Monday, December 15, 2008

Bloggy Tour O' Homes

BooMamaChristmasTour

If this is your first visit, WELCOME! One of the best things that happened to me in 2008 was discovering Boo Mama's blog, so I am thrilled to be participating in the tour for the first time. If you're one of my (two?) regular readers, be sure to click on the button above, and head over to Boo Mama's to visit more bloggers' homes, but only after you've hung around here a while!

This Hoosier cabinet in my kitchen is one of my favorite things, filled with a few of my other favorite things.

This corner, under our kitchen TV, is not one of my favorite things because of the lovely black cords that hang down. Perhaps I should have painted them red or green to make them more festive.


This cool feather tree sits on a table in the middle of my kitchen.


Just inside the front door is a little saltbox village, one of my favorite new things.


And my other favorite furniture thing, which is red all year. The three angels on top are so cute with their brillo pad hair, and they came from the Wal Marts of all places, a few years back.


I love, love, love these cute little packages wrapped in vintage paper.


No, seriously, this is my favorite thing: the Jim Shore nativity my husband gave me two years ago. Most of the Santas in the Hoosier cabinet above are by Jim Shore too. Now that I think about it, it's maybe kind of strange that the Holy Family is being watched over by a vintage cookie cutter garland.


Last, and maybe least, is a banner that I made on the spur of the moment from scrapbooking paper. It hangs in what used to be our dining room and now houses my kids' homework desk and my 10-year-old daughter's Important Stuff, otherwise known as every blessed piece of paper ever to pass through her hands. Note that I did not photograph that. It is not festive.


Naturally I've got more photos, including one of our fairly run-of-the-mill Christmas tree, but I don't want to keep you too long. I so hope you'll come by again. I'm making Cracker Candy tonight, and if you've never tried it, you can't imagine how delicious this simple recipe is.

Cracker Candy

1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
chopped nuts
saltine crackers

Line a jelly roll pan with foil. Arrange 40 saltine crackers in a single layer.

Bring sugar and butter to boil and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over crackers and spread with a spoon. Bake at 450 degrees for about 5 minutes. Watch closely to make sure it does not burn. Remove from oven and sprinkle on chocolate chips. Let stand to melt. Sprinkle on nuts, if desired. Spread and refrigerate. Break apart and serve.

Merry Christmas!

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

THank you for the tour! I love the nativity!!! Gotta try that recipe too!

blessings
mary

Ashley said...

I love the warm, cozy feel of your home :o) Come visit me at my house (blog)!

Leslie Ruth Petree said...

That Hoosier cabinet is FABULOUS! Where did you find it? And I just love me some Jim Shore. Thanks for the reminder to be on the lookout for that at the post-Christmas sales...

Kim @ Forever Wherever said...

I love your white cabinet! All your decorations are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your home with us!
-Kim

Cyndi said...

Cyndi, Thanks for your kind words. Your home looks lovely I love the red hutch! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Dena said...

I love your nativity set. I've never seen one like that, so cute and unique. Thanks for sharing your home.

Dana and Daisy said...

Very country! I like it. You could be in Country Living!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Love the salt box village with berry wreath and the shot of the feather tree is gorgeous. Thanks for the tour!

Manuela

KarenW said...

Your Christmas decorations are beautiful! Love them all.

Diane Duda said...

Your house looks like it smells like cinnamon. :)
Love the Jim Shore items!

xo
Di

Anne said...

Loved the vintage cookie cutter garland comment:). Merry Christmas!

Heather said...

What a wonderful cookie cutter garland!

Erika said...

Oh. My. Goodness!! I'm loving ALL of your decorations! LOVE the Hoosier cabinet! And LOVE the nativity!!!!

Heather said...

YOur house is so cute, love all the decorations!

Erin said...

I love it- your Nativity scene is fabulous!

Darla said...

everything looks wonderful, great style!

Kelly said...

I love your home. You have the same taste that I do only you decorate so much better than me.

Anonymous said...

I like your decor style. The Jim Shore things look so nice with your other pieces. Cozy!

Kathy b

Jenni said...

Your feather tree is SO COOL, and I love your hoosier cabinet. Very lovely! Thank you for the tour!

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Beautiful! I adore the nativity scene. It's absolutely gorgeous! (And your recipe? Not looking, not looking, not looking...)

MakeLifeDelicious.com said...

I LOVE your Christmas decorations!! I love a lot of the same kinds of things. It's all very homey! Thanks for sharing. You have given me some great ideas for next year! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Love the Hoosier Cabinet (and not just because I'm a true Hoosier!). And that photo of the feather tree ... ahh, it makes me happy just looking at it. Lovely, lovely! Merry Christmas!
Susan
http://girlsinwhitedresses.wordpress.com/

Tracy said...

You have some great furniture pieces and cracker candy is my favorite!

Merry Christmas!

becky said...

Your decorations are so cozy -- I love it!

Happy holidays!

Michelle StClair said...

The bowl on the left in the 2nd photo! Made by Bill Campbell. My wedding "china" is all that stuff!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Your house is beautiful and decorations so unique. I love that old farmhouse look and you do it quite well. I like your favorite red piece of furniture... too.

Anyway, the cracker candy sounds delicious - I think I have too many recipes to try after tour. My waistline is expanding just thinking about it. Blessings.

Nise' said...

I've had my eye on the Jim Shore Nativity pieces. They are so unique. I would love space for a Hoosier cabinet!

Carrie said...

simply lovely!

Unknown said...

wow I love your house! Your pictures are great too -- especially love the nativity! I really need to get one (maybe on sale after this Christmas!) Thanks for having us over!

His Doorkeeper said...

Your pictures are great...love that Hoosier and also that red hutch! Lovely job of decorating!
Thanks for sharing your home!
Blessings to you !

Kara said...

That hoosier cabinet is FABULOUS and the saltbox village is too cute! Thanks so much for inviting me in!

Kelly said...

I LOVE your decore. If your red cabinet EVER needs a new home...I volunteer to adopt it from you. ;)

LindaSue said...

Your decorations are charming - I notice a similarity in one of the bells you have and the one I bought this year for our front door spray! Obviously we both have great taste?! Merry Christmas

ellen b. said...

Glad to meet you Cyndi! I love your style of furniture and decorating. Very cool. That Jim Shore Nativity is wonderful. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Keetha Broyles said...

I love ALL of this - - - ALL OF IT I TELL YOU!!!!

My favorite is the Hoosier cabinet - - -and BEING a Hoosier, I even know what a Hoosier is!!!! Well, the cabinet anyway.

Merry Christmas

Stef said...

So pretty! I love everything--especially the star garland on the first cabinet. I love your style. Merry Christmas!

Amy said...

Love your decorating style...beautiful! :)

Aspiemom said...

I look at your country style and wonder why we ever strayed from that. I just love it. Your decorations are just beautiful. I think my favorite is the berry wreath.

Jane said...

I really like your red star in the last picture

canadacole said...

I love your home! Thanks for the tour! I have serious salt box village envy and love the nativity set as well. Just beautiful, all of it. Merry Christmas!

Jessica said...

How fun and unique!

jill said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely holiday home! Isn't Cracker Candy the best??!! Merry Christmas!

Marybeth Whalen said...

Loved the cabinet and the "feel" of your home, which came through in the photos. It looks like a Gooseberry Patch house! (If you aren't familiar with them, you should visit their site!)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful home! Thanks for sharing.

Lora said...

I love the little packages wrapped in vintage paper! And thank you kindly for stopping by my home today. I was so glad to have you visit.

Peace and joy,
Lora

Jill said...

I'm loving everything! I have to know what camera you are using to take your pics...there is a definite difference in your pics and everyone else's...yours are better! :)

Merry Christmas!

Angie said...

I love your house!! It looks so warm and welcoming!! I love the garland you made out of scrapbook paper. Merry Christmas

volpecircus said...

all of your furniture is so beautiful, warm and inviting. i love the colors. thank you for sharing your home and decorations.

RN and OSHP said...

Can I move in? Just kidding but I LOVE LOVE your house!! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

You have so many pretty and neat decorations. I love the saltbox village. That's right up my alley...

And the cracker candy (we call it Saltine candy) is SO good!

Merry Christmas!!

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Lovely! I collect a few Jim Shore Santa's too. I have the one in your cabinet upper left. Can't wait to try your recipe.

Jackie said...

I love your decorating style...you are really creative. You also take great photos! :)

Merry Christmas...it was so nice to meet you.

Anonymous said...

Cyndi- Thanks for stopping by my blog too! How fun to have a new visitor! I looked at a bunch of the homes on the tour and yours was one of my favorites- so warm and bright- and I love red, so your pictures just make me happy! blessings!

Unknown said...

Not sure what a Hoosier cabinet is, but I love it.

Also love your saltbox houses - never seen those before either!

I love your style.

Thanks for sharing your home and decorations.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Northern Ireland.

kymber said...

Cyndi-
I love your home! I especially love your nativity set by Jim Shore. I collect his pieces and didn't even know that he made a nativity set! I will have to put that on my next years Christmas list - it is gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us,
Blessings,
Kymber

Anonymous said...

You have wonderful taste. I love the Hoosier. Jim shore is just such a great artist. I always admire his work. I make that recipe......we call them PMS delights because of the salty and sweet. ;)

Merry Christmas!!!

Shelley said...

Thanks for inviting me over, I enjoyed my visit!

I love all the "vintage"!

Sarah said...

You have a gift for decorating. Your home is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

Carol said...

It's all gorgeous. Magazine-ly beautiful! So glad you opened your home to us for the tour.

Merry Christmas from She Lives!

Sherri said...

LOVED the tour! I collect Jim Shore too. That Nativity is TOO wonderful!
Merry Chritmas!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Cyndi from another Cyndi!!

Your home is beautiful, thanks for letting us in =)

Merry Christmas!!

DeeDee said...

Beautiful!
and OHHHHHHHHH
I love that Nativity. When you visit in my home you will see why. I have collected them for years - and have shown a few on my blog.

Sweet Blessings,
and Merry Christmas!
DeeDee

phillips phamily said...

You have such a beautiful blog! I love all your rustic decorations and the Hoosier cabinet. Thanks for the tour and have a wonderful Christmas!

Kelli said...

Thank you for having us over to your beautiful home! Your Hoosier cabinet is wonderful...I love it!
~Kelli

Susan said...

I LOVE your cabinets, especially the red one! Great decorating!

Michie said...

Thank you for the tour! I love your decorations!

Paula said...

Thanks for sharing your decor - I love the feather tree!
Paula in Idaho
http://bucketideasforchristmas.blogspot.com/