December 9, 2011

Always be prepared...

Preparing for Christmas is one of my all-time favorite activities of the year.  Much to the chagrin of my Things #1, 2 and 3...I never decorate much for any other holiday. Our house is conspicuously barren Valentines Day, Fourth of July, and Halloween.  I only have so much energy (and discretionary funds!), and I save it all up for Christmas.  My name is Kathy, and I'm a Christmas-aholic.  I have no control when it comes to Christmas decorating.  And the shelves in my basement prove my point.  But isn't it in the Christmas spirit to be charitable?  And THAT I am...my basement is a veritable loaning library of Christmas recyclables for my friends.  I have no problem sharing the wealth.  

But all this Christmas preparation IS hard work.  I need to kick back and have a glass of wine, or two, in the evening when I'm done tweaking a bow here and there.  So what do you think?  Golden berries to adorn my wine remnants?





Or a bow?  Hmmmmm,  I think a glass of Malbec might help me decide while I ponder.





...AND so you don't think I while away my hours just popping corks, I have my mantle done.  Totally feeling the love for Mercury glass the past few years...





...AND I achieved my FIRST good bokeh with the help of my new camera (aka James Dean)....





 ...AND my tree is up and reflecting nicely in my window.  Gosh I LOVE white lights reflecting in a window...






Actually, I have ALOT done (just no shopping yet, YIKES!).  I will post more photos of the decor, in color, next week.  But for now, I'm gonna go and contribute to the cork collection.  Happy preparing my friends!


--Kathy







25 comments:

  1. Love, Love, Love the tree and the reflection in the window, and the mantle picture. We are having tree issues and panic has set in! haha

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  2. Everything looks beautiful - especially your tree.

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  3. love your tree reflection...the corks are fun...and your mercury glass..envy.

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  4. How fun! Your tree is gorgeous and the reflection in that beautiful window - stunning!

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  5. Oh how funny! I love your wine cork bowl. (I have a wire cage that looks like a wine bottle.) Apparently I appreciate the finer things as well, as I have enjoyed many of the wines listed on your corks… White Oak, Blackstone, Valley of the Moon, St. Francis, Cline… Love your tree too! Gorgeous!

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  6. Okay- here I was thinking I was all in love with the corks- then I scroll down to the last shot & you blow me away! Nicely done!!!

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  7. wow, I never thought I would say this, but I love you Christmas in b&w since I am such a color freak. Wonderfully done!!

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  8. This is a wonderful series. I think James Dean is treating you well and vice versa. You are my wine drinking buddy. I should start collecting my corks too. It woudn't be long before I'd fill a bowl.
    Love that mantle shot. You should come decorate my house.

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  9. Amazing photos! Just beautiful and inspiring! So grateful that you shared them. Adore you blog. I will have to visit more often. Take care...

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  10. My shopping is coming along nicely, "add to cart" is my new best friend :-)

    Congrats on the new camera, the bokeh is quite fine!

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  11. that last photo is so gorgeous. love the reflection. thanks for linking up!

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  12. Very pretty, the corks are fun, yay new camera woo hoo! Love the photos happy decorating....

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  13. love how you captured this in black and white. great shots.

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  14. In my strolling through others' blogs and Pinterest, I found that I love mercury glass, and white trees. Blah, I discovered the latter one too late to find one. So I'm making a note to be an early shopper next year and buy one!
    I love what you've done in decorating for Christmas!
    I LOVE wine, but my doctor says I can have only one glass a week. :( My granddaughter has used corks too in her everyday decorating.
    have a wonderful weekend!

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  15. That last photo is amazing! Thank you for sharing.

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  16. I can see that you and James Dean will become joined at the hip in the coming weeks and months... :) Me? I collect my wine corks in Ball Mason jars.

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  17. Such gorgeous shots!!!!! Visiting from Mortal Muses!

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  18. The reflection of the tree is lovely, as are the other shots. I really love your choice of B & W.

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  19. You are my kind of gal... LOVE the cork collection! These are just stunning Kathy. Your home looks amazing. The last tree shot OMGoodness, love the light reflection!

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  20. Gorgeous!! Had to laugh, seems I am not the only one in this world with a HUGE cork collection!! Ah the finer things in life. Enjoy the season, I will look forward to the color versions too.

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  21. Lovely collection of photos - I love all the corks! I should save mine....
    Visiting from Mortal Muses.

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  22. Love that cork collection! What a fun idea ;) And your decor is beautiful! That tree shot is WOW!!!

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  23. Lots of great sparkle in this post, I love your wine corks. We have a collection too! Thanks for joining us for Many Muses Musing today.

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  24. Glad you love Christmas ... Hope you have a great one.

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  25. Oh, wow! I just got lost in all these gorgeous shots...and now I know what to do with some of the corks I've accumulated!

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