It's the Post-Christmas Blog Post Sale

I'm very far behind in all my postings. That is the result of getting a nasty cold right before Christmas (not recommended--and still fighting it) and then hosting my family for the holiday, but there's been a lot going on this holiday season, so I'll try to catch you up with several quick posts.

First, I wanted to introduce you to my next-door neighbor, Debbie. If you want to throw a party, you need to talk to Debbie. The woman has decorations for every occasion (and sometimes for no occasion at all) and she's not afraid to use them.

That's why when my baby got married last month, I asked Debbie to help me throw a reception for the new couple. We turned my living room into an elegant dinner club set off by cranberry-colored napkins that Debbie and I monogrammed with her fancy-dancy embroidery machine. Everyone wiped their face with class because of us!

Anyway, Debbie's Christmas decorations this year were spectacular as usual.

She went with a woodland theme,

with furry little owls...

   ...and burlap poinsettias...


...and blue turquoise crosses.

And underneath the tree, pretty pale turquoise packages decorated with pinecones from the giant trees in our yards.

I wanted to make something for Debbie for all the help she gave me, so I made her this coordinating wreath.

It has rustic woodland animals, some turquoise ornaments, and even a couple of moose (meese?)...

and I made it from pages of Michener's Texas, because Debbie's family has deep Texas roots, descended from Texas Rangers, King Ranch cowboys, and such. In fact, Debbie got those pretty turquoise crosses from the King Ranch.

The center of this wreath is replaceable, same as mine, so she and I will have to start working on Valentine centers next!