a little at a time...

I (finally!) put my Christmas tree up this weekend. Little by little, it's beginning to look like Christmas around here. Time was slipping through my fingers and I decided on Sunday that it was then or never.

I love these old Christmas balls! I bought them all at once a couple of months ago from the space in an antique store of a magazine stylist. I looked everywhere for the crystal bowl from Tiffany's, a wedding present, but then sadly remembered that it broke this summer. But I do like the charm this Haviland bowl lends to the vignette.

This little elf was my favorite ornament growing up. I just love how he's snuggled down into the shoe.

Rich and I have a little Christmas tradition. Every year we go to Neiman Marcus to buy a special ornament. Then we have lunch at the NM Cafe. I'm nuts for their monkey bread and strawberry butter. Just thinking of it is making my mouth water. NM puts little charms on their ornaments noting the year. Also they present them in the most wonderful gift boxes.

We have yet to get this year's ornament...maybe this week?


On my way back from the cottage last week, winding through the back roads, I stopped at a nursery and bought the most beautiful pink poinsettias. Just two of them filled my backseat! I just love them...I love to sit close to them and just take in their beauty. The secret, the lady at the nursery confided, is to let them dry out completely before watering them...and then to drench them. Here's hoping that they survive my black thumb.