Comments : 17

Good morning everyone! Cannot believe it’s the Sunday before Christmas, feel like it really snuck up on us.  I have said it often, just don’t have all the feels this holiday season like I normally do. On one hand, I have been working not stop so I have had very little downtime, but even in the windows of time I have had, I  forced myself to do some decorating but not totally into it as I normally am. Just feels different, because it is different! Can’t wait till 2021!

No one coming over, no parties, no gatherings,….I do like the “no pressure” vibe though:) It will just be my immediate family on Christmas and like Thanksgiving was, I anticipate it will be a low key, super relaxing, enjoyable family day. I am looking forward to it, but most looking forward to turning the page to a new year!!

I know its going to be a while (months) before things start even resembling normal, but just knowing 2020 is behind us will be a great thing and put my into a different headspace. Looking forward to 2021 ending on a “normal” note and I cannot wait! OK, onwards to this weekend’s post.

 

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1 SNOW DAY!! We got a wallop of a snowfall Wed/Thursday of this last week and it was magical. I have to admit I had really been missing a good snowfall since last year we pretty much had none, it was a pathetic showing for old man winter. So this was a very welcome sight. Though if I had my wish,  we would skip right into spring now:) Nevertheless, snow makes everything prettier and I had fun going out and taking some pictures-

 2 A SWEET FEEL GOOD STORY. I love these kinds of simple stories that show the basic goodness of human beings. And there are many unsung heroes out there, like Greg the UPS driver. I love the way this neighborhood came together to show thanks. A simple gesture can be such a beautiful thing. Beautiful and just what my heart needed to see this Sunday morning.

3 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST Clearly had a hard time knowing where to stop this weekend. There were just so many fabulous instagrams to choose from, all holiday related of course. Such beauty!

4 A PRETTY HOLIDAY HOME ALL DECKED OUT! This pretty and festive home was featured in Flower Magazine (ours will be in next December’s edition) and I thought it was so pretty, loved those trees by the fireplace in lieu of a Christmas tree. Proof that thinking outside the box is often a very good idea, think it looks beautiful. Loved seeing my friend Erin of Weston Farms adding her magic touch to her exquisite magnolia too. Click here to read the entire article

5 A HEARTY DELICIOUS SOUP PERFECT FOR THIS WINTER. I could live on soup year round. i love it and have many recipes that I rotate This is a newer recipe for me, but oh so good. Very hearty, easily a delectable meal when you add a loaf of crusty french bread. If you love soup, you will love this

1

Produce
  • 1 1 cup frozen green beans, frozen
  • 1 2 lb. carrots (about 4)
  • 1/2 tsp Basil, dried
  • 1/2 cup Corn, frozen
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Oregano, dried
  • 1 handful Parsley, fresh
  • 1/2 cup Peas, frozen
  • 1 Russet potato (about 3/4 lb.)
  • 1 28oz. can Tomatoes
  • 1 Yellow onion
Canned Goods
  • 6 cups Vegetable broth
Condiments
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
    • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a large soup pot and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
    • Meanwhile, peel and dice the carrots. Once the onions are soft, add the carrots to the soup pot, along with the canned diced tomatoes (with juices), barley, basil, oregano, some freshly cracked pepper, and vegetable broth.
    • Stir the contents of the pot to combine, place a lid on top, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the broth up to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let the soup simmer, with the lid in place, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
    • While the soup simmers, peel and dice the potato into 1/2-inch cubes. After the soup has simmered and the barley is mostly tender, add the diced potatoes and continue to simmer for 10 minutes more, or just until the potatoes are tender.
    • Once the potatoes are tender, add the frozen green beans, corn, and peas. Stir to combine, and heat through (about 5 minutes in the simmering soup).
    • Finally, add the lemon juice to the soup and stir to combine. Taste the soup and adjust the salt or pepper to your liking. Serve hot, with fresh chopped parsley on top as a garnish, if desired.

     

6 GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT GIVING THE GIFT OF FOOD I enjoyed this as I think giving food/wine gifts are always a great idea and this year I am giving it more than usual. I always give my oldest son who loves fine a wine subscription and send food/gourmet baskets to relatives far away. Who doesn’t; love to receive a beautiful gift of edible goodies! So this article is chock full of great last minute ideas on giving the gift of food. Always the right fit, and always a great idea! Click here to read entire article.

7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY So Christmas is upon us. Crazy to believe that 2020 is nearly over (seriously doing a happy dance over that). I just need to hear the words 2021 and I think just mentally I will feel better:) This Christmas as many have echoed just doesn’t’ feel the same.

No parties, no family gatherings, no pretty outfits to plan…its a very low key holidays which in our case will be spent with just my immediate family. Love my parents and sister and family too much to jeopardize any of them getting sick, so we will celebrate remotely this year. Like Thanksgiving was, I am sure its going to be a wonderful, relaxing day and I am really looking forward to it.

But there is no mistaking this year is just a total departure from any previous. I always say Christmas/holidays is not just a holiday it’s a mood. One that generally overtakes me the entire month of Dec. but not this year. Every decoration felt like a struggle to get done, just being honest.

So curious what your mood is?


 

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Today I plan to put a few finishing touches on the vert few gifts I have. I got one or two “big gifts” for my sons, ones that cannot be wrapped so in keeping with this very strange year, the gift situation is following suite:) This coming week should be relatively calm compared to the last 3 harrowing weeks ot frenzied activity at our warehouse.

By Wed I will be our planning Christmas dinner and exhaling knowing that what’s done is done! Hope you are doing well and making good progress on your end, no one needs extra stress, that is for sure! Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday, stay well and stay safe!

Until next time….

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TODAY ONLY- For every $75.00 you spend (before shipping), you will receive one of our oversized ornate beautiful serving spoons or forks! These are simply exquisite. Any order placed today will ship tomorrow, (Monday). Everything goes UPS ground or USPS.

If you need something guaranteed for Christmas delivery, call our office tomorrow morning at 800-804-9565 so we can help arrange that!

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That’s a wrap for today. Wishing everyone a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing day. Thanks for stopping in! Until next time…….

Cutest Santa elf

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Wishing you and yours a Beautiful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Thank you for giving us so much beauty during these trying times. Stay well and stay safe. We are New York Tough!!

Tina, your home is spectacular and oh so beautiful! The picture would be a perfect cover photo for “Architectural Digest.” You are quite the photographer and capture every detail so well. I believe you have been gifted with endless talents. The soup recipe sounds delish. Thank you for sharing. Sending you and your family the very best holiday wishes and the brightest of new years.

Thank you Tina for a the soup recipe. Guess what I’m making with a grilled cheese ??

I just LOVE seeing how magical your garden became with God’s whispered gift of snow.
You have such a gorgeous home that I have thoroughly enjoyed looking at and you have given me wonderful ideas.
I used your brand of paint Farrow and Ball, your brand of tile and your brand of faucet Rohle.
Now if only I can get that gorgeous, beautiful, very missed snowfall.
(I live in California.)

Your words made me feel “normal”, you described so well the effort of “trying to be in the mood of Christmas”, but nothing is like other winters…no joy of decorating, no joy of new aquisition because of “burnout due to pandemia”.
Thank you for pictures from pinterest, they are nice but can not give the energy for “being in mood of Christmas”.
I wish you , and your family, rest healthy , stay closer, enjoy your lovely house, even it is not “perfect” in this period and be optimistin for the next year!

Please tell us how much barley to add to the soup? I do not see it in the list, only in directions.
Thank you!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful snowy, frosted home photos. I love seeing the snow, as where I live, it’s a rarity if we see a snowflake. Also, thank you for sharing the delicious looking soup recipe. I love that it has no animal products in it (even healthier!) I will definitely be making that this week. Merry Christmas!

Dear Tina
Wonderful post! Loved all the Instagram photos and enjoyed the Greg story.
Your home looks beautiful covered in snow.
I’m with you, cannot wait for this year to end.
I have my only child in Australia, and beautiful granddaughter, that we have not seen for a year, and who knows when it will be possible to fly there!
So yes, 2021 cannot get here soon enough.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas ?
Lucy

Yes, this Christmas is different. 2020 has made me more aware of what is truly important in my life. The year, 2020 has put things in perspective and perhaps a wake up call for many. What’s loud and clear to me is that who cares about the parties, the gifts, the decorations, the food, the fun we’re missing or the mood we’re not feeling. It has me reflecting more on what Christmas is about……… the birth of Christ. Otherwise, there would be no Christmas. In a way, I guess 2020 has taught me more about humility and appreciation for what I have rather than what I lost.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Although this Christmas is going to be different , I still felt the magic of the season..plowed through and decorated like every year, baked cookies for neighbors, watched christmas movies, listened to the season’s music, etc .. Sure we didn’t get to have that party at our home, or go to events or other parties and “dress up”, and all of my children are not in the capacity right now to feel comfortable to come over, but I wasn’t going to let me bring down. It’s still will be special to me. The song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas “really reminds me to keep the focus.…

The soup looks delicious. However, I am a little confused by the recipe. For instance … the ingredients calls for a handful of fresh parsley. But the directions do not call for adding the parsley. The directions, however, call for adding barley. But there is no barley in the ingredients. Can you please clarify this ???

Soup looks wonderful. Am I reading correctly that eleven cups of green beans are needed. Also how much barley? Thanks for all the fabulous posts. Merry Christmas ❗️

Thank you and your sweet puppy for bringing a smile to my world every week. Haven’t seen family for almost a year and we’re trying to make the best of things and keep everyone well. This is my first Christmas without my Maggie, my 17 year old Lab…she is so missed and loved. Merry Christmas to you and your family and all those that follow The Enchanted Home.

Tina, this week’s run of visions, enhanced by the recent snowfalls, are the best grouping I have seen so far. Visable is the determination by folks to remain in the Christmas spirit and gather holiday warmth through all decoration both natural and man-made. Alas, I am in northern California and miss the first snows while growing up in northeastern Connecticut. Forsooth, I am blue only about not being in New England…

Tina, I am beyond ecstatic! I ordered one of the hand-painted trays for my daughter-in-law, in which I sent a picture of her house and it was hand-painted. I am so thrilled with the detail and the depth of colors. Please please run the special again soon so that I might buy myself a tray with my house on it! My 70th birthday is coming up in February wink !wink!

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