Home at Christmas time...

I'm standing in the laundry room looking into the kitchen and beyond...One of my most treasured possessions...a set of Christmas china handed down to me from Mom from the 1950's which we ate on at Christmas time...
All the gifts are wrapped and ready to take to daughter's Christmas Eve party and gift exchange...
Holly china that Mom bought for me in the 1980's...displayed on my baker's rack...
I would love to stay and chat with you...but...somebody has made a horrible mess in my kitchen and I get to clean it all up...after it's all clean, there's more treats to make to take to daughter's Eve and Christmas Day parties!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Gates to All You Darlings! Chat with you later...drive safe...stay safe...be safe...

Favorite Ornaments...

This has been MY ornament since, I do believe, 1959...in perfect condition.Bought this in 1982 @ a craft sale...always has been on my tree.
Love all my cardinal ornaments...this one has tons of sparkley on it.
This "G" is in perfect eye range for hubby to look at while he's in his recliner
A very sparkley snowflake that flitters with light against my white tree lites.
What are your favorite ornaments? We'll chat about that later...

Christmas Around Me...

The living room Christmas tree...oops, forgot to get rid of that pumpkin...My darling cardinal snowglobe...
My gorgeous manger scene snowglobe...
My silver tree in the den...bought @ garage sale a few years ago...
My angel that lights up and moves her candle back & forth...
More Christmas pics coming...chat with you later...

Christmas Village

One of my favorite pieces...Gary's Pet Shop...awwwA gorgeous Victorian house....awww
A pic of the village...snow hill and all...awww
A very pretty Victorian house...aww
The whole town lit up! The "snow" is a flat white bed sheet...aww
Time to decorate the tree now...chat with ya later...aww

Glimpses of the Gates' Home

My Thanksgiving china...Johnson Brothers...His Majesty...bought at garage sale years ago...gorgeous!Dressed up the mantel a bit...little lamps are from son-in-law's gramma...
Wooden pilgrims were 75% off at Hob Lob last November...like!
Simple dining room touches...the turkey centerpiece is on its 25th year of use....no chips either!
Had to show the plate, just once more...4 was in the set. Just ordered 8 more from Replacements LTD....this plate/design originally came out in 1955 and quit being made in 1983...paid $15 at gar. sale...included 4 plates, 4 coffee cups, 4 saucers.....wow.
Happy Thanksgiving! Haven't bought my turkey yet. Have you? I hope you are cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year! It's SO much fun! Chat later...

Homey Halloween

Pretties in the bathroom...Fall touches on the end table in the living room...
Spooked up the faux fireplace...made the 'boo' mini banner...
Cute fall touches lurk everywhere...
The spider is covering up a chunk (styrofoam) missing from the skeleton thingey (garage sale find)...
Happy Halloween to you! chat with you later...

Luvin' the Gold!

Got a little crazy with the gold spray paint..."falled" up an old wreath......no more brown pinecones! Yes, these are real!
Look at the size of these! Painted gold.....ahhh
Just some acorns laying in the backyard....spritzed w/ gold
The finished look sitting on a gold & glass coffee table...
Added a few ceramic pumpers for color...now, what else can I spray...chat with you later...

Crafting Coasters

The monogrammed coasters are laid out ready to decoupage...Decoupage gives them a shiney look and seals the paint...
Ready to sell...daughter made these...aren't they pretty!
My personal favorite....set of 4 with organza ribbon...
So lovely and elegant and gorgeous for your home...
Gotta go decoupage more tiles! Chat with ya later...

My Kitchen Corner...

This is my little niche where I spend most of my time....cookingLarge size favorite spices are close to the stove...ready to use, always
My den is on the other side of this window...I hand wash my dishes, always
The drainboard is full of clean, freshly scrubbed dishes, always

Must Have Treasures...Part 1

Remember my pretty front door that SIL painted? Found a wreath today for it! Paid $2.00Close up of the prettiness of it...
More up close details of wreath.....
Hubs collects eagle stuff....Paid $1.00 for this eagle Christmas ornament....he likes!
See my huge thumb nail? Gives you an idea the size of the eagle....his beak is yellow though.
Hit lots of good garage sales today! Will show pics of more treasures later on...chat later with ya

Another Estate Sale Special !!!!

Look at this gorgeous pitcher & basin set!No chips or cracks....mind condition...looks good in my Victorian bedroom
Pretty close-up of the painted flowers....love the swirly edges too
The basin even has the thingy in it to keep the pitcher from moving around!
Estate sale price....did I pay that? Oh no! Got it for 1/2 off! Only $19.00!!!!
What do ya think? I'm very happy that it's now in MY home!!!!!!! Chat with ya later.....