christmas {in connecticut}

i'm chilled out in bed, watching christmas in connecticut.  ever seen it?  ahhhhh, one of my faves.  

just had to kick out my bah-humbug man.  he ain't christmas movie material.

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but i love me some christmas movies.  Barbara Stanwyck?  SZ "Cuddles" Sakall?  you betcha.

so anyway, last year we started something new.  after years of having to drag my kids away from all their new toys and christmas goodies, we decided to have family come to our house.  last year it ended up just being my parents...so it wasn't a ton of work.  but this year, my man's family is coming and my family is coming christmas eve.

which means tomorrow.......i'm cleaning.
and the rest of the days.......i'm cooking.

december has been too busy to give it much thought, but today i had a few minutes to think about table settings, menu, kids' table settings, etc.

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i'd love to do a drink station, but my coffee bar in my kitchen is full of snow village pieces.  perfect place for the kids to look and stare.

i've promised myself i'm not spending any money on my table decor.  my sweet doh doh chose this month to hit a major growth spurt.  on top of christmas presents i've been buying an entire new wardrobe.

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this is one of my favorite pictures.  love that plaid!  don't you love it?!?  considering something very similar.  i need my parents to get back in town so i can somehow talk my dad into cutting me some logs like that.

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my lanterns are at church.  i wish i had at least one more to put on the table top.  i did say i'm not buying anything for this, right?!?!?!  keep reminding me of that.

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i have plenty of pine cones......never have painted any white......might be fun, something new.

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i love that chalkboard.  don't you?  which reminds me, i need to show a picture of my chalkboard door!  it's festive.  pretty.

well, i'm going to hunker down under the covers.  it turned cold here!  finally.  and i'm going to enjoy my movie.  i even think a big steamy mocha sounds pretty good right now, right?!?!  yes, i think so too.