Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Fa La La!

Today I forgot to turn on the oven when I was baking my raspberry bars and spiced nuts. No harm done -- it just took longer. I'd take a photo of the kitchen but I'm too embarrassed.But I am getting, as Patty often says, "my twinkle." I hope you're finding yours, too!


The stockings aren't yet hung, but the mantle is scaled down this year -- and I'm very happy about that. The lovely arrangement in the center is from my friend Barb, who surprised me when we went to tea.



Tea is an annual celebration with us, going to a local herb farm and enjoying a lovely lunch, wassail and shopping in their gift area.



Yes, I felt the twinkle.



I felt it last week when Greg, Rick and I did Rick's tree. When the kids were little, they always fought over whose turn it was to put Grandma's angel at the top.


This year Greg had no contest!


And yes, I'm decorated enough. Here's a bit of a home tour. In the family room, there are three trees, two small, one tall and skinny. This one has my feather boa wreath as a skirt!


And the cat tree! Some of those ornaments are on my big tree but these all make me smile. The tree topper always gives me a grin.



The skinny tree by the fireplace looks almost like last year when I took you on a journey to the Giant Gingerman. A few less ornaments this year. But who can tell?


In the living room there are a mass of trees. You probably saw the big one (or its details) in the last post. And the "white tree" looks the same as last year! But this one is new -- couldn't resist this tabletop tree when Coldwater Creek had their post-holiday sale. Boy, do I miss Coldwater Creek.



I took the photo of the top shelf here before I put the ornaments on the Solstice tree at the right -- but again, scaled back. Lots of teeny bottlebrush trees, too. (And lots in the window panes as well!)


I took a hint from my Southern Exposure post here to use my quilts and blankets in a festive way -- and my basket collection, too!


My Emil Weddige litho is one of my favorite pieces of art so I kept it simple underneath.


Here's another teeny tree with bits and pieces I like.


And of course, the top of the china cabinet isn't immune to cheer!


I won't worry about sharing the pink bathroom tree or my dad's fishing tree -- those look the same as other posts, too!


Of course there are greens around, even if most of the trees are faux. Last year, friend Barb (of the copper pot on the mantle) used this beautiful glass basket to make a wonderful arrangement. I saved the "guts" of it and added new greens and sticks this year. Not bad!


There are still plenty of things on the to-do list, even though presents are wrapped and I went to the store. Lunch and get-togethers with friends, the annual movie-watch, cookie deliveries. It'll happen. But for now, I leave you with a quick glance at how one gets on the naughty list.


And, along with that, the warmest and happiest greetings for a beautiful Christmas, a Happy (post) Hanukkah and wonderful New Year!

26 comments:

Jeanie said...

All of your beautiful trees have added a notch to my Christmas cheer. I may have to go get a cup of egg nog and have another look through them.
Merry Christmas.

My Grama's Soul said...

I don't know sweet lady.....looks to me like you have A LOT OF CHRISTMAS goin' on there~~ LOL LOL

xoxo

Jo

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

It's all so beautiful, Jeanie! The sight of your lovely home and its decorations takes my holiday spirit up quite a few notches! Thanks so much for the tour! And best wishes for a very happy holiday!

anno said...

So festive! I love your Christmas traditions -- and gorgeous decorations! (Your magic peanut butter and chocolate bars are on my list for first thing tomorrow!). Merry Christmas, Jeanie! Wishing you plenty of opportunities to twinkle!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Jeanie, I just burst into tears when I saw your son putting the angel on the tree. I burst into tears because I could imagine him as a boy, fighting with his brother....and now seeing him as a man, putting that angel atop. There is a spirit in us that though it may grow wise, it retains the child-like qualities that are most endearing. Not having kids of my own, I've been very happy, but the secret is that I very much would have been happy with a little boy. Seeing yours all grown up was a twinkle for me of what could have been.

MAGIC ABOUNDS, however! May your day be lovely and bright. Anita

Joanne Huffman said...

A delightful tour of your beautiful Christmas decorations (scaled down is NOT a term I would use after seeing these photos). Enjoy your Christmas (all 12 days of it). My older daughter is winging her way home now and my younger daughter is on her way to the airport to pick her up and they will be my primary Christmas decorations for the next 4 days.

Anonymous said...

You certainly have the spirit of Christmas.
Cheers and aloha from Hawaii.

Arti said...

What a beautiful post, Jeanie, every photo a Christmas card. Have a Merry Christmas you and yours, and a wonderful New Year!

littleRamstudio said...

Jeanie,
Just read your reply to my post and you made me cry...
..I have just been in the kitchen making the base to the trifle and have added sherry found in my Mum's kitchen and brought back here for that very task. So she will be here at our table enjoying the fayre.
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas.
Love Heather :)

Kitty said...

Wonderful, as usual. When I got to the picture of the top of the china cabinet, my mouse was pointed directly at the little bird on the arm of the lamp! And I love the pictures of our family.

Susie Q said...

It's all just beautiful! The spirit of the season lives in your lovely home! Merry, merry Christmas dear heart, to you and your family!
Love,
Sue

Sally Wessely said...

Jeanie, your scaled back version makes it look like I didn't decorate at all. I love seeing all your lovely decorations with so many creative touches. The boa as a tree skirt is brilliant.

Merry, Merry!

Marilyn Miller said...

I love that you have the tea tradition with your friend. Also the topping on the tree tradition. Christmas does create family traditions that are to be treasured. Each and every decoration delights the eyes. Thanks for sharing your beautiful surroundings.

Janet said...

Traditions are part of what makes Christmas special. You have some lovely ones. And all your trees look beautiful. You must spend weeks getting ready!

Merry Christmas, Jeanie!! To you, Rick, and all your family...and of course to Lizzie Cosette!

Willow said...

Such festive beauty in this post .
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family !
Hugs ,
Willow

Tamara said...

Jeanie,Wishing you and Rick a lovely festive season.You have certainly decorated with style. I particularly like the elegant raindeer on the mantle piece, and I like how the quilts add warmth to the room even just folded in the corner.

Jams said...

Your house is beautiful and I love the trees. That boa skirt is really cool. You are so creative, Jeanie, and who would expect you to be any different about decorating your house for Christmas. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for the card. It was so nice to open and read it last night.

paris parfait said...

Such lovely trees! Our holiday decor looks quite minimalist, compared to yours! This year I deliberately left some ornaments and decorations in the storage cupboard.

Hope you and yours had the happiest of Christmases, Jeanie! xx

The French Hutch said...

Hi sweet girl, I'm so behind with my comments but I am glad to see you got your twinkle going with time to spare! Love the tree and what a sweet gift from your friend, perfect on the mantle. I sure bet someone we all know was on a naughty list. I'm sure it was just an impulse and was sorry for being naughty. Hope no damage resulted :)
All the best to you and yours in the New Year.
Hugs.........

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I am glad that you are feeling the twinkle and had a chance to get more decorating done. Your home looks so cheery, cozy, and beautiful! I love that you have a cat tree and I love the use of a feather boa for a tree skirt - too fun! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Now, that is my idea of a beautiful Christmas house! You did an amazing job with all of your trees. They are so happy and twinkly, and I do believe you should win the Christmas Spirit prize! :-)

Loved seeing your Christmas decor, and I was just thinking about wassail the other day. You have inspired me to fix some next year.
We had a quiet Christmas this year, but I am planning a big one for next! ;-)

Happy New Year and Happy Pink Saturday!

Dropping by to visit from Beverly's and am glad I did!

xo

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, and I forgot to say how much I enjoyed seeing your son putting the angel on top. That was so sweet, and it made me tear up in a good way! I love family traditions. :-)

Jeanne said...

Wow, wow, wow, Your trees are all stunning...big and small. the feather boa was so festive as a tree skirt.

Beautiful and full of twinkle in the best sense of the word.

Happy New Year,
Jeanne xo

LV said...

You really went all out. I did not even have one tree. I do enjoy seeing what others put up tho. Your home is lovely.

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

It all looks pretty I like your small santa
HPS Laura

~*~Patty S said...

You my friend always twinkle in the loveliest ways and share it with us SO very beautifully too!
Thank you for spreading Light and Love so sweetly dear Jeanie. (your shout out was a sweet surprise too!)
oxo

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