Home Sweet Home at Christmas

Time to deck the halls! Join me for a guided tour!

                         

Start in the hallway. The lights don't seem to work too well in the photo, but we have the wall tree and a small one on the table next to the angel with a bit of pretties dangling over the art in the entry!

Go straight and you're headed to the living room, the land of many trees.

                            

This one is mostly "woodland" -- snowflakes and birds. It's one of two that comes down last, bringing some light into the days of January and February.

                    

I'm a sucker for snowflakes, silver, white, birds and snowfolk. So of course this might be my favorite!

Or is the big tree my favorite?

                          

Every ornament has a meaning. There are the three clothespin wise men made by a colleague nearly 40 years ago when I worked at a community dental clinic. The turkey topper is a puppet made by my friend Andrw when I was doing a puppet theatre production in grad school. Turkey Lurkey has been at the top of the tree for years! Of course travels are represented (there are more than a few Eiffel towers!)

This guy is one of the oldest, from the old family tree. I love his jolly elfin face!

                       

My living room is long and skinny so there is a dining area at the far end. In the window, atop Grandma's marbletop end table is another winter tree -- this one stays up for a bit longer.

And against the wall the Solstice tree (which in this photo doesn't yet have the sun, moon and stars ornaments that now grace it!

                             

The bookcases gets the treatment, too...

...and so does the top of the china cabinet.

The family room is another small one. This room is the reason I bought the house -- the knotty pine walls remind me of the cottage up north. Meanwhile, Lizzie can enjoy her bird's eye view of the feeder from the bay window.

                            

There's a gas fireplace in this room but it is unreliable so this year I took a hint from Southern Exposure and put flame lights inside. I love the look and I think I'll leave it like that long after the holidays.

Standing on the hearth, a tall skinny tree. I call this one the "Mom" tree -- many of the ornaments were her favorites and if anything more gets added to it, it fits the theme of fairy tales and the warmth of the kitchen. About a year ago I wrote a story about the ornaments on this tree for this blog -- "The Giant Gingerman." You can see it here.

                         

Opposite the fireplace on my little dry sink is a small tree and lots of lights.

And, to the left, yet another display. These battery branches from Tuesday Morning make for a perfect arrangement -- and one easy to move if I need the space for serving.



Take a quick left and you are in the kitchen.

There's not a lot of space here, but some sparkling silver, a little tree and a few cheery bits on the shelf make it pretty festive!

                        

On the way down the hall to the bedrooms, stop in the bathroom! There's the "pink" tree with some vintage garland and bells, along with my favorite Santa. I call him Bruce because the twinkling eyes and great smile remind me of one of my favorite professors and mentors in grad school. (The pink gown? Not so much! Though it would be something to see!)

Here's a quick look at the "Dad" tree in my bedroom. Most of these ornaments reflect things he loved -- fishing, water, outside.

My big Santa sits in the window.

                        
There are more than a few wreaths and swags in the house.

And even the clock gets it's share of decoration!

There are other spots of cheer too -- a snowflake painting that blocks a view of the kitchen clutter, the guest room "Angel" tree and a wee one in my office. Right now both of those rooms are such terrible messes that there's no way I'm even venturing in there with a camera!

Of course, my favorite decoration decorates the house every day of the year. She has recently chosen my rolling cart of Christmas cards and holiday tags for her current bed (along with my new totebag!).  Always keeping an eye out for Santa Claws!