Plaid Greetings from the Christmas Baker's Rack

Hi Friends, the combination of Thanksgiving weekend and decorating for Christmas can be a lot of work, as you are probably experiencing right about now. I had a lot of things out and felt like I had a plan, but the more I puttered, the more I needed to do. Is that a sign of age...? Maybe just someone has too much fun Christmas stuff. But I've always been one to "decorate" up until December 24, no matter what, so I guess that explains it.

Christmas Centerpiece Basket with Greenery and Guest

I'm sure most of you are doing what I'm doing this weekend...

Recovering from Thanksgiving and getting started on Christmas décor. I have to admit, I did get started bringing in a few Christmas things and brainstorming last week. I did my Thanksgiving decorating early this year so I was able to transition to Christmas without feeling like I was giving it short shrift. I thoroughly enjoyed it by starting early.

Thanksgiving Greetings and a Mantel I Almost Forgot

Friends, wow, I almost forgot to share pics of my Thanksgiving mantel. I like to keep a visual diary of what I do each year but I've been in a bit of chaos with packing away "fall" and transitioning to more Christmas décor. 

Dressing Up a Centerpiece with Gold Gilt Pears

It's easy for me to get into a bit of a rut in my Dining Room with Christmas decor. If I find pieces that I like, I tend to rely on the same look from one year to the next. I have a lot of vintage "kitch-y" fun stuff that I use in the Garden Room, but in the Dining Room I like to do something a little more French Country with some "rustic elegance". Tartan plaid can still be found in here, but I've wanted to try some new and different ideas with a more frenchy country vibe.

Thanksgiving Baker's Rack and a Peek at Christmas

I still have a few bits left for Thanksgiving, but now I'm working on decorating for Christmas. I love Fall so much I always go overboard so moving from Thanksgiving to the Christmas Season can mean lots of packing up and storing away before I can really get to Christmas. I've been trying to make it easier, but as you know there's just no way around it unless you're a total minimalist, which of course, I am not. 

French Country Urn and Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Hello everyone, so glad you're here today to join us for the Grateful Gatherings Thanksgiving Hop hosted by our wonderful friend Laura from Decor to Adore.  If you're following the Hop and coming by via Lora Bloomquist at Create and Ponder then an extra special welcome and Hello. What a wonderful time of year to have a gathering of friends as we share our own way of celebrating a grateful Thanksgiving occasion.

Savoring Thanksgiving into Christmas in the Garden Room

Hi Friends, how are you coming along with this seasonal transition time? Have you put away all your Fall decor and going cold turkey (pun intended) headlong into Christmas? 

Cottage Review: Enter Thanksgiving

Hi Friends, I'm sharing some Thanksgiving to Christmas inspiration today of my Entry from a few years ago. For some reason, my Entry this year wasn't spectacular (tehe), so I'm sharing some the entry area posts from year's past. As I say Inspiration is Inspiration, no matter the year.  I especially loved this look because of the "Oatmeal Tree" and the neutral painted leaf wreath. 

I had a brief thought of just whizzing by decorating for Thanksgiving and doing a more Christmas look, but in the end I just couldn't get there. I love late Fall and Thanksgiving, and I just wasn't up for full on Christmas. So I compromised a bit and brought out my "oatmeal" tree (looks like oatmeal) and called it good.

Easy Woodblock Christmas Gingerbread Houses

It seems like each year there's a new trend in Christmas decor, and the Gingerbread theme has been popping up everywhere the last few Christmas seasons. I love Gingerbread houses and Gingerbread Men/Women/People cookies as they are so traditional and geared toward the "kid" in us. I think most of us at one time or another attempted a Gingerbread House or cookies. The fun is in the creative process. Also nice if it turns out cute and actually stays in one piece!!

Giving Thanks in the Holiday Cupboard

Probably most of you are thinking like me; "Where has this year gone?" I don't know why this surprises me because my lifestyle isn't particularly hectic or do I have a crazy schedule. But the weeks go by and I'm  amazed when Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around and come knocking on my door. I'm always thrilled to see them, but never really fully prepared.

Bronzed Turkey from Blah to Burnished

I know we all have holiday decor pieces that we've had for years; many of them holding sentimental feelings of family and tradition. Well, I have my share of pieces that are just simply part of the ritual of bringing out Thanksgiving and Christmas decor, but really need a spiff up to make them presentable and up to date.

Old World Nature Inspired Urn

Hi Friends, I'm sharing some of my favorite Fall and Thanksgiving inspiration posts from previous years, along with new posts with some fun ideas for making the transition of Fall and Thanksgiving to Christmas. Here's a magazine inspiration urn I put together several years ago from when I picked up a Victoria Magazine Special Edition, called Victoria Classic French Cottage . 

Heading to the Holidays

Hello Friends, thought I'd just wish you a fun start to the Holidays. So I found a couple of old buddies, living in the moment, that had it all together for the start of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. I'm doing my best to ease into both by celebrating Thanksgiving and looking forward to Christmas. Why can't we enjoy it all... real time.

We had a real deep freeze hit us this week with multiple night lows down to the teens, so I think I might be ready to start thinking about Christmas. I'm not ready for red and green, but I'm bringing some nature elements together that will tie November into December. 

I'm twisting my husband's arm for a drive in the country to enjoy the leaves. I remember one Halloween where my younger daughter and her friend Trick or Treated in the snow, but that's it. We usually don't have this cold weather until after November 1. 

Have Fun and Welcome to the Holidays!!!

Cottage ReView: Thanksgiving with Feathered Friends

Hello Friends, Here we go into the slide toward the holidays, so during the next few weeks I'll be sharing some inspiration for Thanksgiving and Christmas as I make the transition from Fall to Christmas.

French Country Dining Room for Fall

Hello Friends, welcome to the Fall Dining Room, where shortly it will make the transition to Thanksgiving. The mini French wagon is joining my Pottery Barn urn this season for a late fall look, that can easily transition to the Thanksgiving holiday with just a few minor change ups.

Cozying Up the Back Porch for Late Fall

We're heading into my favorite time of the year. Late Fall's brilliant color, cool days, and cozy nights have always been the season that renews my mind and heart. I always enjoy the change of seasons; winter to spring is my next favorite time of the year. But the brilliance of the leaves in late fall paints a canvas that undeniably lifts me body, mind and soul.