Penny's Passion: Holiday
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Bringing the Luck of the Irish to Our Mantel

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our St. Patrick's Day-themed mantel.


As soon as Valentine's was over, I was ready to pack away the winter look and bring in a little fresh green. Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day is such a fun and easy way to do just that. It doesn’t take much to instantly brighten the whole room. The mantel is one of the first things you notice when you walk in, so adding a touch of festive charm there feels like a simple way to celebrate the season and bring a little extra luck (and joy!) into our home. 


I had so much fun adding little leprechauns all across the mantel, tucking them in between the other décor so you spot them one by one. They’re peeking out from behind greenery, and adding just the right touch of whimsy to the display. 


To soften everything and bring in a fresh pop of color, I also added a few silk flower arrangements. The blooms add texture and fullness, and their cheerful green and white tones help brighten up the whole space. Together, the playful leprechauns and the florals make the mantel feel festive, layered, and perfectly ready for St. Patrick’s Day.


We’ve had a couple of St. Patrick’s Day-themed prints in our décor stash for years now, and somehow they still feel just as charming as the first time we used them up. Even though they make an appearance every March, they never feel tired or overused. Instead, they instantly bring that familiar pop of green and a festive spirit to the mantel. There’s something comforting about pulling them out year after year — it’s like welcoming back an old friend who knows exactly how to set the tone for the season. 



Decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day may be a small change, but it makes such a big impact in our home. A few pops of green, some playful leprechauns, and those familiar prints instantly shift the space from winter to festive and fresh. I love how something so simple can bring a little extra cheer to our everyday routine. Now we’re all set to celebrate the season — and maybe enjoy a bit of luck along the way.


Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Three Tiers of Irish Cheer

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about the invite to you link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking all about our St. Patrick's Day themed tiered tray!


The minute Valentine’s Day was behind us, we pulled out all the green and started decorating for St. Patrick’s Day! Our tiered tray, which sits in the kitchen window, is now overflowing with shamrocks and a little bit of shenanigans. It was definitely time to swap out the wintery evergreen for something lighter and more spring-inspired.


All three tiers are filled to the brim with shamrocks and cheerful little leprechauns! From top to bottom, each layer has its own festive touch — pops of bright green, playful Irish accents, and just enough whimsy to make it feel extra fun. Every tier adds a little more luck and charm, creating a sweet St. Patrick’s Day display that makes our kitchen feel ready for all the shamrocks and shenanigans March can bring. 




The teapot that graced the window during our Valentine’s display decided to stick around for St. Patrick’s Day, too. Instead of packing it away, I loved the idea of letting it transition right into the next holiday. With a few shamrocks and touches of green added around it, the teapot feels perfectly at home in its new festive setting. Sometimes it’s the simplest pieces that can carry over from season to season with just a little styling tweak — and this one was too sweet to put away just yet.


With just a few extra touches here and there, the window came together perfectly! A couple of small accents were all it needed to feel complete — festive, cheerful, and ready for St. Patrick’s Day. 




Now that the kitchen window is finished, I'm moving on to the mantle.  You'll be seeing that on the blog soon!


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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

A Little Love in the Window: Valentine Tiered Tray Styling

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm thinking about our Valentine Tiered Tray!


Maybe it was because there were still inches of snow on the ground—or maybe I was just a little lazy—but the tiered tray is still filled with a lot of the greenery I used in our Christmas window. With how cold and wintery it’s been, I figured I could get away with it!




Since the tiered tray sits in the kitchen, it felt only fitting to include the Valentine cupcake picture along with one of my favorite teapots.



Lots of love and hearts fill out the space, making it impossible not to smile when you walk by.


I’m having a couple of friends over for a small Valentine’s Day brunch, and I can’t wait to see their reaction when they notice the window. With warmer days ahead, it’s also the perfect motivation to put away the winter greenery and start bringing out something a little more spring-inspired.


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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 


As the calendar turns and we step into a brand-new year, I just want to pause and say thank you. Thank you for being here, for reading along, for commenting, sharing, and supporting this little space of mine. It truly means more than you know, and I don’t take a single visit for granted.

There’s something so hopeful about the start of a new year. It feels like a fresh page—clean, open, and full of possibility. Whether you’re stepping into January with big goals, quiet intentions, or simply a hope to take things one day at a time, I hope this year brings you peace, joy, and moments that make you smile when you least expect it.


My wish for you in the year ahead is simple: may you find beauty in the ordinary, strength in the hard days, and gratitude in the small moments. May your home be filled with laughter, your heart with contentment, and your days with things that matter most to you.

Cheers to new beginnings, fresh starts, and all that’s ahead. Happy New Year, friends—I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for all of us. 

Feel free to link up and share what you're thinking about today.  I love hearing from you!

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Wishing You Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! I hope your day is filled with the things that matter most—time together, meaningful traditions, good food, and moments that make you pause and feel grateful.


As the year winds down, Christmas feels like the perfect time to slow the pace just a bit and soak in the beauty of the season. Whether your day is bustling and joyful or quiet and cozy, I hope it brings peace to your heart and a reminder of how truly blessed we are.

Thank you for stopping by, reading along, and being part of this little space throughout the year. Your support means more than you know. May your Christmas be wrapped in love, sprinkled with laughter, and filled with hope that carries you into the new year.

Merry Christmas, friends! 

Please feel free to link up your latest creations.  I'll be back Friday with my Five on Friday post.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Gratitude, Gatherings, and All Things Thanksgiving

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  This is a time when I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm sharing our newly created Thanksgiving tiered tray decor!

This past weekend, I pulled out all the Thanksgiving storage tubs and started adding a touch of the holiday throughout our home. It’s always so much fun to unpack the decorations and decide where each piece goes! Earlier this week, I shared a look at our fall mantel on the blog — if you missed it, you can catch up on that post HERE. Now that the mantel is complete, it’s time to move into the kitchen and show you how I’ve dressed up our window for Thanksgiving!


I started by placing a bundle of wheat in a vase to anchor the look and give it that warm, harvest feel. From there, I spread out some leaf garland to add texture and color. Once the base was set, I had fun layering in all the other pieces — a mix of seasonal accents that brought the whole Thanksgiving look together.


One of my favorite pieces in the display is a set of wooden Pilgrims and a Native American figure that I bought at a craft fair back in the 80s. They’ve been part of my Thanksgiving decor for decades now, and I love how they’ve held up through the years. Every time I unpack them, they bring back such warm memories — proof that some decorations truly stand the test of time!


We have so many pumpkins! I couldn’t resist scattering them everywhere — big ones, small ones, and everything in between. I like to say I spread them like glitter all over the kitchen window, adding a fun pop of color and a little extra festive charm to the whole display.



The Thanksgiving turkey stands proudly watching over the whole scene, tying everything together. It feels like the finishing touch — the piece that makes the entire display come to life. With the turkey in place, the kitchen window feels complete and perfectly ready to welcome the season of gratitude.


And that wraps up our little Thanksgiving corner in the kitchen! I love how cheerful and cozy it feels every time I walk by. The mix of wheat, leaves, pumpkins, and those nostalgic wooden figures brings such warmth to the space. It’s a simple setup, but it captures everything I love about this time of year — gratitude, tradition, and a touch of homemade charm. Let the countdown to Thanksgiving dinner begin!

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about?  Link up and share!

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Fourth of July Flair: Tiered Tray Edition

Hi there and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to do the same by linking up. Today, I’m thinking about our newly decorated tiered tray!

Is anyone else shocked that July 4th is only a little over a week away?!?  It really snuck up on me!  When I realized the holiday was getting so close, I quickly pulled out our Fourth of July decorations and got busy decorating our tiered tray in the kitchen.  Here's the end result ~



Each layer of the tray features its own star as a special nod to the holiday, symbolizing the patriotic spirit and honoring the stars on our American flag. It’s a simple touch that ties the whole display together and brings a little extra sparkle to each tier.




I especially love this sign because it rings so true. Without the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women in our armed forces, we wouldn’t have the freedoms I’m so deeply grateful for!



I had so much fun putting this patriotic tiered tray together, and I hope it’s inspired you to add a little red, white, and blue to your own space! Whether you're hosting a cookout, watching fireworks, or just enjoying time with family and friends, a festive display like this adds a cheerful touch to your celebration. Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July!


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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Flocked Bunnies: The Cute Collectible Taking Over Spring Decor Trends

Hi there, and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Today, I’m sharing what’s been on my mind lately—and I’d love for you to link up and share your thoughts too. What’s been hopping around in my head this week? Flocked bunnies!

Last year, flocked bunnies were everywhere—and I couldn’t resist hopping on the trend! I grabbed a couple back then, but this year? My collection has definitely grown. Between Michael’s, Five Below, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart, I’ve found myself leaving each store with a bag (or two) full of these fuzzy little cuties. Want to see where they’ve popped up around my home this season? Take a look below!

Out on the front porch, I’ve got two big flocked bunnies making a statement! To keep them from toppling over, we cut a small slit in the bottom of each and inserted a long stick. Then, we anchored the sticks down into our planter—and it worked like a charm. Even on the windiest days, they’ve stayed perfectly in place!



In the family room, our coffee table tray is now home to an entire family of flocked bunnies! They add the perfect pop of texture and whimsy to the space, and I love how they instantly make the room feel more festive and fun.



Even the kitchen window got in on the fun!




I tucked a flocked bunny there, and to complete the look, I added a cute flocked egg alongside it. It’s a small detail, but it brings a sweet touch of spring to one of my favorite everyday spaces.


I'm hoping the stores will have some left after Easter and I can scoop up even more of them for next year!

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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