It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Do you have an elf on your shelf? I love this little guy? I wish I had known about him years ago when the older two were younger... This little elf comes to your family to help Santa. He watches over you (and your children) to see if you are being naughty or nice... You mustn't touch him as he has magic. While you sleep at night he finds a new spot to watch you from. The kids named our elf Sammy. He'll be hanging around until Christmas Eve when his job is done and will come back next year right around Thanksgiving time!



and Father Christmas watches from the piano in the living room. He can see you as you enter and leave the foyer!




We're starting a Nutcracker collection. Alexander picked out a new one the other day. At CVS no less! He helped me set up this display in the front entry way.

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care... but my mantle still needs some greenery and color!

And when I wasn't decorating and bringing up the Christmas mugs I was trying to get the rest of the house back in order. (Yes, we have a whole set of mugs just for Christmastime!)

My mother gave me a box of ornaments. I almost tossed them thinking she was giving me her garbage as she is so apt to do, but these were lovely. I am still searching for a home for them. I don't think these will go on a tree.



And the millions of Christmas cards from Shutterfly sit upon my desk needing to be labeled and sent. Must admit, I was a bit disappointed with them. The quality is not nearly as good as the ones from Tiny Prints I ordered last year. Oh well, live and learn!


Yeah, the cans of paint still need to get put away. I thought that Someone might help me. But no such luck!


I saw this in Real Simple Magazine. I thought how simple, fun and festive!




Gotta get my chalkboard back up on my walls!



This was my view earlier this evening. I love the colors of the dining room and the kitchen together.


We're getting there... slowly but surely!

For those of you who have sent me emails about my giveaway (see previous post) some of you are very close and some of you are um, not so close! More clues to come.