Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas lunch in the kitchen...


So "yesterday" was Thanksgiving and this week it will be Christmas.... goodness... it's a blur!

Time flies when you're having fun, though.

Every December I try to get my neighbors over for a little Christmas lunch.



I was running so late with the cleaning, cooking and of course the most important part, the decorating and tweaking that takes me hours on end, that I only got a few shots of the table before they got here...

I used one of my favorite Christmas dishes, the cardinals on a wreath of holly on top of a gold charger.

This was the first time that I bought some "crackers" and was anxious to see if they were all they are "cracked up to be"...

Well, I can tell you that they were a hit! Especially after a few cosmopolitans.... we had fun wearing the silly paper crowns, told our cheesy little jokes and played with the guessing games. So...not only do they fancy up the table, they are good for some chuckles too!




This is a little Williamsburg pineapple centerpiece that I "whipped up" in a matter of minutes. The form which you can't see is originally designed to be a floral vase (where I put the pineapple) and where I placed the apples, votive candles usually are used. I just cut some magnolia leaves and evergreen branches and threw in a couple of clusters of nandina berries for good measure.



I wish that I had taken pictures of the food ! Oh well............





I'd like to take you on a little tour of my kitchen all "dressed up" for Christmas....
































































I lucked upon a set of beautifully hand painted plates a few years ago which depict fantasy Father Christmases that melted my heart... (no name on the back, it only states not to use for food consumption)






A little closer shot...I think this one is one of my favorites of the four.








Uh... no, maybe This is my favorite one.....




See.........a little closer look and you can understand why I love them so much...





This one is cute too... look how loaded down he is with all those great toys and gifts...







I think he looks a little overwhelmed...like most of us at this time...








Okay, I was lying! THIS is my FAVORITE....




Look at that beautiful coat and details on his face........... Yup, love 'em all !!!




It has been only in the last few years that I've decorated my kitchen. I've decided since this is the room I spend the most time in, I would enjoy some of my favorite things in here. Don't tell anyone, but I kidnapped the doggies from the dining room as well as the topiaries from the living room to dress up my sink area.





I think he looks very happy in the kitchen, don't you?



Okay, back to some more of my favorite Christmas plates...

My mother-in-law gave me these next two very special three dimensional plates a couple of years ago.


Is he cute, or what?!



Here's the other one..........


Lovin' his little bird friends.
Each year I look forward to seeing these special plates from a very special and beautiful lady.



Did you think that I had forgotten about flower arranging?
Nope.. here's one I made for my counter.........





I also made two of these candle arrangements..............





















That's it folks... thanks for coming over to my kitchen today. Happy Holidays and do something that makes you smile today!





You'll see many more great tablescapes at Susan's blog: Between Naps on the Porch

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Rose! What a beautiful table with those cardinal dishes! And your centerpiece. Man, you're good! Now your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous. Love your pretty cabinets and all of your decorations! Love those Santa plates! Oh, you have so many pretties. I'm not jealous of your gorgeous kitchen. No No Nannette! I'm not! :)
Merry Christmas,
shelia ;)

Trez said...

WOW everything looks awesome!! Love the granite colors (their mine too!!) Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Its So Very Cheri said...

Your plates are adorable. What a fun to treasure to get to enjoy each year.
I have had so many Google problems-and it isn't over-Google has no idea how to solve the problem.
Sorry I haven't been by much-I decided after weeks and weeks of non-stop Google issues, I am throwing my hands up and making much needed visits.
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and hope you can come by for a visit.
Cheri

Justine said...

Rose! There are so many aspects of this room and its decor that I truly love, I think my comment would have to be a mile long to point them all out! First, I love your counters and that window treatment! Gorgeous! Where on earth did you find those topiaries? They're soooooooooo pretty.

Santa plates? Every one is adorable. I especially like the 3-d ones from you mil!

I spied a little fallen Santa on the counter and he gave me a good giggle.

All the flower arrangements are just stunning. Wow wow wow!!!

Justine :o )

bj said...

OOO, as usual, Rose, your decorations are magnificent. What a beautiful Christmas kitchen. I love all your plates...I'm like Shelia...I am NOT jealous of that magazine worthy kitchen...I'm not...I'm not...oh dang it!...I AM!
xo bj

Anita Diaz said...

What a gorgeous kitchen! It would be my favorite room in the house ,,,and decorated so beautifully for Christmas! Beautiful!! LOVE the plates!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

You must enjoy the feeling of your home at Christmas so much, it's just beautiful!
~Michelle

Marigene said...

Rose, your kitchen decorations are stunning! Your sink area is so pretty with the topiaries and puppies on each side of the window. I love the 3 dimensional plates, very beautiful...the hand painted fantasy Father Christmas' are just beautiful, I couldn't pick a favorite, all beautiful, beyond words, with so much detail.
Your table set with the bird plates is perfect. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Helen said...

I don't even know where to begin! I am definitely in 'kitchen and cake stand' heaven! The colors, the decorations, the care and love which you have showered in this most important of rooms! Bravo!

Salmagundi said...

I'm always blown away by the beauty of your home; and now that you are doing the fabulous floral arrangements, they are the icing on the cake. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Sally

Anonymous said...

Oh to have all those fresh flowers in my house!!! You house is always just so lovely! THank you for sharing!

blessings
mary

A Southern Rose said...

Your home is so beautiful! I love your kitchen! Your Christmas decor is perfect and it does look like it should be in a magazine. It all loooks so warm and cozy.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Rose,
LOVE your kitchen all decked out for Christmas! Those plates are wonderful...just beautiful! Crackers are a hoot aren't they. Wish I'd gotten pics of Nancy and Chip wearing their crowns last year. LOL Well, I have crackers again, so maybe there will be some more crowns inside this year, too.
I love your Colonial Williamsburg centerpiece...totally gorgeous!
Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
Susan

Unknown said...

Hi Rose, everything you have done is gorgeous. I'm wondering if you have any idea if those santa plates could ever be found somewhere. I love them more than any Christmas thing I have ever seen. I know you said you picked then up somewhere and there are no identification marks, do you have any more information? Or would you be willing to sell them? I can't believe I'm writing this, but I cannot begin to tell you how much I really, really LOVE them.
Thank you so much and have a wonderful Christmas and the best New Year.
Linda

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh such pretty floral arrangements! And I adore those plates too. What a wonderful kitchen -- It's too pretty to mess up! I love everything and would just stand in the middle and turn around and around to see more and more and more!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

OMG Rose, I am in love with those beautiful Father Christmas plates! I studied each photo of them, and I also decided that each was my favorite -- until I saw the next one! You are just so talented. Your floral arrangements are so professional. Your table looks so pretty. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas! laurie

Millie said...

Adorable!...the floral arrangements are so nice....well, EVERYTHING is nice!!!

Four Paws and Co said...

Oh WOW! It's gorgeous Rose! The santa plates are all so pretty. It's just beautiful & thanks for some clever ideas! ☺♥☺

Unknown said...

Just a beautiful kitchen. I would love to see your house in person... Pretty plates too. merry xmas!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, I absolutely "adore" your kitchen. Your floral arrangements are beautiful. What sweet plates your mother in law gave you. I've never seen any like them,.. those hand painted ones "stole" my heart. Girl they are gorgeoussssssss!!! I love your draperies...I'm wanting to do something "new" after the first of the year and those oh my goodness... girllll Would "love" to have some Just like that..lol I know your guests truly loved their luncheon.. I sure would.. :-)) Girl I've missed you..time for some lemonade soonnnnnnn... From our home to yours a Very Merry Christmas... hugs ~lynne~

susan said...

Rose-I am just now getting by and am so glad I didn't miss this! Everything is just gorgeous and you have so many beautiful details! I love your backsplash--I am thinking about doing mine and always notice a pretty one :)

vignette design said...

I love your kitchen. Gorgeous granite. And your decorations are beautiful. Have a wonderful Christmas. --Delores

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Christmas Greetings, sweet friend...

Well my dear, you have certainly done it again!!! Your home is nothing short of fabulous in all of its Christmas finery!!! I really enjoyed touring your beautifully decorated kitchen...and just fell in love with all of your pretties!!! First of all, I just adore all of the beautiful florals that you've made...Girl, you have been having way too much fun! Hehe! Seriously, they are gorgeous!!! And...I loved the beautiful pineapple centerpiece that you made for you Christmas luncheon!!! Loved the enitre table!!! What pretty Christmas dishes!!! I also loved getting to see a few of your Santa plates...they are sooo pretty! Each and every vignette...gorgeous!!! Rose, your home is one of my very favorite to visit...especially during the holidays!!! You take such care with all of the decor, each little vignette, and you just have the prettiest "pretties"!!! Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous home with us!!!

My sweet friend, I just wanted to stop by with Christmas well wishes! I was just thinking that it's been a couple of years now since we first met on RMS! During this Christmas season when I reflect upon all my blessings...I just wanted you to know that I have really enjoyed our friendship and to tell you that you are always such an inspiration to me!!! I appreciate you, my sweet friend!!!

Warmest wishes and blessings to you and your family for a wonderful Christmas! May the Lord continue to richly bless you all in the New Year to come!!!

Love ya,
Chari @Happy To Design

Sewconsult said...

LOVE all the plates. I would love to see a close up on your valance! It looks so pretty & I'd like to see the fabric details.
Beckie in TN

Moments of Grace said...

Hello Rose,

I discovered your blog quite by accident today and I must say---I cannot believe the beauty of what you do. I have looked at every photo and read every post and I am speechless!!! Your home and its decor is simply breathtaking. I have bookmarked your blog and will be checking it daily.
As for your Santas, Father Christmas, I am in awe. I have looked for these for years but could never afford one. They are normally quite pricey. i would love to purchase one if you could tell me how to go about it. Your work is incredible.
Thank you so much for providing me with an enjoyable afternoon and much inspiration.
blessings to you and your loved ones this holiday season.

In Grace,
Marie

Chatty Crone said...

We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ And a Happy New Year!!! Merry Christmas to everyone........

Merry Christmas!
Sandie

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Rose! As usual...everything looks amazing! Sooo beautiful.

Hope your Christmas was a very blessed one!
Mele Kalikimaka & Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (Hawaiian for Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!)

Blessings & Aloha!
(So happy to have a few days from work, and catch up on blog reading...and able to spend time with our son, daughters and son-in-law...from Kentucky and at our Georgia home. Miss you, dear friend!...)

~Country Lady~ said...

Absolutely stunning! Your kitchen was a true delight to view. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year.

Aprons Gone Wild said...

It's all so lovely, Rose. I think YOU are the REAL SANTA CLAUS!
Have a wonderful New Year.
Joanne

Pascale said...

cette décoration de noel est merveilleuse ! bonne année à toi et toute ta famille!

Tardevil said...

I SO wanted to speed-dial you this weekend. Was in Cracker Barrel @ the beach this weekend trying to score some after C-mas deals, and saw they have a new blue & white line out for spring, which includes a pretty tassel, rooster, clothes, etc. They also have a very Frech country looking rooster collection all in the colors of your kitchen or porch. Please take a look, if you get the chance!

The Bloom Girls said...

Hi Rose,
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Karyn and I wanted to let you know about an Tea Party and Framing workshop taking place this Saturday the 9th in Atlanta. We love to see you there. The details are on our blog....let us know if you can make it!

It was great to see in at Karyn's!
Nola

Sue said...

Hi Rose...your kitchen is gorgeous...I love the window treatments!!.....and your floral arranging is beautiful....Hope your going to be coming to Joyce's for her Valentine tea next month....Sue.

Bridget said...

Hi Rose, how have you been? I hope you had a great holiday and happy new year. I love your decor, I could move in and feel right at home! (the ultimate compliment in my book!) We have such similar taste, it's uncanny.
I've been doing really well with the sugar thing, all of the new sugar-free items out there help me a lot. I love the sugar-free oreos! I'm able to have much better self-control with the sugar-free items than I ever did with the real sugar goodies.
The coconut cake didn't seem to spike my blood sugar level, it's kind of fattening because of the whipped cream but not real high in sugar.
Watch that blood sugar, it's not fun or healthy to get it out of control, better now than when you get to the point I was at. Diet, exercise and weight loss have helped me tremendously though. Walking is GREAT to keep it under control, you burn up those extra sugar calories before they can do any damage.
Hugs, B.

Bonnie Schulte said...

I am left speechless. Your kitchen is over the top fantastic. You decorate with a style that is timeless, just beautiful. I can't think of enough words, speechless, and I will just have to come back to your blog each day, for the eye candy. Bonnie in cold WI