Only 2 Weeks Later

I spent half of Christmas in Houston with my family, and half with Philip's.

The best part is always seeing everyone's faces when they open their gifts. My mom always makes it a point to give us pajamas on Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve Eve in this case). It's hard to tell in this picture, but I am holding up Princess Kate replica earrings. I even had time to learn how to use my mom's super big, super new embroidery machine, and finally monogram my hemstitch dinner napkins that was a wedding gift from a year and a half ago!!

Back at home, we had an eventful Christmas morning that was 18million times better than our first (a story for another time). My mom gave Massey a tiny frog toy without any stuffing in it, and he is obsessed with trying to make it squeak.

We got Houston Lottery scratch offs as stocking stuffers, and we won $16! So fun!

We spent the rest of the day at Philip's parents' house, and had a great time eating too much food and visiting family.

Be Merry!

For the Love of Photo Cards

So this year I made a spot on my pantry door to display all of my darling Christmas photo cards. I adore receiving these cards, and I especially enjoy getting new ideas for future cards. One ribbon was not enough, so today I added a second.

I love the artsy and sweet variety,

the ones featuring the newborns or grandchildren,

and also the soon-to-be newly weds!

We didn't start sending cards until we were married, and our first card is still my favorite.

Last year's was sweet and charming.

This year's was pretty silly, and one little girl even commented that she couldn't believe we had a pet dolphin!!

Next year I'll be more prepared, thanks to Pinterest.

Where do you get your Christmas card inspiration?

It's Christmastime in the City

Ah, the rush of December is upon us.  So much to finish, and never enough time.  Luckily, there is another week before the Big Day is here.  Alas, I could not find my baby tree Thanksgiving weekend, so I chose not to put one up.  Sad day.  As the last two weeks have passed, I have contemplated buying another tree (then I would have two), buying a real tree (going to die), or stick with making this the only year I will ever not decorate for Christmas.  In honor of my love of decorating with my muslin, burlap, olive velvet and toile, I am posting last year's decor.

My dining room before decorations.

After (if I were decorating): The mantle, which would be just lovely with the oil painting we had framed last year.

My [missing] baby tree that would be extra-perfect with this year's ruffled tree skirt and my new olive green toile bow.