You finish the story...

Aghh!!! is all I could say (especially with a 3-year old in earshot!) after lunch today. But let's start at the beginning.

Last night after we had a wonderful family evening of dinner, watching Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, and cookies, I decided to give my kitchen a Christmas gift... an on-your-hands-and-knees scrubbing. It needed it. We had baked 4 (but 3 edible) batches of cookies yesterday and I could barely take a step without feeling some nugget of cr%p under my feet. As I was finishing, I looked at the front of the refrigerator and thought "I should really wash that down while I'm hear on the floor" and then I proceeded on. Well, who knew!!!

So today we were pleasantly surprised to have Scott home for lunch (that happens maybe twice a year) so I grabbed some ground beef and sloppy joe mix and made sloppy joe's for lunch. We had a great lunch, sent him off to work again, and proceeded to clean up the kitchen. I was just about finished wiping down the counters when I realized the coffee pot was spotted. So I wiped it down, slid it back into place and then it happened. I realized that is where I had set the not quite empty sloppy joe can... and it proceeded to fall onto the floor, bounce off the rug, and land most of its tomato-y contents on the front of my white refrigerator....Merry Christmas, Kitchen. You are officially clean!

Deck the Halls!

I was not into the blogging world last year for BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes, but I thought it would fun to participate this year. If for no other reason, Maria is frequently asking to see pictures of our new (okay, its not really new anymore) home in Ohio. Merry Christmas and enjoy the tour.***

Welcome to our home - I must say, as tempted as I have been to paint the door, I do love having a white door because everything shows up!

Upon entering, you'll come into our foyer. Typically this has a few other kid friendly decorations, but they appear to have been hidden (hence why they are kid friendly).

The stairwell was new creation this year. For whatever reason, it has gone undecorated in past years. This year it has become a beautiful array of lights (and doubles as a nightlight!)

The Living Room shelf was a last minute creation. I had a lot of ribbon left from another project you'll see later on the tour and I decided to use it on shelves throughout the house. This is one of my favorites, especially because the winter scene in the picture is enhanced by all the decorations.

On the other side of the foyer is our formal dining room. I must say the photographer (that's me) did not really do this room justice. Its much more beautiful at night when the garland is lit and the china hutch lights are on... but you'll need to use your imagination.

Here is a picture of the buffet and hutch up close:

This window hangs over our wine rack and is something that changes seasonally. This year I simply took some of my holly (which I used elsewhere throughout the dining room) and added it to to the ivy. Get it... holly and the ivy!!!

On to our family room. The arrangement of furniture was new this year (and done with the help of my dear friend Kristen) to allow the tree to be in this corner. I really like it here versus other places we've had it as you can see it upon entering the room. If you look closely at the picture, you will see the miniature tour guide, she just couldn't stay out of the picture!

Here is our mantle and fireplace.

And last on the official tour is the Snow Village, each year I wonder where to put it as the village grows and each year it ends up on top of the TV curio. Somehow I always find room for the latest addition. I think year's village arrangement is my favorite.

Although this concluded the official tour of the McGregor home, I did mention my ribbon project this year. After reading and viewing some craft ideas from Maria, I came up with this fun idea for my 5 red stars that decorate my kitchen soffit all year round. It was so easy and it added just a little more Christmas spirit to my kitchen.

Thank you for taking a tour of our home. We wish each and every one a blessed Christmas season.

***I, like Maria, am totally blown away by the beautiful, elegant, and elaborate decorations of these homes. I am not in anyway competing or comparing my work... it would just shame me:)