Over at i heart faces the theme this week is “Best Face Photo” and the photo you enter has to have been taken in December ‘09 or January ‘10. This is my first time to join the parade of FACES.
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, 
Mrs. Claus seen on Delta airlines presumably taking a short vacation from the North Pole while her renowned husband, Santa, is making his annual world tour in below zero temperatures on his reindeer driven sleigh.
Have you ever been to a cookie swap? If you have, you know it's lots of fun. I mentioned here, we were getting ready for a cookie swap. Well, the cookies my daughter made turned out delicious and I knew you'd want the recipe.
She found the recipe for Chocolate-Caramel Thumbprints in the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook and it's a favorite at our house now. I'll list the ingredients at the end of the post.
Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy: gradually add sugar, beating well. Add melted chocolate, egg yolk, and vanilla, beating until blended. Stir together flour, soda, and salt; add to butter mixture, beating well. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll balls in pecans. Place balls 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets. 
Press thumb gently into center of each ball, leaving an indentation. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until set. Combine caramels and cream in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until caramels melt and mixture is smooth.
Remove cookies from oven; cool slightly and press center of each cookie again. Quickly spoon 3/4 teaspoon caramel mixture into center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks to cool. 
Microwave morsels and shortening on high 1 minute. Pour melted chocolate in a ziplock bag and seal. Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of bag; drizzle over cooled cookies. 
Wow! They are not only delicious, but pretty too!
Hey, come on and catch an old fashion carriage ride to Dickens of a Christmas with me. We had a great time! 
Historic Franklin, Tennessee closes Main Street to car traffic and the people fill the streets enjoying all kinds of activities surrounding Charles Dickens, Christmas Carol. 
There are lots of yummy treats to enjoy. No calories when you're just looking! :) 
I believe this may be Scrooge himself walking the streets!
And here's one of the ghosts of Christmas pasts. My grandson's expression says it all! He's not to sure about this character! LOL! 
Not only did moms, dads, grandparents and the little ones have a good time, but the dogs enjoyed it too! Interesting pair, huh?
Well, hello there! Did you come over from Rhoda's Home for the Holidays or Susan's Tablescape Thursday or maybe Julie's Hooked on Holiday House Tours? Welcome! Please come in.
Want you have a seat... 
...and warm up by the fire?
Would you like a cup of custard? I made it especially for you.
And can you stay for dinner? I set the table just for you. 
Since we have our grandchild in our home this year, I filled my apothecary jar with Christmas cookie cutters for a breakfast room table centerpiece. I'm looking forward to making cookie with him later!
Rounding out my centerpiece is a jar filled with a Christmas red candle nestled in white jordan almonds. You heard right, jordan almonds! Believe it or not, I saved these from daughter #2's wedding two years ago. I knew they'd come in handy for something! :)
A friend gave me these red plates and I stacked them on my Pfaltzgraff Winterberry collection. You saw some of them here too. Isn't it fun to match different patterns?! It's all set on a quilted tree shaped place mat.
If you're "mature" enough, you may remember these glasses and mugs. I collected them from Arby's when my daughters were just babies. Don't you find it fun to pull things out each Christmas season and remember when you got it or who gave it to you and why? I do too! 
Hope you enjoyed your visit. Please come back again. We plan to make some cookies for a cookie swap soon!
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
My Christmas table begins with Santa in a cloche, of course. Just had to put one in so I could participate in Marty's cloche party at A Stroll thru Life. I'm also sharing with other gorgeous tablescapes at Susan's Tablescape Thursday.
For my table this year, I borrowed this little miniature Santa and sleigh from my Deparment 56 Charles Dickens collection.
Accenting with silver this Christmas on a red and green linen tablecloth from Williams Sonoma.
Pairing cups and saucers from Pfaltzgraff with my mother's frosty plates and glasses. I wish I could tell you where the translucent frosty dinnerware came from, but have no idea and there's not an inscription on the back. I just know they were my mom's and I cherish them.
Placesettings are stacked, starting with silver chargers from Big Lots, alternating green and red linen napkins from Williams Sonoma, frosty plates with holly, and topped with silver star ornaments tied with a red bow.
These will probably serve as my place-cards. I'll write their names on the ribbons with a silver paint pen.
Each guest is a STAR!
Hanging from the chandelier are silver ornaments.
Cigar Man loves boiled custard so we have cups from my mom's collection and a crystal pitcher waiting on the buffet.
A silver cake server is also waiting for dessert.
And last but not least, a sentimental pie plate from a very good friend balances my buffet vignette. Love the verse! In the few months I have been blogging, all of you blogging friends have certainly warmed my heart with your stories and glimpses of your homes. 
Changing my mantle decor this weekend to match the season and at the same time contribute to Mosaic Monday and Met. Monday , DIY Show off Holidays Showoff, and Deck the Halls. Thanks ladies for hosting these parties!
During the autumn season, the left side of my mantle held an arrangement of books propped against a tall bronze-look vase with dried hydrangeas from the yard. On the other end a couple of candle holders holding candles which were my mother's, believe it or not! These candles must be 35 years old! I'll never forget buying them for my mother's new den that was added to their existing home. I found them a few years back and I'm so glad I didn't toss them since I think they compliment my room so well now. In the center is an assortment of items from nature in an antique wooden dough bowl.
Transforming the mantle to suit the season was a quick change. The vase on the left stayed, but hydrangeas went to the floor. The Santa standing by the fireplace is from Big Lots. I stained him to give him an old look. Notice, I don't have decor on my tables? When you have a toddler running around, you learn not to set things out. :) I'll have to settle for decorating out of his reach this year.
The wooden bowl in the center of the mantle was replaced with a bronze reindeer and sleigh along with various garlands.
I wanted the reindeer to look like he's taking off to deliver his goods so I tucked a bowl under the shimmery garland to tilt him up. The candle holders on the right worked with my Christmas arrangement so they stayed too.
Looking forward to seeing what you've done. Happy Christmas decorating!
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