~2010 Christmas Mantel~

I am linking up with Layla @ the Lettered Cottage for the Holiday Home Linky Party ~ Thank you for viewing my post and for visiting my blog! My theme is silver and gold with a splash of greenery. Using items I had (mercury glass, hurricane, vintage clock, silver star from mexico, and peace blocks that are ancient) and items purchased from the dollar store (silver & gold bells, silver and gold ornaments and all of the accessories to make the wreath), all that was needed to complete the look was the *fire* aka many strings of lights! I had to edit the base of the fireplace for baby Brennan, but as the years go by, that shall change... I am already thinking about next year, changing it up a bit...hmmm burlap, seashells and fresh greenery......

to. die. for.

A purple accented room is my secret wish...someday.

Goes without saying.....

I would take out a 2nd mortgage to buy this rug.

More purple

Photos courtesy of the New York Social Diary/House

Friday. lunch hour. go here http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1904598

There aren't words to describe how much I LOVE this space. If I were to be a city-dweller...this is how I'd like to do it.

Catching up....

Here is a sneak peek of what will be part of my mantle. I was hoping to make a boxwood initial "H" to be the anchor of my Christmas mantle decorations, but time was not on my side. Instead I bought a wreath, lights, ribbon and ornaments and made this (bargains galore, I actually came in $7 under the already meager budget I set for myself~yay me!) I am hoping to post the finished product on Monday and join the Lettered Cottage Holiday Home Linky Party!

I'm stalling...so here is a Home I Love....

I have yet to start my Christmas decorating, projects and posts :-( Too much travel and illness, but we (yes hubby too!) are going all out over the next couple of days to catch up! In the meantime....

"Locustwood", a magnificent Greek Revival Manor House built in 1832 by Charles Hendrickson, a successful Dutch merchant on the central New Jersey coast. Perfectly restored in mint condition, this 12 room historic, south facing estate w/4 bedrooms, 3rd floor playroom, spacious guest house & 2 live-in cabanas overlooking mature trees & inground pool is on 4.66 acres w/6 car garages, workshop, putting green & original barn w/loft. One of the great remaining homes, nominated for National Registry of Historic Places.

An interesting side note, this is the country home of Maury Povich and Connie Chung. Such a serene, classic property for the baby-daddy mediator (insert sarcasm here).

Lost many pictures from Thanksgiving...UGH!!!

I salvaged this pic....

this one too....the "Publix" pilgrims and a Brandy Alexander!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am having trouble downloading my pics, so I did this nifty little survey I saw on another blog..... maybe ?!? pics to follow....

1. What are your plans for the holidays? Do you travel at Thanksgiving? If you celebrate Christmas, do you travel then, too?

We travel to family on the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving, my in-laws for Christmas Eve and home for Christmas Day where I serve a brunch until my husband has to go to work at 1pm :(
2. How do you make the plans for the holiday? If you have a significant other, how do you decide which family to visit?

Due to the nature of my husbands job(law enforcement), he is normally working on Holidays but we live in his jurisdiction (as do my in-laws) so he can stop home to eat for a bit…unless they are very busy….Unfortunately he also cannot accompany us to NC for Thanksgiving, but I am hoping that changes in a few years….it’s my favorite place and time to go!
3. Do you have your Thanksgiving meal at lunch or later in the day?

We have Thanksgiving dinner between 6-7pm. We do appetizers and festive cocktails at around 1pm (to stretch our tummies!). If we ate early we would just hit the leftovers later in the day anyway and the table looks so beautiful at dusk….
4. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

The parade, group food preparation, Brandy Alexanders(our traditional Thanksgiving cocktail in our grandmothers crystal), Great Grandmothers china and of course the FOOD and we rarely deviate from our typical menu….

5. After a big meal do you lounge around or get up and take a walk?

We clean up, relax by the fire, watch tv and get ready for dessert (of which I don’t eat, but I am known to go back for more stuffing!)

6. Do you shop on “Black Friday” or do you avoid it?

I did it once (far from home, would NEVER do it in NJ…too crazy) and that was enough for me….
7. When do you usually finish your Christmas shopping?

A couple days before Christmas, when I run out for last minute stuff.
8. Do you and your significant other exchange gifts? Is there a budget?

We have in the past, but we are limiting it this year to around $20 bucks. Besides, it’s all about the kids now…..

9. When do you decorate for the holidays?

Not soon enough!!!! I am actually late this year thanks to the flu and strep throat…but we should have it done by this weekend.

10. Do you go “all out” with the decor or do you keep it simple?

I used to go all out, I may have to edit myself this year due to a very precocious 1-year old…..

Hello....and goodbye

Jockey's Ridge...largest sand dune on the east coast

The view from our deck

She-crab bisque for black~friday fuel....

Outer banks serentity off-season

The Wright Memioral

Meandering canals through the community...

For a few days anyway! Headed to the Outer Banks for the Thanksgiving Holiday and I can't wait to get there; the drive is half the fun as we pass familiar landmarks. Can't wait for catching up with the family, food preparation, the MEAL, shopping and lunch @ Sam & Omie's on Black Friday, the Wright Memorial and Kitty Hawk Kites @ Jockey's Ridge, the beautiful sunsets (weather permitting) from my familys home. The one downer is that my husband will not be with us, but he will be protecting and serving the people at home and I will prepare him a Thanksgiving feast in a couple of weekends!

My wish is for everyone to have a wonderful holiday and I'll be back next week with pics ;-)

One week from today...

This is where I'll be... Thanksgiving with family on the Outer Banks and it can't come soon enough. It's been a rough few weeks and I need a little OBX to deflate and refresh. Best of all, it will be Brennan's first time to his Mommys favorite place :-)