Some Christmas Favorites

As some of you know, I grew up in my moms home-goods retail store.
Watching her painstakingly merchandise displays, and obsess over products to carry, I have learned a thing or two about retail, and have definitely learned to see things a little bit differently.

Over the years people have come to know and love the beautiful Christmas decorations in her store each year. As a result, our home has been filled to the rim with gorgeous displays and amazing little goodies to decorate every nook and cranny.

Anyway...
I know most of us have memories that come with ornaments, and I just wanted to share a few of my favorites!
What are some of your favorites??

Impromptu DIY Candle holder

Waking up in the mountains is so refreshing. 

The air was clean and the sky was blue and the sun was so warm!

My mom and I went on a little walk through our 'back yard' and I found a bunch of these black, charred twigs. I thought this would be an easy project with very few supplies, that was wintery, but really pretty and kind of magical just in time for Christmas. 

Supplies:

Hurricane, or any simple glass container with a straight shape

Candle

Twigs

Scissors

1 Rubber Band

Thread, twine, ribbon, or string

After you have collected all of your twigs, measure your glass and cut, or break your twigs to the appropriate height, since I snapped my twigs by hand, they varied in height a little bit, but I really like that look! 

 Put your rubber band around the glass and put the twigs in place around the glass.

Once you have all of your twigs in place, wrap your thread over the rubber band and as much as you like until you are satisfied with the look of it all. 

Tie off the thread, and CAREFULLY cut the rubber band, and gently pull it out from under the thread. 

Light Candle and ENJOY!!

A few hours later when the flame has burned down a little bit, the twigs have made an amazing silhouette...

I am so ready for my computer to be back and running like it used to be! Virus killed it for awhile, it is down to the bare bones now... 

I am waiting to get my photo programs back up!! 

Headed Home!

Today I packed up my car with Christmas gifts, goodies, and Alabama and headed up the hill to my moms.  

I was born and raised in this place, and even though I haven't lived here for 7 years, I still call it home.

I think I always will.

I blasted Christmas songs on my way up, and tried to soak up every second of it. 

Alabama hid away from the cold under her blanket the entire time, and the last 15 minutes of the drive, for the first time in her life, she discovered that she can put her head out of the window!! I was laughing hysterically because it was SO CUTE!

The cold weather had made everything barren and empty, the red barns were the only color for miles around! 

I have always loved taking photos of where the sky meets the horizon, but these are some of my favorites. 

I hope you like them!

A little bit of puppy luuuuv

Today was the first day that I didn't need to wake up to an alarm in awhile, and it was AMAZING.

I still woke up before the sun came out, but it was pure bliss to wake up on my own. 

When I finally got out of bed, I put on, what felt to be, 43 layers of clothing to assure I wouldn't freeze!

It was so cold, and foggy, and quiet.

And it was perfect.

I know there are a lot of photos... I just couldn't edit anymore of them out!

beauty shots

bribing her to sit still with treats... 

I know these are a little bit blurry, but I think they are so funny and cute!

Christmas!!

I know it has been FOREVER since I have written a blog, but every time I sit down to write one I am soooo overwhelmed with things I want to write about!

So I figured I would start back with something simple, and something I LOVE.

Christmas time :)

Since I live alone, in a fairly small place, I tend to keep my decorations small.

This year I just kept it simple with some vintage ornaments, colorful ornament bulbs, and some other little goodies.  

Anyway, I thought I would just post a bunch of photos for everyone to see!