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Friday, December 31, 2010

MORE IS BETTER??

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I think one of the reasons that Christmas and New Years décor are some of my favorite things is that I am sadly a junk crammed everywhere “more is better” kind of gal.  During Christmas and during the New Year’s celebration, I feel like people are much more accepting of the junk excess stuff in our home.  After getting wound up with the Christmas decorations, there is no hope for me by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around. I joyfully abandon any pretense of trying to cut back on the excess (I know you don’t believe it, but I do TRY to cut back on the excess) and start the new year with a cluttered mess. Then I call that “cluttered mess” New Year décor!
trees w mantel
Some of you may remember that I remove the Christmas ornaments from my trees and my grandchildren and I THROW stuff on the trees for New Year’s décor.  tree
I’ve always driven myself crazy running around getting all of the Christmas decorations back into the holiday closet before midnight on New Year’s Eve.  I have never left any Christmas décor up after midnight on New year’s Eve (of course, I always find a Christmas decoration or two that I had forgotten about weeks after New Years!)  I grew up being told that it was bad luck to leave them up after New Year’s Eve, but I really wasn’t superstitious about it – I just needed a deadline, or the Christmas décor might be up until Spring.  This year, I am NOT going to even pretend that my goal is to have them all down by New Year’s Eve. My goal has been extended to Valentines Day!!  You are looking at the only place in my house where I have removed the Christmas décor (I know, I really haven’t removed much-I’ve just added to what was already there)!
mantl penquins ntcrkr
BNR CLCK ARNGMNTS
cards
Having told you that I am not superstitious, I’m going to admit that on New Year’s Day, I will be cooking and eating cabbage and black-eyed peas cooked with sterilized dimes.  (The peas are supposed to be cooked with one dime in them. The person who gets the dime is supposed to have the best luck in the new year.  When you have grandchildren, you put a lot of dimes in the peas, so that everyone can feel like they will have good luck in the new year, and you won’t be left with a grandchild who is upset about their prediction of a bad upcoming year – at least that’s what this grandmother does.)  I’ve eaten those vegetables every New Year’s Day that I can remember.  Superstition dictates that these foods on New Year’s Day will bring you luck in the new year.  I’m cooking these foods, because it has become our tradition (AND just in case there is some truth to the superstition.)    black whit mantl trees
Thank you for visiting my blog.  This REALLY IS more junk than I usually have in my house.  (Okay, I may have more junk in my house, but this is more junk than I usually show on my blog!)  The Favorite Things links are shown below.  I hope you’ll click on each of them to see other blogger’s favorites.
I’m linking to Vignette Friday at Color Outside the Lines and Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.

NY WISHES




42 comments:

The Charm of Home said...

Laurie,
You did a good job transforming the decor for New Years. It looks great! I love the mantel. Have a Happy New Year!
Sherry

ellen b. said...

A very Happy New Year to you and yours Laurie!

Susan Freeman said...

Happy New Year!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

shannon i olson said...

Happy New Year. I have heard of the peas...but not the dimes. hmmm
by the way love the display of the Christmas cards

Lynn said...

Happy New Year Laurie, wishing you lots of fun finds in 2011! Lovin' the nutcracker:@)

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hi Laurie,

I love the idea of the New Year decor on the tree! Very creative, and I am sure the grandkids love it! Hope your New Year is happy, and healthy!

Debbie

Blondie's Journal said...

The trees are fantastic...what a great idea! Very festive!!

I have never done the black eyed peas thing, but I think I better! I am getting more superstitious as I get older!

Wishing you the happiest of all New Years!

XO,
Jane

Carol said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol said...

I LOVE all of it Laurie! Wishing you a wonderful 2011!

Smiles,
Carol

Sonny G said...

Looks like your readyfor 2011..

thanks so much for helping to make my 2010 great.

Happy New Year
Sonny

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Daughter is feeding ganddaughter, so taking a minute to link up. Will be back later to visit.
Hope you have a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!
Glenda

Diann said...

Hi Laurie!

Just stopping by to wish you and your family a fantastic New Year! And lets have lots of fun in 2011!
Hugs, Diann

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Laurie!
Your home is looking glorious. It's nice to enjoy all the Christmas decorations after the holiday, when you actually have time to slow down and gaze at it all!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You never cease to amaze me. I adore your New Year's decorations. I don't have any and I better not start now. Your trees and mantel look fabulous. I will keep my things up for at least another week. My deadline has always been Feb.5th because one year I was sick and that is the lastest it has ever been up. I don't know if you read that we put dimes out on the windowsill for each person on New Year's Eve. It's been a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember. I myself have been doing it for 38 years.
Wishing you wonderful surprises, excellent health with a big dash of fun in the New Year.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I am back! :D The "gang" left to go shop. Love the idea of converting the trees to "New Years" trees. I wanted to take my tree down, but the Grands would not have understood if I did not have the tree up for our get together this weekend.
Enjoy your evening.
Looks like bad weather getting ready to roll thru!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie, I love your New Years trees. Never thought of that. So fun. I never heard of the dimes either, maybe I need to throw a bunch in the pot. lol I hope you have the most Blessed New Year ever. Hugs, Marty

Sarah said...

Laurie, the New Year's trees look great. What a clever idea to transform them. The top hat as a topper is cute. I thought about using a top hat for my Courtly Check tree, but didn't get around to it. Next year!
Hope you enjoy the festivities. Eat lots of blackeyed peas. We haven't made ours yet. Yikes, better get busy!
Celebrate ~ Sarah

Entertaining Women said...

By the time Christmas is over, I don't think that I have nearly as much energy as you...but I've never been a big fan of New Year's Eve parties...so many of them are so contrived. You've made New Years a really special celebration with your wonderful New Years trees. Way to go! Thank you for sharing your charming designs. Happy New Year! Cherry Kay

Jacqueline said...

Good thing I have never been superstitious or even heard of these New Year's ones! My parents always left the tree up for two weeks after Christmas because my birthday is 2 weeks after Christmas so I do the same!

Hope you have a wonderful New Year and that it brings good fortune and another year of fun blogging friends!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Laurie...I am sure that you know that Charles Faudree says "too much is never enough" and I follow that belief! lol I am a little superstitious, too...we will have collard greens and black-eyed peas tomorrow! Happy New Year!...hugs...Debbie

vignette design said...

What happens when you bite into the dime? haha.
I guess eating black eyed peas is a tradition which I just heard about from Pat at Back Door Musings. I love BEP!
Anyway, have a wonderful evening. Don't drink too much champagne! Happy New Year! ~Delores

lvroftiques said...

Laurie your energy and collections of beautiful things are awe inspiring! The New Years trees are the bomb! I just love that top hat topper! And the penguin couple are too adorable! I'm glad however that I didn't know about that good luck dime thing....But now that I do it could explain a lot *winks* Do any of the grands ever swallow their dimes? Would it cut your luck in two if you did? Lol!
HAPPY NEW YEAR my friend!! Vanna

xinex said...

So festive, Laurie. You are so good at this and you have everything you need for a stunning New Year decoration. Happy New Year!...Christine

Anonymous said...

Laurie you are the partiest(is that a word even!?) person I have ever known with every party favor possible for all the zillion tables scapes you do every week! Love it all!

Have a blessed a party filled2011!

bee blessed
mary

Sue said...

So clever and fun to transform your trees, Laurie!!! You're one heckuva party gal. hmmmm... never heard of the tradition of the dime in the peas. I did have a spoonful last night. I wonder if that counts since I was a day early! Hope so! Hope you have a wonderful 2011, my friend~ hugs, Sue

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Mornin' Laurie...

My friend, I just wanted to come by first thing today to wish you a Happy New Years!!! I hope you have a fabulous day and I am sending you and your family blessings for a wonderful new year!!! Girlfriend, you have been such a blessing to me...Love ya!!!

Laurie, I think your home is absolutely gorgeous! Ohhh...and I love how you redo your trees for New Years! They really are sooo pretty!!! Thank you for sharing them and all of your New Year's pretties with us!!! Coming to your home during the holidays is such a treat...seriously...I love it!

Love ya and Happy New Years, sweet friend!
Chari

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Laurie!
Happy New Year! Good health and happiness in 2011!
I finally made it for your "Favorite Things" memem :)
I traveled to Coloradom in middle of Decemebr for my grandson's second birthday so my tree went uo very late so I will keep it up till "Little Christmas" on Jan 6 this year. Italians eat lentil beans for good luck on the new year ..my lentil soup is now simmering :)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Happy New Year Laurie!
All of your so called junk is beautiful decor to me!
You have that touch and everything sparkles and glows!
Your blog is always an inspiration and one of my faves!!!
Big Hugs,
Cindy

Ginny said...

Actually, Laurie, Christmas traditionally does not end until the feast of the Three Kings which is on Jan. 6, or called the Epiphany or the twelfth night. So, you do not have to feel guilty or superstitious about leaving the Christmas decorations up after New Years Eve!

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

I love how you convert the trees to Happy New Year trees!

My Mom still makes black eyed peas and 'tries' to get us to eat them...usually to no avail! I had never heard the dimes story before so that was fun!

Nancy

GardenOfDaisies said...

I love all your "more is better" decor! It's impossible not to feel happy when looking at the photo's you post.
Happy New Year to you, Laurie!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Laurie!!

Anonymous said...

As IF you need to explain or rationalize a love of stuff or excess display to any of us!
We are not negatively judging you, we are all in awe of how wonderfully you pull it together.
I had heard about the peas but think I (intentionally) forgot about the cabbage. St Paddy's day cabbage comes round again.

Enjoy your family holidays. What great memories you are sharing and continuing.

Happy New Year!

The Tablescaper said...

Laurie, I'm so impressed (but not surprised) that you have such great New Year's decorations. I really don't do a thing for New Year's Eve, unless we're hosting a New Years party - not this year - and then it's a thing or two but not a whole new mantel. Love that you take down the ornaments off the tree and let everyone have a go at it on New Year's Eve. That's one way to get the tree undecorated!

Happy New Year.

- The Tablescaper

Marlis said...

Wonderful!!! I love the new year's trees. what a great idea. We just put the last of our Christmas stuff away - no wait, I spy a collector tree (small) and the wreath is still up outside,, so maybe by next weekend.. Loved seeing the transformation.. Happy New Year to you.. it's lucky stew today (left over black eyed peas, ham, and this time with turnip greens) so that we might just have some of that luck!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Laurie,
I love your idea of decorating your tree for New Year's!!You may find my post interesting about leaving your tree up:
http://adebbie-dabblechristmas.blogspot.com/2010/12/stop-dont-take-that-tree-down-yet.html

Happy New Year!

Hugs,
Debbie

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Happy New Year to you and your wonderful collections and clutter!! I just love it all! A feast for the eyes!! Hugs!

Kathleen said...

OMG! I never knew anyone who decorated for New Year's! I didn't realize you stuffed, I mean packed neatly, all your Cmas decos back into THE closet before NYE! You are an amazing woman!
I should have decorated the bathroom, as that is where I spent several days, The Grinch left me a stomach virus!
So happy 2011, dear friend, here's to another fun filled blogging year! Good health, and many blessings!

Debbie said...

I'm just approaching the computer after a little hiatus and this is one of my first stops. You always make me smile.

I just LOVE your New Year's Trees. I think that's such a fun tradition. I dare not direct my mom to this post, though, or she'll end up with a whole new obsession. LOL

I can't believe that I've never heard of the dime thing. By gum... THAT must be the reason I'm such a schlepock. I just eat my peas without coinage.

Happy New Year, Laurie, and thanks for having such a fun place to visit.

Bridget said...

Happy New Year Laurie. I have all of mine kind of piled up and waiting to be put away except for the tree which is still in its full regalia. I usually leave the tree up until the epiphany so if it's bad luck, I've had nothing but bad luck all of my life. lol

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Happy New Year!!

Unknown said...

everything looks so nice, I have a question......I have seen your wire card holder on line and tried to order it several times but never get a response, could you tell me where you got yours? Thanks so much. My e-mail is
jelanum@gmail.com