The Gift of Giving

When my girls were little, a teenager from our church would have them over @ Christmas time and they would make Christmas cookies together. My girls loved and admired Mackenzie and this Mom was thankful to have someone like Mackenzie as a role model to her girls.

So this year it was our turn to start the same ritual. We gathered five little anticipating angels and five amazing teens for an evening of cookie and candy wonderland!

The evening began with pizza ,salad and of course....VEGGIE TALES!!. People run out and purchase this years Christmas Veggie Tales . You will not be dissapointed. They base the whole theme around the spirit of giving. First and foremost the kids were excited to be eating in the living room and then to watch Veggie Tales with teenagers. What more could you ask for?? I think Katie and I laughed more than any of the kids though.

Then the creativity began

Katie decorated sugar cookies with Brea. Ciara and Madison whipped up some amazing mini cupcakes with amazing sprinkles.

Haley, Libby, and Emma dipped pretzels and then swapped out for some white chocolate dipped truffles.

Kyndall (sp?), Schylar and Allison made oreo truffles. Now people if you know Kyndall, you would understand why there are three teens helping Kyndall. (Just kidding Laurie:-))

As we decorated, we talked a little about giving and telling others you love them.

When the cookies were done, we packaged up our treats into little boxes.

Then each angel chose someone in their lives that they wanted to give their boxes of goodness to. It was fun to listen to who they were going to share their treats with.

And here you have it folks, the end result. They enjoyed themselves so much and relationships were bonded and mentors gained. If you're reading this blog, thanks Mackenzie for being such an amazing role model for my girls! It was wonderful to see you at Thanksgiving!

Merry Christmas to you all and let's keep the gift of giving alive!

Blessings

Roxanne

Next Up...The Mantle

Isn't it sad that we have to work for a living?

If I had my way, I would be home for the next couple of days decorating for Christmas instead of WORKING!!

I know, be happy for having a job, right? Right!! I praise the Lord for that! Here are a few glimpses of the beginning of the mantle. My silver deer are from last years after Christmas sales. I think I got them for 90% off.

Be back with more.

Blessings

Roxanne

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

La da di da di da da.....

Well the living room tree is complete. I added turquoise this year to the mix of reds and greens and am really happy with how it looks.
Poinsettias are adorned here and there.....

I love these little reindeer! Wish I would have bought more!

All different types of icicles adorn the tree as well.

These turquoise icicles were found in a thrift store @ the bottom of a box of ugly Christmas ornaments. Digging is worth it I tell ya!!

I found these poinsettia leaves @ our local flower shop and thought they too added a pop of color.

I am enjoying every one's Christmas decor and am inspired by them.
Blessings and thanks for stopping by!

Roxanne

1st Christmas Tour

For the longest time I thought there was something terribly wrong with me. You see I love Christmas. No, really love Christmas. I love decorating all year long actually, but I seriously have a Christmas decorating fettish.
And then I met you, my dear blogging friend, and found out I am not alone. One of those wonderful people that share the same love of artisitc expression is Tracey over @Notes From A Cottage Industry. So come along with me as I share with you a few pics of what is done so far in the Philben Christmassy Home!

I love the mercury red candle holders above and decided this year to try to add turquise to my red and green theme and I think it worked! Right in the middle of the candles you will see one of our "away in the mangers". My middle daughter loved nativity sets as a child and asked for away in the mangers for her Christmas gift. We're talking 2 1/2 years old people. Lucky for me that means that I have a little partner in crime when it comes to decorating.

We found these spools of thread @ the thrift store and once again the ladies at the register just nodded their head at me with bewilderment as to what I was going to "knit with all of the thread". It's too pretty to touch I told them. It will sit in an old basket lined with an old Christmas runner in front of the fireplace. Okay they say. :-)

Forgot to turn the lights on in the greenery. Oops. Thinking I need to add some ribbon up here to to add to the look. So little time....

I purchased these wreaths at a high end department store @ 60% off three years ago and usually line the front windows with them. This year I decided to adorn our game boards with them instead. Too crazy? My husbands coffee buddy thinks so. But what do they know? If they had their way everything would be decorated with pheasant feathers and the likes. Hmmm. Come to think of it, I'll have to try that.

I also have found a liking to Christmas trees and here are the ones I have found so far. Silver and sparkly and green and glittery and blue and .... Can't think of anything to go with blue. Please forgive me.

In our main bath you will find chocolate draped with turquise. Man, now I'm hungry. Chocolate is such a wonderful food.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I promise much more to come.

Make sure to head over to Tracey's blog @ http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/ to see so much more Christmassy goodness.

Blessings

Roxanne