Southern Living Idea House, Decorated for Christmas - My Visit, Part Three

This is a continuation in the series on my visit to the Southern Living Idea House, Abercorn Place, in Senoia, GA.  We went on Oct. 16 and it had just been decorated for Christmas.  The following pictures show how it was decorated at the time.  If you missed Part One and Part Two about my visit, you may read them here and here.

This post will be short on text and long on pictures.  I know this time of the year people are busy but still want some inspiration for your holiday decor.  So enjoy!

 

I understand that this is an idea house and the focus is to be on the house itself and not the Christmas decorations.  However,two things stood out to me about the Christmas decor.  One, was the use of muted and subdued colors, all in keeping with the color scheme of the home. Shiny reds, glitzy tinsel, or flashing lights, was nowhere to be found.  Two, was the use of natural elements from the outside.  Fresh greenery was in abundance in beautiful floral table centerpieces and massive mantel garlands.  I liked it all.   

Want more inspiration?  For 86 Fresh Christmas Ideas from Southern Living, click here.   

So what are your favorites from the Christmas decor at the GA Southern Living Idea House. What colors will you be using?  Are you adding fresh and natural elements this year?  

Thanks for stopping by!  I gotta get going.  My own house needs decorating  and I've got to get it done this weekend!  Libby~

 

Christmas Mantle 2009 & Winner of $25.00 Give Away!!

As you probably already know the talented Layla at The Lettered Cottage is kicking off the Holiday Home Linky Parties with a Christmas Mantel linky today, Nov. 30.  She posted her mantel earlier today.  You must check it out!  Layla always bring something special and fresh to her projects.  I enjoy seeing what she and her husband Kevin put together.  

Since I just started blogging a few months back and I don't yet have my Christmas mantel done, I thought I would bore  show you my mantel from 2009. 

The clock stays up year round as well as the English hunt picture. I don't have the tall candle holders anymore.  I took them to my local consignment store this summer.  My husband and I just laid some fresh greenery on the mantel then hid white lights among the branches.  Next we nestled some white, silver, and red balls, and mixed in fresh pine cones. Simple but pretty. 

Our tree from last year.   Just love white lights! See the pretty reflection in the window?

   

Don't know exactly how I will be decorating this year.  I think a little more glam.  This past year we finished the renovation of our basement.  That means I will be putting up a tree down there too.  So I may go with my more old-fashioned, country Christmas decor in the basement and keep the fancier pretties upstairs.  Stay tuned to find out!

And now without further ado, drum roll please.....

Announcing the winner of the first ever $25.00 Give Away from Vintage Townsquare.

The winner is Mic!! Comment number 13.  

Friends, you will have to trust me here.  I used Random.org to generate the results.  For the life of me, I can't figure out how folks get that frame thing to show in their blog.  Help? 

Mic left a comment and became a follower of Light of the Home.  This is the comment:  

The item I want the most is the Vintage Lefton Nativity scene with the cute little angels and the babe in the manger. I collect nativity scenes and would LOVE to have it. My nativity scenes remind me of the true meaning of Christmas and I love to look at mine and see how different, but yet so alike they are in their message. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

Mic, please contact me so we can discuss how you wish to spend your $25.00 in Vintage Townsquare.  And Congratulations!

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

Nanny's Pecan Pie

Growing up I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandmother, whom I called "Nanny".   I enjoyed being with her as she always had something interesting going on.  Nanny was an excellent cook, gardener and seamstress.  My parents named me after her as they chose her middle name to be my middle name too! 

In 1983 she made a very special Christmas present for all the married women in the family.  A recipe book filled with all her best and most popular dishes, called Nanny's This and That.  One of those recipes was for her pecan pie. 

In recent years I have made this pie a lot.  It never fails to garner high compliments.  I think one of the reasons people like it is because it is not too sweet as some pecan pies can be.  We (my husband loves this so much he wanted to learn how to make them too) just made 4 last week for Thanksgiving.  Two to take to family get-togethers and two to keep at home.  It is Monday and they are gone, gone, gone.  But fortunately for you, today, I am going to share this recipe with you!

Nanny's Pecan Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar packed

1 1/2 cups light or dark corn syrup (I use light corn syrup)

2 tablespoons butter or oleo softened

3 tablespoons flour (all purpose)

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

5 eggs beaten 

2 cups broken pecan pieces

2 regular 9-inch pie shells (do not use deep dish)

Combine flour and sugar.  Mix well.  Add butter.  Beat with wooden spoon to combine.

Stir in syrup and eggs.  Combine well.

Add vanilla and salt.  Add broken pecans.  Mix well.

Carefully pour into pie shells.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes.  

Cool completely before serving.

Serve plain or with vanilla ice cream.  Delicious!

We used some whole pecans to decorate the top of the pie.  

Another reason this recipe is dear to me is because of the book she made for us.  She hand wrote the recipes then my Aunt made mimeographed copies.  She also wrote a special letter to us which is in the very front of the book.

 Nanny then sewed fabric to the cover.  Look how ingenious!

 

  

As you can see in the pictures this book has seen much wear and tear.  It has been well loved and much used since 1983. Nanny is no longer with us.  She went to be with the Lord in 1988.  Thank you Nanny for giving us something very precious that we can treasure and enjoy for years to come!  

Come back tomorrow to learn who won the $25.00 give away from Vintage Townsquare! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

Win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Vintage Townsquare!!

Feeling stressed already about Christmas and it is only the day after Thanksgiving?  You ate too much yesterday and you woke up with turkey hang-over?  Your adrenaline is pumping because you already feel behind in the rush?  You are not alone, my friend.  

Vintage Townsquare is here to help by offering this give away for a $25.00 gift certificate!  Winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 30 using results by random.org.  This can be used on anything in the shop.  Shipping and handling fees are excluded. Picture this.....

Shopping from the comfort of your home in your flannel pajamas, listening to Pandora radio and sipping on your cappuccino latte.

Vintage Townsquare carries a wide variety of unique items for your home and wardrobe.  Also listed several vintage Christmas pieces and adding new ones everyday!  Here is just a sampling of items available.

Vintage Green Oval Leather Mail Holder $16.95

Vintage Wooden Wall Box $14.95

Vintage Shiny Brite Blue Glass Christmas Ornaments $23.95

Two-Set Scarf 1-Anne Klein 2-Brown Polka Dot $22.00

Vintage 50's Hostess Organza Apron with Black Cats $18.50

Collection Colorful Bound Readers Digest Books $18.00

English Silver MFG. Small Tray $19.95

OK, here are the easy peasy steps. 

For a first entry, visit Vintage Townsquare, choose an item you would use the $25.00 gift certificate for then come back here and leave a comment telling me about it.   Would this be a purchase for yourself or someone else?

For a second entry, become a follower of Light In The Home.  If you are already a follower, just leave me a comment telling me so.

For a third entry, tweet about the giveaway to your fellow tweeps. Then come back and leave a comment letting me know you did.

For a fourth entry,share with your facebook friends about the give away.  Then come back and leave a comment letting me know you did.  

That is a total of 4 possible entries you may submit!  I hope you win!

Hope to see you in the shop! Libby~