Christmas Gathering

Matt & I recently hosted a small Christmas get-together.  I knew I wanted to make it a really simple/easy party without much planning or difficulty.  Usually I go all-out with decor, food, plans, details, etc... like at our annual Oktoberfest party.  This time, I wasn't sure how many people would be able to make it so I kept it simple.  I provided a couple of things and other people brought some extra snacks and drinks.

The main thing I did was create a cute hot chocolate bar!

I "heated" milk in the old crock-pot [I say it in quotes since that thing took forever to heat up- totally from the 70's], added the hot chocolate, provided a few liqueurs if people wanted to add that in, and some little sweets to adorn your mug.

The embellishments included candy canes for stirring a pepperminty flavor into your drink,

Mocha Pirouettes for a swizzle stick or just to munch on,

Regular mini marshmallows, and gingerbread men marshmallows for some seasonal flavor!
and dark chocolate chips if you like it extra chocolatey!

Of course, there were a few other drink options including wine, scotch, and the wintery mix of gin and tonic [I like to add lime juice]

Just a couple pictures of everyone having a good time playing pool, chatting, and playing some Rock Band!

This is a great article I found with tips for hosting a party your guests will be sure to enjoy:

[Main point: RELAX! Have fun at your own party.  If you're stressed your guests will be stressed, if you're enjoying yourself your guests will enjoy themselves too!]

The Secret to Being a Successful Host | Apartment Therapy San Francisco

Modern Nativity

I have been searching for a Nativity Set that I like for over two years now.  I've wanted something more modern than traditional, and not extremely outrageous in price.

I grew up helping my mom set up our nativity every year, and I loved to play with with it.  We had the Precious Moments set, but with a different manger setting that was woody and covered with fake moss.

Anyone else have precious moments back in the day?

I saw a photo of my niece playing with her Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set and thought it was adorable!  It reminds me of the precious moments, but not breakable.  I wondered, "If I never find a nativity that I like, I might have to get the Fisher Price one for myself!"  

I thought about the Willow Tree collection, but it seems like EVERYBODY has it these days.  I like it's simplicity, but it just wasn't me... and so I kept searching.

I thought about making my own Nativity, maybe wood, maybe clay, maybe sewn, maybe ?

But I wasn't sure which direction or look to go for.

I could make this one that would look cute framed on the wall.  It was also a good idea for sending to someone oversees, or away from home without much space.

Or this simple wooden home-made set:

This site had patterns you could use to make your own:

There were many cute wooden sets I found on Etsy:

[by littlealouette]

 [by bunnywithatoolbelt]

Or I could go REALLY Modern with this nativity scene by Oliver Fabel. With the names of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Three Wise Men, et al printed (in German on one side and English on the other) in a clean sans serif font on rectangular blocks of wood.

 This one has the same idea but adds color to the mix and fits like a puzzle inside the stable.  Design fans and those of a more minimalist bent will be greatly pleased by Sebastian Bergne’s modern Nativity set. Each character is made from a block of beech wood and is distinguishable only by its size, shape and colour. They all fit perfectly inside the beech stable (26 x 13.5 x 3cm) for easy storage. Colour Nativity, £135 (buysebastianbergne.com).

Hand painted and made of wood, this nativity scene from Germany has a modern look and feel, yet doesn't stray too far from traditional.

These porcelain figures are designed to resemble origami and are simple in pure white.

Valerie Atkisson's modern nativity set is a shiny, meticulously cut metallic decoration

No, none of these are quite right yet.  And then I found it!

........

My husband stumbled across it in the Alessi catalogue and we both flipped!  That's it!  I love their porcelain figures in simple shapes, but with color and a retro vibe that makes me smile.  It's happy, silly, fun, but more interesting than blocks.  It has recognizable objects that tell the true Christmas story and let kids explore setting up and playing with it!  It has everything I loved about my childhood set but with a modern take that better represents my personality!

[I do think it's hilarious that baby Jesus has a huge blonde curl! ha]

[Alessi Statuette Presepe Group Christmas figurine in porcelain. This series of "Figure", figurines, purposeless objects or whatever you want to call them, are presented for the first time. Their study has been going on since 1990s. The goal is to compare the intriguing world of porcelain figures, particularly the refined production tradition of European manufacturers from the 18th century onwards, with new methods of contemporary designers. Design: Massimo Giacon for Alessi, Italy. Approximate size: 6.25" x 5.75"]

I think I want the red one!

There are other figurines you can add to the basic set.  The camel is my favorite!

 Alessi also has more you can add to your collection that are more Holiday-based such as the Santa riding the reindeer and the snowman hugging the tree

Do you all have any family nativity sets you're especially fond of?

Manhattan Mid-Century

Matt & I recently visited his twin brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Betsy, in Manhattan, KS.  They purchased a house not long ago and are in the remodeling phase!

Of course, Matt convinced Jim it was gaming time!

It's a 1954 ranch with a basement, 3 bedroom/2 bath, and a bonus room

The front of the house is cute and simple.  You walk under a long covered porch to the bright pink [for now] front door!

The driveway curves around the right side of the house down to the lower level where the garage is.  There is also a driveway entrance from the main road on the other side.

When we were there they were finishing laying the white oak wood floors...beautiful!

 Warning: home is in construction mode!

These are the before photos to the future finished gorgeous home I will show you eventually!

They have done so much already, torn down walls that separated spaces, enlarged doorways, laid the flooring, etc...

I love the vaulted ceilings, spaciousness, and when you look out the windows in the living room to the back it feels like you're in a tree house with all of the greenery back there!

Matt is admiring the vaulted ceilings!!!

They've opened up the kitchen a lot [there used to be a divider of spindles like a jail cell] and their plans for the cabinets sound amazing!  Check out the retro oven/stove and fridge.  the fridge even has a foot pedal to open the door- why did that EVER go away?!!

 The happy couple where they opened up a doorway to the studio/guest room for a future "barn-style" sliding door

The existing bathroom takes you back to 1954 with the avocado green tub and sink!

They are documenting the process on their blog: Architourist.  Check in to track their progress!

 Good luck with all the renovations you two!  We can't wait to see everything when it's finished- we know it will be fabulous!