Why I still 'BELIEVE" in Santa Claus

<div style="text-align: center;">I grew up in a household of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"believers".</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb3aw0x9b_Tc099xZZ_jCaaMozUNZvkfS5K847spKFzNQXtecZ3dIDQU3YElB1GA9uFWHbjksnlTGC-UNq3Jf16EEuoFXPY_A4D1Aqbm7ZbKddv6ClHNWE9T5B-ArR4VeHMhn5Q9am9LP/s1600/6a0134862984b3970c0162fd7c1e24970d-500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb3aw0x9b_Tc099xZZ_jCaaMozUNZvkfS5K847spKFzNQXtecZ3dIDQU3YElB1GA9uFWHbjksnlTGC-UNq3Jf16EEuoFXPY_A4D1Aqbm7ZbKddv6ClHNWE9T5B-ArR4VeHMhn5Q9am9LP/s320/6a0134862984b3970c0162fd7c1e24970d-500wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me and my sibs were fortunate to have eager and well-meaning parents who raised us believing in Santa. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can still recall Santa's gifts to me particularly my most favorite - my "Day and Night Barbie doll"...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gPIjy4G4cj9CFrXdkzVSN_h0C_kOln5I7L3mJxVmA2d6DteR68I9pVK8MTQv5j2woZLAfFQ_PLyLu8NsSvu20dVlXqYZE-BHWjEoWDAAnnmMos-bLAz1ACGjREcqpN_Ir31e059pwZ-k/s1600/SUC50571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gPIjy4G4cj9CFrXdkzVSN_h0C_kOln5I7L3mJxVmA2d6DteR68I9pVK8MTQv5j2woZLAfFQ_PLyLu8NsSvu20dVlXqYZE-BHWjEoWDAAnnmMos-bLAz1ACGjREcqpN_Ir31e059pwZ-k/s400/SUC50571.JPG" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Still have this little beauty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">.....and remember the huge Voltron Robot my brother got!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaXk2vTfj4WLrCIFCIgUqw9B9qa-h2gUErAqDaAX7JinxWLTDsHDIBBqLkfdLLp3juHiWuAs0_BAbrNwIL20kgGeBEj4_ysYcW0mY6WuzR4mu-sEBdY5oFmvDfg65kMUQRMtYeLpOVs6m/s1600/Voltron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaXk2vTfj4WLrCIFCIgUqw9B9qa-h2gUErAqDaAX7JinxWLTDsHDIBBqLkfdLLp3juHiWuAs0_BAbrNwIL20kgGeBEj4_ysYcW0mY6WuzR4mu-sEBdY5oFmvDfg65kMUQRMtYeLpOVs6m/s400/Voltron.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://uatwblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-pt-2.html">This robot brings back memories of Keith - sigh!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Yes, we wrote our letters..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48xZ3irAv11l3enyL1zFM9RyflvqtWhampZ66bi_Htt3K3tL_9c0vZY_ZdTdkjTjXfgWdY9dGlCveuZr5LPz8_mYzasE9o5nr-LQ-IDF2g_ef6mJoetgbagves4IoGinwtgy6axlEPMl/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48xZ3irAv11l3enyL1zFM9RyflvqtWhampZ66bi_Htt3K3tL_9c0vZY_ZdTdkjTjXfgWdY9dGlCveuZr5LPz8_mYzasE9o5nr-LQ-IDF2g_ef6mJoetgbagves4IoGinwtgy6axlEPMl/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">we got our wishes...</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURoF9VVw5QIDc7kDRPBxyUqKndnI66N-X1UisF9SvPKaAwGowccSl82K9_uCQ93d-bQv8F6vrI5FiG_CMBWGRtLJaPzqYaf8bY0s2VgL_OX0I1UXUU2Ry82HF83Ku1f3HFp1zon0arbRT/s1600/434661-Diverse-Christmas-Kids-Opening-Gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURoF9VVw5QIDc7kDRPBxyUqKndnI66N-X1UisF9SvPKaAwGowccSl82K9_uCQ93d-bQv8F6vrI5FiG_CMBWGRtLJaPzqYaf8bY0s2VgL_OX0I1UXUU2Ry82HF83Ku1f3HFp1zon0arbRT/s320/434661-Diverse-Christmas-Kids-Opening-Gifts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clipartof.com/portfolio/bnpdesignstudio/christmas-gift">Happyness</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and we eventually discovered <span style="color: #cc0000;">THE CABINET</span> where "all the magic happens"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN41-5vec5j0OvSDyUE0I6wQNQGgi16tdv94e-xQWxA4sWy3s0sLWQ99HKExtx5gwjbH7kRJ2P6M_FFSJ8LoJ2pYXRlvxCYskSsbZ7DBDX_DK9Enw2D0yMxzc6SZLSx7UoGTSmvyJNGkqQ/s1600/narnia.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN41-5vec5j0OvSDyUE0I6wQNQGgi16tdv94e-xQWxA4sWy3s0sLWQ99HKExtx5gwjbH7kRJ2P6M_FFSJ8LoJ2pYXRlvxCYskSsbZ7DBDX_DK9Enw2D0yMxzc6SZLSx7UoGTSmvyJNGkqQ/s400/narnia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> But despite all the skeptics I've encountered throughout my life, and of course, the "disappointment" I felt when I discovered the "magic Cabinet", I was determined to make my kids believe.. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WHY</b> you ask?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This is WHY...</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkC-cAe8V835v1qsBYPQR2lHDve0v-tewpMFuHqZgosM8F0OHElVn3aDqSLJwVKbgFfxFIRGTWaKLkj5jsQVB2t3uvDrGwXtbGpNHz9E-IXxRpuY4R8WcCHMKCd-zNoQWQ6OZyf3uphrj/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkC-cAe8V835v1qsBYPQR2lHDve0v-tewpMFuHqZgosM8F0OHElVn3aDqSLJwVKbgFfxFIRGTWaKLkj5jsQVB2t3uvDrGwXtbGpNHz9E-IXxRpuY4R8WcCHMKCd-zNoQWQ6OZyf3uphrj/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">"I can't believe it, I can't believe it!"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCK0IlUonK47UKiOO6ofaDobcJwiZlG69DKpmXwp332JsZTTB5Mq715TKMnan2GrhTznyousoJhFYtj2m5FrFeEN4FkeFIHMuy4r7CYwi-_tyQ8ObHRRWlgNJihk_QOSVAolW_9_Ls_lg/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCK0IlUonK47UKiOO6ofaDobcJwiZlG69DKpmXwp332JsZTTB5Mq715TKMnan2GrhTznyousoJhFYtj2m5FrFeEN4FkeFIHMuy4r7CYwi-_tyQ8ObHRRWlgNJihk_QOSVAolW_9_Ls_lg/s640/DSC_0052.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">HAPPY-NESS</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The happiness and genuine delight in discovering something on Christmas morning is just an awesome feeling! Imagine, a big old man in a red suit, took the time and effort to fly half-way across the globe just to bring you presents!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was not about the present at all ( most of the time), it was about the the thought of someone magical giving it to me!!!</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuTVY5ZUnipl6gnIoik5CVsKJ5caZv9j_ApxOp8WNlI23hiHuLGANnhTSKUmpulWJ02pX-geWmjDE53mztdEYNx0JqvCm0TAAolosZM8b9Owxscxb6bbu3DGgQAwfmrxKQUY9cQ83FFEY/s1600/cokelore_santa_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuTVY5ZUnipl6gnIoik5CVsKJ5caZv9j_ApxOp8WNlI23hiHuLGANnhTSKUmpulWJ02pX-geWmjDE53mztdEYNx0JqvCm0TAAolosZM8b9Owxscxb6bbu3DGgQAwfmrxKQUY9cQ83FFEY/s640/cokelore_santa_1951.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/cokelore_santa.html">Just look at him!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I still feel the giddiness I felt when I was little whenever I see my kids face light up on Christmas morning when they see the milk glass emptied, the cookies gone and the presents there- </div><div style="text-align: center;"> that to me is where the real magic is!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">We all believe in something that is beyond what we understand </span></i>- be it GOD, Allah, or the Universe. And though we may not see these beings, we know they are there. And though I do not worship Santa, the magic he brings every Christmas is very special to me, as a "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">believer"</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids have asked me all sorts of question about how things are made possible in one night. Especially my older one, he always wonders about how Santa does "his thing". </div><div style="text-align: center;">And that wonder is what makes him write to Santa year in and year out, challenging him with weird requests (saber tooth tiger skull last year and for this year,  video games not yet released!), so that he may continue believing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you know what, even if he doesn't get his weird requests sometimes,  he is the one who manages to answer the questions for us! Simply Amazing! That is because I can feel, he wants to believe and continue believing in this great man!</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So to all you "Smart ones" out there who <b>still <i>keep on insisting that SANTA IS NOT REAL</i></b>, and who keep trying to convince us believers that "you know better".  Well, I say to you - heckle us all you want,  cajole us into <i>Not believing</i> all you want, but in end, you will not succeed!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SANTA CLAUS</span></b> is not just a person to us,  he is the epitome of the magic and wonder of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Christmas season</span>, and that to me, can NEVER be altered or changed by any smartie!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Also, if you have a little BELIEVER in your home, you might want to check out the </span><br /><a href="http://www.portablenorthpole.com/home?gclid=CJKH4amArrsCFWRk7AodcSkAfw"><b><span style="font-size: large;">PORTABLE NORTH POLE.COM</span></b></a><br /><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScH0iLL4mIFL5gbZVo8Bp4Z0XWgd1GxO5zupqS_3h-ET5REmD2jQb8ueGrn-TA-sjtazMy-IxA_ceSnptGlKG122XFskdv7QZd9R6pXatUYYY3J6U2rhB6273LcBTZWR_gr66rLWNjxk/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScH0iLL4mIFL5gbZVo8Bp4Z0XWgd1GxO5zupqS_3h-ET5REmD2jQb8ueGrn-TA-sjtazMy-IxA_ceSnptGlKG122XFskdv7QZd9R6pXatUYYY3J6U2rhB6273LcBTZWR_gr66rLWNjxk/s1600/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need I say more - the best part is, IT'S FREE!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.portablenorthpole.com/watch/gN4ai3A18AnNYN_lgJz0Mqw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Here is WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">(CLICK HERE)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">, this was for my son from Santa!</span></a></span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">Have a Magical Christmas everyone!! </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">HOHOHOHO!!!</span><br /><br /></div>

Why I still 'BELIEVE" in Santa Claus

I grew up in a household of  "believers". Me and my sibs were fortunate to have eager and well-meaning parents who raised us belie...

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Getting a Cottage Look With Mixed Patterns

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that I'm over my holiday ranting.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's get back to Connie and Chris's third floor guest room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU3TY1nAbwdsAL_fohTi_eLnndaYxNxRSPGqFpgNME_qJYhKDOi1xd56K43ndheRMzgPnt3v0ek7vxAE7KcHqXtgK24FtT-t-u0ozTRnxXFNrf8MlXPRjUoLMAEz7Lf8mI45TvSlT/s1600/P1010013a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU3TY1nAbwdsAL_fohTi_eLnndaYxNxRSPGqFpgNME_qJYhKDOi1xd56K43ndheRMzgPnt3v0ek7vxAE7KcHqXtgK24FtT-t-u0ozTRnxXFNrf8MlXPRjUoLMAEz7Lf8mI45TvSlT/s640/P1010013a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie had found a local craftsman that made the beds for her.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love them, they look like antiques.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to go for a somewhat "Ralph Lauren" look, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and mixed stripes with a floral print.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to remind you what the overall room looked like from</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of posts ago.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduhBUWcpLSWneSA8FuWt0ru_Wf7OCj5xeOAK-PxnNgBLPwlyheNSiHXOmjqLflTa6U0F4gF6S_cKNs5w6wzcjlFPAijWbMXAEeuvJNVBXhpAHN8D8lZJp6qs7xpO7pnt8kQQJ1kXB/s1600/unknown+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduhBUWcpLSWneSA8FuWt0ru_Wf7OCj5xeOAK-PxnNgBLPwlyheNSiHXOmjqLflTa6U0F4gF6S_cKNs5w6wzcjlFPAijWbMXAEeuvJNVBXhpAHN8D8lZJp6qs7xpO7pnt8kQQJ1kXB/s640/unknown+(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought it would be more fun (<i>funner!!!!</i>) for a contrast ruffle, to run the stripes vertically, rather than the way I usually do,  which is to have them run parallel to the pillow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiikoD-DJU5g4wvBr_HWSG0rC55dB0hxC1qYboP1TWZRqFF9W6KoBPZEMHvPskjXarPysAMlsK8wd8JNy4BxokjXUOa36nHgtT2w90aHaqFRI2DTeaIjQOV10U-AF2DvJYEJEKvUzf/s1600/P1010014a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiikoD-DJU5g4wvBr_HWSG0rC55dB0hxC1qYboP1TWZRqFF9W6KoBPZEMHvPskjXarPysAMlsK8wd8JNy4BxokjXUOa36nHgtT2w90aHaqFRI2DTeaIjQOV10U-AF2DvJYEJEKvUzf/s640/P1010014a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this room, I used two different stripes with similar colors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bedskirts and chairs were in one, and the pillow shams and ruffles were in the other.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvlFyVtAf9KIVcqWvVZg9yTPQtyNUXYVrZOEnGMyDtCgpqJjUNd7H1okhWJnEKXpGTnWVYcabsEEBUmfG7CLB_-el4xyuWvGd6Dw_589YQUFWLtXe46EriKHr8rm89-fvaZPpiRuP/s1600/stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvlFyVtAf9KIVcqWvVZg9yTPQtyNUXYVrZOEnGMyDtCgpqJjUNd7H1okhWJnEKXpGTnWVYcabsEEBUmfG7CLB_-el4xyuWvGd6Dw_589YQUFWLtXe46EriKHr8rm89-fvaZPpiRuP/s400/stripes.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found a matching red fabric that I used as the contrast welt on the duvets as well as the button closures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v3WdThwoWHzDvF0THYBKLHCl0_p0qxe6n0_wsupxVGN3zyYI_v9vbVb1_3ClFO-RVmLTJVxa_C7TkYKmVU-Cxk1teMQH7Jgide5PNTCuFodgze1Kh8fzxwHInefFEBGCSLzRHbIH/s1600/P1010014b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v3WdThwoWHzDvF0THYBKLHCl0_p0qxe6n0_wsupxVGN3zyYI_v9vbVb1_3ClFO-RVmLTJVxa_C7TkYKmVU-Cxk1teMQH7Jgide5PNTCuFodgze1Kh8fzxwHInefFEBGCSLzRHbIH/s640/P1010014b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the walls, I hung a bunch of cows.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It just seemed like the right thing to do.......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tucked them all over the room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfFN4oK1jYyFy0GaHUX0RIHVpQ2GCHfWuArmMArfXR6_5LUUu_M8gTZmE7dRzg1bQx4qJJvf1w6IE4C-AWpdcdDf0wtaRdeXabaWm-upPoHmaNRyUlM5BRy0Qm1SEkEz-w7KyOGEH/s1600/P1010012a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfFN4oK1jYyFy0GaHUX0RIHVpQ2GCHfWuArmMArfXR6_5LUUu_M8gTZmE7dRzg1bQx4qJJvf1w6IE4C-AWpdcdDf0wtaRdeXabaWm-upPoHmaNRyUlM5BRy0Qm1SEkEz-w7KyOGEH/s640/P1010012a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were little antique prints that Connie and I found at an antique show.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had them framed in a simple carved wood design.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa38ccSClm5RxewmAZEgG7TXy5-rgIrSCkjg5QeY4wBXxCU_7LEeg-0frHDv0mG3e5i7ElIrKuyCfXHJA9I7yOXrCh-QLs2fJw5kOaNrdXmn1nN4e9NjCVPlL8WrUs4a0kUVnVNUR/s1600/cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa38ccSClm5RxewmAZEgG7TXy5-rgIrSCkjg5QeY4wBXxCU_7LEeg-0frHDv0mG3e5i7ElIrKuyCfXHJA9I7yOXrCh-QLs2fJw5kOaNrdXmn1nN4e9NjCVPlL8WrUs4a0kUVnVNUR/s640/cows.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between the beds I placed an old oil lamp that I had wired and converted into a more modern source of light.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie and I loved the old cruddy paint on the bottom half.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The top part of the lamp was coated inside the glass with old lamp oil that had turned a golden color.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The company that I use to wire my lamps wanted to know it I would like it cleaned out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>No, No, No!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The old oil is what makes it so great!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It goes well with the crummy old table we found for between the beds!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ya gotta love Americana!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg49EQcU7ZGg06opT7rvOrkBzLwSSIhc1ncvb5YjhXJTNzeT4YBIB7FH_BJKl0TQ4b0Czof8rHi51s1OXwjTaG29Uf5FmYkd8eLBjGsC-7RtaJIMIHZazoSJ-OetGzprC7DqDZm2ix/s1600/lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg49EQcU7ZGg06opT7rvOrkBzLwSSIhc1ncvb5YjhXJTNzeT4YBIB7FH_BJKl0TQ4b0Czof8rHi51s1OXwjTaG29Uf5FmYkd8eLBjGsC-7RtaJIMIHZazoSJ-OetGzprC7DqDZm2ix/s640/lamp.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to end the post here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am in the process of sewing 32 pearl and gold buttons on my buddy Kris's new duvet covers that have been custom made for her by </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>MOI!!!!!</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be sharing with the class later this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soooooo.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">go outside and play in the ice and snow just like I've been doing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Not.</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

Getting a Cottage Look With Mixed Patterns

Now that I'm over my holiday ranting..... Let's get back to Connie and Chris's third floor guest room. Connie had found a local ...

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Our Christmas Home tour 2013

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally ready to reveal ALL our Christmas decorations in our home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Prepare for A LOT of pictures.  Let's begin the tour, shall we? :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgFh-n3ws-NWHY0x2-iTISweB7pJ6-yzRuIQvHTQxhsUJNQI19-_gnYWwBfqIQTD4m4vCgXxZ0B0FZSeLthuoJ_F9AY68hASeRW2unR9lETUGs8fHPKpkKG0IcfZbxHRxWVQYMg49lvE/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgFh-n3ws-NWHY0x2-iTISweB7pJ6-yzRuIQvHTQxhsUJNQI19-_gnYWwBfqIQTD4m4vCgXxZ0B0FZSeLthuoJ_F9AY68hASeRW2unR9lETUGs8fHPKpkKG0IcfZbxHRxWVQYMg49lvE/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Tree in the corner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xqZjj4dzozRFAlYYaexK9klI7bJ_dx_nOqdgjKUmdqKK1pDgbZcdyyT2vrzCNbtArYPab95P1PSTrYe_hMNh2dk1fIV080kQMkN2wnBXLC5T6NeR1N9BU8-2FJufqGWQSqTmUEoiEyc/s1600/DSC_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xqZjj4dzozRFAlYYaexK9klI7bJ_dx_nOqdgjKUmdqKK1pDgbZcdyyT2vrzCNbtArYPab95P1PSTrYe_hMNh2dk1fIV080kQMkN2wnBXLC5T6NeR1N9BU8-2FJufqGWQSqTmUEoiEyc/s1600/DSC_0313.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hung Frames with Norman Rockwell pics I got from an old book as art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqAjC8F9Gv8a3P7i2cBFQ1tCt5UhE9n-jw6COWdbkx9l1AdHWriG-Xs9D8UG7tKoRLP-Dm7Ss8Iy7E1J7dTuHyobkmil2WOz4RGxgh3rwqQwQBHhyIsjaemh6XIcjRec_l6IxWoI2qFc/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqAjC8F9Gv8a3P7i2cBFQ1tCt5UhE9n-jw6COWdbkx9l1AdHWriG-Xs9D8UG7tKoRLP-Dm7Ss8Iy7E1J7dTuHyobkmil2WOz4RGxgh3rwqQwQBHhyIsjaemh6XIcjRec_l6IxWoI2qFc/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Simple Console with my Paper Whites<br />The Beaded runner was from Pier 1 clearance last year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWffEcAe3WpUPxlR-a4G49iYMNsrf6IPEfpAPT5-fwerkRoK4QRjqQe1VqG4e2gz-YPVf-gFfGqkAunIZB5o6ROa9NVmZDhQYWrgUpg7BFoij7RBLsWq0gHu_L_TFhQppqgxWi0JTpU0/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWffEcAe3WpUPxlR-a4G49iYMNsrf6IPEfpAPT5-fwerkRoK4QRjqQe1VqG4e2gz-YPVf-gFfGqkAunIZB5o6ROa9NVmZDhQYWrgUpg7BFoij7RBLsWq0gHu_L_TFhQppqgxWi0JTpU0/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Got my large Nutcracker from Target last year.<br />The lighted spheres are from Lakeside collection last year too, just placed them in<br />some of my brass pots. Small nutcracker is from the Dollar store</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u7n1X4HJULz3_6gyCuYoDIk2zQlIqnVaCc7-F0NBTyr3UHPspwLZpdrU5rCB8DIx8leu8KYARE8eoApgqE87N3rWTKzWHA8AtVaCEMIBSjrD4ywj5CCn707zXPEHKuT5T9DJWEgJ1jo/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u7n1X4HJULz3_6gyCuYoDIk2zQlIqnVaCc7-F0NBTyr3UHPspwLZpdrU5rCB8DIx8leu8KYARE8eoApgqE87N3rWTKzWHA8AtVaCEMIBSjrD4ywj5CCn707zXPEHKuT5T9DJWEgJ1jo/s1600/DSC_0356.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Just added green pillows on my sofa and a pair of Gucci throw</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfWwiXEIMshqyctHq5FtQrsD_ZwFQ-urOumrh9jh6VdYWS2TLHIMYVekHFJCR-vtyamAZyRdW-r9Vmzatbd_aE2bhsQs7SqN2GHhpKq3bF4Tw6KcMELec5_70u4r4peDfpsTVGPFje14/s1600/DSC_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfWwiXEIMshqyctHq5FtQrsD_ZwFQ-urOumrh9jh6VdYWS2TLHIMYVekHFJCR-vtyamAZyRdW-r9Vmzatbd_aE2bhsQs7SqN2GHhpKq3bF4Tw6KcMELec5_70u4r4peDfpsTVGPFje14/s1600/DSC_0301.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Simple Coffe table vignettes - brass and pine cones!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEZQlVhL7CiMizh3SJZadQqNYDbW7Vo1o9Sfpcga7_OCN0hE9rXA3cG4gyr-whpha4CvsdSUkw7GQ_E7ihRdyW12OFwQ_vxkEkes_a5vU1iRPrOpiOoT0_WTLd9QdEe03eKsqIrfQQmM/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEZQlVhL7CiMizh3SJZadQqNYDbW7Vo1o9Sfpcga7_OCN0hE9rXA3cG4gyr-whpha4CvsdSUkw7GQ_E7ihRdyW12OFwQ_vxkEkes_a5vU1iRPrOpiOoT0_WTLd9QdEe03eKsqIrfQQmM/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Layered a wool carpet above my jute one. It's our very first carpet purchase ever back  in 2007. It usually resides in my walk in closet but had to bring it out for this year. :-)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZtGw8Cw5vDdxDSnUGl6IIPAStn7IXqaRJm2qAuFFxpdpkKVl0iSzXmNYk1GVRwfhvjn4GILihLmcA7fVmor3k9GxMbAPGaVHvREVeA7tV21qUrX908zx72nivk_6OjreNG6Kq07_6l4/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZtGw8Cw5vDdxDSnUGl6IIPAStn7IXqaRJm2qAuFFxpdpkKVl0iSzXmNYk1GVRwfhvjn4GILihLmcA7fVmor3k9GxMbAPGaVHvREVeA7tV21qUrX908zx72nivk_6OjreNG6Kq07_6l4/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Simple side<br />Beaded gold placemat was from Kohls last year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPA148Ccy3_yDuuwPeAomeovA4W0uoxTo41DDZKltlrTZOnJ4FVgVwHV5Fx-axRLwJm3TOGdoymd2bk1oK2YVcSSc81xMa1l3qZ3a2qPAbDMUQcINONmUW_1rGXfb47554WPzEthwAs0/s1600/DSC_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPA148Ccy3_yDuuwPeAomeovA4W0uoxTo41DDZKltlrTZOnJ4FVgVwHV5Fx-axRLwJm3TOGdoymd2bk1oK2YVcSSc81xMa1l3qZ3a2qPAbDMUQcINONmUW_1rGXfb47554WPzEthwAs0/s1600/DSC_0369.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">View from Above</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHumr6rWrAGrBsX6DhFlY8ggfu4o6VP2aGw4exPYWGAQgIWeeHBuiZv06OZutboxnFVhSYTaLzCbg01qZbmEkuDbHUU8OSlQorrcGdjtkKs4d-qerne-qkwn9Ed0TJ3HK5T_-vSmbEsc/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHumr6rWrAGrBsX6DhFlY8ggfu4o6VP2aGw4exPYWGAQgIWeeHBuiZv06OZutboxnFVhSYTaLzCbg01qZbmEkuDbHUU8OSlQorrcGdjtkKs4d-qerne-qkwn9Ed0TJ3HK5T_-vSmbEsc/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Simple Christmas Mantle - layered mirrors and art</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMzVwLjzk8AHv_ZflxfyhTNGn4PB3sDX3YKrbZVCXdIVsuYx6y8YcjW6SMOerGFu62DzbUz1AeQmfnQjUWetCWBF-dlU4LJ8Wj1GwUddPGexfzDN89muExXJsnJr2QIxg1AYgBe7GhXc/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMzVwLjzk8AHv_ZflxfyhTNGn4PB3sDX3YKrbZVCXdIVsuYx6y8YcjW6SMOerGFu62DzbUz1AeQmfnQjUWetCWBF-dlU4LJ8Wj1GwUddPGexfzDN89muExXJsnJr2QIxg1AYgBe7GhXc/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Trees are from Menards for $6.99 each. Of course you recognize the Dollar store Stocking holders right?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZJ_rDJaXv5ymwSAJU4foRY_EaGlJtlV6K0IDxCKjA3D4A0W_ADjkubSH5vDM72zp6nwVY7ez-FUGxOA4VJPoSlrq3Heu8kSSaaxekRA9aUNQ1pPuvTdrm_nHC-_CL7Pub2cQxcLMBo/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijZJ_rDJaXv5ymwSAJU4foRY_EaGlJtlV6K0IDxCKjA3D4A0W_ADjkubSH5vDM72zp6nwVY7ez-FUGxOA4VJPoSlrq3Heu8kSSaaxekRA9aUNQ1pPuvTdrm_nHC-_CL7Pub2cQxcLMBo/s1600/DSC_0365.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Simple entry too!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr7DLtNewcYBvtLMpvk066SkuYhedfE7u67st2jptbqxFJTEQSO_yNkfCtSw1YjEfM0fbHuW1c4KCjNAsKSvv6syKil25Po5D_BpetUAfbkCEdc4R7qWIvUOWl6CIQ1A_mwT8GxGmWKU/s1600/DSC_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr7DLtNewcYBvtLMpvk066SkuYhedfE7u67st2jptbqxFJTEQSO_yNkfCtSw1YjEfM0fbHuW1c4KCjNAsKSvv6syKil25Po5D_BpetUAfbkCEdc4R7qWIvUOWl6CIQ1A_mwT8GxGmWKU/s1600/DSC_0366.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Taffy and Candy Canes for guests in a Santa bowl I got as<br />a gift from a friend last year</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CXWQkJCt7yVPJr9mUvHrzorFcu7cuI_aWhulLMUb_mHEJDk-vc5kmto7yAIKjGFRlNpggobDz67g-Ufuok3bk_5WJe4L-ObVF_7X29DG5JAHkrOCFBOPuI1mS0W5BeIUcY9BkSUnVJM/s1600/DSC_0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CXWQkJCt7yVPJr9mUvHrzorFcu7cuI_aWhulLMUb_mHEJDk-vc5kmto7yAIKjGFRlNpggobDz67g-Ufuok3bk_5WJe4L-ObVF_7X29DG5JAHkrOCFBOPuI1mS0W5BeIUcY9BkSUnVJM/s1600/DSC_0367.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My favorite truffle boxes from Crate & Barrel 6 years ago,<br />holds our keys this holiday</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's take a quick peek outside...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElwrwxCWYStLECedLo3MOKAEpFz-ohEGBzdg6YtoQsC5I1_xCsGOHbVhSI5O5ke0ts2Xai7p1zOhDv7sTunRdG5wVTNoDqouUSq6UgrwW-Vrm8qzw5MQi0bhmxVF2kcZtcPUmo1ontKA/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElwrwxCWYStLECedLo3MOKAEpFz-ohEGBzdg6YtoQsC5I1_xCsGOHbVhSI5O5ke0ts2Xai7p1zOhDv7sTunRdG5wVTNoDqouUSq6UgrwW-Vrm8qzw5MQi0bhmxVF2kcZtcPUmo1ontKA/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Yup, I LOVE LIGHTS! Wish I could put up more</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKmvIwZAvV2Q1aqBV5N-Gj1RtAGrccH-bVuoEUkZeXt4OhjKny6J3a-aOO6XxRGAkd3mPmIagW8ZlHOHreLZqGkaAHsx1AX2kxBAsOEiN_nVfEx-9_IymTJ-K4eXh8H9WbjDl5nW47LM/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKmvIwZAvV2Q1aqBV5N-Gj1RtAGrccH-bVuoEUkZeXt4OhjKny6J3a-aOO6XxRGAkd3mPmIagW8ZlHOHreLZqGkaAHsx1AX2kxBAsOEiN_nVfEx-9_IymTJ-K4eXh8H9WbjDl5nW47LM/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y2QvQqcynW7mshue7hyPR1K1Oysn2h-s1VTe_uA8HkA4swYsxOzuZ7p49iadE3D9x_sXu_LsmHh8qApOmi4u4m44306dDWxmnyEUZAzd2qBog8pPzMdFe1K-WrGtQ4zngfQm5mGAOTs/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y2QvQqcynW7mshue7hyPR1K1Oysn2h-s1VTe_uA8HkA4swYsxOzuZ7p49iadE3D9x_sXu_LsmHh8qApOmi4u4m44306dDWxmnyEUZAzd2qBog8pPzMdFe1K-WrGtQ4zngfQm5mGAOTs/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">very simple doorway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course you've already seen my<b><i> <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-gold-green-christmas-tree-for-2013.html">Christmas Tree here...</a></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u-BDJc8Y16JwGQnYiubRGNdCHatOkoQ4mfxa18b8N8DUXC3WGeoio2si4kdlsjeArfLx1sf5LtmpvrDtPlB43SPe_wg_cAQsLi0yXdqTmXOxPXU3uwiooyVDGV0xtIyxBD0OB5Sc-mQ/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u-BDJc8Y16JwGQnYiubRGNdCHatOkoQ4mfxa18b8N8DUXC3WGeoio2si4kdlsjeArfLx1sf5LtmpvrDtPlB43SPe_wg_cAQsLi0yXdqTmXOxPXU3uwiooyVDGV0xtIyxBD0OB5Sc-mQ/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-gold-green-christmas-tree-for-2013.html">Gold & Green Christmas Tree</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... and our <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-dining-room-and-thanksgiving.html"><b><i>Dining Room here</i></b>...</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHggK87uR37aVtfIW2u8k4BZvajMlU3krhXtDSAqmH_fLo7kGNc3mUnn5_HYsPc5FEYCmepCdOlX7LIdfF9zYgzIkRqquZtaGCL_Imo8BxSDHJN7iN9CErcjAIe7__8qcKMFd5W-8WPzI/s1600/DSC_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHggK87uR37aVtfIW2u8k4BZvajMlU3krhXtDSAqmH_fLo7kGNc3mUnn5_HYsPc5FEYCmepCdOlX7LIdfF9zYgzIkRqquZtaGCL_Imo8BxSDHJN7iN9CErcjAIe7__8qcKMFd5W-8WPzI/s640/DSC_0382.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">... and even our <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-touches-in-kitchen.html"><b><i>Kitchen</i></b>!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-68Lxpk_gErNre791sreuOq_xE6A2jl2as2WDp1NBEstHoa-4BcgSQFjoG10zC-ZUFFLQyygXU_GHeyZD1ZhbbY3V0L4mLfTDA0DdJZ7Sp0cUuu1_kySWts9NHwWCWNlltwO2l_EJuo/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-68Lxpk_gErNre791sreuOq_xE6A2jl2as2WDp1NBEstHoa-4BcgSQFjoG10zC-ZUFFLQyygXU_GHeyZD1ZhbbY3V0L4mLfTDA0DdJZ7Sp0cUuu1_kySWts9NHwWCWNlltwO2l_EJuo/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/11/christmas-touches-in-kitchen.html">Christmas touches in our Kitchen</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I don't do bedrooms... yet. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Only thing in my little ones bedroom is a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I bet, as I add on to my Christmas decorations those rooms will eventually not be 'spared' from all these!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Hope you enjoyed the Christmas tour!<br /><br />By the way, My son's TWEEN Bedroom was featured in <a href="http://www.betterafter.net/2013/12/zoning-in-a-tween-boy-bedroom-makeover.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetterAfter+%28Better+After%29">Better After today! Check it out too if you have the time!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Have a Wonderful Week!</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">VEL</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />As Featured in...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><center><a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Rooted In Thyme" src="http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg570/rootedinthyme/sweet-and-simplefeatured.jpg" /></a></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpub3imgyweaescPPfKPNLXVypN2ARj9-t4SilY8rhQnf-ZrZXBWHwjVPOMw-2Cqdg5Baas3IlumKgeNXWnY1ncBFUDMTvxUOuMwOABWQDB6ZvAM_kJh8pYUrGsNrPD-tx6ClLx-IeEOc/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-17+at+12.35.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpub3imgyweaescPPfKPNLXVypN2ARj9-t4SilY8rhQnf-ZrZXBWHwjVPOMw-2Cqdg5Baas3IlumKgeNXWnY1ncBFUDMTvxUOuMwOABWQDB6ZvAM_kJh8pYUrGsNrPD-tx6ClLx-IeEOc/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-17+at+12.35.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://designaddictmom.blogspot.com/2013/12/blogger-style-deck-halls-part-2.html">CHECK IT OUT HERE</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...<br /><br />Linking Back to...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/12/amaze-me-monday-37.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Dwellings-The heart of your home</a>, <a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/12/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_13.html">Serenity Now</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2013/12/party-time-at-bouquet-of-talent-linky.html">hLife on Lakeshore drive</a>, <a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/12/show-tell-saturday-121413.html">Be Different Act Normal</a>, <a href="http://www.vmg206.com/2013/12/diy-sunday-showcase-and-features_14.html">VMG 206</a>, <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/12/sunday-showcase-party-225.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming)">Under the table and Dreaming</a>, <a href="http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-42.html">Homecoming</a>, <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-christmas-home-tour-2013.html">Linda's Coastal Charm</a>, <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/195th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-80.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheDedicatedHouse%20(The%20Dedicated%20House)">the Dedicated House</a>, <a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-163/#comment-22587">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a>, <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/12/tweak-it-tuesday-69.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/KxqG%20(COZY%20LITTLE%20HOUSE)">Cozy Little House</a>, The Style Sisters, <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/12/wow-us-wednesdays-149.html">Savvy Southern Style</a>, <a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/12/wow-me-wednesday-134.html">Gingersnap Crafts</a>, <a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2013/12/made-by-me-108-linky-party-and-features.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20JAQSStudio%20(JAQS%20Studio)">JAQS Studio</a>, <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-party-2013.html">Thrifty Decor Chick</a>,<a href="http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/98-party-time/">The DIY dreamer</a>, <a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/12/treasure-hunt-thursday-137-highlights.html">From my Front Porch to yours</a>, <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/12/open-house-blog-party_18.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20NoMinimalistHere%20(No%20Minimalist%20Here)">No Minimalist Here</a>, <a href="http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-memories-and-simple-sweet.html">Rooted in Thyme</a>, <a href="http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/12/friday-link-party-47.html">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/12/fabulousy-creative-friday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JenniferRizzo+%28Jennifer+Rizzo%29">Jennifer Rizzo</a>, <a href="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-tour-recap-and.html">Evolution of Style</a></div>

Our Christmas Home tour 2013

Finally ready to reveal ALL our Christmas decorations in our home! Prepare for A LOT of pictures.  Let's begin the tour, shall we? :-) T...

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WHY I HATE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Welcome to my 2nd annual rant about the holiday season.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Being Jewish is not fun at this time of year.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cohesivethesis.blogspot.com/2011/02/harry-potter-and-unaddressed-plotholes.html"><img height="351" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS5RuPhtJSe34iKpvyE2nS8_8kQ27rcG_1hG_84SX8YMPIVNXOHBA" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All my Christian friends are distracted and unavailable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They're out doing things like going on field trips to tree farms to find the perfect Christmas tree.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mcgeechristmastreefarm.com/"><img height="265" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjym8xjgxdxrfUolsUm8BKUk8rcaHE5UhwcdEA1UxLH0Lw9WEN" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ones that have young children are too busy moving that @#$ elf around to have any time to play.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.babyrabies.com/2011/11/5-highly-inappropriate-traumatizing-elf-on-a-shelf-ideas/"><img src="http://www.babyrabies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_0548.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sooooo.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty much left on my own.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Then</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to add salt to the wounds, all the good stuff on TV is postponed for those sickly sweet Christmas shows and movies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really don't care if Clarence gets his wings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I really, really don't.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="File:Guardian angel clarence.jpg" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Guardian_angel_clarence.jpg" width="314" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides, <b>everyone </b>knows that Donna Reed isn't married to James Stewart.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img height="248" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQGCj99Uz9tzetF0IZ-ML4ZdlpUyLE4bVaiThgwJ7gP0geRyhYN" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She's married to a pediatrician named Alex!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTYzMTEyODIyNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNDU2OTM2._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Then</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">every where I go is Christmas music.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same songs over and over....<span style="font-size: large;">Every Damn Year!!!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/06/conflict-management/"><img height="478" src="http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/angry-woman-733632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so sick of the sound of Bing Crosby's voice I can't even begin to describe how it sets my teeth on edge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I DON'T want to have myself a merry little Christmas now,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> or anytime in the future!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, my all time biggest irritant is when someone asks me what I'm doing for Christmas, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I answer them sweetly.... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">telling them I have no plans.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then they make a big deal about how sad that is.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so I explain that I don't celebrate Christmas because I'm Jewish.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and they say.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"But Christmas is a holiday for <b>everybody!!!!!</b>"</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>No it isn't!!!!!</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It celebrates the birth of the Christian's Savior.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not a holiday for everyone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's for Christians!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED CHRISTMAS!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If they still don't get it, I ask them what they're doing for Passover.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say that they have no plans.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tell them that that's so sad....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I could go on, and on, but I'm sure you get my point by now.....</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my best friends, whose identity will remain anonym</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ous</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">get's upset about Jews who have taken on the Christmas holiday's customs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a very special holy day for her, and she feels it's being trivialized.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I agree.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not a national holiday but a major religious one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not about the decorating, the presents, the food....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALTHOUGH THAT IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO HONOR THE DAY.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it is a religious holiday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please, leave my Jewish @$$ out of it, I don't need any more food shoved at me when it's cold.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not getting enough exercise as it is, and soon the chairs won't be big enough to hold my Jewish @$$.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that lovely note,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

WHY I HATE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!!

Welcome to my 2nd annual rant about the holiday season. Being Jewish is not fun at this time of year. All my Christian friends are distracte...

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Our Christmas Trees thru the years

<div style="text-align: center;">I've actually been blogging for more than 2 years now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But only recently have my blog truly blossomed because of such wonderful blogger friends like you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So to celebrate this wonderful season, let me share you my the Christmas Trees of my past and how my style has evolved  and somewhat, remained the same, thru the years!<br /><br />Let's start, shall we?!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2Y1xeKdViHj1qn5oB-Cwp6RKBsqYneGKaF2VxJedaDhuQz3bVvZRBHQtwqbgTqgPVBkyUGXVGdlTGR1ClLldmYfuPF2Nif3adSXbiXf9BbzvMqaYIGmc0x03k5h5usyxBCPcqye8628/s1600/xmas+2006+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2Y1xeKdViHj1qn5oB-Cwp6RKBsqYneGKaF2VxJedaDhuQz3bVvZRBHQtwqbgTqgPVBkyUGXVGdlTGR1ClLldmYfuPF2Nif3adSXbiXf9BbzvMqaYIGmc0x03k5h5usyxBCPcqye8628/s1600/xmas+2006+054.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br />This was our second tree actually, our first, which is still around, is a small 3 foot tree. <br />Both from Walmart, both, I probably will never part with.<br /><br />As you can see, this tree is decorated with Dollar Store snowflakes in different sizes, icicles and lots of tinsel!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv8OTdFIot8Dd4gJ_7j0zfOQibKAlry4is5E5UjIBnRxwVF_JZqQSjM9ME1z-8848NV3fPEE6_ylA2UjrhDvCQ7ppAwiDLK2E436aYXCBnXX9NspvDE-cDT9DrzBdqANeQ-aknf-Dfys/s1600/navyp1112+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv8OTdFIot8Dd4gJ_7j0zfOQibKAlry4is5E5UjIBnRxwVF_JZqQSjM9ME1z-8848NV3fPEE6_ylA2UjrhDvCQ7ppAwiDLK2E436aYXCBnXX9NspvDE-cDT9DrzBdqANeQ-aknf-Dfys/s1600/navyp1112+034.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />In 2007, I added the red & white glass balls for the tree.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqZsmzKvyQBuNEe3c2yvil_l3061RNO3EZ2hFopTHfkkWRubmQOH9ITTspU_LgkIykHLRAX4MFWMcIywOVctPUPiuOZzvZdhSlrrDHU9rwGz00r0Ft0VQdxrWlToownzk8RAjwGBnvmo/s1600/xmas+house08+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqZsmzKvyQBuNEe3c2yvil_l3061RNO3EZ2hFopTHfkkWRubmQOH9ITTspU_LgkIykHLRAX4MFWMcIywOVctPUPiuOZzvZdhSlrrDHU9rwGz00r0Ft0VQdxrWlToownzk8RAjwGBnvmo/s1600/xmas+house08+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In 2008, garlands I got on clearance from Crate & Barrel the year before was added along with some Red Glitter snowflakes from Target I also got in 2007!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6nCe1HvP3x7Hj4_BVMDkG7IoegcY1YaQgOlGlNVBk0p78J8mT9fNwMDOD8zeVPtjr7Q7e9uf6gCg6SkFO5SSicmayH-MLYsp1sHGG4eHM96pHZfjpio3ibU1bQckVHyQSYgp3hSazH4/s1600/xmas09+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6nCe1HvP3x7Hj4_BVMDkG7IoegcY1YaQgOlGlNVBk0p78J8mT9fNwMDOD8zeVPtjr7Q7e9uf6gCg6SkFO5SSicmayH-MLYsp1sHGG4eHM96pHZfjpio3ibU1bQckVHyQSYgp3hSazH4/s1600/xmas09+014.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br />2009 came the Dollar Store gold glittered reindeers I still use today!<br />I also added lots of left-over mardi gras beads and candy canes also from the Dollar Store.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsm6z27k5jZwOPkjCdfOuuVgODTWSZ0mnpQtpTgPA6E-GPjutjDrGSU8zIWaU3LNgGeHPrCWE_jLiEfMGvjFhBafUrJtIYYTG_LisYoIF9AQ5OI2ezAFEzk7_Lh4PYYhYpK2F4ppxJcY/s1600/DSC_0080-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsm6z27k5jZwOPkjCdfOuuVgODTWSZ0mnpQtpTgPA6E-GPjutjDrGSU8zIWaU3LNgGeHPrCWE_jLiEfMGvjFhBafUrJtIYYTG_LisYoIF9AQ5OI2ezAFEzk7_Lh4PYYhYpK2F4ppxJcY/s1600/DSC_0080-001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />In 2010, we moved to Carbondale Illinois where we rented this nice home and spent also a wonderful Christmas there. Here was our tree,  with all the ornaments you saw the past 3 years plus some additional giant Snowflakes I scored from Macy's the year before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPjK5BZtmZ7BGmhT61jZTmmvwKsvKiCKqCqJ1Kh_CErG9UR17lzTk51tG2ZPRbcnV00EZ_aOGLcGNzewwPGCc2cIHsw3nJ6pKI7R5eEYJQp5MSzSuUPfV0PAsxhxg-QVwq5cqDJEfwTY/s1600/DSC_0017-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPjK5BZtmZ7BGmhT61jZTmmvwKsvKiCKqCqJ1Kh_CErG9UR17lzTk51tG2ZPRbcnV00EZ_aOGLcGNzewwPGCc2cIHsw3nJ6pKI7R5eEYJQp5MSzSuUPfV0PAsxhxg-QVwq5cqDJEfwTY/s1600/DSC_0017-001.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br />2011 marked the year of ribbons and mesh!<br />I did not bring out all ornaments but instead brought out all the blue, red and silver ornaments I bought the year before from Walmart.<br />This Patriotic colored tree was also the <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-christmas-tree-2011.html"><b><i>first one I shared on my blog</i></b></a>  & the first one with a topper!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimZmWFzl5BjRML00EK1keW_YPxyebEHJDkO8Tdo4rPja7t2OGWoJF-DEf26eE6FvLYuMFvFKZdBHzdu-Q_2ONkE6VxONFKWp8iNxz0UNR2Bf79u4KG7viQXP_MEB6LySA-MY83ADe0gk/s1600/DSC_0065-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimZmWFzl5BjRML00EK1keW_YPxyebEHJDkO8Tdo4rPja7t2OGWoJF-DEf26eE6FvLYuMFvFKZdBHzdu-Q_2ONkE6VxONFKWp8iNxz0UNR2Bf79u4KG7viQXP_MEB6LySA-MY83ADe0gk/s1600/DSC_0065-001.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year, I <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-golden-christmas-tree-2012.html"><b><i>showed you my Golden Christmas tree</i></b></a> with all the Capiz ornaments I got from our visit to the Philippines as well as natural fiber mesh.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGoLB1OjOgPFUap7-SB0Zuoj5ANQ50HTdKUNLJ8s0uOTYsPJwdK10pJvgGbNHb4wrsqWwR5hrKQ7qpzgmMh5LrEcSL-ZTfBudz-D3LNIpjN5qFF4UyvmFjHkCA5q9Q78rXt0YVBPWWCU/s1600/DSC_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGoLB1OjOgPFUap7-SB0Zuoj5ANQ50HTdKUNLJ8s0uOTYsPJwdK10pJvgGbNHb4wrsqWwR5hrKQ7qpzgmMh5LrEcSL-ZTfBudz-D3LNIpjN5qFF4UyvmFjHkCA5q9Q78rXt0YVBPWWCU/s1600/DSC_0327.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />And of course, <i><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-gold-green-christmas-tree-for-2013.html"><b>you already know how this one came about</b></a>.</i><br /><i><br /></i>It's so nice to look back at where I started with everything.<br />Nothing much has changed really, I'm still a bargain shopper , still using the same tree as before and my 2 favorite stores for Christmas decoration shopping are still my faves, I just added a few other stores where I make my rounds at when I can!<br /><br />I must say I don't have a favorite among these because truly, <span style="color: #cc0000;">I LOVE THEM ALL</span>.<br />Poured my heart out into decorating each one and I am<b><i> proud of them all</i></b>, <b>as should everyone who decorates their tree for or with their family!</b><br /><br /><b><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!!</span></i></b><br /><br /><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>*VEL* </i></b></span><br /><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"> Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Linking back to...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2013/12/holiday-decor-link-party.html">Exquisitely Unremarkable</a>, <a href="http://www.fidlersunderoneroof.com/2013/12/fidlin-fridays_13.html">Fidlers under one roof</a>, <a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/anything-blue-friday-week-37.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheDedicatedHouse%20(The%20Dedicated%20House)">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-extravaganza-link-blog-hop.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">French Country Cottage</a>, </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/12/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up_13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SerenityNow-aMommysSolutionToStayingSane%20(Serenity%20Now-A%20Mommy's%20Solution%20to%20Staying%20Sane)">Serenity Now</a>, <a href="http://thehappyhousie.com/?p=6619">The Happy Housie</a>, <a href="http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/12/friday-link-party-46.html">the Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/12/sunday-show-off-linky-party_14.html">Twigg Studios</a>, <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-party-2013.html">Thrifty Decor Chick</a>, <a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/12/treasure-hunt-thursday-137-highlights.html?showComment=1387404127963">From My front porch to yours</a>, <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/12/open-house-blog-party_18.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20NoMinimalistHere%20(No%20Minimalist%20Here)">No minimalist Here</a></span></div></div></div>

Our Christmas Trees thru the years

I've actually been blogging for more than 2 years now. But only recently have my blog truly blossomed because of such wonderful blogger ...

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