Decorating for New Years 2026

 Decorating for New Years 2026

New Year is a time to remember the past year and think about the year ahead. The year 2026 is a time to think of new beginnings.  

I placed glasses from the past on the table to think of happy memories.  Christmas bulbs on top of each glass using colours of aqua adds to the harmony of the dining room.  Putting items in repetition is a design technique used over the centuries  

Napkins that say 2026 is an inexpensive way to decorate for the New Year.

I placed a sign that says 2026 in a glass behind the repetition of aqua bulbs.

A white tablecloth is a neutral colour to make other colours stand out.  A lace tablecloth adds to the French Country design of charm.  

Adding candles add to any celebration.  

I found a recipe for my cranberry sauce from Christmas to make a dip by adding Feta Cheese.  

Serving homemade bread is a special treat for New Year.  Hope you have a happy 2026.

Christmas Celebration With Poinsettias and Turkey

It's a Christmas celebration with poinsettias decorating the Christmas Tree. 

Poinsettias have a story from Mexico.  A poor girl named Pepita who had nothing to offer the baby Jesus when He was born took a walk to the countryside.  She gathered a bouquet of weeds and brought them to the stable.  When she laid them by the manger they suddenly transformed into bright red flowers.  Because of this story poinsettias are known to be the flower of the Holy Night.

I was inspired to paint poinsettias with watercolours as I laid them on our table in a teapot with a cardinal, my mothers favourite bird,  

My mother taught me how to roast a turkey in the oven.  I like to stuff the turkey because it makes it more moist.

 The manger scene reminds me of the Holy Night Emmauel, Yeshua, God With Us was born in Bethlehem which means House of Bread.  

I use my mom's china for our table setting on Christmas day.  

Love to make punch for Christmas day.  

Christmas pillows say tis the season to celebrate Christ is born.  

Two matching pillows on two matching couches look festive.

It's a blessing to pick fresh herbs for the dressing,  Sage and rosemary with oregano adds flavor.  Peppermint for the tea says Merry Christmas.

It's time to give presents like three Magi did for baby Jesus.  I painted giant red gift with watercolours.

Christmas is a time for family and friends to come over and celebrate Jesus birthday.

Celebrating Thanksgiving

 Celebrating Thanksgiving 

Celebrating Thankfulness with Thanksgiving is a family tradition.  I use my mom's turkey decorations I store in our closet to remind me of her love.  She gave us turquoise China I use each year because it's my favourite colour.  Gold plates underneath adds elegance.  Pumpkins that say let us give thanks etched in gold are placed in the center.  The blue tablecloth we purchased from Porto Portugal on a market near the river makes me thankful for our travels to beautiful destinations.  Napkins with sunflowers reminds me of our garden when the sunflowers grew tall towards the sky.  Glasses from Pier One with red and blue swirls add colour.  We remember the pilgrims who landed on Plymouth Rock 

to practice religious freedom.  Squanto helped them fertilize their crops using fish.  They celebrated for

three days using fowl, deer, squash, cranberries and maybe wild turkey. 

 

I like to stuff the turkey using dressing to make it moist,  

Homemade mash potatoes mixed in a Sunbeam mixer with milk and butter,

I went outside to our garden to pick fresh sage for the dressing.  

Lots of celery and onions with apples make it tart.

Pink begonias draped over our garden angel reminds me of the beauty of God's creation.

Vibrant Pink Roses Growing Tall in Garden With Herbs, Eggplant and Peppers

Vibrant pink roses growing tall in the light of the sun.

As the sun hits the climbing roses different shades of pink glow.

I planted climbing roses in a container and they are reaching for the sky.

I can see them from my family room window

 Summer in Texas is hot so a pool is a refreshing distraction.

Begonias in two matching pots are perfect for rod iron tables.  I love to take photographs of the changing colors of pink, gold and green.  

Squash Growing in Containers in Texas Garden in June 2025

Baby Dove With Mother Just In Time For Mothers Day in Texas Garden

Flowers bloom for Mother's Day in Our Texas Garden.   Mourning Doves prepare their nest above the heart shaped Wreath.

Baby Dove is huddled under Momma in the nest she carefully prepared.

Mourning Dove Momma knows me.  She watched my every move in the garden but doesn't fly away.  

Pots are carefully arranged with flowers.

Bumble Bees are attracted to nectar from blue salvia.

Wooden benches are surrounded by red roses.

Cumulous Clouds drift across Texas Skies.

It's a blessing to have red roses bloom in time for Mother's Day.

Growing Lettuce, Tomatoes and Squash in Texas Garden in March

Shopping in Cultural District of Downtown McKinney Texas

 Shopping in the Cultural District of Downtown McKinney Texas is a hunt for the perfect find for your home.  It's only 38 miles north on 75 and 47 minutes from Dallas.  

Birds and Words offers a feast for the eyes.  The entrance has a hanging bird cage to greet visitors.

Enter the shop and see a hanging light fixture just perfect for any French Country Room. The lamp with curved features adds a interior designer ideas for drawings.

Everything in the store offers a story.  Bees next to flowers makes me think of honey.

Important words to last a life time adorn the spaces of Birds and Words.

Birds and Words a Home Boutique in Downtown McKinney has a welcome mat in front. 

It was established in 2015.

Giant swans say take me home as you visit the space.

If  you want a girls weekend or a wedding reception stay at the McKinney Grand Hotel. The lobby greets you with warm comfy leather chairs to gather with friends and family.

The McKinney Grand Hotel is next to a spa so if your there for a wedding you can get ready next door.

The entrance greets you with an elegant black canopy.

Historic paintings of bison let you know you are still in Texas.

A black bull stands in front of the bank.

A furniture store called Uptown has everything you need to design your living room.

Paintings are for sale to go with colours of your choice.  

A designer will help you make excellent choices.

Look for the perfect purse to go with your new outfit in McKinney Square.

Can't come to Texas without a new pair of designer boots.

Make a stop to find the perfect dress to make you look amazing.  

McKinney Cultural District is worth the visit.