A few of my favorite things...

 It's been a snowy weekend filled with lots of ice skating.

 I think our rink was shoveled at least six times.

Both girls spent the weekend learning how to perfect their backward skating.

When I wasn't on the ice, I was rearranging Christmas treasures.

I keep finding more of my favorite decorations to tuck here and there.

My collection of Gurley candles just keeps multiplying!

And my estate sale red dresser is now taking up temporary residence on the kitchen counter. 

I hope your weekend was a restful one, or one filled with lots of favorite activities.   

XOXO

 

Winter wonderland...

It's been a snowy week inside and outside my home. 

The kind of snow that makes commuting to work rather "interesting".  

More snow is expected in our forecast over the weekend.

 

We've been shoveling like crazy lately.

Both girls got on the ice rink Thursday night after dinner.  Their first skate of the new season!!

Chris and I are waiting a few more days of freeze time before we put our 'weight' onto the ice. 

Stay cozy this weekend.

I have a feeling lots of cocoa will be poured over the next couple of days.
XOXO
 

Tiny tweaks...a tour of my Christmas putz village

The living room fireplace mantle almost didn't get decorated this Christmas. 

I misplaced my putz houses.

I have quite the stash, including this amazing red and white one designed by Erica (Golden Egg Vintage).

I searched through every tub of Christmas, but couldn't find them ANYWHERE!

It took Chris taking apart our furnace/storage room and moving a box of Easter to discover these little treasures.

 Most of the houses were estate sale acquisitions that received fresh makeovers with a bit of new paint and lots of glitter.

Such a happy little Christmas village. 

I'm glad you were found!

XOXO
   

With life gives you very cold weather...

You stare at the thermometer in disbelief. 

You drink hot chocolate with extra whipped cream!

You do homework by a cozy fireplace.

 And, you get an early start on the backyard ice rink!  This picture was taken Monday morning before work.  Chris spent all weekend building the rink and filling it with water.  He's extended the rink by a few more feet this year and we're hoping to have solid ice before Christmas.  

We had a long skating season this past winter.  This picture of the girls skating in our backyard rink was taken on March 9th!

I might have mentioned this last year, but Chris and I met ice skating in college. January 1988.  We kinda have a special thing about ice skating. 

We're thinking our door/ potting shed beneath the tree house might end up being a warming station during our ice skating adventures.  

If it's going to be cold, we might as well enjoy it!

Christmas has come to the keystone dollhouse! And my miniature Christmas give-away winner!

Thank you for letting me share my collection of dollhouses with you all. I'm glad you don't grow tired of them.  My mother asked if I was going to show the interior of my Rich toy company plantation style house. A secret. The inside is full of furniture but I didn't decorate it for Christmas. 

 I did however, decorate the interior of my Keystone dollhouse.  This dollhouse is my craft room window.

 It's Christmas morning and Santa has left all kinds of gifts.

Little girl is so excited that she's running towards her new doll and baby carriage.

The dining room table includes a gingerbread house and a fresh baked platter of Christmas cookies.

Michaels is selling the miniature gingerbread house and cookies (in case you're interested).

A tiny nativity scene is displayed on top of the red piano.

 And now onto the winner of my Kim K. miniature give-away.

Emma drew Holly from Cutie Pie Cottage as my Kim K. Christmas house winner.  

Holly, send me your postal address and I'll get your Christmas house in the mail right away.

Merry Christmas, everyone.  Have a wonderful week!