Comments : 15

 

**For anyone who ordered our beautiful chinoiserie trees and ornaments, we finally got them in. I was beside myself as they were in customs for over 2 weeks. For every day that they stayed there, I probably grew a few gray hairs. They finally came in and all are shipping on Monday with a little gift. We feel terrible for the delay but know that you will agree they were worth the wait. And, can almost guarantee that you will look forward to bringing them out every year. I just love them and am really proud of this collection**

Hi friends, trying my best to get back in the groove Feels like two steps forward  and one back. Will get there slowly but surely and hopefully with my mother guiding me as she always has. It has not been an easy holiday season but the distraction of my business has been good for me. It’s been like a Santa’s workshop on steroids this past week. I am very proud of my team and how much we got done.  We worked against the clock to insure that orders were out the door on time. It was total mayhem and we survived!

On the homefront,  will have a very quiet Christmas this year. I couldn’t and wouldn’t have it any other way. I am still in deep mourning over my mother and am so glad that my dad will be here with us. I hope this finds everyone humming along, checking things off their list and finding joy in this beautiful and magical season. Onward to my Seven on Sunday…

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1 A FANTASTIC SOUP RECIPE I have always said I could live on soup year round. I love soup and make it very often, about once a week. I will often double up on a batch and freeze it for a winter day instant meal. This one was so good and hearty. I love the zest of the lemon, it was a hit and will be put on rotation around here this winter!

  • 2 sticks celery chopped finely
  • 2 medium carrots peeled & chopped finely
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or to taste
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Sauté the celery, carrots, and onions in a large soup pot with the butter and oil over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for another minute or so.
  • Pour in chicken broth and stir until the flour has dissolved, then add the Italian seasoning and chicken. Bring the soup to a boil.
  • Cover the soup (lid slightly ajar), and reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through. I keep the lid off and stir it fairly often because it tends to stick to the bottom of the pot.
  • Take the chicken out of the pot and cut it up, then add it back in. Add the lemon juice (you may want to add more than I suggest – I didn’t want to make the soup too lemony for some people), parsley, and season the soup with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately.

2 IF THIS VIDEO DOESN’T WARM YOUR HEART WITH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! This is such a simple but beautiful, heartwarming and tear inducing ad. I love everything about it….so well done.

3 INSTAGRAMS OF INTEREST These will promise to get you in the holiday spirit….one as pretty as the next!

4 MY PAPERWHITES Seems people eihter love them or hate them. I love them and yes, I love their scent not to mention they are just so elegant. Mine have done really well, been keeping them in the greenhouse and then when they start blooming,  I bring them indoors. Something about this air really agrees with them! Several of you who saw these on Instagram asked about our newest French wire planters in the square, which is the brand new size. They are offered in 3 sizes and were just added online (click here to see

5 THE MOST MAGICAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE Have you ever seen such a beautiful gingerbread house!! I am just in awe of these magical creations. These are done by Ellen Hanssons (found on instagram). Just so beautiful!

6 OUR INCREDIBLE BAUBLE STOCKINGS With all going on with my mother, we kind of forgot to market our amazing  Bauble stockings besides our initial presale a few months ago. When I featured them a few days ago on Instagram, everyone went nuts for them. They really are so incredibly beautiful and I just love this collection.

Plus knowing that with each stocking purchased you are helping to support an impoverished single mom in Haiti really makes these so meaningful. I love the idea of collecting them and adding to the collation every year. Beautiful on place settings, on the tree or to include as a special gift maybe even with a bauble tucked inside:) We are down to the last 7 or 8 stockings, click here to see them.

7 SUNDAY’S SURVEY So curious who is done completely with their shopping and holiday prep? It is very different this year for me,  and I have to admit I have only ordered one gift. I feel so behind the eight ball but am not putting that kind of pressure on myself. My family understands, and know I  will get things squared away early this week, maybe not to the extent that I normally do but enough for this year. We are not having any parties or gatherings so Christmas Eve and day will be just our immediate family along with my dad. So who is all done?


 

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As of Monday we have 40% off all ornaments and holiday gift wrap, just in time for you last minute holiday planners and wrappers! 

Use code Merry

Click here (all categories and subcategories are on the left)

And that is a wrap on this Sunday, the last before Christmas! Hard to believe it’s crept up on us so fast. Personally, I will be happy when it’s all over but I recognize what a beautiful and magical seasons it is and look forward to when I can get back to enjoying it again. Thank you for stopping by, don’t forget our incredible Holiday Love contest starts on Tues! It is sooo good. Wishing  you a wonderful day, until next time….

Love you Mom

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Love the Christmas stockings! Hope they will be here next year to purchase as well! Have a blessed Christmas.

So sorry for the loss of your beloved Mother. She will live on in your heart, memories, and spirit.
Hope, love, joy, and peace to you all this Christmas and New Year.

Merry and blessed Christmas!
Your plans sound perfect; spending it with loved ones always warms the heart. May you have peace and comfort this week as the most wonderful time of the year approaches. I’m so grateful for your shop, and enjoying the pretty things I’ve added to my home.

Merry Christmas to you! I’m sure having your Dad there will bring you joy. Thanks for the recipe, I’m not too good at making soup but this one sounds like I can do it!

Merry Christmas Tina and may the warmth of your family help you through this difficult time. The commercial about the elderly man brought tears to my eyes. So very well done!

You made me cry with that video! Thank you for posting it!
Merry Christmas and hope you can keep moving forward with your life & outlook – That’s what your sweet Mother always wanted for you and your family! ❤️😇🎄

Good Morning Tina, I make this Chicken Orzo Soup but add a little chopped dill on top when I serve.

Merry Christmas! I wish you and your father continued healing and love.
I love the little stockings and wish there were ones in just gold and white. Maybe next years?

Tina,
I have looked and looked for the little calendar that you and Giddy Paperie do every year. Are they just late this year, or are they discontinued? If so, I will miss them greatly.

My deepest condolences to you for your loss. My mother was 62 when she passed. It was the first intense pain I had ever experienced in my life. She died on Dec. 30, 1983, in the middle of the Christmas season and that intensified my pain even more.
It’s 39 years since she’s gone and there’s never a day that goes by that I don’t get teary eyed and she’s not thought about. I thank God that the pain of her loss subsided. As time passes, it will with you as well. You’ll find yourself laughing and then crying about things. Cry as much as you feel like because it’s cathartic and helps release the pain somewhat. My eyes were swollen for a long time. Have a Blessed and peaceful Christmas and remember your mom as your very best friend.

I am so sorry for your loss…I lost my mother (unexpectedly) right before Christmas 20 years ago. I can speak from experience that time will heal the wound (partially, at least), and you will enjoy holidays once again. Also, I have a soup recipe I’m going to email to you! Merry Christmas 🙂

Such a beautiful post, be very kind and gentle with yourself. Your family and friends completely understand, if things do not get done so be it. it’s not about gifts or decorating or cooking endless hours anyway although that is all lovely and if one wishes to, that’s wonderful. My own mother passed away suddenly just a few weeks before Christmas back in 1994, my children were 2 and 5 at the time. I didn’t even have the strength to do a tree much less anything else but my husband stepped up and took care of everything for the sake of the children. I remember I didn’t want to be in any pictures that christmas as I was always crying. It took me years to come to grips with her loss, as it was so unexpected, and she was only in her 60’s. I get through by talking about her all the time, so it feels as if she is with us. I share this with you only because I remember I found it to be deeply helpful to know that others have experienced such painful loss, although everyone’s grief is unique, you don’t feel so alone.

Just completed all the decorating this afternoon when I hung did a tree full of angels for dining room and added other touches to the drawing room. All packages sent off last two weeks, Hubby’s gifts to be wrapped, and Christmas foods to be prepared. Still trying to decide between roast beef or Southern baked ham.

The documentary was so touching, especially after losing my dear dad three months ago, and still mourning his loss,.The gingerbread houses brought smiles and inspiration. They are so elegant! And the stockings are simply adorable!

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