Preparing For The Big Guy

We have been very busy this week at work preparing for one of our biggest 14 hour sales of the year and preparing for the Big Guy. When the head CEO of the company, Mr. Stein himself decides to drop in for a visit there is always a flurry of activity.  Kinda like Christmas huh?  Which leads me to my next question, are you ready for the big guy?

Wait!  This Big Guy is definitely fun to get ready for and one of my favorites but this isn't whom I am referring too.

Here's the one I'm talking about!  The biggest "Big Guy" of them all.  Lord of Lords!  Emmanuel!

I can't believe in my efforts to keep my decorating simple this year I almost considered not pulling out my manger scene this year.  Can you believe that?  Tell me about it!  

There is a bright star that shines directly into my bedroom window this time of year at night.  Every so often I will awaken from being unable to sleep and see that star.  It is a very comforting light that reminds me of what it is that I believe in.

I purchased this star globe from a Christmas around the World party many years ago.  It is sitting on my Fitz and Floyd candle holder.  I just love how the light reflects stars on the wall.  Pretty cool, huh?

Last year was the first year I decided to add the gauze cloth and small green trees wrapped in burlap.  I realize it's not even close to a manger, but for some reason just feels very right to me.

I really enjoy looking at the expressions of "awe" on my figures.  Can you imagine what deep thoughts of wonder these earliest followers of Christ must have experienced? 

Thank you Jesus!

Thank you Jesus for being the true "Reason for the Season"! 

Thank you Lord for all those people and all those gentle reminders in our lives that there is so much more to prepare for then what we see here on earth. 

Sharing God's blessing of hope for each of you this season!

2011 Christmas Mantle

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

In hopes that all family and friends soon would be there!

My Christmas mantle has taken on a rustic and wintry mix this year.

It all started with the purchase of these beautiful reindeer that I bought from work at Stein Mart.

 I kept my eye on these for several weeks before finally talking myself into buying them.  I love how they have a subtle sparkle to them!

Then after laying out layers of garlands I added my pine cone candles.  I've had these for quite some time but rarely ever pull them out.

Then the search was on for just the right ribbon.

I was quite pleased when I finally found what I was looking for.

The final addition was to hang my winter wreath purchased from Walmart, during last years after Christmas sales.  Thanks to a great tip from Liz at Savvy Seasons to use those adhesive hooks with easy removable tabs, I was able to center it right on the middle of the mirror.

 I'm really enjoying the deeper richer colors I used on the mantle this season instead of so much bright red and green.  It's much more soothing to me!

 I thought I'd also share a few pictures of the finished living room with you as well.  I didn't put out all of my Christmas decor this year.  I am purposely trying to keep it more simple in this room.

  I have collected Santa's for years but only put out a few of my Santa's scattered over the house this year.  I also put out only a few of all my other Christmas accessories too.  Even with keeping it simple there is still quite a bit out, especially with Christmas trees in most of my rooms.  It's been a simple decorating year for me here at The Decorative Dreamer, but one I am enjoying quite a bit.  I may be a "decorative dreamer" but I guess I will always be "sailing simply" at heart.

Thank you so much for taking a look and I hope you enjoyed your visit too!

I am thrilled to be able to link this post to the following parties;

Holiday Mantle Party at From My Front Porch To Yours

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on The Porch

Be sure and visit any of the above links to see so many more wonderful posts from some incredibly talented bloggers. 

First 2011 Holiday Tablescape

Whew!  There is nothing like a day off to get caught up on the Christmas decor.  I still have one more tree to go but I've finally put away all the fall decor and cleaned up the bulk of the mess from bringing out all the Christmas decor.

Since I don't have to go in today until 1:00pm, I had a little extra time this morning to put together a centerpiece and practice a little holiday setting too.  Wanna see?

 It's morning y'all, so your getting lot's of streaming sunlight in these photos.

Before we get into the dishes let me show you my centerpiece.

This was a basket I bought last year at a yard sale and spray painted white.

I filled it with a swag of greenery...

...and stuck in a few inexpensive picks that I already had.

I surrounded the inside of the basket with more of my leftover tulle ribbon to act as a filler.

Then topped it off with a bow that I had made last year for some wreaths I hung on my inside windows.  

Simple and cute!

Oh, and I found these adorable votive candle holders this year at Ross.  They were very inexpensive, only $3.99 for a two pack.  I bought two packs!

The beautiful Irish tray linen underneath was won in an online auction this summer from a fellow blogger at, My Place To Yours.  I love it!

Okay ladies, now let's talk dishes!

I am so excited to break out my newest holiday dishes I purchased last year!

The plaid salad plates are from Lenox and are part of the Holiday Gatherings collection.  I purchased them from Belks.  I have wanted these plates for some time and they had stopped carrying them but brought them back last year so I snapped them right up.  Wouldn't you?

I just love how they look with my Lenox Butlers Pantry Gourmet.  Honestly though, they would also look fantastic with any white, red, or green dishes for that matter!  Belks is carrying them again this year, I may have to seriously consider adding on a few more.

Then I decided to add my green checked napkins to keep it casual.

I'm sure most of you are very tired of seeing these bamboo flatware, but here I go again!  So sorry, but I really think they just work here so well, don't you?  Come on!

My pretty green goblets were from Walmart.  They are some of that great stuff from the Better Homes and Garden label.

Yes, I think this setting is really working for me.

I like how well this is also working with the rest of my Christmas decor in the kitchen.

Like my tree!  Yesterday, I found more elves I had bought last year and added them to the tree.

I also added "old" Mr. and Mrs. Claus in here too.

Look who I caught watching me through the glass doors.  Hey Misty girl!

I also hung a few of my oldest elves off the chandy...

...along with a few old ornaments as well.  These were some hand me down glass balls that I painstakingly hand glued each and every sequin on one year.  Don't you know one fell while I was attaching it yesterday and shattered.  I hate when that happens!  Urgghh!

Well, here's my first holiday setting of the season!  How do you like it?

Thanks so much for joining me today for

Tablescape Thursday.

I really appreciate the visit and hope you enjoyed what you saw.

I can't wait to see all your tablescapes and decor this year too!

Have a great day everyone!