Shop local...Raw Rutes

Raw Rutes is a Buffalo, NY based company, on a mission to help you celebrate the homegrown and homemade in your life.  They use 100% recyclable materials that will last a lifetime!

Their website is very easy to navigate and shipping is quick!

Look at these fun Tree Brunch Cocktail Picks!  They are so easy to fill up with tasty treats.  I have also added them to a tall steamy cup of hot cocoa filled with marshmallows!

 . 

Find the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Rattan & Enamel tray here

The Picks are not only for cocktails:

And here are the NEW Cactus Picks:

My favorite picks are the Juniper Cocktail Branches, which I use all the time:

These adorable Squiggle Sticks come in 2 lengths and are perfect for stirring mixed drinks - even your coffee or chocolate milk!

I use the herb drying rack all summer long, but it is currently sold out.  They have a new Kitchen Drying Rack which is quite similar.

Another favorite of mine is the Caribou Hot Chocolate Buddies:

Fun for the kids as well as the adults!

You have to check out the Gnome Stirrers - the kiddies will love them!  

If you are a coffee drinker, check out these and these - too cute!

 Raw Rutes - Locally made and made to last !

Paper Goods....

      Paper Goods

Hafner's Christmas Wonderland....

Hafner's, a local garden center, sets up a lovely display of themed Christmas Trees every year.  

Here are a few of my favorites from this year:

A red cardinal tree to remember those who come to visit in mysterious ways!

The jolly ol' guy beside a tree filled with lots of Santas:

Patience Brewster on a sweet MacKenzie-Childs Table:

A special tree for the dog lovers:

Pretty pastels:

For the grown-ups - BUT who wants a toilet ornament???

SALUD!

For the Coca Cola lovers:

A beautiful flocked tree:

When our children were young, we always went to Hafners to buy our fresh tree and they were always a beautiful, perfect shape.  Their pointsettias are so beautiful and large!  They also have a limited selection of boutique clothing and jewelry, fresh vegetables, artificial and fresh trees, and  a . Core restaurant. In the spring it's the place to go for flowers and bushes to plant as well as an ice cream cone!

It's certainly a place to visit at this time of year to get you in the spirit and give you some decorating inspiration!

Inexpensive MacKenzie-Childs Gifts....

While I am "playing" in Aurora this week at the MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale, I thought you might like some ideas for inexpensive little gifts that you can pick up at the Barn Sale.  I like to keep a few of these items on hand for hostess gifts and they always seem to be appreciated!

A few paper goods can always be an easy gift to bring to the "birthday girl"....

...or tuck a few packs of napkins into a M-C pouch as a "thank you gift"....

...the enamel soap dishes are always a sweet gift, add a bar of soap!....

...you can never go wrong with a cake mix, spatula and cake cups....

...for the youngster, a soda and straws would be fun....

...again, paper plates and napkins are a perfect little gift...

...adding a pack of napkins to a dip mix with a little spreader is a gift I would love to receive...

...adding a sparkly hair bow to soap and an enamel dish would be perfect for the teen!

I thought you might like a little inspiration in case you will be at the Barn Sale....it's always nice to have a few "gifts" on hand.

AND, if you are at the Barn Sale, I hope to see you there - please say HI !!

I'll be wearing my checked hat and sneaks:

 Thanks for stopping by!

The Pioneer Woman and Mackenzie-Childs Table Setting.....

I was aimlessly wondering around Walmart and came across the new paper products by the Pioneer Woman and when I saw the yellow polka dots, I immediately knew that they would coordinate well with my old MacKenzie-Childs Buttercup dishes.....

...and who doesn't love polka dots,  and the buffalo checks on the napkins?

I set my dining room table for a meal of "soup and crusty bread". 

 I began with my OLD splatterware camping dishes....

....and layered them with the heavy duty Pioneer Woman paper bowls:

I mixed the setting with my old MacKenzie-Childs Buttercup bread plates and soup pot:

I love how the polka dots match so well!

The paper good are only $2.98 and well worth it!

The napkins are adorable with a surprise hidden inside:  a recipe for a flat apple pie!!

Inside her magazine is the recipe I tried.

Turkey Burger Soup - the perfect fall meal!!

The magazine is also loaded with some delish fall recipes!!

One of my favorite things to do in December...

I really enjoy visiting gift shops, garden shops, specialty stores and antique stores during December.  The decorations are often unique and it's always a fun way to gather some unique ideas for my own home. 

I haven't been to Zerrillo Garden Shop in many years, so a friend and I stopped by and were greeted by a garden cart of adorable snowmen:

The inside sparkled with decorated trees...

...and vibrant colored poinsettias...

...unique ornaments...

...and warm, vintage displays!

Garden centers are always a great place to gather some holiday decorating inspiration!

Zerrillo Gardens is in East Syracuse, NY