As my kids get older, the holiday celebration changes. I don't mind at all that there are fewer school obligations (Does any parent actually like classroom parties, or was I just a bad mother?) I kept busy in the kitchen instead. No matter what cookies I make, the little brownies are always the favorite. Sticking a few cupcake picks on a tray of them makes them even more festive.
I had a little party one evening for some of my favorite people - the women who work at the post office, who make my almost-daily trips there a delight instead of a dreaded chore. (Pretty sure our post office is staffed with the nicest, friendliest, smartest people anywhere.) Fussing with table arrangements is one of my favorite holiday activities.
Good use for silverware tray.
Good use for Christmas action figures. If you put them on the table, people can't help but play with them.
Good use (and in fact, about the only use I know of) for tiny Santa mugs.
Where most of the cooking takes place. (Note diminished supplies of flour, sugar and salt in canisters.) I had a lot more on these shelves when I first started decorating. Then I took a lot of it away.
This was the year to let the NOEL people take center stage. There were NOEL people in pajamas and slippers.
And NOEL angels and Santa mugs.
The view from the kitchen.
Even better with food.
Today's the first day I felt that little tug of wanting to get started on the new year ... plans and projects racing through my mind, goals I'm pretty excited about. But there's another part of me that wants the festive season to last. I suspect the holidays are going to win. That's just fine with me.
p.s. Etsy shop has reopened, and everything is 30 percent off when you use the coupon code ENDOFYEAR30. New ideas for the shop are among the things racing through my mind!
If I had all that goodness to look at I'd leave it up all year !! Happy New Year, Elaine
Posted by: E | December 28, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Oh my word, a little piece of Heaven, enveloped in all that Jadeite green....*Sigh*
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | December 28, 2012 at 01:34 PM
I cannot even pick a favorite thing in these pictures. Your jadite collection is just stunning. I love the mix of jadite green and Christmas red. It looks so fresh and festive.
Excuse me while I go throw away everything in my kitchen and start over....
Posted by: Kathy | December 28, 2012 at 03:15 PM
Oh what lovely photos - You and I seem to have a lot of the same dishes and same taste in decorating/entertaining. I just found your blog and I'm off to see more - thanks.
Posted by: JoAnnn Bayne | December 28, 2012 at 05:06 PM
I love your kitchen. The jadeite green and red are just darling and I would love to stop by for a visit...of course I would lose the power of speech as I took it all in tho. Super NOEL figures.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | December 28, 2012 at 06:39 PM
Your kitchen looks very homey, warm and inviting. What a perfect place to spend just sipping hot chocolate in those adorable Santa mugs.
Posted by: Joy | December 28, 2012 at 07:27 PM
Why didn't I think of that? Maybe I'll bring treats to the post office workers in hopes of timely and better service!
Your table is beautiful and I always enjoy your vignettes. Might I suggest another use for miniature santa mugs? Put them in a clear glass container with colorful glass ornaments with their little faces looking out. You may not want to use your best ornaments for this, but it is cute with newer, less important ornaments as well.
Posted by: Tina | December 29, 2012 at 07:50 AM
Oh my goodness. I could just sit and stare at your lovely jadite and Christmas decorations for hours. What a warm and inviting home. You really have the BEST vintage goodies. I'm not ready for Christmas to end. The thought of packing it all up, makes me want to run in another direction.
Wishing you a blessed New Years!
Posted by: Kim K. | December 29, 2012 at 08:38 AM
You have the best taste in everything! Your pics just make me want to start collecting Jadeite. I just love your kitchen of green walls with white. Please keep entertaining us with your vintage collections. We all like to drool of them.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Grossnickle | December 29, 2012 at 03:53 PM
just beautiful!! i know what you mean about setting the table-i love using all of the dishes, etc. i've collected over the years. i love that silverware box! your house looks great!
Posted by: jennifer | December 29, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Wow, with such a beautifully decorated kitchen, I would be praying the holiday never ended! Your postal workers are one lucky bunch, too. ;)
Those brownies look delish!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | December 29, 2012 at 08:56 PM
I wish that I worked at your post office ! Your kitchen looks adorable ... and your food scrumptious ! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year Barbara !
Posted by: Lisa W. | December 30, 2012 at 02:47 AM
I am quite sure you have the nicest post office staff...ours is less than desirable. Please tell me why you have to get your passport there and not the dmv. Anyhow, your home looks lovely...wishing you a very happy new year....smiles..Renee
Posted by: Renee | December 31, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Everything is picture perfect. It's a vintage Christmas dream kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you all the best in the New Year.
Posted by: Linda Ruthie | January 01, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Absolutely gorgeous! I am working on my Jadeite collection. Yours is one to mimic! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and New Year! :)
Posted by: Denise | January 02, 2013 at 01:40 PM
your jadeite collection is amazing!
Posted by: jennifer | January 24, 2013 at 12:12 AM
Oh my goodness, I just found my dream dishes in your beautiful kitchen!!! I have been mulling for a couple years now what dishes to begin collecting in earnest as my daily set, and green is my favorite color, but I had never seen dishes like these before. According to the comments, it is Jadeite, right? Is there any particular maker of it that is your collection? I'm assuming they are vintage? You can't even begin to imagine how excited I am to have found these dishes, your set is beautiful and one I will definitely have to begin searching for! I literally just saved all these pics of your collection to my computer under "Dream Dishes". So gorgeous.
Posted by: Valerie | January 24, 2013 at 11:04 PM