Santa Claus, Jack Frost and Myself

Santa Claus came with Jack Frost to our house.

I am busy too so we really don't  see each other.

We are all creating.

I seem to be creating stacks of things.

Jack keeps busy outside doodling on the windows.

Santa eats all of the candy and cookies

and I am finding lots of mismatched socks around the house.

It could be that our westie dog is hiding them somewhere.

(We hear Frosty the Snowman is on his way

and that he has already visited some of you.)

I had thought they were early this year

but then I saw a car on the freeway with a

Christmas tree on their car roof. Hmmm.

I hope all is well and you are happily busy, too.

My aceo's are here.

Downton Abbey Silver Holiday Decorating Tabletop

Simple decorating ideas are my kind

of decorating. I have these silver plated cups

that I call my Downton Abbey Cups..

They are just vintage silver cups

but I am sure they have lots of stories to tell.

(They will look more like Downton Abbey

on white linen!)

Place each cup in a circle like a wreath

and fill each with boxwood cuttings.

If you are a gardener that is the same

as saying each are filled with cheer.

If only boxwood rooted quickly

like say, mint!  

Old silver has such character!

The combination of brown, silver and gray

with some shimmer and some dull areas

has such appeal to me.

These almost blend into the tabletop.

Beautifully burnished is the best description for the cups.

Happiness is a table full of family and friends

good food helps too,

so I guess I should be looking for new dishes to make

the usual dishes are comforting but it's always good to

have a few surprises each year.

I stumbled upon a cookbook by 
Sam Choy

at a Goodwill store and it was $1.30 

Now I have the recipe for Payapa Dressing!

The list of secret ingredients is in my kitchen.

All photographs are my own from Instagram.

Connecting up with:
   Between Naps on the Porch
Coastal Charm
Common Ground