It's Turtle Time....

We are on day 22 of 'sheltering in place' and we are trying to be busy and creative.  We always seem to wish for more time to get things done, and then when we have it, we cant seem to remember what we wanted to do!  But one thing for sure, we still like each other after being housebound for over 3 weeks!!

We took a 2 mile hike around Green Lakes State Park today!  We needed some fresh air and exercise!

Today was a gorgeous day, so when we got home, we had "turtle time" on the patio.  I gathered my tray and a few snacks and John grabbed the bottle of wine.

I used these cute little "turtle" tidbit plates:

So, we went out to the sitting wall and had a little happy hour in the fresh air:

It felt good to be out in the sun and we look forward to spending more time outdoors when the warmer weather stays!

I am a huge fan of the Bravo Housewives series, New York being one of my favorites!  Although Ramona Singer is not one of my favorites, her phrase "Turtle Time" has become popular!

 Why is it called "Turtle Time"?...Ramona Singer said "Turtle Time" is in the privacy of your home or a place you have fun with your friends. It means cutting loose, having some Pinot Grigio and even dancing!"

There was no dancing going on, but we had a fun day!

What are doing to amuse yourself these days?

A Snowy Dinner....

We had about 8 inches of snow over the weekend.

 I spent Sunday in my PJs binge watching Schitt$ Creek - and enjoyed every minute on the couch! 

 In the Canadian sitcom "Schitt's Creek," a wealthy couple -- video store magnate Johnny and his soap opera star wife Moira -- suddenly find themselves completely broke. With only one remaining asset, a small town called Schitt's Creek, which the Roses bought years earlier as a joke, this once-wealthy couple must give up life as they know it. With their two spoiled children in tow and their pampered lives behind them, the Rose family is forced to face their newfound poverty head-on and come together as a family to survive. 

 We had pizza delivered for dinner - the poor guy said he wasn't very busy and that the roads were cleared well, so our feeling of guilt was set free!

So in between the quick commercials of the tv show, I set the table with cute snowman dishes....

...and a snowman sitting atop of a MacKenzie-Childs mini pedestal platter!

You can barely see out the windows!

This is John's favorite pizza:

This time we ordered broccoli, sausage and cheese:

And the best part?  I quickly got back on the couch and continued to watch Schitt$ Creek!!

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

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A few holiday table settings....

I am always wishing that I took photos of my table settings after the fact, usually as I am clearing the table....sometimes I remember, other times I can't be bothered, BUT here are a few I was able to photograph this season:

Most are table settings for just the two of us:

This is my favorite from last year:

I am looking forward to setting the table for 12 on Christmas Day!

Christmas in my home.....

Here are a few photos of our Holiday Home....

...our tree is filled with special ornaments from the past 40 years, and each one comes with a story.  They are from the children when they were little, souveniers from our many travels, family treasures, and special gifts....

...there are even a few from my childhood!!

My dining area is an open room and the holiday decor is in neutral colors.  The Swarovski Crystal tree is above the china cabinet surrounded by mercury glass trees.  The other cabinet holds my collection of Possible Dreams Santas and Carolers....

....a collection I began over 30 years ago!

The tree has some hand painted bulbs and lots of gold...

This year I placed my black and white tree on the mantle, alongside a snowman riding a reindeer!

A simple M-C floral and fruit arrangement sits on the other side of the room:

This little corner has my favorite picture of Santa....

....a new MacKenzie-Childs holiday arrangement...

...and a few little M-C holiday decorations:

Plates and picks are always set up on the bar, ready for an impromptu afternoon snack:

The coffee table sports candles draped in greens and berry candle rings from Grandin Road:

The cedar chest is in the entryway.....

....with a new cloche I got this year from Pottery Barn, and the cutest fluffy wool reindeer and battery operated lit tree:

The mercury bulbs are draped around a M-C spray and a jolly little Santa:

My Mark Roberts Elf sits by the spa tub in our bathroom....

....and this pretty arrangement sits on the counter of the guest bathroom:

I am looking forward to a joyful holiday and wish you the very same!

Life slows down in January....

The decorations are down, the parties are over, the company has gone home, the sweets are all eaten,  the drinks have been downed, and my home is back to normal!

I am now settling in for a long winter - January and February can be quite challenging in central NY!

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Our holiday home.....

Our purple front door is decorated with a simple wreath, flanked by two artificial trees and a snowman!  All the windows have swags with matching bows:

These 3 Wisemen are almost 2' high and sit atop the china cabinet.  The flower pot is hand painted by Angie Strauss, a favorite artist of mine from Canada:

The dining area in our home is changed occasionally....

....and saw a few changes over the last month...

...the tree is decorated in champagne and gold...

...and santa sits by the tree!

The table is perfect for lunch for two:

The vintage glass cabinet displays one of my favorite collections of Possible Dreams carolers and Santas....

Some of them are over 35 years old!

A Mark Roberts Santa sits on top!

The black and white tree sits on the kitchen counter....

...and another favorite decoration, my Christmas Crate:

My kitchen table opens up to be about 10' long and is perfect for a crowd:

The great room has our traditional tree trimmed with ornaments that bring back memories of many, many years!

The mantle is filled with lots of mercury glass, silver, lights and a tree filled with over 20 years of Swarovski crystal snowflakes and stars....

....and our stockings I made years ago hang on the mantle, waiting to be filled!

A side chest holds red battery operated candles, with candle rings from Grandin Road and star picks from MacKenzie-Childs, that come on each night with a timer...

The coffee table holds a MacKenzie-Childs centerpiece:

Another side table holds an old MacKenzie-Childs snowman and a few coordinating trees

 The guest bathroom has a few simple decorations matching the room's decor....

....as well as one of the guest rooms....

Our home is a ranch that we have lived in for 9 years.  After our girls "flew the coop" we decided to start brand new again after living in our "starter home" for 30 years.  It was a great move for us, only 2 miles away from our first home.  It's cozy, comfortable and is a fun home to decorate for the holidays!

I hope you have a joyous and healthy holiday and that the New Year brings you happiness and many new adventures!