CHRISTMAS ON THE MANTEL

 Good MORNING Kindred SPIRITS.....
How is your decorating going?
It all sometimes is one big blur isn't it,,,
It seems we begin decorating for fall at the end of Summer.
then transition into Halloween,,,,become even busier
as we prepare for the Thanksgiving gathering and
are immediately driven to make holiday magic with
our Christmas decor....and we manage to make it happen...
My favorite corner to decorate is the fireplace mantel....
let's take a look.....

I love it when a vision comes together....
the first piece that became my inspiration was the Santa artwork....

Green and Ivory became the color story

Green coats for the Victorian santas.....

A sweet, yet noble wooden nutcracker

AND, then....the stockings were hung.....

Our days have been cold and sometimes rainy.....
good winter days to bake bread and drink tea by the fire..
 I hope all is well in your world.....

CHRISTMAS ON THE BAR CART, VINTAGE BOOKS AND OUTDOOR LANTERNS

We have said goodbye to the autumn season and 
welcomed in December and the Christmas holidays.
I know many of you have fully decorated for Christmas,
but here at Estelle's, we are recovering from hosting two Thanksgivings!
I am taking my time and need to enjoy the process of decorating,
rather than be in a frenzy to get it all done.
The first cozy corner to be adorned for the season,
is the dining room bar cart......

I am in love with the Spode goblets...found these on sale
back during the summer....

And, Spode cocktail napkins to compliment the goblets....

I also added this vintage cocktail recipe and storybook.....

I so enjoy decorating this bar cart for each season....

The star of this vignette is this stunning needlepoint stocking...
he's quite the handsome fellow....

I am in the process of preparing the lanterns for the front door urns....
I had planned on using candles I had, but then found out
they were too large for the lanterns.....
the new ones should arrive today...

I think these will look so festive and pretty with the outdoor lights.....

I am using Mother's little jello molds for a riser to elevate the candle...

I found these gorgeous paper placemats to use as a layering piece

I keep seasonal books on top of the leather ottoman and they add
such interest as you explore the various books...

This book is a real gem to read....

I am currently working on the kitchen vignettes and am loving it so far...
cookie jars will be on display as will santa and snowman mugs.....
I think I will always and forever miss my parents and going home
for Christmas....memories I hold within my heart.....
The house was toasty warm and cozy on cold December nights...
Mother had dinner cooking away in the kitchen...the smell
of Spiced Tea was warming on the stove amd Daddy was
working in his train and hobby room....I was laying under
the Christmas tree in the living room gazing up at the
colored lights..people seemed happier and more joyful....
all seemed peaceful in the world at that moment....

 

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH MOCHA BUTTERCREAM...A MOST REQUESTED HOLIDAY CAKE

Remembering November

If November had flavors, it would be clove and pumpkin...with generous dollops of sweet whipped cream.... If November had a feel, it would be a crisp air that would make you turn your collar up and pull your coat close up around you.. Come Thanksgiving, most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, leaving only twiggy branches to endure the winters cold.. There is no doubt about it..

the holidays are special and therefore the food you serve, should be the best of the best... This semi-homemade cake will become a family favorite.....it's excellent!

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix 1 cup whole milk 1 stick melted butter 4 eggs 1 t.vanilla 1 t. Espresso powder Blend all ingredients with hand mixer Divide batter between two 8 inch cake pans Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes.

MOCHA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

2 cups butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 T. espresso powder
1 T. cocoa powder
1 T. vanilla
3 T. heavy cream
1/2 t. salt

This cake is moist, has a lovely soft texture and a rich
chocolate flavor!
I am all in favor of using a box cake mix these days,
rather than rather than a recipe calling for 12 or more
ingredients. The cost of groceries these days
is rather expensive, so this is a true cost saver!

THANKSGIVING 2025...ROUND ONE

GOOD MORNING KINDRED SPIRITS....
another lovely Thanksgiving was enjoyed by the family....
the weather was perfect...sweater weather, blankets
to keep us cozy warm as we sat sipping wine around the firepit.....
turkey breasts on the smoker and one being fried....
All the food was so delicious...
We are thankful for it all and grateful for this beautiful day..... 

The grandchildren had other family to enjoy lunch with,
so they arrived in shifts for our gathering in the evening....

We had a total of twelve this year, which required two tables....
candlelight made it a bit romantic....

On Wednesday, we treated ourselves to brunch at Tupelo Honey with

our Atlanta family.....best cheese grits and mimosa.....

I failed to snap photos of the appetizer table which was delish....

But I did manage a photo of the gingerbread muffins.....

It's tradition to watch The Cowboys 

play on Thanksgiving Day......
and then we give thanks....

These are the days of being joyful.....for health and our family....

I so hope your gathering was special and happy spending the day

with those you love.....and now it's on to Christmas...

CHRISTMAS THEMES OF RALPH LAUREN, VINTAGE AND VICTORIAN

Let's gather around the Christmas tree....
The Christmas tree is the focal point of holiday decor
and celebrations.
Here is what I will say, when it comes to choosing
a theme and color story when picking out
your holiday decorations....make it your own.....
you don't need to follow the latest trends and those who
dictate what is popular this year...
Having studied Interior Design in college,
it's important to know what a design theme represents...
So let's talk about three popular holiday decorating themes
that are often chosen for Christmas decor....
Ralph Lauren, Vintage and Victorian.....

One of the most important things for me during the holiday season,
is that our family will gather to celebrate and will carry on the
traditions that were established for us long ago...from grandparents, 
to our parents...and these traditions have become just as important
to our grandchildren....

I never grow tired of seeing how varied decorations are within the homes
across the country...here at Estelle's, we're deep south...each piece
of decor, reflects the personality of the owners, as well as their
preference for holiday celebrations...

Personally, I love nostalgia, so will often include decor items 
that evoke a past memory and will bring a touch of holiday cheer
throughout our home...
I display pieces that belonged to our parents and grandparents....
they have meaning, they represent family 
I would say most of my decor pieces are VINTAGE with
a few ANTIQUES here and there....

These heirlooms are ANTIQUE...over 100 years old

These heirlooms are considered VINTAGE...all about 50 or more years of age....

To be considered VINTAGE. the item must be at least 20 years old.
If the item is 100 years or older, it is considered to be antique.

Are you a fan of traditional red and green, silver and gold
or are your drawn to burgundy, cranberry reds and deep forest greens?

Well, these color stories can transcend decorating themes....such
as a Ralph Lauren holiday color story, but also Victorian......

Maybe you are dreaming of a WHITE CHRISTMAS
where family and friends gather at an Open House
and the ambiance is merry and bright..
the first snowfall is always a magical event.....

Now, we come to this years popular trend....

THE RALPH LAUREN THEMED CHRISTMAS..
The popularity of this began in 2024 and has
been driven by social media platforms....
representing nostalgia and elegance.....

signature Ralph Lauren calls for Tartan and plaid,

crystal decanters,
brass candlesticks and crystal glassware...
there is velvet and wool for warmth and dark woods
for elegance.....



My chosen color story for this year is pine green and ivory.
In creating a vignette in my kitchen window, I selected
these pieces to showcase the feeling of holiday festivity....
You could say, the decor items are a mix of all three themes
defined as Ralph Lauren, Victorian and Vintage....

It's obvious I am most drawn to a Victorian style of Christmas decor....
I am planning to incorporate favorite pieces from the past and it's
a green and ivory color story....with touches of cranberry red.
So, there you have it....use what you love, regardless of the popularity!

Remember, cozy is much more than a word...it's a way to decorate
and design.It's about creating a space that welcomes us home
where one feels warmth and love and comfort, especially at Christmas time.

THANKSGIVING TABLE FINISHING TOUCHES

 

Chris Madden was a home designer who was known for
making one's home into a relaxing haven away from
the stress life can sometimes bring.
She designed the Chris Madden Collection
for JC Penney in the early 1990's and I
collected her line of kitchen serving pieces.
Chris passed away in 2022 and I am so thankful
to own pieces of her beautifully crafted designs.

I can vividly recall the day I purchased these adorable and beautiful
tea light holders.
The mall was not far from the office where I worked
and we would often go to lunch and then shop a bit on our
lunch hour....I have used them often times
durig the past 30 years at Thanksgiving.

So, I decided it was time to add them to the table this year
for a lovely touch of autumn whimsy.....

With my fall purchased from Hester and Cook,
I went back and added the paper accents on top of the linens...

Every year, the tablescape is different and I love
seeing a design come together organically...

Candles and tealights add such warmth and cozy ambiance.....

I selected my beautiful, years old autumn pheasant
as the centerpiece...

I added a touch of velvet animal print for a bit

of sophistication

A little lighted pumpkin

And, Mother's beautiful cut glass butter dish....

Sometimes, it feels good to be a maximalist.....
Oh, the anticipation of THANKSGIVING DAY....
it's all so wonderful....

Wishing you all the loveliest Thanksgiving Day