so glad you could come..
Let me say, right up front,
there's LOTS of photos..
You can just skim over them..
I ALWAYS get carried away...*sigh
Let me say, right up front,
there's LOTS of photos..
You can just skim over them..
I ALWAYS get carried away...*sigh
The long awaited day...
DECEMBER 9 th...
the day for
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
at LINDA'S
Go over for some CHRISTMAS HOUSES
that will knock your sox right off your feet...
THANKS SO MUCH, LINDA
***
PLEASE...
come in.
I have all kinds of CHRISTMAS goodness,
just waiting for YOU..
*
That's the way we do it at a
TEXAS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE...
PEPPERMINT BARK...
REDNESS all around..
O, I do love it all....
Oh, yes...there's
NESTLES HOT CHOCOLATE
and
HOT SPICED CIDER...
The cutest little Christmas cups .......
...just add hot water...
...don't you love it ?
I sure do....
holly berries, so bright and RED....
CHAI TEA...ummmm....GOOD
RASPBERRY ZINGER TEA...
you can have more than ONE cup....it's CAFFEINE FREE...
yipee
♪♪♫...i wish you a merry christmas...
i wish you a merry christmas...
i wish you a merry christmas....
and a happy new year...♫♫♫♪
Take a PEANUT BUTTER cookie...
or two...
...remember these?
Only 3 ingredients..
♥
1 CUP PEANUT BUTTER....SMOOTH OR CHUNKY
1 EGG
1 CUP SUGAR
♥♥
That's all there is to them and they are delicious.
I've been making them for my family forever
and my grandgirls make them, too.
(the redness in this plate of cookies must be a reflection of the red cloth...nothing red in the recipe)
If you should get OVERLOADED on sweets..
please help yourself to a CHEESE QUESADILLA...
A quesadilla is a Mexican food made primarily of cheese inside a folded corn or wheat tortilla and cooked until the cheese melts.I'm tellin' ya...they are so good they make you want to slap your pappy !!
AND...
AND...
These HONEY BARBQUE CHICKEN NUGGETS
make me dream about them at night
so, of course, I wanted something THIS good to serve YOU. :)
(now, ain't this fun)
ooo, did I mention that I have
CRANBERRY SCONES
for you to try, too...
*
Go on....let you belt out another notch and
have TWO scones..
they are really good.
*
...and, if I'm not mistaken, cranberries are really good for us...
so...
take THREE.
A cute, sassy angel to
BLESS YOU
as you enter my cottage...
...have another snack
...lots of mosaics because I have sooo many photos.
:)
Because it is getting too hard for us OLDEN COUPLE
to move a large tree up the stairs to the attic..
we downsized several years ago to a tabletop tree.
SOOO much easier but...
I am missing my big tree...bwaaaaaa
The little tiny tree sits in a pretty RED orchard basket...
I got the idea from BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS.
My little tree is covered in lots and lots of
SANTAS...
my favorite CHRISTMAS decorating item in the whole world.
A photo of my mother hangs on our tree every single Christmas..
I miss her so much..and remember so many good Christmases with her.
We cooked, baked, laughed, shared a glass of wine together and baked some more.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is a good, long, close dream of her...
so I can hug and kiss her again and tell her how much I love her.
I believe, with all my heart, that a LOT of our precious dreams are sent to us from GOD.
and I am thankful for every single one of them.
*
The little PINK stocking ornament....my little girl, STACY
The bold RED whimsical stocking ornament...my little boy, DAVID
...these have gone on our tree ever since they were little tiny people... :)
2 of the cutest little TWIN lighted THRIFTED Christmas trees...
The little trees were given to me by the sweetest man that runs our
HOSPICE THRIFT SHOP
He often throws something in for free when I am shopping there.
I adore these tiny spots of CHRISTMAS love and cheer..
...the stocking are hung
by the chimney with care.......
..in hopes that St. Nickolas soon would be there....
The mantel in the living room is very, VERY bare, compared to Christmases past.
I LOVE the clean, sharp look...
So many stockings...
18 in all...
That's EIGHTEEN blessings added on top of all the OTHER blessings I have going on...
....ain't life grand !!
This is the other end of the mantel...
I made PEPPERMINT BARK this afternoon...I'm playin' like this is a cloche...:)
OOO...I am trying with all my MIGHT to get it into the freezer
before I EAT IT EVERY SINGLE BIT....
I really want some to serve all those grands on
CHRISTMAS EVE
night. :)
That's one of my little MARK ROBERTS fairies...
SUGARPLUM FAIRY...
...he is such a GOOD fairy..
he knew I wanted to play in
...and his brother, THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY, said
"Move over, bud...I want in on this game."
I am just crazy about his eyebrows...:)
Williams Sonoma PEPPERMINT BARK on the left...mega bucks
my candy on the right...not nearly as expensive and ALMOST as good...
RECIPE, such as it is...:)
♥
GOOD white chocolate
peppermint candies..
peppermint oil, optional.
♥♥
Smash the candies,
microwave the chocolate,
add candy and pour onto a buttered/sprayed cookie sheet.
♥♥♥
When hard, break into pieces.
UMMM UM GOOD.
♥♥♥♥
Thanks for coming to my OPEN HOUSE.
I am also linking with
FUNKY JUNK for a Christmas recipe
Candy and egg nog...
MIGHT be a little on the..... rich side..
;)
LOVE, bj
**
BEVERLY asked
"What is your favorite Christmas movie?"
HOME ALONE
is by far my very favorite..
G'eve BJ ~ What fabulous Christmas decor. Love the peppermint bark, the darling cloche figure, your vibrant dishes & elegant tree ...
ReplyDeleteIt is always such a delight to just come over to see what you are 'cooking' up next.
Have a beautiful winters eve ~
TTFN ~ Marydon
Wonderful post! How do you stay so thin with all of the cooking and baking you do. You must have a will of iron!! Take care, Sally
ReplyDeleteoh sweetie whata beautiful spread you put out! It was so much fun visiting your lovely home for Christmas, so much to see. I do believ I'll have some rasberry zinger tea and scones if that's all right with you :)
ReplyDeleteEverything looks fantastic. I am so glad I don't live near you I would be as big as a house (I would make excuses to visit every day!) Every time you post food it looks so YUMMY. Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteHey Texas lady! Your home is so festive and welcoming, but what I love most about it is your hospitality...You have the spirit of Christmas all year long. Just got an order to make a Texas santa and thought of you! I'll try to post it soon. Now... I'd love me some quesadilla por favor!
ReplyDeleteBJ, I think I have gained 5 pounds just visiting your blog...everything looks so great to eat and the decorations are so warm and cozy....enjoy this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas,
Amelia
Oh BJ, I just loved all of your photos!! Christmas at your house would be a joy!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, BJ! I wish this were a real open house because I would love to come and sample all of that delicious food and those sweets. And thank you for the tips on making the cookies and the peppermint bark, I didn't know how to do either.
ReplyDeleteLove, love all of your sweet decorations. You love Santa's the way I love snowmen! Everything looks so festive and I love the clean lines of your mantel! Beautiful!
Happy Holidays, my friend!
XO,
Jane
Beeeej,
ReplyDeleteI loved your open house! Thanks for having us in. I only wish I could share a cup of hot chocolate with you in PERSON!!! As you say, bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Thanks so much for opening your beautiful home for the Christmas tour. The food looked delicious and I probably gained weight just looking! You're one special lady!
ReplyDeleteOH, I could just eat my way through your home and turn around and do it again. I loved everything and went back again and again to enjoy your beautiful photos. You have such a warm, welcoming home that I'm sure will be filled with love at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHi BJ,
ReplyDeleteYou do know how to throw an open house, that's for sure. I know I won't leave there hungry and I'll be bringing my appetite.
Love the Mark Roberts fairies, they are my favorites.
Everything looks so pretty and festive. I'm happy just looking at it all.
hugs
Sissie
It's going to take me awhile to eat the quesadilla (is there a Margarita to go with that?) then I'd love a taste of that cranberry scone - love cranberries. Hmmm.....while I'm browing I'll take some crackers with jalapeno cheese - a cheese staple in my world just for nibbling. I'm so full so I'll just sit on the couch and look at all your beautiful Christmas decor and feel the warmth of happy Christmas in your home. Please don't make me come back here to the Oregon rain. I'm so full and content and could really use a nap.
ReplyDeleteYour house is like a cozy hug...makes me smile all the way across the country in Illinois! You also made me tear up a bit...but that's okay too. Everything looks so pretty. I don't know why I didn't think of combining all these parties into one post. I wonder how many pictures I can take before morning?
ReplyDeleteOh bj, everything is so pretty! I love your tree and I'll bet it's amazing at night too. Love the stockings..can I just come and stay the night? Oh, and I want another cup of hot chocolate too! ;D
ReplyDeleteWell now I'm stuffed BJ but it was such good food:>) And you always have the cutest dishes and deorations, you must have been very busy decorating this past week! I'm picking away at mine, I'll call it done soon whether it is or not. Just too busy to fuss too much, but I'm still loving the lights and sparkles.
ReplyDeletelove everything,,,,,recovering from an injury so typing is hard,,,,sorry all lower case
ReplyDeletelove everything,,,,,recovering from an injury so typing is hard,,,,sorry all lower case
ReplyDeleteOh I'm soooooo full and it was all delicious! What a beautiful Christmas tour. Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this, BJ. Your home is not only decorated wonderfully, it's so inviting too!
ReplyDeleteMy favorites were the cloched figures. They were great.
Your home is full of love...and lovely things! It's so much fun to be invited to visit! Happy holidays! I'd love some cider, please! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for inviting me into your home. What a wonderful open house everything looks very festive, lovely and yummy....
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying this beautiful time of the year.
Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Virginia :)
Now that was fun! Your little tree this year is adorable. Don't go missing the big one, just enjoy that sweet one you have. I love to see stockings with names on them. It makes them so much more personal and fun. Love all your decor and the food looks fabulous. I know what you mean about your mom. We really do miss them at Christmas and wish we had just one more with them. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5
ReplyDeleteBeautiful decorations BJ, lovin' your cowboy Santa ornament! But most of all, I hope your wish comes true:@)
ReplyDeleteHi BJ!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. Your peppermint bark looks yummy and makes an outstanding cloche.
Eighteen stockings? I'd say you've been blessed indeed.
Merry Christmas, my friend. La
Your decorations are beautiful!! I love the peppermint block!! Also the idea of putting the tree in the orchard basket is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteHi BJness! Oh, the lovelies! I love coming over to see you! You always have the most pretty things to show. Love your Christmas decorating! And there you go making me hungry again.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
BJ,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having hot cider for us...silly me...I forgot the food and drinks. Love your little tree and your home all dressed up for CHRISTMAS!
Blessings,
Linda
I would love to join you for the open house. Gorgeous and such yummy food, drink and decorations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful and delicious tour!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Charo
Wow! Fun and Yummy! It's so great of you to be stopping by my place on your blogging route and leaving a good word! I really do appreciate it! It sure is cheery over here--Thanks for the visit. I got full just looking it over!Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteYour post is just plain yummy! Wish I were there for some of that Vanilla Chai. I do love my hot drinks on these cold winter days...and it's been unseasonably cold here the last two days. Love all your Christmas decorations, especially the fairy in the cloche. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI am willing to bet that you are the most fun, lively grandmother on the planet! It must be a blast to be your grandchile!
ReplyDeleteWhat you wrote about your mother is so poignant. I have two Hallmark ornaments that I had given my mother years ago, and I always use them on my tree.
Beautiful photos nad Christmas decoration BJ! I lake it!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Zondra Art
BJ,
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an inviting Open House! (I'm so full of food. . .but every morsel was more delicious looking than the last!)All kidding aside, I love your hot beverage bar! Your tree with your MoMa's photo was so touching with memories! Have a great Open House with all your blogland friends!I'll be back again, soon!
Fondly,
Pat
Thank you SO much for inviting us to your Open House! Everything is so warm and inviting! I love your little Santa tree! I have collected SANTAS for about 25 years so have LOTS!!!:):) Please stop over to see SOME of them, I don't have them all posted YET:):) All the food looks so yummy and you always take the best pictures! Thanks for havinf us!!!! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Christmas decorating, scrumptiosly good food and black and white checks! Love it all, BJ!
ReplyDeleteWell, if anyone was not in the mood for Christmas, they should be after reading your post. Just Awesome! I love all the photos! Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for inviting me to your Open House today. It was wonderful and I loved the treats. No calories, right? Your house is so festive and fun of holiday fun.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
What fun! Everything looks SO festive and SO delicious! I bet everyone had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteBJ, there are at least a dozen simple pleasures in this post. So glad you linked up and shared with us.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite the party you are throwing, dear BJ. You know I love everything you do. You are "The Queen Hostess".
ReplyDeleteI'll see you for Pink Saturday with your favorite holiday movies.
Such a happy post, even if I my eyes are a bit damp (your wish for Christmas). Thank you for all the beautiful photos and the recipes and for pointing the way to the reason for all this.
ReplyDeleteWell, let me just say that I will be looking back thru the pictures and zooming in:) Lots of sweet love in your decorations! I LOVE the picture of your Mama and I DO believe that they are presented to us in dreams by GOD! I really believe that!
ReplyDeleteI pray you and all of your family are enjoying these days leading up to the Christmas celebration!
Love to all and to all a goodnight! HUGS!
Deeeelightful post!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
Yummy!
And best of all.... I CAN EAT THOSE P.B. COOKIES! 'Cause they have no flour in them! Wheeeeeeeee...
Told 'Uncle A.' and he wanted us to make them, RIGHT NOW. -gigggggles-
I keep him on quite a "short leash," with what he eats for desserts... Because he has to watch his Cholesterol too. Anyway, he's kind of "getting-antsy", to have me made SOMETHING sweet. ,-))))) 'Tis the Season and alll that jazzzz.
Btw, as an example of his "short leash," this morning on the way back home from errands, we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts, so I could try one of their flavored decafs. [Which I brought home and put my own sugar and Soy creamer in..]
Anyway, he said; "Can I get a donut, while we are in there?" And of course, I said; "NO!"
Geee, someone has to keep his arteries ok!!!! ,-)
Wow, it looks like Christmas at your little cottage BJ! Those cranberry scones look delicious...but then all of your goodies do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and festive home you have! I've enjoyed my visit. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your evening,
Gail
Hi sweet BJ . Oh boy the peppermint candy looks good,I will have to make some of that !
ReplyDeleteYour fairies are so pretty.Santa's eyebrows look like mine when they need plucking, :) :) Except I don't even have any right now !
Oh my goodness... just look at all the pretties and yummy food.. I can tell by looking , YOUR house is definately the place to be for a wonderful time and a joyful holiday spirit...
ReplyDeleteYou know how to put the fun into things and I always enjoy my visits here...
Holiday hugs
Sonny
your decorations are great. love that fuzzy tree. My dgt and I read the ingredients to the peanut butter cookies. I said..wow..that's all there is to it. She said...yeah but mom...you know us...somehow we'll mess them up. :( Are they really that easy to make? I can't bake for beans.
ReplyDeleteOh my, everything is just so pretty. I love your trees and all of your vignettes are stunning. Your little fairy is so cute under the cloche, and wow, all the goodies look so yummy. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteOh, I just adore it all! What a fun and sweet open house you had for us!
ReplyDeleteI just love your house. Everything looks so festive.Visiting is a joy and your pictures are wonderful.. had to go back for a second look
ReplyDeleteAnnette
Darling! Thank you for the open house!
ReplyDeleteAll that food looks wonderful and those fairies.... WAY to cute! :)
Merry Christmas!
~Liz
Rest your little tireness of body, BJness! Hope you got a lot done. I would love a mosaic from Penny but I probably couldn't afford it - we're retired now! :)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;0
BJ,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by to see the deer sheds! Now I'll be anxious to see what you do with the antlers that hubby has brought to you!
Did I mention to save me a piece of that Peppermint? ? ?
Fondly,
Pat
Oh, that little nativity at the end is so sweet. Boy, you made me hungry for some yummies....and that is saying something since I am not doing real good in the eating dept...lately. Great for the hips though!
ReplyDeleteHi BJ! Thanks for inviting us to your tour. Your nibbles look so good and your pretties are so pretty -- thanks for having us all over for the fun.
ReplyDeleteBJ, you have a wonderfully happy and gracious home! Couldn't help but be cheerful amongst all that joy! blessings..Trish
ReplyDeleteYour open house is fabulous! It's beautiful and the food is always delightful at your house! Those cranberry scones and peppermint bark look awesome. Your decor looks great too and your photography is awesome.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Beth
Wow BJ...what a wonderful post and what wonderful decorations! I bet walking into your house put's even the Grinch in the Christmas spirit!!! Thank you for making us all smile.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Maura :)
Never mind letting my belt out a notch, I'm glad I wore elastic waisted pants to come visit you! lol Oh, BJ, what a wondeful Open House and all those goodies...yummmmmm!!! Everything is so welcoming and you have such a delightful way of presenting it all. I wish I lived near you, I'd be coming to visit you for coffee/tea and some goodies every day! lol
ReplyDeleteI'm playing catch up once again with everyone. I'm pretty much ready for Christmas now so I'll have more time to just relax and blog more:-) xoxo
Hello Lady Bj,
ReplyDeleteAm late but, I see the party still going...
OMG! your making me drool...not just your foodie, but those cloches and the crystal cake stand is to die for.
Am drowning & drooling.
Happy partytime...
/chie
That is one open house I would loved to have attended. Absolutely, gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteEverything is beautiful. Happy Pink Saturday,
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Goodness, BJ, everything looks sooo festive! I love all those sweet stockings! And your peppermint bark is just too yummy looking! Love those Santa fairies under the cloches!
ReplyDeleteHappy PINK SATURDAY!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Fun decorating ideas! Have a great day, Nan
ReplyDeleteThat peppermint bark is so yummy looking! I love it so I am coming over soon! Hee Hee!
ReplyDeleteI love your Mark Roberts fairies.
You had a beautiful open houise. Thanks for sharing with us all. Anne
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?
Cheers,
Alex
Hi BJ.....What great pictures! Your grandchildren must love coming to your house with all of that fun decor.
ReplyDeleteI'll trade you my mantle for that quesadilla?? That is sooo mouth watering....
Have a great weekend....
Lisa
Hi BJ...
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, sweet lady! Ohhh my, your house is sooo pretty all dressed up in Christmas! Girlfriend, I love your pretty tree in the red orchard basket...what a fabulous idea!!! Ohhh...and I love, love, LOVE your little Christmas fairies under glass...simply adorable! Well my dear, what a fabulous Christmas spread you put out for us to enjoy! You're absolutely right...no one does it like a Texan! Hehe! I love it and right now I am really missing Texas and all of my family!
I hope that my note finds you and all of your sweet family doing well! Have a wonderful weekend, Darlin'! Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas pretties and goodies with us...it's always such a treat to come to your house!
Warmest Christmas wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
Hi BJ,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely sweets and the scrumptious treats. Your home is warm and welcoming. I adore your decorations. I hope you are having a great holiday season.
Cathy
Hello, This is my first visit. I love your Christmas spirit. The goodies to eat and all the festive decor.
ReplyDeleteGwenny
I had a marvelous time at your open house. Everything is beautiful and I feel like I was entertained by a caring hostess. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy Pink Saturday. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteI'd been looking for a new way of displaying my "cups of good cheer" and you've certainly inspired me with your coffe & tea tray. Happy Holidays to you & yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous post!!!!! And the food- oh the food! Oh yummmmmmmy!
ReplyDeleteHappy PS!
In Shoes We Trust,
Maggie Mae @
"Do these shoes match this purse?"
(And "Home Alone" is so cute!)
Such a huge undertaking, and everything looks magnificent! I've never had much interest in fairies before, but those Mark Roberts fairies are absolutely precious. I'll keep my eyes open for his designs. Thank you for sharing your amazing party with us. Cherry Kay
ReplyDelete