More snow and Christmas decorations

Another snowstorm this week and a shot of my neighbor's barn. I love the red against the snow.


More snow scenes.



I'm continuing to decorate, probably overcompensating for the lack of decorating last year when I moved in December. I have so many Christmas trees in the condo you'd think I was holding my own festival of trees event. This one is in the hallway.




My French themed top of the bookcase vignette. An Eiffel Tower clock from Ebay (a present from my sister), grate from Home Goods, and a fleur de lis topped tree from an antique store, prelit garland from QVC.




Fluer de lis wreath hanger from Painted White and a wreath from Michael's. The wreath was plain with just a plaid bow. I brought the wreath to my friend Beth and I gave her a child's tea set I bought at Sage Farm last week. I asked her to put the set on the wreath for me. I knew she could make it beautiful and she did. I love the silky ivory bow and the mini tea things are adorable.



Remember the feather tree from a previous post? I added a little bling with some silver strands. I think it looks a little better now.



This is a reprodcution of a vintage sign. I bought it last year at a store called Valentine's in Lexington.



A bit more bling for the doorknob. i bought this piece in Beverly last Summer.



Now to the main tree in the living room, it's a small 4 foot prelit tree several years old from QVC. Notice the skate ornament. There's always skate ornaments on the tree.




I like how this ornament reflects the light.



Gotta have at least one cat ornament on the tree.




This Santa has the coolest robe. Green corduroy with faux fur trim. He came from BJ's Wholesale Club many moons ago.





Vintage ornaments and more prelit garland. Again a clock, this time it's faux, nestled into the greenery. What's with all the clocks? I think it's telling me to finish up with the decorating and start focusing on the baking.

What do you do on a Snowy Sunday?

You admire the beauty of the morning, soft white branches against a bright sky. And you thank God you are inside, looking outside from the warmth of the kitchen.



You realize that newly fallen snow is magical.



You notice the neighbor's house and shrubbery looks like a scene from a Christmas card.



When you get tired of looking at all that beauty...you can make goofy faces at the camera.




Or take some time to decorate the little feather tree you found at that great antique store in Melrose. Don't forget to throw in a little holiday music. Anything by Windham Hill will do.

And, there you have it, a perfect Snowy Sunday.

Daytrip to Sage Farm Antiques

A friend of a friend told me about a fantastic place for antiques. I love to go antiquing so I took a vacation day on Friday so I could see for myself.

My friend Kim joined me and we made the trip north to North Hampton, New Hampshire to check out Sage Farm Antiques. It only took about 1 hour and 1 toll to get there. The theme for the weekend was Over the River and Through the Woods.

This dress form was one of the first items I saw so I knew I was going to love this place. Kim and I both wanted the dress form but we decided to spend out dollars elsewhere.



I love anything to do with skating but these skates did not come home with me.




I thought this scale would be a fun addition to my kitchen but I didn't even price it.




Although I love this. I think it might be a little over the top for my home.



Every display was so interesting. This picnic basket had a tea set with it, cute!



Yes, of course I bought some vintage ornaments. I couldn't resist!



Cool doors and windows. If only I had the room!



How could you not go inside this place?



You know this went home with me.



Here's a view of the property. Perhaps I should have started with this photo.



After all the shopping madness, Kim and I went for breakfast at the Village Pancake House in Rowley. We were starving at this point. We each had a full breakfast and then we split an order of cinnamon pancakes! Ok it only amounted to one each and Kim took the other one home.

I would eat my shoe if it had cinnamon on it!

I got some really great things at Sage Farm and one of the items I bought I will post about very soon. I just don't have the photos yet, but, stay tuned.

Holiday Stroll and Brunch at the Bedford Village Inn

On Sunday, I went to the Bedford Village Inn for a holiday stroll and brunch. This was the month for my friend Kim and I to pick an event for our afternoon tea group. We knew the ladies would enjoy the elegance of the inn, the fabulous cuisine and on top of that 30 local artisans selling their wares in the great hall of the inn.



The inn and surrounding property is absolutely gorgeous.



There's a charming tavern for drinks or a casual breakfast or lunch.



A sweet gazebo and a little gift shop.



There were 14 of us in our group. Here are some of the ladies outside the gift shop.




I have a thing for old keys so I was drawn to this jewelry display. The necklaces were lovely and both the keys and chains were antique. I did not buy one. They were a little too pricey.



I did buy some tea and potpourri from this vendor. She had a lovely display.




I thought this wreath was really cool.



Here's an overview of the area with the vendors. The hall was beautifully decorated.




Would you ever think of hanging your Christmas tree upside down? I really like the look.




Isn't this clever? Angel ornaments made from chandelier crystals.




The inn has several dining areas so we took a tour before we sat down for brunch.



This guy looked kind of creepy.



The entrance/exit was exquisitely decorated.



Looking in at one of the dining areas.



My first course was butternut squash and creme fraiche soup.



Lori Lee eyes Debbi's parfait. It was made of vanilla yogurt with chocolate and topped with an orange and cinnamon spiked chantilly cream



This is where we ate brunch.



Pretty decorations on the sconce. I might steal this idea.



My second course was poached eggs in a puff pastry with a mushroom sauce. My third course was a chocolate bread pudding served with creme anglaise and candied hazelnuts. Yes, I waddled out of the dining area.



This photo came out worse than I thought! These ladies were seated at my table. We had two other tables reserved.



Look at this pretty conservatory filled with lights and ornaments.



It was a gorgeous day inside and out!



Another look at "our" dining room.



At the end of the afternoon, we said goodbye to each other and a wonderful afternoon.

I'm going here...

Tomorrow, I'm going here.



Dining in the beautiful historic home of Clara where friends are made to feel like family.



We'll have some of this.



And some of this.



Ending with this.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.