Talbots for Spring

New Styles from Tuckernuck

Friday, December 18, 2015

Christmas in the Kitchen and Den

Hello, dear friends.  I hope all is well on the holiday preparation front.  I finally finished decorating and wrapping yesterday.  Actually, it was pretty simple since the only thing that my daughters wanted was some yuletide cashola.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know my style of holiday decorating.  I call it minimalist - some people would refer to it as lazy-ist.  Whatever.







Remember my boxwood wreaths from last year's holiday decorating?  Well, I liked them so much, I kept them up all year round.  I put a little greenery and sparklies in the windows this year and called it a day.  

I'm exhausted.  I don't know how I do it.



Next stop is the den.    







I'd really like to impress you by saying that I made those trees.  But Santa is watching and I want to get some good stuff this year.





To the left, you will see our version of Elf on the Shelf.  I bought these little elves in Florida many years ago.  





I usually dress the mantel with a garland and ornaments.  But this year, I decided that I didn't want to burn one precious calorie picking up pine needles. 

I finally decided to put some cypress trees in the copper wine cooler and tie a red bow around it.  Everything looks better with a red ribbon tied around it, including me.







I bought these stockings a few years before Pierre Deux closed.  I really miss that beautiful store.











I had some paperwhites on this table.  Unfortunately, they are taking their time making an appearance, so I bought this beautiful topiary at the nursery yesterday.  Hopefully, my paperwhites will join us by Easter.







Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my family to yours.  

When I count my blessings this year, you all are on the top of my list.  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, leaving comments, and writing me encouraging notes.  I am touched by all of your kind gestures.


See you next year.

Until next time...









Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

58 comments:

  1. Lovely decorations! Christmas blessings to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Katie,
    your decorations are lovely and your girls are beautiful!
    Happy Holidays!
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautifully decorated house! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love all the greenery in the kitchen - enjoy your girl's visit and holiday family time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Katie, your Holiday Decor looks just lovely and very festive to me. I did not burn many calories decorating, trust me! Moulaa in a card is all my children want as well! Oh yes, I miss Pierre Deux! Have a wonderful weekend!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    The Reason for the Season

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    The Reason for the Season

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful Katie...your daughters are just lovely! Darling picture! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Everything is beautiful Katie. Love the elf on a shelf...LOL And, your girls are gorgeous. And, even Chili and Chowdah look festive.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your house looks festive and simple all at the same time. Merry Christmas to your family. Enjoy the time with your beautiful daughters.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your decorating style is lovely. I smiled the entire way through this post. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Everything looks lovely! And I agree...a red ribbon makes anything look festive! Lots of people are taking the "less is more" in their decorating this year it seems. Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  11. Helllooo Katie my dear...I am just sending a little note to say hi, and how much I love your picture of your beautiful girls and sweet doggies, it has made me smile after a long day, and a midnight run to the friendly holly tree nearby (complete with berries )
    You say such kind words at the end of the post...when it is a joy and a pleasure to read your blog, we all love you
    Sally xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, sweet Sally. I think of you often and hope that things are going well. Drop me an email when you have time. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and 2016 brings only good things.

      Delete
  12. Oh, I'm with you Katie on the decorating. I use to decorate from stem to stern but no more. I am definitely a minimalist now but it's still very pretty. Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am happy with my pared down Christmas decorating... until I go into a home where so many festive decorations are displayed... then I feel a tiny bit lazy and inadequate... until it's time to put away all the decorations!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Paige. Have a great holiday with your family.

      Delete
  14. Merry Christmas Katie! Love all of these photos! Hope your time with your beautiful daughters is fun and magical!
    Jean in NC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jean! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday as well.

      Delete
  15. Your home looks so pretty and I am also disappointed that Pierre Deux closed...Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
    Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your home is juuuust right! Beautiful picture of your daughters and the pupsters. Enjoy your holiday, and just think...you won't have so much to put away!

    ReplyDelete
  17. LOVE, love, love your minimalist decorating! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

      Delete
  18. Just fabulous! I love it all, it is so festive and magical. Love that picture of the girls...gorgeous! Merry merry:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Absolutely beautiful in every single spot! The cypress trees in the copper pots are gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thanks for the laughs and good thoughts during the year!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful! I love your home decorated a lot or a little because your rooms stand alone in class and style. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Merry Christmas dear Katie! Your house looks beautiful! You put the magic touch in all you do; especially that gorgeous Christmas card. Enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. I feel so blessed to know you & have your wonderful blog for inspiration & many times for comfort. xoxo, Dawn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merry Christmas to you and DH and DD! Hopefully, we can meet for lunch in 2016!

      Delete
    2. I would love that! Hugs, Dawn

      Delete
  22. Katie you crack me up! The older I get (way older than you) the less I want to do. I have to be honest. I am so happy I found your blog. You tell it like it is I can totally identify with that!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gorgeous picture of the girls and your home is so festive Katie! Well done! Enjoy your family🎄💚⛄️ and see you next year😘

    ReplyDelete
  24. What you call minimalist/laziest, I call gorgeous! Everything is beautiful, including #1 and #2 and the pups. Have a very, very Merry Christmas!! xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  25. Have a Merry Christmas with your beautiful family!!
    I really enjoy reading your blog and looking forward to 2016.
    Happy New Year and best wishes!
    Eli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words and your sweet comments throughout the years. Eli, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and very happy, healthy new year.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so very much!!
      Eli

      Delete
  26. Merry Christmas! Just love your kitchen window sills. Your home looks wonderful. The greenery in the copper looks grand.

    ReplyDelete
  27. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I hope Santa brings everything on Chow and Chili's list! Thank you for another year of wonderful blog's, I so enjoy reading your blog and I am grateful that I found you a few years ago, you have brought many "giggles" on an early morning before I head out to work. Happy New Year, and I can't wait to hear the 2016 adventures. Best, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Cindy. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much for your kind words, Cindy. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

      Delete
  28. Your decorating looks perfect to me! Best wishes to you and your most adorable family for Christmas and New Year's!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Merry Christmas Katie! Hope you and your family have wonderfully warm holidays! So glad I found your blog this year.The house looks so festive and fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Absolutely beautiful! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a very happy healthy New Year!!!

    Blessings,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Katie, Your home is pure perfection at Christmas and always. If you ever decide to turn your home into a B&B or a charming inn I will be your first guest. Your home just exudes warmth, happiness, and cheer...think Holiday Inn. I bet you and the Mr. can sing and dance as well if not better than good 'ol Bing and Astaire too! Your daughters are absolutely gorgeous and I hope you get to spend some time with them over Christmas.
    Wishing you the Merriest Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2016!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read your comment to the Mister and he got the biggest kick out of the singing and dancing part! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all the kind comments that you have left over the years.

      Delete
  32. Your home looks gorgeous with just the right amount of Christmas! My goal for next year is only natural decorations which will be difficult since I am allergic to everything and we even have a fake tree! I guess we'll see!! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Cathy Temple

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy! We do all fake stuff except flowers and pinecones do the fact that I am married to Felix Unger and doesn't appreciate pine needles on the floor. Have a fabulous Christmas and very Happy New Year. Thanks you so much, Cathy, for always leaving such nice comments.

      Delete
  33. Lovely, merry and bright. Have a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Katie, your home is gorgeous and so inviting for the holidays. Love your tree and all the special pops of color and details. Such a warm and cozy home you have created and the perfect decorations. Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. Wishing you many blessings in your new home. I am sure McKinney misses you. Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Katie,

    Always enjoy your blog and your home is lovely, so warm and cozy! Moving to Boston in January for the next year, to help my daughter with her new baby (not real sure she will be able to keep a human alive!!) Would love to meet for lunch/coffee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely!! Email me when you get settled and we will set a date. I look forward to it. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy that new baby!

      Delete
  36. Katie, Your home looks absolutely beautiful. Wishing you and your family Merry Christmas and all of the blessings of the season. annie_g

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Annie. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and Happy new year!

      Delete
  37. Your home looks beautiful andmi love the photo at the end of your post.
    Thank you for your kind visit to my blog. Merry Christmas blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Enjoyed seeing your decorations and hoping you have a Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  39. شركة صيانة الاجهزة المنزلية لديها الجديد دائما في عالم الأصلاح والصيانة شركة التقوي لصيانة الاجهزة المنزلية بالرياض لديها قطع الغيار اللازمة لتوفيرها للعملاء في حالة تغيير القطع التالفة وبأفضل الأسعار شركة اصلاح الثلاجات المنزلية عملية شحن الفريون للمكيفات وشحن فريون لثلاجات متوفر لدينا وبأفضل الاسعار المتواجدة بالأسواق وبفريون اصلي عالي الجودة صديق للبيئة شركة اصلاح وصيانة الثلاجات المنزلية لديها العديد والعديد من المؤهلات لتجعلها أفضل شركة اصلاح الاجهزة المنزلية بالرياض تقدم صيانة غسالات صيانة شركة اصلاح الأجهزة المنزلية بالرياض نقوم بعمل أصلاح وصيانة لجميع الاجهزة المنزلية لمتواجدة بالمنزل من اصلاح ثلاجات,صيانة أفران جميع الاجهزة المنزلية يمكننا ان نقوم بعمل أصلاح وصيانة لها في نفس الوقت لتعود كما كانت من قبل شركة التقوي لصيانة الأحهزة المنزلية بالرياض لديها عمالة وفنيين مدربين علي اعلي نستوي من الخبرة والكفأة لمعرف المشاكل التي تتواجد في الاجهزة من صيانة الثلاجات المنزلية صيانة الغسالات صيانة النشافات صيانة الافران صيانة الفريزرات صيانة البرادات صيانة مكيفات أسبلت شركتنا هي الشركة الرائدة في مجال صيانة الأجهزة المنزلية بكافة احتياجات البيت العصري صيانة ثلاجات بجدة اصلاح ثلاجات كلفونيتر اصلاح غسالات اتوماتيكية صيانة افران صيانة غسالات بالرياض صيانة مكيفات بالقصيم اصلاح مكيفات اسبلت

    ReplyDelete
  40. شركة كشف تسربات الغاز بالرياض عند شم رائحة لغاز في منزلك يجب عليك عزيزي العميل غلق جميع المحابس المئدية الي نرور الغاز لحين عمل كشف علي كافة المواسير والتمديدات المتواجدة بالمنزل ةفحص خزانات الغاز ان وجد شركة كشف تسرب الغاز بالرياض تقوم بعمل فحص في حالة أتصال العميل علينا ونقوم بأرسال فني يقوم بعمل فحص للأنابيب والتمديدات المتواجدة بالمطبخ ومعرفة مكان الخلل أين وجد بواسطة أجهزة متخصصة في كشف الغاز يقوم الفني بعمل فحص للأنابيب وخزان الغاز أن وجد تعمل معظم المنازل بملئ خزان الغاز ويمكث فترة طويلة بالمنزل فيجب عمل فحص للخزان الغاز المتواجد بالمنزل والتأكد من خلوة من ثغرات ومشاكل لخطورة تسرب الغاز يجب أختيار تمديدات متخصصة تستخدم في تمديدات الغاز. علامات تسرب الغاز 1- ظهور رائحة غاز بالمكان 2- أنتهاءالغاز سريعا ومتكرر عند ملاحظة علامات تواجد غاز بالمكان يجب أغلاق جميع مخارج الغاز سريعا وعدم استخدام اي شعلة بالمكان لحين وصول شركة تسرب المياه بالرياض ومعرفة السبب المؤدي الي مشكة تواجد الغاز بالمكان شركتنا متخصصة في الكشف عن تمديدات الغاز وفحص خزانات الغاز بالمباني والشركات والمؤسسات كما يتوفر لدينا أجهزة متخصصة في الكشف أكترونيا عن أسباب تسرب الغاز ويتواجد لدينا فنيين متخصصين في أستخدام الاجهزة الخديثة ومعرفة أستخدامها الاستخدام الصيح شركة تسرب الغاز لديها كل المقومات التي تجعلها أفضل شركة متخصصة في الكشف عن تسرب الغاز شركة تسرب الغاز كشف تسربات الغاز شركة تسرب الغاز شركة تسرب الغاز بالرياض تسرب الغاز بالرياض الاعلان مقدم من

    ReplyDelete
  41. شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالقصيم من الضروري جدا والمهم عمل شركة كشف تسرب المياه في المبني لتأكد من خلو منزلك من تسربات المياه تقدم لك شركة كشف تسربات المياه الحل الأمثل في الكشف عن جميع مشاكل تسربات المياه التي تؤدي الي أهدار كميات كبيرة من المياه علاوة علي المشاكل التي تسببها في مسكن شركة كشف تسربات المياه بجدة تعمل علي أصلاح وتقليك مشاكل تسربات المياه في المنازل والشركات وحتي المدارس شركة كشف تسربات المياه توفر عليكم المعاناة التي يمكن ان تصلو اليها شركة كشف تسرب المياه بالرس هي الحل الوحيد الزي سوف يوفر لك الحماية من أخطار تسربات المياه شركة كشف تسرب المياه برماح شركة كشف تسرب المياه بالمدينة المنورة

    ReplyDelete

J. Crew

Recent Posts