The Christmas freak and other family traditions.

OK this is it only a few days left before Christmas and I went from being relatively calm about where I was at with every thing to slightly panicked as of this morning.! I was OK languishing in my overly relaxed state until I realized that I still had presents to wrap and hide, a pan of lasagna to make, cookies that need to be cut out and baked. Not a big deal to some but most of the things on this list require a trip to the grocery store for ingredients, which means coupons to download brushing ones hair and trying to look half way decent just in case you run into someone you know, and we all know its that one snotty soccer mom that always looks perfect and you know she's judging!

The decorations came out great this year with only $200.00 spent and that includes the tree, fabric, ornaments, wrapping paper and batteries. Ill give you a list of where I found everything on the cheap and links to some websites that helped me create my holiday looks this year.

As I sit her listening to Xmas music, I'm the crazy person who would listen to it year round if permitted! I thought about my love of Christmas music and so many other things related to this holiday in particular, I chuckled to myself thinking the music is why my husband started calling me the Christmas Freak in the first place.

When we first met I was very upfront about my love of Christmas, but I don't really think he knew the full extent of what he was getting into. My love of Christmas comes from childhood, up until I was seven years old my family celebrated the holiday, and then for religious reasons decided we would not be celebrating any longer. As a kid this is not an easy transition to say the least, I'm pretty sure the psychological effects still linger to this day. We will save all that for a shrink, all I know that as soon as I was on my own at nineteen, Christmas came back in a huge way!

The big problem with that is where most people understand all of the traditions and Christmas nuances, I had no clue. I didn't even know the lyrics to most of the songs, so I pretty much made up everything(even songs) as I went along from year to year taking bits and pieces from friends and extended family to make as my own. I can look back now and laugh at some of those things, like the "Christmas Bush". the Christmas bush was called that because the first live tree I bought was only about 5ft6 inches and as round as it was tall. I had no clue how to pick a tree and looked for the fluffiest one I could find, it was also the shortest but since I'm only 5ft1 it seemed tall to me. Not until my best friend, who taught me most of what I know about the holiday arrived and laughed at my tree did I realize my mistake. in my defense it was still fluffiest! The Christmas bush is now a tradition in my house, the picture of it sits on a shelf each year in my office around the holidays. I can look back and laugh at all those things because isn't that what it's all about not taking yourself to seriously and learning from all experiences.

As each year passes I realize that where most people either take Christmas for granted or get overly stressed about making it perfect I really get into it because I can remember what it was like not to have it at all. I would much rather enjoy new traditions with friends and family, listen to Christmas music everyday for two months, burn the cookies every now and then, have the dog pee on the Christmas tree
and get no sleep from December 23-26th, then to to not have it at all! Cherish the season, love your family, laugh with your friends and Thank the Lord for all the good things you have in your life!

The side board decorations are my grandmothers collection of dishes and the mercury glass pieces came from Marshals total cost=$26.00. Most of the ornaments came from Target or were gifts total cost=$10.00

The Wreath in the dining room $5.00 purchased on day after Xmas at Target, the wooden candle holders $4.00 and feather trees also $4.00 at a local thrift store.

Side table

Dining room centerpiece Venetian tray was a gift the Mercury glass votives came from Target $1.00 a piece the larger mercury glass votive Marshals $6.99 the sliver chalices Target $9.99 a piece after Valentines day sale, pearls mine along with the champagne bucket,I scored the gold pine cones for $2.50 at Goodwill a whole bushel barrel full some painted others natural.

The mantle was no cost everything there I already owned from previous holidays

The mantle consist of items either from Holidays or items I use everyday, the only purchased items were the mercury glass votives from Target $1.00 a piece.

The tree is a 7.5ft white Pine(my favorite) nice and fluffy and will never be confused with the Christmas bush. I used burlap bows, family ornaments and the pine cones from goodwill. The ribbon and burlap purchased from Michaels during their 40% off sale $25.00

 The tree skirt red toile fabric given to me by my mother in law with red burlap intertwined.

The side table solid mahogany purchased at an estate sale for $10.00 including a ceramic bowl from Italy and a large piece of mahogany for a table top. Candle holders $3.00 a piece at a thrift store.The urn purchased at a consignment store for $20.00.

And there You have it my thrifty yet elegant guide to Holiday decorating, nothing makes the holiday shine brighter then knowing that I achieved a high priced look on a little budget.
Merry Christmas! SBW

The Begining (here it goes!)

As I sit here on this rather cold morning trying to muster up the energy to finish decorating for Christmas, listening to my 3yr old chase the dog with the nose aspirator, I realize just how lucky I am. For the last couple of weeks I have been going through a bit of a funk.

I couldn't really put my finger on the problem, I was stressed and worried about everything from, the current state of our political climate, to where to find the best grocery prices, my parents physical health, and my own mental health! Quite frankly I did feel like I was going a little crazy, and kind of spazzy, and then it happened! The last week of November!, also the last day of my parents 10 day visit, which we all know no matter how much we love them a visit can stress you out!

That Sunday after I waved goodbye made sure everyone in the house was fed and occupied with any activity to get them out of my way I rushed to the basement to start the excavation of all the plastic tubs and boxes from the Yucky part of the basement. It hit me I was in a place of pure excitement! I was no longer stressed or spazzy, I was a woman on a mission to create a winter wonderland for my family! This process in itself usually takes a day, but I already had a plan and needed to decorate at least one thing before the day was out!

As I opened up the many tubs and boxes I realized how many Holiday memories we had in those tubs and how many new memories had been added in just a few short years. At that moment I realized that even though this has been a really stressful and crazy year financially and emotionally, I was really grateful for the things that I did have in my life. I have an amazing husband who has loved and supported me, while I try to achieve some of my dreams. I have a beautiful smart daughter who is becoming her own little person. I have family that mean the world to me. Lastly I have friends that will not only stand by me, but find light in any situation resulting in the occasional snort or inappropriate comment at just the right time.

My hope for this Blog is not only to help others make their home a space that tells their story, but show my journey of doing the same thing on a very tight budget. In the next few weeks I plan detailing some of my tricks for decorating on a dime and not sacrifice style. The best places to shop and how to get great prices on things that you would expect to pay more for. Ill also share some of my favorite D.I.Y projects and lastly I'll give you a glimpse of what its like to be a Sassy black woman who enjoys antiquing and Flea markets. That is important because as anyone who knows me, it is usually in those situations that the funniest things occur.

I look forward to hearing from many of you and if you are in the middle of decorating for Christmas take a moment and reflect it will do your soul good!

SBW, Lynda