Post-Christmas Winter Vignettes

Whew! Observing the Twelve Days of Christmas and celebrating the Epiphany (you can see my post on the Epiphany/Three Kings celebration here) easily brings our de-Christmasing to mid-January, but I can now report that, save a wintery sleigh in creams and evergreens, there’s not a shred of evidence of Christmas decor left at our house! Every year I feel as though we’ve decorated less, but it’s because I’ve changed how we do it. We used to decorate the tree and the house on the same day, but now I’ve started decorating in a more piecemeal fashion. Only when we start to put it away do I realize how much I (yes, I take full responsibility here…) have managed to bring up from the basement. Lugging it down to the basement is never as much fun as bringing it up...funny thing…  And just think, in 10 short months we’ll be doing it again, or at least thinking about it!

But the house is serene now, and though I love, love, love everything about Christmas, the serenity does my soul good.

I thought the china cabinet we had through Christmas would carry me over into winter…remember me saying that? I even did a blog post on it, you might remember:

  A few tweaks, and I’d be done…or so I thought.

Once the reds started disappearing, the china cabinet vignettes just didn’t do it for me. Our china cabinet is in such a central location in our open-floorplan home, that it truly sets the tone and has a huge impact on the feeling in the house. Changes were in order…

So now it’s quite simple, in whites and touches of snowy bottlebrush trees:

As I worked on the china cabinet I wanted to use some restraint (a difficult thing for me, but it does come easier in January, I’ve noticed). I kept thinking about our winters here in central Ohio: “winter,” “quiet,” “snow,” “pines and evergreens,”—and “deer…lots of deer.” The deer thought allowed me to keep the deer my husband had just given me for Christmas out, but in a much quieter setting—like seeing them out in the fields, quietly grazing. Their former home on our table (you can see them in a centerpiece here) was much too much for this quiet season. (I choose to call it the “quiet season,” but a lot of people in central Ohio suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a sad or depressed mood that is directly tied to the lack of light, mostly caused by the usual cloud cover.) I’m thankful to not suffer from SAD, and in fact, as the years pass, these January days are nice, quiet days for me. Don’t get me wrong, though. By the time sunlight returns, I’m very, very happy to have it!

I also kept my beloved log cabin, sans the Christmas touches. The vintage cruet set lightens things up a bit and brings some bling to the otherwise-dark scene.

Can you hear the quiet?

The ubiquitous chickadees, of course, nestled on a pewter tray, next to a vintage silverplate toast caddy.

This tiny silver cup is a favorite—you’ve seen it before, haven’t you? Filled with greens and the baby’s breath left from the roses we had for the Three Kings celebration, it continues the green-and-white winter theme.

More silver and white, with a touch of rustic in the old wood spindles. The silver “vase” is actually the bottom of a salt/pepper shaker. I got the set at an auction, exactly for this purpose! The other one sits on my nightstand holding dried hydrangeas.

Over the years I’ve come to accumulate quite a few white pieces. Perfect any time of year!

  Several readers have asked about my log candles, and if they are for sale, as my brother makes them. I just love the earthiness that they bring to any setting! And yes, his wife has a booth at an antique mall and is now carrying them there. Email me if you’d like to contact her. In the center picture below you can get a glimpse at others he’s made for me. It was our simple centerpiece for our dinner with our little chickadees on the Epiphany.

 

You might recall that we had a large family picture over the buffet, then at Christmas that was replaced with a wreath. Now there’s a mirror there! ~

This mirror is quite old and very, very heavy. I hope it doesn’t bring the wall down, but it didn’t in its former home in our bathroom. I’ve wanted to hang it here for a while now. I’m really looking forward to putting seasonal wreaths on it, but for now, it’s the serene look! We’ve had the rectangular mirrored candle holder for a few years (you can see it here), and though we used it over Christmas it was allowed to stay since it fit it with our January sensibilities.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know many of you de-Christmas pretty soon after Christmas. What’s your inclination for your post-Christmas decor? Serene/quiet? Or do you continue the color and vibrancy of Christmas? And Valentine’s? Are you decorating for that already? I don’t think I will until early February, so I can enjoy my quiet decor for a little while. And in my famous words… “I won’t do much for that.” We’ll see… :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Three Kings/Epiphany Celebration

We hosted our Three Kings/Epiphany celebration the weekend following January 6th, as the kiddies were all back to school and there were bedtimes to observe. However, we had put the chickadees’ slippers by our tree, and the gracious Three Kings~Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar (or in Spanish, as our Chickadees know them: Melchor, Gaspar y Baltazar) did come to our home!

I think they must coordinate with Santa, because knowing the overload of gifts Santa left, they leave just a few things—all of which are amazingly well received. :) They also save time by not wrapping their gifts, but rather leaving them out for easy finding. (If you look closely you can see their slippers, where they placed a smaller gift or two.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the gift opening we had dinner. Though they know the story well, we continue to reinforce it for the little chickadees, thus each of their places had a Baby Jesus from the many nativity scenes we have, and the three adults’ places each had a King. The Holy Family was the central piece—the centerpiece.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My friend Maria of Dreams and Epiphanies also does a Three Kings celebration (be sure to visit hers; it’s a lovely affair every year) and we emailed back and forth about our plans for our celebrations. I told her I wanted to do something rustic, as the real setting was, but I was having a hard time envisioning what I would use, and my heart wanted a fancier setting. She gave me “permission” when she reminded me that the Three Kings had brought quite fancy gifts…THANK YOU, MARIA.

I was able to take the Friday before the party off, so I had a most wonderful, albeit exhausting, day creating!

I knew I wanted to use a beautiful nativity scene my husband had given me several years ago but that is too fragile for the little chickadees, and I knew I wanted it raised high above the table where I would be serving hors-d'oeuvres, again, in an effort to keep the importance of the day and the cause for celebration central.

As I rummaged searched through  my linens, I ran across this favorite tablecloth that I got last year and have only used for a table that I’ve yet to post (maybe November/December 2015!), and that was the piece that set the tone for me! (I find it so interesting how a single piece—a serving piece, a tablecloth, a particular dish, is what always gives me the final direction and inspiration!)

For Christmas our son Todd and his wife had given us the beautiful driftwood star from Pottery Barn that was perfect for over the table and the nativity scene~I wish it weren’t so hard to see under the ribbon. It was more visible in real life. :) ~

The evening before our party the table was prepped with most of the serving dishes, consisting of the mix I envisioned: crowns and silver and rustic wood pieces (my brother’s handiwork), and crystal…oh, my! (Again, thank you, Maria!)

Our celebrating the Epiphany in our home started when our grand-chickadees were old enough to understand about the Three Kings coming to honor the King of Kings, and since there are now quite a few other chickadees in our extended family, we wanted to include them (and their parents :)) as well. So the party is for them.

We gather them ‘round to talk about the Baby and the Three Kings. This year we had treat bags for them~

 

Each treat bag had:

3 Rolos (to represent the crowns of the Three Kings)

Gold chocolate coins (to represent the gifts they brought to the Baby)

and

A heart lollipop (to remind them of how much God and Jesus love them).

The treats were nestled in brown-paper gift filler, representing Baby Jesus’s bed.

Baby Love Chickadee read two Bible verses to them,

then we talked about the meaning of the day. Don’t you just love their little faces??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had crowns for the to wear, and when I asked to take the picture of these three kings they immediately grabbed whatever toy they could find to represent the gifts!

And then we ate!

THE FOOD~  (Not to be missed, the crackers still in packages…:(  ) The rush to get the food on the table AND take pictures is a challenge sometimes—do you find that too??) I really wanted pictures of the food, but feeding our guests was more important!

To end the Christmas season we used our Christmas dessert plates.

THE DRINKS~

Cold beverages~ Ice cream punch with a “crown” ice ring,

I LOVE punch bowls! I even have a Pinterest board devoted to punch bowls! I have four or five very nice ones, but you’d never know it, would you? I use the sterling one my MIL gave us many years ago every chance I get. I just.love.it! And I’ve amassed quite a collection of punch cups (many from my mother, others that I’ve collected myself), which allows us to not have to resort to disposables when we have a large crowd, which is exactly why I’ve collected them. If you’d like to go this route, they’re still easy to find, and they wash perfectly in the dishwasher, so no fear of hand washing there!

and Limoncello ~

    When Maria and her husband, Lee, came to visit us last fall, they had just returned from a wonderful trip to Venice, and they brought us a bottle of Limoncello, directly from Venice! What a gracious treat! I had meant to serve it at our family Christmas brunch but completely forgot, so it worked out perfectly to serve it at our Epiphany party! Boy, was it a hit!

I love to use cordials, so serving Limoncello was a perfect excuse to bring them out! I usually use them to serve Bailey’s straight (another YUM!), so now I have another excuse to use them!

 

And the Cuban hot chocolate (thick, and creamy, and rich, and cinnamon-y with a hint of espresso—YUM!) was a big hit again this year and has become a tradition that I’m happy to indulge. I prepared the station with add-ons, and used my favorite space-saving Southern Living Ballard Designs tiered basket for yet more punch cups and mugs at the hot chocolate station~

Mini chocolate chips (that are about the cutest thing you’ll ever see!), whipped cream, and yes…sugar for those who just might want the hot chocolate richer and sweeter than it already was!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Winter China Cabinet!

Hello, there! Happy new year! To those of you who have taken the time to visit and to comment, and to Pin and to follow since I’ve been blogging, this is a good time to say a big THANK YOU! You have no idea how much it means to me to have you visit my little ol’ blog! If you’re new to CHN, WELCOME! I hope you’ll like what you find here and that you too, will become part of my Chickadee family.

I gave you a peek at my winter china cabinet in my last post (here), so it’s time to show you a bit more detail. I did the china cabinet early enough (late November/early December) that I didn’t want it to be Christmassy—I wanted it to be wintery. It in fact carried us through Christmas—it didn’t make me cringe when I glanced in that direction, as though it were out of place—and it’s still feeling…well, wintery! (Although here in central Ohio we thankfully haven’t seen much of Old Man Winter--yet.)

As I write, our Christmas tree is still up, still giving off its warm glow of the white lights and the old, familiar ornaments. The garland is still on the banister (sans stockings), and the nativity scenes are still out, because in our Cuban tradition we celebrate the Epiphany, so the 12 days of Christmas are important to us. At our house, it’s still the Christmas season! Since the baby chickadees don’t know the date yet (well, Baby Love sort of does, but she doesn’t know they come on the 6th.) we’re going to have our annual Three Kings party on Saturday the 10th. We’re hoping the tree holds up—so far so good!

As many of you know, I love red, so to me, red isn’t just for Christmas. After the Epiphany I’ll remove the bottlebrush trees with ornaments on them and leave the plain ones—after all, pine trees and evergreens (especially with snow on them!) are certainly a part of winter! And the real holly will still have berries, so I may or may not remove the holly and the berries. If I do, it’ll be to get them put away with Christmas things.

I wanted to share this close-up tell you about the red square container in the center--$1 at Goodwill, and I love it!! I’ll use that for many years to come. I think the tiny cloche on the left was also a GW find that I like.

The wreaths on the Putz houses are certainly a Christmas touch, so they’ll get put away soon. The crooked little candle(s) and the very old, tin candle clips were my pleasant surprise this year! I’d forgotten that I had them! I was wishing I had some candle clips, and as I rummaged through Christmas decorations, there they were, in the darling vintage candle boxes, which also found a home in the china cabinet decor:

See one there as a pedestal to the bottlebrush tree?

And here’s the other one! I went after them at an auction, because I wanted the tiny, old candles (almost the size of a birthday candle, but OLD), and the other goodies came along!

I was so happy to have found the candle clips that I used them on the shelves as well, along with my cranberry glass pitcher and Friendly Village. Actually, as I recall now, the Friendly Village dishes were the inspiration for this china cabinet display!

Another Putz house, dressed for Christmas—wouldn’t it be precious to live in one of these?! The old spools (or bobbins?? Someone please enlighten me!) add a rustic touch that I like at Christmas, and the vintage deer are actually Baby Love’s—my mother gave them to her and I’ve got them for safekeeping. :)

The snowy Friendly Village plates seemed just perfect for this winter china cabinet. Did you notice it also snowed around them, and that the chimneys are spewing smoke? (That’s one of the great things about blogging; it allows us to become little girls again and engage our childlike imaginations!)

This Crate and Barrel wood “boat” has been a great item for just about any seasonal display. It now holds the pinecone roses I’ve also used on many occasions (for a close-up to see their detail click here (spring china cabinet display)), preserved cedar (one of my faves for Christmas and winter decorating), and faux greens and berries.

I’ve visited many of you since New Year’s and I see that many of you took your Christmas trees and decorations down right away, and I imagine that was the chore of choice this weekend, for those who hadn’t been able to get to it before now. Have you ever thought about celebrating the 12 days of Christmas? When our boys were little we’d have little gifts for them each day, in anticipation of the Three Kings’ arrival, then the Three Kings would leave them some gifts under the tree (fewer than Santa brought, and less $$$$). It’s our family’s way of keeping a cultural tradition alive by sharing it with our grandchildren now. I’ll be posting pictures of the Three Kings party next week!

Again, I wish you all a very, very good year, filled with many blessings. Thanks again! ~Zuni

I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni