Deck the Halls -- Some More!

Well, after I finished part one of this house-decorating post, I thought I'd never get the photos done for part two! But here we are and welcome! 

As you might imagine...

You saw most of the living room last time but here is a peek at my comfy chair -- perfect color! After Lizzie started to "take out" the other chair in its place I figured I needed something inexpensive and with a slip cover, because you can try to train a cat -- and sometimes it even works. And sometimes you just keep buying furniture! This one was a steal at about $160 for the chair and cover. I bought a back-up cover because you never know!

And atop the telly a little red garden! (Yes, it's an old one. I keep waiting for it to die so I can get a new one but it's hard to recycle and harder to lift. However, it does have a flat top, perfect for a trio of poinsettias!)

I did add some lights to my Ice Berry wreath. It was in a bit of a dark spot and they really give it a glow.

And every where, there is a Santa or two!

My cozy little family room reminds me of an up-north cottage so nothing formal here! A few of the Santa collection is here, along with my favorite Christmas piece.

Yes, this is a Whimsical Whittler original. I wrote about them HERE and HERE carved by VJ Rawson and painted by his wife Stephanie, from the small town of Mason, MI nearby. Several years ago,  VJ died from cancer related to Agent Orange and that ended the business. Do visit the post to see some of their wonderful work. If you are lucky enough to have a piece, hold it close.

My fireplace is gas but needs a bit of repair before use so I just amped it up with sparkly lights.

And everyone needs shoes to be filled at Christmas!

The tree here is one I call "The Mom Tree" because many of the ornaments were her favorites, especially the storybook characters, exquisitely made from felt.

You'll find characters from "Wizard of Oz," "Peter Pan," "Pinocchio," "Red Riding Hood" and "Winnie the Pooh" here.

The tree is crowned with the giant gingerbread fellow my dad made. For the background story on that, read my "Modern Creative Life" article on finding your creative soul during the holidays HERE. On the left here is the one dad made; on the right, his inspiration, done by mom. Apart from one being about seven inches taller, it's hard to tell them apart!

                   

I just love to sit in this room with all the "regular" lights off and just enjoy. It makes me feel a bit like I'm at the lake!

On Lizzie's bird watching window, another tree. This has a mix or ornaments and they change year to year. I love the colorful lights!

The sweet angel in the window came my way in the 1970s from my friend Lisa. A sweet reminder of many good times together.

Opposite the fireplace, my little Hitchcock dry sink, which serves as a "wine station."

And on the fourth wall, my Solstice tree.

Suns, moons, stars and planets twinkle and shine!

Of course, you could stop in the kitchen for a look! I made the swag last year at Southern Exposure. The cookie jar and teapots are gifts.

You might note that this fellow has quite the headdress! His lid, in the shape of a hat, broke and he suddenly went from teapot to vase.

A little faux ivy in some ironstone adds some festive color.

A peek into the bedroom. On the right wall, the Snowman tree, on the left, the "Dad" tree. On the bed, the Christmas Kitty!

The "Dad" tree has many ornaments that pertain to things he loved -- especially fishing!

                    

I think of dad with every ornament that goes on this little one. He would have loved it!

And you've probably made one of these, too. I hadn't used it for a few years and decided the time was right!

We'll just skip right past the guest room and my office because -- well, you can probably guess why. Just a quick peek into the bathroom! You'll find a tree, of course! And a tree selfie!

                   

In the other corner, a mercury glass snowman, broken on the back, finds a good home in a lantern.

And on the wall a couple of very special pieces of art. The Joan Walsh Anglund decoupage was done by my cousin Nancy decades ago and given to my mom. The framed art above that is one of my annual Christmas cards from someone I'm sure you know -- Caroll Spinney and his wonderful wife Debra. Who?'

Caroll is better know to the rest of the world as Big Bird and Oscar. But he's a gifted artist as well and probably the nicest man you'll ever meet. Each year he does a new drawing of his characters and I love and cherish every single one.

We'll head outside for a minute but first, make sure to check every corner. You never know who has been there!

Outdoors, not much. A few shoddy lights hanging on the rail and a small tree.

But I especially like the planters of greens by the door.

Cheerful and welcoming. Coming up I have a Southern Exposure workshop called "Bucket o' Greens." But I'm wondering if they'll be as cute!

Thanks for joining me in part two of the home tour. I wish you lived close at hand so you could come over, be merry and enjoy the cookies I did the other day or other tasty things, listen to a Christmas song or two or ten and just talk in person.

And now, I'm off to see what the rest of you are up to this holiday. I know I'll get a ton of ideas and no time to do them. But maybe next year!