We finally caved last night. The temperature in our house was 61 degrees and I said, "Honey, I think we might need to turn the heat on tonight." Jon actually suggested turning it on two nights ago, but my stubborn, self-martyring self said, "Nope, we can hold out out one more week!" But people, it's been freezing here in Virginia! There were actual snow flurries in the air on Tuesday! Brrrr....I think we might be in for a cold winter.
Poor Lola has been spending her entire day in bed, going from underneath the warm covers in our bed to the warm covers in her bed and back again at night. And like the good mama that I am, I throw her blankets in the dryer for 5 minutes before I leave for work. Yes, she's spoiled. That dog hates the cold as much as I do and on the nights that Jon is at school, we've been huddling under blankets on the couch until he gets home. And when he does, I stick my feet under him and Lola curls up on his larger, much warmer, lap. It's a lovely welcome home!
I'm not sure if it's the brisk chill in the air, but I have much more holiday spirit this year than I did last year. It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I find myself humming holiday tunes and searching for yummy holiday recipes and getting excited to trim our house with decorations. It might also have something to do with the fact that our mall has been decorated since the beginning of the month, but still, I'm feeling the holiday glow! We've decided not to do a traditional Christmas tree this year because we really have no place to put it, so we're either going to do a potted tree that will fit on our bar or a Christmas palm tree. Yes, a Christmas palm tree! Since Jon and I love the beach and visiting the Caribbean and cruising so much, I thought it would be the perfect tree for us! I've been on the hunt for tropical-themed ornaments and of course, there are plenty on Etsy.
Here are some of my favorites:
Palm Tree Princess makes gorgeous and whimsical mermaid ornaments. I would love to put one of them on the top of a tree in place of a star or angel. Out of all of them, I absolutely fell in love with this pregnant mermaid ornament:
I love the simplicity of this palm tree ornament from tammyvarn. It even has real South Carolina seashells inside!
How precious are these little flip flop ornaments from hulabeachceramics? I would buy several of these in all different colors because they make nice filler ornaments for the tree. She also sells ceramic crab ornaments which this Maryland girl definitely needs on her tree!
Jon and I don't start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, so I have plenty of time to look for more fun, tropical things! When do you all start decorating for the holidays? My mom usually likes to have all of her trees (yes, trees) up in time for Thanksgiving!
