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Tag Archives: Christmas decor

Christmas All Through the House

Good morning.  Come on in.

Mmmmm, I can smell the cookies.  Excuse me a minute while I check to see if they’re ready.

Run, run, as fast as you can.  You can’t catch me.  I’m the Gingerbread Man.

(Oh no, he didn’t!)

 He just took off through the kitchen.

Well, he’s not in there.  Where could he be?  Maybe in the dining room.  Let’s go see.

Nope, not in there.   Perhaps he’s hiding in the family room, where the stockings were hung with care.

 Whew!  I give up!  That Gingerbread man has taken us all through the house.  Yet, he’s still no where to be found.   Let’s just sit down and visit.  He’ll eventually come back around.

Merry Christmas!

Until next time,

Sharon

I’m linking to:

Potpourri Party @ 2805

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Merry Mantel

There are lots of opportunities to feature your mantel this week.  Check out the parties (see my link ups at the bottom of the page), and join in the fun!

I’ve had my mantel ready since the weekend after Thanksgiving.  So, I’m very excited to show it to you today.   I got inspiration from various places…Pinterest, blogs, etc., did a mental mix and match of the elements that I wanted to put together, and got to decorating!  I used an earth tone color palette of brown, green, bronze, white and cream with a splash of seasonal red.

It was not intentional on my part, but I love how the reflection of the light in the mirror shines above the nativity like the star that guided the Wise Men.

Kelly from the Essence of Home  posted pictures from a shop she visited, and I loved the berries, bows and bells on the corners of the garlarnd, as well as how the garland was draped across the front of the mantel.  That pic was quickly pinned to my Christmas decor board on Pinterest.  I incorporated some berries that had been purchased a few years ago, and fashioned some bows from ribbon I already had.  Groupings of red ornaments substituted for bells.

Somewhere online, I saw green apples mixed in with garland and thought it looked very festive.  It just so happens that I have some artificial green apples.  So, they made it into the garland.

Year to year I always struggle with where to put the nativity.  Since I wanted to keep the focal point of the decor in a monochromatic color scheme with the mantel, I decided to try it out.  I think it makes a great focal point.

I’ve wanted natural looking stockings for years.  Maybe something in burlap…but never felt like I could afford them.  So, I tried using some linen remnants I had to embellish our old stockings.  After staying up all night in an effort to save money, I ended up taking them down and buying new, inexpensive stockings at Walmart.  I’m really enjoying the new stockings.

 I’ve had my eye on initial charms for a few years, and this was the year to make it happen.  I bought the M and the S at Target for $2 each.  Not bad.   I need an H for the middle stocking, but they are hard to come by.   I still need to do something about the stocking hanger that is showing.  Any suggestions?

I’m enjoying my merry mantle.

Until next time,

Sharon

I’m linking to:

the mantel party @ my uncommon slice of suburbia

First Annual Holiday Mantel Party @ From My Front Porch to Yours

SNS @ funky junk interiors

 Speaking of parties, my very first link party is going on now.  Be sure to come by and link up.

Nutcracker Tablescape

Every year as I decorate for Christmas,  I deliberate over where to put the Nutcrackers.  This year I started them out on the window sill in the entry, moved them to the dining table, then to the console table and back  to the dining table again.  (Being a detail oriented, aka perfectionist, person has its drawbacks).

I love how this Nutcracker is guarding the empty vintage German candy tin.  I intend on buying some pecans to fill in the tin.

My favorite Nutcracker is the music box.  Can’t you just hear the music? So romantic!

As I set out my Southern Living inspired place settings,

I discovered that I had three of these little Nutcracker plates.  I set out two; one at each arm chair.

I love the whimsy the Nutcrackers bring to the dining room.  They are in the dining room to stay!

Until next time,

Sharon

I’m linking to:

 Holiday Home/Tablescape Link Party @ The Lettered Cottage

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Holiday Dining @ No Minimalist Here

And speaking of parties, I have a Show & Tell party going on now.  I hope you will consider linking up.

pretty plates

Last night, I worked on decorating the dining room for Christmas.  I wanted to tell y’all about the plates I’m using in my table setting for the Block Party next week.

  Every year as I set out these pretty little plates, I’m reminded of a very special occasion.  Matt and I will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary on December 19th.  Each plate was designed by one of my students with a Christmas scene, and presented to me as a wedding gift the year we got married.

Aren’t they precious?!  Here’s a closer look at some of the artwork.

Even fourteen years later, these plates still fill my heart with joy and pride.  I hope you enjoy them too.

What treasure do you have in your home that brings back fond memories?

Today’s lesson is this:  The Holidays are filled with memories…some good, some not.  I pray that during this season the good memories will bring you great joy.

Isaiah 61

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Until next time,

Sharon

I’m linking to:

Newbie Party @ Debbiedoo’s Blogging and Blabbing

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Surburbia

Take it on Tuesday @ Romance on a Dime

Rock and Share @ The Shady Porch

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