Fancy Nails!

Are you loving the new jewelry top coats?
These are my New Year's nails.
OPI Susie and the Life Guard with a double top coat of Traffic Stopper Copper by OPI for Sephora..... FUN!

I would highly recommend the top coat. It dried quickly without staying soft for a long time. The high reflecting glitter is also awesome for camouflaging damage caused after acrylic nails are removed (which is what I love).

And The Winner Is.....

First of all: I wish that I could have a prize for all of my readers and followers. Especially those that stick around even though I take a break every now and then. But unfortunately ... I just can't do that. So please know that I cherish each one of you. I know that there are so many blogs that you could read... and yet you choose to come by and say hi to me. Wow! I think that makes me the winner. Thank you!!

So that brings us to Second of all: There were a lot of entries and the only fair thing to do was to put all the names in a pot and draw one winner. As I promised, if you posted about it, or were a follower your name was entered again. So with out further ado...
The winner is...

Melissa at Those Northern Skies
Congratulations!

There are going to be more giveaways.
I promise!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all have had a wonderful New Year's!

It has been a busy season for us here. Lot's of family! So I hope you will forgive my absence the last two weeks...

I will be announcing tomorrow who won the the copy of Christmas Cottage Journal and the year's subscription. You still have a chance to win. Just sign up (here) before midnight tonight.

A reminder: Fresh-Cut Friday is still going on and it will be this Friday.

The Flower of the month is the Carnation. I hope you will be able to join in with any (not necessarily carnations) pretty arrangements that you may.

Jesus is The Reason

Let us not forget.

A Meeting of the Lit n Latte' Book Club

Last night was our official Christmas gathering for the Lit-N-Latte' Book Club.

Nothing fancy... just FUN!

I filled my little Snowman with hot water and served a variety of teas, cocoa,
cider and, of course, a pot of coffee with some Italian Sweet Cream.

I got to use my new Spode Winter's Eve dishes...
got them at Tuesday Morning...Love them!

One of the ladies brought homemade
mini cherry cheesecakes. (dee-lish)

I thought that I would show you some of our family room...

I received a beautiful Match box earlier this year from
Ginger of Glitter and Roses...

Doesn't it look great in the wreath?

I think that I mentioned that in years past we would have a tree in this room as well as the formal living room. We broke it up this year and did one big tree.

I'm ok with it.
But I will probably be more okay with it when I don't have to take
2 full size trees down this year.

Warm Winter Wishes!

Of course the ladies each took a gift home. I have to say...

I love my book club. If you have the time... start or join one. It is so easy!

Don't forget about my Subscription to Cottage Give Away...Click here!

Christmas Reading

Do you love a good Christmas read? I sure do.

I'm currently reading Snow Angel by Glenn Beck and enjoying it thoroughly!

What's on your stack?

Wish Me A Merry Christmas

Have you seen anyone wearing a button that says it's okay to wish me Merry Christmas?

Is it just me or is that the saddest thing you have ever heard?
Really? I have to tell you that it is okay?

Do you feel like your being antagonistic if someone says "Happy Holidays" and you reply
"Merry Christmas!"

All I have to say is... "Where's the tolerance?"

At least Target has a big banner that says Merry Christmas this year.
JCPenny still has Bell Ringers for Salvation Army.

If you would like to use my image...please do!
Merry Christmas!

P.S. If you would like to buy a button to wear... click here!

Double Fudge Brownie Mix in a Jar

A very easy and fun gift idea.

And a deeeee-lish recipe for brownies!

Now who wouldn't love to receive this?

Fudge Brownie Mix

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix or layer all the ingredients together and store in an air-tight container.

Attach to the jar:

1 cup butter or margarine, softened 4 eggs 1 package of the Double-Fudge Brownie Mix

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12 by 9 inch pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the Fudge Brownie Mix and continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

More Give Aways!!!! And The Big Winner!

Ladies and Germs we have a winner.

Sweet Bee from Sweet Bee Cottage is our winner.....

If you didn't win... don't be sad...

~*~

We have another give away right here at Rose Vignettes.

GIVE AWAY #2

This one is even more spectacular! It includes a one year subscription to Cottage Magazine plus this Christmas edition of Cottage.

Your gonna have to do a little more for this one.
Here's how you win.... any one or combination of the following will get you entered again and again.

1. simply leave me a comment on this post that you would like to win. That's it.

But if you want more chances then...

2. become a follower or let me know that you are already a follower.

3. share this give-away and provide a link to this specific post on your blog and let me know.

Good Luck!

I'm joining:

Honey at 2805: Potpourri Party

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfolded

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Cozy Christmas Cottage Tour

That's our living room!

I'm joining:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home