December 20, 2016

A Christmas Buffet and a New Back Splash

My husband and son and I were hanging around after dinner last night when we heard a beeping from the basement. My husband went downstairs to see what it was and our carbon monoxide detector was beeping. After determining the batteries were good in both the basement detector and the main floor detector, he opened the basement patio door and the alarm soon quit.

And then the one in the family room, where we were sitting, went off. We got out of the house and called the emergency line for the company that takes care of our heating system.

When our heat guy came over, he told us the carbon monoxide levels in our basement had been dangerously high (5,000 ppm by the heater) and the detectors had saved our lives. We spent last night without any heat in the house but so thankful to God that He protected us. If you have gas logs or gas powered heat in your house, please get these detectors. The gas is odorless and we would have passed out and unless someone had found us quickly, died. 

On to more pleasant things!

One of the things we really love about our home is the open floor plan. It's especially nice for the holidays and entertaining.

Our dining room, kitchen and family room are divided by this large 'island.' This gives me tons of counter space and I use it like a buffet at the holidays.

It's also nice that I can talk to everyone while I'm cooking!

I moved my gold sled to the buffet and surrounded it with treats.  This little chalk board that I found at Tuesday Morning is always fun to change to match the season.
On Christmas day, this spot is filled with appetizers, desserts and drinks.

While I'm cooking, someone is always sitting right here - snacking.


When we redid our master bathroom this summer, our tile guy was nice enough to help me with our back splash. I already had the 4" travertine tile. He advised me how to seal them and what products to use. 
He had his wet saw set up on our drive way and when I got to the point where I needed the tile cut, he paused working on our bathroom and cut the tile for me!  But I did all the tile laying and grouting myself.
I love how it turned out and how well the tile matches the colors of the cabinets. A friend asked me how I got the pattern of the tile so perfect. I didn't do anything! I just kept grabbing the nearest tile.

I'm also really thankful for the advice and help that our tile expert gave me because I would have missed some steps without him! Thank you, Neil, at Carpet Gallery!
These are cardboard letters that I bought at HobbyLobby. I decoupaged them with blue and white napkins that I found at Tuesday Morning a couple of years ago.

Hope you've got all your shopping done! We've got a couple of Christmas parties this week and will be picking our son up at the airport tomorrow for a week long visit.

Also, our wonderful 'heat guy' is coming over today to get our heat working again! I've got both our gas logs going and I'm wearing several layers under a thick blanket. It's 59 degrees in our house.

love and blessings~
"So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." Luke 2

19 comments:

  1. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Thanks be to God for his protection. I have enjoyed the tour of your stunning home all decked out for Christmas. It's always beautiful but during this special time of the year, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, it comes alive with peace and joy. May you and your family be abundantly blessed in 2017. Thank you for pouring love and wisdom into your readers and we look forward to hearing what the Lord has for you to share this next year. Merry Christmas Lynda. Patty Ann in Tulsa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Patty Ann! Your kind words are always and encouragement to me! Love and blessings for a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

      Delete
  2. Oh my goodness. HUGE ((hugs)) across the miles. Thank God it went off. My husband has been firm in no gas in our home because of an experience he had. I grew up with gas....
    Your buffet area is luvly. Send wow!! Congratulations on a tile job well done. Go you 😀
    Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Gee! We are doing well and enjoying the holidays! Love and blessings to you and your family!

      Delete
  3. So glad that you are all well. Your home is very lovely and I love seeing all your decorations and goodies.

    Your tile is beautiful - congratulations on a job well done.

    Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary! love and blessings for a merry Christmas!

      Delete
  4. So glad you are okay. That is a scary thing.

    Your home is lovely. I read the Romantic Homes article - the photos were wonderful.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deanna! love and blessings for a merry Christmas!

      Delete
  5. Lynda, I am so glad that you and your family are safe! You had a guardian angel looking out for you. Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful! Your island is perfect for entertaining guests with a buffet, and you did a beautiful job on the backsplash. I love what you did with the JOY letters. I want to find some now and try it. I hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shannon! love and blessings for a merry Christmas!

      Delete
  6. Beautiful, enjoy your son! beautiful home! Enjoy your son !!! Merry Christmas !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cindy! love and blessings for a merry Christmas!

      Delete
  7. Yikes! Scary times! Glad you all are OK. Your house is beautiful. Every time I see your kitchen/island, I'm soooo close to envy! My kitchen is a little on the small side... and I feed 11 people out of it everyday and it barely works. : ) Decoration-wise I'm especially impressed by your napkin covered "Joy" - perfectly right for your space, and so creative! Who would guess?!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow!...so glad that you have the C.M. detectors and happy that all is well...love your kitchen and the tile....Have a very Merry Christmas...and so glad that your heat will be fixed soon!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shirley! We are safe and warm and enjoying the holiday! love and blessings for a very, merry Christmas!

      Delete
  9. Well, that was scary!

    The back splash shows that you've acquired a new talent! I would never have thought the back splash needed replacing, but darned if those tiles don't enhance the kitchen further! Perfect color, which is something that many people struggle with when it comes to blending back splashes with counters and cabinets. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's been too long since I visited your blog, Crystal! Your home is lively decked out for Christmas! Hope you're doing well!

    ReplyDelete