Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Celebrations at Home

Now that we've packed up the tree, decorations and our Christmas merriment, I want to share some of our holiday traditions. We take our gifts very seriously and open them very s-l-o-w-l-y, in the dining room, over the sacred strata breakfast,

one-at-a-time.
Thoughtfully chosen books were the theme for this year's exchange.  

For a special friend of our family, I choose this spectacularly written book. Everybody needs a strong dose of wit, so I recommend Cecil Beaton without reserve. 

"All I want is the best of everything and there's very little of that left."

Cecil Beaton

While I found Bemelman's prints to be a tad steep, for my neighbor and dear friend, I was able to procure  a title that illustrates my great affection. The Episodes from the life of Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), combines one of my favorite illustrators with a favorite designer.  

"I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life."

Elsie de Wolfe

        

I was lucky enough to receive this special volume from my second daughter.

Dorothy Rodgers makes me feel like I've done absolutely nothing with my life. She was one of the early domestic divas, as a writer, inventor (the Jonny Mop, dress paterns and children's educational books), and decorator. She sat on numerous charitable boards, was a famous homemaker, entertainer and had a radio show. The wild success of her composer husband, Richard Rodgers, never dampened her work ethic or drive.  Speaking of which... I bought myself this spectacular chronicle, at the opposite end of the spectrum. 

I must say, this crowd displayed a great amount of energy and enthusiasm for dressing, entertaining and intrigues. I am most impressed by the collage, society journals of The Baron de Cabrol. 

Our humble decorations, pale in comparison to Cafe Society, and I adhere to my oldest and dearest friend's Mother's floral adage: "arrangements should never be tortured." She is, after all a Garden Club of America blue ribbon winner. 

This year the Santa's gifts did not fit the stocking, so to speak. He, left them a tad sloppily on the floor. What can you do? He is almost as bad as our absent minded tooth-fairy, but I digress.

Here is our swirly tree. The girls have been complaining about the lack of garland over the past few years, so I reinstated it. Note, no theme. The spaghetti goes on the wall. What is not broken-sticks to the tree.

Our latest, annual tradition is our Boxing Day Brunch. It is a casual respite from all the dress up. My specialty is a comforting spinach, mushroom, sausage and gruyere strata that is a combination of two recipes from America's test kitchen. While I have my favorite, and most elaborate decorations of the year, not to mention left overs, I like to have a small group for New Year's dinner. It consoles me after the girlies depart.

Well, after the nine bright days of the New Year, I send you my new 2012 discoveries.

Read… Pimp My Bricks Blog. I am enchanted by the writing.

See the Movie, Hugo!! 
It is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Remember, to visit our online store
Dovecote Decor,
when you shop for furniture, lighting, accessories and antiques.
If you don't see your desired piece in the store,
call us at 336-705-1316.
We will help you find:
 All the Best to Feather your Nest

Best,
Liz