If you need an inexpensive hostess gift over the holidays, this is one I use over and over again. I found these bottles at Wal-Mart for $1.97 and 2.97. They are the plain ones. The more elaborate ones I got at Pier 1 for about $4.00 each. They didn't have pourers, so I had to buy those.
I also use one for my dish detergent. Much prettier than the ugly plastic bottles it comes in.
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
I couldn't pass up this book since I have all her others.
This is a beautiful book with lots of casual decorating that makes me want to book a trip to a beach....NOW!
This Country Living Kitchen book is one of my favorite books I've ever gotten. Most of the kitchens are white with just pops of color and fantastic ideas for decorating them.
"Simple Country Wisdom" gives you 501 Old-Fashioned Ideas to Simplify Your Life. Everyone needs those.
This is a super book to add to your library if you like antiques and enjoy decorating. There are even Christmas decorating ideas.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm gaga over English Decorating and this book has it all.
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
We don't decorate the outside of the house a lot. There are wreaths on the windows.
Lights around the front door. Always flags.
Little trees by the front door.
Pansies around the light post. They didn't get planted till the end of November so I didn't have a lot of hope for them.
I love little flags.
A favorite Santa our son Rick sent me from Japan.
I've only ever seen one other one in a magazine that was like this.
Thanks for reading.
Gretchen
We decorate our tree almost the same way every year. White lights and the ornaments I've collected over the years. A lot of them are handmade and the bulbs that are on the tree were from my parents tree.
Usually Santa doesn't put the packages under the tree until Christmas Eve but Nicholas and Chloe were here last weekend and I had to move them from the guest room.
This is a handmade Santa a friend got for me one year.
These walking sticks I've collected look like Santa'
s to me.
Just putting a box of gold ornaments in a crock can be a decoration.
This Santa my son Rick got me when he was in the Navy in Japan. You can imagine how special it is to me.
Isn't he the most interesting Santa you've ever seen?
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
I've added two little Santa hats to my desk chair. Chloe wanted to get them for she and Lauren to wear on Christmas Eve.
These are several of the Christmas books that I had when I was little. I hope to read some of the stories to the grandchildren on Christmas Eve. The little Goebel's from Germany behind them, my mother got for me. Each year for about six years she gave me one.
I've added some greenery and pine cones.
My DIL Noelle got me this sign a few years ago and it's one of my favorite decorations. I'm sure you can tell why.
I love my little bear and the rustic look I've been able to give the front porch. The plaid furniture covers I made give it that winter hunting season look.
Last year I made that little JOY sign.
We don't have a lot of outside lights. There are a few around the door, lights in the windows with wreaths, and the topiary forms at the door.
On a cool day I can sit out here with hot chocolate and cover up with the plaid blanket.
These are some of the pine cones that my DIL Noelle's parents brought me from Pinehurst, NC. They are so much bigger than any I can find around here. I really appreciate Nick and Gina for collecting these for me.
I changed some of these Santas and added a little greenery.
About 15 years ago I worked for someone who made these for me.
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
More Santas and lots of candy canes. What is more inexpensive than a box of candy canes for $1.00?
This is my advent calendar I got last year at Target on sale. The grandkids love the treats.
This is my back door Santa and one of my favorites.
More candy canes and on bulbs that were on sale.
Every year I think I'm going to cut out some of these Santas but I haven't yet.
I've had this little tree for about 15 years and it has handmade gingerbread ornaments.
My favorite Santas on these shelves is the one with the twigs that belonged to my mother and the one with the fur trim my SIL LuAnn got for me.
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
This is one of my favorite Santa's that was handmade by a lady that has since passed away.
This wreath is above my kitchen window and features tiny bird houses.
I'm going shopping at the Prime Outlets in Gaffney, SC this afternoon with a friend I used to work with. We want to go to the Coach, Bath & Body Works and Pottery Barn Outlets. I only have one gift left to buy, so I'm going to have to use restraint not to buy presents for "ME".
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
