My Love Affair with Gingerbread Men

I started collecting Gingerbread Men years ago...I can recall looking for pieces to add to my collection and being so annoyed when I could find not a thing some years...this was in the late 80s and back then, Santas and snowmen were the big boys on the holiday decorating block for the most part...I decorate my dining room in a combination Gingerbread Men and  Gingerbread Houses/Candyland theme...the last several years I've been collecting the Dept 56 Kindles as they blend perfectly with this theme.....Here's a few men in my life I'll share with you today:

Newest look in classy french doors

I love french doors. Who doesn't? It's wonderful to pass a room and be able to peer in without going in or perhaps maybe something lured you to come closer and then you go through the door and you're always glad you did. I'm sure most of us have used the old stand-by, wreath on the door - looks great in any room, but yesterday my sister Gayle and a friend toured in 34 degree weather, the 37th annual Holiday Tour of Homes in our home town. I saw french doors proudly displaying a garland hung in this manner. Simple, but chic, I thought and I came home and promptly changed mine out. I love them. Hope you do too!

New lease on life for old window frames

I was inspired by viewing a recent post by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for a gorgeous winter wonderland scene, using old window panes. Imagine having some already on site; though getting my husband Carl on board to assemble them for holiday presentation was another chore. He did assist and the project turned out pretty good. Originally they were painted white, but some of the paint came off while I was hosing them down. They were pretty gross with spider webs, dust and grime - they had been stored outside for over a year. Well - 2009 thes window panes were put back into use and they sit proudly on my porch to welcome guests. Photo doesn't do it much justice; they shows off better at night; but then the photo would not be as good, so you'll just have to stop by my home in Danville, Virginia to see it in person and perhaps enjoy a cup of hot tea and a slice of my delicious pound cake. Merry Christmas to each of you and thank you for checking out our blog.

Dressing the front door says "Welcome"

I saw this in an old publication from the 80's and thought about doing this project for the front of our house. We're fortunate to have an 8 pitch roof and the entrance looks grand with its greenery and simple wreath with a red bow. Plywood cutouts to form branches were cut and painted green for the left and right sides BOTH of the door. Small pieces were cut out and painted and all sides nailed into the mortar to secure the whole thing. I dismantled four old garlands I'm no longer using and stapled sections to keep the form of the branches. Hope you enjoy this and perhaps if time permits, you can dress up your front door. I love it and it really looks grand at night with our spotlight shining on it.

My Christmas Quilt!!! a work in progress.

The real Christmas spirit

As some of you know, I have four 'children'!

Lauren is 23

Erin is 22

Patrick is 21

and Andrew is almost 20

All four still live at home.

Lucky me!

Anyway, back to the Christmas spirit!

We were talking about what everyone wants for Christmas this year.

I had already decided to give my children $$$ since they enjoy shopping.

But I always put together a stocking for them.

And Andrew said he needed nothing this year.

Strange , because this isn't true!

But what he REALLY wanted was to sponsor a child from Africa.

So, that is his Christmas present.

And you know what??

He has truly given ME the BEST present.............................

After reading Kristen's response (THANK YOU XXXX) I just wanted to add I DID ask the others if THEY would like the same 'present'.

They refused.

Cookie Baking in 10 Minutes or Less...

Be sure and look for these cookie mixes on your grocery store shelves...they are super easy to make and very tasty...all they take is one egg, softened butter and some water...the package suggested dropping by teaspoons but I rolled mine into uniform balls to keep my cookies the same size. I also baked mine the minimum time suggested (8 minutes) because we like softer cookies. They have other flavors too such as Gingerbread. The package makes around 3 dozen and I would give the mixes a big thumb's Up for ease in baking and tasty factor........... I made these to take to my Mom's for a Thanksgiving Treat and everyone loved them.