Let There Be Peace On Earth

Well, it's almost over! November that is! I can't believe how fast this month has flown by. It has been a busy one! Before I share what today's post is about, I wanted to give you an update on my thyroid biopsy. I am thrilled to tell you that the biopsy was benign! I am so thankful and wanted to thank each of you for your thoughts and prayers. I definitely felt them! 

Now, onto the reason I am posting today. I had mentioned previously that I wasn't planning to go all out with my decorating this year due to my trip to Prague to see my daughter. I just did not have it in me to drag all my boxes in the house from the shed and then spend 2-3 days getting everything decorated. I would not have had time to undecorate before I leave since I leave for Prague on Christmas day. I also didn't want to leave it up and have to deal with it when I get home since I return home the evening before I return to work. So, I opted to not use all my decorations this year. Instead, I bought a very small, real tree and wreath and then I cut branches of cedar and some limbs from some type of tree with red berries. I used the theme I had going in my house since Miranda's going away party and added fresh greenery to it. I used candles and things I had in my house. I printed a few things and made a few and called it done! My theme is Joy to the WORLD and Peace On EARTH. In light of the turmoil going on around the world, I thought this was fitting. I also thought it worked well since Miranda is across the world from me right now and I will be traveling across the world to see her soon. I used sheet music and maps/globes to pull my theme together. Today I am sharing my simple Christmas dining room.

I love how this area turned out. This french provincial dresser serves as a buffet. I took down the travel print I had hanging above it and put up my nativity print. It was stored under my bed. I don't have a lot of storage so I take advantage of that space. :) 

I found this adorable idea online for the cute little globe banner. I made two of these and need to make a third one. I forgot one of my globes! I used my Scrabble tiles to spell out Peace On Earth.

I stacked my collection of  A Christmas Carol books on the other end of the buffet. My vintage Dickens Days bowl sits on top. I found this bowl at the flea market a few years ago and it is one of my all time favorite finds!

The china cabinet holds a vintage suitcase and train case and another map printed box that looks like vintage luggage. These as well as the little globes belong to Miranda. I strung a piece of jute on the front of the china cabinet to hold cards. Hopefully I will have to add another one.

Here's a closer view of the top.

The top center shelf of my built in bookcase just got a little greenery added to what was already there. That angel was an after Christmas clearance find a few years ago and she stays out year round. 

For those of you who are fairly recent readers, here is a picture of my built-in bookcases my hubby built me/ The bottom portion is cabinets and holds tons of dishes, glassware, and serving pieces. I absolutely love this unit and the fact that my hubby built it just for me makes me love it even more. He's a pretty awesome guy! He is so good to me. He loves me dearly (and I do him) and he will do anything to make me happy. Anywho, back on topic. This unit held a lot of Christmas decor last year but this year not so much. See the globe on the bottom shelf? It needs a banner. Suggestions for a different saying that Joy to the World or Peace on Earth? Maybe Let the Whole World Sing?

On to the table. You may remember these adorable little plates I recently shared in this post. Well, here they are on my table. I keep my Christmas dishes in the bookcase cabinets, so I was able to get to them. I had forgotten about the white and silver snowflake edged plates I bought last year. I used my red chargers, the snowflake plates, and my square peppermint edged plates with the new plates for a nice looking plate stack. Nothing fancy and not too matchy matchy, but I love it! These plates are the only decor I purchased this year and I just couldn't resist them!

I just love them! I want to get a vintage look truck from Hobby Lobby and tie a bottle brush tree in the back for the center of the table. Not sure if that is going to happen this year or not. I am trying to curb my spending this year due to my trip.

Last thing to share in the dining room is the banner I made. It is two sided and each side is different. I used vintage map images from the Graphics Fairy to make the letters. I like how it turned out.

And, that is it for today my friends. I would love to show you an overview of the entire room, but right now, there is a pile of bathroom stuff  in it due to a renovation we just started! It's a good thing but at the same time, I hate the mess it creates. It will all be worth it though when I have a pretty new guest bathroom. Anywho, I will be back to share the kitchen and living room soon. Have a lovely weekend!

Until next time.....