It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It really is the most wonderful time of the year.  I officially started putting up Christmas decorations in my room the day after Halloween.  Early, I know, but I want to enjoy it for as long as I can.  I love the way the house looks at Christmas.  Our community had a yard sale a few weeks ago and my husband found this tree for next to nothing.  I've been wanting one for our room for a while but the budget never seemed to allow for it.  Granted, it was a bit sparse, but nothing some deco mesh and ornaments couldn't take care of.  Come see how it went from this to...

to this.

I used all the odds and ends that I already had.  During our camping trip this summer, the kids collected these huge pine cones.  Although you can't make it out in the picture, I glittered them and they filled in the gaps nicely.  Also, I had some sheet music which I turned into these snowflakes.

You can get step by step instructions here.  I simply scaled down the size so it would look more like an ornament.  It really didn't take much time at all and I had all of the supplies.  I love free projects!

Here's our room all decorated.

And here's the fireplace.

 The garland over the fireplace is actually three different garlands that I put together.  I really like the crystal branch garland because it really reflects the light.

 I like so many different styles of Christmas that each room in the house has a different theme.  In our room, I'm using creams and browns.  It's very neutral but elegant.  However, across the hall in the loft, I'm using lime green and red.  We use the space as a kids playroom so the colors are bright and whimsical.

Downstairs, everything is still decked out for fall.  We're hosting dinner so I still have a few final touches to make.  Have a great week!

Linking up this week to:

• Kristen's Creations

Favorite Dessert Recipes

I'm joining up with Kelly to share my family's favorite dessert.  Hands down, our family favorite is a fruit tart.  This is one of Paula Deen's recipes and it's a keeper.  I make it with whatever fruit is in season and it's so easy to make.

To make the crust:

• 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 sticks of softened butter

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all of the ingredients until it forms a ball and press it with your fingers into a tart pan (the one with the removable bottom) trying to keep it even.  Bake it for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned and put it aside to cool

To make the filling:

• 1 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Beat all the ingredients together and spread on the cooled crust.

Topping

• fresh fruit, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries
• apricot jam

Slice the fruit and arrange on the top of the tart.  I like thinly sliced kiwi for color but you can use whatever fruit you like.  To make a glaze to top the fruit, I take a tablespoon of jam and warm it in the microwave to loosen it up.  Add a bit of water to thin it down and strain any seeds.  Apply it to the top of the tart.  Chill and serve.