Home For The Holidays! :-)

We are going "home" to Idaho for the Holidays, so I probably won't be posting on here until I get back in January.

This is the first time I will get to spend Thanksgiving with my family since 2001. In 2002, I was visiting Ben and his parents during Thanksgiving. Then we got married in September of 2003.

This will be our 3rd Christmas in Idaho since we got married. Which sounds like a lot, I know. We have spent 3 Christmases here, too, though. And although there are some similarities in the way Australians and Americans celebrate Christmas, the differences make me feel a little sad and nostalgic during the holiday season here. Of course, the weather is so much different- the middle of Summer. I am looking forward to a cold, if not white, Christmas. :-) We can always hope for snow! Haha

I am staying past New Years in Idaho, and will be going to a dear friend's wedding in early January. Fun! :-)

Since I won't get to decorate our house for Christmas this year, I plan to have Christmas in July, or maybe June next year. So then I can enjoy all of our Christmas decorations, too. :-)

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

~Embellishments~

I added some beaded fringe from our local crafts/fabric store to the plain shade that came with this lamp.

This beautiful lace edged mantel scarf (which is actually a runner) came from a temporary stand/store at our local mall. I changed around my mantel display since last time I posted a picture of the fireplace, too. :-)

The bead trimmed shade I found at a discount store called the Reject Shop. Haha That name makes me laugh. The white base was on sale at Target. I love that store. :-)

Jessica K's Victorian Tea Party

Jessica putting the finishing touches to her ensemble. :-)

The Jessicas in hats. Haha

The pink and green tea table.

L to R: Julia, Sarah, Jessica K., Melissa S.

Jessica's mother, Julia.

Lighting the candles.

What a gorgeous birthday cake!

Sarah preparing the tea.

Opening presents

My friend, Jessica, is turning 13. She had a Victorian Tea Party to celebrate the occasion. Ah, a kindred spirit. :-) I thought I'd share some pictures of the party. I helped Jessica decorate the tables the night before. Doesn't the party look so pretty? And very Victorian. Jessica's sister, Sarah, put on a British accent the whole day. Haha So cute.

My shabby "new" fireplace! :-)

On Tuesday, Nathanael and I went on a little trip to Mossvale in the Southern Highlands with our friends, Dan and Melissa. We went shopping, of course. Haha There are so many cute shops in Mossvale. I was so excited whe I spotted this beautiful fireplace surround and mantel piece in an antique shop. I was told that it is circa 1910-20.

Here is the firplace in our formal living room. Doesn't it look cozy? The owner of the antique shop was kind enough to deliver it for free. :-)

I'm not sure I will leave the fireplace in this room yet. It may end up in the family room. We shall see.....

Tour of Our Home- the back yard blossoming

The white flowering vine is jasmine. It smells so good,
and the scent even drifts in through the kitchen window.

The banksia roses are very pretty, but they have

don't really smell like anything.

I think the strawberries will be very good this year. :-)

The first roses on my little pink rose bush.

Our yard isn't perfect by any means, but we love it. And we add a special new plant now and then, like the small mock orange bush in the photo above. So the yard is already much improved since we bought the house one and a half years ago.

Tour of Our Home- the Bathroom and Toilet Room

Here in Australia, most newer houses have a seperate bathroom and toilet room. So the bathroom has a bath, shower and sink/vanity, but no toilet. That's how our house is, too. :-)

I love "my" pink, romantic bathroom! Ben almost always uses the ensuite bathroom in our bedroom. So this one is basically mine, Nathanael's and of course the guests'. :-)

Some lovely quotes for the day. :-)

I came across a couple of good quotes in a decorating magazine, that I thought I would share. :-)

"A comfortable home is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. " Sydney Smith

(I don't know who Sydney Smith is, so if he or she isn't a good person, I didn't know. Haha)


"It is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all. "
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tour Of Our Home- Family/dining room

My sister painted the beautiful picture above our TV cabinet.

The dining area is part of our family room.

I made the pink check and floral pillow to sell. :-) It is sitting on my wicker chair for now.

Closeup of my quilt.....

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. "

I made this scripture sign with my friend Melissa's supplies. Such a nice pal. :-)

Tour of Our Home- Kitchen

My beloved KitchenAid appliances. :-)

I painted the recipe box and put on the decals.

The pink edged doily was a thrift store find.