Christmas In The Air

A weekend away with the girls was exactly what I needed...
Christmas was in the air from the moment I walked in to Paula's charming historic farmhouse...



Her home was filled with fresh greens and natural elements as well as rustic antiques, vintage Christmas ornaments and handmade treasures...
This ornament depicting her home was given to Paula by her former employer...(Paula works full time as a pharmacist when she is not having fun decorating or antiquing!)





One of Evi's Santas...
(Click on any photo to enlarge and see details better)





Paula's vignettes, which very often include birds and nests, have a bit of glitter and sparkle to them this holiday season which enhances the magical feeling of her cozy home...





I think I counted fourteen decorated trees in her home this year....but there could be one or two little ones that I missed. (Click to view a close up of her "snowflakes").



One of Evi's snowgirls...













A winter rabbit handmade by Evi...













Paula has been collecting doilies all year to turn into snowflakes...







Another of Evi's snow girls...



Paula's home is full of perfectly placed details meant to delight the eye...

Evi (our infamous dollmaker) and Ebbie came midday and we set out to visit Carole from Maynard Greenhouse and Deanna from Gather in Ivoryton as well as a trip to Stony Creek to another of our favorite shops...Taken for Granite.
Pure Inspiration!

Friday evening, we went to the open house given by Cathy Pendleton of The Cheswick Company. We were delighted with her wonderful creations which I will share with you later on in the week.

Tomorrow I will share some photographs from Carole's Christmas shop and Deanna's store Gather...We all found some wonderful things at each place!

Both Carole and Deanna and our friend Kathleen came over Friday evening for an impromptu get together...
It was great fun to sit and chat with these accomplished women...all business owners or professionals...all hard working women dealing with life's issues but ready to laugh and to listen...to support each other however needed. It is good to have girl friends.

The Essex Holiday House Tour on Saturday was lovely and I will have pictures of the outsides of these beautiful and charming New England and historic homes later on in the week. Unfortunately but understandably they did not allow photographs inside the homes this time.

To say that I felt welcomed and comfortable would be an understatement...
I was pampered and spoiled not only by dear Paula but by Bill who cooked us both a delicious breakfast and dinner...poured us wine and fixed us bowls of Ben and Jerry's while we watched "It's A Wonderful Life" all tucked in under comfy quilts on our sofas...

It was truly a wonderful and relaxing weekend. The icing on the cake was when I arrived home today, walked in the door and saw that Santa Baby did not disappoint...the lights were shining brightly on the tree...just waiting for me to add the ornaments and decorations! :)
I hope this will be a good week for all!