Holiday Reminisce

I originally ran this post in December 2009. I was reminiscing with friends the other day about a Holiday Party we had in our old home. Here's how the house looked for that. I look forward to hosting Holiday parties in my new home but these photos make me appreciate my old home and remember all the wonderful times we had there :)

Welcome to my holiday home tour! These pictures are of the dramatic and touches of Christmas all over my house (double click on the pictures to see them larger). Above is the family room ~ home to my daughter's tree. Her tree is decorated with all her baby ornaments, ones made by her own hands, pictures of her and her daddy, candy canes, light and, of course, hot pink sparkly ball ornaments. Our stocking hang by the fire with care.....

Here we are in the dining room with red and silver sparkle ornaments hung from the chandelier with very fine plastic thread. It looks as if the bulbs are floating. A simple arrangement of red beaded branches and pine cones serve as centerpiece. When the table is set, it is a blaze with black, red, silver, and ivory ~ I need to have a dinner party!

Let's move to the living room......
My color palette in the living room is red and gold. My living room's year long palette is browns and blues so during the holiday season, I like to warm it up! All ornaments on the tree are red and gold. The ribbon is twisted to see both sides as they too are red and gold. An angel in a red dress is joined with gold beaded reindeer for the cocktail table display.

What's that peaking out of my cabinet? Red glass bulbs of course! I love little touches.

It is a simple crystal bowl that lives in the cabinet all year long. During the holidays, it is married with simple red bulbs for a pop of holiday cheer.

Here is a shot of my living room normally. This angle is almost where the Christmas tree stands. You can see the stairs and the balcony. During the Holidays the stairs and balcony are lined with nutcrackers, lit garland and red bows with gold specks. Sparkle, sparkle!!



For safety, I tie each nutcracker to the balusters with neutral twine that goes unnoticed.

Let's peak into the conservatory, which is an extension really of the living room as the French doors are always open between the two rooms. The palette in here ~ blue and ivory.

I love this wreath! I actually bought it for the front door but it did not fit between the door and the storm door ~ oh dear!! No matter, I found a lovely home for it hanging contently in the window. The conservatory is at the rear of the house so all one sees from the street is a little twinkle of light from the back window. I wrapped the wire for hanging in ivory and gold ribbon and voila ~ a beautiful decoration that began with an oops!

And now the kitchen.....
Just a touch ~ blue and gold bulbs suspended from the chandelier float above a blue and gold pedestal platter filled with pine cones. Blue napkins with gold rings set a top striped blue and neutral place mats finished with beads on the sides. I chose blue and gold to add warmth.

Don't forget the powder room!
Just a touch will do for me!

Inexpensive blue and silver jewelry-like ornaments hung from the sconces with a bow tied from silver tinsel pipe cleaners.

How about upstairs? I like a touch of holiday decor in each room of the house. In the master bedroom, we have these bulbs on an accent table.....
We bought these bulbs on our honeymoon so it makes them extra special and wonderful to place in our personal space. When the candle is lit, the gold paint on each bulbs glistens.

What about Lauren's room???
Of course! It is decorated with a door wreath and red bows.... everywhere! Her own design!

I love Christmas with all the beauty the season has to offer ~ spending time with loved ones. This year, I am hosting Christmas for the first time. I cannot wait to have a house full, constant chaos and laughter. Lauren is so excited to have her Nana and cousins here. I wonder if she'll sleep at all of Christmas eve?! I know for sure that she won't let her older cousins sleep in on Christmas day. I cannot wait to see her face that morning. That will be the best beaming light of all!

I hope you enjoyed my Holiday Home Tour. I sure did. Let me know what your doing in your home this year. I'd love to see pictures! Email to me at paula@paulagracedesigns.com. I'd love to post them!

Naturally I am joining holiday parties at Julia's Hooked on Holiday House Tours and Southern Hospitality so hop over and join in!

I wonder if the parties above are still going on? Hmmmmm....?!

Have a very Merry Christmas and happy New year!

Wishing You...

The Happiest Holiday Season and All the Best to You in 2012!

Fa la la la....

The other day I decided that I would fill some silver vases I have with gold sticks and red shimmering berries for a bit of holiday cheer. I had the shimmering red berries but I needed the gold sticks. So off I went to my local crafts store. No gold stick that I liked. Next, my local home decor store. Yup, they had them. Nice and chunky just the way I wanted them. They wanted $12.99 for three short sticks. $12.99 plus tax! Blimey!

I needed many sticks for what I had in mind. I thought to myself, 'There's no way I am paying that.' So back I went to my crafts store. This time to buy a can of gold spray paint. Monday morning I went into the woods just behind my home. We had a good night below freezing so I thought now is the time for me to make my move. I gathered up some lovely fallen sticks and branches and went to work.

Here are my vases with my DIY gold sticks. I didn't want them to be perfect. I wanted a little bit of the wood to show through. I managed to get it just the way I wanted.

Here they are with my little men. I'm still waiting for the pedestals I ordered. The vases will be placed on top of them. They are arriving soon!

I love my little nutcrackers on my steps. I've done that for years and I smile every time they make their entrance.

Not to shabby for a novice craft DIYer. Nice and chunky... just the way I wanted them.

Fa la la la la la la..............

Don't Forget ~

1984


1989


2006


2009
You and I
It's easy ~ The Hunger Site

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

Breathtaking!

Then and Now

I am still in the reminiscing mode. I have been looking through pictures of Lauren over the Christmases which has made me smile uncontrollably. I wanted to share a few Christmas photos with you. Some on of 12/25 and others are Christmas card photos (or attempts).....

2003 ~ Lauren's first Christmas. My sister in law bought paper with Lauren's name on it. Very thoughtful!

2004 ~ Lauren learns to open her presents with her hands! And she finally grows some hair :)

2005 ~ Christmas card photo. I love the smile in this shot!

2006 ~ Lauren gets her first American Girl doll ~ a Bitty Baby. And matching outfits! She's a happy girl!

2007 ~ Lauren hams it up for the Christmas card photo. What a cutie!

2008 ~ Lauren has on the same 'dress' as her 2005 picture! She loves it. It is a shirt in 2008.

2009 ~ Lauren poses with the newest member of the family ~ Millie. Note Millie's dress. You guessed it ~ it is the same one from 2005 and 2008. It fits Millie perfectly so now it is her Christmas attire.

What are you reminiscing about this Holiday Season?

What am I going to make?

As you may know I am hosting Christmas for the first time. My dining room is ready!

I have hosted many gatherings at my home and made plenty of splendid meals but this time, it seems larger than that. So what am I going to make??!! I sat down and planned my menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. It had to be pretty simple as I did not want to be spending the day in the kitchen.

Jim wanted the traditional fish for Christmas Eve so I went in search of and found a wonderful recipe for salmon (love The Food Network).

Christmas Eve Menu:
Spicy Grilled Salmon with Mango, Radish, and Lime Salsa
Smoked Gouda and Roasted Garlic Potatoes
Roasted Medley of Vegetables
Tossed Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Warm French Baguette and Butter


Spicy Grilled Salmon with Mango, Radish, and Lime Salsa
Ingredients
Salsa:
2 mangoes, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
1 red onion, chopped
6 red radishes, chopped, plus 1 sliced for garnish
2 limes, peeled and cut into segments
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Southwest Spice Mix, recipe follows
1 (2 to 3 pound) salmon fillet
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
For the Salsa, put all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped; set aside.
Heat the grill to medium high.
Drizzle some olive oil over the salmon and season it with salt and pepper. Gently rub 2 tablespoons of the Spice Mix into the salmon. Pour some olive oil onto a paper towel and rub the grill with it - this will help to prevent the fish from sticking. Grill the salmon flesh side down for about 12 to 15 minutes.

To serve, spread most of the Salsa onto a platter and place the salmon, skin side down, on top. Garnish with more Salsa, radish slices, cilantro, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Southwest Spice Mix:
2 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 tablespoons whole cumin
2 tablespoons whole coriander
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon sweet paprika

Put the ancho chiles, cumin, coriander, cinnamon stick, and paprika into a small dry skillet over medium-high heat, and toast the spices just until they begin to smell, about 1 minute. Empty into a spice mill and grind to a powder. (Caveat ~ I read a review where the person did not do all this but simply put the already ground spices in a skillet and it worked just fine ~ that's what I'll do too!).

I'm going to pair this recipe with ones I've created and have been doing for years.


Smoked Gouda and Roasted Garlic Potatoes
6 to 8 russet baking potatoes
~ 3/4 pound smoked Gouda cheese
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 head roasted garlic
1 cup light whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Shred Gouda and set aside. Coarsely chop red and green peppers and set aside. Scrub potatoes ~ do not peel. Cut potatoes into slices or cubes. Boil until tender. In small sauce pan place cream, butter, and garlic. Simmer over heat until butter is completely melted, stirring frequently. Place cooked potatoes and cream mixture into large bowl. Mash together until potatoes are fairly smooth. Fold in 2/3 of the Gouda cheese, red and green pepper. Add salt and pepper to taste. Please in oven safe baking dish with lid. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Remove cover. Sprinkle remaining Gouda cheese and paprika on top and return to oven uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Let it stand for ~5 minutes before serving. (May be made ahead of time and reheated in oven).

Roasted Medley of Vegetables
1 large green zucchini
1 large yellow squash
2 sweet onions
several large carrots
salt
pepper
2 tablespoons (or more) garlic infused extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon died basil

Directions
Cube all vegetables. Mixed in a large bowl all ingredients. Place all ingredients on one or two baking sheets. Bake in 350 degrees oven for 30 to 40 minutes (until vegetables are tender). Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes then transfer to serving bowl. Serve immediately.(I make my own garlic olive oil but you may purchase this at any grocery store).

Enjoy with family and friends!

Photos are not of actual recipes and are courtesy of The Food Network.

Holiday Home Tour

Welcome to my holiday home tour! These pictures are of the dramatic and touches of Christmas all over my house (double click on the pictures to see them larger). Above is the family room ~ home to my daughter's tree. Her tree is decorated with all her baby ornaments, ones made by her own hands, pictures of her and her daddy, candy canes, light and, of course, hot pink sparkly ball ornaments. Our stocking hang by the fire with care.....

Here we are in the dining room with red and silver sparkle ornaments hung from the chandelier with very fine plastic thread. It looks as if the bulbs are floating. A simple arrangement of red beaded branches and pine cones serve as centerpiece. When the table is set, it is a blaze with black, red, silver, and ivory ~ I need to have a dinner party!

Let's move to the living room......
My color palette in the living room is red and gold. My living room's year long palette is browns and blues so during the holiday season, I like to warm it up! All ornaments on the tree are red and gold. The ribbon is twisted to see both sides as they too are red and gold. An angel in a red dress is joined with gold beaded reindeer for the cocktail table display.

What's that peaking out of my cabinet? Red glass bulbs of course! I love little touches.

It is a simple crystal bowl that lives in the cabinet all year long. During the holidays, it is married with simple red bulbs for a pop of holiday cheer.

Here is a shot of my living room normally. This angle is almost where the Christmas tree stands. You can see the stairs and the balcony. During the Holidays the stairs and balcony are lined with nutcrackers, lit garland and red bows with gold specks. Sparkle, sparkle!!



For safety, I tie each nutcracker to the balusters with neutral twine that goes unnoticed.

Let's peak into the conservatory, which is an extension really of the living room as the French doors are always open between the two rooms. The palette in here ~ blue and ivory.

I love this wreath! I actually bought it for the front door but it did not fit between the door and the storm door ~ oh dear!! No matter, I found a lovely home for it hanging contently in the window. The conservatory is at the rear of the house so all one sees from the street is a little twinkle of light from the back window. I wrapped the wire for hanging in ivory and gold ribbon and voila ~ a beautiful decoration that began with an oops!

And now the kitchen.....
Just a touch ~ blue and gold bulbs suspended from the chandelier float above a blue and gold pedestal platter filled with pine cones. Blue napkins with gold rings set a top striped blue and neutral place mats finished with beads on the sides. I chose blue and gold to add warmth.

Don't forget the powder room!
Just a touch will do for me!

Inexpensive blue and silver jewelry-like ornaments hung from the sconces with a bow tied from silver tinsel pipe cleaners.

How about upstairs? I like a touch of holiday decor in each room of the house. In the master bedroom, we have these bulbs on an accent table.....
We bought these bulbs on our honeymoon so it makes them extra special and wonderful to place in our personal space. When the candle is lit, the gold paint on each bulbs glistens.

What about Lauren's room???
Of course! It is decorated with a door wreath and red bows.... everywhere! Her own design!

I love Christmas with all the beauty the season has to offer ~ spending time with loved ones. This year, I am hosting Christmas for the first time. I cannot wait to have a house full, constant chaos and laughter. Lauren is so excited to have her Nana and cousins here. I wonder if she'll sleep at all of Christmas eve?! I know for sure that she won't let her older cousins sleep in on Christmas day. I cannot wait to see her face that morning. That will be the best beaming light of all!

I hope you enjoyed my Holiday Home Tour. I sure did. Let me know what your doing in your home this year. I'd love to see pictures! Email to me at paula@paulagracedesigns.com. I'd love to post them!

Naturally I am joining holiday parties at Julia's Hooked on Holiday House Tours and Southern Hospitality so hop over and join in!.

Holiday Designer Style

I was perusing one of my favorite sites ~ Decorati ~ for interesting holiday designs. I came up with a few. The one above is by Charles Pavarini III Design Associates, Inc. It is The Thanksgiving Feast for the Susan G. Komen's Holiday House 2008. I know Thanksgiving has past but I do love the table arrangements and the stacked pumpkins. Simple and elegant.

Here is something I have never done but I am now thinking about it. I adore the Christmas Tree with all the light and decorations. Why not have one in your bedroom? I think it would be wonderful to have it be the last thing I see before I close my eyes. What magical dreams I would have! This is the Atlanta Alliance Children's Theatre Christmas House; the room was designed by Loren Audrey Taylor. What do you think about having a tree in your bedroom?

And now for the mantel. You don't have to be locked into a particular style. Just take the lead from Adelle Designs, Inc.
Contemporary mantel design.....

Traditional mantel design. What ever you like!

Take a look at this tree also by Adelle Designs, Inc......
Gorgeous! The color palette is black, copper, and cream. An unusual combination for a tree but executed brilliantly!

What about my designer home? You'll have to wait until Friday. Why? Because that's when Julia is hosting the Hooked on Holiday House Tour which I will be joining!

Stay tuned!