The Christmas Haus 2013

 

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

I make a promise to myself every year:  I pick a weekend to do my decorating, inside and out and what doesn’t get done on that weekend, doesn’t get done.  This was the first year I kept that promise and it is largely because I kept things simple: fresh greens tucked here and there, a smattering of twinkly lights, my favorite Trapp Holiday candles and a few groupings of my favorite vintage ornaments.  I found it refreshingly stress free…and that really was the point of the plan.  Now I can coast and focus on baking!

When the weather improves, I’ll share photos of the exterior.  For now, here are some vignettes from inside my home.

I hope your find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

The Christmas Mantle

The Christmas Mantle

Samantha's toy Lamb Chop

Samantha’s toy Lamb Chop

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Lovely Samantha

Lovely Samantha

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

The Christmas Kitchen

The Christmas Kitchen

Christmas Centerpiece

Christmas Centerpiece

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

 

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

A well used antique candle snuffer.

A well used antique candle snuffer.

Evergreens in old urns.

Evergreens in old urns.

 

A Scandinavian Christmas…

Farmhouse Kitchen at Christmas

Farmhouse Kitchen at Christmas

To those that know me, it’s no secret I am in love with Scandinavian style. In this post, I thought I would take you around the world to show you how the Scandinavians do Christmas.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

A simple tree and a chandelier of sorts.

A  tree and a chandelier of sorts.

Simple red against white barn board.

Simple red against white barn board.

A Wintery view from the Christmas Scandinavian table.

A Wintery view from the Christmas Scandinavian table.

A Touch of Modern for the Scandinavian Home at Christmas.

A Touch of Modern for the Scandinavian Home at Christmas.

Simple Fresh Holiday Greens agains a light pallete.

Fresh Holiday Greens against a light palette.

 

Scandinavian Christmas Market

Scandinavian Christmas Market

Old textiles in the bedroom and cottage white bathroom - Nordic style.

Old textiles in the bedroom and cottage white bathroom – Nordic style.

Christmas Fireplace in Nordic style

Christmas Fireplace in Nordic style

The Christmas Banister

The Christmas Banister

Holiday Welcome Wreath

Holiday Welcome Wreath

Scandinavian tree with traditional red.

Scandinavian tree with traditional red.

The Scandinavian Kitchen at Christmas

The Scandinavian Kitchen at Christmas

A simple statement of the Holiday.

A simple statement of the Holiday.

Scandinavian Christmas Design Ideas with Minimalist and Cozy Style

Scandinavian Christmas Design Ideas with Minimalist and Cozy Style

Traditional barn colors with bright white trim.

Traditional barn colors with bright white trim.

A hearty Christmas welcome.

A hearty Christmas welcome.

 

Just some greens against the white backdrop.

Just some greens against the white backdrop.

Nordic Bliss - a bed cozily tucked under the eaves.

Nordic Bliss – a bed cozily tucked under the eaves.

Nordic Sweater Stockings over the mantel.

Nordic Sweater Stockings over the mantel.

A simple welcome.

A simple welcome.

 

The Christmas Bedroom

Comfy and cozy and all snuggled in on a cold winter's day.

Comfy and cozy and all snuggled in on a cold winter’s day.

I try to put a little Christmas in every room and my master bedroom is no exception.  I also try to make Christmas decorating simple.   That means less stress putting it up and less stress dismantling it when the holiday season is over.

Some fresh greens and a lovely Pottery Barn velvet quilt found online for next to nothing as well as PB’s flax colored solid quilt.  Together, both are very subtle but still give you the feeling of the season.

My dear sweet Annie has fallen in love with the quilt and photo shoot or not, she wasn’t moving.

I’d like to give a nod to Annie’s foster mother, Silvana.  Compassionate souls run deep and carry heavy hearts, sometimes.  I am grateful you went to such great lengths to rescue Annie from the streets and became her caretaker along with the many other dogs you foster.  Annie fills my heart and my soul and I simply couldn’t love her any more than I already do.  Thank you for that, Silvana.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

IMG_8041 (2)

Red, flax and with fresh greens in the background. Perfect holiday cheer and coziness.

IMG_8054 (2)

Simple mini wreaths hung with a neutral velvet ribbon. White sheets with a flax colored quilt make the perfect pair.

Battery operated candles offer a great flicker from the outside looking in.

Battery operated candles offer a great flicker from the outside looking in.

IMG_8057 (2)

Very old antique cabinet with fresh greens. The green against the fresh white reminds me of evergreen trees and fresh snow.

IMG_8058 (2)

The lovely faux red berries pick up the color of the red velvet quilt and keep that holiday pop of color near.

Market Items for a Vintage Home at Christmas

 

Simple Project #3,  I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower.  I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy.  It stays in place via pressure fit.

 

Not all of my inspiration comes from antiques and vintage items.  My eye is always scanning the store aisles to see if something catches my eye.  I have found a few market items that helped me create some vignettes for my holiday home.  I don’t start the lion share of my holiday decorating until this weekend.  But these little groupings are helping me get in the mood, along with a backdrop of the usual Christmas music.

Here are four projects that took less than five minutes to create using market items and some vintage.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #1 – Topiary with ornament embellishment.

A lovely Eugenia topiary from Walmart ($11.98) in an antique urn.

A lovely Eugenia topiary from Walmart ($11.98) in an antique urn.

 

Against the worn surface of the urn, small acorn mercury glass ornaments from Targets ($4 for three).  Simple rustic twine will do for hanging.

Against the worn surface of the urn, small acorn mercury glass ornaments from Targets ($4 for three). Simple rustic twine will do for hanging.

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #2 – Scandinavian Christmas Candles.

Zinc cache pots from Targets Smith and Hawken collection with a scalloped edge design and factory made patina.

Zinc cache pots ($12.99) from Targets Smith and Hawken collection with a scalloped edge design and factory made patina.

For a lower priced alternative zinc pot, click here.

The Scandinavian Christmas table.  Simple and elegant.

The Scandinavian Christmas table. Simple and elegant.

 

After dinner coffee from an antique decanter.

 

Lovely cream antique china and mismatched silverware and napkin rings.  The market item in this photo is an inexpensive kitchen towel used as a napkin from IKEA for .79 cents.

Lovely cream antique china and mismatched silverware and napkin rings. The market item in this photo is an inexpensive kitchen towel used as a napkin from IKEA for .79 cents.

 

 IMG_7945 (2)

IMG_7936 (2)

 Easy Christmas Holiday Project #3 – Vintage vase cozy with market item embellishment.

A vintage paper vase cover for a holiday touch with a market item burlap flower embellishment from Michael's ($2.50)

A vintage paper vase cover for a holiday touch with a market item burlap flower embellishment from Michael’s ($2.50)

Simple Project #3,  I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower.  I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy.  It stays in place via pressure fit.

I found a holiday pick with this burlap flower. I just took the flower off the pick and pushed the stem in one of the holes in the vintage paper vase cozy. It stays in place via pressure fit.

Pretty little table side touch of Christmas with little effort.

Pretty little table side touch of Christmas with little effort.

You can see the age and simple accordion pattern of the vintage vase cozy.

You can see the age and simple accordion pattern of the vintage vase cozy.

Easy Christmas Holiday Project #4 – Hemp Twine Tassel with embellishment.

Simple Project #2. Twine Tassel for antique armoire.  Done simply by wrapping twine over and over around  a piece of cardboard, cut one end and tie off a third of the way down with another piece of twine.  Add an embellishment if you choose. Extra thick twine to make a statement, found at Joann's.

Simple Project #2. Twine Tassel for antique armoire. Done simply by wrapping twine over and over around a piece of cardboard, cut one end and tie off a third of the way down with another piece of twine. Add an embellishment if you choose. Extra thick twine to make a statement, found at Joann’s.

Old houses have many armoires for storage.  Simple white adorned with  wreaths and a hand-made twine tassel with holiday embellishment.

Old houses have many armoires for storage. Simple white adorned with wreaths and a hand-made twine tassel with holiday embellishment.

 

 

The Change of Seasons

IMG_7880 (2)

Garden evergreens, fresh red berries and a mirror star tree topper  for the transitional vignette.

Not quite Christmas and not quite Thanksgiving.  My fresh Christmas greens don’t ship for another two weeks, but the white pumpkins I bought for Halloween are still fresh so I put together a transitional mantle that includes the white pumpkins, fresh evergreens from the garden and bright red berries.

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo.

Cindy

Distressed mirror star tree topper offers a vintage touch.

Distressed mirror star tree topper offers a vintage touch.

Vibrant reds against fresh garden evergreens.

Vibrant reds against fresh garden evergreens.

The white pumpkins signal fall and winter along with a distressed star shaped mirror and winter arrangment

The white pumpkins signal fall and winter along with a distressed star shaped mirror and winter arrangement

 

Horse & Carriage During the Holidays

 

Vintage pieces round out the presentation and are quick to set up.

Vintage pieces round out the presentation and are quick to set up.

It isn’t unusual for me to answer the door with my old french apron on and dusted in flour during the Christmas Holidays.  I am usually baking either for guests that sporadically drop by, preparing the food gifts I give to neighbors or  if I time it just right, I bake for the throngs of visitors to our little town that ride by the house in the  horse and carriage.   I had to come up with a way to send people on their merry way with a pocket full of goodies on a chilly night.

Paper pouches using leftover Christmas wrapping paper seemed to be a good solution.  You start with an 8″ by 8″ piece of paper.  I mentioned that I am using leftover Christmas paper but it helps if it is a kraft paper base.  It just seems to hold treats better than typical wrapping paper.

 

Picture1

Horse & Carriage rides that pass the house enjoy this little hand out as do visiting friends.

Horse & Carriage rides that pass the house enjoy this little hand out as do visiting friends.

A simple holiday punch as a sweet accompaniment to home made toll house cookies.

A simple holiday punch as a sweet accompaniment to home made toll house cookies.

Vintage linens for the Christmas Holidays.

Vintage linens for the Christmas Holidays.

Nothing sets the mood for Christmas like tea lights flickering through mercury glass votive holders.

Nothing sets the mood for Christmas like tea lights flickering through mercury glass votive holders.

An antique candle holder adds to the ambiance.

An antique candle holder adds to the ambiance.

This one-of-a-kind piece was a wonderful find at a local antique store.

This one-of-a-kind piece was a wonderful find at a local antique store.

Vintage glass punch bowl acquired at the Round Top Antique show comes in really handy.

Vintage glass punch bowl acquired at the Round Top Antique show comes in really handy.

Freshsqueezed fruit juice with floating slices is the key to Holiday punch.

Fresh squeezed fruit juice with floating slices is the key to Holiday punch.

 

In the kitchen, baking by candle light with Christmas music playing feels very old fashioned.

In the kitchen, baking by candle light with Christmas music playing feels very old fashioned.

The kitchen gets the Christmas touch with a furring strip rustic star and Christmas stockings made from vintage grain sacks.

The kitchen gets the Christmas touch with a furring strip rustic star and Christmas stockings made from vintage grain sacks.

Vintage European towel with lovely embroidery.

Vintage European towel with lovely embroidery.

That Simple Moment of Happiness…

IMG_7298 (2)

Farmer’s Market Eggs.

IMG_7299 (2)

Farm to Table Lemons.

IMG_7304 (2)

Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice.

Sometimes everything you have is everything you need at that moment.  A content moment, although fleeting, feels second nature.  Maybe it’s a belly laugh at a good joke, a picture that conjures up a fond memory or crashing into a song on the radio that you loved, but haven’t heard in a while.  Or maybe, just maybe, it is a simple as enjoying a helping of good food that rings every bell on your palette.

Memorial Day is the last hurrah of Spring and the signal of warm, balmy days to come .  It is also the time of year that I make the ever Patriotic Flag Cake.  An Ina Garten recipe that I have been making for years, it is a lovely and moist lemon sour cream pound cake base with cream cheese frosting and an abundance of farm market fresh strawberries and blueberries that celebrate the red, white and blue.  Add a bit of my homemade raspberry lemonade as a chaser and everything you have is everything you need for that simple moment of happiness.

Recipe is below, enjoy and above all, have a happy and safe Memorial Day.

I hope you find some inspiration.

We Remember.

Always,

Cindy

 

 

IMG_7312 (2)

Blue Berries Cream Cheese Frosting

Farm Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries

Farm Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries

Flag Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

For the icing:

  • 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

To assemble:

  • 2 half-pints blueberries
  • 3 half-pints raspberries

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 

Butter and flour an 18 by 13 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

 

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.

 

Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

 

For the icing, combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mixing just until smooth.

 

Spread three-fourths of the icing on the top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the flag on the top of the cake with a toothpick. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Place 2 rows of raspberries across the top of the cake like a red stripe. Put the remaining icing in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe two rows of white stripes below the raspberries. Alternate rows of raspberries and icing until the flag is completed. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.

 

I serve this cake right in the pan. If you want to turn it out onto a board before frosting, use parchment paper when you grease and flour the pan.

The Heart of Chocolate Ganache

If only my reality were as artful as my imagination.

Rice Crispies treats, cut in a heart shape to celebrate the day with a quick coffee infused chocolate ganache with orange zest drizzle.

In a double boiler:

1/2 c. heavy cream

8 oz of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 t. instant coffee granuals

zest of two oranges

Combine in top of double boiler until chocolate is melted, stirring regularly.

A little treat…for any day, not just heart day.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Chocolate and orange…what a great flavor pairing.

Ganache in a pastry bag, ready to pipe.

Random drizzle. Couldn’t be easier.

How can these be called scraps?

Orange slices as a hint of what is to come.

 

It’s the little touches at Christmas…

 

My wonderful friend, Pat, sent me these pictures of her amazing Christmas creations.  Two things inspired me when I looked at the pictures.  The first thing would be the utter simplicity of each arrangement.  There isn’t an item she used that most of us can’t reach into a holiday storage box or cabinet and grab: a tray or flea market vase; random ornaments, candles, decorative candle holders, etc.  The addition of simple greens fills in the negative spaces and completes the look.  The greens can be boxwood cut from a common yard hedge or a quick grab from the floral stand at any grocery store.

The second thing I love is the “V” tag.  It is such a personal and easy touch and can be designed and printed from any computer program.

With only a day or two before the holiday, here is a simple way to beautify any table top in your home.

Thanks, Pat!

I hope you find some inspiration.

Cindy

A simple decoration.

Holiday Splendor.

 

The Winter Solstice

 

Always wishing for a White Christmas and a Winter Wonderland.

I have posted several different projects and vignettes of our Christmas house for the 2012 season.  Haven’t posted a full view, mostly because getting the right shot at the right time of day is not as easy as it may sound.  Particularly for me, since I am not much more than an amateur’s amateur when it comes to photography.

Having taken hundreds of pictures, in four or five different sessions, I finally had to just pick one, darn it.

I want to single out and thank Brian Washburn, Manager of the local Lowe’s and Vince Maggio, local designer, merchandiser and antique dealer extraordinaire for their help.  Each and every Christmas blog article was offered in earnest and has hopefully given you even the smallest bit of inspiration to do something extraordinary for your family and friends, in your lovely home.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Winter Wonderland.

Pretty lit garland remeniscent of a steeple.

Making good use of what nature leaves behind: lit bare hydrangea bushes.

Winter’s bare garden with some holiday twinkle.

These are our sponsors and they have made all of this creativity possible.  Thank them by stopping by.  Merry Christmas.

GOOD LOOK, Inc.