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Oh my word, is it December 4th already? Time has evaporated for me but I’m excited for the upcoming season, just give me a minute, I’ll be ready, I promise.
{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}
I would have thought that by cutting my posting by half I would have hours of free time. Well, somehow the clocks started decreasing the amount of hours in a day and I got behind…Thanksgiving, wedding…those events will do that to a person, no matter how organized they normally are, right?
Meanwhile, Christmas has been on my mind and these images from various sources prove it…
The nutcrackers are out, work is still in progress on our mantle and fresh greens are ordered.
{GHP}
I’ve got some help in the kitchen with my chef nutcracker…I don’t think he’s interested in cracking any nuts but he doesn’t question any of my cooking decisions, so he stays.
{GHP}
Charles Faudree inspired me to wrap garlands in unexpected places. I love this porch in his country home, with the garland-wrapped French poster. 
{Charles Faudree ~ Pinterest}
{Southern Accents}
I’ve seen several tiered displays online this year, I like the idea, I wonder where I could put one?
The simplicity of this dining table is stunning, I might try it for New Year’s Eve. {would I have to serve white food?}
I didn’t manage to get paper whites started, oh well, there’s always next year. I do love this display from And George.
So, cue Bambi, let the caroling begin, make a batch of egg nog, Christmas is on the way.
{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}
Am I alone, are all of you already decorated, wrapped and ready? I need a challenge, let me know, it will help me get my act in gear.
Happy December!
Garden, Home & Party 
Phyllis Higgerson said:
Ooh, love that table setting – yes, what to serve?
Enjoy the season!
Phyllis
Karen B. said:
Phyllis,
I think there was a Traditional Home feature, years ago, on Tricia Foley’s white Christmas. She had served all white food…funny thing is, it really worked for her party and looked amazing.
Can we slow down time for the next few weeks, I want to enjoy the 3 weeks leading into the holiday and it seems to be coming too fast. 🙂
Karen
Jenny Mein said:
Karen, all inspiring stuff …now you have got me excited…… spent the week-end wondering what sort of wreath for the front door and how to decorate inside? I love the table display above with the tulips nearly in bloom….lovely!!!
A magical season!!
Karen B. said:
Jenny,
The planning is the really fun part isn’t it? Our small chain market (Trader Joe’s) had boxwood wreaths this year…they are beautiful in their simplicity and could be adorned. I’m going to try one, let me know what you end up using on the front door. There are so many inspirational ideas out there right now.
Enjoy!
Karen
debra phillips @ 5th and state said:
time is flying isn’t it?!!!
great images karen, especially the one with the wooden deer head, stunning.
hope you can begin to relax a little bit
xo
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra,
I agree, that extra week is gone and I would really like to savor each day of the 3 weeks remaining. The good news is, I believe I’m in the mood to simplify and maybe stick with a more natural theme this year. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
xo,
Karen
trouverlesoleil said:
Looks like the festivities are starting at your place Karen 🙂 The Nutcrackers are so sweet. Being a Charles Faudree fan, I agree that garland in unexpected places is the way to go.. love it! Unfortunately I like the fresh garland and it’s kinda messy.
Hope you have a fun and festive day ahead! xxleslie
Karen B. said:
Hi Leslie,
Yes, I should be completely up and running by the weekend. I hope to take lots of pictures to share this weekend.
Enjoy your week.
Karen
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes said:
Um? Hello? What? No wedding recap? Sniff.
No, I’m kidding… I imagine you need some time to unwind! I’m surprised you got this post out!!
You shouldn’t have led with the dog, though… he was too cute for me to focus on anything else. Although, that paper white display is going in a Pinterest folder to admire later…
I REALLY cannot believe it’s the 4th already. I have only decorated the things I’ve felt compelled to photograph/blog about. I haven’t done any interior decorations. So I need to get motivated for that. Or, actually I should probably just vacuum instead. You know, the basics…
Karen B. said:
This is the first day I’ve felt back to normal (whatever that is). I guess the big day, rehearsal dinner and day after breakfast when combined with the wedding took it out of me. I can breathe a sigh of relief that I believe it went well and the kids were happy with the outcome and now focus on Christmas at the Bunch house, phew.
Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
Your mantel looks wonderful and Charles Faudree’s room was a real winner. I’m ahead of the game this year with most of my decorations but we still don’t have our tree. It’s been too wet to visit the tree lot.
Hope you take some time to relax after the wedding. The Christmas decorations can wait awhile! By the way, congratulations on your new DIL, lovely Sarah.
Linda
Karen B. said:
Hi Linda,
The mantle isn’t quite finished. I’m adding my greens later this month, then the nutcrackers will be happy.
Pictures of the wedding will not be ready until January, I’m hoping to edit a few of my point and shoot images in order to give you a sneak peak.
xo,
Karen
Loi Thai said:
Hi, Karen – You are not alone. All I did was bring out the mercury glass and get a tree. Not decorated, yet 😦 Love your nutcrackers on the mantel! Look forward to seeing more. How was the wedding?
Cheers,
Loi
Karen B. said:
Loi,
I did a little more holiday decorating last evening, it’s starting to come together but the mantle won’t get it’s fresh greens until mid-month in hopes that it lasts until Christmas.
The wedding was magical, the museum is an amazing venue…taking vows with African Mammals looking on was fun. I hope to have some pictures to share in January.
Enjoy this wonderful season!
Karen
debby said:
I have been putting out my décor in stages too. Loving that tiered tray and how it’s displayed! So pretty. xo
Karen B. said:
Debby,
I’m relieved to hear there are others that are still working in stages to dress up their home for the holidays. 🙂
Karen
designchic said:
I’m doing a little decorating this morning and feeling more inspired now! Thanks for the help ~
Karen B. said:
Somehow divide and conqueror seems to work best for me this year. I did just a bit of decorating last evening.
Enjoy this week.
Karen
julie ~ eab designs said:
Love that little Nutcracker chef!! I’m almost done with the decorating but saving the tree until our girls come home from college. My big accomplishment yesterday was the decorating our front porch and stringing lights on the bushes to welcome them home. Next week, let the baking begin!!!
Karen B. said:
I’m probably a little more behind with my decorating for Christmas than usual, but I think I’ll get caught up this weekend. I bet your kids will appreciate you waiting to decorate the tree. Have fun.
Karen
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
Well now it’s the 9th and I am STILL not done, and the tree is still standing naked, but at least it is now inside and off the deck. That’s progress! LOVE all your nutcrackers. I had that same nutcracker china long ago when the children were young. Great minds think alike! It came from Belks or Macys, I think back then. Good luck with your Christmas decorating!
Karen B. said:
Kelly,
I’m getting closer, but what a marathon weekend we’ve had. Christmas cards are the next big hurdle…the photographer for Kevin and Sarah’s wedding won’t have pictures ready for us for Christmas cards so we had a friend take a picture of the family when the photographer set us up, but due to the darker rooms, the images didn’t turn out…we’re figuring out what we’ll do. I’m tempted to wait until next Christmas to use the wedding image.
🙂
Karen