse the reason, but I am not sure what the problem is. I love beautiful and creatively wrapped gifts, I just don't like producing them. As I sit here this morning and look at the last of the gifts I need to wrap, I am having a definitely bah humbug moment. 


So I am going to do a little web surfing to see if I can find some inspiration.


Oh, this is definitely cute.

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I like this idea of combining natural and vintage components.

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Do you like lots of colorful paper and bows?

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or do you like a simpler look?

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I definitely love this look and the idea of placing them in a vintage basket under the tree is appealing.

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Okay, I know. I am really procrastinating and for someone who loves to decorate, you think it would carry over to gift wrapping. I think I will go downstairs, have a nice hearty breakfast, work the crossword and maybe while surrounded by all the beautiful Christmas decor ( which I still don't have good photos of) I will get some inspiration. 


Hope your last few days before Christmas are relaxing ones.

 

baking cookies

Here is another of my favorite of Bing's Christmas songs, although it always makes me a bit teary eyed. Especially true this year since I can't travel because of my cranky knee. It's a good one to listen to while you make the yummy cookies below.

The grandkids appear to be getting in the Christmas spirit. Looks like they are on their best, before Christmas Santa behavior.

or maybe not

Thank you Grammy Debby for sharing these photos.


Now on to the baking of the cookies. This is one of my favorites and if you are looking for a healthy alternative, these seem to be loved by both children and adults. I think I will pull my nifty vintage Cosco stool up to the counter so I can sit and bake a batch. 

Oatmeal Carob Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Beat together shortening, honey, egg, water, and vanilla until creamy. Add combined remaining ingredients; mix well.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 15 minutes.

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Monday shopping on Etsy

Six days until Christmas. Wow, where does the time go? There is still time to get something special on Etsy and have it sent priority mail for Christmas. Be sure and check with each individual seller to see if they will be shipping Priority Mail by December 21st. 


A little music to shop by. Bing Crosby and my all time favorite White Christmas.

So without further adieu, here are today's finds.


This fabulous pillow was hand printed with a vintage textile roller that the artist, Jill Martin, bought from my ImSoVintage shop. Love it.

hand printed linen pillow cover

a lovely recycled wreath

spring wedding wreath

an all purpose tote

packet in spinach green

a fabulous sweater coat

crochet knit sweater coat

a primitive shaker style stool

american fireside stool

a wonderful folk print

the chair fine art print

a fun subway print

white christmas subway art print

May your day be merry and bright.

 

Is Santa groaning?

I love this photo of my two grandchildren, JH and Sid, sitting on Santa's lap. JH who just turned 9 is very tall, almost as big as his mom.

I can only imagine what JH is saying to Santa, but apparently whatever it is, it is causing Sid to hide her face. JH has quite an active imagination and when he gets on a roll it is hard stopping him. He is probably explaining to Santa the logistics of how reindeer fly.


and one smiling photo for the relatives.

Ahhh!!! those wonderful childhood memories. They will last a lifetime.


I'm going to have another leisurely day today. Most of the Christmas preparations are done. I do have one package to wrap up and one last gift to order. But, other than that I am going to try and get some decent photos, read a good mystery, enjoy the tree and have some eggnog.


Hope you have a nice leisurely Sunday. Can't believe Christmas day is just one week away.


 

Santa Baby and a major photo fail

Bah humbug!!! I finally graduated from the wheelchair to a walker and carefully made my way downstairs with my trusty little camera to capture some spectacular Christmas photos. I don't know what happened , but these two were the only ones that were even recognizable.


St. Nicholas in the dining room

The bottom of the kitchen toy tree.

The rest of the photos look like I was on a drunken binge on a swaying ship. Grrrrr!! Here is an example. 

I'm getting seasick just looking at that thing. I guess tomorrow I will try again with all the lights turned off on the trees. 


Santa Baby,
I believe. I really do believe in you.  I desperately need a new camera and I've been a really good girl this year. So hurry down the chimney. 
Love,
Laura

 

recycled junk Christmas trees

A good old fashioned cheery Christmas song to sing along with on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

Being somewhat of a semi-invalid this past week has given me lots of time to surf the web and I found some really sweet Christmas trees that have been upcycled from "junk"  and odds and ends that you already have at home. I love the idea of making a unique tree and spending little or no money. 


old Christmas card trees

from rustic crafts

recycled magazine and junk mail trees

from recycle-eh

odds and ends of old sweaters felted and stacked to make a tree.

from hohum cards

toilet roll tree ( and you thought they just made good horns for the kids)

from happy chatter

This handyman's tree is interesting. Not sure I would want it in my house, but it did take ingenuity and in the interest of fair play I thought I should have one that was created by a man. (maybe this is why women do most of the decorating)

from joe-ks

the step ladder tree. I love this one.

from funky junk interiors

Hope you have a holly jolly kind of day!

  

last minute Christmas shopping

So, I am tired of talking about, looking at, and thinking about my knee. I do so appreciate all of the lovely and supportive comments from everyone yesterday and as an update, my knee actually straightened with minimal pain this morning. Hooray!!! I know I still have to have surgery, but maybe it can wait until after Christmas. That would be nice. 


I missed Monday's shopping post, so I thought I would post a few sweet finds from Etsy today. It's not too late to order for Christmas.


Please click on the price to see the item and the name of the shop to view more lovelies from that seller.

$10

natural birch wood candle holder from urban plus forest

$20

upcycled desktop business card holder from RobertaGrove

$58

gray berry pillow from jennarosehandmade

$35

vintage wool blanket from katybitsandpieces

$7

primitive burlap Christmas tree from sweetreverie

$21

three sweet linen tree ornaments from allthingswhite

Have a wonderful day. I don't know about you, but I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.


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