Christmas Eve Trailer Decor-2013

     You may remember my post after last Christmas about our Christmas Eve Adventure! On Christmas Eve, just before sunset, we got in a golf cart at Disney's Fort Wilderness and drove around the campground looking at the wild and crazy decorations that people put up. We had such a great time last year that we were all looking forward to doing it again this year, only we were more prepared. We put on Santa hats, Mickey ears and carried bags of candy canes to hand out to the kids at the campground. We had so much fun! 

     We didn't realize that they actually have a parade of golf carts. It was starting just as we arrived, so we pulled our cart to the side of the road and watched. These people go all out with the decorations! Donald Duck was the Grand Marshall and we aren't sure who actually won the prize, but we had our favorite! 

     Once the parade was over, we started driving through all the campground areas. The pictures just don't show how many decorations there are. Every blow up Christmas decoration there is, lights, streetlamps, wreaths, trees...you name it, they have it! Lots of it!

     What is the most fun about this is that everyone is having such a good time. People are cooking out, it smells heavenly. There are children and puppies, parents and grandparents and everyone is saying Merry Christmas and waving. One lady was handing out bells to those "who believe" and several people were giving candy canes. I think this will continue to be a strange and unusual Christmas Eve tradition for us!

Christmas Day-Florida Style

     This was our 7th Christmas in Orlando. I can't believe my daughter has been out of college 7 years and I also can't believe I still live in Illinois! There are things that I really miss about being "home" for Christmas. I miss the rest of my family, the noise, the chaos and seeing everyone else unwrap presents. What I do enjoy, is the weather and the fact that we have our Christmas dinner and take a walk with so many beautiful things to see. Once again, we did the Cape May Seafood Buffet at the Walt Disney World Beach Club Resort. We talk every year about trying something different and we all love the holiday traditional foods along with all that seafood so much, we keep going back. I just took a picture of my dessert plate (that is all you really care about isn't it). I didn't eat every bite, but I certainly tasted them all. 

     I love the beach theme at this resort. They always have the chocolate carousel and this year they added a few other chocolate beach sculptures. Do you see the sand castle on the horse's back?

     After dinner, the sun was just starting to set. The Beach Club is truly located in a beautiful spot. There is a small beach next to the lake, you can see several other resorts and walk all the way around the lake boardwalk. 

We stopped to see the tree inside the Dolphin Resort. 

The train was running around the base 

and it was like a magnet to small children.

     This is one of my favorite photos. I took it standing inside the Dolphin Resort, looking out at their massive fountain. The water changes color constantly and I love how it looks with the chandelier. 

     The walkway of palm trees leads from the Dolphin Resort to the Swan Resort. You can see the above mentioned Dolphin fountain in these pictures. The palms "dance" with color as Christmas carols play. 

     By the time our walk was over, it was dark and there was a lovely glow as the buildings are reflected in the lake. It was a perfect day in paradise. 

Merry Christmas To All!

     We were lucky to escape the freezing weather in Illinois (driving the first two hours in terrible ice and snow) to the balmy state of Florida for Christmas. More importantly, I am getting to spend time with my daughter, finalizing wedding plans and actually getting a wedding gown. After 8 months without seeing her, I know I can never let that happen again. 

     Before leaving home, we were blessed to spend a little time with our grandsons. They are really growing up way too fast. 

We have taken some time to enjoy 

the beauty of Christmas at WDW.

We listened to the Disney Choir (my daughter is a member) 

sing beautiful Christmas hymns and carols.

The Christmas Story was narrated by Edward James Olmos. 

     I was also blessed to spend some precious time with my Daddy. We had him with us here for 5 days and then we put him on the plane to my sister's home for Christmas. 

     My wish for each and every one of you is a Merry Christmas and only the best of health, love and joy for the coming New Year. 

It is Christmas Around the House

 

     You may remember the wreath I made for Halloween using ribbon. I wanted to see how it translated into a Christmas wreath and it was a fun project. A girlfriend came over and we had a craft day. She used burgundy and gold ribbons and it was really interesting to see how mine turned out whimsical and fun, while hers was elegant and classy. You can find the tutorial to make a ribbon wreath here. Use a variety of ribbon colors and textures for whatever holiday you are doing. I added two of my Annalee dolls for a little more fun.

 

Around the rest of the house...

 

 

A snowman tucked into my

twig wreath in the kitchen.

 

This year red is the color in my house,

 along with several snowmen and

quite a bit of "sparkle"!

 

 

 

Little hints of color to brighten the kitchen.

 

     One of my few new purchases, this sweet little wooden plaque with glittered stockings. I found this in St. Charles, MO for only $7.99 and it had to come home with me.

 

Snowballs in a bread bowl?

 

 

 

 

I think this is my favorite spot in the house this year.

 

 

     You can't have a Disney daughter without adding a bit of Disney Magic to the house. How many other women my age got Sven from the movie Frozen for their birthday?

 

Are you seeing a pattern?

Snow people, wildlife, red, silver and green.

 

     This sweet little snowman was another St. Charles purchase. I got him in a gallery, he is made of recycled products and this one is called Snowman Praying. Love.

 

     The hallway and guest bath have a bit of snow and also kept some seashells. The ornaments on the candlesticks are made of shells and if you look closely, you will see the starfish in the picture above. I love mixing all sorts of things around my house. There are no rules, just love the things you use!

 

 

     What I really wanted was a gorgeous holiday quilt set from Pottery Barn, what I got was my grandmother's Christmas quilt across the bottom of a plain white quilt. Much more practical and yet it still adds just a hint of Christmas to our bedroom. Just a little hint of holiday color can really make your house festive.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed your tour.

Come back soon!

 

 

     I was asked yesterday if I would review what looks to me to be a great gadget. I turn down a lot of requests to try merchandise, but this was something I would buy for myself if I had known it existed. I wanted to mention it here before I even get mine because I know many of you are still Christmas shopping and this looks like a great gift idea for almost everyone. The Powerocks Magicstick is a portable battery that keeps your cell phone powered on-the-go. You charge this colorful gadget with the included USB cable and then it fits in your purse (or pocket), and you can re-charge your phone while you are walking around the mall, or any other event. I can't wait for mine to get here so I can try it. I can't tell you how many times I am shopping for the day and my phone is down to almost no charge. I will be doing a review as soon as I get mine and try it out.