Happy Holidays!

I'm looking forward to staying warm by the fire with my family for a few days.  I hope you are doing something as equally enjoyable with the ones that you love.  Thanks for keeping company with me during 2011.  Looking forward to a spectacular 2012.

Brush, Brush

Source: flickr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

I came across this image on pinterest last week and now I'm completely enamored with bottle brush Christmas trees.  I don't have a collection yet, but I think i might have to keep my eyes open.  I may have something new for the mantel next year.

Here, someone has amassed quite a collection

via here

I love all the color

via etsy

And the ones without color too!

via the Tortoise and the Hare

And the ones that are flocked and have their own ornaments are beyond sweet

via A Life in Focus Photography

I've read grumblings that I could easily pick up a few at Michael's or Hobby Lobby that could be turned into something.  Maybe if I'm feeling crafty (oh, holiday knitting, will you ever be done???) I might try to create my own magical forest....they do look so cheery all grouped together. 

ETA: apparently I have the start to my collection already!  I just went downstairs and look what was sitting on the mantel

 

A Little Holiday Cheer with some Thanks!

Thanks to my ever-resourceful Aunt Nancy I have these beauties making the house festive.

red berries in the kitchen

joy on the mantel

 She had a bouquet of red berries picked and a boxwood made for each of us before we even got to Grandmother's over Thanksgiving day.  They are definitely making things more merry & bright around here. 

White Tree!

The tree is up and this year it's a white one!  I've always wanted a white tree.  I found a really inexpensive one and decided to give it a whirl.  I thought I was buying a tree with white lights but when we unboxed it they were colored. After a little freak out I've grown to like it. The lights really work with all the sparkle-ly balls and snowflakes. 

Don't forget to sign up for the Shabby Apple giveaway.  It's open until Sunday.  You could be the winner!