Christmas 2012 in Pictures

Christmas was wonderful. It was a great time with family from both sides.

Eighteen people total, with 6 kids under 8.

Even though there was a stomach bug going around, everyone rallied in the end.

Food, presents, and more food.

Now that we've pulled if off, I know we could do it again and it's not so scary.

xoxo - Bethany

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

I've been busy, busy, busy around here getting ready for the big Christmas feast!

I'll be back next week, but in the meantime I hope you have a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones.

xoxo - Bethany

Simple Mercury Glass Mantel

Hello friends!

Today, I'm showing off our fireplace mantel all decked out for Christmas.

Yes, that's a big honkin' TV and speaker in the middle of our mantel, and the main focal point of the room.

We have priorities...TV over design in the Battles household.

I kept it pretty simple.

I used the mercury glass I got on sale at Kohl's back in July,

Pottery Barn stockings we got a few years ago,

and glittered pinecone tree I got at Marshalls. 

Although, I think I could have DIY'ed

it myself if I had to.

(Yes, DIY'ed is a word here.)

Other than that, I just mixed in some glittery branches and berries in my pitcher vase.

I also tried out flameless led candles for the first time, not only for safety,

but also so I wouldn't get soot on the wall.

 I actually think they look natural lit in the hurricane, 

and emit a pretty glowing flicker.

More features of the Christmas decorating we've been doing around

here coming soon!

I'm linking up again!

This time at Michelle's blog Ten June.

xoxo - Bethany

 

 

Christmas Crafts

Hello y'all!

I can't believe December is here!

In honor of the Season, I'm sharing with you a few Christmas crafts I've done recently.

All three of these ideas came from Pinterest. You can follow me here.

The first is for my big a Christmas dinner I'm hosting.

I made placecard holders from dollar store ornaments,

using this tutorial.

Here's how they turned out.

I will redo the actual placecards before Christmas dinner.

I just busted some out real quick to give you an idea.

Here's a close up.

I think they turned out cute.

The second one doesn't really constitute a craft, per se.

But, I had been looking for a way to display Christmas cards as they came in 

and saw this idea and thought it was easy perfect.

Simply using clothes pins to hang them on the garland on the banister.

Already had the clothes pins. Already had the garland.

Win, win.

This third one, is so easy it doesn't really qualify as a craft either.

But its a really good idea, from Layla at The Lettered Cottage

and I thought I'd share.

I needed a centerpiece that was substantial enough to fill my 

8 foot long dining table,

but easily moveable whenever I have company over.

This is what I did.

First, get a tray.

I got this plastic one from the Dollar Store.

 This is so you can easily move the centerpiece once its assembled.

Next, put a wreath of your choice on top of the tray.

This one was a plain one on sale at JoAnn's,

and I added the  floral picks myself.

Then get a footed bowl or candle holder.

I got this one at Marshall's for less than $20.00.

(I saw a similar one at Pottery Barn recently for $45.00!)

I didn't mind spending a little money on this because I know it will get used after the Holidays

for a jewelry catch all, potpourri dish, etc. 

 Put your bowl/candle holder in the center of the wreath.

Next add a candle...

Tada!

Easy layered centerpiece.

I'm linking up with Cassie for the Christmas Cheer to the Blogosphere

Craft Linky Party!

xoxo - Bethany

Drinking it up!

This year, I  lost my mind and

volunteered to host Christmas dinner for our extended family.

Both Jason's side and mine;

so I'm expecting 12 adults and 5 kiddos.

I'm really getting excited about hosting and working out the anxiety I was feeling.

Along with getting excited, I'm starting to make lists and plan what I need to pull this off.

Luckily for me, my amazing Nana bought me 8 place settings of the Lenox Holiday China.

Along with what I already had, and a couple of additional plates I'm going to get,

I will have enough for the 12 adults.

But, I didn't know what drinkware I was going to use to serve iced tea or water in with dinner.

That is until, the heavens opened up and God smiled upon me at the dollar store last week.

 I was there to buy the Operation Christmas Child gifts,

when I saw these gold rimmed tumblers!

 For a dollar a piece?! I'll take 12!!
Just like the iconic Reluctant Entertainer,

it really is the small things in life

that make me smile the widest,

like my dollar store drinking glasses.

xoxo - Bethany