A Dickens Christmas

The Mister and I dropped our #2 off at the airport at 5AM on Saturday morning.   #1 left for school the day before, after lunch and (what else?) shopping at the mall.

Again, we are back to being crazy, sexy empty nesters.  We stopped for breakfast at Mimi's, a great breakfast spot, and discussed what we should do with our day.  For a week, we were told gently guided by our girls who chose our day's events.  We ventured to a few outlets,  a couple of malls, and their favorite restaurants for some lunches and dinners. 

Now, we both eyed  each other with that look of  "Now what should we do?"

So I came up with some ideas.  We could put the wreaths up on the house.  The Mister had that same look on his face when I suggest going fabric shopping.  Then I tried again.  How about we go to a Dickens Christmas on the Square?  Again, his grey pallor began to grow.  It was as if I asked him to go to a candle convention with me. 

So what did we end up doing?  We put up the wreaths and went to a Dickens Christmas on the Square.  Life is good when mama gets her way!

 

It was a gorgeous, clear crisp day. 

 

 

 

 

Whoa... I'm next in line. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mister's pale demeanor began to get rosier.

 

 

It was about 58 degrees and sunny.  Life is good in Texas.

 

 

The Mister made it clear we were not going to the child activities or the petting zoo.  I guess he is still open to the Santa visit and I know he is always up for visiting a restroom.

 

 

 

The shops all do such a fabulous job decorating for the big event.

 

 

 

Love this staircase quote. 

  

 

This arrangement was so pretty in real life.  Took it through a window; not as dramatic.

 

 

  

Rosemary & cyclamen - what a beautiful combination.

 

 

Positively loved this window box outside the storefront.

 

 

 

This is an antique cradle. So darling.

 

 

Yo Sista... this one is for you.  Silver tree.  That was the only Christmas tree we had growing  up that was always accompanied by a tacky squeaky color wheel.  We are still looking for the forest that grows silver trees. 

 

 

 

Love the old town atmosphere of McKinney.

 

 

 

These darling ladies brought the sparkle to a Dickens Christmas.

 

 

 

Love this shop.

 

 

Mister's favorite shop. 

 

 

 

 This is a slide layered with homemade snow for a fun winter ride on a tube.   One of the biggest hits for the 14 and under crowd.  Although, the Mister would have taken his turn if the line wasn't so long.

 

 

Beautiful mantle in one of the shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love this hand painted piece.

 

 

 

Burlap tree skirts.

 

 

and stockings.

 

  

And now presenting...

the

Grande Dames of the Square... 

 

 

 

Nan Lee owns a beautiful jewelry and accessories store.

 

 

Sharla owns a  luxurious cosmetics and accessories store. 

 

 

 

Kendi owns a fresh and adorable clothing boutique called   bloom.  She also writes a very popular blog titled Kendi Everyday.

 

 

My #1 worked at bloom last summer and said that Kendi and her hubby, Brian, were the nicest bosses in the whole world.   

 

 

 

Guess where my man and I ended up... The Mister told me that A Dickens Christmas was not such a bad idea after all.

 

 

TGIF can never come too soon!