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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I know that Christmas is over, but....


I never had the time before Christmas to post my Christmas table for 2009, so...today, I link with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. In addition, I'm also linking with Leigh @ Tales from Bloggeritaville because many of the items shown are thrift or consignment bargains. Thanks ladies, for hosting such fun blog parties! This is a warning that there are alot of photos ahead.
Each year, I like to change things around, and being that I have more decorations than I have room to display them all neatly, I usually display too much. If you remember my Christmas table last year, as seen here, I used greens and browns because my dining room had been painted an orangey-red shade and reds seemed to clash with the paint color. This year, I didn't care, and went with a plaid theme. Let's take a look.
Tablescape items were purchased:
Santa salad plates -'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Noble Excellence were purchased at Dillard's last year after Christmas, but they had them for 2009 too.
white dinner plates - aren't marked - TJ Maxx last year
chargers - Z Gallerie after Christmas in 2007
red silverware - seen in Dillard's last year, but they were too expensive, so I purchased it at Tuesday Morning this year
margarita glasses - Pier 1 in 2006 or 2007
napkins - no clue
table runner - BJ's for $15 this Christmas
red candle votives - Cracker Barrel this Christmas
Believe sign - Big Lots, last year, I believe
placecard holders - Bed, Bath & Beyond, last year, I believe, but Michael's carried similar ones this year
placemats - Target years ago
placecards - old Christmas tags
The centerpiece is a red/crystal ashtray. The elves were sitting high atop it. I bought it at an antique store earlier in the year, and thought it would also be pretty for displaying ornaments.
This etagere' is new this year, and it quite frankly, makes my dining room look cluttered, but I have no where else to put it, so here it stands. For fall, I displayed fall items on it. For Christmas, I displayed some of my Santas.
This is a music box, I found at either a thrift store or a church yard sale. It plays "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
This is my newest favorite thing, as I found it right before Christmas for $1.61. Woo hoo! How could anyone get rid of that? It's a music box, and it works. It plays "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".
The thing with thrifting is that I want to bonk the people on the head for getting rid of such cool stuff, and yet I want to thank them, at the same time, for donating it!
We won this music box from a charity event that benefited the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. It has the Biltmore house at the base, and plays "Carol of the Bells".
A cousin passed along this Santa to me after going through a divorce. My husband and oldest daughter gave this one to me 5 or more years ago.
A look around the dining room. Bought the runner just before Christmas at a thrift store for $2. For the longest time, I've been looking to buy vintage ornaments. Because I'm too frugal to pay $7-$8 an ornament, I've been keeping my eye open for them at the local thrifts. I found a bag of them, as seen in the bowl below, for 80 cents. And yes, I did squeal with glee!
The thing with thrifting is that I want to bonk the people on the head for getting rid of such cool stuff, and yet I want to thank them at the same time!
The Santa and sleigh is new from our trip to Biltmore this year.
In this picture, the 2 smaller candy dishes came from Goodwill this fall. I saw the taller one over Thanksgiving, and my mom was kind enough to buy it for me for Christmas. The 3 sleighs are all thrift store finds.
I collect bells and the one on the left and middle are from thrift stores this year.
All of these items are from thrift stores this year.
I've had the cookie jars for a few years, but the Santa tray is new from a thrift this year.
All of these came from thrift stores or flea markets except the Santa second from left.
As you might have heard, we had snow move through the south the weekend before Christmas. The only good thing about it, other than it being pretty, was that I was able to take some Christmas card photos. So, I thought I would share one of them with you, since I didn't get to mail one to each of my blogger friends. The baby is now almost 4 months. Where does the time go? I hope you all with have a safe and happy 2010! Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. I always seem to get in type over mode when doing a post. Does anyone know how to get out of it?

77 comments:

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

That's about the cutest table I've ever seen! That Santa collection is really something to marvel at, and those dishes are beautiful. I have a few pieces from that series, but not much. Thanks for sharing and happy TT to you!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh my goodness, the children are adorable.. where does the time go? 4 months old already? Big sis seems to be a great helper. I love your table with the Santa's and elves..so whimsical and fun. Your Santa plates were awesome..love, love love the chargers. Your home is always so inviting. Girl 37 at the beach would be a heat wave for us right now, we've been below zero each morning for days now and not much warmer through the day..so perfect to stay inside and play..lol.hugs ~lynne~

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Penny...love your table! I'm so glad you posted it...I never tire of seeing gorgeous Christmas tablescapes! Cute centerpiece...such wonderful collectibles...love the "Believe" sign. I need to start looking for flatware at Tuesday Morn...love the red! I am so amazed at all the wonderful treasures you find in thrift stores. I laughed when I read the part about wanting to bonk folks in the head that get rid of stuff...that is toooo funny! I've often wondered what the heck is wrong with folks who get rid of such great stuff! But, guess we should just be thankful, right? :-) You daughter and son are sooooo cute...what an awesome pic! Hope you used it for a Christmas card this year. :-) You are truly blessed, sweet friend!
Love,
Susan

Dawn said...

What a fun Santa collection you have. The more the merrier! Lovely photo of the children too!
Hugs,
Dawn

Lana Kim White Austin said...

SUCH FUN! Christmas should ring on!
Cutie pies, too, here!!! You are blessed!!!
Hugs, Lana Austin

Kat said...

I love your Santa collection! And those vintage ornaments are my favorite, what a find! I never seem to have much luck at our local thrift stores, I think people around here are too cheap to give away anything good (I know I am lol) I can't believe how big baby is getting, that is an adorable picture. Have a great week. Kathy

Tracy said...

Wow! What an awesome collection! Really enjoyed your photos. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that gorgeous bowl of vintage ornaments! AMAZING!!! = ) Thanks for sharing your finds!

P.S. Those kids are precious, too!

Lori said...

Lovely! What cute babies you have...

Amelia said...

Loved seeing all the santas (I collect them also)

Best picture though is the one of the kiddos. They are both so adolorable...yes, it is hard to believe the baby is 4 months old.

Enjoy 2010 and be thankful for all the blessings that will be coming your way.

God Bless.
Amelia

Erica (Irene) said...

Thats a real cute table love your Santa's I also collect them.... and cute elves. Also adorable kids.:-)
I just came across your Blog and I'm going to follow it.

Have a great day!!!!

Stacey said...

Your Christmas was so pretty! I have that little Lenox bell too. :)

Your girls are just so sweet. Isn't it amazing how different your life is?

Terri Steffes said...

I am so glad you posted this! It is gorgeous! And, I didn't even pay attention to the walls because the decorations were so COOOL! The kids are so sweet!!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, what a Christmas wonderland!I don't even have to ask if your family had a Merry Christmas because I know from these pictures they must have. Look at your wonderful table and all the Santas!!! You just socked it out of the ballpark with this one and with all of your decorations. I know your precious little ones must have been SO excited, and look how cute they are! Thank you for sharing this, Tardevil. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and here's wishing you all the blessings your heart can hold throughout the new year.

Happy 2010!

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, and Penny... I just LOVE your Christmas dishes. They are majorly cute! :-)

Lynette said...

OMGosh girl!! I don't think I have ever seen that many Santa's in a person's home ever!!

Some of the small plastic looking ones remind me of some my grandmother had - I wonder what happened to those little guys?

Can't believe how big your baby is getting - she is growing so fast - she'll be walking before you know it!

Glad you posted - I miss seeing your posts but glad to see you commenting some! Take care -

Decor To Adore said...

What a way to start the new year~it would be such a special treat to sit at your table.
What a great collection of Santas!

Moore Minutes said...

What a fun table! This is the most unique and exciting table setting I've seen. My kids would be on cloud 9 if they could sit down for a meal there. LOVE your Santa plates too. :)

GranthamLynn said...

Oh my gosh. I loved this. I collect Santa's too. I don't have near this many. How fun! I love the table and plates.
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed. I think I'll visit awhile to see what else your up to.
Have a Blessed Day,
Sherry

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Hey Girl! How are you and that "new" baby? I have missed having you dropby, but know life gets in the way when you have kids. beleive me, I know!
What a GORGEOUS tablescape! Love the Santa collectioN!!!! And my heart soared when I saw the vintage balls! I keep my eyes out for those. Great score! Lots of fab finds in this post!
Thanks, friend, for linking up to Thrifty Thursday on Tales from Bloggeritaville! Great thrifty treasure!

Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

PS- Your children are GORGEOUS!!!!

Sarah said...

I'm so glad you shared your post today. You have am amazing collection of Santa figures. I agree with you about all the things folks get rid of. It is amazing! I think to many live " a throw away" life. Your children are precious! ~ Sarah

Unknown said...

Love LOVE LOVE! your Santa collection!
What a darling table they make!

~Liz

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

You have lots of fun and cheery Christmas items! I love looking at all the happy decorations!

kenju said...

WOW! You really love Christmas, don't you? I think the theme looks great in your dining room and the colors blend.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Penny, you know how much I love all of these Santas! What a delightful tablescape! How smart to use that ashtray to elevate the Analee elves! (I'm going to borrow that idea some time) Love the red flatware and the great plates. You have so many pretty Santas. Those music boxes are incredible. (I want to bonk people in the head, because they make me spend money. I can't leave such treasures in the sotres!) All of these fun pictures of your Christmas decor, but the cutest picture in this post is your children. They are absolutely adorable! laurie

Miss Janice said...

Santascape...cute, cute, cute! Love the centerpiece of santas and love those dishes. I sold those during Christmas 2008 when I worked in the china dept. at Dillard's and loved them. I should have bought them! Great tablescape and decos and darling children. All the best to you and have a fabulous new year!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

I'm still taking my Christmas decorations down!!! LOL! How sad is that! Love all your Santas, especially the vintage pieces! And I just adore your little vintage elves! That is something I am always on the look-out for, but haven't been fortunate enough to find any. Love the touches of plaid in your Christmas decor! It was all beautiful!

The girls are precious!!! The picture turned out great!

Hope the New Year is going well for you and your family so far! Many Blessings to you! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Marigene said...

Wow, your table is so full of Christmas...wonderful collection of Santas. Any aged kid would be thrilled to have been sitting at your table Christmas Day. Thanks for sharing.

Dena Pickle said...

You have quite a collection! I love the red santa spode plates.
I actually live in Garner and plan to rent space at the Shoppes on Main. Hello to a fellow NCian!
I work for Cary Magazine, maybe your parents get it?

Dena

Anita Diaz said...

Love all your santas!! What great things you find! I just got everything down inside, but outside it was ZERO. There is no way my Puerto Rican husband is getting out there in that weather, lol!!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, thanks for swinging in to say hello. No.. I'm not retired, many years from it. I have a gift shop as well as working for another one and I do taxes for a living.. arhhhhh it is that time of the year isn't it? Thanks for the heads up about Tuesday morning having the red flatware. I hope to stop by on my way home on Wed. after taking Mr. P to the doctors.. I hope you all are staying in and staying warm. hugs ~lynne~

Dining Delight said...

Wow! That's a lot of Santas! And what a great idea to display them by making them a centerpiece down the length of the table - love it! You sure do get some good T.S. deals! I wish I was more frugal or that we had more than one T.S. in our small town!
Great Christmas photo for next year!

DD

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hi Penny! What a great collection of Santas you have! Love all of them on your table ~ I even spy Rudolph and a pixie elf or two!!

The best collection you have are those two adorable girls!!!

Best wishes for a wonderful 2010!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Dee said...

wow thems thar a lot of Santa's, really like your dishes,
kids are cute@

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a Santa wonderland at your house! Love those dishes -- fit for dinner with the big fella himself!

Melissa Miller said...

Soooo festive and beautful Tar!

I adore all of your elves and elegant plates. Love the red votives too. It is all gorgeous but the most precious thing of all is your darling daughters. You are a blessed Mommy. ~Adorable!

Stay warm! ~Melissa :)

Envoy-ette said...

I can just see those Santa's and Elves coming to life at night and having a party! Love the Santa hats on the chairs!

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Wonderful, esp. the children! LOVE all your Santas! It was fun to see how you decorated the table last year, versus this year. Both are great. Glad to have found you!

xinex said...

Awww, your children are so precious, the baby getting so big, Tar. You have a wonderful Santa collection. Love your festive table...Christine

Lorrie said...

What a fun post this is--you have a fabulous Santa collection. You've got a definite elf convention going on in your dining room!

What a great find your vintage ornaments are at 80 cents--wow!

Your kids are beautiful--you are very blessed.

I can usually get out of typeover mode by hitting the "insert" key on my keyboard.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh girl your daughters are just darling....I could just kiss those sweet cheeks on that baby to pieces...Oh did I tell you I love babies...Girl I don't know how you found the time to do all this beautiful decorating along with having a new baby....You have so much great stuff...Thanks so much for coming by my friend its so great to see you out and about in blogland once again...Many Blessings to you my Dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Angie said...

So so cute and colorful and fun!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, I'm so glad you liked the "little" shake up I had going on around here. I'm always moving something around, normally not furniture..lol Are you talking about the rabbit soup turren? I think I can still get it will have to check with my rep and find out. I've had it a couple of years or so,, I love, love, love rabbits..lol you'll find many around our home inside and out.. I hope this finds things well your way..hugs ~lynne~

jeanne said...

Hello Penny, I have been in Atlanta for five days and came home to my cousin visiting from MI. Busy, hardly says what has been going on in my life.

I am thrilled to see your gorgeous table setting. Those dishes with each plate different, are awesome. Everything looks just grand. You do have tons of Santas and I admire them all. I love your thrifting ways. I never get tired of visiting our thrift stores. You have awesome bargains to share.

Most of all I adore your daughter's photo. How beautiful and charming they are in their red. The baby is growing so fast.
Thank you for sharing your lovely home with all the Christmas glory. The vintage balls are the best bargain I think. I love them.

Hugs, Jeanne

raxx a day in the life said...

What beautiful dishes and collectibles!! Baby is doing fine I see!! beautiful kids!

jeanne said...

Good morning Penny, thank you for your fun comments. Yes, I do love my boots when it is cold and it was COLD. (2 degrees wind chill) My sister in the green sweater is my backyard neighbor. Caralie is the baby and I am second oldest of five sisters. I turned 70 in Oct. 09. I will admit I did not like that birthday. I am old but I feel young! LOL.

I too am still putting Christmas away. I have my cousin Bob here for a week so I would rather play than do Christmas stuff. It will wait.

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs xoxo, Jeanne

The Muse said...

I do believe..I do...
I do...
I do...

And yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

Adorable!!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Penny! Your Santas are wonderful! Love the Biltmore House music box! Gorgeous plates! And your sweet children are just adorable! I finally got to go to Cracker Barrel and check out the rooster plates! I love them...especially that big rooster! Thanks so much for thinking of me! Now...I am watching for them to go on sale! lol Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Just popping in to say hello.. we're under heavy fog so errands have to wait for a bit. Great time to catch up on things around here.lol hugs ~lynne~

Beth in NC said...

First, your daughters are BEAUTIFUL! I love the picture!

Second, I love your Christmas decorations. Lovely. Question for you. If you sit behind all of the Santa's at your table, were you mooned? lol Just teasing.

Third, you collect bells TOO? Girl!

I bet it took a while to pack it all up again. I didn't get everything out this year and I was thankful when it came to put it away.

Take care!
Beth

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Gosh aren't your girls cute? And your Santa collection...oh MY!!!!! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Penny!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Oh no, please don't judge Columbus County by Chadbourn! LOL! It's one of the most "unattractive" spots in the county! You were only about 10 minutes from my home. We live over in the big city of Whiteville! JK...it really isn't that big. :) I had to go to Murrells Inlet for my husband Friday on business, but I found a lot of neat resale shops around that area. The Goodwill on 544 {I believe that is the right road} had the nicest and cleanest Goodwill. And the staff was super friendly! I spent so much time in that area, that I never made it to MB. Was it faster to go through Chadbourn? Hope ya'll had a great stay at the Beach. The weather is beautiful! ~hugs, Rhonda

Rhondi said...

I hope you got all your Christmas decorations put away today!
Hugs, Rhondi

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi ya darling, I hope this finds you and your family enjoying this beautiful evening. Thank you for swinging in and seeing my little "thief". He's become quite the regular around here. I'll sure be glad when it warms up so he'll move on..lol.. hugs ~lynne~

Nanna said...

wow wee !for the love of Santa !LOL there's enough snowmen over here to do that LOL love those red plates!great display of all your Santa's

Helen

xinex said...

Good morning Penny. Thanks for popping by. I am glad to know that you move things around too. Maybe we are normal, lol. Enjoy your day with your lovely girls!..Christine

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Penny, I guess I COULD take you and your unborn baby off of my prayer list! I do need to update that list more often. I'm laughing about your "unborn" being on there, when she is almost 5 months old! Hope y'all are doing well. Thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog. (I still have some memory of how little time I had when mine were infants). laurie

Anonymous said...

Oh, my! I love your table. I'm just giggling all over. The dishes are marvelous too! I'm so glad to know we're good tasteing together! :)
I'll have to go and check out Cracker Barrel. Those little sweet faces are too precious!
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Lynette said...

Hiya Girl - Stella, oops, I mean Lynette here!! Yeah - I guess you could say I got it goin' on!

All those months I was waiting to move, I was planning for just these kind of days! I have so many ideas in my brain it almost hurts ;-)!

I'm really having fun which makes me feel guilty sometimes and then sort of give myself a shake and get over it!

Stay tuned - more coming!

Hope you and the kiddos are well!

OH - PS I signed up for the Strawberry Festival at 40/42 in April - the 27th I think!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey girl, thanks for coming by...I bet you thought I got losted didn't you ha ha!! Hows that darling baby Girl doing my friend...she sure is a cutie pie...Hugs and smiles to you. you devil...Gl♥ria

Kristens Creations said...

What a cute table! Love all of your santas...I still can't believe Christmas has come and gone... Thanks for checking out my little Valentine projects. Sounds like your friend lives farther north than I do. We are expecting just a little ice and snow, but that could change. Have a great day! Kristen

Darlene said...

I loved seeing your great Santa collection and all of your finds!! Cute, CUTE!!! Great picture of the girls and I can't believe the baby is already that old!!!! WOW time does fly by!

To answer your questions, the salt dough hearts are just painted and we used paint pens to do the writing and decorations on them. Turned out cute didn't they?!?!♥ So far we have had just rain but our temp. has now dropped to 33* so a bit lower and everything will start to freeze. :(

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey you little devil...Thanks for coming by and seeing me...Girl I hope you have a GREAT weekend my friend..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Natasha in Oz said...

I know I am very late posting this but I have been away for a while. I can't believe that your beautiful baby is already 4 months old!

I love your Christmas decorations and it was a joyful reminder of Christmas for me.

Hope that you are all well and best wishes for 2010.

Natasha.

Melissa Miller said...

Thanks for entering my Spring giveaway Tar!

Shucks I WISH we had some snow too! No we have freezing yucky looking rain. Ugh!

Stay warm! ~Melissa :)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi ya cutie.. it was great seeing you stop by.. you always put a smile on my face..Meeting Lynette had to be wonderful. She is just the sweetest thing on line...I've only met one gal from the old RMS days and ironically enough doesn't live that far.. there are 3 others I've discovered these past few months that also live close by, so hopefully will be able to meet them soon. Hope things are ok out your way now.. we've been lucky no snow these past few days...and the sun has actually shined.. Yeah!!! hugs ~lynne~

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training said...

Oh my goodness, look at all those Santa’s. That would have been a great post for my What You Christmas Obsession party. I collect nutcrackers!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my tray redo. I did seal it; just used an acrylic spray that I bought at Wal-Mart.

Kendra

http://domesticprincessintraining.blogspot.com

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Penny~ it was soo nice to see you stop by. Your little ones have grown so. They're adorable, the last photo wirh the Santa cap was the perfect finish to your post.
I have such a (addiction) fondness for Santas. I've got a few (dozen) in my collection too. I need those red and white Santa plates with the chargers. I guess I'll be on the hunt for them next time around.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Melissa Miller said...

Girl where's your new posts at?
I just know you are decorating something new these days. He!

The new blue and white stuff at CB was really cute! I had to make a trip in there to check out the gift shop since we aren't eating the food anymore. Darn I miss those chicken and dumplins'.

Have a good week my friend.
~Melissa :)

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello my friend...

Ohhh...I'm just thrilled that you decided to go ahead and post your Christmas tablescape! I love it! Of course, you know that I love anything "Santa"! Hehe! I loved how you used all those darling Santas and elves for the centerpiece...that's a great idea!!! Ohh...and I love, love, LOVE your red transferware Santa plates...I would love to have a set of those! I'll have to keep my eye out for them! I really enjoyed looking at more of your lovely Santa collection! Love your thrifty treasure finds...those darling Santa music boxes!!! Your home looked simply fabulous all decked out in it's Christmas finery...so glad that you shared it with us today!!! What a sweet treat!!!

So glad that you came by for a visit and took a peek at my latest thrify treasure finds! Ohhh yes, I love my "fisherman" Santa! He was my greatest find of the day!!!

Warmest winter wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

The Muse said...

good golly , so delighted to see your avatar popup on my blog! lol...
the world just seems to take us to the four corners...nice to know familiar faces are everywhere!

i do hope that you are well and your springs dreams still have hope!

Unknown said...

Loved that table! What a collection of Santas you have! Those plates were beautiful. The baby is getting sooo big, but sooo cute. Thanks for sharing and for visiting.
Sandy

Miss Janice said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. We miss you!

Anonymous said...

Hi and I'm still enjoying seeing your darling table and those cuties at the end! Thank you so much fr popping in to see me and your sweet comments.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

The Muse said...

Dropping by to offer a warm hello! :)

Lynette said...

I so stole the "foreveah" from you, ya know that right?

I don't know about a bunny on a stick party - I've never heard of one?

Fill me in please - it sounds horribly funny - isn't that awful?

Hope y'all are all doing great -

Ashley said...

Oh how I have missed you! I am finally back....Your comment made me laugh the other day and I decided it was about time for the new Mrs. to get back on the blogging train. So I uploaded some wedding pics tonight and an update on what we are up too. Go check it out....I know you are dying to see those pictures :) hehe. How are things? Your kiddos are just precious! I knew you were expecting but missed the big arrival!!! Congrats! I am going to have to go back to the archives and catch up! talk to you soon! Thanks for checking on me...Ash