Don't throw out the holly & other holiday greens. First, it's not Twelfth Night (Epiphany) yet. Second, we've held on to evergreens well into late January/early February in year's past with great results. Look at what you have on hand, cull out the very dry, pick off brown leaves, etc. Look for containers or vases or even jam jars for a fresh look. If you want "fluffy," fair-trade carnations look good tucked into holly & pines. Also, poinsettia, amaryllis, & paperwhites are on sale because they're leggy. Snap those up (offer a lower price if you think it's warranted, btw) & use them as cut flowers. 
We were out today doing some errands. Everywhere we went, people were worrying aloud about Christmas preparations. It made us nervous, too. People: calm down!
Hanukkah begins in just (slightly) over six days. Even if you do not celebrate the Festival of Lights, you probably know those who do. Wouldn't it be nice if you made something for their holiday? Imagine their surprise (& delight) when you offer them something you made, whether it's a quick card, a dreidel, a yummy edible, or a something slightly more elaborate. That could be your holiday gift to them. If you know they don't have a menorah that they really like, why not look here & see if one of these less-conventional designs might be something they'd like.
...of the computer kind. We're under-the-weather & also trying to troubleshoot Spotify, the music service. It downloads but then does zip. This is causing all manner of upset here. (Well, Giulia is not bothered one bit, of course. She likes the Christmas music/Beatles iTunes playlist currently in rotation. But her editor will not rest until she has more more more & can tell everyone about it.)
While chasing Giulia (into everything as usual), beginning (!) Halloween prep, & readying for what feels like a sudden cold snap, GG's editor slowed down enough to see deer outside the window early this a.m. The building borders a finger of Rock Creek Park so that makes sense. We know that deer have become a controversial subject in many parts of the country. We're not getting into that now. They are pretty to us.
Giulia is very busy inspecting the tree, rearranging ornaments, generally causing no end of trouble. Why should today be any different than the other 364 days a year? Back later tonight. Cheers to Australians who are already celebrating Christmas. Merry Christmas, Julie & Simon & Wee Birdy!
"I'm melting....ahhhhh." Here's an amusing idea if you happen to have some sugar cookie dough around (if not, it takes 5-7 minutes to whip some up--that's a scientific fact, by the way.). This is Meaghan Mountford's Decorated Cookie blog version. (Found via the Best of Pinterest & Crazy Domestic blogs. Thanks!)
Bugs and Fishes now-classic snowflake curtain is very pretty & we will be trying it out here next week, GG behavior permitting. (Ahem.) Photographs to follow. See a whole list of Christmas craft tutorials here. (photograph via Bugs and Fishes)
To our Jewish friends around the world: enjoy the latkes & sufganiyot tomorrow & the rest of Hanukkah. Any of you lagging behind in preparations, it's not too late. (You don't have to have every recipe every night--no matter what your bubbe says. But don't tell her we said so. You think we need the tsuris?) Here are some easy peasy recipes from Martha Stewart. Also a good group of recipes & a yummy slideshow from the New York Times. (images via Martha Stewart) 
Uh oh. Someone's in trouble. We hope right after this moment, the kitty was scooped up out of those fairy lights. Adorable, though. From Cute Overload via We Heart It.
Isn't this beautiful & calm? Artist Lori Langille, of Automatism, scanned it from a vintage Marie Claire Maison. It's from Lori's 24 Days of Noël series (Day Six). We thank her for being so gracious & allowing us to show it here. This traditionally-decorated Swedish kitchen reminds us that a light touch is often the best. Have a good Monday.
Darling. Seen on Wee Birdy, first on Lobster & Swan (that we know of), by Dutch designer Jane Schouter of All The Luck In The World. 
No Christmas tree plans on the horizon yet...getting nervous. Though a bit mod for our traditional (in a Christmas sense) taste, we could do a lot worse than take this Swedish tree as inspiration. From lolitamodeblogg via we heart it. 
Real Simple has some lovely ideas for 60-second centerpieces. Go here to see the slideshow. We are taken aback by some prices quoted. There is a nice idea for carnations (again!) in a wooden bowl. We've done something similar with a terracotta bowl & one need not purchase eight bunches of carnations--that is not inexpensive. Use these as guides, only. Galvanized tin buckets & other containers are available at hardware stores, at IKEA (& possibly already in your possession). Pine cones are outside lying on the ground...run out & pick up lots of different kinds (as available). Purchasing them is a last resort. Have fun!