the novel bakers presents~
you could say i am going to be odd woman out on this book, after all mlee and mary are the true southerners, but don't think i didn't enjoy this book living on the west coast!
every chapter is filled with beautiful ideas and pictures on how to enjoy your southern Christmas...
and of course menu planning is abundant
while as wonderful as this book is with gorgeous southern charm, i knew instantly when i opened this book that my holiday inspiration came from the twinkling lights...
but of course, mine will be a ...
we see different kind of wings here...
trees too...
and santa arrives a bit wetter~
things are being done just a little different on the west coast, they say ...
nope, not this year! but i want something that stands out
shinny and bright with brilliant twinkling lights...
shinny and bright with brilliant twinkling lights...
i gathered driftwood and shells, lanterns and crates, creatures and lights, all to make my holiday bright! i cannot begin to tell you the delight i get having my very own lighthouse, judging from my neighborhood comments they are enjoying it too! the first night i couldn't help but wonder if all the crab boats out to sea were going to flock to me ;-)
while celebrating the lights we enjoyed
washed down with
merry christmas from the west, wishing you waves of chocolate holiday cheer~
washed down with
merry christmas from the west, wishing you waves of chocolate holiday cheer~
thank you for stopping by today
we all look forward to sharing another day of
christmas in the south on wednesday with you~
visit a TRUE southern Christmas with ...
Your lighthouse standing sentry at your window is a merry beacon of cheer and welcome to your neighbors and the crab boats! You must have had a whale of a good time gathering all your nautical details from your glass bubble ornaments, lanterns, driftwood, shore birds and mermaid! I can’t believe how Dasher or Dancer showed up to join the fun and merriment too!!
ReplyDeleteOf course seeing all those vessels decorated with Christmas lights and Santa floats my boat! We had planned a Christmas water cruise to see the boat parade on the lake this year but with the lake level 8 feet down from drought it’s dangerous to navigate in the dark.
I enjoyed the rosemary cherries with blue cheese yesterday…they were so good! What a wonderful holiday appetizer, dang, if only I had Chocolate Martini to pair with it! I love your pour shot and wonderful coral glass with your SPECTACULAR view in the background…do you have to pinch yourself to know it’s real?
Thanks for the Coastal Christmas fun this morning and getting us gear! I can’t wait see what you have in store on Wednesday…:)
jain, "By the sea" sounds like an excellent place to spend Christmas Day! And I even spied one of Santa's reindeer in your yard. Santa will be sure to find you with your lighthouse and spectacular light display. The boat parade is certainly unique! I'm licking my lips just thinking about watching it with one of your chocolate martinis and that yummy crostini in hand. I enjoyed this book so much. As a New England girl I have always been intrigued by the customs of the South and wondered what it would be like to celebrate where there is little snow. I can see now how wonderful and varied the Southern customs are! Merry Christmas, jain!
ReplyDeleteI always love your sea decor Jain, and your light house reminds me of the one in Hilton Head, SC. What can be more fun than a holiday boat parade with the twinkling lights reflected in the water, magical! And to sip on a chocolate martini, and nibble on a cherry bleu cheese crostini, why Santa himself is likely to stop by! I am a California transplant to the South, and there is nothing that says Southern faster than magnolia leaves and citrus, gorgeous! I hope you have a very merry holiday,
ReplyDeleteJenna
Jain, your photos are, as always, filled with magic (I saw that the first time we met, and I was captivated by your blog), but you are also a fantastic writer. The body of your work, with the beach diaries and your adventures by the sea, are infused with humor, wit, and keen observations. Today, I was swept away with giddy delight as I watched your Christmas by the Sea, with chocolate martinis and a crostini to die for. It's so cold here today, cold and dark, but your post brought warmth and light. I love your lighthouse vignette--and the photo of the buck is amazing. You are the goddess of all creatures great and small--and a damn fine cook, to boot. Looking forward to playing with you Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteOh, the light house is captivating! I think Christmas by the sea is a lovely idea. Your photos of the harbor boats with their lights and trees reminds me of my youth growing up in Corpus Christi, TX. Then it was know as the "sparkling city by the sea", and it was.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the goodness of this book. I'm going to order one to add to my Christmas books.
I've said it many times before, buy you should publish a book of your own.
Merry Christmas!