Cajun Christmas

This is White Oak Plantation; all dressed up for Christmas. 22 acres of southern grandeur; owned by a famous chef, inspired by Houmas House Plantation that was built in the 1800's.

The main entrance opens to a grand staircase and beautiful parlor.

The main parlor with it's 26 foot ceiling and antique crystal chandelier are a impressive sight. The tree is decorated with fleur de lis and poinsettia's. I love how you can see the second story balcony from this room.

Papa Noel vignette...simple and elegant.

More poinsettia's; this fireplace mantle is so pretty.

LeBaron crystal chandeliers are stunning.

These fantastic lead glass doors lead to a court yard. The private dining area was decorated for an event tonight. The elegant Grand French Ballroom features a black and white simulated (insert faux!) marble floor and three chandeliers with matching wall sconces. Fantastique!

I'd love to attend one of the Culinary Garden Seminars that are offered. I'm going to have to keep checking the calendar for upcoming events.

I'll post pictures of the grounds another time.

~Shelly

Weekend Road Trip

I took a road trip this weekend...and spent some time with my family.

I passed this sno-cone stand. Couldn't help myself.....its so cute!

This was growing in my grandfather's backyard - he has a couple things planted. I'm really not sure what it is....

When I stopped at a favorite antique shop I spotted this bike.....how fun for a little one! Too bad it wasn't for sale.

I have a couple projects for this week. Come back when you have a minute!

~Shelly

Christmas Party Pics

Last night was my work Christmas Paty. I snapped some pics during setup last night. Our caterer did a wonderful job with our food and table scape. I really like the way she incorporated fresh fruit, it's so pretty. We have a great arts museum downtown, it's a fantastic place to have a party.

It's a work in progress.....

Yummy eclairs ~ desserts are always a favorite!

Beef Tenderloin anyone???

How about this bowl of buns! Carbo heaven!!!

Ambrosia torte is the best! Forget the crackers, I like it with everything. Gotta find a recipe when I have some time.

This serving piece cover was so pretty, I just love it!

One view from the third floor.

The skyline of the Mississippi River Bridge......It was a beautiful night for a party.

I'm going to spend some time with my family this weekend.

Hope you have a great one too!

Shelly

Snow Day

It snowed like crazy today! We are so not used to this......roads and schools had to be closed. I have never seen such huge snowflakes I found this poem by Julie Gudger, and love it!

Oh To Be A Snowflake
Oh to be a snowflake, gently falling down. It falls ever so gently, down to the ground. Its little white edges twirl with the wind. Ever so quickly does it twist and bend. Falling from the sky to greet the world below. Its almost as if its trying to stop and say hello. And when we see a single flake it doesnt mean that much. But if we stretch our arms out wide we feel its gentle touch. But when the flake has reached its end and is a flake no more. We sadly mourn its short lived life and it we did adore.

Molly did adore the snowflakes! She was running and having a blast! I got lots of pic's of her backside because I am not quick enough!!!

The sweet girl birdfeeder was full of snow......

Love this little train in our antique district.

My little gator was full of snow! It was fun until the snow became too heavy for a branch and broke a power line across the street. I was without power for a lot of the day.

Not a total waste though because the snow filled me with Christmas spirit. When I couldn't get to work because roads were closed and bridges iced over; I came home and went into the attic to get my Christmas decorations down! I had to use a lantern to see the boxes but I was successful!

I ended up having a great Snow Day!

I'll show you my progress soon.....

Are you in the spirit? Maybe you need a little snow, too?

~Shelly

Snow Makes Everything Pretty!

We are waking up to snow in South Louisiana this morning! It's a very big deal, since we don't see it for years, sometimes. I snapped a couple shots with my camera on the night setting - like I said snow makes everything pretty!
Molly is trying to figure out what the wet stuff is - it's new to her!

The wood pile has a little accumulated.

Now, we are getting a white carpet. We'll see how thick it gets. We had lots of rain yesterday, I'm surprised that we have this much now.

This is an iron gator in the flower bed. Now, he's a rare white alligator!

Looking forward to a wonderful winter white Thursday,

Shelly

December Citrus

I usually go to the fruit stand on the weekend, these were fresh picked and displayed on the counter.....I just couldn't resist picking up a few. When I was a kid we had a huge kumquat tree by the back door; sweet ones. I loved them then and I love them now! I was in for a surprise though..... there was a crate of sour kumquats next to the sweet ones - one ended up in the sweet bin and ultimately in my bag! I still don't like the sour ones! I guess that some things never change. Oh well.

Along with sweets and treats, Santa would put fresh fruit and nuts in our Christmas stocking. Can you imagine what a child would think if they received fruit in their christmas stocking, today? Hmmm......I thought about Jo in Little Women, when she walked around with her Christmas orange for days, rolling it in her hands and smelling it. Those were the good ole days!

Maybe if I'm extra good, Santa will leave some fruit in my stocking!

~Shelly

Christmas Decorating

I had a decorating idea; so I made a trip to a dollar store and picked up a table runner.


I gathered a few supplies......

I cut my table runner in half so that I'd have two equal pieces of fabric with tassels.

Then, I hemmed both halves with Heat n Bond (in the sewing section of your craft store). Love this stuff, it's so quick and easy to use!

I hung them on a spring rod to create instant holiday home decor!

A grapevine wreath added a little texture. How about a some sparkle? I added a vintage pin to the ribbon, a glitter snowflake and chandelier bobbles too. Last, I tied some old german keys on a ribbon and slipped them onto the wreath.

Happy Holiday to you!

~Shelly