My favorite things- Music

12.8.14-

Day 8- Christmas Music

One of the best things to fill your home with around the Holidays is music.  Oh, I love all the music, carols & singing that is going on around this time of year.  Wanted to share a few of our favorite CD's with you today to have in your stash of Holiday tunes.  

I like a good mix of music to listen to. The good old timeless classics, the fun songs that we used to remember singing in Elementary School, reverent hymns, songs of praise as well as some twists to the standards we are so used to hearing.  

This is our music station in the house.  I clean out the tray  weekend after Thanksgiving, put everything away that doesn't have Christmas in the title & fill it up with everything Holiday related for the next month. I'm not a listener of holiday music before Thanksgiving, I just can't. It's always such a treat to get them all out & start listening to Holiday tunes the whole month long.   

I try to get at least one new CD each year.  This year it was Idina Menzel {Elsa} Christmas CD. It is great!  I would recommend it if you're looking for a new CD to add to your Christmas music collection. Some of our other favorites Micheal Buble {Of coarse, no one better!}  if you love the timeless classics with a big band feel GET THIS!  One of my absolute favorites.  Found this link to a mix up of his CD, just a sampling.  Love it! {He's also featured on Idina & BNL's CD} 

Of coarse the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, always beautiful.  Just something about listening to the Nutcracker, so Christmasy.  We also have a few "little kids" CD's that we bought years ago when my kids were still little.  They are packed full of the fun songs that kids love to sing, I still like to listen to them too. {I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth.}  The BeST!! 

Ok, this next CD just might be my all time favorite.  Don't be thrown off by the artist or the title, the CD is so FuN to listen too.  The perfect music to play for a festive party you're throwing or a casual get together.  I found this CD when I heard my FAVORITE version, EVER of God, Rest ye Merry Gentlemen playing on the radio station a few years ago.  It has We Three Kings thrown into the mix too, such a great song.  I just HAD to track it down.  So different & unique.  It is a collaboration of Barenaked Ladies & Sara McLaclan & it is A.Mazing!  I just love it so.  Here's a link to take a listen.  

This CD is just a upbeat, quirky, silly at times, get your dancing shoes on party CD.  Our family just loves it.  


Question of the day:  What's your favorite CD to listen to during the holidays? 
I'd love to know what to add to our Christmas music.  

{M}

p.s.  Thanks for sticking with me through my blog series, 12 Days of Favorite Things.  This has been such a fun project for me {& a bit hard at times}not for the lack of finding favorite things to share but simply finding the time & making a blog post.  

{I apologize for the pics. I know they are not the best but just grabbing my phone & using that instead of the Nikon just makes things a bit easier.}  

Favorite things- Baking during the Holidays

12.6.14- 
  

Can we all agree the baking around the Holidays is simply the Best!  It's one of my favorite things to do with around Christmastime.  As good as it is to eat the best part about baking is giving & sharing it with others. We have a few favorite recipes in our home that always seem to be made around the Holidays.  
{batches seem to be doubled A LoT!} 

They are great to have on hand when unexpected guests stop by.  The ones I'm going to share today come from two important ladies in our lives, Grandma Hall & Grandma GG.  These are two of the recipes they made that have become our families favorites. 

{Just click on the red link to get the recipes & start baking!} 

- We recently made up a big batch of Grandma GG's Scrabble, poured it into this faux bois wood tin basket & headed off into the mountains to find our Christmas tree.  The best snack to take along & munch on with family after the tree hunt.- 

The BeST Gingersnaps ever! Thanks Grandma Hall for teaching me develop a love for these early on in my life.  So happy that my family {neighbors, friends & blog readers} love them too.  I know because so many have told me & it always makes me happy to know that they are being made it so many kitchens.  

Can't think of the Holidays without having some of Grandma GG's Scrabble. It's chex mix with a little bit of a twist. This salty, nutty mix is the perfect thing to have to munch on & since I've started adding Honey Nut Cheerios to the mix it's become even that much better.  Nothing like a salty/sweet combo. YuMMy!  Great to bag, tie up with a string & give as a gift. 

Question of the day- What's your must bake recipe around the Holidays?  I'd love to hear.  

Happy Baking! 

Enjoy- 

{M} 

Favorite things - Ornaments

12.5.14- 

Thanks for following along on my 12 days of sharing some favorite things.  Also thanks to all those who have entered the GiVEAWAY for a 5x7 H&H Holiday Frame so far.  All you have to do is read each daily post & answer the question below by leaving a comment.  I've enjoyed reading them all so far.  

{Keep them coming!} 

Day 5- Vintage Christmas Ornaments

I know I say this a lot but why can't things be made like they used to be.  Just something about vintage glass ornaments that are so charming. As with a few other favorite things I've mentioned you can easily find these & they usually are pretty inexpensive.  You can pick them up at antique stores for anywhere from $1-$4 each or sometimes if you're lucky in a pack of 12. 

I like to look for these everywhere I travel.  There are always 2 things to look for on my list it seems, a pop bottle & a Christmas ornament.  Surprisingly, I haven't lost one yet while traveling home or being damaged in a suitcase.  So if you see one, wherever it may be, that you love take the risk & bring it home.  As with all vintage items you want to look for something that's unique, has great color & it a picture or words are on it, that is an added bonus!  A MuST buy if there is words or sayings on an ornament in my opinion.  They are a treasure & becoming harder to find.  

I like to show off & display my ornaments in a few different ways.  Sometimes I leave them in the box & just set out as is, especially if it comes in a cute box {See Day 2's post} or I've put them all out together in my famous chicken feeder & set it on a bench in our family room & this year I've just enjoyed placing them here & there.  As with the other favorite things I've shared these seem to just draw your guests in, they look closer, ask questions & creates a great conversation.  

Since my collection continues to grow each year {so fun!}  I've thought that it would be fun to actually decorate our Christmas tree with them.  Just glad it wasn't this year though because this is what happened yesterday.  Tiiiimber!!  Oh, my gosh!  Sitting by & watching a 12ft.+ live tree come falling down is not fun.  It actually was a bit scary & LoUD!  Glass was everywhere & ornaments were flying, what a mess.  Lost about 25 glass ornaments, lots of clean up.  After it happened all I could think about was maybe my vintage ornaments will always just be decor & never put up on a tree.  Oh, that would be so sad.  At least the ones we lost can easily be replaced, thank goodness there's Target.  

Question of the day:  Do you have a fresh, fragrant live tree or do you go with the trusty, sturdy artificial tree? 

On a side note, handmade ornaments are just as sweet too.  I participated in an ornament exchange this year with some other bloggers across the country. It was so fun!  I wanted to create something unique for them.  A good ornament is something that can look good on it's own or be hung just about anywhere. 

Created these from a slice of wood {thanks to my husband for slicing & drilling for me}  & then I printed off some of my favorite holiday quotes, of coarse added some glitter, tied it with some yarn & attached a silver bell {one of my favorite holiday sounds} with some bakers twine & there you go.  Really simple & sweet.  I added some fake snow, glittered snowballs, tiny trees & a pinecone to the package, because you know presentation is everything. 

-One of my favorite lines! From The Polar Express- 

Have a wonderful day! 

{M} 

Favorite things Day 4- Picture Frames

12.4.14- 

  It's fitting that these are on my list of favorite things because this is what started my business, Hollyhocks & Honeybees over 14 years ago. 

-The newest frame I made to add to the collection, kind of loving this limey/bright green color not to mention my 3 girls from our recent Christmas Tree chopping trip.  Looks perfect with the plaid frame around them. Very woodsie-

I LoVE frames!  I just simply do.  I think it's because they hold loved ones & precious memories.  I like to create frames that are different & unique that can be a decorative piece all on their own.  They make a statement & I enjoy creating each & every one.  I can't count the amount I've made over the years. They have really revolved & I'm so proud of that.  I have memories of my husband & I sitting down on the cement floor in our basement, as a young married couple, cutting out frames & cleaning up sawdust.  Whew... that was a long time ago & a lot of hard work.  

This nook is quickly becoming a favorite decorated spot in the house.  I had to tear myself away from cramming in any more stuff onto the shelves. I think the reason I love it so it it has lots of frames with pictures & wonderful memories as well as many things I've made from years past.   

-Can you spot one of my favorite things that I mentioned yesterday?- 

I have quite a collection of frames, not all mine, but decorating with family photos is one of my favorite things to do.  I change them up seasonally too.  Lots of pics of pom pom hats, mittens, snowmen & christmas trees appear this time of year. It really brings your home to life & makes it all very personal. They are the best conversation pieces too.  They seem to draw your guests in to look at the photos, ask questions or comment on them.  So glad that I have taken many family pictures over the years & show off candid pictures too.  So fun! 

 These are just a few that I have up around the house right now,  believe there's more. 

- That's my Mom with Santa Claus back in the day, the best pic! The little green one is my daughter & I doing one of our favorite things, baking gingerbread cookies-

  The countdown frame is probably one of my favorite things I've ever made.  My girls look forward to it every Christmas season too. It sits on our stair ledge, perfect for the girls to pass by each day & at eye level for them to erase & write the number every morning when they get up to go to school. 

{Before chalkboard paint was even cool!  I had to really hunt for that stuff back in the day.} 

Now since I adore frames & love my readers & followers too.  I'm going to GiVEAWAY this H&H 5x7 Holiday Frame to one lucky person to show off a holiday photo of their family this holiday season.  All you have to do to enter is answer the question of the day on each of the favorite things post.  

{The more you answer the more entries you'll get.} 

 You can also leave a comment each day over on the H&H FaceBook page too when a favorite things photo is posted.  Winner will be announced on the evening of the 12th. GooD LuCK! 

Question of the day: Who would you put a picture of inside this frame if you won?  

{M}

Favorite things- glass pop bottles

12.3.14- 

  Day 3 of My Favorite Things- Pop Bottles 

I wish I could remember when an obsession with vintage glass pop bottles began.  I try to think of what was the one was that started my love for them a few years ago. I guess it really doesn't matter, it has just become such a fun thing to look for everywhere I go.  Whether it's antique stores around home or in a different state.  My husband & I always try to hit at least one antique store where ever we travel.  Love having a collection that means something, I think I can recall where I've gotten each & every bottle from.  Some have also been gifts from good friends on my birthday or just because.  My guy has also surprised me with many over the years that he collects as he travels for business.  Treasures! 
{I'm telling you! Share your passion for collections you have with those around you.  It will pay off & give them a good idea of the things you'd like} 

I love to put them out on display in our kitchen. Just seems to be an obvious spot.  I've put them out as the centerpiece on our island for the last couple of years.  Not only do they look great but they make a great conversation piece when we entertain.  I decided to through in my collection of thermos into the mix this year too.  Such a sweet spot up above the stove.  Nothing better than hot cocoa & candy canes around the Holidays.  

-Fill the bottles up with poinsettias, pine boughs, vintage plastic flowers, or glass berry beads, anything goes!- 

My "Christmas bottle Collection"  began a few years ago while I was in No. Carolina with my husband for a business trip.  As soon as I saw the red, white bottles with winter & holiday themes the wheels in my head started to turn.  Such a fun find that day in Aberdeen, No. Carolina. From there it has just grown. 

This year I added this charming Snowflake Beverage bottle to the mix.  I found it a few weeks ago at a local antique store.  When I saw all the snowflakes sprinkled all over the bottle I knew I just had to get it!  Plus, it reminded me of the time I played Suzy Snowflake in my 3rd grade Christmas program. I had a costume made out of blue crepe paper.  

My daughter spotted these awesome Coke bottles with Santa & Seasons Greetings on them at an estate sale earlier this year.  I kept one & sold the other 5 from the 6 pack at The Holiday Hive.  So maybe one of these is in one of your homes.  Happy Holidays! 

I have too many bottles to count but I do having a collection that is always growing & changing.  Just when I think that I won't buy another bottle I find one that just makes my heart sing & I have to get it.  Couldn't bear the thought of leaving it behind.  I've gotten pretty picky though, it has to have great coloring, in good condition & great subject matter.  NO paper or stuck on labels for me, has to be the real deal.  That means paying a bit more but it's worth it.  All my bottles range from anywhere from $5-$9.  

{Santa is bringing me a very special bottle this year.  Can't wait to show you! That's the only exception to the under $9. Paid a little extra but it was so worth it!}

Thanks for stopping by on Day 3 of the twelve favorite things series, excited to keep sharing more with you. 

Question of the day: What do you love to collect? 
{*psst... those that answer each question of the day will be entered into a drawing for a H&H Holiday 5x7 frame.  SwEET!} 

{M}

My Favorite things- Record Albums

12.2.14- 

Hi, welcome back!  Excited to share with you 

Day 2 of My Favorite Things- Record Albums 

 So many great reasons why these made my favorite things list for this year.  I think the biggest reason is it reminds me of being in my living room, as a child, with the glow of the Christmas tree lights while I sat on the couch listening to Bing Crosby & The Carpenters on our record player.  Such fond memories of records playing during Christmastime in our home.  

I also love these because they are very inexpensive & can be easily found at antique stores or estate sales. If you ever see a box of old records, take a seat & dig through the box.  I'm sure you'll find a treasure or two.  Either something you remember listening to or just a great colorful cover that is just to cute to pass up for a couple of dollars.  You could even raid your parents or grandparents stash too.

I love to use these to decorate around the house.  They are a great size, take up some good space & if the pictures & colors are great, even better.  They stand on their own in any display & always seem to go great with anything you put them by.  

-Tucked into place on our stair ledge next to a picture, blocks & an old vintage chocolate candy box- 

So fun to put in your kids rooms too, if you like to decorate in there.  You can't go wrong with jolly graphics & happy colors around the holidays. 

-Even a vintage ornament box can be a charming display just set out.  No need to decorate a tree to show them off- 

These 2 go so well together {Get it?  Rudolph & 'Twas the Night before Christmas} just tucked into place on a bookshelf next to our Holiday Card Cataloging system.  I found this a few years ago at the DI, held onto to it, not knowing what I wanted to do with it & then one day my brilliant husband got an idea.  The perfect way to store all our family & friends Christmas cards we've received over the years.  So fun to look at the changes in families over the past 15 + years.  

Old records can even be a great gift to give a friend or family member.  This is a pic from 2011 when my sweet friend, Texie, showed up to a party at my home & gave this to me.  Oh, she knows me well!  Having collections is so fun & a great way to let friends & family know what you would love & appreciate. 

Question of the day:  What is your favorite Christmas song to hear & sing along to over the Holidays?

{M}