Christmas in July - Day Thirty-One

That's a wrap, another Christmas in July is in the bag!  I hope you've enjoyed this trip through Christmas Characters, Wrapping, Nature/Rustic/Country, and Wreaths and other Greenery.  A shout out to my fellow Christmas in July bloggers:

Mrs. T at Mrs. T's Christmas Kitchen

Lana at I Luv Crafting and Cooking

Vicki at Christmas 24/7/365

Luludou at What Makes Me Happy

If you'd like to join us next year, check out the Magical Holiday Home Forums and mark your calendars for July 2018.

I'll leave you with this.  It's a party game but it could also be used as a fun goal sheet.  Set a date in December and see if you're Ready for Christmas?

Thanks for joining me for Christmas in July 2017!

Christmas in July - Day Thirty

Today I'm sharing a few pins that didn't make the daily posts throughout the month.

Festive apparel from Liligal (although one definitely fits the bill for an Ugly Dress party, can you spot it?)

No longer available at CraftyWitchesDecor on Etsy - what a great idea for a Grinch party

I love the Bringing Home the Tree theme and I'm going to be very coordinated this year - this is the design on my Christmas cards so I couldn't pass up these flags from Heartland Flags - a big one for outside and two smaller ones to hang on the rods below my hanging baskets

A lovely dessert table from Our Favorite Holiday Desserts

Christmas Scattergories - what fun!

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Nine

Fun and Games

Gift Exchange Christmas Party Games and a whole lot more fun

Ernie the Elf's Gift Passing Game

"Twas the Night Right Before Christmas", a Christmas Gift Pass Activity

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Eight

It's been a very crazy day so this is a quick post on the theme of other Greenery and it's up rather late.  Enjoy!

33 Eye-Catching Centerpieces for Christmas

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Seven

It's a horsey-themed Nature/Rustic/Country Christmas with Wreaths and other Greenery and lots of other things!

Love this Country Christmas Barn - Pinterest link doesn't lead anywhere

Beautiful wooden art by SophiaMilaDesigns

GranthamExpressions on Etsy - sold, hope they make more!

Rustic Horseshoe Christmas Tree by VictoryBarn

A Horseshoe Christmas Tree Idea

What a beautiful card - for sale on Ebay

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Six

A couple of variations on the traditional round wreath shape.

Cowboy Boot Wreath - scroll quite far down on the page past a LOT of other fabulous holiday ideas

Vintage Christmas Ice Skate Door Hanger by Holiday Baubles

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #72

My two favorite forms of greenery in an English Christmas:

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Five

I've always loved herb wreaths.

A beautiful but pricey herb wreath

How to save money...make your own

A great idea for wreath storage

Farm Christmas - the link goes to Home Depot, not sure why since I don't see any tires on the page!

July Rudolph Day is Coming!

Tomorrow is July Rudolph Day!  I missed May and June so I'm not going to miss another month.

If you want to join in the fun, the July Rudolph Day movie is Christmas Vacation.  Time to break out those moose mugs.

Vic took a set as his White Elephant Gift Exchange item at the office and they were a huge hit.  Look for them at Bed Bath and Beyond in the after-Christmas sale for next year.

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme (if there is one) in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)
April - Plan Holiday Crafts

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmasy!

I hope you've been enjoying my Christmas in July posts - with the help of my co-Christmas lovers over at the Magical Holiday Home Forums, I think we came up with some great themes.

Check back on the evening of July 25th to see how I celebrated Rudolph Day.

Happy Homemaker Monday 7/24/2017

It's time for another Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Click here if you'd like to join in .

The weather:::
More of the same - another gloriously (not!) hot, humid, and thunderstorming week.  I was alarmed to see that Seattle has not had any rain in 35 days - that nonsense must stop!  This girl is going to need her Washington rain when she gets back there (hopefully soon).

On my reading pile:::
Still working on Everyone Brave is Forgiven but I'm finding it a little slow going.  I finished the first of the Keep the Home Fires Burning e-books, Spitfire Down, my goodness it went quickly.  In hindsight, I guess the story was just enough content for a TV episode.  Please, please, someone do away with that dreadful Bob Simms.

On my TV:::
It was a binge-watching week with Vic away - Agatha Raisin on Acorn TV, delightful sleuthing episodes in the Cotswolds and Season 3 of Madam Secretary.

On the menu for this week:::
Vic's traveling AGAIN so it's more snack nights.  I have leftover steak, Mexican rice, and black beans that will work for a couple of nights of quesadillas.

On my to-do list:::

• Rudolph Day tomorrow 
• Haircut
• Volunteer shift at the gift shop

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
If I say nothing, maybe I'll get something done and be able to report on it next Monday!

Looking around the house:::
Laundry, mop floors.

From the camera:::

We went out to brunch when I picked Vic up at the airport on Saturday morning.  President Trump was coming to the base for the commissioning of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier and I knew the traffic would be crazy so we stayed away.  This was my breakfast, a Farmer Wrap of scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese all wrapped up and covered in sausage gravy - amazing!

Something fun to share:::

I picked up this little gem at Bed, Bath & Beyond - fabulous!  Made very short work of cleaning the tub/shower.  $39.99 - 20% coupon = a bargain.

What I'm wearing today:::
Navy blue dress covered in palm trees, white sandals.  I'm off to drop Vic at the airport and then down to Whole Paycheck Foods!

Christmas in July - Week Twenty-Four

Burlap has been huge in recent years and is still going strong.  I haven't been a fan but with these lovelies, I just might be converted.

30+ of the Best DIY Christmas Wreaths

Jayne's Wreath Designs

ContemporaryCrafting on Etsy - this wreath is sold but I'm sure there will be more as we get closer to the holidays

25+ Beautiful Christmas Wreaths

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Three

Week 4 (July 23-July 31): Wreaths and other Greenery

There's just something about a red front door...

Ruth Sanderson Art

50 Stunning Christmas Porch Ideas

56 Amazing Christmas Front Porch Decorating Ideas

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-Two

Just a quick finale for Natural/Country/Rustic week - a very easy centerpiece that would be a lot of fun if you have children to take on a walk to pick up the pinecones.  Couldn't find the details in the link but this was written under the photo:  Simple and inexpensive December centerpieces. Made these for my December wedding! Pinecones, spanish moss, fairy lights and dollar store vases.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge

4 years old today

Christmas in July - Day Twenty-One

A couple of rustic-looking ideas for your buffet table and a great way to dress up gifts to give to your guests as a "thank you for coming".

Olive You Holiday Antipasto Wreath

The Perfect Holiday Cheeseboard

How to Wrap Baked Goods