Come In & Warm Up At the Hot Cocoa Bar

It's the chill in the air that rings in the Christmas season.  It's that same chilly air that got me thinking that it's time for some hot beverages.

Having a beverage station sitting there, reminds me to stop and take a break.  Ever since I set it up, Neil and I've enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee every night.

It's so easy to put together. I already had all the supplies on hand.  It was as easy as going to the pantry.  I had lots of hot chocolate packets that I just emptied into a vintage glass jar and hung a spoon with it.  The coffee and sugar were already in their everyday glass jars.

I needed jars for my creamer and chocolate chips. That was easy, I keep lots of jars on hand.  But they needed a little cheer.  Just spray the lid with spray adhesive and wrap with Christmas paper and trim with ric-rac.

Now for a little labeling.  The big jars called for a little bigger label.  So I used some small doilies and laced them with bakers twine.  Perfect for my red & white Christmas theme.

For the other containers, I just punched 2" circles and added glitter to the edges.  For the cinnamon stick jar, I covered the threads on the top of plain jar by gluing on a chenille stem.

I filled a planter with a selection of teas.  And you have to have a snack, so a little tray of crackers and a jar of popcorn is just right.

And yes, my coffee maker is old school.  Do you hear that #Keurig & #Tassimo?  This reviewer is talking to y'all.

Check out the Tole Tray to Christmas Serving Tray Makeover HERE and see more Christmas DIY HERE.

It's really nice to have a beverage bar set up during the holidays.  It's self serve and so convenient when friends and family stop by.

Take a break and enjoy some cocoa y'all.

Hugs...

I Hear Sleigh Bells Ringing, A Jing-Jing-Jingling too!

I think I must be spending to much time in the air conditioning.   Sugar Plums are dancing in my head and dreams of artifical snow drift across my mind all day. 

Of course the snow part could be more because of all the sheetrock mud and dust we're creating while we finish trimming out the new window frame molding Neil's added and preping the walls for a new paint job.  Yippee for new paint job!  Boo for the horrible mess mudding causes and all the work that we have to do including painting. 

But even if it's because my mind is to dusty to think clear, it doesn't matter.  I'm content in my wonderland of Christmas dreams.  I can't get that song out of my head.  But I know ya'll understand, you're crafters and July means Christmas!  It's the official planning season for Christmas and that season flies by.  So let the Jingle Bells Ring and the Spirit Be Bright because I'm dreaming of Tinsel and Bulbs  shining at night.

I love these paper music ornaments.  I can't  remember where I found them yesterday.  Maybe Pottery Barn, it wasn't on a blog.  But I'm lovin' 'em and thinking these might be fun to do.  I really love the frame ornament in the top picture.

Is this mercury glass ball pretty.  I like the attention to detail with the cap being antiqued.

I think this simple but oh' so elegant glass final ornament is stunning.

And this one's all ready for my tree.  It's already got the D on it for my last name.

Do ya'll have any idea's for creating Christmas ornaments for this year or maybe even one's you've done in the past?  I'm really wanting some ideas for beach or seashell ornaments and ornaments made with Cricut!  Please share, I would love to hear your ideas?  And have you seen or heard of any new trends for Christmas 2011?  Do tell!!!

Gosh, how I love Christmas.  I'm all excited about seashells and beaches and all of a sudden, like a bubble that thought just popped and it was gone.   It's been replaced by bright colors, shiney glittering goodness and I think I even smell the scent of pine.  But don't worry I can still make room for my turquoise and sand.

Oh' by the way, my computer is still being stubborn and difficult.  So if you don't see me post anything in a day or two, please come back and check.  It may just mean that I'm thrown it through the window or smashed it on the floor.  I'm so close now......

Hugs and love ya'll.........Tracy :)

Quote of the Day

Once asked about his life, Grant responded...

"My formula for living is quite simple.

I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night.

In between, I occupy myself as best I can."

                                                    ~Cary Grant

{For those of you who don't know it, he's the only leading man ever worthy of my dreams.}