I Can't Believe It's Two Days 'Til Christmas

more than that. i can't believe it's two days til christmas and i'm not in stress mode. the gifts have been bought and wrapped, food planned and groceries purchased, the house is decorated (not lavishly, but decorated). today is floor cleaning day and tomorrow is food preparation day. granted, i didn't have a lot of gifts to get and the house isn't perfect, but i'm enjoying the season, and looking forward to all of us being together. isn't that what it's all about anyway? celebrating the birth of our Savior with people you love?  christmas eve service tomorrow night, church sunday morning, family (husband, kids, grandkids) here together the rest of the day, extended family on monday at my sister's house. now all we need is snow. 
i took some pics of the kitchen. it is very difficult to photograph because it is dark. or else i'm just not a good enough photographer. probably the latter. 

i'm pleased with my centerpiece. it came together rather quickly using things i've gathered over time. the base is a rectangular footed beveled mirror from rescue mission for $4.  the bowl, a 99 cent goodwill find and the birds were meme mose's. i set the bowl in an artificial wreath to which i added fresh christmas tree clippings. the balls and candlestick holders were other flea market and yard sale finds. the only things bought new were the candles, artificial snow and silver snowflakes (an inexpensive box of them from walmart). the pinecones are from our property and spray painted silver.

i do have to say something about the tablecloth. i am so not a plastic person, but i found two large rectangular 'lace' tablecloths at a yard sale this summer. it wasn't until i actually touched them that i realized they were vinyl. they look so real. it's a very soft vinyl, the lace is cut out and the surface is textured like cloth. i've never seen any like them. they were in perfect condition and 50 cents each. i couldn't pass them up.

photo taken standing on a stepstool. aren't you impressed?  : )

a few more closeups...

that beautiful glass angel was a gift from my husband years ago. the blue and white snowflakes are boxes purchased a few years ago from walmart. the snowflakes are starched crocheted ornaments.

 

i love my china cabinet. gary bought this for me the first christmas we spent in our first house, back in 1978. he bought it from a friend he worked with at the time who dealt in antiques. it was in two pieces, had no back and was missing a drawer. he put on the beadboard backing, built a drawer for it, put it together, sanded and stained it...all as a surprise for me. all i did was add a coat of paste wax. i love this special gift. 

 

i've since added to this tree, possibly getting to the point of overdo, but i still like it. this darling little bird is a memento from my williamsburg trip in november. so special.  

i am planning on redoing my kitchen this year. i am ready for new colors, a brighter room, cleaner lines....but a part of me still loves the old country farmhouse look so i'm sure much of it will remain the same, just a little updated hopefully.