Happy New Year to You!!

What I Wore Wednesday!

It's What I Wore Wednesday and I'm linking up with

The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round

Friend Surprise Birthday Party!

Shirt ~ Anthropology

Wide leg denim ~ White House Black Market

Shoes ~ Target

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Blessings,

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Wishing you all the wonder and joy of Christmas!

Holiday Historic Home Tour

I love to tour historic homes, especially at Christmas time! My town host a fabulous one and I had to share some of the beautiful homes with you and their decorating talents. I warn you now, there are a lot of pictures.

This house is one of my favorites!

Look at this stove! I'm in heaven!

This kitchen, was really to die for.

I'm loving this tile flooring!

Next home, had such a homey feel, I wanted to sit back and relax. I love this painting over the mantle.

This round table is fabulous!

The moose is perfect

I fell in love with every single one of these homes and I dream of owning one!

Only I think I want a new one that looks old. Hope you're having a fabulous week!

Blessings,

Christmas Tour

Some more Christmas pictures and details...

Our stairs have come a long way from here:

That was a faux paint finish on the treads...

Advent calender, Layla loves her "special treat"

(from Etsy)

Paper chain inspired by my dear friend Courtney... can't wait to show you her home!

Cutting our tree down was so fun, there was even a light dusting of snow!

I thought the tree was going to be small, I was worried I might have to stand it on a table for height.

Apparently they can look deceivingly small in the field.

I love the fresh smell of a real tree! It is not shaped exactly like a typical Christmas tree but I think that makes it look more old-fashioned.

And the tree skirt...

My friends Courtney and Jen and I spent many hours making these! We had seen a similar one on Etsy that no longer seems to be on there, but was inspired by another one that Garnet Hill used to sell.

Anyways the price was way out of our budget, so we decided to make one. It was so much fun to do together. The skirt was made on the sewing machine out of wool and a natural cotton liner and each individual flower (which is made from ten fabric circles!) was hand sewn.

Jen has called this "The Year of Our Tree Skirts!"

Courtney even hand embroidered our last names on the seam.

Layla loves to look at the "Christmas House."

A Pinterest idea also from Courtney... special papers curled inside glass ornament ball..

That is all for this first year in our new house...

Linking here

Christmastime

I remember a small tile spoon rest my Mother had in the kitchen at Christmas. It said

Christmas is a time of warm remembrance

I think it was my very favourite decoration.

It holds a lot of truth - each celebration, tradition, and joyful memory adding a layer to be unfolded fondly as the years pass.

And now it has even more truth for me, remembering her at her favourite time of year.

Beginning traditions with my own daughters, that they may someday stop and smile to recall.

And remembering the greatest truth of all.

I hope you are well, dear reader, thank you for following along!

Victorian Farmhouse Kitchen

Our Kitchen!

You might remember the before, from the real estate listing:

Yellow walls, red floor, plain cabinets in need of work. But still cozy I thought!

And now...

I really wanted a Victorian Farmhouse sort of feel... whatever that means!

The makeover involved getting the cabinets sprayed professionally and adding molding and some glass doors, adding a backsplash, changing the countertop and sink, new lighting, painting walls and floors, new fridge and dishwasher (new stove to follow someday, but the old one is fine for now!)

We had a contractor do almost everything.

The island was made by a carpenter I found on Kijiji, the top is maple and the corbels and furniture legs were from Home Depot. I just showed him a picture of what I wanted and he delivered it to our door!

Already well-loved oven mitts.

I really don't think you can go wrong with a white subway tile backsplash. It is so affordable, classic, and clean looking.

I think I mentioned before both chandeliers are Home Depot, they deliver in Canada to your door for free.

Walls are Ballet White by Benjamin Moore, floors are Grey Mist, and cabinets and trim are White Dove, also Benjamin Moore. White Dove was recommended by a friend and I love it! I wasn't sure about how to match the white with grey undertones of the countertop, but it seems to work well. I didn't want to pick a grey white because I still wanted it to feel warm.