Friday, December 11, 2015

Christmas in Texas

Hi Friends! Have you just had the best time ever visiting all the Texas bloggers!

Big hugs and thanks to our hostess with the mostess Stacey from Poofing The Pillows
And since we're talking about hostesses I want to chat with you about hostess happies. You know. The little somethin' somethin' you bring the sweet one who invited you, overnighted you or just plain ole welcomed you into her home. I have a few ideas for you


Anything homemade speaks from your heart and I know would be appreciated by your hostess.

Your crafty friend will love some glittered or Santa painted clothespins and have 100 ways to use them. Clip them on a pretty card to gift her.
Ornaments are always fun and this year I made some cupcake ornaments to share with the girls in my bible study class.


The little paper mache houses all decked out for Christmas are fun to use in your gift presentation. Fill them with cookies or cheese straws to make your neighbor's day.
For you Dallas area gals I have 2 words for you concerning cheese straws. Festive Kitchen. They make the most amazing slice and bake cheese straws. Technically rounds but you know what I mean.You can thank me later.


Speaking of food. Food gifts are the absolute best at Christmas! This year I made chocolate spoons.

I made a variation of the traditional spoons we've all made before. I'd seen on Pinterest where you spoon the melted chocolate into ice cube trays, sprinkle with crushed peppermints or other yummies and stick the spoon in and chill! So fun! And you get more chocolate than just dipping the spoon. Stir into hot milk or coconut milk for a holiday treat. BTW the butterscotch spoon stirred into hot cider is life changing. Just saying.
Ok. I will now step down from the hostess happy soapbox.


On another note I spoke with you some months back about selling our home of 16 years and downsizing. We are all set to begin building our forever home in historical downtown McKinney.
Here's the floor plan.

And elevations



I'm so excited and a bit nervous, but I think I'm up to the challenge! Come back and join me on this Texas journey!

BTW did you check out the other blogs from today's hop?
Andrea @ Opulent Cottage

Laura @ Decor to Adore
And
Joyce @ At Home with Jemma
They have wonderful things in store for you!
 photo alisa-signature_zpsd3btqte0.png

21 comments:

Stacey said...

Lisa, I can't wait until we can finally meet! I love your post today with the gift ideas. Little hostess gifts and things like that are something I struggle with. It seems that I often end up running in the grocery store two hours before an event to try to find something "with meaning". Showing up with something like these ideas you've shared would be so much better.

Thank you so much for being part of this blog hop. :)

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Lisa,
These are such adorable and creative ideas and just like Stacey I often times find myself short on Hostess gifts as well.

Congrats on your move, we are on the final stages of our new home and on the cusp of moving in! It has been quite the process, but an exciting one for certain!

Merry Christmas,
Jemma

Laura said...

Oh Lisa-
What a treat to connect with you again- and at Christmas time.
My blog has been on the shelf awhile.
Your blog design is just beautiful.
But I digress-
I agree with Jemma and Stacey-
I am always looking for cute hostess gift ideas.
Yours are wonderful.
And now a new house! Oh my-how fun.

Merry Christmas!
Laura

Katie Mansfield said...

How fun that you get to build a new house. Blessings to you on this new home. I've made the spoons before and love them.
Merry Christmas!
Katie

Eilis said...

Great hostess gift ideas! I am so jealous that you are building in McKinney. That is one of my favorite places to visit since I moved to the Dallas area two years ago. I look forward to following your progress on building the house.
Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere

Estelle's said...

What lovely and merry ideas Lisa! How wonderful that you are building a new home in our lovely city of Mckinney! We love it too! Wishing you a lovely Christmas day and thank you for sharing such festive gift ideas!

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

Lisa, such wonderful ideas! So beautiful! And, how exciting to build a new house!! I have really enjoyed our Christmas in Tour and poking around each other's houses. Feel free to share this at my Make it Pretty party if you have time. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-160.html Have a beautiful weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Oh I just love the Santa clothespin! So cute! I can see using them in so many different ways! Congratulations on the building of your new house! How exciting!

Susan Freeman said...

I love all of your hostess gift ideas! Both the Santa and glittered close pins are adorable. Slice and bake cheese straws ~ I am down in Victoria, but I am headed over to their web site now. Thanks so much for som much inspiration!!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Carol@BlueskyatHome said...

Lisa, the hostess gifts are adorable. I wish you were coming to my party. Thanks for sharing on the Texas Blog Hop.

Saleslady371 said...

That cranberry wreath is gorgeous! I'm excited for you with the new house!

Kim said...

Your red wreath is super sweet...so are those chocolate spoons!! Good luck with your build. How exciting!

Botanic Bleu said...

Lisa,
Hostess gifts are so nice when they are special like yours. Your little gift box houses are hostess gifts in themselves. That's the sweetest little bird wreath on the plaid house.

Congratulations on building a new house. McKinney is such a fun place to shop.

Judith

Sarah said...

Lisa, what a clever idea for your post! Thanks for sharing these idea. The cupcakes are adorable!
Good luck with the new venture. We are in limbo about a move ourselves. Were all set last June, then plans changed and here we still are. Now we are considering adding an elevator rather than a move. Of course I've two storage rooms full of boxed us belongings. ;-)
Happy to meet you! Merry Christmas!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Lisa, your hostess gift ideas are incredible and I love the little houses especially since I also created some myself the last few years. Great minds right?? Your cupcakes are adorable!! You are very talented!!
Congrats on your new home. It will be amazing with your talented eye for details. So excited for you. I love McKinney, such a special place to live.
So enjoyed my visit on our Texas Tour!!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Art and Sand said...

Everything is lovely and I particularly like your jadeite.

Linda said...

I agree!! Homemade is magical and I loved seeing your fabulous creations!!!

Miz Helen said...

Hi Lisa,
I love your Cranberry Wreath, it is awesome. Your home is so warm and inviting a fantastic addition to the tour.
Merry Christmas!
Miz Helen

Unknown said...

Hi Lisa!
Oh my goodness! You have been busy!
I love your new look and how exciting about your new home.
I'm so happy for you!
~Liz

Unknown said...

I was feeling guilty about being behind on visiting everyone on the tour and now I'm almost glad I didn't see your post until after I met you! Why? Because I can really see your personality in all of your beautiful touches now that we have met! Your decor is just as cheerful, vibrant and pretty as you are! It was such fun seeing you at the luncheon yesterday and it was a treat getting to know you! Let's all plan to do Round Top or Canton together -- I think we would all have a ball!
Merry Christmas and I cannot wait to see your new home as it progresses!

Gypsy Heart said...

Lisa, you are so creative and talented ~ I love, love these ideas! I've always felt that something homemade, from the heart is the best gift ever. Taking flowers or wine is fine, but these are truly heartfelt.

Love the cupcake, wreath...all of them! :)

My cousin lives in McKinney. I think building your home in the historical district is just the best! So happy for you and will be looking forward to updates.

Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Pat