Christmas Eve Party

We had the loveliest Christmas Eve party, with over forty guests. There was magic in the air as the flutist and cellist played carols. We played Christmas crackers, charm cake, hunt the pickle, peppermint pig and laughed and made merry until well after midnight! The food was delicious and included stuffed grape leaves, hummus and pita bread, artichoke squares, mini quiches, chicken wrapped in bacon, lasagna, strawberry spinach salad, tortellini primavera, cranberry nut chicken salad on freshly baked croissants, cranberry fluff, red velvet cheesecake, eclairs, cream puffs, chocolate trifle, apple cranberry pie, ginger cookies...Now that I am thinking about it maybe it was not the laughter that made my sides hurt so much!!!

Christmas All Around The House

We managed to take a few photographs before the guests began arriving on Christmas Eve. The quiet before the Christmas Eve crowd of 40 plus arrives is quite magical. When you and the house are perfectly dressed, and the fire and candles are lighted, it is like waiting for a performance to begin!

A Lace Cuff in the December Light

We adore this antique Victorian gown with its dripping lace cuffs and its stunning changeable taffeta front! A cunning bow sits atop the bustle at the back, which falls into a train. If you wore this gown your demeanor would have to have been more elegant than in a pair of ripped jeans and keds! And you have to love an era when women wanted to add volume to their backsides with bow and bustle! Who needs to diet after Christmas?! Let's simply revive this style!!!!!!!!

Lighting The Way

We found this beautiful antique diminutive lantern just in time for holiday decorating. The sides of the lantern are made of paper and glow beautifully when a candle is placed inside!(We opted for a battery operated candle so as not to burn the house down!) Watch for it in our auctions!