Monday, December 15, 2008

CHRISTMAS in Bloggyland Tour!

**Special note to those who participated in my "Favorite Things" Giveaway. I will post the winner and 2 runnerups tonight after 10 p.m. Thank you!**



Welcome to "A Christmas in Bloggyland Tour" hosted by Muse and a few of her bloggy friends. If you would like to visit other participating bloggers on the tour, please be sure to stop by Muse's blog . She will have the links posted for all the paticipants!








Welcome to my log cabin located in Northern Michigan! I have a special surprise for you today. We are first going to take a sleigh ride in the woods so I can show you the beautiful north country!










First, please stop by the wine cellar and pick up a bottle to share on the ride! It'll help take the edge off the cold while we're on the sleigh. (Muse, did I just see you take 2 bottles?! Nevermind...)










Here's our sleigh! Please hop on! These horses are named Jack and Jake. Watch out for Jack on the left - he likes to nip on the hoods of winter jackets!












And we're off on our sleigh ride! The snow has stopped falling and it's about 29 degrees outside. Perfect for a sleigh ride!












Let's stop by my neighbor's place where he has a fenced in elk herd. This is Prancer. He has an impressive rack wouldn't you say?












Let's head deeper into the woods. The sun is starting to go down.













Watch out for this snow branch so that it doesn't hit you in the face as we go by in the sleigh! I think it's time to head back to the log cabin and get warm and have some treats.












Step inside to my cozy little log cabin. It's warm and I have Christmas music playing. The coffee is brewing (some of you had too much wine!) and I also have some hot chocolate and egg nog. By the way, does anybody actually drink egg nog?!









I have the candles lit. You can sit at this table, up at the bar or in the family room. Make yourself comfortable! I have some chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, apple and pecan pie for us to nibble on.







There's still some more cookies left on this plate, so please help yourself! Well the night is winding down and I'm glad you could stop by my log cabin. Bundle up and drive safe! Merry Christmas!

66 comments:

Cedar ... said...

Wow! what a great evening with such a grand hostess! I loved the sleigh ride and your horses are wonderful. You did a great job with that tour!

Anonymous said...

I'm so jealous of that log cabin!!!!
Merry Christmas In Bloggyland!

Lady of the Mote said...

Thank you for the tour,
you have a winter wonderland!

Dorothy said...

Good morning Shelley!
I enjoyed the sleigh ride, the wine, the goodies and the tour of your log cabin!! Now it feels like Christmas!

Sandi Keene said...

Shelley - you are a wonderful hostess. I would like to put in my ressies for a New Year's Eve visit as well. Can't think of anywhere else I would like to stop in and celebrate!

Your pie was great!

Constance said...

You know, I almost feel chilled from riding along with you! I'm glad you saved me a cookie! Those look scrumptious! Thanks for opening up your home and giving the rest of us an envious look at your Winter Wonderland!
Connie

Pam B said...

Oh, that was so much fun! Do you mind if I have a couple of cookies for the road? LOL

Nan said...

Beautiful tour! The cabin is gorgeous! Merry Christmas!

Barely Domestic Mama said...

Thank you for the wonderful sleighride and yummy goodies. I may have had a little too much wine, but it is the holidays...so I can be excused. :)

I stopped by from the Christmas in Bloggyland Tour.

Dawn Marie said...

Thank you for such a wonderful post. It was so neat! It wasnt muse that took that 2nd bottle-or maybe she did to--but i will admit I did to! I already admitted I'm a thief!

I love Prancer!

TK said...

Mmmmmm Black Star Wines! We live in Iowa and usually make it up there once every year or so - it's not enough! Thanks for sharing your beautiful log cabin!

Unknown said...

That cabin is amazing!

Dawn Fine said...

Oh my that was fun...and I am totally full and have a grin on my face. What a lovely hostess you are...By the way I loved the egg nog.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

What a beautiful tour and there's no doubt that I'll be adding a few pounds and getting headier with the wine. Thank you. Absolutely beautiful!

Leedra said...

Loved the right, seeing the elk, and snow. But sure was glad to return to the cozy log cabin. Getting warm by the fire right now.

Debby said...

Lovely tour. It was probably wise not to make to big a deal out of Muse taking an extra bottle of wine. She gets ornery when she's had a few. Jack knows. He did not nip at her hood.

Anonymous said...

What a great time! You live in paradise. Everything is just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful sleigh ride that was Shelley. The egg nog was perfect with some rum and nutmeg ;) I want to come back again! Thank you for the wonderful time. Your cabin is so warm and cozy took the chill out of me :)
Merry Christmas

George said...

Thanks for the sleigh ride -- it was fantastic. I also appreciated the goodies, especially the egg nog.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Ah Shelley, You just gave me my 'dream-come-true' Christmas. The sleigh ride was the BEST!!!! Did you put jingle bells on the horses???? I thought I could hear them!!!!!

That pecan pie was delicious also---and YES, I still love eggnog (although it can add pounds to my thighs)... ha
THANKS!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Jen said...

Oh what fun it is to ride in a two horse open sleigh!
Hey, that was fun! :D

MuseSwings said...

Well, I actually took 3 bottles! My slight of hand is working. Took 3 cookies and a glass of egg nog. What a wonderful sleigh ride! Thanks for warning me about that branch haning in the path. I had time to cover my wineglass - don't want the stuff deluted with snow! Merry Christmas!

steviewren said...

Mmmm, hot chocolate would be just the thing after that fabulous sleigh ride. I've never been to Michigan. The north woods are so snowy, they set the perfect mood for the holidays.

Sparky said...

I waaaaaannnnntttt one (a log cabin, that is!!). :o) I should have taken the sleigh instead of my motorcycle. 2 wheels are not practical in ice and snow. [tee hee]

Wow, that was so beautiful. Michigan is prettier than I realized. Thank you for the lovely photos.

Hope you don't mind, I've snitched one of the wine bottles (I have my own cork puller, thanks) and am crashing on that lovely sofa over yonder. Whew! What a day. All this booze and food is making me [hic] fat. LOL!! You are a wonderful hostess. ♥ ∞

Unknown said...

Great, just great! I am so tired after being in the cold and of course, too much wine, one of those nice LONG hot showers will do the trick now. Thanks for taking me along it was a very fun time.
You Cabin is way past beautiful!!!!!

Judy said...

Thank you for such a lovely evening. I enjoyed myself visiting you. I love your log cabin, the sleigh ride was awesome and the food was excellent.

angi_b72 said...

very cozy and fun!!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! I loved the sleigh ride! I'll be back to visit you again!

Amy

Annelie said...

Your log cabin and the tour was absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Happy holiday!

Call Me Cate said...

I came for the tour and was not disappointed. How beautiful! Your photos made me really long for snow.

marianne said...

Wow!!!!
This is magical!
thanks for inviting me to that magical place!
Love your cabin!
And thanks for the tour!

Alex and Alicia said...

Lovely Shelley!! As always, loved the time spent in your cabin - especially poking around by your Christmas decorations and tree - and I adore the sleigh ride and the two fellas, Jack and Jake, that you have as our guides for that portion. Stilllll jealous of all the snow! :)

Glad I found the tour through your post from a few days ago. It has been a lovely experience!

Alicia

Jessica said...

I have a huge smile on my face... so sweet!!

Natalie said...

Ok I want a sleigh! And a Prancer. Do you think they will fit in my apt?

reliv4life said...

YES to egg nog - do you not like it? thanks - I enjoyed the ride very much.

Deb said...

What a gorgeous log cabin Shelley! Thankyou for the tour today.

Tara Bennett said...

Amazing.

Our family has a log cabin, but it is much more, uh, rustic, to say the least! ;O)

Merry Christmas to you!

ChaChaneen said...

You can bet I drink Egg Nog! And if it's homemade I'll drink it all! ha ha Tastes nothing like the thick store bought stuff. Homemade is light and fluffy - delicious! Even better with Rum in it! ha ha You have a beautiful cabin and I look forward to seeing it again soon! Thanks again for a lovely day! I'm off to visit the others!

Expressions By Devin said...

Your cabin is awesome.What a great tour.You cabin is so beautiful and yes I drink egg nog lol.I stopped by from the Christmas in Bloggyland Tour.Thanks for the wonderful post

Aimee said...

I love your winter wonderland! I'm in Texas so we never get to see that much snow. Thanks for the tour!

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

loved the sleigh ride and the photo's ....enjoyed the whole tour, thanks for the invite.....
Ginny

Bonnie (BornInaZoo) said...

This Christmas in Bloggyland Tour stop brought back a lot of memories. Being from way further north in Michigan from where you are, I absolutely loved the tour! I can't even count how many times I got swatted and drench with from an unexpected snow branch.

Margaret Ann said...

Merry Christmas from the deserts of Arizona...What a beautiful day and what a fascinating sleigh ride...just perfect. Your home looked simply beautiful and all spiffed up for the tour...Thanks for the warm hospitality...:)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely great tour of your home and the Nature that surrounds you. It was cool to meet your horses in such a winter wonderland.

Unknown said...

Wow - thanks for the tour!!! The Log Cabin never disappoints!

Anonymous said...

A sleigh ride would be so romantic! Thanks for the tour and the coffee!

Patty said...

I don't drink coffee or wine, but some hot chocolate would be nice. I would LOVE to go on that sleigh ride. I have never been on one and they don't exist in my part of the country. Sigh....
Your home is really beautiful and I enjoyed my tour, Thank you

Michele said...

Shelly, Your cabin came out beautiful and is truly an inspiration to me as I begin the building process myself. Thanks for sharing.

Devoted said...

Ahhhhh...now this really puts me in the Christmas spirit. I've never experienced a sleigh-ride tour before...and the cozy cabin and warm fire...just the perfect place to relax and enjoy new friends. Merry Christmas!

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

I love your horses and the log cabin is so grand. I am happy for you. Thanks for a great tour.

Gardener's Garden said...

Shelley that was just wonderful and I loved the sleigh ride and your cabin is soooo cozy. This really epitomizes the spirit of christmas for me.

Jane In The Jungle said...

Love the Bloggyland Christmas Tour!! I've always wanted my very own log cabin...sigh...

Lolosblog said...

Thanks for the tour! I don't know about 29 degrees being perfect weather though. We have been at 26 most of the day and we can't stand it down here!

Oh weel. I think by the end of the week we are supposed to be back in the 70's.

Great tour and your log home is looking better and better.

Merry Christmas

Anna Lefler said...

OMG, your place ROCKS! I am so jealous of your cozy, lovely cabin in the snow...

Stopping in from the Christmas in Bloggyland tour, BTW...

Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!

:^) Anna

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

triple A's!


Absolutley-Amazingly-AWESOME!! :)



hugs-Kath

Lisa Adams Reed said...

How utterly charming!!

Shelley said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by my log cabin (or what we call "The Loons' Nest) on the Christmas Bloggyland tour! I'd love to have you back for another party!
Shelley

Catherine Holman said...

I've always wanted to take a sleigh ride. You are surrounded by such wintry beauty outside and in.
Hugs,
Cathie

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Loved the tour...Beautiful!

Thanks for following my blog...I'm adding you to my blog roll at http://friendsofhomeiswheretheheartis.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a wonderful post! I feel like I was there! Thank you for that lovely sleigh ride. Your cabin is so warm and cozy. thank you for inviting me along. Merry Christmas to you and your family from Charli and me.

Denise said...

Oh gee, that was fantastic! Too bad I wasn't around for the festivities!

Karen said...

Oh my goodness... can I just come over? Everything is just so beautiful. Thanks for the tour! :)

Unknown said...

Shelly,
That was a perfect way to take a sleigh ride (from inside my warm home)hehe. Absolutely lovely tour inside and outside your cozy home.
Judy

Naturegirl said...

Shelly I would love to be there in person but this tour was the next best thing! Thank you for sharing and touring! grabbing a macaroon on my way out!You are a gracious hostess!

RobDares said...

I had a great time Shelley, really enjoyyedd the wineeee....isss it time for usss to go home??

Monica said...

This is REALLY walking (and living!!) in a Winter Wonderland!Love your log cabin!

Monica.