Come On In! You Are SO Welcome Here!

Hey there! You made it and I am so glad you did. I know you have a lot of people to visit today so come on in and get warm. It has been so cold the past few days and we have had so much snow and ice. You can leave your boots right there... ...let me take your coat! Henry and Kipper let me know you were coming! They are awfully good at being watchdogs...er...watchcats...er...nosy busybodies. So, here we are in our tiny foyer. Uh huh. I KNOW our house is small but we like it that way. There is just enough room for the 4 of us (7 counting our furbabies) but it seems the house grows to welcome all the family and friends who stop by. The magic of love just does that to a house don't you think? Our theme this year was chosen by my daughter Grace. She asked for "Candy canes, snowmen, Santas and lots of red and white." So, you will pardon us if the place looks like a candy cane factory exploded. Over done, yes. Over the top, yes. But it IS Christmas and is there really ever TOO much? Nope, didn't think so! Don't mind the teddies...they are all decked out in their festive wear and preparing for the big day. We will go up these stairs to the landing and into the master bedroom where you will find a tree just for Bill and me... I love the golds and coppers and browns and think it displays this nativity well. My late mother in law made this as a gift for me 29 years ago. It just feels right to have this tree here in our bedroom where we can enjoy it...just the two of us. I guess we should head back downstairs now...Grace did not wish to have her room shown today as she is still busy wrapping and creating and sewing and ...well...if you COULD see it you would find lots of pink and purple decorations! She has a little pink tree filled with all manner of handmade ornaments. Her nutcracker collection is on display and there is a pink , white and purple paper garland over her bed. In my son Dan's room, his Nutcracker's are displayed...the ones he collected for several years and from a few different countries. I doubt he would mind his room being shown but I think he might well still be asleep...he did work late last night and I don't know how Christmasy it would be to see my son in his boxers...even if they ARE his "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" boxers. Ahem...This is the door to my little study...little being the operative word. I actually made this wreath all by myself. Hard to believe I know. Try not to bump it. It could fall apart at any moment! This is a sweet little decoupaged bowl that Grace made last year. It holds some of the pretty glass ornaments that my sister in law, Lisa, gave me a few years ago. I just love this little Christmas fairy...Grace says her name is Kelly. Yeah, Grace she told. Me, nope. Fairies! I know...I *AM* a big kid at heart. Teddies and rabbits, penguins, dolls and mice...all are welcome here at Rabbit Run! Spiders and snakes? Not so much. This is a little tree here in my study. It is filled with tiny bears and rabbits and it is always a hit with the children who pop by. It has also been a huge hit with Henry who seems to find it absolutely irresistible. Just ask the tree. Poor tree. These are just two of the little animals who make this tree their home every December. Pillows..the more the merrier right? Yup, MORE teddies and under this glass cloche? My beloved "Christmas Story" figures which were a gift from my brother a few years back. Let's go into the dining room now shall we? Prepare yourself...the snow people have invaded and, well, I just hope you don't find it too unsettling. They DO like to stare...and stare. But I did catch one of them blinking the other day. Well, I DID. There is some of my precious blue and white in evidence... Here... ...and here. My late mother in law created 4 of these stockings and they are really treasures for each of us. Our names and the date are sewn onto each one. I know they mean a lot to my son and daughter. To Bill and to me as well. The table is all set for our Christmas Eve dinner. The moose and rabbits are getting ready to celebrate. Let's go down the hallway...oh! Here is our powder room. Tiny bath? Tiny tree.A friend recently gave me this ornament of the Empire State Building. A Target find! Have I ever told you how much I *LOVE* Target? Oh...I have have I? Okay then... My, this bath is even tinier with both of us in it...what do you say we move on into the living room? Oompf... Our cat Henry loves to make this little bell ring...I guess he heard that, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings." Henry is working hard on being an *angel* but that naughty, curious streak does him in every time. I change the mantel every year... I believe. Do YOU believe? These two, our Lucy and Henry, they believe! Our big tree holds ornaments that we have collected over the last 32 years. Bill and I bought our first one the year we were engaged. This is one we were given the year we married. And NO. I do NOT Think this classifies as an antique quite yet thank you very much. Hmpf. I have lots of Lucy's on my tree. Some alone... ...and some with Ricky too. It IS "A Wonderful Life" isn't it? My tiny gnomes were gifts from a dear friend. This is one of the first ornaments Daniel made for us. Our countdown calendar...it hangs on the pantry door. My little kitchen tree. It sits in an old milk can which was painted, folk art style, with a snowman. It has an assortment of things on it...antique cookie cutters, tiny tea pots, small kitchen implements and... ...a few of my smaller pieces of Blue Willow. My Jim Shore dog was a gift from my husband Bill. I love Jim Shore's work. This little tree sits on our kitchen bar. It is filled with tiny mice and bears. Even some of the tiniest ornaments have been with us for years! Each year my mother gives us a gorgeous wreath from a local tree farm. This one smells just heavenly. I found these valances at K Mart and could not resist using them for the holidays! I love mixing patterns and these two just seemed fun together. Can I offer you a mug of hot chocolate? Would you like Marshmallows with it? I thought so! Grace and I baked sugar cookies last night. Can I get you one or two. 4? Sure! Would you like the recipe? It is SO simple...even *I* can make them! Now THAT is simple!

~INGREDIENTS~

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Oh, see the Santa head? That was one of the first things that my mother bought when she and my dad were married. She thought it suited my kitchen and gave it to me this year. He just makes me smile! These little snow men shakers were gifts from a precious friend. The book was mine as a child! Now, even a small laundry room needs a little holiday cheer don't you think? No one in this house can resist making this snow guy play that piano when they come in...and he just loves to sing. And play. And sing. And play. And sing. Darn those Everyready Batteries... Well, I think we have reached the end of our tour! Yes, my home is small and will never be featured in a magazine. It is not elegant or stunning or awe inspiring. Yet, it is ours and it is warm and cozy and just plain suits is to that good old proverbial *T*. It is here we feel safe and welcome and happy. I hope that you felt warm and welcome while you were here. Be careful now...mind the snow! Have fun today and enjoy each of the homes! Hey! I think I will get my coat and join you...do you mind? No? Great! Let's sing some Christmas carols as we go...huh? Ah gee. My singing isn't that bad is it? Come on...gee whiz. Okay, YOU sing and I'll hum...watch that patch of ice. I AM humming...sheesh...