CHEERS!

I've celebrated New Year's Eve in lots of different ways over the years. Some much livelier than others.

But I almost always feel like a real celebration is in order. Maybe because it's the easiest holiday! You really have a choice to do it up big or not do it at all.

But whether you have a big pot luck, or just a few lucky friends, it's time to bring out the bling and have a festive table.

Clockface dipping bowls are from Pottery Barn. 

Each of the four is different, and makes the theme easy. I just grabbbed a few vintage clocks and was good to go.

My monogram china always seems too serious for most occasions but zings things up here.

Linens, silver, and glassware are all vintage. Of all tables in the year, this one calls for both old and new elements.

The opening and closing photo graphics are vintage images, and the table place cards are reproduction from Cavallini and Co.

Ready for the countdown!!

CHEERS!! And all the BEST in the New Year!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Visit Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescapes

My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Holiday 

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Au Revoir

Our last guests boarded a plane in the early darkness, bound for the frozen east. I sifted through cards and photos from the past weeks, my heart glad for a few remaining artifacts from a dying tradition. 

There's the gathering up a bit. Cheer putting on such a different face in the light of day.

Dicken's will be bundled up and shelved away for a few seasons. I only just watched my favorite George C. Scott version of Scrooge in the late quiet of the sleeping house. 

It's been a beautiful season. Everything put up too late to be tired of it yet.

But it will be good to move on from both the revelry, and the looking back.

The cold candles, and the waiting sheep.

Already the days begin to grow longer, and there is always so much yet to be done....

Good of you to stop by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Post Season Therapy

My linens are in use every day, but they really get a workout at the holidays. I change beds so often that I do sometimes feel like I'm running a bed and breakfast! But that's a good thing.

I don't always get to the table linens on time, so it can be a long process of soaking, washing, drying, and then almost always, ironing damp dry from the dryer. You would be crazy to do this in this century. But it's as good as a tranquilizer for me.

Everything but the ironing practically takes care of itself. But the drying has to take place when I have time to snatch it all up at the right stage for pressing. That final phase is as good for me as it is for the linen.

It's good think time while I'm busy making something beautiful again. The rhythm, scent, and quiet hissing of the iron soothes my nerves. I mull over recent events and get all sorted out while smoothing out a beautiful length of fabric.

I just happened to have blue in the mix this time; a color I don't use much of. But it seemed perfect for the day. Fresh and bright on a cold, quiet, overcast afternoon at the end of the holiday.

I hope you're getting everything you need too!

Thanks for coming by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Visit Between Naps on the Porch

for more Metamorphosis Monday

Flashbacks

Hello friends! I'm still in the middle of visiting loved ones from afar for a few more days of the waning year. The week remaining will surely pass as quickly as those lined up behind us from the year past. But I'm glad for the pause in the routine, even from the beloved blogging. But I miss my visits and favorite sites, and am looking forward to creative days ahead.

It took an unbelievable amount of time to sift through Picasa and to load up these few pictures from my backward glance through one of the best times I've ever had in my life. One of the mysteries of a life online is why some things should be so hard to execute.

I still have so much to learn. But one of the discoveries I've made along the way, as many of you have also expressed so well, is the generous spirit of friendliness and sharing found in the ether world. I'm glad for the daily beauty and exchange. For the encouraging word. For the new and different perspective on everything under the sun. And of course for you dear friends. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Visit House in the Roses for Cottage Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday