Mystery House: Week 13

Okay, this picture was actually taken on Christmas Day but I forgot to post it.

Oh what a year it has been!

My discovery of Apartment Therapy this year has amplified my "home ec itis," and about half way through our home in it, was prime motivator for this blog. The other motivator was to try and figure out why I like what I like..."Mom did you actually frame an IKEA napkin?"

'Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.'

Douglas Harbour at Dusk

Douglas Harbour at Dusk
Originally uploaded by IMAGES FROM MAN.

Hi Dad, Thanks for cooking a superb Christmas dinner!

Love, Emma

Didi Dunphy: Modern Convenience

Didi Dunphy wants us to have some fun with Mondrian.

Didi showed her Upholstrey at our POSTwilshire space in 1999.

Check out her Modern Convenience website. You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Thanks May...

Each Christmas we are blessed with a special package all the way from Canada. Homemade Christmas cake, Dundee cake, and last, but not least Christmas pudding!

Thank you May for making our Christmas a happy one! XOXO

Toys on the Table

Christmas is all about nostalgia for the old days, so why not put it on the table.

I love my napkin ring/placecard holders from Crate & Barrel. I could even hang them on the tree for a laugh! Oh, I do love to laugh!

Musical snowmen, nutcracker dolls, and matryoshka dolls, painted pine cones, pom poms and sequins...

Here's to the year ahead!

The photo (amoung other fabulous photos) was taken by Ray Collister.

"This is my daughter's winning entry in a Peace not war competition, on the Isle of Man. We decided to use the candles peace symbol for some more effect. We believe this is the extreme of contrasts which the split in the collage indicates quite clearly. At Christmas many people really want peace not war." Thanks "Daughter" and Ray for sharing this special message!

5 and Dime Golden Memories

Santa and pinetree4 invite you to enjoy some old time holiday magic. Pinetree4 contributes to the tea towel group and has lots of retro pics to enjoy on her flickr. Via pinetree4 I found suzysputnik and her Woolies treat to whip up some holiday nostalgia! Thanks for the memories...

Tah Dah! The Future Architect in the Family!

That's what dad Alan is thinking as Samatha 'vannas' her gingerbread house. Royal icing can be a real lesson for developing patience, but the praise and rewards that follow are worth it.

Mystery House: Week 12

Sorry, I have missed two weeks, but now I am back!

The Arts and Crafts of Greene & Greene at the Huntington Library

After Christmas I will be ready for a long stroll of the grounds at the Huntington Library. And I do not want to miss the Greene & Greene exhibition A New and Native Beauty through

January 26, 2009 at the Boone Gallery.

A greating for the season from HK Zamani

Tea Towel of the Month: December

What I love about these American vintage tea towels is that the images are mirrored so you can see the entire image when it is hung over the oven rail. If one side becomes stained then there is always the other side to display.

Our first morning at home for a long time began with my daughter popping in Little Women. A great classic to remind all of us what the holiday season should be about. We decorated the tree, I made Christmas cards, and, I made steel cut oatmeal with golden raisins, apple, banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange peel. Yum! Yum!

The Rat has been found!