It’s been a super busy week my friends, but something tells me I don’t have to tell YOU that ;).
In addition to the usual hubbub this time of year brings, we’re packing and getting things ready for our two month stay down South, but recently I had the opportunity to attend some fun holiday events so here goes. (I pumped this post out at warp speed so please excuse the unedited pictures taken with my phone.)
We had the grandkids last weekend, and we took them to one of our favorite events called Bright Nights, i.e., where Liberace goes to throw up. It’s rated one of the top 10 holiday events in the country, and with good reason. This was our third time there, but Maddox, who is 4, had never been so we were excited for him to see it.
Unlike our prior visits, this time we waited nearly 2 hours to get in! It was 9:30 and by then Mikey, who is 11, feel asleep, but luckily Maddox stayed awake and was totally into it.
I’m only including two pictures because this post is super photo heavy and I just want to give you a snippet. You’ll have to come to Massachusetts to see the rest ;).
Isn’t this beautiful?? There is a long road leading up to it, and from afar Maddox said it looked like a castle, and he was right. It takes about an hour to drive through the entire park, and you can tune your radio to a designated station and hear Santa guiding you through from the North Pole. It’s a really fun thing to do with kids and for anyone who is a kid at heart.
Thursday I went with some friends to a candle store called Kringle, but it’s so much more than that. I have a weakness for gingerbread houses, so I’m showing those first, but truly there was tons of inspiration to look at.
S
I also have a weakness for all white displays and angels. There’s something about them that’s so elegant and sophisticated.
And we all know no house is complete without an upside down tree for a chandelier!
After shopping, we went to a beautiful Farm to Table restaurant that was located next door called Farm Table (seriously), decorated like it was right out of a Ralph Lauren showroom. It was a lovely day but now I’m looking forward to spending Christmas in Charleston and warmer weather!
In other news…
I plan on getting one more post in before the big day. If you like pretty tablescapes, you won’t want to miss it!
Sharing At
Metamorphosis Monday
Nana Diana says
You have been one busy lady. I love those gingerbread houses and the white one especially caught my eye. Enjoy your time down South….I wish that is where I was headed! xo Diana
kelly says
That trip through the Christmas lights park looked like fun. I’ve never driven through one before. Looks like the store had a lot of cute things for sale too. Hope you have a great trip to Charleston.
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Oh that Christmas lights display looks like so much fun! I never miss the one we have here, but it’s not nearly that big! I have always wanted to make a gingerbread house, but chicken out every year. Those are so pretty and such labors of love! I hung my tree upside down from the ceiling one year and was amazed at how pretty it was. Of course, Sam said he was not doing that again because he was terrified it would all come down. Enjoy your vacation, I’ll be here….hoping for snow!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Those gingerbread houses are great, Doreen! I love looking at them and all their details. That looks like the type of store I would spend some time in looking at every little thing! We have a few light events here, two you walk through and one is a drive through. We haven’t been yet, but my daughter went with my granddaughter this year to a walking one. I don’t know if I would have the patience to wait very long on a line.
Merry Christmas!
Cecilia says
Wow,Doreen. That looks like quite the drive thru. But my favorite thing you shared…the gingerbread houses. I think I could spend hours in that store quite happily. I like all white displays too….still don’t “get” the whole upside down trees….I enjoy farm to table restaurants…And I hope you have a good trip down south. A very Merry Christmas to you!
Joy,
Cecilia
Sue says
This was really a great post and tour to enjoy and stellar even if done on the fly. Merry Christmas
Cyn says
Hope you have a warm and wonderful trip! Merry Christmas hugs to you, wherever you’ll be!
Carrie@Northwoods Scrapbook says
That Bright Nights looks awesome! Even if it makes Liberace unwell (Lol – love that) – I want to head out east just to take a tour!!
I loved all your photos too. Gingerbread houses are the “sweetest” things, aren’t they? (bad pun). They truly are so pretty and that Angel with all the white around her – just beautiful. I’m still not sure what I think about upside down Xmas trees though.
Hope you don’t get too busy or work too hard! Take lots of time to stop and smell the gingerbread. xo
Doreen says
Hi Carrie! I agree about gingerbread houses. Something about them always makes me smile. Hope everything is going well for you and that you have a wonderful holiday with your family!
Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel says
Those lights are really fabulous, but I really love those gingerbread houses. Sooo sweet! I have always wanted to try an upside down Christmas tree. I think it would be so fun to decorate, but I’d need a bigger house I think. Enjoy your trip and have a wonderful Christmas!
Pat Cable says
Okay just this past week we (ladies at work) were talking about upside down Christmas trees. I had never heard of such a thing and said I have to look it up online and here you are posting a pic of one. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my web page. Since my last post I have been in the hospital and have felt worse since I’ve been out. Saw my doctor Friday and we are working on a plan to get me feeling better.
I hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!!
Patti says
Okay, Doreen. That’s it, I have to come for a visit now!!! What an amazing light show, my little grandson would just love it!
Gorgeous! Wishing you a happy and blessed holiday season!
Hugs,
Patti
Cindy says
WOW what gorgeous pictures my friend. I can only imagine how truly pretty all of these were in person.
Cindy
Manuela@ACultivatedNest says
Those gingerbread houses are so cute! And the lights look so pretty! Merry Christmas!
Kim says
I wish I’d gone with you! Y’all got to do some really fun things, I love gingerbread houses, all the detail, the trimmings…beautiful. The ice skates intrigue me…are they fabric all over, and home made? The farm to table restaurant you describe is something I would love to do! I’m happy that you got to have such a fun day. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Doreen says
Hi Kim! Yes, they were fabric all over and I *think* they were homemde but can’t say for certain. They were super cute though :). Thanks for stopping by and I’ll be back to visit again soon.
Feral Turtle says
What a beautiful store! Love all the fun gingerbread houses. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
all lovely…especially the last one, my favorite
Have a merry christmas! 🙂
Julie says
Hi Dreen, yes it’s such a busy time of year. I love the lights and the gingerbread display and the angel. Have a good time down south. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hugs, Julie
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Doreen! I’m so happy you’re having a wonderful holiday season so far. Loved the gingerbread houses and upside-down Christmas tree. Have a great Christmas Eve and Christmas! 😀
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Looks like a wonderful shop!….Now if you are near me at any point…come and visit!!!!
Merry Christmas and hope the weather is good for you in Charlestson…one of my very favorite places to be!
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
What a busy lady you are! Love the gingerbread. Wishing you and your family a very happy and blessed Christmas!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Bright Nights looks like a place that would make most kids stare in wonder (and hopefully tire them out, too). Love that eskimo stocking and the Christmas tree chandelier. Enjoy the holidays and the warmth to come down south!!
Poppy says
Hi Doreen,
Your visit to to Bright Nights sounds like a lot of fun. Those gingerbread houses are architecturally adorable! My favourite happens to be the biggest, with the adjoining red roofed turret; so pretty!
Hope you are having a wonderfully WARM time down south! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; all the very best in health and happiness!
xoxo
Poppy