"Wishing You a Quietly Joyous New Year's Eve"......

I can hardly believe that just one week ago it was just Christmas Eve?....and now tonight, New Year's Eve?......You all know me well enough, to know there is no "crazy partying" going on at our house!.....Instead a warm fire, a good movie & a "fondue" dinner on the coffee table is more our style!.....I have tiny yukon gold potatoes roasting in the oven & a chocolate cake ready to bake.....& there are lit candles lighting up all the corners of our home. Our house is aglow & so ready to welcome in this fresh new year.

I would like to send you all wishes for a "2010" spent with a loving family, a warm home & good health.....I treasure your friendships....Love Always, Heidi XO

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"Clean Up"?.....yes?....no?

Good Morning Friends, Hmmm?.....Monday after Christmas. Are you enjoying all your holiday decorations, or are you ready to tuck them away till next year??...This is always such a debate at our house. When I was a child, my mother decorated our home maybe a week before Christmas, so we thoroughly enjoyed all our "home's holiday decorations" till New Year's Day. However, since living in Southern California, I get the urge to "clean up" a bit sooner!...And after reading many of your posts this morning, am feeling like sooner is the way to go!

But then again?....We awoke to a cloudy & very cool morning today, so all the "red baubles" & "Christmas finery" are till appearing quite charming, so I believe they all can calm down for another day. I have decided to enjoy all their loveliness for a bit longer. Maybe tomorrow?...maybe the end of the week?....Who knows?...but today I am off to light a fire & have some tea & marvel over each & every bit of "holiday" adorning our home.

Wishing you a delightfully lazy holiday week!!...Now go get cozy!.....Love, Heidi XO

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"Christmas & Pink Saturday"......

Hello Ladies of "Pink Saturday"......There is no doubt that you all have been enjoying your Christmas festivities.....just as we have here at our house!......The day began early with the opening of stockings & gifts, followed by relaxing, & a few of us indulging in an "afternoon nap".....We later welcomed extended family members for a simple dinner/dessert, along with more than a few glasses of almond champagne!......Everyone stayed well into the evening, enjoying great conversation & a warm fire. During this Christmas day I was reminded once again how very fortunate our family is....This has been a challenging year for us, but through it all, we have created an even stronger family bond than ever before.....Everyone appreciates each other & our time together.....and this night was no exception....A relaxed & truly happy holiday surrounded by the people I love most.....

Thank you Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound"for the opportunity to share our lives with each other every Saturday!.....I consider you all my extended family & cherish your friendships. May this holiday week be one to remember.......Love, Heidi XO

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"Christmas Eve".......

Dear Friends, Here at our house most of our holiday tasks are accomplished...well "most" of them! :)......Still a few cookies to bake & "delicious delectibles" to prepare...but all in all we are ready for Christmas!.....

I was sitting watching T.V. last night, enveloped with the cozy prettiness of our tiny living room!....It just seemed to "sparkle"!.....And in our kitchen, all the baking had created the loveliest of aromas drifting through the house!.....

Today, we are off to a mid-afternoon lunch at the Hotel del Coronado, & will also be checking out their amazing lobby Christmas tree which we go see each & every year!...It is huge & simply magical!......And then back home for an evening with a warm fire & Christmas movies!

I know you all have special little "goings-on's planned too....A day of moments that you will remember always!.... Christmas Eve is here.....let's now just drift along in the enchantment of this season......Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases!....I love you all!.....Heidi XO

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"Our Christmas Tree".....

This year I am truly enjoying our Christmas tree. It is 7 feet tall & a bit skinny, not the huge tree of years past, however it is possibly the most charming tree we have ever had!.....Every year we decorate our tree with old-fashioned glass ornaments & this year is not an exception. Our collection of ornaments are simply "clustered" on every branch, creating a tree that appears encrusted with "glittery enchantment".....I just LOVE it!.....I added the first quilt I ever hand-quilted as a "tree skirt", which lends a very homemade touch to our tree! I believe our cat "Mouse" may appreciate it almost as much as I do!.....She loves to snuggle under it's branches & fall asleep!

Some of the ornaments I have had for years like this little Santa/pinecone one!....& this long "pink" ornament was given to me by my girls when they were just old enough to be allowed to shop a little on their own. They were so proud of this beautiful "bauble"!....thinking it quite chic!

Another favorite is this incredible vintage inspired ornament, all wrapped in gold mesh tinsel!.....So very sweeet!...Mixing all the colors & styles creates such a personal tree, one that is truly our own. Each time I walk past it during the day, I have to take a minute to gaze & smile, remembering the story behind each ornament......I love that our tree evokes memories of years past.... & am quite sure that this year's tree will be the subject of future remembrances....Enjoy these lovely days leading to Christmas!......Your friend, Heidi XO

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."......Burton Hills

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"The Best Gift"......

During this holiday season, while we are all busy with our families, our government is busy too. Obama & the Democrats are swiftly & very quietly trying to push through their "government healthcare plan"..... hoping to get a bill passed before the politicians take off for their winter break.

I say "swiftly" because very few of these elected officials have ever even read this 2000 page program?...yet they desperately want to get this bill passed before the citizens of this country realize what is happening!..a bill that they will drastically effect us all, but not one of them will ever participate in?.....

And I say "silently" since these very same politicians, including President Obama "promised" to have "televised hearings" so all of us citizens could choose to watch so we would supposedly be informed. What happened there?!.....

In my opinion, our health care system is not perfect, but is certainly superior to any healthcare program anywhere else in the world. The Democrats & Obama would have you thinking it was the worst system ever created!.... & the only way we could improve it is to have it government run!...Are they serious? ...If that is the case, then why do sick people from all over this world flock to America to be treated, when their own country's socialized health systems do not meet their needs?

This very well could be the most serious issue facing this country!...Wake up people!!....It certainly will effect all of us adults, but the citizens who will truly be effected are the children of this country. What are we doing to them?...& to their future?......

The photo above is of my grandson, Andrew. I can only imagine how passing this "government health care bill" could change his life.....I read statistics the other day of the life expectancy of cancer survivors in countries with socialized medicine versus the U.S.....the U.S. was much higher, just as it was with many other life threatened diseases. If this bill passes will our grandchildren have shorter lives because of what we allowed our government to push through "swiftly & silently"??.....

I am asking each of you to take a few minutes between wrapping your gifts & baking cookies, to really think about what we could be doing to the future generations of this great country....to the "Andrew's" in your lives.....Maybe the "best gift" would be speaking up, contacting your representatives & voicing your opinion before it is too late!.....Afterall,... our children & grandchildren deserve the "gift of exceptional healthcare" now & in the future....a system they are free to choose, not one decided for them by our government......

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Wishing You All the Merriest of PINK SATURDAYS.....

Welcome to our 3rd "Christmas themed" PINK SATURDAY!.....This week our hostess, Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound" has asked us to share one of our Christmas traditions. I think we all have many traditions that we learned as children & have now carried with us when creating our own families.....In our case, the traditions are rather small, but still special.....For example, no stocking has ever been properly filled without including one perfect "tangerine" ( leaves attached, if possible!).... as well as a tiny gold mesh bag filled with chocolate coins!....Santa made sure we had both every single year, & he has continued this tradition with our children & grandchild too.
Another tradition,... is like many of you, we always open one gift on Christmas Eve, that gift being our new Christmas "nighties"!!...Some years home-sewn & other years store bought, but none-the-less, always special!
So as in each year before & I assume for each Christmas from now on, we will continue these "tiny traditions". Precious "connections to the past,...to the present & the future"......Merry Christmas!......Heidi XO

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PINK SATURDAY..."Our Favorite Ornaments"....

This week our hostess Beverly, at "How Sweet The Sound" has asked us to write about our favorite "Christmas ornament".......Every since I was a little girl, my very favorite ornaments were the "old-fashioned glass ones". I adore everything about them!...their whimsical shapes, the variety of colors & the illuminating effect they have when clustered on the branches of our Christmas tree!.....

For a long time now, I have collected a few of these ornaments throughout each year, always drawn to the ones that are slightly "worn & imperfect"!.....I love the ones that are soft red & cream, but have a soft spot for the brighter colors as well!

I have always loved the idea that "old things" have stories to tell, they have a history not found in the newly-made....So as we decorate our tree each year, I try & imagine what some of these stories are. My imagination can't help but weave some enchanting images of Christmases past....of families like ours gathering to decorate their tree many, many years ago.

And at the same time, I realize that as "we" unpack & enjoy these "treasured glass ornaments", we are continuing the legacy of the Christmas tradition,.... one of family,.. faith & a few shiny baubles".........Happy decorating!!.....Heidi XO

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"A Day For Puttering".....

After the last few days,.... being very busy with work & shopping,.... it feels wonderful to be "home" today!....A day with the house to myself, left to "putter"! I am off to work on stenciling pillows for holiday orders,.... but in a bit will be mixing up a batch of "candy cane cookie" dough, so my grandson Andrew & I can bake cookies as soon as he is home from school!.....I am so in the mood to bake!!....Also will be adding a wreath to our door this afternoon & tweeking all my decorations throughout this lovely December day!!......Wishing you a similar one!!......Love, Heidi XO

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"A Little Announcement".....

Hello Friends, I hope you are all enjoying this first Sunday of December. I have a small announcement.....I wanted you all to know that I will be closing my Etsy shop,
"Heidi Devlin Design" for the holidays. I will be open & taking orders till Tuesday evening, December 8th & will return on Monday, January 4th........I abslolutely adore running my shop & am so thrilled with how very busy you all have made me!...but for the next few weeks, I am feeling the need to bake, decorate, wrap presents & hibernate a bit!.....

So again, if there are any items in my shop you are hoping to have for the holiday season, you will be able to purchase them till Tuesday night!!...& I will wrap them up & get them right out to you!

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas!!!.....Your Friend, Heidi XO

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"A Christmas Memory" for PINK SATURDAY....

Happy Pink Saturday to You All!.....Today is very special, since it is the first Pink Saturday that our ingenious hostess, Beverly at "How Sweet The Sound" has asked us to post about a wonderful "Chrismas memory".

Like many of you, I have dozens of happy memories of Christmases past. However, it is not really one particular happening that I remember, but instead the incredibly sweet Christmas mornings my mother created for my sister & I.

It was just the three of us, my mother & us two little girls....We had very little money, but I never felt poor. I remember listening as our mother stayed up till the wee hours of the morning wrapping gifts, .....& doing all the "Santa" things, that good parents do.....not that my sister & I ever found out!....I remember laying in bed, thinking that she had better finish & get to bed too or Santa would never come!

When morning came, it was simply magical. My mother was always up, the tree lights were on, candles were lit & hot chocolate was already prepared!......We grew up in Spokane, Washington, where Christmas Day was almost always snowy, with dark grey skies above. My mother did everything she could to make us true believers in St. Nick!....The wrapping paper was a design we had never seen, the candy we received in our stockings, was not from the grocery store, but confections only seen at Christmas time!.....And even though each & every year my mother would prepare us to not expect too much under the tree, to me & my sister it seemed like a wonderland of gifts!...

In order to give this effect, mom again was "genius"!...She would purchase one Barbie doll outfit, but would take out the dress, hat & shoes & then rewrap it all, each piece individually, usually in either white tissue or tulle with tiny bits of pretty ribbon!....One gift became three & unwrapping each was a delight!.....We usually received a beautiful doll of somekind, and then a separate box filled with handmade clothes....a dress, a coat & always a nightie!....Invariably we both would also receive a hardback book, mine almost always a "Little House" book, which I adored....as well as somekind of clothing and maybe a piece of jewelry!.....Always things that I had no doubt were made by fairies & elves!.....

My mother was, & still is someone who believes Christmas gifts should be exquisite!...but not having lots of money, lots of creativity instead was called upon!....Much was sewn, but each & ever gift was lovely....a pair of undies, was lace-trimmed, a bracelet had lots of sparkle & a tiny box of chocolate was always the finest quality. It created an enchanting atmosphere that I have tried hard to continue with our girls & now my grandson. Christmas Day is a day like no other,....one that is above all a religious celebration, but also a day that should remain one that amazes & mystifies children. It should reassure children that "Santa, reindeer & elves" are real & that "believing" is a right of all children, no matter what age they have grown to be.

So in closing, I remember the magic Christmas mornings that my mother gave to us each year.....I feel so fortunate to have been brought up in a home where "Fairy Tales & Santa Claus" really do exist!.......Merry Christmas!......Heidi XO

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"Cranberry Crazy"!.....

O.K. ...I'll just come out & admit it!....I am "crazy for cranberries"!!....I adore them!!!...to eat, & to decorate & to bake with!....When I first saw this photo & how Martha Stewart combined "cranberries & white roses"... I just melted, so fresh & pretty & easy!!!....I love the calmness of all those white blooms, but then to have that fabulous shot of "red"!!.....Just love it!!

And of course, "baking" with cranberries, & eating the delicious results may be my favorite thing of all!....Many years ago, my mother sent me a recipe for "Cranberry Bread". Now using the word bread is just a tad misleading!.....it would be much better served to call it "Cranberry Cake"!!.....This is a recipe that you simply must try & try soon!.....Anyone I have ever served it to has asked for the recipe!.....So as an early Christmas present I am offering it to you!....This cranberry bread freezes well, it mails well & you can serve it for breakfast, an afternoon snack or as a delicious dessert!.....And it also makes the most wonderful gift!... wrapped in cellophane & gorgeous plaid ribbon!.....So here it is!.......I hope it is a recipe that you all will enjoy as well!......Heidi XO

"Heidi's Cranberry Bread"

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1t. vanilla

1t. lemon juice

2 eggs (well beaten)

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4 cups flour

1t. baking powder

1t. baking soda

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups frozen cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

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Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Makes 2 loaves.

Bake for 60-70 minutes, approximately.

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In a large bowl or mixer, Cream together the sugar & butter....mix well. Add eggs. Add both vanilla & lemon juice; mix well. Sift together flour, baking powder & baking soda. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, along with the buttermilk. Beat well. Add cranberries & walnuts.

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Grease two loaf pans. I prefer the long French-style ones. Split the dough between the pans. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar & bake. When loaves are done baking, remove from the oven. Melt 3/4 cup butter in a pan or microwave. Proceed to pour 1/2 of the butter over each loaf. Allow to cool approx. 10 minutes. While still warm, remove from pan & allow to come to room temperature. Can be enjoyed warm from the oven or fully cooled.

*Hint: delicious toasted, too!

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"Pretty Holiday Pillows".... at "Heidi Devlin Design"

*"Fanciful Santa Claus" pillow.....($26)

Merry Christmas To You All!.....Over at my Etsy shop, "Heidi Devlin Design", we have the prettiest holiday pillows & accessories ever!!.....Charming designs that would be perfect to tuck in your coziest chair or give as a wonderful little hostess gift!!......

This year I am wrapping each pillow with crisp cellophane, twine & a sprig of holiday greenery!...all ready for you to give!.....And I have priced all my designs very reasonably so you can purchase a few & still stay within your budget!

I invite you to come visit me!......& do a bit of Christmas shopping!.....Hope to see you soon!!.....Your friend, Heidi XO


*"JOY" pillow...($18)

*"Snow Dusted Candy Canes "...($35 for 5: red/white or tan/white)

*"NOEL" pillow....($24)

*"Ragball Snowballs".....($15 for 5)

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Simple "Red & Green"...the Colors of the Season.....

A "regal red amaryllis", tucked in a bed of pinecones & boxwood!.....so amazing!!
No one loves a box of "color crayons" as much as I do!...All those amazing shades of color!....But when December arrives, ..."red & green" are the two colors that I love most!!......Sometimes I like to mix it up with a "brighter green & a softer red", or a "fire-engine red & a soft gray-green", but for me there is no doubt what colors I will be decorating with!.....It will always be "red & green"!......

Using these classic Christmas colors, really simplifies my holiday decorating!.....I love the various shades of "green",...boughs of cedar, sprigs of boxwood & tiny ivy plants are what I am using this year!...along with "red" of berried branches & big bowls of fresh apples!....

I always am keeping my eyes open for little green & red "vintage pieces" that I can use throughout the year, as well as at Christmastime!...This photo from Country Living magazine, is a perfect example of mixing antique bits & pieces!...How charming!.....old red-patterned dishes, mixed with small, green, cut-glass votive cups!.....& then adding the tiny red mailing tag...creates the perfect holiday tablesettting!

And this might be the easiest & quickest idea ever....nestling small evergreen shrubs amongst shiny red apples!!!.....Super simple & super pretty!!.....And the wonderful aroma!....

So this Christmas, I am once again relying on my favorite holiday colors,.... "red & green"!....I feel like they are "old friends" returning once again for a visit....one I look forward to year after year....Heidi XO

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