December 17, 2007


Christmas Tour Of Homes
I'm so glad you could stop by. A big thank you to Boo Mama for so generously sponsoring this event. We live in central Virginia ~ welcome to our home!





It is very unusual for us to have snow on the ground at Christmas!


Come on in!

I have candles burning everywhere!
I love to decorate with fresh greens ~ they're not only pretty but they smells so good!

The nativity displayed on the mantle.
This is my Dicken's Village. It doesn't always look like this because I have three cats;o)

A few of my Santa's
The dining room is the only semi-formal room in our home.

Close up of the wreath I made for the centerpiece.

Little tree I made for the top of the sideboard.

I am almost fifty years old and I still love bears! These are my favorite Christmas bears. The one on the left says, "I'd give up chocolate but I'm no quitter," and the one on the right says, "I'd rather be naughty!" Love them!!

Christmas tree in our family room. Nothing fancy but filled with things I love like ornaments from my grandmother and ones that my children have made.

Before you leave have a piece of pumpkin cranberry bread~ it's hot out of the oven!
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups sugar
1 can (150z.) pumpkin
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice or water
1 cups sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries.
Preheat oven to 350degrees. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans. Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Next, in a separate large mixing bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil and orange juice ; beat until well blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for ten minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. * For 5x3 inch mini-loaf pans: Prepare as above. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Makes 2 loaves or 5 mini-loaves.
Thanks so much for stopping by ~ Merry Christmas!

32 comments:

Monica Wilkinson said...

Dear Susan - lovely tour! I see we share the same taste in kitchen dish towels, noticing the one under the bread! Merry Christmas!

Kim said...

You have a beautiful home!

Hootin Anni said...

love the white teddy bears!!!

Mine's posted. I have two versions.

A thumbnail short version
and
a
slide show long version.

ellen b. said...

Susan! Everything looks so beautiful. thanks for the tour and the recipe for that delicious looking bread! Blessings...

Jenni said...

What a beautiful, inviting home! I love the village, and your trees. Thank you for sharing!

copperswife said...

Your home is just lovely, Susan. Merry Christmas.

Rhondi said...

Your home is warm and cosy. Love your tree.

Jessica said...

Your home is lovely! Thanks for the tour! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

What a lovely home you have. Thank you so much for the tour. Your cranberry bread looks delicious.

Southern Heart said...

Susan, everything looks beautiful...warm and welcoming (as always! :) your recipe sounds delicious, too...I can't wait to try it!

Love, Andrea

Nan said...

Thanks for the great tour and for stopping by my house. I hope you'll come back sometime and have some more cookies or sit on the porch when the weather gets warmer.
I like bears too. I don't think we ever out grow them. Love your villages and your lovely tree.
Nan

It's a Mom Thing said...

Thanks for the tour. Your home looks beautiful! And I will definitely have to try your bread recipe sometime. Sounds delicious!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour. It's all beautiful.

Unknown said...

Oh, I love the village! LOVE it. my grandmother has one that looks pretty darn similar, I miss seeing it out every year! that bread looks devine!

Lallee said...

Every thing looks so pretty and inviting, Susan. I have my Christmas Cookie candle burning daily, but it makes me want to eat sweets ;-) The bread sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing!

Susanne said...

So beautiful! Love the teddy bears.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Thank you for inviting us into your home. Everything is so lovely. Merry Christmas

Unknown said...

You should put the picture of the outside of your home on your Christmas card, it is so pretty! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! So festive! I love my bears too and I'm 48! I love anything warm,fuzzy,cute and cuddly!
Thanks for inviting us in your home.

Brin said...

Wow! What a beautiful home! Thank you for the gracious tour and the recipe...

Brin
My Messy, Thrilling Life

Jodi said...

Dear, dear Susan ~ Your home always reaches out and embraces me with its warmth. Your holiday decor is no different - just lovely! The snowflakes your grandmother made are beautiful and so delicate; Miss Bonnie's gingerbread house looks scrumptious; your bears are adorable (especially the one that's not a quitter!) ;o), and I think I might even steal your ornament on the candlestick idea! :o)

But I most especially enjoyed both your articles on stopping the frantic rush of the holidays and enjoying the simpler things. Such a good message and so beautifully put by you.

I've noticed folks are less and less on line as the holiday approaches, so in case you don't post again, I'm wishing a very Merry Christmas - to you and your precious family!

Lolly said...

I love your decoratons, especially the arrangement on you dining room table. The pumpkin bread sounds delicious. Merry Christmas

Mercy's Maid said...

I love your Santas!

Here's my entry:

http://mercysnumber1fan.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-tour-of-homes.html

Kelli said...

How wonderful that you are having a white Christmas, Susan! Your home is decorated beautifully. I love the tree and your village all lighted up. So peaceful. Thank you for having us over and the yummy snack too!
Hugs,
Kelli

Naturegirl said...

I always enjoy coming by Susan as you make me feel so welcome and I always leave with a new recipe!Your home is lovely with all the fresh wreaths! I also love to use fresh greenery... it fills the house with the scent of pine!
I have been laid up as of late but now have much time on my hands so I hope to visit blogs more frequently. Sending you rich blessings to you and yours this Christmas season! hugs hop along NG xo

Parkison Family said...

Your wreath on your front door is very pretty! Thanks for sharing!

Cherdecor said...

Thank you for inviting us in to view all your Christmas decorations. Everything looks so beautiful, warm and festive. Thank you for the P.C. Bread recipe. I must return and look through your recipe box.

Nise' said...

Thank you for the tour. I love bears as well, you are never too old for a teddy bear! Thank you for the recipe. I will be trying that this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Your home is so lovely. The candles in the window are so welcoming! And that centrepiece is beautiful. Thanks for the tour. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful home!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the pumpkin cranberry bread recipe. Everything looks nice!

Shari said...

i always like your decorations. :)