Wishing You All A Happy New Year

Thanks So Much for Being Such Lovely Friends

I wanted to take a minute to wish all of you, my dear Bloggy Friends, a happy, healthy and blessed New Year! Thanks so much for all your visits to Bella Vista and a special thanks to those who take the time to leave comments….I know this is especially difficult when we all have so many demands on our time. It is appreciated!

So many of you have become dear to me….I feel as though I know you and that is the very best part of blogging.

Forgive me for not being around much these days….I am just knee-deep in work and projects. My husband received (from me….Mrs. Santa….shhhhhh)  the large cherry executive desk he has wanted for his study for a long time.  We  had the guest bed in his study and it had to go, so that meant reworking the den into the new guest room. Now, we will watch telly in the family room….which is too large for my liking to watch television…..so I am working on making it cozy…..a BIG job. Are you confused yet? Haha.

Also making changes (big and small) in every other room in our cottage (even the sun porch) except the kitchen and the bathrooms…..I am bone weary but so happy with all the new changes…..feels like a new house. :-)

May 2012 be all you want it to be.

Barb

Hope Your Christmas Was Wonderful

Another Christmas has Come and Gone!

Hi Bloggy Friends, just a quick post to touch base. I do hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, joy and love.

Are you stuffed from all the delicious food? How was your weather? We had the warmest Christmas I can remember in a long time. We spent the afternoon sitting on the sun porch watching the birds (and boats) on the lake. We had eggnog during the evening….and just relaxed with some neighbors. It was wonderful.

I have been looking around at all the pretty decorations today and admiring them but have decided to take them down tomorrow. I’m ready for a fresh start….how about you?

Barb

Merry Christmas

From Our House to Yours…Merry Christmas

Dear Bloggy Friends, I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, many blessings and peace.

This will be my final post before Christmas. I have so much to do…as I am sure you do also. Lots of cookies to bake, wrapping gifts, neighbor goodie boxes to make and on and on…..I love it all!

All of you, my sweet friends, are a big part of my life. Thank you for your friendship.

Linking to:

Potpourri Friday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Home Sweet Home

Merry Christmas!

Barb

 

Roses in the Snow

Quiet Moments in the House

Hi Friends, I wanted to share my pink roses with you. They speak to my very soul and tell me to slow down and enjoy all the sweet moments associated with the season.

I smell cookies in the oven….yummy. I hear Christmas music softly playing in the background and I hear my kitty cat playing in the paper that I will be using to wrap my packages with. Haha.

I am reflective today…..as much as I love this season, I also miss the long and lazy days of summer and sitting on the porch after dinner. Good grief, I am definitely soulful today! :-) I have the shopping under control….such a relief! Everything is pretty much done…..except planning for the big dinner on Christmas day.

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and save a bit of time for yourself and some peace and quiet.

Thanks for your visits always.

Barb

Christmas Treats and Sweets

Taking a Little Time for Me

Yes, I have been in the kitchen….again….making treats. I made some chocolate covered cookie sticks this morning and decided to treat myself to a couple with a cup of tea. No, I am not eating all those! They just make the picture look pretty, don’t they. ;-)

I won’t be around much for the next few days….I really have to hit the decks with my Christmas shopping. I am running dreadfully behind in this area for this year. Yikes! I know what I want and that is half the battle, isn’t it? Just have to brave the crowds and find it.

Hope you are having fun with all your Christmas plans and preparations. See you soon.

Barb

Christmas Coffee Table

In Vibrant Color

Hi Everyone, this Christmas coffee table is the result of a special request from my darling husband. Just about everything I have done for Christmas is in soft colors and neutrals. He specifically asked for some ‘color’….and this fits the bill, wouldn’t you say? ;-)

My Byers Choice Carolers are running over with gorgeous Christmas greens and reds. This is the Lamplighter and the Wreath Maker….two of my favorites. They were birthday gifts to me several years ago.

 

I must admit…it is a joy to go into this room. I get blind-sided at times and tend to do ‘all the same thing’ everywhere! Anyway, it makes my hubby smile and that is all that matters.

I am finished decorating…..I think I said that about three or four days ago. I am truly laughing out loud. Thanks for coming by.

Barb

Christmas Tea Tray

A Quiet Time to Reflect on the Season

Hi Everyone, I had a chance to share tea with one of my sweet neighbors yesterday. It was such a quiet time in the midst of all the Christmas plans….very welcomed, indeed!

I am doing so much baking that I don’t know what to do with it all. My husband’s office and our surrounding neighbors are all broadly smiling because I am stuffing them with cakes and cookies. I love to bake anytime but during Christmas, it just ‘calls to me.’

How about a bite of Christmas cake?

This was my first Christmas china. I have had it for years and actually don’t even remember where I purchased it. I love Christmas dishes and have several sets, now.

Aren’t these napkin rings sweet?

I hope your days are going smoothly and that you are enjoying the season and the process. We all need to take a bit of time to sit and have tea or coffee and reflect. This time passes so quickly. 

The house is quiet at present and magical with all the lights. May we all know the true spirit of Christmas….the peace and the love. Thanks so much for your visit.

Linking to and sharing with:

Rose Chintz Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

Barb

Den Mantel for Christmas

Keeping it Soft

Hi Friends, how is your decorating coming along? Mine is finally finished and I started early. Good grief….LOL.

This is our den mantel. Our den is small and probably our favorite room in our room. It is saved just for us…and seems really special. I kept the colors toned down this year but my husband is not too up for it. He loves color so I let him decorate the exterior of our home. You should see it….it is VERY colorful. Haha.

I am so into silver this year. I just love it!

Can you believe two weeks is all we have left until Christmas? I am in some kind of a time warp because I cannot wrap my head around that fact!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Linking to and sharing with:

The House in the Roses

Between Naps on the Porch

Barb  

Christmas Vignette

A Smile on My Kitchen Island

Hi Everyone…I had a chance to rest a bit. Loved all the responses to my other post….seems a lot of you feel the same way about being a bit overwhelmed. Whew!

This vignette sits on my kitchen counter and never fails to bring a smile to my face when I enter this room. I think the fact that it is whimsical is the reason. The small tree, which I adore, is perfect for this room.

I found this adorable Chef Santa in Michaels a few weeks ago. There is something about chef santas that I cannot pass up. They seem so jolly and happy to me. :-)

How about some Christmas candy? I love the colorful foil wrappers….yes, I do think there is a LOT of little girl still left in me. LOL

This old and vintage silver tray always sits on this counter…..I love it! I love silver trays, in general, but this one is my favorite. There is something about it that ‘speaks’ to me.

I am a Slatkin and Co. candle lover…..I can’t get enough of these wonderful candles. The scents are fabulous.

I hope you are enjoying your days of decorating. Are you finished?

I always appreciate your visits to Bella Vista and your comments. I love reading them.

Linking to and sharing with:

Home Sweet Home

Fridays Unfolded

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Barb

Too Many Ideas

The Possibilities are Endless

Don’t know about you, but I am mind boggled at all the wonderful ideas and decorating possibilities displayed in Blogland. I keep changing things in little bits and I am just exhausted….so I am taking the afternoon to have a little break. Getting a fresh and new haircut always gives me a wee vacation. :-)

The weather is almost spring like with really mild temps but all the Christmas decorations are out in full force. I love seeing the lights in the evening. Makes me feel like a kid again.

Hope your decorating is coming along smoothly and that you are giving yourselves little breaks now and then. We all need them.

Happy Tuesday!

Barb

A Woodland Christmas Mantel

The Woodsy & Natural Side of the Holidays

Hello Everyone, please come in and see my family room Woodland Mantel.

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I am very much into natural elements these days and I have always loved the Lodge Look. I love the warmth and welcoming ‘feel’ of this design.

I love my faux antlers that I snapped up at The Pottery Barn.

This deer is made of actual tree bark and is so fragile.

My happy little Woodland Santa.

I hope you enjoyed my mantel. I really enjoyed putting it together. Thanks so much for your visit.

Linking to and sharing with:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

From My Front Porch to Yours

Southern Hospitality

Savvy Southern Style

Ivy and Elephants

Barb