RED? IN ARIZONA.....NOT FOR TEN YEARS!

I DECIDED TO BRING OUT EVERY LITTLE BIT OF RED THAT I HAD FOR CHRISTMAS IN ARIZONA.

LAST YEAR I HAD RED IN OUR MINNESOTA HOME, BUT I HAVEN'T USED RED IN THIS HOUSE EVER.  I DID USE RED ONE YEAR IN THE HOUSE THAT WE BUILT WHEN WE FIRST MOVED DOWN HERE AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE ATTIC EVER SINCE.

LAST YEAR OUR HOUSE IN ARIZONA WAS THE MOST GLAMOUROUS IT HAD EVER BEEN.  THIS YEAR, I WENT SIMPLE.  NO ANGELS, MADONNAS OR CRECHES.

I ACTUALLY BOUGHT TWO POINSETTIAS TOO!  WE USUALLY NEVER USE THEM.

THREE OF MY ORCHIDS WERE IN BLOOM.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PHOTOS!

THIS WAS MY GINGERBREAD CREATION THIS YEAR.  AFTER FINDING OUT THAT DON AND I ARE ALMOST A QUARTER IRISH, THIS WAS MY TRIBUTE TO OUR HERITAGE.

I BOUGHT THIS TIN HOUSE TWO YEARS AGO AT OUR GROCERY STORE AFTER CHRISTMAS.  THEY ALSO CAME IN WHITE OR RED ENAMEL.   SOME HOW THE GALVANIZED ONE APPEALED TO ME.  IT HAS SAT OUTSIDE BY THE FRONT DOOR FOR TWO YEARS!

I WILL BE HOSTING A SMALL CAROLING PARTY FOR A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY, SO I CHOSE TO USE CANDY CANES AS THE KITCHEN THEME.

INSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR IN THE DINING ROOM IS THIS WREATH.

LAST YEAR, I USED MY DOUGH BOWL ON THE ISLAND WITH THE MERCURY GLASS BALLS AND HURRICANE CANDLE HOLDERS.  THIS YEAR THEY ARE IN THE DINING ROOM.  MY DINING ROOM TREE IS VERY MINIMAL...ONLY 5 ORNAMENTS ON IT!

I BROUGHT A STOCKING FROM THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

OUR TREE IS RATHER SPARSE THIS YEAR.  I USED ALL THE RED THAT I HAD, INCLUDING HEART ORNAMENTS THAT NO ONE BOUGHT AT MY GARAGE SALE.

AFTER I LOOKED AT THIS PICTURE, I DECIDED THAT THE FAUX AMARYLLIS SHOULD HAVE CRANBERRIES AND WATER!

THREE OF MY ORCHIDS WERE IN BLOOM THIS YEAR.

I USED MINIMAL RED ON OUR BIG WREATH.

THE BATH ROOMS AND BEDROOM:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I COPIED THE WHITE HOUSE AND THEN THEY COPIED ME!

I HAVE SEEN SOME LOVELY  CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE WHITE HOUSE.  THIS YEAR, I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE BRINGING OUT HUNDREDS OF GLASS ORNAMENTS, SO I COPIED TREES THAT LAURA BUSH DID IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

I SPENT UNDER $5.00 ON MY "SNOW" AND TINSEL!

TODAY, I READ A BLOG ON THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE.  AND TO MY SURPRISE, I AM RIGHT IN STYLE!

THESE WERE THE TREES THAT MRS. TRUMP DECORATED THE GREAT HALL WITH!

MY INSPIRATION WAS LAURA BUSH'S GREAT HALL TREES!

I DECIDED THIS SUMMER THAT THIS WOULD MY CHRISTMAS LOOK UP NORTH!  

NOW MY TREE ISN'T AS GRAND, BUT I DON'T LIVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, EITHER!  I AM CHOOSING TO CELEBRATE SNOW FOR THE FORMAL HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY AND SNOWMEN WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN.

SO HERE IS MY MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS.....

I DID A TRIAL RUN FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S DINNER AND THE CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER FOR OUR FAMILY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

I'M SEEING RED FOR CHRISTMAS

Last year, I used lots of RED in my white home in Minnesota.  I have not used red for over ten years in Arizona.

This year, I can't get enough of red!

Enjoy some red from Pinterest!

HI GORGEOUS! i LOVED YOU FOR A LONG TIME!

I have long been a fan of the Chinese dinnerware called "Rose Medallion."  

I started collecting place settings last year in Arizona. The antiques dealer that I was following had most of his pieces in Chandler at Merchant Square Antiques.  Then good fortune smiled when he moved to Antique Gallery in Phoenix.  That is much closer to Buckeye.  I purchased some pieces there.

My best find was at Estate Resale in Surprise, where there was a huge amount of old Rose Medallion for sale, which had been in the consignment store for a long time.  I was able to complete my eight place settings very reasonably!

The first time that I used them to entertain was this spring.

I had a brunch for some lovely new friends that we have made in Sundance, the community of Buckeye, that we live in.

This brunch was during the Easter season so I used glitter eggs from Walmart to hide the orchid pots.  The orchids were also from Walmart.  I used a Rose Medallion chestnut bowl as a cache pot for the orchids.

I also purchased a Rose Medallion vase (with a tiny chip) from Estate Resale.  It is huge and just gorgeous!

Of course, I molded butter into the shape of a bunny!  The rolls also looked like bunnies, in honor of Palm Sunday.

 Instructions here:  https://platedcravings.com/easter-bunny-dinner-breadsticks/

My monogramed napkins were a special order from Ballard Designs.  I plan to use them for Christmas time too!

I used my sterling from Kirk Stieff which is the "Repousse" pattern.

The menu consisted of fresh fruit with a yummy, but healthy dip!

Recipe here:  

http://www.layersofhappiness.com/the-best-fruit-dip-ever/

I served a spinach quiche with a hash brown potato crust .

 Recipe here:  http://www.happilyunprocessed.com/2015/11/25/spinach-and-gruyere-cheese-quiche-with-a-hash-brown-crust/

Dessert were chocolate nests with a hot pink "Peep" chicken and chocolate eggs.

My dessert wasn't very "professional" but it was light and fun!

Instructions here:  http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/953339/fun-easter-treats-to-make-with-your-kids

Luscious pink peonies finished off the decor!