The Simplicity of Christmas

I had been thinking of Christmas since October. Thinking of all the stuff I bought at the end of the season to add to my huge collection of Christmas decor. Thinking of how to put my plan in place. 

I had also had been asking my husband to get my Christmas stuff down from the attic. 

I think all he heard was Charlie Brown's teacher talking. 

So what is a pregnant woman to do than to get the ladder out and get the stuff herself?

Well, I did think about it. Then I thought about falling through the attic, and that was not a pretty picture. 

So I marched myself out to the shop and simply told my husband. 

"You are trying to hide, but I have found you. I am getting my Christmas stuff down from the attic, so if you want to hold the ladder, then you better come on."

He did.

:)

1. He did not want to be responsible for round mama to fall through the ceiling. 

2. He knew that it would only get worse for him if he did not come. 

So up the ladder I went, opening boxes, and throwing stuff down. Forget hauling all those boxes down a ladder. I just got what I wanted, and left the rest. 

My plan is to buy another tote just to put the things I brought down so that I don't have to stick it back in all those boxes. 

I never did find all that new stuff, but Christmas decorating still must go on. 

So "Simply Christmas" was my theme again this year.   :)

The Breakfast Room:

Never put baby in the corner, but I did.
Its the only place we can enjoy it.
From the front of our house, it appears that no one celebrates anything, but the back is so warm and inviting.

I made most of these ornaments a few years ago. You can find the tutorials here. 

There are so many things that I like about this room, but "Jingle for Jesus" just makes me smile.

I am glad this "O Holy Night" sign did not sell. I was secretly hoping that it would not.

I also love my Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus, and have enjoyed watching them take off. 

A fun little spot




One of the chalkboard boxes that Ken built filled with fun

THE DINING ROOM

This room is for show year round. I am sure that we only entertain in here once or twice a year. It is fun to always have a room that stays so nicely decorated. 

I call it peaceful.

This was fun for me this year, because basically, I shopped the house first, and then added a few little touches of Christmas here and there along with my Mississippi Pottery.



This is my most favorite room in the house to photograph. See that beautiful light!

I love this area as well!

And that concludes our simple Christmas tour.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Silent Night, Holy Night ...

To go along with our simple Christmas theme, here is the true meaning of Christmas.

May we all celebrate the reason for the season! 

I Simply Remember My Favorite Things ...

 Our dining room is pretty much the same every year - very traditional.

At the time of photographs, this room was not complete. At the time of this post, it is still not complete, and I don't see it being complete in the near future. Time is running out for me and Christmas decorating skills, my friends. 

So take a little imaginary and reality tour with me. 

In my head, there are dancing snowflakes on red chords hanging from the the chandelier. 

The poinsettia is swaddled in beautiful red, linen fabric. 

Even though I love this vignette, pretend that there is some fresh sprigs from the holly berry bush in our yard in an arrangement to add a little greenery to this display. 

Imagine there is snowflakes in the branches, red sparkly Christmas balls in the dishes, and my red "Ho, Ho, Ho" sign. All of these things are currently taking a long winter's nap in the attic. 

Now, despite not having everything just like I wanted it to be, this did turn out just like I imagined it. To shake up this little traditional table of mine, I added  my silver serving platters as chargers ...

and some beautiful pretty ladies with ribbon foundations.

 

Christmas is not about having everything just perfect. I would love to have my dining room picture ready with everything so, so, but I am learning that is okay.

Thank you for taking this imaginary/reality journey with me and accepting me as I am. 

So maybe everything wasn't what I imagined, but maybe I am just taking notes for next year! :)

I just need to get started in the summer. 

Merry and Bright ...

Merry and Bright

That is how I want our holiday season to be! 

I started out with a pallet wood that I painted white and blue/gray, added some snowflakes, propped a barn yard frame with snowflake hoops, and finished off with a Merry and Bright sign that I made. I shopped our house for blue and hints of pink and yellow. 

I am so glad that I began thrifting, because the rest of the eye candy was found here, there, and yonder mostly with Middle. 

Love this little scene with my Peter's birds, blue mason jar, and creamer that was my Great-Grandmother's. Add and little bling, and you have a sweet, sweet space that makes your heart smile. 

One of my favorite pieces from pallet wood. The font is lullaby.

Just in case you can't identify everything in this vignette, it is made up of insulators, dried hydrangea in a creamer dish, "Peace" sign made by one of my former students, hankies collected from yonder, "O Happy Day" sheet music, my aunt's perfume mirror, thrifting handmade trivet, painted dish clothes made by my grandmother, and a phone Ken found somewhere. Ken also made his little wooden name. 

My centerpiece of blue and clear mason jars, jute, and jingle bells. 

Can you tell everything has a story?

• 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! 

This year, our Christmas cards were taken on Ken's Pappaw's farm by the talented Middle Sister. 

Thank you, Middle, for sharing your talents with us and always making our Christmas cards look beautiful! 

How Lovely are Your Branches

or lack there of ... and that is okay. :)

These branches consist of a variety of things that I had on hand.

My "love" basket. On of my favorite things in this room. The font is Lullaby that I printed on craft paper and glued to scrapbook paper. The flower is from some old sewing patterns. 

My Blingin' Snowflakes

Glitter Book Page Ornaments

One of my new favorites! I made these from vintage sewing patterns. I may be slightly obsessed with sewing patterns right now. 

A banner made from, what else, the vintage sewing pattern directions. I used this at shower for a special friend at school.

My Glittery Rhinestone Ornaments

My Sweet Song Birdies

Because this season we should, "Go Tell It."

This is also one of my favorite Christmas songs

Another one of my new favorite ornaments made from small hoops, fabric, lace, and buttons. 

You can also see the pickle on my tree. You can read about it here. 

So there you have it - our whimsical tree.