Touches Of Christmas In The Kitchen

 

Just a few touches of Christmas in the kitchen...the cocoa/coffee/tea area gets a workout daily...

The other side of the counter top range...is where I plugged in my gingerbread tart warmer....a couple of mugs of hot chocolate waiting to be filled!  We've been using hot milk instead of boiling water and it makes hot chocolate so creamy and yummy!  And a few mini marshmallows added on top!

I'm liking having a tart warmer plug in...the scented wax currently is Vanilla Pine and smells amazing!

My tiered tray is full of Christmas goodies....

You can see to the right of the pantry is where I hung my second painted canvas my talented artist cousin painted....

And that about wraps up the kitchen ready for Christmas!  Not too much....just enough to add some cheer!

Fifteen days until the new refrigerator is delivered!  And it won't be a moment too soon...the current freezer is making some pretty strange noises!  We've held off purchasing freezable food items...in the event it stops working completely!  The refrigerator section below is working fine...keeping perishables cold...

We have a wind warning in effect for overnight tonight....our weather has been up and down for the past few weeks.  Biting north winds and cold...to very mild and rainy days.  Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind....or she is menopausal!

Thanks for stopping by today...so appreciate you taking your time to spend with me!  Have an awesome day!!

Christmas In The Family Room

Not overly decorated...just a few touches here and there...I ended up picking up a couple more strands of pom pom garland...and a few dachshund pieces are always much loved...

I love the gnome canvas my cousin painted...she is such a gifted artist...I forgot to share a few more pieces she completed...I'm obsessed with the Grinch!  I've seen a couple of trees fully decorated in Grinch theme!  

As mentioned in one of my previous posts...the mantle is plain.  But the stockings are hung...Liesel is anxiously waiting for Santa Paws to fill hers with goodies...

The "Lowrider" dachshund keeps Liesel entertained!  It moves and dances to the tune "Lowrider'....she hasn't quite got it figured out....and will circle him and bark a time or two!  Mr. Seventies used the crock from the mantle and filled with greenery, birch logs and holly....and it sits on the front step now.

I had forgotten completely about the elf wreath!  I didn't want to hang it outside...the weather might ruin it...and it's lightweight enough the winds could carry it off!  I decided to secure it to my dish cabinet....

We moved this chair over to the opposite side of the room...to accommodate the Christmas tree this year...

I enjoy the pink battery operated tree...it even has a timer!  Love when it comes on...around the same time the Christmas tree timer is set!  Pretty lights everywhere....

And that is all the decor I placed in the family room!  It's simple...and easy.  The holiday season snuck up on us, we're later getting ready this year.  It was so cold & windy on Saturday...we chose to forgo the Santa Claus parade... enjoyed the evening with daughter & family....and home made pizza!  On the evenings when it's mild...we wear our safety vests and walk the neighbourhood with Liesel to take in the Christmas lights!  Best way to enjoy them!

I decided to use my Lazybones jersey quilt & shams in the main bedroom...since I'm unhappy with the quality of the toile comforter after a few short months.  I'll share photos another time of how the bedroom looks with the pink quilt set.  Anthropologie discontinued the set I believe...but I had ordered mine directly from Lazybones in Australia.  I've had this set in white as well...and it is gorgeous....machine washable...although due to its size and weight I prefer to take it out to be laundered....

How are your holiday preparations going?  Be sure and drop over to Between Naps on the Porch...for 

Metamorphosis Monday and A Stroll Thru Life tomorrow for Inspire Me Tuesday!

So This Has Happened

Remember the gorgeous (and very expensive) Shelly Kline toile comforter set I ordered back in March?  Well....this has happened!!

Can you see the two faded areas?  Almost like the fabric has worn through!  That's the only explanation I can think of.  Neither Neiman Marcus or Border Free will do anything to assist.  Apparently, too much time has passed!  

To say I am annoyed, is an understatement!  For the amount of money spent on this set...I expected it to last for years not a few months!

I paid through PayPal...and opened a dispute with them.  But they have a 180 day time limit on purchases so didn't get far...as expected.  I wish I used a credit card...that is about your only recourse when something like this happens.  Lesson learned!!

Oh and Neiman Marcus and Border Free have lost a customer!  (Neiman Marcus uses Border Free for shipping to international buyers).  As soon as I contacted them...then sent me on to Border Free....where I had no response.  Then NM advised too much time has passed...and therefore nothing can be done.  

Be warned!

Moving on, it's been a busy week here!  The tree is up (that has become an all day event....with clean up!). A flocked tree looks beautiful...but it is so messy!!  

I ran out of steam decorating this year...things I had planned to do...just aren't going to get done.  I purchased a beautiful bulb garland for the mantle...and it just didn't work.  So...plain mantle it is.  Hung stockings...and called it a day!  

Might be getting old...might be time to set a ceramic tree out and call it a day?  Even the Christmas Parade we planned to attend tomorrow evening...likely will get rained out!  First year since Covid it's being held...and Ma Nature is going to spoil it!  

Hopefully, after a weekend of R & R...with hot chocolate and marshmallows...we can reset!  

Christmas At The Train Station

This impressive train station is located in my home town....a small village in south western New Brunswick.  Each November, the Restoration Committee holds a four day fundraising Christmas tour of rooms in the station....sponsored by various businesses, groups and individuals. 

The station was a huge part of my life growing up....my father was a train engineer...and I spent quite a bit of time in the main engine.  My mother was a teacher...any extra curricular activities she did with her students, ice skating on the outdoor rink for example...had to be done after classes or in the evenings.  Being younger...I got to spend that time on the train...for a few hours.   And you could literally, kick your suitcase from the station to my child hood home!

A photo of the station...in all it's impressive glory...lit up at night during the tours.....

Enjoy some of the decorations and many rooms beautifully decorated....

A couple of adorable elves...a mother & daughter team....

The antique merry go round was playing...

The dining room in the station...all decked out in its finery!  Can you tell the turkey is actually carved from wood?

And the lunch counter....one of my favourite hang outs as a teen ager!  Served the best hamburger and French fries anywhere!!  You had to get your seat...before the 10:00 p.m. passenger train came in...as the train blocked the station entrances...and you'd have to wait a while to get across...not to mention passengers going in to get a bite to eat as well!

And this is the lunch counter...just as it would have been...when I was growing up.  I even remember my favourite stool!  They still use the counter for Christmas dinner fundraisers....and serve delicious pieces of "Railway Pie" for dessert!

A few more photos of Christmas decor...

Behind the station....is a body of water...where fishing derbys were held when I was quite small...but I remember them!  And how upset I was when my father put a live worm on my hook!  A fisher-person I would never be!!

And in the winter months...skating was allowed...although this was before my time.  I learned to skate on an outdoor rink...which is still operation today!

A couple more adorable displays...

This was just a small glimpse of our tour....it was getting crowded and word was out there were a few bus tours soon to arrive!  

There was an awesome craft fair at a local hall...we took that in as well!  

It was wonderful to stroll down memory lane...and chat with people I hadn't seen in many years.  I don't have cause to visit much anymore....as my family members have all passed away.  We took a quick trip through Rockland Cemetery...where my grand parents & parents were laid to rest.

If you ever have the opportunity to join in on a tour of the train station, learn its history...and discover rooms I didn't even know existed (such as a jail)....it's worth your time.  And during the summer months, Railway Pie is served daily!

If you are interested in reading a bit history about the station....were it is listed on the website of historic places....

https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6476

Thank you for joining me on but a small peek into Christmas At The Station!  We have vowed to make it an annual event!  

Road Trip To The Mainland

We had an amazing few days visiting my extended family on the mainland....the weather was sunny but cold....Liesel was ready for a mini getaway!!  She was an excellent traveller....content to look out the window and watch the world go by...

Pulling up to the tolls for the Confederation Bridge...the winds were gusting about 74 km/hr...so it was pretty windy as we were crossing...

There were a few white caps and rolling waves...very happy the days of taking a ferry and dealing with rough waters is long behind us....

And on the bridge...I counted about fifteen tractor trailers crossing to PEI....moving products to us from all over the world.  The winds weren't strong enough to close the bridge to high sided vehicles...but gusty none the less.  As we began our drive across....before we met a steady stream of traffic...

Our first stop was here...in Moncton.  I had a quick meet up with a friend to hand off some goodies I picked up for her....and she is a lover of all things Home Sense as well.  We spent a bit of time checking out some beautiful decor.  Home Sense is very dog friendly....Liesel and "Grace" browsed along with us...

We stopped for a quick bite of lunch afterwards...in the car...(since Liesel was with us)...and then made our way to St. Andrews...a beautiful, small sea side resort where I have a host of cousins we planned to spend a few days with!

Most live in coastal areas...with incredible views....the bay was so calm this day.  We enjoyed watching ducks and seals swim around...

Our sweet hosts have an amazing home...with high ceilings.  Just look at their 16 ft. Christmas tree!!  Gorgeous!!

And look what I spied on to of the cabinets!!  They know of my passion for grip stand bowls...and teased they'd keep a close eye on them!!

My cousin...is an amazing artist!  Check out a few pieces of her Christmas art work!!

I was instantly smitten...and she insisted on gifting me a piece of my choice!  I agreed under the condition I would accept a gifted piece...and be allowed to purchase a second!

My chosen pieces....are these not beautiful?  I cannot wait to choose where to hang them...

One cousin was curling in a ladies bonspiel...we spent an evening at the local curling club...then taking in a meal of delicious fish & chips at a local pub!  The next day three of us gals attended a variety of craft fairs...my only purchase was a set of string mittens for grand baby.  We had such a great time checking out all the local artisan products, baking and giftware. 

While Ron & Liesel hung out with my cousin's husband...we met my nephew and his wife for lunch...before we heading to my home town to take in Christmas at the Station!  The last number of years (with the exception of a couple during Covid)....the huge train station is decorated inside and out for Christmas...and people from miles around come to take in the tour!  I've been wanting to do the tour for quite a while now...and this year the timing was right!  We plan to make it an annual event!!

This train station was a huge part of my life growing up....located very close to my child hood home...and my father was a train engineer.  He drove freight trains...and many times...I accompanied him in the main engine and rode along!   I have wonderful memories of the trains....and spending many hours at the station. 

We had our photos taken on this bench at the entrance of the station!  I will share photos of the rooms decorated for the holiday season in another post!  We caught the tour at just the right time...as it wasn't too crowded (a few bus tours were arriving as we were leaving).  I also ran into people I hadn't seen in some time and spent a great deal of time catching up!  There was also a town craft fair going on.....we managed to squeeze a visit to that as well.  I purchased a t shirt with a train on it...with the number 784 on it!    Which is not a train number...but rather the first three digits of everyone's phone number in town!   I still remember my child hood number!  The things your remember!!  

Be sure and check us out later today at Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday .

And again on Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!!

Thanks for spending your time with me!  We plan to get our outside decorated and lights up this week! And perhaps our tree up this weekend!

Come Browse With Me

So much beautiful Christmas decor at Home Sense!  After a couple of less than stellar years (for them as well)....stock is over flowing this year!  And shoppers are loving it!  Me included!

So let's take a peek at what is available...I'm loving the navy pieces I'm seeing this year...

Adorable gnomes....everywhere...

Look at the size of this guy!  I saw him shortly after....in a cart heading for checkout!  Some lucky person purchased him...

A couple of garlands...check out these adorable rustic bells!

This Santa hat mantle garland is gorgeous!  And longer than the typical six foot standard...would look amazing on a large mantle...

No visit would be complete without checking out the holiday cushions!  This one is my favourite...if it's still there my next visit....it's coming home with me....I hope to set it on our bed....for a touch of Christmas...

And this one has such a vintage feel to it!  So pretty...

A few great pieces in the dining & glass ware section....lots of Rae Dunn goodies...the gingerbread are my favourite....

Of course a few holiday dachshund mugs to choose from as well....

Crushing hard on this adorable platter...or sweet tray....

Beautiful dinnerware for your holiday table...great selection of plates, bowls and platters...

And this wooden piece....great for holding holiday nuts....or a bowl of ornaments....

I couldn't resist shaking this adorable snow globes...there is a huge selection of them...this one is musical...I didn't think they would appreciate me winding them all up....

And this gingerbread display is so gorgeous!  I had to check it out for a few minutes....jaw dropping...

There was so much more to see....but as I mentioned before in a previous post...it's a bit overwhelming after having such minimal pieces available the past couple of years.  

Remember these pieces from a previous post?  I did end up picking up the stockings...and two hangers...

Even if there are simply for decor pieces....they will look awesome hung on the brick mantle....

Today, I'm on the hunt for a garland to place across the mantle.  And what I'm thinking is not your typical green garland....but something a little more outside the box...stay tuned. 

And the craft fairs are back in full swing!  Daughter and I attended one....she picked up a couple of items. We will take in a couple more in the coming weeks. 

I picked up two sets of clear white outdoor lights for the Japanese Yew tree  (it survived Fiona)...last year we finally tossed the decades old ones...replacement bulbs were almost impossible to find.  These are LED soft white...in sets of 100 bulbs...should be plenty for our tree...

We will wait a couple of weeks before we decorate outside...although we're seeing many homes fully decorated....and a few Christmas trees up inside!

Thanks so much for browsing around with me today!  Be sure and check out Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday.

And check out A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday for Inspire Me Tuesday!!